Chance Meeting

Ming Yue was not an outsider. Wherever the palace was involved, she would eventually learn of it. Zhong Ning told her about Shen Li's plans.

Ming Yue's expression only turned uglier after hearing this. She looked at Zhong Ning's side profile, which had hardly changed. She felt melancholic about the entire affair.

Although Zhong Ning came from humble beginnings, she had a loving father and mother since her childhood, so she lived a simple life.

If not for Shen Hai's kindness to her and his good character, the senior Zhong wouldn't have married Zhong Ning to him as a second wife.

Unfortunately, after being married for nearly five years, she still knew nothing about the matters between men and women.

Ming Yue couldn't help but give her some friendly advice.

"So he agreed to help without asking for anything in return? Madam, have you ever thought that Gu Sheng is not a useless person? Why would he remain here? Could he have other plans?"

Zhong Ning pondered her words carefully. After some time, she seemed to have finally figured it out and said sternly, "Ming Yue, this is where you're wrong. I know that you're always suspicious of his unknown identity and therefore hold it against him, but you can't force yourself to see the worst in him.

"Besides, our mansion is just an empty shell, what's there for him to scheme about?"

Ming Yue almost wanted to roar out. The Madam was right in front of him, with hardly any other men to rely on!

"Madam, how can you not believe me? If you don't get Gu Sheng to come and confront me, he will definitely give himself away eventually. It won't be pretty when that happens."

Zhong Ning didn't agree with her and tried to make a stand.

"Gu Sheng is an honest man, but he's not good with words. You are going to poke at holes that are not there. Ming Yue, keep it peaceful, please."

'Ming Yue, an honest man. Hehe.'

She knew that Zhong Ning was too kind to see it, but it didn't matter. She had to keep a close eye on Gu Sheng in the future. Gu Sheng would eventually give himself away.

The next day, Shen Li put on a disguise and went out with Xiao Shuang early in the morning.

Xiao Shuang looked at Shen Li's men's clothes and adjusted the hat on her head uncomfortably.

"Miss, where are we going?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Shen Li turned around and glared at her. She lowered her voice and asked, "What did you just call me?"

Xiao Shuang's neck shrunk as she stammered.

"Y-Young master. Young master."

"That's more like it. Don't let it slip."

"What's wrong?" Xiao Shuang asked dejectedly as she ran after Shen Li.

"We don't lack people in the manor. Why do we need to find a slave trader to buy people?" Shen Li said without missing a beat.

"What can we do with those guys in the residence? We need to look for more Gu Shengs, do you understand?"

Collecting the family assets was going to be an uphill battle. Shen Li felt that it was necessary to be fully prepared. However, she did not intend to let Xiao Shuang worry about such matters.

"Alright, let's go and sell these jewelry first."

They didn't have any money at home, so she could only bear the pain and give up her treasure.

Xiao Shuang did not think much of it. She just followed behind Shen Li in silence.

The two of them walked past the busy street they had been to just yesterday. Just as they were about to turn the corner and head to their destination, Xiao Shuang suddenly caught a glimpse of something and pulled on Shen Li's sleeve.

Xiao Shuang was so anxious that she forgot Shen Li's instructions. She pulled Shen Li aside and said, "Young miss, young miss, look over there."

Shen Li did not know what was going on, but she still looked in the direction Xiao Shuang was pointing.

She saw an unremarkable shopfront with an enormous flag outside it. On it was the word 'dart'.

Inside the guardhouse, someone was leaning against the window and drinking tea.

It was none other than Gu Sheng.