When he saw the Cheng’s mystical well, other than being amazed, there were also a complicated look hidden deep within his eyes. Then when he saw the Cheng’s range and the big stretch of mystical fields, he was amazed over and over again!
That afternoon, young master Zhu found an excuse to go and wander around the mountain range of Mount Wanan.
Now that the entire province of Qing’an belonged to the Cheng’s, young master Zhu couldn’t help but to ask for permission from Cheng Biyuan. Cheng Biyuan had no reason to stop him so he agreed that he could go look around, and feel free to seek help from any servants as he sees fit!
After he had left, Cheng Biyuan didn’t have time to take a break. More and more people have been visiting the Cheng’s and asked to meet with Master Cheng, head of household, Count Zhongyuan.
Recently it has been all levels of government officials and rich merchants. Ever since the emperor’s intention has been announced, they were aware that the power has shifted, and Qing’an Province now belonged to Count Zhongyuan instead of the royals.
Their owner has shifted, naturally they would need to come and greet the real power holder. Afterall, Count Zhongyuan has the authority to do with any one of them as he pleases.
Cheng Biyuan was overwhelmed by all these visits. Luckily there’s Innkeeper Zhu there staying with the Cheng’s. Without hesitation, Innkeeper Zhu stepped into the role of the Cheng’s steward and helped in handling all these matters.
As Cheng Biyuan was new to the role, he didn’t have anyone trustworthy helping him out. As for the officials of various levels within Qing’an Province, none of them made a move. Granted, all the tax payments and tributes that they have been paying to the royals would be going to the Cheng’s going forward.
Bringing with them the tax payments and tributes was the main purpose of their visits. These items filled the bank of the Cheng’s and bringing a smile to the worried Mrs. Cheng. She busied herself in inventorying on these items.
Cheng Xiao Xiao had no idea that these events were going on at home. Of course, she wouldn’t have ignored them anyway even if she knew. Since she had left the house anyway, she was going to take care of her own objectives first.
Speaking of, Cheng Xiao Xiao had no intention of buying more servants. Mainly she hasn’t started her experiment yet and didn’t know how that will turn out. It may not be a good thing to purchase too many too soon.
After spending the morning in town, Cheng Xiao Xiao also purchased some essential daily items and left town with Qing Zhu and Lu Zhu.
They did not attract any attention when they were in town. After walking for about two hours in the mountains, the two were drenched in sweat and obviously out of breathe. The mountainous roads were taking a toll on the two of them, who were not used to being out in the wilderness.
Seeing that, Cheng Xiao Xiao realized that the two had already reached their limits, so she took them out of the woods and into a valley not too far away.
“Mistress, where are we going?” asked Lu Zhu, sweating and panting.
Even though Qing Zhu hadn’t said a word, but his face was full of suspicion too. Naturally, he hasn’t entirely let his guard down.
A kid ten or so year old, coming from a poor family, he was way more mature than he should be for his age. He had already noticed that his mistress has been taking them deeper and deeper into the mountains. That was very unusual and started to feel alarmed.
Cheng Xiao Xiao, who had been quietly observing them, nodded. These two kids might not be the best, but they were good natured, and they were not stupid.
After stopping at a slope with thicker foliage and difficult to be seen even if there were others in the mountains, Cheng Xiao Xiao stopped and produced three water bottles. She gave them one each and said, “This is the water I have prepared. Let’s take a break here before we continue on!”
Qing Zhu and Lu Zhu accepted the water bottle from Cheng Xiao Xiao. They exchanged a look with each other and, seeing that their Mistress had already started drinking her water, could wait no more with their now burning throats. They quickly twisted open the bottle and started gulping down the water.
The three of them each drank over half a bottle of their water right away. The nice, cool mystical water immediately made them feel better. Cheng Xiao Xiao looked at them; then, she said to the seemingly somewhat saavy Qing Zhu, “Were you worry that I have poisoned the water?”
“I….” Being seen through by his Mistress, Qing Zhu’s entire face turned beet red instantly. He gritted his teeth and said, “Qing Zhu’s life belongs to Mistress. If Mistress wants Qing Zhu to be alive, Qing Zhu dare not die; if Mistress wants Qing Zhu dies, Qing Zhu dare not live.”
His words made Cheng Xiao Xiao raised her brows. She glanced over at Lu Zhu; it was apparently that little girl Lu Zhu was frightened.
The pale little girl saw her Mistress looking at her and, with a trembling voice, said, “Mistress, Lu Zhu is the same way as Qing Zhu. I will always obey my Mistress and never betry her!”
“Okay, don’t you worry. I have no interest in taking your lives. Quite contrary, I would like you to stay by my side from now on and work for me. Why would I want to take your lifes?”
Qing Zhu and Lu Zhu finally relaxed after hearing that; they really thought their Mistress wanted to keep them earlier. They had apparently worried too much.
Cheng Xiao Xiao secretly find their nervousness amusing. It looked that these two valued their lives quite a bit.
“I am going to take you two to a place in a little bit. This place belongs only to me, and only I know about it. But since I have bought you, naturally I will see you as one of my own. But you must remember, anything you see at this place, you can never share with anyone. That includes your family, or even your spouses or kids after you have grown up. Do you understanding?”
Looking at Cheng Xiao Xiao’s serious look, the two, still holding the water bottles, nodded simultaneously.
“Okay, since you promised me, you must keep your words. If you share my secret with anyone else, I will kill you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Mistress, Qing Zhu understood!”
“Mistress, Lu Zhu understood too!”
Replied the two of them. Cheng Xiao Xiao nodded and asked again, “What if someone else is going to kill you?”
“Not even then!”
“Yes, even if they are going to kill me, I won’t say a word!”
Even though the two had no idea what was this place that Cheng Xiao Xiao was talking about, but they could tell that it was a very important place for their Mistress. They have decided that they would guard this secret with their lives.
Regardless of whether they could truly keep their words or not, but for time being, Cheng Xiao Xiao was pleased with their looks and attitudes. “Okay, I want you to close your eyes. Keep them closed, I am going to take you to a place right away, okay?”
“Yes, Mistress!”
The two kids closed their eyes obediently. Seeming worried that they might accidentally open their eyes, they squeezed their eyes shut tightly. They looked both cute and funny like that.
Cheng Xiao Xiao tried not to laugh and, after communicating with Yuteng, shouted softly, “Collect!”
The three of them, including Cheng Xiao Xiao, were immediately brought inside the dimension. Cheng Xiao Xiao saw the two kids appearing in front of the cottage, still holding the water bottles in their hands with their eyes squeezed shut, Cheng Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but laughed, “Okay, you can open your eyes now.”
Hearing their command, Qing Zhu and Lu Zhu slowly opened their eyes. When they saw that the scenery was entirely different from where they were earlier, their little faces couldn’t help but filled with surprise!