Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 184 Cosmetics

As soon as Xuesong finished speaking, Nianyao's voice rang out: "I'm back. What do you want to say?"

Everyone turned their heads and saw Nianyao coming from the moon gate with a slight smile on her face, as if she had returned from a long trip.

Tiger stepped forward in one stride: "Boss, where have you been? We were all so worried!"

Nianyao slowly walked up to the group, picked up the longsword from the table, and glanced into the Yaochi Pond: "Last night, while inspecting the Jingwei, I accidentally fell asleep on the ship, causing you all to worry."

Tiger said, "We went up on the boat early this morning to look for it, but we didn't see it."

Nianyao looked at him and suddenly said angrily, "I told you to be more serious and careful in your work, not so careless. You didn't even bother to search every floor and every corner..."

I was asleep in the cargo hold at the very bottom of the ship, and you still couldn't find me... And besides, I only took a nap, and you've wrecked my house into pieces..."

Nianyao scolded him, and Hu Zi looked at her in bewilderment, completely unable to react.

After finishing her tirade, Nianyao glanced at the people around her with their various expressions: "What are you all standing there for? Is the South Canal finished? Are the houses built?"

Erhu, you and the brothers move the boxes to the warehouse. This is the only money our Dahe Gang has left, so spend it sparingly. As for Huzi, if you don't restore my house to its original state today, I won't let you off the hook.”

Qin Jiu said, "Hu Zi, you'd better hurry up, or I'll have Er Hu deduct your monthly pay."

Withholding monthly pay isn't the problem; Qin Jiu is truly terrifying. Tiger, carrying a hoe, called to his brothers to go repair the house.

Nianyao tapped her longsword on the ground, glancing at the people in front of her: "I'm sorry to have worried you."

Xue Yunting said, "It's good that my sister is alright."

Qin Jiu echoed, "Yes, it's good that the gang leader is alright."

Xu Lai earnestly advised, "Chief, wars are raging everywhere now, and Chongming Island is not what it used to be. You must be careful in the future and not fall into the trap of villains again."

Nianyao nodded: "Uncle Xu is right, I will be more careful in the future."

Because of Liu Lin's death, Nian Yao had always been somewhat wary and hostile towards Xu Lai. Her current gentle and respectful tone surprised not only Xue Yunting and Qin Jiu, but even Xu Lai himself.

Xu Lai realized what was happening and said sincerely, "Chief, let's keep things separate. I have never regretted helping Yan Zeyu kill Liu Lin. If you resent me or kill me one day, I will feel it is only natural."

The old gang leader has been good to me. You are his only bloodline, and also the daughter-in-law of Master Luo. I hope you live a long and healthy life.

Qin Jiu was unsure whether Xu Lai wanted to clear his name or genuinely cared for Nian Yao.

Nianyao said, "Thank you, Uncle Xu. I know you're actually protecting me. If you really wanted to kill me, you would have had countless opportunities over the years, you wouldn't have had to wait until now. Maybe Yan Zeyu not only wanted to kill Uncle Liu, but also me, but Uncle Xu stopped him."

Xu Lai was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Chief, you are the wife of Dongyang, and Yan Zeyi is the General of Dongyang. Given the special circumstances, even if he wants to make a move, he will have to consider these factors."

If she were simply a daughter-in-law of Dongyang, Yan Zeyu could act without restraint, but he wouldn't dare to do that with Luo An's wife. Back then, her father knew that Luo An didn't like her, yet he still forced her to marry him, probably because he considered that Luo An's wife's status would make Dongyang think twice.

Nianyao understood: "Uncle Xu, since Ninth Brother is newly married, his wife should meet his parents-in-law to avoid being impolite. Yunting and I will escort Ninth Brother and his wife back to Jingzhao Manor. We'll leave Chongming Island to you, Uncle Xu."

Qin Jiu was taken aback and blurted out, "Chief, didn't you say you were going to the Golden River Gang?"

Nianyao replied, "Luo An asked you to keep an eye on me because you were worried you wouldn't be able to. Now that I'm going back to Jingzhao Manor with you and staying at your house so you can keep an eye on me, you can finally rest assured, right?"

Qin Jiu stared blankly at Nian Yao, completely unable to react. He didn't understand what had happened last night that made Nian Yao seem like a different person.

Nianyao seemed tired: "Mingzhu, we can't stay at Yaochi like this anymore. I'll stay with you two tonight. You don't mind, do you?"

Duan Mingzhu quickly said, "Sister, you're too kind."

Nianyao turned and walked towards the guest courtyard, and Xue Yunting and Duan Mingzhu quickly followed.

Qin Jiu called out from behind, "Chief, ...Are you Nian Yao?"

Nianyao didn't even turn her head: "I'm not, you are."

When Xue Yunting closed the door to the hall after welcoming the guests, he still saw Qin Jiu staring blankly. Behind Qin Jiu, Liang Qingcheng was squatting by the courtyard, carefully examining something with someone else.

Nianyao lay on the bed, limbs outstretched, completely lacking any decorum. Xue Yunting pulled the blanket over her.

Nianyao tilted her head slightly: "Yunting, do you tell her everything?"

"Her? Xue Yunting glanced back at Duan Mingzhu: "What's wrong?"

Duan Mingzhu said, "I'll go out and make some tea. You two can chat slowly."

Nianyao said, "No need, Yunting will tell you anyway."

Duan Mingzhu was not appreciative at all: "It's different for my sister to listen from the side and for Yunting to listen to me first and then tell me."

Nianyao asked curiously, "What's the difference? He's read more books than me, but does that mean he's all bookish when he talks?"

Duan Mingzhu said earnestly, "It doesn't smell like books, but it smells good. I like hearing him tell me that himself."

Duan Mingzhu then closed the door and left.

Xue Yunting sat on the edge of the bed with a faint smile on his face: "What does sister want to say?"

Nianyao said, "Did you explain your entire lineage to her? How long have you known her?"

Xue Yunting said, "Sister, we are like old friends even though we've known each other for a long time. The friendship between people has nothing to do with how long we've known each other."

Nianyao said, "I've only ever heard the saying 'Time will tell.'"

Xue Yunting said, "Sister, Mingzhu won't live much longer. Besides, if time really reveals true character, you've known Ji Kongming for so long, yet you haven't seen his true nature."

Nianyao choked on her words, her chest aching: "You really are protecting her."

Xue Yunting said slowly, "That's not what I meant. I meant that Mingzhu wouldn't harm me, and I have nothing to be wary of about her. But sister, what happened to you last night? Wasn't it Xu Lai?"

Nianyao said, "I found the cellar yesterday. Someone knocked me unconscious and dumped me in the Jingwei ship's warehouse, stuffing me into a pile of blankets. It was indeed not easy to find. I don't think it was Xu Lai, because I smelled the scent of cosmetics."

The scent of cosmetics? Xue Yunting's expression hardened slightly: "If she doesn't intend to kill my sister, then what is her purpose?"

Nianyao shook her head: "I don't know."

Xue Yunting thought for a moment: "Sister, is it possible that while you were away, a female guest came to Chongming Island and hid in some corner?"

Nianyao said, "If it were before, I would have said it was impossible, but now I'm not sure."

Xue Yunting asked, "Why did you change your mind and go to Jingzhao Manor, sister?"

Nianyao asked, "Do you want the money from Jingzhao Manor?"

What does this have to do with Nianyao? Xue Yunting couldn't figure out what Nianyao was thinking: "Sister wants to help me? Sister wants to help us?"