Chapter 233: Why Not Think Less?
When Li Xiaonan woke up, Wan Jing was already up. Seeing that she was awake, she quickly pointed outside, “The Young Lord is here, hurry!”
Li Xiaonan scrambled to get up and quickly washed up before coming out.
The main hall had been cleared, with only a table left near the window by the inner courtyard.
Gu Yan sat by the table, reading a long scroll. Hearing the movement, he looked up and saw Li Xiaonan. He closed the scroll and signaled Shi Gun to clear the pile of documents on the table.
“I heard you were in danger last night. I invited a doctor to come along. It seems…” Gu Yan looked Li Xiaonan up and down.
“I’m fine.”
“I heard you ate a lot for dinner yesterday and slept until now. You are indeed fine. I was just overly worried. I’ve already sent the doctor back.” Gu Yan pointed to a chair beside him.
“Where did you come from? Just passing by?” Li Xiaonan sat down and took several gulps of tea.
“I rushed here from Pingjiang City specifically.” Gu Yan looked Li Xiaonan up and down again, carefully.
“They captured someone alive. Did you interrogate them? What happened?” Li Xiaonan asked, putting down her cup.
“Eat first.” Gu Yan signaled the servant who was placing breakfast on the table.
The breakfast was very rich, but Li Xiaonan had no appetite. She ate her breakfast silently. After the servant cleared the bowls and plates and served fresh tea, Li Xiaonan asked again, “Did you interrogate them?”
“Yes, they were all ruffians from Changzhou City who made a living by extortion. There were three leaders, calling themselves the Three Sworn Brothers of Liuyuan. The second and third brothers charged forward yesterday and are now dead. The eldest, Shi Datou, was captured. He said he saw you had many horses and figured you must be wealthy, so he intended to rob you for money.” Gu Yan sneered.
“Nonsense!” Li Xiaonan said, her eyebrows raised.
“Yes, this Shi Datou is loyal, very loyal, but too stupid.”
“So, did you get any information?”
“He bit off his own tongue. However, his brothers said he often spoke of how Old Master Zhu of the Zhu Family in Xiangyun had shown him great kindness. Before the attempted robbery, Shi Datou had gone to Pingjiang City. After the Maritime Tax Bureau case, Old Master Zhu had been staying at the Zhu Family’s detached villa in Pingjiang City.”
“Because I’m buying weavers? Because the Li Family is collecting autumn silkworm cocoons?” Li Xiaonan frowned.
“Perhaps it’s because you are too close to me.” Gu Yan leaned forward, his expression serious.
“Me and you? Too close? When were we close? Close! Did you say that word, or did someone else?” Li Xiaonan leaned back, pressing herself against the chair back, her face full of disdain.
“How are we not close? How many people in the world can eat with me, drink tea with me, and sit here talking like this? Among women, you are the only one!” Gu Yan stretched out his arm and tapped the table in front of Li Xiaonan with his knuckles, making a thudding sound.
Li Xiaonan glared at Gu Yan, blinking several times, unable to retort.
It seemed to be true.
But this couldn’t be called being close, could it?
“How old are you this year? Has no one come to propose marriage to you?” Gu Yan asked, leaning forward.
“No one has proposed to me because my second sister is still unmarried. No one has proposed to my second sister either. What’s wrong with no one proposing? Do you think everyone is like you, with families beating down your door to propose?” Li Xiaonan retorted unceremoniously.
“Alright, alright, you’re right.” Gu Yan leaned back against the chair, chuckling.
“You said A Wu’s kung fu was very good. Yesterday, I saw your four attendants, including the cart driver, were all about as skilled as A Wu. Are all your servants this formidable?” Li Xiaonan changed the subject.
This was something that needed to be clarified.
Gu Yan didn’t answer, he just smiled.
“What are you laughing at?” Li Xiaonan glared at Gu Yan.
“Laughing at your cleverness.” Gu Yan burst out laughing.
Li Xiaonan wanted to roll her eyes but held back. She shifted slightly and picked up her cup to drink tea.
“The attendants by your side are not from the manor, and the cart driver is not from the manor either. They are all my personal guards.
“A Wu only has brute strength comparable to them. In terms of assessing the enemy, strategizing, and deploying troops, A Wu can only compare with Wan Jing.” Gu Yan said with a smile.
“What about those who came to assist yesterday? Were they also your personal guards?” Li Xiaonan glanced at Gu Yan.
“No. They used my signal cannon for aid. When the signal cannon is fired, anyone who sees it, regardless of their affiliation, must provide immediate assistance.
“The first group to arrive yesterday was the Changzhou army. I have already rewarded them on your behalf.” Gu Yan said, smiling at Li Xiaonan.
Li Xiaonan’s brow furrowed slightly as she looked at Gu Yan.
“What are you looking at?” Gu Yan met Li Xiaonan’s gaze.
“Have you read the legend of ‘Dinghun Dian’ from the previous dynasty?” Li Xiaonan asked vaguely.
Gu Yan’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and he gave a noncommittal “Mm.”
“I really dislike stories like Dinghun Dian. Whether reincarnation is real or not, past and future lives are too illusory. I just want to focus on living well in the present. I am here in this life to enjoy myself and live well, not to pay off debts.” Li Xiaonan said, looking at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan looked at the serious expression on Li Xiaonan’s face, and after a moment, he smiled, “Even if there are debts, you are the creditor.”
“Then I’ll rephrase the last sentence: I am not here to collect debts.” Li Xiaonan immediately replied.
Gu Yan looked at Li Xiaonan, then after a moment, he smiled. After smiling for a while, Gu Yan leaned forward, “What’s wrong with me?”
“You are a tiger, and I am a quail. We are not suitable.” Li Xiaonan leaned back tightly against the chair back.
Gu Yan was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, “Look at how scared you are. It was just a joke. The business you want to do is very beneficial to me, and protecting you is my duty.
“Since Huang Xianzhou took on the Maritime Tax Bureau case, I’ve had him stay in Yang Wu’s barracks, and he’s always accompanied when he goes out. Zhou Shennian also has guards with him when he travels.”
Li Xiaonan breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Yan leaned towards her and tapped the table in front of her forcefully, “I’m reminding you, even if you and I don’t have such thoughts, others might. You need to be careful.”
“As long as you don’t, I don’t care about anyone else.” Li Xiaonan nodded quickly.
“If I were a unreasonable bully and forcibly took you, what would you do?” Gu Yan suddenly asked.
“I haven’t thought about it, but I’m sure I could figure something out.”
“What are your plans for tomorrow? Continue looking at your weaving school?” Gu Yan asked.
“Yes!”
“I have to go. You should rest early and avoid traveling at night from now on.” Gu Yan stood up.
“Okay.” Li Xiaonan readily agreed and stood up with him, following Gu Yan to the courtyard.
After watching Gu Yan leave the inn, Wan Jing hurried to Li Xiaonan’s side and let out a long sigh of relief.
“Got scolded? Had your monthly allowance deducted?” Li Xiaonan looked at Wan Jing.
“Neither. The Young Lord said A Wu and Yu Ting performed their guard duties effectively and rewarded each of them with a hundred taels of silver.” Wan Jing clicked her tongue enviously.
“You didn’t get a reward?”
“I was so scared, why should I get a reward?” Wan Jing gave Li Xiaonan a sideways glance.
“Alas, logically speaking, A Wu and Yu Ting were acting for me, and those attendants too. Logically, I should be the one giving them money to thank them.” Li Xiaonan sighed.
“Do you have any silver?” Wan Jing asked unceremoniously.
“Of course not.” Li Xiaonan sighed again, “But it shouldn’t be like this.”
He rewarded them on her behalf, and thanked them on her behalf. Wouldn’t that make others think things?
