Chapter 198: Deception And Counter-deception
“That’s how it is,” Lu Yun’s expression finally relaxed when discussing serious matters, and he slowly said, “My clan has lost a large sum of money. My father and I searched everywhere fruitlessly, so we guessed that to hide it easily, they might have already converted it into valuables like gold and jewelry.” As he spoke, he looked at Young Lady Shang and said, “After much thought, only the Merchant Family’s shops have the capability to exchange that three to four million guàn of copper coins.”
“But?” Lu Yun held his breath and asked softly.
When Lu Yun entered, he had already noticed that the tea on the table was different from what he usually saw. Elsewhere, including in the private rooms downstairs, they drank a thick, green tea soup brewed from ground tea powder. However, Shang Luojia’s tea had a bright, pale green color, clear to the bottom, and intact tea buds floated in the tea. To Lu Yun, this was simply unbelievable.
“Alright, alright,” Shang Luojia finally couldn’t do anything with him. She looked at Lu Yun with bright eyes and parted her rosy lips. “I’ve thought of the conditions. As long as you agree, I’ll help you with this.”
Lu Yun’s hand trembled, and tea spilled all over him.
Lu Yun’s words were both soft and hard, reasonable and emotional, spoken with both sincerity and strength. This caused Young Lady Shang to involuntarily reveal a thoughtful expression.
Lu Yun looked at Young Lady Shang with full of hope, fully expecting her to yield. Who knew that the next moment, she blinked her eyes, smiled, and shook her head, “Even if Young Master Lu brings up the Seven Great Noble Clans, it’s useless. This young lady is not scared by threats.” Her lips curved slightly upwards, and she spoke with a hint of sarcasm, “If we change our minds just because someone threatens us, then the Merchant Family shouldn’t do business anymore.”
“So, you mean,” Lu Yun couldn’t help but frown, “Young Lady Shang is not agreeing?”
“If you speak nicely, it’s not impossible to discuss.” Young Lady Shang’s attitude was as unpredictable as clouds in the sky, impossible to grasp. “But I am someone who responds to kindness, not hardness. If anyone dares to threaten me, I will absolutely not agree.” Even so, she still smiled like a flower, showing no sign of being angry.
Lu Yun sighed softly and said calmly, “It was my mistake. The Merchant Family is not afraid of the various clans, and I should not have said such things.” He paused and said softly, “But I absolutely did not mean to scare or threaten Young Lady Shang.” He was about to deny everything he had just said.
“Uh…” Young Lady Shang was somewhat surprised to see him go back on his word so quickly, saying, “Saying you don’t acknowledge it is a woman’s prerogative.”
“I’ve always believed there’s no difference between men and women,” Lu Yun said expressionlessly.
“You really are…” Young Lady Shang gave a bitter smile as she looked at Lu Yun. She had originally wanted to say ‘shameless’, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it, so she changed her words to: “Troublesome.”
“Likewise.” Lu Yun gave a slight smile, no longer feeling any shyness or embarrassment.
“So this is the Lu Yun I know…” Young Lady Shang let out a wry laugh, looking at his harmless handsome face. “You almost tricked even me.”
“Likewise.” Lu Yun continued to smile. In reality, he merely had mild social anxiety; he would involuntarily become nervous in front of strangers, a consequence of his childhood trauma. However, as he became more familiar with others, he would overcome it and return to normal.
Of course, Lu Yun didn’t need to explain to Young Lady Shang; she could think whatever she wanted of him. Moreover, speaking of hypocrisy, he probably wasn’t even a tenth as bad as her.
With that, Lu Yun changed the subject and softly proposed, “So, why don’t we just talk openly?”
“Not bad,” Young Lady Shang nodded with a smile. “You have a point, there’s really no need for our Merchant Family to keep a secret for a dead criminal.”
“But what?” Lu Yun asked calmly, his voice low.
“…” Young Lady Shang couldn’t help but give Lu Yun a look and said with a smile, “You’re so glib; it’s not as endearing to girls as you were earlier.”
“Let’s talk business.” Lu Yun coughed lightly.
“Alright,” Young Lady Shang nodded, unable to suppress a chuckle. Her smile was more beautiful than fresh flowers. She said, “Alright, it’s true. But we aren’t close, and I have no obligation to help you with this.”
“I didn’t expect Young Lady Shang to help for free,” Lu Yun said calmly, not surprised. “Everyone knows the Merchant Family values fair transactions, so Young Lady Shang, please name your price.”
“My name is Shang Luojia,” Young Lady Shang said with a smile, a bit nonsensically. “Calling me ‘Young Lady Shang’ makes me quite uncomfortable. Just call me by my name.”
“Alright, Young Lady Shang.” Lu Yun pondered for a moment and changed his address, but he did not call her by her given name as requested. Although customs were open in this era and there was no distinction between men and women, calling someone by their name was not uncommon. However, he was a well-behaved child and felt they were not yet familiar enough for that.
“Alright, whatever you say…” Young Lady Shang, Shang Luojia, gave a bitter smile and shook her head. It was the first time she had encountered someone as difficult to deal with as herself among her peers.
“How can Young Lady Shang be persuaded to help with this matter?” Lu Yun asked again.
“Let me think…” Shang Luojia said as she extended her delicate fingers and personally poured Lu Yun another cup of tea, smiling, “This is Cloud Mist Tea from my hometown. Young Master Lu, let’s see if you can get used to drinking it.”
When Lu Yun entered, he noticed the tea on the table was different from what he usually saw. Elsewhere, including in the downstairs private rooms, they drank a thick, emerald-green tea soup brewed from ground tea powder. But this tea, from Shang Luojia, had a bright, pale green, clear soup with intact tea buds floating in it, which Lu Yun found simply incredible.
So he had never touched that tea. But at this moment, with the other party’s enthusiastic hospitality, Lu Yun had no choice but to pick it up and gently sniff it. He was immediately greeted by a fragrant aroma, and the slight frown on his brow involuntarily relaxed.
“Try it, if it poisons you, it’s my fault.” Seeing his cautious appearance, Shang Luojia had a amused expression on her face.
Lu Yun could only take a sip, and it was indeed very different. The tea soup he drank in the past was rich and delicate in texture, with a mellow and bitter taste, and it only had a sweet aftertaste after drinking. This tea, as soon as it was drunk, was fragrant, refreshing, and refreshing, a completely different feeling.
Moreover, the color of this tea soup was clear and bright, and the tea buds within unfurled beautifully, clearly suiting his personal taste more than a dark green tea soup. Lu Yun took a few more sips, exclaiming, “Indeed, it’s unique and refreshing.”
“Just novel?” Shang Luojia said with dissatisfaction. “It seems it’s not to your taste then.”
“No, I like it very much.” Lu Yun looked at Young Lady Shang helplessly and said, “Miss Shang, don’t be too pedantic.”
“This is just how I am, I can’t help it.” Shang Luojia shook her head and smiled, returning Lu Yun’s original words to him.
“Alright…” Lu Yun nodded and focused on drinking his tea, he really didn’t dare to speak anymore, otherwise he would be dragged miles away by Shang Luojia again.
Shang Luojia tried to make him talk a few times, but Lu Yun was like a stubborn gourd, never speaking unless it was about the main topic.
“Alright, alright,” Shang Luojia finally had no choice with him. Her eyes shone as she looked at Lu Yun and lightly opened her red lips, saying, “I’ve already thought of the conditions. As long as you agree, I’ll help you with this favor.”
“What conditions?” Lu Yun asked, holding his tea cup and pausing his action.
“I want you,” Shang Luojia said, extending her slender finger and pointing at Lu Yun.
Lu Yun’s hand trembled, and the tea soup spilled all over him.
