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These matters, Rong Shu only learned of them recently.

On the second day after returning to Minglu Yard, Nurse Zhou came to find her personally, voluntarily revealing everything. She said that Mother knew nothing about this matter and asked her not to mention it in front of Mother.

Rong Shu surmised that the relative Wen Xi was searching for in Su Prefecture must be the person with the scar on their face.

"If it wasn't Aunt who forced that lady to leave, then why should you feel guilty? If Miss Wen has feelings for Lord Gu, she shouldn't have retreated voluntarily and left the capital," Mu Nijing shook her head. "If you don't strive for the one you love, then what right do you have to complain about fate?"

"If it weren't for my intervention, Miss Wen wouldn't have had to leave. There's a reason behind everything," Nijing said, unaware of Rong Shu's past and the guilt she carried. She didn't intend to elaborate and simply continued, "I've already discussed this matter with Gu Changjin. He must have already sent someone to Su Prefecture to search for her. He prefers to handle things himself, so there's no need for you to send anyone else to look for her."

In her voice, there was openness and a familiarity with Gu Changjin.

Mu Nijing gazed steadily at her, "You truly don't like him anymore?"

Rong Shu acknowledged it openly with a gentle "Mm-hmm": "I don't like him anymore."

Mu Nijing beamed radiantly, "That's wonderful. You have no idea how much I –"

Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly fell silent.

Rong Shu inquired, perplexed, "What don't I know?"

Mu Nijing, however, refused to elaborate, merely responding enigmatically, "Nothing important."

Some matters were best left for others to handle, especially when her brother was so cautious and reluctant to speak his mind. It was only fitting that he could only watch as Rong Shu married someone else.

Picking up a cup of fragrant beverage from the table, Mu Nijing took a large sip before continuing, "After receiving your letter, I didn't send anyone to look for that girl. On one occasion when I went to Su Prefecture to choose a horse, I encountered a peculiar monk. We even engaged in a brief confrontation. If I'm not mistaken, that monk was also searching for someone – a person with a scar on their face."

Mu Nijing's slender phoenix eyes narrowed slightly as she recalled the monk's questioning grip on her hand, a fire igniting within her at the memory.

"He was being extremely secretive in his search. I have a feeling that the person he's looking for is the same as the one Miss Wen is seeking."

A strangely alluring monk?

Rong Shu blinked, remembering the day of the third lunar month when Gu Changjin had used her to visit Qiu Mountain Lodge.

Heng Ping had mentioned that Qiu Mountain Lodge served as an escape route for Gu Changjin.

When Gu Changjin entered that courtyard, he was fine, but he came out injured, claiming it was from sparring with someone. Therefore, either there were other people in the Qiushan Courtyard that day or... there was a secret passage leading elsewhere. Rong Shu's eyelids twitched slightly. She knew very well that the Qiushan Courtyard was the Sishi Garden from her previous life. However, during the two months she was imprisoned there, she had never seen any secret passages. Could it be that when the Qiushan Courtyard was transformed into the Sishi Garden, the secret passage was destroyed? Rong Shu clenched the folding fan in her hand, feeling overwhelmed by a veil of confusion. About the Sishi Garden and about Gu Changjin. Mu Nijing noticed her frown and silence, waving her hand in front of her eyes. "What's wrong? Did something happen with the monk?" "No." Rong Shu relaxed her slender finger, dispelling the chaotic thoughts in her mind. "That person is likely one of Gu Changjin's men, sent to Su Prefecture to search for someone. Forget it, let's not talk about him. In a few days, I'll be leaving for Yangzhou, and I have two important matters that need your help."

Chapter 42

Rong Shu put down her folding fan and got straight to the point. "Firstly, my trip to Yangzhou involves investigating certain matters. For safety's sake, I'd like to borrow two skilled bodyguards from you. You have many capable people around you, so I won't be too formal."

"It's no trouble at all. I'll lend you Luo Yan and Qing Yuan. They've been with me since childhood and always act with prudence. I'll send them over in a couple of days," Mu Nijing replied promptly. "What's the other matter?"

"This second matter isn't urgent. It can wait until you return to Datong," Rong Shu said as she rose and retrieved a small box from a chest. Smiling, she continued, "I'm thinking of establishing a horse ranch in Datong Prefecture to breed horses. I've prepared the money, but I need the local horse administration to issue me a permit."

Mu Nijing's eyes widened. "A horse ranch is a bottomless pit; you might never recoup your investment no matter how much silver you pour into it. The imperial court spends countless taels on horse breeding every year. Have you thought this through?"

"Think about it, Uncle Chen's nephew once worked as an accountant at a horse ranch. He said that just keeping the ranch afloat was a skill, but making a profit was a remarkable feat," Rong Shu chuckled. "I'm not afraid of losing money. There must be someone willing to engage in ventures that may not yield profits but benefit both the nation and its people."

It was commonly said that merchants prioritized profit over virtue, but Rong Shu's maternal grandfather was not such a person.

During Prince Qiyuan's regency, countless citizens of Great Yin were displaced and homeless.

Her maternal grandfather opened granaries, charity halls, and medicine clinics, rescuing numerous impoverished people.

The silver he spent back then was like throwing stones into a raging river – impossible to retrieve.

Grandfather named her "Shu," hoping she would understand the importance of both "sacrifice" and "giving."

Establishing the horse ranch was precisely such a sacrifice and an offering, and Rong Shu believed it was worthwhile.

Moreover, she had never been impulsive. As long as she had alternative means to earn money, she wasn't afraid of losing silver in the horse ranch.

The determination in Rong Shu's eyes made Mu Nijing swallow back her words.

She knew Rong Shu's character well. Once this girl made up her mind, she would charge forward fearlessly.

What to do? Did she now feel that her brother was unworthy of the wealthy Zhaozhao?

Suddenly, Mu Nijing found fault with her own brother.

"That's good, you've thought it through," she said. "Don't worry, the Datong Prefecture's officials in charge of horse affairs are familiar with the Mus. If you need help getting back, just guide me, and I'll make it happen for you."

Pausing, she clenched her right fist and placed it against her left palm, giving a solemn gesture of gratitude from the world of outlaws. "Miss Rong, I extend my thanks on behalf of the people living near the border."

Rong Shu glanced at her. "Just a simple thank you? I've practically poured all my silver into this."