"Heh..." Cen Futong couldn't help but laugh out loud as he patted Shi Chun's arm, "Brother Chun, you're too wicked, wicked with remarkable standards. Are you leaving tomorrow?"

Shi Chun replied, "We should be departing early in the morning, and as soon as we leave the city, we'll make our move. On the road, we'll exchange money for the person, and no one should play any tricks; otherwise, no one will be able to swallow that money. If anything happens to me, there will be people in Zhaotian City who will blow the lid off this incident. At that time, if that woman makes a fuss and Bian Weikang wants to settle scores, that will be none of my business."

"A reliable man," Cen Futong said, not annoyed by the other's threat but seeming to greatly admire it, as he patted Shi Chun's arm again, "We should have more dealings in the future and make a fortune together."

He admired Shi Chun's abilities and felt that while he wasn't lacking in connections himself, what he lacked was this kind of person. He could make good use of him in the future.

After further discussion of the details, Cen Futong treated Shi Chun with enthusiasm, like a good brother, especially when he learned that Shi Chun had just been released from prison, which he found even more intriguing.

Deep as their camaraderie might be, they had to focus on business first. After finalizing their plans, they parted ways immediately. With action to be taken the next day, Cen Futong needed to prepare in advance.

Upon escorting Shi Chun to the door, Shi Chun left him with another reminder: "Brother Cen, remember, the reason I'm redeeming someone at Cloud Building is all your arrangement. Otherwise, if my uncle becomes suspicious and refuses to pay, it would be troublesome. Those two friends of yours, I find them too unreliable, with rebellion written all over their foreheads. Make sure they know nothing of this matter."

He took the chance to toss in a little eye medicine, considering how those two had laughed so loudly at his name earlier.

Indeed, as Shen Youkun had accurately said, Shi Chun was someone who would bite back once wronged.

To put it in the words of a scholar, not to avenge is not a gentleman's deed.

"Got it, no need to tell me. Don't come out to see me off, be careful of being spotted by that couple," Cen Futong said, even pulling out a folding fan from his waist and opening it to cover his face as he left, as if afraid of being discovered by Xiang Laner and others.

Shi Chun didn't forget to flatter as he saw him off, "Brother Cen is dependable, truly a man for great tasks."

After Cen left, Shi Chun turned back into the house to drink tea and flip through books, contented now that their big plan was set.

Wu Jinliang sidled up with a chuckle, "Now that's good. With that grandson taking the blame at his uncle's, Lv Taizhen can't hold a grudge against you either. Just wait to collect the money."

"I thought I would have to run around more, but encountering such a character has indeed saved me a lot of trouble," Shi Chun said, holding a book in one hand and sipping tea with the other. After setting down the teacup, his fingertips tapped on the table, "Consider what to eat; we can indulge tonight."

The pressure on him had never been great; if everything worked out, he would make a huge profit, and if not, he would find a way to get Bian Weikang to pay back the borrowed money in excess. Holding the son of the Wukang Mountain Sect Master in his grasp, he couldn't believe he wouldn't be able to get the money. If that were so, he would have been the East Nine Plain Master in vain.

"Right!" Wu Jinliang clapped in agreement.

Just then, Dong and Da Shitou came in and reported that Cen Futong and his group had left the mountain, asking how the discussion had gone.

"With the Master in charge, of course we won!" Wu Jinliang laughed heartily, then spread his arms and hugged both men, "Think quickly what to eat; you promised a treat and can't cheat us."

Having already emptied his own pockets, he could only try to scrounge as much as possible.

"Aye, don't worry."

"It's guaranteed to be something you've never even seen before."

With that, Shi Chun threw the book in his hand aside, and the four joyous men from East Nine Plain left the house and headed to the city to eat, drink, and have fun. They couldn't wait any longer...

The name of Zhaotian City comes from the lake that reflects the sky where there is an island. On the island sits a large mansion with intricate architecture called Lv Garden, the residence of Lv Taizhen.

Outside a pavilion and tower complex, the elder steward Cao Puqing with snowy temples gave a few instructions to his servants and had them dismissed when another hurried over and reported in a low voice, "Steward, the two men who borrowed money to redeem someone went to Bowan Building, and not to the floors where goods are bought and sold, but they took the corridor used by internal personnel."

Cao Puqing exclaimed in surprise, "It seems there is indeed something going on."

"That man continued, "The identities and backgrounds of the two men are still unclear, but the origins of the two accompanying them from Bowan Building have been somewhat unearthed—one called Dong, the other called Da Shitou."

Cao Puqing remarked, "Those names are a bit strange."

"That man concurred, "Indeed, they come from the Land of Exile. Judging by their appearance and clothing, it's very likely that the two who borrowed money to redeem someone also come from the Land of Exile and might have just recently left."

Cao Puqing frowned slightly, "Just coming from the Land of Exile, how can they afford so much money to redeem a courtesan for someone else? Keep investigating and only come back to me when you've got clear information."

"Yes. Also..."

"Don't hem and haw, what is it, out with it!"

"Steward, those two also stayed at Wuyou Inn, but just now, your nephew Cen Futong met with them privately and even sent away his companions. We don't know what they discussed in secret."

Cao Puqing went silent for a moment, then ordered decisively, "Call him to me immediately!"

"Yes," the man replied and quickly went to carry out his order.

Just as he had finished, Cen Futong happened to be heading in this direction and encountered him halfway, promptly hailing him over.

The nephew and uncle met in an empty loft, with Cao Puqing specifically dismissing everyone else.

With outsiders gone, Cen Futong straightened his hunched back, knowing full well how to conduct himself in front of his own uncle—a lesson ingrained since his youth. After all, Lv Garden wasn't exactly his uncle's own home.

Cao Puqing, with a deep voice, asked, "Did you go see those two who are trying to ransom the Cloud Building's top courtesan?"

Cen Futong immediately showed surprise, "Uncle, are you having me watched?"

With a lift of his eyelids, Cao Puqing replied, "You think too highly of yourself. Do you admit it?"

Cen Futong nodded, "I did go to meet them."

Cao Puqing asked, "And what did you want with them?"

Cen Futong replied, "Isn't it about ransoming someone? I arranged it."

He had been meaning to discuss this with his uncle. It was a large sum of money, and he couldn't come up with it on his own.

Cao Puqing felt momentarily numb with shock. Such news was too unexpected for him, exceeding all his expectations, and it took him a while to slightly shake his head and come back to his senses. He asked with disbelief, "You arranged for those two to ransom Xiang Laner?"

Cen Futong nodded, "I arranged it."

With confirmation, Cao Puqing was baffled for a moment, then asked, "Have you lost your mind? Don't you know she's the woman the Master wants to ransom?"

He was still struggling to accept this reality, having ordered an inquiry into the background of the two ransoming individuals, curious to know who dared to be so bold. He had not expected the source to be his own family.

Cen Futong said, "Exactly because she is the person the Master wants to ransom, I couldn't swallow my pride. That wretch was actually willing to spend her entire savings just to run away with some pretty boy. If this gets out, not only will the Master lose face, but even I, who rely on you, Uncle, would feel dishonored.

That pretty boy still needed fifty thousand gold to redeem her, right? Fine, I borrowed some money and arranged for someone to help him out, and incidentally got hold of that wretch's indenture. Uncle, she can't escape; wherever she goes, she belongs to the Master."

Cao Puqing's expression darkened, and he gritted his teeth, "Are you nuts? Is this something you should meddle in? Don't you know who Bian Weikang is? He's desperate for that woman..."

"Oh, Uncle, it's not as complicated as you think..."

Interrupting his uncle abruptly, Cen Futong spilled out the scheme he was told by Shi Chun about deceiving Bian Weikang and Xiang Laner, leaving Cao Puqing astonished.

After running through the plan once more, Cao Puqing looked incredulous, "Did you really come up with this idea?"

Cen Futong spread his hands nonchalantly, "What kind of idea is this? I might not have the ability to do great things like you all, but when it comes to dealing with women, you might really not equal me."

Believing his words, Cao Puqing knew his nephew was indeed well-versed in such frivolous affairs that caused trouble. Because of this, he felt a deep regret and spoke harshly to his nephew, "I always said you're not inherently stupid; it's your mother who spoiled you. Starting today, I'll be taking it upon myself to correct your behavior. Drop this matter now, and don't interfere any further."

He was well aware of what the Master's half a million gold for ransoming was all about.

The Master was fond of that top courtesan, but since she sells art and not her body, and the madam, Feng Chi, was unwilling to accept the money, no agreement was reached. Then suddenly today, an agreement was reached, and out of nowhere, Bian Weikang got involved.

Fond as he might be, it wasn't worth the trouble for a brothel woman, so it no longer mattered.

He was only investigating those behind the ransoming simply to understand the motive, to ascertain who was bold enough to possibly seek trouble, and because the matter had implicated them, they couldn't just ignore it.

"That won't do. Those fifty thousand gold for the ransom are borrowed by me. I've borrowed various sums before and have never dared to tell you. Add to that some miscellaneous expenses for dealing with matters, the total comes to four hundred fifty thousand. The Master was initially willing to pay five hundred thousand, but with my involvement, I've not only resolved my own issues but also saved the Master five thousand.

The problem is, I've used the indenture as collateral with the creditor. If I don't pay them back, they'll surely sell the woman the Master likes again. Once Bian Weikang causes an uproar, the creditor will definitely expose my involvement."

Having lived under his uncle's feet for so many years, Cen Futong knew how to grasp his uncle's pulse even more accurately than Shi Chun, not even needing to beat around the bush.

Cao Puqing felt overwhelmed by the messiness of it all; he'd deal with the accounts later. He had another suspicion and pressed, "The two you found to pay for the ransom, who are they?"

Cen Futong answered nonchalantly, "Fresh out of jail, just released from the Land of Exile—one's named Shi Chun, the other Wu Jinliang, both short on money and thus easy to command."

Cao Puqing, with a grave tone, said, "Is it really that simple? Why have I heard they've had dealings with Bowan Building?"

Cen Futong replied dismissively, "They've had dealings. Their brothers from the Land of Exile are now working at Bowan Building. They wanted to use this relationship to enter Bowan Building and have already tried to negotiate there, but it seems it didn't go smoothly."

Shi Chun had already explained all this to him in detail, guarding against the possibility that Lv Taizhen might have someone watching him.

Thus, Cao Puqing was left speechless, the situation matching the assessment made by his own subordinates.

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