Chapter Ten Night Roaming

  Although it's dark at night, after all, it's in the capital city. There aren't many people on the streets, but there are still some, and a person walking alone doesn't need to worry or be afraid.

  It was only when walking to those dark street corners that I couldn't help but think of the horror movies I had seen before, where those brainless protagonists didn't know why they encountered danger and ran to places with no people, it's really stupid. This girl, armed with modern civilized education, how could she do such a foolish thing? Of course, she chose to walk on the bright main road with many people, following the big street, and walked back to the Zhou Mansion.

  Back to the yard, ignoring Yuer's gossiping questions, I fell onto the bed and slept soundly with my head covered. Yuer had no choice but to leave. When I saw that the room was dark, I stuck my head out from under the covers and stared at the mosquito net above the bed, thinking about all the things that had happened that day.

  Zhou Murang this fool, why can't he understand? Why open a brothel, isn't it all for the sake of those two siblings?

  The emperor, an old man, how could he be devoted to one person? Moreover, the imperial palace is not a place where such things are allowed to happen. These ignorant ancient people who haven't read "The Legend of Zhen Huan" naturally don't understand the way of survival in the harem. Rather than waiting for the emperor to get tired of Zhou Mu Yan and turn his head to favor someone else, it's better if I help him prepare this person. Where can you find all kinds of beautiful women in this world? Besides brothels, can you think of any other more professional places?

  Although I'm not familiar with Zhou Muyan, after entering the palace we're on the same boat. If she doesn't receive favor, my days won't be good either. This is called preparing for a rainy day, for her and also for myself.

  As for Zhou Mulang, he has no achievements to his name. Although it's easy to buy an official position, managing the relationships in the official circle is unavoidable and requires socializing. If this brothel opens, high-ranking officials will come when they hear about it, and I'm afraid of not recognizing the powerful people. Relationships are money-making opportunities. Now that I've combined the two, he's not grateful but instead scolds me loudly.

  I must have been crazy to listen to him and enter the palace. Thinking about it, marrying Lord Zhou isn't so bad after all. He's older, but that's just a number. Besides, he likes me more than I like him, which means he's already lost. Humph! Zhou Mulang, everything is your fault... I don't know how long I scolded him for, but somehow I fell asleep while doing so.

  On the second day, as usual, I was served by Yu'er for washing and eating. I found myself slowly being corrupted by this hedonism, and I actually got used to Yu'er's service. Without her, I couldn't even take care of my daily life. Alas, this habit is not good, it must be changed, it must be changed.

  Being with Yu'er is a very relaxing thing, she agrees with everything I say, and she does whatever I ask her to do without hesitation. As we get closer, she's also starting to be less obedient than before.

  Last night's events had been on her mind, and during my face-washing and meal-eating process, I saw her curious eyes flash by more than once, but she held back and didn't say a word. They say all illnesses come from pent-up emotions, but I'm not going to let that happen, so when she flashed her gossiping eyes for the 238th time, I finally asked her, "Yuer, what do you want to know?"

  She was embarrassed by my question and didn't know how to respond, "No, miss, it's just that the wind is strong at night, I'm afraid you'll kick off the quilt, so I thought of covering you with a blanket in the middle of the night, but then I heard some things I shouldn't have..."

  "What did I just hear? What was I saying?"

  It's my turn to be embarrassed now. I'm talking in my sleep, but I don't have this habit, do I? Apart from snoring, kicking the bed and having an ugly sleeping posture, it seems like I don't have any other bad habits.

  "Uh, uh, uh..."

  "What's going on, I'm still singing with my head held high! Hurry up and say it, or else I'll... Usually playful, I know Jade is most afraid of being tickled. At this moment, who can still think about dignity? She stretched out her hand to tickle her."

  She was really scared of this move, and hurriedly called a halt. "Alright, alright, I'll say it. Yesterday, you said something about Zhou Mulang, bastard, old man, died and divided the family property...". After she finished speaking, she looked at me with doubt and said, "Miss, what family property are we dividing? Whose family property?"

  I was taken aback, and my mind suddenly went blank. I didn't expect to have spoken out loud the underlying thoughts in my heart. Dividing property, of course, refers to Mr. Zhou's family assets. If I were to marry him, after he passes away, according to the law, I would at least be entitled to half of his estate. But if I really were to marry him, I couldn't guarantee that my character wouldn't lead me to commit something like murdering my husband and engaging in a bloody family feud over inheritance.

  I let out a soft sigh and smiled in response, "No, I don't even have parents, where would I have family property to divide? However, Yuer, you must promise me not to spread this matter around. You also know that I'm still unmarried, who would think well of this affair if it were to be made public?"

  Yu'er nodded in response.

  "What are these two masters and servants talking about?" The one who spoke was actually Lord Zhou, he really is the reincarnation of Cao Cao, every time they mention him, he appears.

  Jade was somewhat afraid and could only lower her head, unable to utter a word.

  I stood up and saluted, smiling at this Mr. Zhou who had been planned by me in my dream from marriage to killing her husband to seizing property, "Nothing, just joking, Uncle, what can I do for you today?"

  Mr. Zhou smoothed his goatee, and it had to be said that under the reflection of his goatee, his face seemed a few points longer.

  "In another half month, you will enter the palace. I have arranged for some things to be prepared. Although the palace lacks nothing, not everyone has the ability to obtain them. It's every man for himself, and it's up to each of your abilities. You and Yan'er, I'm reluctant to part with either of you, so take good care of yourselves."

  Good heavens, is this old man confessing to me at the crack of dawn? This is the first time in my life that I've been confessed to by a man older than my grandfather. My life is now complete.

  I really don't know how to respond to Uncle Zhou's words, so I pretend to be silly and smile foolishly. "Uncle, rest assured, Mu Yan and I are like sisters, and you have raised me with kindness. I will take good care of her. If anyone bullies her, it's the same as bullying me. I'll fight them to the end and make them regret it."

  I thought Lord Zhou would appreciate my hypocritical words, but instead he said, "No, the only thing that can keep you safe and wealthy is the emperor's favor, the emperor's favor is everything."

  I really admire Mr. Zhou's shamelessness, holding back my white eyes, he must have emphasized this to Zhou Muyan many times, the goal is so clear, it's chilling.

  Thinking of these things, I didn't hear what he instructed afterwards, seeing him leave, I bid farewell in a daze, with a pang of melancholy in my heart.

  It was late at night, and I, a nocturnal creature who slept late, was still staring blankly at the candle holder, as if waiting for something, yet seemingly waiting for nothing. As the clock struck midnight, it suddenly rang out loud, and I couldn't bear it any longer, preparing to go back to bed to sleep.

  The door was suddenly opened, and a familiar figure appeared. Yes, he finally showed up. I seemed to have waited for him. My mood was so good that it burst out. It's strange, wasn't I just saying how much I hated him yesterday? Why am I so excited now? He didn't care about my emotions at all, grabbed my hand and rushed into the dark night.

  I followed him, wandering in the Zhou Mansion on a dark night, turning east and west, making me dizzy. Night touring the Zhou Mansion wasn't as fun as I imagined. After passing through the corridor, circling around the fake hill, dodging the strong man who was beating dogs, we arrived at a spacious and bright house. Hmm, this house looks much better than the ones I lived in.

  Zhou Murang took me sneaking in, relying on a little firelight, it can be seen that no one lives here, but the furniture and items are still arranged as before. The nanmu wood cabinet, the gold-inlaid carved flowers, the crimson silk curtains, and the various tablecloths and cushions made of emerald green satin, it can be seen that the owner of this house should be somewhat old, and I couldn't help but wonder, whose house is this?

  Zhou Murong didn't hesitate at all, walking to the bedside with ease, lifting up the bedding and revealing a solid wood bed board. He knocked on it a few times, and surprisingly, the bed board opened, filled with various gold and silver jewelry. Forgive my ignorance, I can only understand jewelry as valuable stones, but I really don't get why they're so expensive. Anyway, if what's in front of me was filled with renminbi (RMB), that would be just fine.

  "Zhou Murang, you're really a monster!" I exclaimed.

  "What makes me look like a monster? Have you ever seen such a handsome and elegant monster?" He had his back to me, I couldn't see his expression, but I could tell it was the standard rogue's sly smile.

  "Whose house is this? It's so beautiful, yet nobody lives here. What a waste! Why are there so many jewels? Strange, how did you know they were here?"

  Zhou Murang didn't care about my ten thousand whys, and instead focused on packing jewelry, filling a whole bag. After leaving the room, avoiding the fierce dog keeper, circling around the fake hill, and passing through the corridor, he finally had time to deal with me.

  "You forgot? This is the house of that old woman from last week, she's dead and no one lives here, she's gone, these things have no one to spend for her, so I'm kind enough to help her out, also not betraying her 'meticulous care' for me." The meticulous care was quite heavy, his tone sank a bit.

  What? Dead? So I'm not stealing from a dead person again, is this any different from grave robbing? Although it's thrilling, it's not very moral, my little sense of morality is struggling. What exactly did Zhou Bao's wife do to him?

  "I don't know her well! Besides, it's too dark at night and I couldn't see clearly!" I explained to his questioning.

  "Oh, it's good that we're not familiar with each other, I don't want to be familiar with her either." His tone was surprisingly sarcastic.

  "Here you are, take it and open your own brothel!" He handed me the pail full of loot he had just filled.

  "Give it to me? You? Is this behavior considered stealing?" I actually didn't even think about it and accepted the stolen goods, my integrity completely disappeared.

  "Steal? No way, she should be paying back instead. See if it's enough, if not there's still a lot more."

  "Hmm, this guessing price is really difficult for me. I returned the stolen goods to him and said, 'I want a silver ticket, I only want a silver ticket.'"

  He snorted and said, "So I have to get rid of it now? What's the point of working so hard?"

  I turned my eyes and thought of it, "Turtle Lord, I appoint you as the Grand Marshal of Turtle!"

  "Turtle Grandfather? I, Zhou Dashao, want to be a turtle grandfather?" He pointed at himself, asking in disbelief.

  "Right, from now on when I'm not around as the chief madam, you'll be in charge of managing the business as the big turtle general manager. Young man, work hard!" I patted him on the shoulder and gave a thumbs up.

  He was completely speechless, only foolishly smiling, "Alright, I'll go for a walk, to escort the old madam back home."

  "Go down," I learned the affected manner of the princesses in ancient costume dramas, raised my water sleeves and gestured for him to step back. He bowed low, full of courtesy, turned around and left.

  The Zhou family's one-night trip has come to an end here.