Chapter 659: Better Tactics
Translator: Henyee Translations | Editor: Henyee Translations
Zhou Xiangfu pondered, âYou mean, including the meat sold to me, youâll sell a total of five hundred pounds?â
âYes.â Observing the demand for braised meat, it was clear that customers were not lacking. With the orphanage having almost no ability to manage risks and potentially attracting trouble from malicious individuals, selling a limited amount to make a profit without drawing too much attention was the best strategy.
âLord Zhou, the orphanage supports over two hundred people, and a few taels of silver each day is hardly enough. Please consider the children.â
With such a plea, Zhou Xiangfu felt compelled to agree for the sake of face, âAlright, weâll do as you suggest.â
âThank you for your understanding, Lord Zhou.â Zhou Xiangfu proved to be a businessman with some conscience.
Approaching the small cart, Zhou Xiangfu ordered, âCut me two pounds, one of each type, and Iâll take it with me.â
Luo Yiyang eagerly complied, âRight away, sir.â
Luo Jisheng and Yan Jingkui also had two pounds cut each to take home for their families to try.
The braised meat, totaling just over thirty pounds, sold out quickly. The group, including Zhou Xiangfuâs servant and Madam Yue, headed back to the orphanage together.
The servant and Madam Yue went to sign the contract with the elder. After the signing, the servant left, and Madam Yue waited to leave with Chu Qingzhi.
The elderâs hands trembled with excitement as he signed the contract.
After struggling for so many years, earning just a few taels of silver each month, the prospect of earning twenty taels a day through Chu Qingzhiâs efforts seemed like a dream.
âMiss, thank you so much. The children wonât have to go hungry anymore.â
âTake good care of the children. If anything happens, you can go to the
Ministry of Justice and mention my name. They will help you.â
The elder was stunned when he heard that. This girl had such a powerful background that she could get the Ministry of Justiceâs help.
After urging the children to thank Chu Qingzhi, who helped them avoid further hunger and hardship, they all knelt and expressed their gratitude.
After urging the children to thank Chu Qingzhi, who helped them avoid further hunger and hardship, they all knelt and expressed their gratitude.
âGet up. Youâll have to rely on yourselves in the future,â Chu Qingzhi helped the children up.
The children said in unison, âSister, donât worry. Weâll work hard.â
âIâll come to visit when I have time,â Chu Qingzhi promised, after giving the elder some final instructions and leaving with Madam Yue, holding the wooden windmill given to her by Luo Xiaoyi.
The people of the orphanage stood at the gate long after Chu Qingzhi had left, deeply moved by her visit.
On the street.
Chu Qingning approached, greeting, âFifth sister, Madam Yue.â
Madam Yue responded warmly, âQingning, what are you doing here?â
â Iâve just delivered wrinkle-removing cream to a client and was looking for my fifth sister. I didnât expect to run into you both on the street.â
Chu Qingzhi inquired, âWhatâs happened?â
Chu Qingning explained, âA lady is about to give birth, and they went to the orphanage looking for you. Afraid you might return home, we split up, and I was about to head back to find you.â
Madam Yue looked at Chu Qingzhi in surprise, âYou know how to deliver babies?â
Chu Qingzhi nodded.
âMy fifth sister has already helped with several births,â Chu Qingning proudly shared. âMadam Yue, letâs talk while we walk; we must hurry to the childbirth.â Alright, alright, alright. Donât delay the important matters.â
Hurrying home, Chu Qingzhi and Chu Qingning gathered their medical supplies and rushed to the household awaiting childbirth.
In the half-mountain pavilion, Lu Yichen sat leisurely drinking tea.
Recently, he had destroyed many of Lu Lizhangâs businesses. He was very happy and specially came to the pavilion to enjoy the scenery.
Suddenly, a man dressed in black flew in, bowed, and reported, âThird Master, Young Master Yiceâs bloodlust has flared up again, and the Lord is sending people everywhere to find you.â
Lu Yichenâs lips curled into a cold smile, his tone dripping with sarcasm, âTime flies. Another month has passed.â
The man in black bowed his head, not daring to meet Lu Yichenâs gaze.
After elegantly finishing his tea, Lu Yichen rose and flew down the mountain, leaving the man in black to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and mutter, âThe Third Master is becoming more terrifying by the day.â
Lord Zhangâs Estate.
Lu Yice was bound to a bed, his complexion deathly pale, eyes hollow, his body emaciated to the bone. He resembled a zombie more than a living person during his bloodlust, devoid of any rational thought, craving only blood.
Now, he lacked even the strength to struggleâŠ
âBlood, blood, give me blood!â
âFather, kill me, please. Iâm in agony. Let me be free!â
âAh-â
Painful wails and screams kept coming from the room. Every time this happened, the entire residence would be silent. They did not dare to make a single sound, as if a calamity was about to befall them.
Lu Lizhang was furious, his face contorted with rage, âHas Lu Yichen not been found yet?â
The butler, trembling, replied, âLord, people have been sent. We should have news soon.â
Already so much time has passed without finding him, what are you all doing? Useless, all of you!â Lu Lizhang roared.
âI didnât expect someone to miss me so much. What an honor!â Lu Yichenâs voice came from the roof. It was mocking and cold.
Lu Lizhang, seeing Lu Yichen, didnât look at him as a father would a son but as one would an enemy sworn to vengeance, and ordered, âSeize him!â
Everyone, stay where you are. Move, and I leave immediately, and youâll bear the consequences.â
Lu Lizhangâs face turned even bluer with rage, âLu Yichen, are you planning a rebellion?â
With a defiant look, Lu Yichen retorted, âSorry, but Iâve already rebelled.â
Having been informed by Jinghong about the jade amuletâs location, Lu Yichen had no intention of continuing his pretense with Lu Lizhang.
âFather, save me!â
âFather, I canât hold on any longer!!â
âLet me die!â
Lu Yiceâs tormented cries filled the room once again.
Lu Lizhang, filled with murderous intent, threatened, âLu Yichen, whatever youâre planning, come down and save Yice now. If anything happens to him, I swear Iâll have you torn apart!â
Lu Yichenâs eyes were cold, his disdain palpable, âTsk, tsk, tsk, to the unknowing, one might think you truly care for your son!â Before Lu Lizhang could respond, Lu Yichen added, âI can save Lu Yice, but only if you hand over the jade amulet.â
Lu Lizhangâs eyes were sinister, âNever!â frđđđ eđŻđ»ovel.cđšm
Lu Yichen shrugged indifferently, âThen let Lu Yice suffer to death.â
Lu Lizhangbellowed, âSeize Lu Yichen!â
The guards quickly surrounded the building where Lu Yichen was, with archers taking position. Then, a cloud of smoke enveloped the area⊠and Lu Yichen disappeared.