Chapter 298: What Was Once Unattainable
Linhai Town.
The full moon hung low over the vast sea, waves crashing against the rocks.
On the desolate cliff, Foreman Liu sat in a sandalwood armchair inlaid with gold, legs crossed, playing a flute.
The flute’s melody was clear and resonant.
Wu Miaozhen stopped about a bow’s shot away from Foreman Liu, carefully surveyed the surroundings, and then moved forward.
Wu Miaozhen stood beside Foreman Liu. Just as Foreman Liu finished his tune, he stood up, twirling his flute as he looked at Wu Miaozhen.
Wu Miaozhen likewise observed Foreman Liu.
“My surname is Liu, my given name is Jingting. I am a subordinate of Miss Li, a follower of Miss Li, am I not?” Foreman Liu stated directly. “You don’t need to introduce yourself; I know you, and I know that it was only after Miss Li persuaded you that you came forward to rally the Cheng Zi Gang. However.”
Foreman Liu paused, then looked Wu Miaozhen up and down again. “The so-called persuasion by Miss Li is merely a step for you to save face, an excuse, or perhaps a way to use Miss Li’s persuasion to connect with the Prince’s Estate, to gain influence and leverage. Even if Miss Li hadn’t persuaded you, you would have become the Gang Leader anyway.”
“I know you too, but I didn’t expect you to talk so much nonsense,” Wu Miaozhen said with a sneer, looking at Foreman Liu.
Foreman Liu chuckled. “I am being forthright. You and I both owe our allegiance to Miss Li; we are partners.”
“Which Miss Li are you referring to?” Wu Miaozhen asked impolitely.
“Miss Li, whose given name is A Nan, the newly betrothed Young Lord’s Consort of Prince Rui’s Mansion,” Foreman Liu replied with a smile.
“Does Miss Li know she has a follower like you?” Wu Miaozhen asked.
“Of course, the Young Lord knows too,” Foreman Liu said with a grin.
“What do you want with me?” Wu Miaozhen looked directly at Foreman Liu.
“Gang Leader Wu, relying on a word of persuasion from Miss Li, is perhaps not very secure, is it?” Foreman Liu stared at Wu Miaozhen.
Wu Miaozhen’s expression was blank, and she said nothing.
“The new porters at the wharf and your Cheng Zi Gang have been getting along fine. You’ve aligned yourself with the Young Lord? How much can the Young Lord cover for you?” Foreman Liu continued.
“What do you want with me?” Wu Miaozhen asked again.
“As I said, we are partners, you don’t need to be so wary of me. How much can the Young Lord cover for you? Is it reliable?” Foreman Liu asked again.
“What are you trying to say? Since we are partners, why don’t you just say it directly?” Wu Miaozhen once again evaded Foreman Liu’s question.
“Why doesn’t Gang Leader Wu go and see Miss Li? The Li family is rising rapidly, and Miss Li is in need of capable people right now,” Foreman Liu suggested.
“You are from overseas; what do you want?” Wu Miaozhen’s tone seemed less stiff.
“There’s no difference between someone from overseas and Gang Leader Wu; both need support to stand tall and last long,” Foreman Liu said frankly.
Wu Miaozhen looked at him for a moment, then cupped her hands and said, “Thank you. If Foreman Liu has nothing else, I will take my leave.”
“If Gang Leader Wu is looking for me, go to the Liuyun Old Shop in town,” Foreman Liu said from behind Wu Miaozhen.
Watching Wu Miaozhen walk away, Foreman Liu rounded a section and descended along a barely visible set of steps down the cliff.
A guard made way for Foreman Liu, then picked up the armchair and followed him down.
A small boat was moored at the edge of the cliff. Foreman Liu boarded and entered the cabin.
He Chengzhe saw Foreman Liu enter and put down the cup he was holding. “How was it?”
“Very calm. Where has she connected herself?” Foreman Liu sat down next to He Chengzhe.
“This woman is not to be underestimated. However, what can she do?” He Chengzhe’s tone was indifferent.
Foreman Liu grunted.
“Do you need to go back?” He Chengzhe asked, looking at Foreman Liu.
Foreman Liu’s expression darkened slightly. After a moment of silence, he shook his head. “Going back now would be of no use. I’ll go back after everything is arranged.”
“Then send a few people to keep an eye on Wu Miaozhen. My people are probably familiar to her, so they won’t be able to track her,” He Chengzhe said.
“Alright.”
……………………
Wu Miaozhen returned to her home in Linhai Town. Before finishing a cup of tea, she changed her clothes, took a few trusted confidantes, and quietly left for Pingjiang City.
Li Jinzhu set off early in the morning for Wujiang County to visit the newly established Weaving School. While buying some vegetable buns at the city gate, she got back into the carriage and saw the Gang Leader Wu who had spoken to her before, sitting inside.
“I just wanted to have a chat with Eldest Madam,” Wu Miaozhen whispered, smiling as she explained, and reached out to pull Li Jinzhu in.
Li Jinzhu got into the carriage, lowered the curtain, and the cart driver urged the horse forward.
Li Jinzhu handed the lotus leaf package containing the vegetable buns to Wu Miaozhen. “Have you eaten?”
“I arrived at midnight, so I won’t be polite,” Wu Miaozhen took a vegetable bun.
The two sat opposite each other, taking turns eating the vegetable buns.
“Did you come because you heard about A Nan’s engagement?” Li Jinzhu asked first.
“I heard about Fourth Mistress’s engagement, but I didn’t come because of that. I just came to talk with you,” Wu Miaozhen paused, then continued, “and to ask if there’s anything you need my help with.”
“Thank you, but no. Whether A Nan is engaged or not, it doesn’t seem to change anything for us. How things were before, they will be the same in the future,” Li Jinzhu observed Wu Miaozhen.
This prominent figure from the underworld appeared to be kind and approachable.
A Nan had said that in the future, no matter who it was, they would show their best side to her. This Gang Leader was probably the same.
“How can things remain the same? No matter what you think, it’s impossible for things to be the same as before,” Wu Miaozhen said, looking at Li Jinzhu. “There are so many people who want to know you, to curry favor with you, even to marry you, trying every means to marry you. Your younger siblings are also targets, everyone wants to befriend them and curry favor with them. Your brother-in-law is the same.”
“What’s the use of that? I won’t put in a good word for anyone, and A Nan won’t listen either. My younger siblings won’t either,” Li Jinzhu frowned.
What Gang Leader Wu said was true. Now, even Mei Jie, when she goes out to buy groceries, can’t have peace. People are always forcing things on Mei Jie, trying to strike up conversations with her, and Mei Jie is almost afraid to go out.
“Even if they believe you when you say you won’t, they’ll think: that’s for others, but she’ll be an exception,” Wu Miaozhen said, shaking her head and chuckling as if thinking of something. “It’s not necessarily about you putting in a good word. Just being able to associate with you, to talk with you, is enough to give them prestige, to let them borrow your influence, and even to cause trouble. For example, when doing evil deeds, they can boast of their close relationship with you to intimidate others.”
“Many people know me,” Li Jinzhu sighed.
What Gang Leader Wu said was also something she worried about.
“I’ll help you keep an eye on things, and also on your Li clan,” Wu Miaozhen said directly.
“How can you keep an eye on that? How many people would that take? That’s not feasible,” Li Jinzhu said, somewhat surprised.
“You don’t need to arrange for special personnel. Just be mindful. If I hear anything, I’ll come and tell you. Consider it an excuse to find someone to talk to,” Wu Miaozhen said with a smile.
Li Jinzhu remained silent.
“This is between the two of us. I told you last time, I feel that you, like me, are someone who believes women can accomplish things. You are someone I can talk to, and I trust you. You should know, I am alone, I am not afraid, and I am not lonely, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to have someone to talk to?” Wu Miaozhen’s voice was low.
“Yes, I am better off than you. I can talk to Yuzhu. For all the big and small matters at home, I discuss them with Yuzhu,” Li Jinzhu’s words suddenly stopped. She couldn’t discuss Yuzhu’s marriage with Yuzhu.
“Has Yuzhu taken a liking to anyone?” Wu Miaozhen asked.
“There is one family. The young man just passed the Xiucai exam, and he’s very suitable,” Li Jinzhu said after a moment of silence. “Everything about him is good.”
Wu Miaozhen looked at Li Jinzhu with understanding and smiled. “That’s good. Speaking of which, if we were to follow the order of seniority, shouldn’t Yuzhu’s marriage and your brother’s marriage come before Fourth Mistress’s?”
“Yes, that’s the plan,” Li Jinzhu took out her needlework and began to stitch a shoe sole, chatting about everyday matters with Wu Miaozhen.
