Chapter 41: Innate Nature Is Not Foolish

"Heh," Cen Futong chuckled aloud, patting Shi Chun's arm. "Brother Chun, you're truly cunning, and remarkably skilled at it. Are you leaving tomorrow?"

Shi Chun replied, "We should depart early tomorrow. Once we're outside the city, we'll make the exchange. On the road, it'll be a simultaneous transfer of money and person. No tricks from either side, or nobody will get their hands on this money. If anything happens to me, someone here in Zhaotian City will expose the truth. At that point, the woman will cause a scene, and Bian Weikang will seek retribution, but it won't be my problem anymore."

"You're a reliable person," Cen Futong said, not at all annoyed by the threat but rather quite admiring. He patted Shi Chun's arm again. "Let's keep in touch and make a fortune together in the future."

He greatly appreciated Shi Chun's capabilities, feeling that while he had plenty of connections, he lacked exactly this type of person and could make good use of him in the future.

After the two further discussed the details, Cen Futong became warmly fraternal towards Shi Chun. He found it even more remarkable when he learned Shi Chun had just been released from prison.

No matter how deep their newfound camaraderie, business came first. With the matter settled, Cen Futong immediately took his leave; he needed to make preparations for tomorrow's action.

As he saw him to the door, Shi Chun reiterated, "Brother Cen, remember this: my redemption of the person from Liyun Tower was entirely your arrangement. Otherwise, your uncle might grow suspicious, and if he refuses to pay, we'll be in trouble. As for your two friends, I've observed them; they seem rebellious and untrustworthy. Make sure they don't find out about this."

He subtly tried to sow discord; after all, those two had laughed so loudly at his name earlier.

Indeed, Shen Youkun was right: he was the type to bite back after suffering a loss.

As scholars would say, it's not gentlemanly to forgo revenge.

"Understood, no need to tell me. Don't come out to see me off; be careful that despicable pair sees you." Cen Futong said, pulling out his folding fan from his waist and opening it, using it to shield his face as he left, as if fearing discovery by Xiang Lan'er and her companions.

Shi Chun didn't forget to flatter him as he departed. "Brother Cen, you're truly steadfast—a man destined for great things."

After Cen Futong left, he turned back inside to drink tea and read a book. The major matter was settled, and he felt quite content.

Wu Jinliang leaned over, chuckling, "Perfect! Now that this fool has taken responsibility for the matter with his uncle, that Lü Taizhen won't hold it against you. Just wait for the money."

"I thought we'd have to go through more twists and turns, but meeting someone like him certainly saved a lot of trouble," Shi Chun said, holding a book in one hand and a teacup in the other. After setting down the cup, he tapped his fingers on the table. "Let's think about what to eat. We can finally let loose and enjoy a good meal tonight."

He hadn't felt much pressure about this matter to begin with. If it succeeded, it would be a huge profit. If not, he would honestly find a way to make Bian Weikang repay the loan twofold. He refused to believe he couldn't get money even with the son of the Wukang Mountain Sect Master in his grasp. If that were the case, his years as the Grand Boss of Dongjiuyuan would have been for nothing.

"Exactly!" Wu Jinliang clapped his hands in approval.

Just as he finished speaking, Old Dong and Big Stone entered, informing them that Cen Futong and his group had gone down the mountain and asking how the discussions had gone.

"With the Grand Boss in charge, it was naturally a success!" Wu Jinliang chuckled, then opened his arms to embrace the two. "Quick, think of something good to eat! You promised to treat us; you can't shortchange us."

He had already emptied his own pockets, so he could only try to sponge off them as much as possible.

"Don't worry,"

"I guarantee you've never even seen these dishes inside."

With that, Shi Chun tossed his book aside. The four reunited members of Dongjiuyuan happily left the house together, heading into the city to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves. They were so impatient they went even before dinner time...

Zhaotian City derived its name from the lake that mirrored the sky. An island in the lake featured a grand estate, with its exquisite pavilions and jade-like palaces showcasing the pinnacle of landscape design. It was known as Lü Garden, the residence of Lü Taizhen.

Outside a pavilion, after the grey-haired Steward Cao Puqing gave some instructions and dismissed a servant, another person hurried over and reported softly, "Steward, the two fellows who borrowed money to redeem the person went to Bowang Tower. They even went upstairs, not to the floors where goods are traded, but via the staircase used by internal staff."

Cao Puqing said, surprised, "It seems there's something significant going on."

The person continued, "We haven't yet clarified the identities and backgrounds of the two, but we've learned a bit about the two Bowang Tower staff who accompanied them: one is called Old Dong, and the other, Big Stone."

Cao Puqing remarked, "Those names are a bit unusual."

"Indeed," the person confirmed, "they're from the Land of Exile. Judging by the circumstances, their complexion, and their attire, the two who borrowed money to redeem the person are also very likely from the Land of Exile, and quite possibly just recently released."

Cao Puqing frowned slightly. "Someone just out of the Land of Exile? How could they possibly come up with such a large sum of money to help redeem a courtesan? Investigate further. Come back to me once you've clarified their origins."

"Yes. Also..."

"Don't stammer. What is it? Speak!"

"Steward, those two also settled at Wuyou Inn. However, just now, your nephew Cen Futong secretly met with them, even sending away his companions. We don't know what they discussed privately."

Cao Puqing fell silent, then decisively stated, "Call him over immediately!"

"Yes," the person replied, taking the order and departing swiftly.

As it happened, Cen Futong was already on his way. They met him halfway and brought him directly.

The nephew and uncle met in an empty attic. Cao Puqing had specifically dismissed everyone else.

Without outsiders present, Cen Futong straightened his posture. He had been taught from a young age how to behave appropriately in front of his uncle, and after all, Lü Garden was not his uncle's own home.

Cao Puqing questioned in a deep voice, "Did you meet the two people who redeemed the Liyun Tower's top courtesan?"

Cen Futong was instantly surprised. "Uncle, you had someone watching me?"

Cao Puqing raised an eyebrow. "You think too highly of yourself. So, you admit it?"

Cen Futong nodded. "Yes, I just met with them."

Cao Puqing: "Why did you meet them?"

Cen Futong: "It was about the redemption, of course. I arranged it."

He had actually been planning to talk to his uncle about this; he couldn't come up with such a large sum of money himself.

Cao Puqing felt instantly numb. This news was so unexpected, so far beyond his comprehension, that it took him a while to shake his head slightly and regain his composure. He asked, uncertainly, "You arranged for those two people to redeem Xiang Lan'er?"

Cen Futong nodded. "Yes, I arranged it."

Upon confirmation, Cao Puqing was stunned for a moment again. He asked, "Are you looking for trouble? Don't you know that's the person the Master wanted to redeem?"

He still struggled to accept this fact. He had just dispatched people to investigate the origins of the two redeemers, wanting to know who was so audacious, only to find the root of the matter lay within his own family.

Cen Futong: "Precisely because she was the person the Master wanted to redeem, I couldn't stomach it! That hussy actually used her life savings to run off with some pretty boy. If word of this gets out, not only will the Master lose face, but even I, who relies on you, Uncle, will feel dishonored. Didn't that pretty boy still need fifty thousand gold to redeem her? Fine. I lent him some money and arranged for someone to help him, and in the process, I also got hold of that hussy's indenture contract. Uncle, she can't escape; no matter where she goes, she'll still belong to the Master."

Cao Puqing's face darkened, and his teeth clenched. "Are you out of your mind? Is this something you should be meddling with? Don't you know Bian Weikang's identity? Bian Weikang is absolutely distraught over that woman..."

"Oh, Uncle, it's not as troublesome as you think..."

Interrupting his uncle, Cen Futong poured out the entire plan Shi Chun had told him for deceiving Bian Weikang and Xiang Lan'er, leaving Cao Puqing utterly dumbfounded.

After going through the entire scheme, Cao Puqing's eyes showed a mix of surprise and uncertainty. "Did you really come up with this plan?"

Cen Futong spread his hands, looking nonchalant. "What kind of plan is this? While I don't have the ability to handle grand affairs like you, Uncle, when it comes to dealing with women, you might not be as good as I am."

Cao Puqing actually believed this. When it came to frivolous pursuits and womanizing, his nephew was indeed adept, and he had caused him no small amount of trouble. Precisely for this reason, a look of bitter distress appeared on his face as he gritted his teeth and pointed at his nephew, saying, "I always said you're not inherently foolish; you've just been spoiled by your mother. From today onwards, I'm going to discipline you properly. This matter ends here; you are not to interfere again."

He was very clear about the Master's 500,000 gold redemption.

The Master did favor that top courtesan, but she sold her art, not her body, and the madam, Feng Chi, initially refused to release her even for money. Today, for some unknown reason, she suddenly agreed, and their side also concurred, only for this matter involving Bian Weikang to suddenly arise.

Favoring her was one thing, but getting into trouble over a courtesan was unnecessary, so it was already an indifferent matter to him.

The only reason he was investigating who had helped with the redemption was purely to understand the cause, to find out who was so audacious, and whether they were deliberately seeking trouble. If it involved them, he couldn't simply ignore it; that was all.

"That won't do. The fifty thousand gold for the redemption was borrowed by me. Adding in some other miscellaneous sums I've borrowed previously—which I never dared to tell you about—along with various operational expenses, the total comes to four hundred and fifty thousand. The Master was originally going to pay five hundred thousand for her. By handling it this way, I not only resolved my own financial troubles but also saved the Master fifty thousand. The problem is, I've used that indenture contract as collateral with my creditors. If I don't repay them, they'll certainly resell the woman the Master favors. When Bian Weikang makes a fuss, the creditors will definitely expose me."

Having been under his uncle's wing for so many years, Cen Futong knew how to accurately gauge his uncle, even better than Shi Chun did. He knew exactly what points to hit, skipping any detours.

"What is all this nonsense?" Cao Puqing's head was spinning. He decided to sort out the finances later. He had other suspicions and pressed, "Who are those two people you found to pay for the redemption?"

Cen Futong replied candidly, "They were just released from prison, freshly out of the Land of Exile. One is named Shi Chun, and the other, Wu Jinliang. They were just in need of money and easy to command."

Cao Puqing stated gravely, "Is it truly that simple? How is it that I heard they have connections with Bowang Tower?"

Cen Futong dismissed it, saying, "They do have connections. Two of their brothers from the Land of Exile are now working at Bowang Tower. They were hoping to use that connection to gain entry into the tower and had already discussed it with Bowang Tower, though it didn't seem to go very smoothly."

Shi Chun had intentionally told him all of this beforehand, precisely to guard against Lü Taizhen's people keeping an eye on him.

This left Cao Puqing speechless, as it closely matched the information his subordinates had gathered and reported.