Chapter 642: Chapter 644: Scheming

This private room was the perfect place for it. A commotion in a spot like this would attract the attention of everyone below.

If Ancient Wen Heng were to shout down at this moment, everyone below would see him as soon as they looked up.

"Lord Ning really went to some trouble finding a place like this."

How could Ning Yuchen fail to hear the double entendre? But since Ancient Wen Heng didn’t call him out on it, he just stood there and played dumb, pretending not to understand.

"There are no outsiders here now, Lord Ning. If you have something to say, please be direct."

Ning Yuchen hesitated. "...Actually, this is for my own selfish reasons. I wanted to ask Mr. Gu for advice on how to climb the ranks as you have."

Ancient Wen Heng asked, "This is all you wanted to ask, Lord Ning?"

Ning Yuchen nodded. "You know I’ve been in this position for a very long time. I was hoping you could help me advance, Sir."

Ancient Wen Heng chuckled. "It’s always best to be down-to-earth in your work. What is gained through scheming will not last.

If this is all, Lord Ning, then I’m afraid I can’t help you.

If there’s nothing else, then I will take my leave."

Ning Yuchen’s mind was in chaos. Unable to think of another excuse, he could only step aside in silence and watch as the group left.

Standing at the window, Ning Yuchen watched them exit the teahouse, and his expression immediately soured.

"Brother Jiang, what did you find up there?"

After they returned to the estate, Ming Feng watched the master head into the rear courtyard before eagerly finding Jiang Shiniu.

"It was nothing, just an ambitious woman." ’They had seen plenty of schemes like this over the years.’

In Lu City, many people had tried all sorts of ways to place a woman in the master’s household, but so far, not a single one had succeeded.

"So it was that again," Ming Feng said, unsurprised. "These people are so unoriginal. It’s always the same few tricks over and over.

Don’t they do their research? You’d think they’d know about the Gu family’s rules."

After all, the master already had two legitimate sons. According to the family rules, he was forbidden from taking a concubine for his entire life.

Jiang Shiniu said, "Wealth tempts the heart. But these people forget that the one who truly controls the Gu family’s finances is the Madam."

Ming Feng muttered, "...Why don’t these people get it?"

Meanwhile, Ancient Wen Heng was in the rear courtyard, telling Jin Qianqian about what had happened.

Jin Qianqian wasn’t worried at all. Instead, she teased him, "I wonder what great beauty she was. It’s a pity you didn’t get a look."

Ancient Wen Heng replied, "What’s there to be sorry about? I didn’t even bother asking Jiang Da Niu for details. We’ll have nothing more to do with Ning Yuchen from now on."

Jin Qianqian asked, "Do you want me to have someone look into it?"

Ancient Wen Heng shook his head. "His scheme failed, so let’s not waste any more energy on them.

I just received news. The official appointments for He Gaofei and the others have come down."

"They were all promoted, I assume."

Ancient Wen Heng said, "Yes, each of them was promoted one rank. He Gaofei is now the Magistrate of Dao City.

We might need to ask him to keep an eye on things back home."

Qianqian said, "That’s good news for us. At least we won’t have to worry about our home while we’re away. What about Mr. Wu and Mr. Lu?"

"They were sent to different places, but both were assigned to coastal areas. His Majesty probably wants them to build on their past experience and achieve new accomplishments," Ancient Wen Heng shared his guess.

Qianqian was surprised, and then a worried look crossed her face. "But... a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work everywhere.

If things go wrong, they’ll be in serious trouble."

"That’s why I’ve arranged to meet with them later." After several years of camaraderie, Ancient Wen Heng truly wished the best for the three of them.

"I’m just afraid their hands will be tied," Qianqian sighed. "Don’t forget, they’ll have superiors. And those superiors might not be as reasonable as you."

Ancient Wen Heng rubbed his nose, feeling a bit sheepish.

’Back in Lu City, he’d certainly put his fair share of pressure on them. Things wouldn’t have gone so smoothly without their cooperation.’

"Don’t worry. Everyone has their own way of getting by. Besides, while their ranks may not be high and their families aren’t powerful, their situation is actually much better than ours. They have established foundations and connections through marriage."

Hearing this, Qianqian let the matter go. "From now on, try to meet guests at Tianfu Restaurant. Don’t go to any remote or unfamiliar places."

Ancient Wen Heng smiled at her. "I have plenty of guards with me. Nothing will go wrong."

Qianqian countered, "I’m worried about people who would risk everything for wealth and status. What if someone suddenly throws herself at you? What happens if she makes contact?"

Ancient Wen Heng opened his mouth to argue, but then realized it was a genuine possibility. "I’ll be careful," he conceded.

＆

Ning Yuchen lingered in the teahouse for a moment before rushing outside.

Seeing an open door deep in the alley, he slipped inside without a sound.

"Lady Yao, Lady Yao..."

"Brother Ning, I’m here." A meticulously dressed woman in a blue-green gown emerged from a room.

"Are you all right?" Ning Yuchen looked her up and down.

Lady Yao’s eyes were red. "Brother Ning, I’m fine.

It’s just... the man who burst in was so rough. He dragged me from the second floor and just threw me into the back alley.

It terrified me. I wanted to go back to the teahouse, but he shot me such a vicious glare that I was too scared to move. That’s why I came back here first.

I’m sorry, Brother Ning. I know you made these plans for my sake, but... a family like that... I’m too cowardly. I can’t go through with it."

"You foolish girl! Don’t you know? Ancient Wen Heng is a third-rank official now, and his family is incredibly wealthy. With a little more maneuvering on my part, even if you couldn’t become a wife of equal standing, you could at least secure the position of a noble concubine.

If you bear him a son or even a daughter, you’ll be set for life with wealth and splendor."

Lady Yao shook her head. "I just asked around at the street corner. That Mr. Gu is about to take up a post in Yi Province. Even if our scheme works and he takes me in, I’ll have to follow him to his new post. How could I possibly survive in the inner court, all alone and without support?

Brother Ning, I know my place. Even you wouldn’t have a village girl like me. A man that powerful can have any woman he wants. Why would he ever make a place for me?"

A guilty look flashed across Ning Yuchen’s face. "You’re right, I’ve wronged you. I just thought he was a decent man. I figured your life would be good if you went with him.

But since you’re against it, we’ll just drop the matter.

But you can’t stay here forever. How about this? I’ll borrow some Silver and buy you some land in a nearby village?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Ning Yuchen regretted them.

Lady Yao covered her face with a handkerchief. "I’m just a burden to you, Brother Ning. If I’m too much trouble, then don’t worry about me anymore. I can always take in laundry. I’ll find a way to survive."

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