Chapter 90: I Want Two Stores

Chapter 90: I Want Two Stores

"By handing over Qu Ying, you can both placate me and ensure your mother's safety and the Sun family's stability. For the eldest son of the Sun family, it's a highly profitable deal."

"What do you think?"

Lu Mingchao tilted her head slightly, her eyes brimming with a constant smile.

She didn't rush, quietly waiting for Sun Zhiye to make a decision.

Under the cover of his sleeves, Sun Zhiye clenched his fists tightly, his chest filled with a mix of anger and humiliation, almost ready to burst out. He gritted his teeth, his voice low and firm, "Madam Lu, Qu Ying is a cousin of our Sun family."

"I thought she was just a pitiful hanger-on." Lu Mingchao scoffed, "Why get angry, eldest son of the Sun family? Hasn't your family already made its choice?"

"Elder cousin." Qu Ying's face was full of panic, her almond eyes filled with tears.

Lu Mingchao rested her chin on her hand, gazing intently, her smile warm and her tone gentle and calm, "Miss Qu, you are already a discarded pawn of the Sun family. The magistrate's wife's plum-viewing banquet was attended by notable families from Changhe County, and their relatives and old friends are much the same. The incident of pushing me into the frozen lake has spread far and wide, and you, lacking the courage to expose the mastermind behind it, have to bear the infamy alone."

"If the Sun family feels indebted to you, you might still secure a position as a concubine for the second young master of the Sun family. If not, your situation as a dependent will only worsen."

"After all, a discarded pawn has no value, and no one cares whether you live or die."

"Do you think the all-powerful eldest son of the Sun family in your heart would sacrifice you again for the so-called greater good?"

"Pleading with the eldest son of the Sun family is no more effective than pleading with me, your future master, to treat you kindly."

Lu Mingchao thought to herself, she might have a natural talent for being an antagonist. Stirring up discord and hitting people where it hurts came as easily to her as drinking water.

Sun Zhiye's face was ashen; he, who had always been adept at handling situations, had never come out on top in front of Lu Mingchao.

It wasn't that he was inferior to Lu Mingchao, but that he was burdened with too many hesitations and second thoughts from the start, one step slow, every step slow.

It wasn't that he was inferior to Lu Mingchao, but that his family was like a bottomless abyss in dragging him down, never to be filled.

Originally, he could have been on equal footing with Lu Mingchao, even becoming her partner.

"What if I refuse?" Sun Zhiye exhaled a long breath, muttered.

Lu Mingchao was as calm as a breeze, "Then so be it."

"Every grievance has its source, even a clay doll has a bit of temper."

"You may leave now."

Lu Mingchao lowered her gaze, sipping the hot tea in her cup, warding off the chill.

Sun Zhiye's frown deepened, the overt threat was something he had no choice but to accept.

It was too easy for Lu Mingchao to pin the blame on his mother.

"Qu Ying, what are your thoughts?"

At these words, Qu Ying collapsed to the ground, trembling all over, shivering.

"Elder cousin, Ying'er does not wish to sell herself into slavery."

"Please rescue Ying'er, do not abandon Ying'er."

Sun Zhiye's eyes were filled with mixed emotions. If Qu Ying signed the deed of sale, her life and death would be entirely at Lu Mingchao's mercy, but would she still keep the Sun family's secrets?

Qu Ying's life or death doesn't matter, but it must not be decided by Lu Mingchao.

In an instant, Sun Zhiye made up his mind.

"Madam Xie, even if Qu Ying has made a mistake, she is still a member of the Sun family. I cannot forsake her."

The teacup clinked softly against the table, producing a crisp sound.

"It appears the eldest son of the Sun family lacks sincerity. This isn’t how one apologizes; it feels more like forcing me to agree."

"Fine, I won’t push you."

"To avoid sending the eldest son of the Sun family away empty-handed, I’ll adjust my request."

"Two shops."

"I want two of the eldest son’s shops that have turned a profit for two straight years."

"Do you agree?"

Sun Zhiye closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. "Agreed."

If no one complains, the authorities won’t investigate.

For millennia, it has been this way.

What he seeks is this absence of complaints and investigations.

Two shops are a small price, but Lu Mingchao’s good fortune ends here.

Having reflected on his actions, he won’t let errors persist.

Lu Mingchao nodded slightly and clapped her hands lightly. "Young Master Sun is truly decisive, sacrificing two shops to spare his cousin. Since we’re here, my husband is currently in Changhe County. Young Master Sun should go and finalize the transfer with him right away."

"With Young Master Sun’s skills, finding him won’t be a problem."

Sun Zhiye bowed slightly, clasped his hands, flicked his sleeves, and walked away.

Qu Ying dabbed her tears and quickly rose to follow.

"Miss Qu, don’t squander the goodwill of two shops worth a fortune."

"If you’re to be a concubine, aim for a better position."

Qu Ying’s face froze. Without a word, she lifted her skirt, crossed the threshold, and rushed after him.

Lu Mingchao’s shoulders slumped, her posture sagging, a far cry from her earlier confidence.

What will Sun Zhiye do next?

She had thought about playing along with Sun Zhiye, but after some consideration, she dismissed the idea.

Sun Zhiye knows she is not easy to deal with, and she knows Sun Zhiye is not a gentleman.

The Sun family has repeatedly targeted her. Even if she lightly brushes it off and talks about taking a step back for a broader view, Sun Zhiye would not believe it.

It's better to seize the Sun family's mistakes to secure some benefits for herself before completely breaking ties.

Sun Zhiye will likely leverage his connections to contact the capital.

Lu Mingchao let out a soft sigh, her heart weighed down.

Do I regret it? No, I don't.

Inside the carriage,

Sun Zhiye leaned against the carriage wall, his face stern and eyes shut, deep in thought.

His mind was a whirlwind of tangled thoughts, threatening to overflow.

But when he tried to untangle them, he felt empty, as if he hadn't really grasped anything.

He really hated this feeling of being controlled.

But on second thought, he couldn't help but admire Lu Mingchao's decisive and steady approach, swift yet measured.

Her sharp arguments in the county court.

Her quick wit and calm demeanor at the plum blossom banquet.

If you're going to marry, marry someone like Lu Mingchao.

If he had found this gem returned from the capital sooner and made her his, the Sun family would have someone to stand by him.

No matter his shortcomings, he wouldn't be worse than a hunter.

Sun Zhiye opened his eyes and glanced at the wound on Qu Ying's head, letting out a soft sigh.

This wound was probably dealt by Lu Mingchao herself.

And pulling Qu Ying into the lake wasn't a careless mistake.

It's a shame to be enemies.

"Cousin."

Catching Sun Zhiye's gaze, Qu Ying spoke cautiously.

Sun Zhiye's lips parted, his voice icy and emotionless, "Cousin Qu, since you're fond of Zhipeng, I'll have my mother arrange for you to become a concubine in the Sun residence once we're back."

"Even with Zhipeng in prison, you'll still be a proper concubine of the Sun residence."

"I have one condition: live like you're dead."

"If you repeat my mother's mistakes, I won't clean up after you anymore. Your fate will be your own."

"Don't make me regret giving you those two shops."

Qu Ying shivered, "Cousin, I..."

Sun Zhiye glared coldly at Qu Ying, "If you refuse, then become a nun."

"A simple life of self-cultivation among the ancient Buddha isn't a bad end."

"The Sun residence is haunted."