Chapter 92: The Nectar is Stolen

Even when it came to matters between husband and wife, Liu Qin showed not the slightest sign of embarrassment. She skipped back to Mu Qing’s side, chirping, “Master, let me give you two pills.”

Mu Qing patted Liu Qin’s head with satisfaction. “Good child, your filial heart makes your master very happy. But you should keep them for yourself; your master has no need.”

Liu Qin dared not insist. If she persisted, wouldn’t it seem as though she were cursing her master?

“Oh, Qin’er, don’t speak of this to others,” Mu Qing added solemnly, “lest you attract the envy of others and bring trouble upon yourself.”

Hearing her master’s grave tone, Liu Qin quickly nodded and promised.

After exchanging a few more casual words, Jiang Li took Liu Qin’s hand and bade farewell, and they left together.

Only when the sound of the courtyard gate closing echoed did Xiao Wu finally say, “Godfather, I’m going to rest now.” Without waiting for Mu Qing’s reply, he hurried out of the room.

Mu Qing watched Xiao Wu’s recent changes with a cold eye. He wanted to ask what had happened, but in the end, he only sighed, gazing at the swaying curtain, unable to utter a single question.

Xiao Wu, having rushed from the room, did not return to his own quarters. Instead, he stood in the courtyard, gazing in a daze at the pitch-black night sky.

He didn’t know what he ought to do. Sometimes he felt his choice was right—only by hardening his heart, severing all emotions, and remaking himself into someone utterly without feeling could he focus single-mindedly on his martial training, and in the future, go to his death match with his enemy without a single attachment.

He was truly afraid—afraid that warmth and affection would blunt his sharp edge, erode his resolve and fighting spirit. He feared, too, that when he set out on that uncertain, life-and-death path of vengeance, there would still be a pair of eyes watching him, waiting for him. He feared his heart would soften, that he would turn back, that he would...

He feared so many things, but all his fears revolved around one person: the one who brought him warmth and happiness, who never blamed him no matter how cold or unreasonable he seemed, who always wore a smile, who never forgot to give him a share of all the good things—his junior sister, his little junior sister.

Little junior sister, can you understand me?

Beneath the black expanse of night, the young boy murmured to himself. Before his eyes, a figure in red appeared. Her fair little face, set off by her crimson dress, was so lovely, so charming. So this is what junior sister looks like, dressed again as a girl.

He remembered his first impression at that moment—his eyes lit up, and he longed to reach out and touch her little face, to stroke her hair. At the same time, a deep pride surged in his heart: such a beautiful and adorable girl was his junior sister, his...

But, my little junior sister, to whom I belong—how should I face you?

Xiao Wu sank into deep confusion. He was, after all, still a child, yet a heavy burden had been placed upon his shoulders too early. Because of this burden, he had never chosen, nor had he ever had the chance to choose. But now, he truly wanted to make a choice.

A choice for peaceful coexistence, a chance to experience pain and joy together.

But let us leave Xiao Wu and his turmoil for now. After returning to her room, Liu Qin hauled out a small chest used for valuables, pulled open the second-to-last compartment, and carefully placed the porcelain bottle inside. The bottom compartment, without even thinking, she knew held the icy jade box her master had given her. The upper tiers were filled with pearl hairpins and jewelry; they weren’t as precious as what lay below, but as gifts from her parents and family, they were just as dear to her.

Having tidied everything up, Liu Qin washed and lay down, quickly drifting into a sweet and peaceful sleep.

Two days later, though not yet time for the holiday, Datong returned to the Liu residence under cover of night. He had come to report that for the past two days, wine and various meats had been disappearing without a trace each night. What vanished was always the finest wine, and the freshest, newly braised meats. In the wine cellar, one could still see piles of gnawed bones.

At first, Uncle Cheng and Datong suspected an inside job and quietly investigated, but found that no one had the opportunity to commit the theft.

The second night, Datong resolved to keep watch in the wine cellar himself. To his astonishment, he fell asleep, and by the time he awoke, another cask of wine was empty and meat bones littered the floor.

He couldn’t understand how he’d fallen asleep. To avoid drowsiness, he’d brewed and drunk two strong bowls of tea—the same trick he’d used before to stay awake. Yet that night, he’d drifted off without knowing it. If it weren’t for the servant who had to shake him vigorously the next morning, he’d still be asleep.

Imagining Elder Hua feasting away with a hand of meat and a jug of wine, Liu Qin burst out laughing.

It seemed the shop’s wine and meat suited the old gentleman’s taste perfectly, or else he wouldn’t have visited two nights in a row. Thinking of this, Liu Qin felt a surge of pride.

Datong was utterly bewildered by Liu Qin’s alternating laughter and self-satisfaction. What was going on here? The shop had been robbed, yet the young master seemed delighted?

After a while, remembering Datong, Liu Qin hastened to reassure him. “It’s all right, truly. Go tell Uncle Cheng not to worry about it. No matter how much wine and meat is lost, it doesn’t matter. Just remember that.”

Datong was more confused than ever. Seeing his perplexed look, Liu Qin felt at a loss—this was difficult to explain. She couldn’t mention Elder Hua, nor say that some cat or dog had dragged it all away; that would be disrespectful to the divine doctor. She could only look to Jiang Li for help.

Jiang Li smiled and shook his head, then turned to Datong. “Datong, do as your young master says. There’s no need to ask about some things. Just remember: do as the young master instructs.”

Though his manner was gentle, Jiang Li’s gaze was stern, and his tone carried the weight of command. In that instant, Datong understood: the most important thing for a subordinate was to carry out orders—those of the master—without hesitation or doubt.

“Yes, young master. Yes, eldest young master,” Datong replied with a cupped fist.

Ah, it seemed Jiang Li understood the art of command.

That settled it—Jiang Li would be the human resources director, while Fang Nuo handled the finances. What would there be left for her to do? In the future, she’d only need to strategize from behind the scenes, commanding a financial empire that spanned the ages.

What a splendid thought.

While Liu Qin was content with her daydreams, Fang Yiming was decidedly less so a few days later. In fact, he was thoroughly miserable.

Somehow, things had started to vanish mysteriously from Hongxing Restaurant. It began with a cask of thirty-year-old Zhuangyuan Red, which had been set aside for an important guest. Because of this, the master of the Fang family, Fang Fengxian—Fang Yiming’s own grandfather—called together the manager and Fang Yiming, who was temporarily overseeing the establishment, and berated them fiercely.

Fang Fengxian had boasted of this wine beforehand, but when he couldn’t produce it, he had to substitute a twenty-year-old Daughter’s Red, causing him great embarrassment.

Soon after, the last two casks of twenty-year-old Daughter’s Red also disappeared.

Then, rare delicacies followed: snow pears from the north, fire dragon fruit rushed in from the far south, and saint’s fruit bought from a traveling merchant—all vanished without a trace. Most infuriating of all, the fruit pits were scattered throughout the kitchen; even a rat wouldn’t be so brazen.

Fang Yiming was beside himself with fury. He realized now that this rat had grown cunning, stealing only the most expensive and valuable items, and leaving evidence behind every time.

It was sheer, naked contempt.