Horse Trading

"That's because you're too kind; even the monkeys want to bully you."

Today, the First Concubine was wearing a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). She bent down and respectfully handed the book to her, inadvertently revealing the rise and fall of her chest.

Gu Wanning couldn't resist giving her a sneak attack. The First Concubine blushed deeply, her face full of shyness: "Madam—"

Gu Wanning laughed heartily, pleased with her success.

The First Concubine, embarrassed by her laughter, quickly dodged her "Lushan's claws" and changed the subject, saying, "It's you who are so noble; you can keep that rascal in check."

"What's with all this talk of being 'noble'..." Gu Wanning murmured, her face suddenly stiffening and her voice weakening, "It's probably afraid of whoever is mean to it."

Because she saw Xu Weibei standing in the courtyard, staring at her with a bitter and resentful look.

The Green Monkey, upon seeing Xu Weibei, ran faster than the wind and vanished in a flash.

They really are bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong!

She was just joking, so why does she seem guilty now that she's been caught?

Could Xu Weibei possibly think that I'm trying to poach his girlfriend...?

No, no, no, she doesn't. She has no sexual orientation and has no feelings for men or women.

Her only pursuit is money.

Xu Weibei: You won't release him, so it's because you like him?

"No, that's not it." First Concubine, unaware of the impending danger, said with a smile, "Yaya to scare it, but it's not afraid, and it always makes Yaya so angry that her face turns red and her neck bulges."

"It's not afraid of Zhou Yaya?"

"Don't be afraid, it's deliberately provoking us. I saw it trying to please you and Jiaoniang; it's quite clever, knowing who the masters are in this mansion."

Gu Wanning scoffed. Did her mistress have the word "Master" tattooed on her forehead?

Even if it were carved, the monkey wouldn't be able to read.

She stood up, first taking her First Concubine's hand, then said softly, "Don't move, I'm going out for a bit."

The First Concubine stared at her blankly.

"Just don't move, and don't turn around."

I'm afraid you'll be scared if you're timid.

Gu Wanning slipped on her shoes and went out, her face beaming. "My Marquis, did you need something? Let's go back and talk. Don't disturb Jiaoniang's sleep."

The First Concubine's face turned even redder, and she stood there like a stone statue, not daring to move.

I don't even dare to think about how the Marquis will view her in the future...

Xu Weibei glared at Gu Wanning fiercely, "You better behave yourself!"

"Yes." Gu Wanning let it go in one ear and out the other, forcefully changing the subject, "My Marquis, did you see that monkey in the tree just now?"

Xu Weibei replied stiffly, "I saw it."

But I didn't pay attention.

His mind was filled with images of Gu Wanning teasing his First Concubine.

Angry!

Didn't they say before that their relationship was tense and they were irreconcilable?

After he returned, did he even foster the development of relationships among these women?

"That's strange," Gu Wanning said. "Have you seen this kind of monkey before?"

Xu Weibei said, "Monkeys are commonplace, what's so strange about them?"

"No, aren't these Green Monkeys quite common?"

Xu Weibei thought for a moment and then said, "It's just that its fur color and appearance are a bit strange."

"I've seen these monkeys in books before; they're supposed to live in hot southern regions, following water. I never expected to see them here. I thought that shady shop, Baoji, brought them from the south to fool fools and sell them at high prices!"

Xu Weibei: "..."

Gu Wanning realized she had said the wrong thing only after she finished speaking.

The complete idiot who got ripped off for Fifty Thousand Taels is standing right here!

"No, my Marquis, I wasn't talking about you. I was saying the person who bought the monkey was stupid. Little Flower is good, Little Flower is worth it, Little Flower..."

Gu Wanning racked her brains to find something to say, trying her best to prove that the alpaca was worth Fifty Thousand Taels of silver.

Xu Weibei listened in silence.

As the two entered the main courtyard one after the other, Little Flower saw Xu Weibei in front and spat at him.

Gu Wanning: It really is worth it.

"I have something to attend to," Xu Weibei suddenly stopped, as if startled, his expression turning serious. "You go back first; I need to instruct Gao Lan on something."

"Ah? Oh, okay."

This person is acting strangely...

Could it be that Gao Lan is going to kill Little Flower...?

Please don't! This is Fifty Thousand Taels for a living person; it's not even worth 50,000 taels if the person is dead!

Chapter 90 Horse Trading

"How could you be so tactless? Don't mess with him again, we can't afford to offend him, understand?"

When Xu Weibei returned, he heard Gu Wanning and Little Flower talking to each other.

When Little Flower saw him, she spat.

Gu Wanning earnestly advised, "Hua'er, I'm doing this for your own good. Look at that monkey, so clever! It turned and ran away as soon as it saw the Marquis. It doesn't matter if you're not smart, you need to stick close to smart people, smart monkeys, or you'll suffer."

Xu Weibei couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this.

Gu Wanning's relaxed demeanor is infectious, affecting everyone and everything around her, including animals.

Hearing his laughter, Gu Wanning turned around in surprise and said, "My Marquis, you're back already? Weren't you busy with something?"

"I instructed Gao Lan to investigate."

Check?

Gu Wanning seemed to have caught the attention of that word, but she didn't dwell on it. She nodded slightly and said, "Then you go ahead and get busy. I'll sit in the courtyard for a while. Fourth Concubine is going out tomorrow, and she must be as excited as a monkey running around today. Don't disturb the Marquis; I'll wait for her."

"Um."

Gu Wanning: Flower, your little head is safe.

Xu Weibei went inside to continue reviewing official documents.

In the outer study, Gao Lan said to the guards, "Keep a close eye on things. The Marquis's study contains many confidential documents and important information. There can be no mistakes, understand?"

The guards all agreed.

Gao Lan added, "Especially since the Marquis has probably been spending less time in his study lately, don't neglect him because of that... The Marquis has been spending most of his time in the inner courtyard lately. That's why he called me here to help move things..."

He muttered to himself as he went inside and brought out a large box of things.