The Ten Thousand Treasures Hall's Invitation

She could not greet him with open hostility. If she made her intentions too obvious, the chief manager might investigate later, and she would only bring disaster down on herself.

She had to leave no cracks in her plan. On the surface, she would still act as though the Ten Thousand Treasures Hall were desperate for talent, but she would choose every word with care, keep raising the bar, and deliberately name harsh conditions Lin Fan could never accept.

Better yet, she could lace her words with provocation, stir up his old anger, and make him lose his temper on the spot and reject the Ten Thousand Treasures Hall's invitation outright.

To outsiders, it would look as though Lin Fan had failed to appreciate the offer, spurned the olive branch the Ten Thousand Treasures Hall had extended, and set his heart on opposing it. All the blame would fall on him.

The next morning was bright and clear.

Granny Qian prepared a chest of medicinal herbs and gifts that looked quite lavish, boarded the Ten Thousand Treasures Hall's private carriage, and set off slowly for Lin Fan's residence with two attendants.

The carriage rolled through the streets of Commandery City, where pedestrians came and went and carriages passed in an endless stream. Granny Qian leaned against the cushions, her expression calm, though her mind was crowded with schemes.

Before long, the carriage stopped outside the vermilion gates of Lin Fan's residence. High walls hid everything within. The courtyard was quiet, save for a few faint birdsongs.

Granny Qian straightened her collar and put on a kindly smile, just warm enough. She buried every underhanded calculation and resumed the bearing of a seasoned Ten Thousand Treasures Hall manager.

Granny Qian glanced at the attendant beside her and said, "Go knock. Tell