As the noise outside began, Shi Chun immediately got up and was about to wander over to Weikang's side when, as he passed under the connecting corridor of the small courtyard, he suddenly heard a "tss tss" sound coming from one of the rooms. Turning his head, he saw a familiar face peering from behind a half-open window, and it was none other than Cen Futong.

Shi Chun quickly looked around, pretended to be strolling, and casually approached the window, whispering, "Why are you staying here?"

"I moved in last night, everything is ready on my part."

"Just follow the original plan."

"Okay, I was worried that you might be unsure, so I came especially to give you assurance."

"Brother Cen is indeed dependable, fit for big endeavors," Shi Chun praised verbally while mentally cursing at the foolishness of such a conspicuous target.

He then left, winding his way straight to the door of Weikang's room.

The people inside had already woken up, and the door opened as soon as it was knocked, whereupon they agreed on a departure time.

Then it was time for them to prepare individually, and Shi Chun and his companion also took time to try the breakfast here.

There was so much else to experience in such a rush; they could only prioritize the important matters and leave the rest for later.

When leaving Wuyou Inn, the group of four included Xiang Laner, who wore a cloak over her face, while the others made no changes in their appearance.

A couple, not wanting to be seen by others, chose not to pass through the bustling area below the mountain but instead went straight to the cliff above Wuyou Inn and then disappeared into the vast primeval forest.

As they hastened their flight, the differences in their cultivation levels became apparent. Among the four, only Weikang had High Martial cultivation; the other three were less skilled, but Weikang, regardless of gender, did not mind and slowed down to keep pace.

At the Bowan Building, Che Si hurried to the office of Miao Yilan and reported after asking, "Miss Miao."

"Come in," Miao Yilan's voice rang out.

Che Si walked in immediately, glanced at the pretty feathers that were once again laid out on the desk, and reported, "Miss Miao, Shi Chun, Weikang, and Xiang Laner have left, and it seems they have left Zhaotian City. I couldn't keep following them."

"They've left?" Miao Yilan, who had just opened a ledger, was stunned, then turned to look at him, "Didn't they say they would repay within three days? How can they repay if they've left?"

It seemed unbelievable to her that Shi Chun could perform such an untrustworthy act under her watch; did he really think that once he left the Land of Exile, he would be free as birds in the sky and beyond her reach?

To her, the money was not a big deal; she simply did not want to be fooled like a fool.

Che Si said, "I'm not sure what happened, but seeing Dong and Da Shitou's sneaky behavior yesterday, both of them must know the inside story."

Miao Yilan thought for a moment, paused in her work, and got up, "Call both of them here."

"Yes," Che Si replied and left.

Both Dong and Da Shitou, who had taken a leave yesterday, had returned to their usual duties at the storeroom, essentially working as laborers.

Che Si, unable to allow them to refuse and using the authority of Miao Yilan, easily took them away.

Both of them asked what the matter was along the way, but Che Si didn't answer and directly brought them to Miao Yilan's office.

On the balcony, Miao Yilan bathed in the morning sun, her figure enveloped in a radiant glow as she waited for them. The two men greeted her upon arrival.

Miao Yilan, turning to them without further ado, directly asked, "Do you know that Shi Chun and his group left Zhaotian City today?"

"I don't know."

"I do."

The two, speaking simultaneously, gave different answers. Dong claimed ignorance, while Da Shitou admitted knowledge.

Dong's face turned green on the spot, his eyes unsure where to look, as he felt an urge to strangle Da Shitou.

The situation was awkward for Da Shitou too; he guessed what Dong meant by "I don't know"—not wanting to disclose the secret. However, Da Shitou's "I know" wasn't meant to spill any secrets either; he believed it wouldn't be possible to hide the fact that Shi Chun's group had left Zhaotian City, otherwise, they wouldn't have been summoned to discuss the matter.

Miao Yilan, always composed and gentle, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the utterly contradictory answers. She couldn't believe they dared to be so blatantly deceitful in front of her.

With a cold snort from Che Si, who looked icily at Dong, the lie was obvious.

Just as he was about to chide Dong, Dong suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "I remembered, Da Shitou reminded me; I drank too much yesterday and almost forgot, yes, yes, they did mention they were leaving today during yesterday's feast."

Miao Yilan's beautiful mouth curled slightly as she asked, "Just like that, he ran off with my money, isn't he going to pay it back?"

Dong immediately replied, "He will pay it back. He said, if nothing unexpected happens, someone will deliver the money today."

Miao Yilan was puzzled, "Weikang can repay him so quickly?"

Da Shitou slightly bowed his head, not knowing what to say.

But Dong cleanly cut in, "How could Weikang have money to repay? Shi Chun and Lv Taizhen had agreed to sell Xiang Laner to Lv Taizhen, and that's how they'll have the money."

Da Shitou suddenly turned his head to look at him, then quickly bowed his head again to hide his surprised reaction.

Miao Yilan and Che Si were both baffled, not understanding what was meant. They had just snatched someone Lv Taizhen wanted to buy and were now selling to him—had they heard that right? What was the meaning of going through such a convoluted process?

Yet Dong's face was sincere, as if to say he hadn't told a single lie.

Che Si couldn't help but interject, "How will they sell?"

Dong: "I don't know the specifics of how they will sell, the transaction must have been covertly settled with Cao Puqing's nephew, Cen Futong, and he didn't tell us."

Che Si: "Covertly settled? What is there to settle covertly about this? Besides, they snatch someone Lv Taizhen wanted to buy and then sell to him. What is this, are they just bored or do they think Lv Taizhen has nothing to do?"

Dong: "It's different, buying from Cloud Building would cost Lv Taizhen five hundred thousand gold, but buying from Shi Chun would only cost two hundred thousand gold."

"…"

What the hell, Miao Yilan and Che Si could not make sense of it for a moment but then realized the crux of the matter.

Upon further contemplation, they gradually deciphered the trickery, and both were dumbstruck.

After a while, Miao Yilan, as if waking from a dream, stared at Dong and Da Shitou, "Where are they conducting this transaction?"

Anyone could see that this woman seemed intent on stopping the transaction.

Dong shook his head, "We really don't know the specifics of the transaction. He wouldn't tell the two of us. When he first borrowed the money, we didn't know this was his plan. Only after he had redeemed the person did he let us know. He said we're now people of Bowan Building, he didn't allow us to be involved, only to help transfer the money returned to you."

That, he had to emphasize, to disassociate, to show they had not participated in any private dealings.

Miao Yilan's expression was complex, she sighed, "That's a living person, how can they just be sold back and forth like this?"

Dong and Da Shitou were taken aback, both looking at her with unexpected expressions. If even this was not permissible, then they should talk no further; they would have starved to death in the Land of Exile long ago.

Then Da Shitou tried to remind her, "Miss Miao, she is already a courtesan, inherently meant to be sold."

Dong also nodded in agreement, "Whether Cloud Building sells to Lv Taizhen or Shi Chun sells to Lv Taizhen, there's no difference. Shi Chun merely made a profit from the price difference."

Miao Yilan was speechless. The other party had paid four hundred and fifty thousand, you only paid fifty thousand, where do you get off selling her? The most important thing was the disruption of a mutually loving couple, a point she struggled to accept.

To think she had believed that nonsense before, and had been moved by Shi Chun's claim that 'mutual affection is worth more than countless wealth.' Turns out, his refinement was just a facade, how devious!

As for Dong and Da Shitou, that was one thing, but Che Si's reaction startled her; initially, he was as shocked as she was, but now there was admiration in his eyes. Was he praising the elegance of Shi Chun's actions?

With that, she lost interest in further discussion, waving for everyone to leave.

Turning the corner in the corridor and about to go downstairs, Che Si and the two others suddenly stepped aside to make way, bowing deeply, "Boss lady."

Coming up from downstairs was none other than Lan Qiaoyan, the principal of Bowan Building in the Land of Exile.

She was here to visit her daughter. She didn't have to stay confined to the Land of Exile; she could come and go as she pleased, and, in fact, she spent most of her time in the outside world.

She nodded slightly in acknowledgment, knowing Che Si well. As her gaze swept over the other two's faces, she suddenly paused, surprised, "What are you two doing here?"

It was impossible for Dong and Da Shitou not to recognize her. They had seen her even in the Land of Exile, and recently she personally had recommended them to Bowan Building.

Dong spoke for them, "The manager, knowing it was you who recommended us, asked if we knew Miss Miao. We said yes, he said it's easier to deal with acquaintances, so he transferred us here."

"…" Lan Qiaoyan was at a loss for words; never mind, she waved them off to go about their business and turned to leave.

Entering her daughter's study, she saw her daughter leaning on the balcony railing, deep in thought, not even noticing her approach. She immediately woke her and asked what was going on.

What else could be going on? Miao Yilan shared how Shi Chun had borrowed money to sell the top artist of Cloud Building.

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