APSIL -Chapter 34 Like Father, Like Daughter

Although she was extremely curious about how Zhang Shou had spent the night guiding those noble youths toward their futures, Zhu Ying still enjoyed an unusually restful sleep.

When Zhanjin and Liuyin woke her early the next morning, the young lady was still a little grumpy from being roused.

Only after she clearly heard what they were saying did she become properly awake.

“A-Shou asked Zhu Hong to come back and report everything that happened last night?”

“Quick! Let him come in!”

“But, Miss, you haven’t even washed or dressed yet!”

Ignoring the reminder, Zhu Ying ordered a screen to be set up.

While Zhanjin and Liuyin busied themselves helping her wash, comb her hair, and apply makeup before the dressing table, she listened attentively as Zhu Hong recounted everything he had witnessed from behind the screen.

Angry?

That was impossible.

Halfway through the story, she was already laughing so hard she could barely contain herself.

By the time Zhu Hong finished, she had collapsed onto the dressing table in laughter, smearing the fresh vermilion lip color so badly that it nearly stained her sleeve.

“I knew it!”

“A-Shou always plans carefully before acting.”

“I knew he’d have a brilliant idea!”

Outside the screen, Zhu Hong had expected that reaction.

Even so, after hesitating for a long while, he finally couldn’t help speaking.

“But, Miss…”

“Young Master Shou completely borrowed your name without permission.”

“Neither the Old Madam nor you ever intended to recruit those people.”

“Isn’t he simply deceiving them?”

“I hadn’t planned to before…”

“But after thinking it over carefully…”

“This is an excellent idea.”

“Let’s do exactly that!”

She casually tossed the rouge box back onto the dressing table.

Admiring her own radiant reflection in the bronze mirror, she finally turned and gestured for the maids to remove the screen.

As always, she presented herself before Zhu Hong in perfect elegance.

The trusted guard—who had always served under her grandmother—stood frozen in astonishment before hastily lowering his head.

Ignoring his reaction, Zhu Ying calmly took her seat before speaking.

“Why did Second Brother dare scheme against me before?”

“Wasn’t it because he believed I was nothing more than a pretty face?”

“He thought the Empress Dowager and His Majesty only favored me because of my looks.”

“And that Grandmother doted on me…”

“Father indulged me…”

“Big Brother spoiled me…”

“So I could only act recklessly under their protection.”

“I’ve finally figured something out.”

“What good is having a crowd of useless followers who only know how to cheer me on?”

“If A-Shou can gather those people…”

“Discover what each of them is actually good at…”

“Then polish those idiots who used to know nothing but making fools of themselves until they become useful…”

She smiled brightly.

“Forget merely arranging good marriages for them someday.”

“I could even arrange careers for them.”

“Miss!”

Zhu Hong’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

Among everything Zhu Ying did according to her own whims…

There was only one thing she had never shown the slightest interest in.

Power.

Influence.

Building her own faction.

“What kind of look is that?”

“If Father and Big Brother weren’t away dealing with important matters, I’d never bother with any of this.”

“But things are different now.”

She lifted her chin proudly.

“When Father and Big Brother return safely…”

“I’ll naturally tell them everything honestly.”

“And hand all these people over to them.”

“But until then…”

She smiled.

“A-Shou must have planned this because he was thinking of me.”

Her jeweled hair ornaments glittered brilliantly.

The gold necklace resting against her chest shimmered in the morning light.

The ornaments hanging from her crimson dress chimed softly with every step.

Dressed in vivid scarlet—a color few women could possibly carry so gracefully—Zhu Ying was dazzling as she led Zhanjin and Liuyin from the Zhang residence back toward Cuiyun Retreat.

She resembled the single crimson blossom blooming amid endless greenery.

The next moment, someone hurried forward wearing an eager smile.

It was Zhang Lu.

After respectfully greeting her, the young noble quickly glanced around before lowering his voice.

“Miss…”

“Last night the Old Master advised me that if I wished to make something of myself…”

“…I should devote myself to serving you.”

Before he could finish, Zhu Ying interrupted impatiently.

“What?”

“You think Master lied to you?”

“So you’ve come to me for confirmation?”

Zhang Lu’s face instantly turned pale.

He hurriedly tried to pretend nothing was wrong.

Zhu Ying gave a cold laugh.

“Master’s words are my words.”

“If you doubt him…”

“…you’re doubting me.”

“Zhang Lu.”

“Stop trying to be clever.”

“Did you really think I wouldn’t know?”

“You were the second-to-last person to visit Still Waters Pavilion.”

“Weren’t you there to spy for Zhang Chen?”

“If you’ve told Zhang Chen…”

She merely let out a cold laugh.

The fact that she even knew the exact order in which everyone had visited the pavilion terrified Zhang Lu.

He hurriedly swore, “I never told Brother Chen…”

“No…”

“Zhang Chen!”

“He treats Xiao Wu and me like servants.”

“I’d much rather follow you, Miss.”

“As long as you’ve thought it through.”

Zhu Ying waved dismissively.

“Spare me the rest.”

Without another glance, she walked past him.

Along the way she acknowledged several more young nobles who eagerly greeted her before finally entering Still Waters Pavilion.

Only after Zhanjin and Liuyin stood guard outside while Zhu Hong watched secretly from the shadows did she finally relax.

A-Shou’s plan is excellent…

But pretending to deal with all those annoying people is exhausting…

“You’re here.”

Without even turning around, Zhang Shou yawned loudly as he continued writing at the desk.

“I spent the entire night working.”

“So today you’ll have to keep an eye on things for me.”

“I’m going back to sleep.”

“I’m barely able to keep my eyes open.”

“Oh…”

“If you’re angry that I acted first and asked permission later…”

“…or that I borrowed your authority…”

“…then just scold me.”

“I’ll simply hang up a sign saying I’ve gone traveling to visit old friends.”

“That way this identity as a hidden master can disappear altogether.”

After speaking, Zhang Shou waited.

No answer came.

Finding that strange, he turned around.

Only then did he realize Zhu Ying was standing directly behind him.

If he’d moved just a little farther…

He would have bumped right into her.

“What are you talking about?”

“Why would I scold you?”

Leaning slightly forward, Zhu Ying peeked toward the notebook.

The instant she noticed Zhang Shou hurriedly closing it and leaning backward, she silently praised him.

What a true gentleman…

She herself immediately took two respectful steps back.

“I already know everything that happened last night.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you for helping me.”

“The way you recruited those people was brilliant.”

“I’ve known plenty of people over the years.”

“But I could never figure out why none of them could be relied upon when it truly mattered.”

Then she grew more serious.

“But…”

“You shouldn’t trust them so easily.”

“Zhu Hong said you even revealed your real appearance to some of them.”

“That’s far too dangerous.”

“What if someone talks?”

Although Zhang Shou had already guessed Zhu Ying would likely embrace his plan after hearing everything…

Actually seeing her accept it so readily still moved him.

Smiling faintly, he replied,

“My true appearance was never going to remain secret forever.”

“And only six people saw my face last night.”

“I’ve observed every one of them carefully over the past several days.”

Then he looked at her.

“You’re warning me not to trust people too easily.”

“But don’t you think…”

“…you’re the one trusting me too much?”

“What if I had some hidden motive behind everything I did last night?”

“Didn’t I already leave Zhu Hong here to watch you?”

Zhu Ying looked at him innocently.

Then she smiled slyly.

“Besides…”

“What would you gain by deceiving me?”

“What kind of swindler reminds people to be careful in case he has ulterior motives?”

That’s because you’ve never met a truly skilled con artist.

The best deceivers all look honest and dependable.

While Zhang Shou silently grumbled to himself…

Zhu Ying continued smiling.

“My father once taught me something.”

“If you want to truly understand someone…”

“Try sincerely trusting them once.”

“But only if…”

“Even should your trust prove misplaced…”

“…you’ll still remain in an unbeatable position.”

“Or at least…”

“…you can afford the loss.”

She looked directly into his eyes.

“I’m confident that even if you deceived me once…”

“It wouldn’t matter.”

“So…”

“I’m willing to believe you’re a kind and honorable gentleman.”

“Besides…”

“You haven’t deceived me.”

A father who teaches his daughter like that…

No wonder she grew into someone so willful…

…yet so broad-minded.

Seeing Zhang Shou momentarily lost in thought, Zhu Ying burst into laughter.

“Actually…”

“My father also taught me never to judge people by appearances.”

“What they say…”

“What they do…”

“Every tiny detail reveals who they truly are.”

“For example…”

“Zhang Chen looks like nothing more than a hot-tempered, useless young noble.”

“But he isn’t entirely without merit.”

She settled comfortably into her chair before continuing.

“Years ago…”

“Merchant ships leaving Tianjin kept mysteriously sinking.”

“It was Zhang Chen who sheltered a merchant that barely escaped with his life.”

“The man had come to the capital seeking justice while assassins hunted him.”

“Zhang Chen secretly helped him report that the steward of the Marquis of Taining had colluded with the Coastal Garrison under the Tianjin Naval Patrol to rob and massacre merchant ships.”

“When the scandal erupted…”

“His Majesty flew into a rage.”

“The Marquis of Taining was stripped of his title.”

“Countless people lost their heads.”

“So…”

“Although Zhang Chen is insufferable whenever he pesters me…”

“After hearing this story from Father…”

“I realized he does possess courage.”

“And a sense of justice.”

“After all…”

“The Qin Duke’s household has never engaged in maritime trade.”

“They already own enough land and businesses to support generations without lifting a finger.”

So Zhang Chen is actually a hot-blooded young man who can’t stand injustice…

I knew there was something interesting about him.

The thought had only just crossed Zhang Shou’s mind…

When hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside.

“Master!”

“It’s Qi Liang!”

“There are several strangers in the village!”

Qi Liang rushed inside like a gust of wind.

Neither Zhanjin nor Liuyin had tried to stop him.

Lowering his voice, he hurried to Zhang Shou.

“They’re not here to seek the hidden master at Cuiyun Retreat.”

“They came looking for you.”

“They’ve gone to your house.”

“And…”

“They happened to run into Zhang Chen, who was planning to return to the capital…”

“As well as Lu Sanlang…”

“…who claimed he was seeing Zhang Chen off…”

“…but was really just following him to mock him!”