novelnext Chapter 407 - 399: Negotiating a Deal
Chapter 407 - 399: Negotiating a Deal
Before his death, the eldest son revealed the existence of the child, insisting that Lord Governor must find him.
Upon receiving the news, she secretly spent a fortune hiring the most skilled assassin.
She absolutely couldn’t let that woman’s child return to cause her more trouble.
What she didn’t expect was that the Dark Pavilion assassin would fail, nor could she accept that the child unexpectedly appeared in the mansion.
When she tried to act again, she was caught by the Governor.
There had been many things over the years that bore her mark, and the eldest son, being a clever man, had always suspected her. However, he lacked the strength or substantial evidence to expose her.
It was only on his deathbed that he told the entire story to his father, insisting that he protect the child.
Under normal circumstances, the Governor wouldn’t have believed it. Even if he were suspicious, he would first investigate. But these were his son’s dying words—how could he doubt them?
Unexpectedly, he had not yet dug the pit when the wife made her move.
She was in such a hurry.
It was unbelievable to him.
Yet, caught red-handed, she could no longer deny it.
With the henchwoman by the wife’s side imprisoned and interrogated, the results were shocking. It turned out his wife not only had feelings for his eldest son but also turned love into hate, nearly tearing the family apart.
The reality was hard to accept, yet unavoidable.
Even as the Commandery Governor’s Wife knelt on the ground, begging bitterly, the Governor had not a trace of sympathy, only regretting his misjudgment years ago.
If not for his son’s plea, he would have ordered a cup of white wine or a piece of white silk, making her pay for her actions.
"And then..."
After a day’s work, it was time to hear some gossip.
"The Commandery Governor’s Wife, who controlled the mansion for years and bore such an outstanding son, naturally couldn’t be executed or divorced. No matter how much she resented, she could only spend the rest of her life in the small shrine within the mansion."
"So she got off lightly?"
"You can’t say that. The Commandery Governor’s Wife, who enjoyed a lifetime of luxury and pride, with a heavy grudge, living the rest of her life in meditation and prayer in a dark small room—it might be worse than death."
"Hmm, Qiqi made a good analysis. You’re becoming more empathetic." Cheng Xiaoxiao generously praised.
"Of course!"
The system responded proudly.
Hehe!
Humans have a saying: ’An insect that attaches to the bone does not die easily.’ As long as one is alive, anything is possible. What’s more, the dead are gone, but she has an outstanding living son—what can be said about future events?
These days, the atmosphere in the Governor Mansion is tense yet awkward. With the matriarch having committed such acts, how could one not feel guilty and reflective?
The master’s faces were unpleasant, and the servants were on edge, fearing mistakes that might lead to punishment.
However, Cheng Xiaoxiao did her own thing, completely unfazed.
But now that matters are mostly settled, it’s time to talk business!
Knowing the Governor was in the main hall, she went straight there.
The household servant at the door was very courteous to her, quickly announcing her arrival.
Entering the solemn and elegant main hall, the faint scent of incense mixed with a bit of charcoal made this serious place feel rather comfortable, and warmth pervaded the air.
"Has Lord Governor been well these past days?" Cheng Xiaoxiao asked, feigning ignorance.
"Letting Young Master Cheng watch a joke unfold."
"Oh, not at all. I’ve been tending to the sick these days and haven’t paid attention to other matters. I just noticed Lord Governor doesn’t look well, so I care to ask: have you been overworking? Please take care of yourself, as you are the backbone of the people. If you fall ill, whom will they rely on?"
Cheng Xiaoxiao’s words were so well-crafted, they were pleasant to hear.
Aware of the major incidents occurring in the Governor Mansion, she deliberately avoided embarrassment while showing her intention to keep silent, caring for the people’s sufferings while reminding the Governor to care for his own health.
Governor Zhao was very satisfied with Cheng Xiaoxiao’s tact and understanding.
Such clever and perceptive young ones, who could express expectations without explicitly saying so, were truly admirable.
"No need for courtesy, Young Master Cheng, please take a seat."
Governor Zhao signaled for tea to be served, sipping it as he inquired.
"Has your stay been comfortable these past few days?"
It seemed as if he wanted to chat about family matters.
"Thanks to Lord Zhao’s hospitality, everything is well. I have a business proposition I’d like to discuss with you."
Governor Zhao was intrigued; she was finally getting to the point.
"Young Master Cheng, there’s no need to be polite. You are a great benefactor to Dayan City. Speak freely, and whatever Zhao can do, I will not delay."
Governor Zhao’s words were quite respectful, for he had received word from Zhao Wuling that this Young Master Cheng was a Dark Strength expert. To have cultivated to such a degree at this age, the force behind her was not to be underestimated, and before understanding her intentions, caution was necessary.
"To be honest, I come from Tianqi Phoenix City, and I am interested in Dayan City’s weaving techniques and exquisite embroidery.
If you agree to exchange, Phoenix City can offer rice, flour, oil, and warm clothing, and even the scarce charcoal."
In recent days of running around, Cheng Xiaoxiao was not without gains.
Dayan City, in the south of Great Xia, has small seasonal temperature differences and abundant resources, with a constant stream of business travelers. There were many embroiderers here, with nearly every household’s daughters embroidering for a living before marriage. The women here were not only skilled in embroidery but were also first-rate when it came to weaving.
Hearing Cheng Xiaoxiao’s bold words, Governor Zhao showed no visible reaction, though internally deeply moved.
To know, the extreme cold had lasted over three months, and for ordinary poor people, barely one in ten survived over a month ago.
The surviving populace mainly came from relatively affluent families or those with strong fighting capabilities who endured through rounds of natural selection. Even so, now they were on the brink of running out of supplies.
Furthermore, a seismic event had caused landslides, cracks, and collapses, leaving behind only ruins and buried all the warm clothing.
He had been troubled over this matter, not expecting someone before him to speak of endless supplies—how could this not be tempting?
"Young Master Cheng, are your words true?"
"In business, honesty is the foundation. Since I can represent Phoenix City in this trade route, I naturally speak with integrity—why would I make baseless claims?"
Cheng Xiaoxiao spoke with absolute certainty.
Her face was full of confidence.
"It’s not that Zhao doesn’t trust Young Master Cheng’s sincerity, but the disaster has persisted for so long. Besides the first-rate aristocratic families and top-tier Jianghu forces, or the supreme imperial authority, each state’s granaries have been successively exhausted, and even the major grain merchants in Jiangnan have little left.
Those with current grain supplies find it hard to sustain even their own people, let alone help others."
Governor Zhao looked troubled, otherwise why would he have turned white with worry.
Do not be deceived by the five wan dan of grain in the granaries, for the enormous population of the prefecture, even after drastic population reduction, would see this grain supply last barely a month.