RWNEFE -Chapter 94 Zhou Qiwu Offers Compensation

Third Princess’s Mansion

Zhou Qiwu hesitated all night but finally decided to follow Yuan Lang’s advice and appease Zhou Ru’an with money.

“Open the storeroom and take out half of the goods. Make a proper inventory today. Once I’ve reviewed it, send it over to the Second Prince.”

Yuan Lang gently patted Zhou Qiwu’s hand to reassure her: “I will personally oversee this.”

Zhou Qiwu reminded him: “Only our trusted people can handle it!”

Yuan Lang nodded. “Just now, our people reported that the Prince Consort will be coming at noon.”

Zhou Qiwu frowned, a bad premonition stirring in her heart.

Yuan Lang continued: “Normally, when the Prince Consort returns to the mansion, he always calls the Master and Miss to dine with him.”

Zhou Qiwu internally panicked. Both children were in no condition to see anyone—one was in despair, the other injured.

“Princess, usually the Prince Consort only visits once a month. It’s only been ten days since his last visit. Our mansion isn’t secure!”

The Wang family had planted spies in the princess’s mansion!

Thinking this, Zhou Qiwu’s face darkened as she gripped her chair tightly.

“Wang Mingru, the audacity—he even reached into my princess’s mansion.” At the thought that Wang Mingru might already know everything she had done, Zhou Qiwu’s anger boiled over. She wished she could tear him limb by limb.

“Princess, should we find a way to stop the Prince Consort from returning?” Yuan Lang asked.

Zhou Qiwu thought for a moment, then a cruel smile spread across her face.

“You mentioned last time that he has a concubine?”

Yuan Lang: “I haven’t heard her officially taken as a concubine yet. At most, she’s a sleeping maid. But I’ve heard that after serving him, she hasn’t been given any abortive medicine.”

So, it was very possible that the wretched girl was already carrying his child.

“I wonder how Wang Mingru would react if he knew the maid was having an affair.”

Yuan Lang understood immediately: “I’ll make arrangements right away.”

By noon, the inventory list from the princess’s mansion had reached Zhou Ru’an.

After reviewing it, Zhou Ru’an closed it with satisfaction.

“Tell my aunt, not everyone who knows about this needs to be silenced, but the fewer who know, the better.”

The mansion steward quickly flattered him: “Your compassion is truly saintly. Should the goods be sent to the inn, or elsewhere?”

Zhou Ru’an smiled contentedly: “Directly to the dock.”

“Yes, I’ll arrange it immediately!”

Zhou Ru’an instructed two guards: one to accompany the steward, the other to coordinate at the dock.

Everyone was watching closely during this disaster relief; there was no extra gain for anyone. To gain a good reputation, he even contributed some of his own.

Fortunately, on this visit to the princess’s mansion, not only did he get back what he contributed, he even earned a good amount.

Elated, some of the disgust he felt earlier faded.

Once his great plans succeeded, he would deal with those two repulsive siblings.

Zhou Qiwu watched as box after box of fine goods were carried away like flowing water, her heart twisted in pain.

“Any news from the Shen family?”

Yuan Lang: “We’ve searched a hundred miles around Jinmen. No trace of the Shen family. They must have left via the waterways.”

“The Liu family hasn’t replied about the waterways yet.”

Hearing this, Zhou Qiwu began resenting her daughter.

It was just giving birth to an illegitimate child—did she have to intervene personally? Giving birth is like passing through the gates of death. If handled quietly, no one could find out.

Now it was ruined. Her relationship with Liu Cheng’en was torn. Though the Liu family hadn’t openly caused trouble, they surely harbored resentment. The princess’s mansion needed their help now—they would slack off.

“Yuan Lang, select some beautiful girls to send to the Liu household. Say they are concubines chosen by Miss for the Young Master.”

Yuan Lang’s eyes flashed. “Yes.”

On the Ship Deck

Shen Lanxi was practicing martial arts, leaping and dodging with roaring force. The long staff cut through the air like a gale—no one dared approach the deck!

With a sharp call, he retracted the staff and rested it across the railing. Xiaoxue landed steadily, her sharp claws gripping the staff firmly.

Shen Lanxi freed the documents tied to the hawk’s leg, shouting, “Chunxue, any fresh catch?”

Chunxue and Qiushuang had initially stood on deck but were forced back to the stairs by the sharp wind from the staff.

“Master, I’ll check!”

Three pounds of fish for one coin was too low a price. More than half the people returned to their cabins—they’d rather eat a plain black bun than work as cheap labor.

Those willing to earn through hard work included Lady Song’s family, a dozen or so exiles making a living by fishing, and a few of Shen Yuanjing’s siblings.

The ship had fishing nets and gear; for a small fee, the captain allowed them to use it. Of course, that fee came out of the catch.

Liu Yanhui also had his family fishing. Since he joined Shen Lanxi, he arranged for his mother and sister to stay with Nanny Li’s family. If he was busy, they would be cared for.

“Mr. Liu, the master wants to know if there’s any fresh catch.” Chunxue hurried over.

Liu Yanhui handed the rod to his sister: “I have a fish caught by Zhao Ge!”

Zhao Ge, Nanny Li’s son, was honest and quiet.

Chunxue bent down to see. It was a sizable fish, at least two pounds.

“I’ll take it to the master first!” She picked it up and started off.

Liu Yanhui quickly asked, “Does the master want to eat it?”

Just now, he had been practicing martial arts. Hearing the staff whipping through the air, no one dared approach.

Chunxue guessed it was for feeding the hawk. She wasn’t certain, so she didn’t say anything.

“I don’t know, I’ll just take it!”

Liu Yanhui went to the fishing area, then returned with a bucket containing two palm-sized sea fish.

The fish were lively. When Shen Lanxi pulled them from the bucket, they were still wriggling. She tapped the heads twice, gutted them, removed the bones and innards, leaving only the white flesh.

A swipe of the blade removed the scales and skin in one clean motion. Not a drop of blood touched his fingers or the scales.

Chunxue and Qiushuang watched in disbelief. In just a blink, a fish was fully prepared. They didn’t see where he cut or how she handled it.

Xiaoxue devoured the fish meat bite by bite, finishing it completely.

Yet, her sharp eyes still fixed on Chunxue.

Shen Lanxi couldn’t bear to watch the gluttonous hawk.

“Check if there’s more.”

Chunxue nodded eagerly and hurried off, only to see Liu Yanhui return with a bucket.

“Master,” Liu Yanhui said calmly, unfazed by the hawk’s cries earlier.

Shen Lanxi handed a small knife to Qiushuang: “You and Chunxue, prepare the fish!”

Qiushuang took the knife reluctantly.

“Do it over there,” she pointed to the corner near the tea shed.

Liu Yanhui followed a few steps behind. On the table were several books and a bamboo tube.

“Master, why did the Second Prince suddenly appear in Jinmen?”