“Up to you.” Du Ning could not be bothered. “The only thing to lose is your good image. However, it doesn’t matter. There are so many beautiful ladies in the world. You don’t need to have Rou’er.”
Sheng Chumu jabbed his finger at the tip of Du Ning’s nose. “Don’t think I will fall for your trick! That old geezer is crazy. He blabbered that I was talented and wanted to force me into becoming his disciple. He almost killed me. If I walk into his trap one more time, I will be the biggest pig head in the entire Chang'an!”
Du Ning simply shrugged.
Sheng Chumu grabbed his head and squatted. After thinking for a long while, he suddenly hopped up, extremely agitated.
“So what if you are a pig head?” Du Ning knew Sheng Chumu too well. It was true that Sheng Chumu would not fall for his tricks, but Sheng Chumu could not get past the beauty trap.
“So what if I am a pig head!” Sheng Chumu gritted his teeth as he headed out. “With this trip of mine, I will let Rou’er see how much one can change in a short time.”
“That’s not right. It is more of turning lies into reality and not letting one see through your disguise.” Du Ning wanted to laugh.
Sheng Chumu pretended not to hear as he ran out of the room.
Wudi Manor was located deep into the mountain ranges. As Niu Wudi was old and had withdrawn from the world, there was hardly anyone living near him.
When Sheng Chumu first set out, he already wanted to chicken out. As the place got more desolated as he headed in, his stomach clenched and he wanted to return so badly. However, as he thought of the look of admiration that Fu Rou would give him, he persevered and appeared in front of Niu Wudi.
Niu Wudi was wheelchair-bound. His legs had been crippled after spending years on the battlefield with Sheng Xiaojing. However, he did not look dispirited. On the contrary, his eyes were filled with vigor as his shoulders and arms were muscular. It looked as if he could jump out of his wheelchair and fight at any moment.
Sheng Chumu forced himself to appear confident as he explained why he wanted to learn military tactics.
Niu Wudi shook his head slowly, “Back then, I offended your elder sister when I attempted to teach you military tactics. I was even thrown out of the residence and had to shift to this deserted mountain to spend my remaining days. You should leave. Don’t treat me like a joke.”
Sheng Chumu pushed aside the two buff men that had stepped up to him as he cupped his hands politely and said sincerely, “Back then, I was young and immature. I did not understand your good intentions at the time. But now, I have reflected. Please teach me military strategy and tactics.”
“So, you truly want to learn?” Hehe.
“Truly.” Sheng Chumu did not see the flash in Niu Wudi’s eyes.
“Learning military strategies and tactics is extremely tiring and difficult. Why would you give up your comfortable life and choose this upon yourself?” It was good to clarify.
“Of course, it is to bring honour to our ancestors and help our family shine.” Sheng Chumu spoke convincingly.
“Is it because of a woman?” What rubbish.
“Mmhm…Uncle, you are very smart.” Sheng Chumu thought about it and gave up on denying.
“You are determined to learn?” It is no one’s fault if he asked for it.
“I am determined.” Sheng Chumu suddenly looked up and he caught a small glimpse of the look in Niu Wudi’s eyes.
“You are not afraid of hardship?” Relax, relax, pretend to be relaxed.
“I am not afraid.” Sheng Chumu could sense the joy in Niu Wudi’s voice.
“You really…won’t regret?” Niu wudi shot a look at the two burly men beside Sheng Chumu. The two split up as one shifted closer to Sheng Chumu while the other shifted in the direction of the main door.
“Wait, let me reconsider.” Sheng Chumu suddenly realised something was wrong as he forced a laugh and assessed his surroundings. He internally cursed as he realised that he was in trouble. “I think I should go back and think about it some more. You don’t have to send me off.” He forgot that he needed to actually be alive in order to be the hero that he imagined himself as in front of Fu Rou.
“Grab him!” Niu Wudi ordered coldly.
Damn it, he made the same mistake! Sheng Chumu stiffened as he ran out but he was blocked by a group of burly men.
“You brat! I have waited so many years and you finally came. How can you even think of escaping after stepping into my Wudi Manor? Heaven has eyes, I finally have someone to pass on my brilliant tactics to. Hahahaha!”
The front door of the Wudi Manor slammed shut, cutting off Sheng Chumu’s frightened and desperate face from the rest of the world. Only his miserable cries for help as well as Niu Wudi’s crazy laughter could be heard.
Chapter 4.1: Wudi
As Fu Jun walked into Fu Rou’s room, she saw Fu Rou focused on sewing a fragrance pouch. The red flower on the fragrance pouch looked so real and fresh. The eagle embroidery lay beside her, not having had much progress.
“You are still sewing that? If we talk about embroidery skills, you are famous for being fast and good. Yet, you are taking a few days just to sew a fragrance pouch. Although, the flower does look extremely beautiful.”
Fu Rou did not even lift her head as she continued sewing. “I am using the Sun Embroidery’s Interleave stitching method. This method hides the holes made by the needle. It will only blend well when many colours are used. By embroidering a waterway, it allows the embroidery to pop out, resembling a real flower.”
Fu Jun made an oh sound. Fu Rou sensed that something was off from Fu Jun’s voice as she lifted her head to look into Fu Jun’s eyes. “Elder Sister, why are you looking at me like that?”
Fu Jun asked, “Hasn’t it been several days since that handsome and perfect young lord showed his face?”
“According to Official Lu, he has gone out to settle some matters.” Fu Rou seemed to suddenly realise something as she knitted her brows. “Why did you suddenly bring him up?”
Fu Jun took the fragrance pouch, flipping it over to take a look. “If not him… then who is this fragrance pouch for?”
Fu Rou snatched the fragrance pouch back, looking shy and lovable. “I’m not telling you. Did you come for something?”
At this, Fu Jun became serious. “I heard from Ziyun that ever since Third Madam took over the accounts, she has become more demanding towards you. I heard that she even reduced your embroidery threads while she herself continues to behave extravagantly. What are you going to do about it?”
Fu Rou was about to answer when she was interrupted.
The housekeeper panted as he ran into her courtyard. “Second Lady Rou, there’s a problem! The dye workshop has ruined the five hundred rolls of blue cloth that the Xu family ordered. It is all…all dyed an off-blue colour!”
Fu Rou laughed as she stood and led Fu Jun out. “Elder Sister, now you can witness for yourself what I am going to do about it.”
Fu Jun could not help but feel calm as she followed Fu Rou to the dye workshop.
Beside the dye pond, a sad looking batch of cloths lay, seeming to have lost all energy. It was neither green nor yellow.
Third Madam looked uncomfortable when Fu Rou asked what had happened. It was only when she felt everyone’s gazes on her, did she have no choice but to step up to explain.
“It is nothing big. The Xu family requested for a royal blue colour. However, money was tight and indigo was a lot cheaper than woad. So…”
“So, you changed the woad dye in my formula to indigo?” Fu Rou did not bat an eye.
Third Madam straightened up, not wanting to seem guilty. “Now that I am managing the accounts, I have to think of how to help our family save money. How was I to know that this would happen?”
“How much can you save by changing the dye ingredients? On the other hand, how much would it cost to compensate the Xu family?” Fu Rou asked amiably.