Chapter 908: 384: Haikou in Turmoil (Part 1)
Chapter 908: Chapter 384: Haikou in Turmoil (Part 1)
New Year’s Eve has nothing to do with Yueyao. Yueyao just stood in the courtyard watching the night scene, read a book for a little while, and then climbed into bed feeling depressed. But she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, and eventually got up to read again, only falling asleep around midnight.
The next day, Yueyao had just finished breakfast when she heard that An Zhichen had brought her some good things. Yueyao looked at a box full of jewelry and a chest full of silks and satins, feeling extremely uneasy at heart.
Zhaodi, unaware of the situation, praised Yueyao for her luck: “Miss, in a few days, you can take these silks to make clothes, and pair them with these beautiful jewelry. When Young Master Chen sees you, he won’t be able to take his eyes off you.” Every woman likes jewelry and pretty clothes. Zhaodi, who rarely sees such exquisite things, was quite amazed.
Upon hearing this, Yueyao felt stifled. Yueyao knew the reason behind An Zhichen’s actions. Since she was rescued from the Pirate Mansion, at most she’d become a concubine. As a concubine, showing affection naturally comes with receiving such valuable things. But understanding is one thing; being treated this way always felt incredibly awkward.
Well, no matter how awkward it is, we have to endure it, anyway after today, tomorrow we’ll be changing places. That night, An Zhichen came to visit Yueyao.
Yueyao didn’t have many reservations at this point; after all, this man’s seen the worst side of her, so there’s nothing left to be embarrassed about. Yueyao pointed at the box of jewelry and picked out a sapphire the size of a walnut: “With your salary, never mind a box, just this one gem is more than a year’s salary. Where did you get this?”
An Zhichen raised an eyebrow: “Is Zichang worried for me?”
Yueyao replied frankly: “Yes, I am worried about you. These are things that you simply can’t afford.” The box of jewelry would cost at least ten thousand taels of silver.
An Zhichen laughed: “Don’t worry, this box of gems is worth about three thousand taels of silver. I have that kind of money.”
Yueyao was immediately speechless.
An Zhichen found Yueyao’s flustered expression quite endearing, but he knew when to stop: “Rest assured, I won’t do anything illegal. I partnered with a few brothers to open a shop, and I get a fair share of silver each year. Don’t worry, I’ll ensure you and the children live well, without suffering!”
Yueyao let out a sound. What kind of logic is this, it’s too fast of a leap. But right now, arguing about breaking off the engagement is not something she has the guts to do.
Seeing Yueyao’s face blushing like a cooked shrimp, An Zhichen no longer teased her intentionally and said: “Organize your belongings, tomorrow night you will leave this courtyard and move to Forget-Moon Residence.”
Yueyao sighed with relief: “Alright.” Finally, she would leave this dreadful place and no longer be seen as a beautiful concubine, no longer feel awkward enough to lose her appetite.
An Zhichen thought for a moment and said: “All the books and paintings are already in Forget-Moon Residence. I’ve also had two rooms tidied up; you can use them as a study and an art studio.”
Yueyao nodded, thought for a moment and then asked: “What’s the situation outside?” Yueyao was eager to know when Zhou Shu would meet his end.
An Zhichen knew what Yueyao wanted to ask and didn’t hide anything from her, saying directly: “The Zhou Family wants to replace Zhou Shu with their own people, so Zhou Ji Commercial Firm is a bit chaotic now.” The Zhou Family wants to replace him, which naturally involves quite a bit of movement, while there are also plenty of forces undermining Zhou Shu behind the scenes. It’s unclear who will benefit in the end from this power struggle.
Yueyao cautiously asked: “Zhou Shu is doomed this time, right?” Zhou Shu was her nightmare, and if he died, she’d be free from those bad dreams.
An Zhichen nodded: “Zhou Shu has offended everyone he ought to. This time, he’s inescapable. Even if Wang Ji Commercial Firm survives, Zhou Ji Commercial Firm is no longer Zhou Shu’s. But that’s Zhou Shu’s own doing; he has no one else to blame.”
Yueyao let out a long breath.
Seeing Yueyao’s expression, An Zhichen thought for a moment and decided to inform her of the real situation: “Zhou Shu has been operating in Haikou for over a decade, his forces are vast. Even if the Zhou Family removes him now, we still need to be cautious.” That madman dares to invade the Vice Minister’s Mansion in the Capital City; Haikou is his territory, and An Zhichen can’t guarantee that Zhou Shu won’t try to storm the General’s Mansion. Although An Zhichen is not afraid of Zhou Shu’s attack, he doesn’t want Yueyao to be at risk again. This is one of the reasons why An Zhichen wanted Yueyao to relocate.