Chapter 2101: Mei Fei's Most Skilled Work

Concubine Mei's smile froze.

Did Emperor Jiuyou know where she lived?

Years ago, when she bid farewell to these two at the Grey Family residence, she had told them that if they ever needed to find her, they simply had to go to the Ghost Market in Julu Port, post a red-and-white note on the bulletin board, clearly stating the time and place, and she would come to meet them.

After regaining her freedom, she didn't want anyone to track her movements again.

"Fuzhi Villa, outside Baiyangting, originally belonged to a wealthy merchant named Tao, who had a vast business. Over three years ago, he rescued a beautiful woman named Liu Qingqing from the river and became infatuated with her, abandoning his wife and children for her. However, his good fortune didn't last long; he died of a plague, leaving his immense wealth to Liu Qingqing. Soon after, the Dragon God War broke out, Liu Qingqing sold Fuzhi Villa and moved to Tucheng, which was closer to Julu Port. There, she opened a guesthouse called 'Meet the Dragon Villa.' Because the sons of two prominent families in the city were enamored with her, and the county magistrate often frequented the establishment, the guesthouse flourished locally. Wealthy merchants, gentry, and even local officials were all esteemed guests."

He Lingchuan smiled faintly at her. "You are Liu Qingqing."

Dong Rui, standing nearby, scratched his nose. When he had said goodbye to Concubine Mei at the Grey Family residence back then, he had felt a pang of pity and reluctance.

What had He Lingchuan said?

He Lingchuan had said not to worry. A woman like her would thrive anywhere.

Confound it, He had been right again.

Concubine Mei pouted slightly. "I also need to earn money and eat, you know."

How infuriating! He knew she lived in Tucheng, yet he still left a message on the bulletin board in Julu Port, making her rush all the way here! Couldn't he have gone there himself?

However, a chill ran through her heart. Emperor Jiuyou was truly formidable; he could even track down a minor figure like her, who had changed her name. This showed the extent of his control over the local regions. How exactly had he found her?

Concubine Mei leaned lightly against the table, crossing her arms. "Someone started the Dragon God War. Ordinary people like me, who were living peacefully, suddenly found their lives in turmoil. We had no choice but to leave our homes and start anew elsewhere. Who can understand the hardships involved?" Her delicate brows furrowed, conveying intense grievance.

He Lingchuan rotated his cup. "I've heard, though, that the Tao family of Baiyangting has been inquiring about your whereabouts, trying to recover their vast fortune." The implication was that this was why she had left Baiyangting.

Concubine Mei sighed softly. "Tao Ying had long since cut ties with his family, and I even advised him to leave enough money for his wife and children. When he tragically passed away, the Tao family, with over a hundred people, came to my door to bully a small, weak woman like me. Tell me, what else could I do but leave? Sooner or later, they would have destroyed me completely."

She once again displayed her signature vulnerable look, like a rain-drenched lilac, causing even Dong Rui to be momentarily bewildered. But he quickly snapped out of it. This was Concubine Mei! Who was it she said would be destroyed completely?

Dong Rui cleared his throat. "If I may interject, what happened to Tao Ying's remains?"

Concubine Mei stated as if it were obvious, "His cause of death was unusual; he died of a plague. Of course, he had to be cremated and buried."

Dong Rui couldn't help but smile. Whether it was the old King Chun or the rich merchant Tao Ying, their final fates truly involved barely anything left of their remains.

After such a long exchange of pleasantries, Concubine Mei felt it was time to get to the point: "Mr. He, you specifically asked to meet me; it couldn't simply be because you missed me, could it?" With that, she smiled enchantingly.

This smile was like a hundred flowers blooming, causing two tea drinkers several yards away to stare, so engrossed that they didn't even notice the teapot overflowing onto the table.

He Lingchuan personally poured her another cup of tea. "Originally, I had something I needed your help with, but seeing how carefree you are in Tucheng, I hesitated a little."

"Oh?" Concubine Mei's interest was piqued. "Tell me, what could be so difficult that Emperor Jiuyou himself can't handle it and needs my help?" She owed He Lingchuan a huge favor. Now that he had come to her with a request, she couldn't refuse. "Hesitation"? That was just polite talk; only a fool would believe it.

"To do this, you might have to temporarily give up your business in Tucheng and move to a broader stage."

"The business in Tucheng is just something to pass the time when I'm bored," Concubine Mei said, reaching up to brush away a stray strand of dark hair. From somewhere, she produced a camellia and tucked it into her hair near her temple. With her movement, the camellia trembled slightly, looking vibrant and delicate. This same gesture was often made by Madam Sun, but the aura of the two women was distinctly different.

In the teahouse, a few clear chimes sounded, signaling the storyteller's appearance. As fate would have it, today's story was about the Dragon God's return to his rightful place and the founding of Jiuyou. After listening to a few sentences, and then looking at the man before her, Concubine Mei's feelings became somewhat complicated.

After the changes in Chun, she had become a recluse in the city, settling down to live an ordinary life for three or four years, just like any common woman. However, after living such an uneventful life for too long, she inevitably found it a bit dull. In contrast, He Lingchuan, who had stirred up a storm in Chun back then, hadn't rested for a moment during these past thousand-plus days. He first became Emperor Jiuyou, began administering justice on behalf of heaven, then brought down Jiaoguo, formed the Dragon God Army, and finally unified the entire Shanjin! From a traveling merchant to the Emperor of Cangyan—such a magnificent and impactful journey—that was truly a legendary life.

She envied him greatly. While others longed for a wealthy and peaceful life, she did not. For the past decade or so, she had lived for revenge. But after her revenge was successful, her life had become dull and unfulfilling. What about a goal? What about direction? What exactly was she living for? To live a fulfilling, happy, and vibrant life, one needed a goal and a direction. So, as soon as He Lingchuan spoke, she felt a little eager to try.

He Lingchuan understood her look and casually set up an invisible barrier. "Have you ever been to Mouguo's capital city?"

Concubine Mei shook her head. "I haven't even been to Mouguo. I had planned to visit this autumn to experience the grandeur of a great nation."

"If you take on my mission, you'll have to go sooner than planned."

"As long as it's on the public dime," Concubine Mei said with a beaming smile. "What do you need me to do in Moudu?"

"Just as you did in Tucheng: run a few businesses and network with people up and down the social ladder," He Lingchuan said. "Moudu is full of influential and charismatic figures; adding you to their ranks wouldn't be out of place. However, you'll need to gather intelligence for me."

Concubine Mei raised an eyebrow. "What kind of intelligence?"

"New policies and regulations, palace secrets, internal directives, factional struggles, official transfers, and so on. Besides domestic affairs, pay particular attention to diplomatic movements," He Lingchuan said softly. "I've also sent many people to Mouguo, but we currently lack a central coordinator who can make decisions and provide support." He looked at Concubine Mei. "With your abilities, I believe you are the most suitable for this role."

Since Cangyan's founding, its relationship with Mouguo had not been harmonious. During the War of Yaguo, He Lingchuan had to rely on Bailie for updates to learn about the Mou army's movements. Honestly, that was a bit slow. Cangyan would have long-term dealings with Mouguo in the future, so internal contacts and spies were essential. That's why he remembered Concubine Mei.