Lu Yuan had just said "No" with a blank expression when a milk-voiced little dumpling huffed and puffed her way over. Exhausting all her strength, she hauled herself onto the desk, sat cross-legged, and plopped down right in front of him.
"Wah!"
Super fierce.
Bao Shu rummaged through her little pouch, pulled out a deed, and slapped it on the table with dramatic flair. "Wah wah wah wah wah wah!"
The boat is mine, baby’s!
Lu Yuan let out a cold snort.
Standing to the side, Qing Shuang said to ng Qianqian, "Miss ng, this painting boat belongs to Miss Bao Shu. She invites you to co aboard."
ng Qianqian curved her lips into a smile. "Can I bring a few friends along?"
Bao Shu lifted her little chin and waved her hand grandly. Sure!
Lady Wang and the others followed ng Qianqian aboard the Governor Mansion’s painting boat.
It wasn’t until they saw the previous boat being left far behind in the distance that they realized belatedly—they’d actually boarded Lu Yuan’s pirate ship... uh no, his grand ship.
The painting boat was magnificently adorned, grand and luxurious, with every detail exquisite to the extre. They were the sole passengers on board, escorted by the illustrious Jinyi Guard.
Even for these noble ladies of the Capital City, it was a once-in-a-lifeti treatnt.
Before long, maids served fresh fruits and delicately crafted snacks.
As the saying goes: When you’ve taken soone’s handouts, you can’t toughen your stance easily. The ladies exchanged knowing glances after clearing their throats.
Lady Lin awkwardly suggested, "Should we perhaps... go thank the Grand Commander?"
The little Bao Shu in ng Qianqian’s arms sat upright. "Wah wah wah wah!"
ng Qianqian smiled and said, "It’s Bao Shu’s boat, just thank Bao Shu."
Of course, the ladies didn’t believe a little milk dumpling could truly own the ship. They figured the Grand Commander must be avoiding scandal with them as won, and upon reflection, he didn’t seem as violent or terrifying as rumored.
"Miss ng," Lady Lin began with a smile, "May I ask you sothing—though I’m not sure if it’s inappropriate."
ng Qianqian replied, "Please go ahead, Lady Lin."
Lowering her voice so only the nearby won could hear, Lady Lin asked, "Miss ng, how did you beco the Grand Commander’s guard? Were you coerced by him?"
Though her voice was soft, it wasn’t enough to escape a certain soone’s sharp ears.
Next door, Lu Yuan paused mid-sip of tea.
ng Qianqian smiled. "The Grand Commander once did a great favor."
Lady Zhou added with conviction, "It must’ve been part of his sche!"
Lu Yuan, who took on yet another undeserved bla: "..."
The Grand Commander truly lived up to his title as the most arrogant villain of this dynasty. Even a leisurely outing on a painting boat radiated the intimidating aura of a warship, making anyone who saw it step aside in haste.
The painting boat cruised forward and docked steadily in the center of the lake, connecting with Wan Hua Tower’s painting boat.
After boarding the other boat, Lu Yuan ascended directly to the second floor.
Qing Shuang led ng Qianqian and her companions to their seats on the first floor, facing the stage. The area had already been set up with tables and chairs, surrounded on three sides by ornate screens, with a golden-threaded canopy above—a pri viewing spot, yet shielded from prying eyes.
Lady Lin mused, "Could it be that the Grand Commander specially reserved this seat for us?"
Looking around, there didn’t appear to be any other private seating options.
Just then, a booming voice from upstairs declared, "Grand Commander! Co, have a drink with us!"
ng Qianqian explained, "The Grand Commander has gone upstairs to drink with his officers."
"Ah, that explains it," Lady Lin said.
"What were you thinking?" Lady Wang interjected. "As if we’d be so important."
ng Qianqian nonchalantly announced, "I’m going up to say hello."
Lady Wang smiled. "Go ahead."
ng Qianqian carried Bao Shu and ascended to the second floor.
Present there were Zhang Feihu, Nie Hanshan, Zhao Qingyun, Han Ci, and others. Except for Han Ci and Lu Yuan, all the other n had tender, graceful won by their sides, attending to them attentively.
Zhang Feihu, with a beauty nestled in his arms, was drinking to his heart’s content.
ng Qianqian called out, "General Zhang."
Swoosh!
Zhang Feihu imdiately shoved the beauty away.
The others swiftly did the sa, pushing the won aside. The maidens of Wan Hua Tower tumbled onto the ground in a daze, utterly bewildered!
Zhang Feihu and the group were left with the awkward feeling of being caught red-handed misbehaving by their own kids.
"Ahem, Little Nine is here too!" Zhang Feihu cleared his throat, waving at Bao Shu with a grin. "Miss Bao Shu."
At the banquet, they had formally t Bao Shu and even joked with the Grand Commander about why he had been hiding such an adorable little one throughout the journey.
Bao Shu stuck out her tongue, overwheld by the strong sll of wine.
ng Qianqian blinked and said, "Don’t mind . Carry on, I’ll take Bao Shu for a stroll."
The soft, sweet-scented ladies of Wan Hua Tower leaned back into the n.
"Gentlen, shall we continue drinking?" cooed one beauty.
Waving dismissively, Zhang Feihu said, "Leave now, there’s nothing more for you here."
Wouldn’t want the kid to catch them again later.
Another beauty pouted coquettishly, "Oh, co on~"
Lu Yuan’s lips parted faintly. "Leave."
A palpable chill swept across the room. Terrified, the won scurried away imdiately!
ng Qianqian carried Bao Shu as they road the painting boat.
"How am I supposed to find that person? Do I have to check every single room? It’s too suspicious, I’ll definitely draw attention."
In her arms, Bao Shu widened her eyes, twisted her little body, and climbed out of ng Qianqian’s hold.
Then, she huffed and puffed her way forward.
"Zhaozhao, where are you going?"
ng Qianqian quickly followed.
The little one had recently beco astonishingly fast at crawling—even her wet nurses sotis had trouble keeping up.
Every ti they passed by a private room, Bao Shu would crawl in and take a look around.
If she encountered a locked door, she’d pound on it with her tiny fists, calling out "Wah wah wah" until soone opened it.
The experts of Wan Hua Tower were at a loss. After two months of pandemonium caused by Bao Shu, no one in the Tower was unfamiliar with her; neither did they dare stop her, knowing full well no one could deal with her tantrums.
So, when they saw ng Qianqian following behind her with a milk bottle, there wasn’t a single doubt in their minds.
"Not on the second floor." ng Qianqian murmured softly, "Could it be the third floor?"
Bao Shu stuck out her tongue, panting heavily.
Still... need to... climb... third floor?
With a burst of determination, Bao Shu scurried up to the third floor.
A quarter of an hour later, she collapsed onto the floor of a private room, panting heavily.
Baby is exhausted... utterly exhausted...
"Could it be... the first floor?"
Thud!
Bao Shu flopped onto her back dramatically!
ng Qianqian carried Bao Shu back down to the first floor. The area had no private rooms; it was entirely open and visible at a glance.
She boldly walked a lap, scrutinizing every guard-like expert, but found no man with a tattoo on the back of his hand.
Bao Shu clutched her little milk bottle with both hands. As she drank, she gradually drifted off to sleep.
ng Qianqian carried her back to the second floor.
On the second floor, Zhang Feihu and the others had challenged Qing Shuang to a drinking contest and, as expected, were soundly defeated.
Lu Yuan leisurely sipped tea, completely at ease.
The view from here wasn’t bad either. On the stage below, beautiful won competed in elegance, showcasing breathtaking performances. Their singing and dancing were only part of the allure; their displays in the elegant arts of qin (music), chess, calligraphy, and painting commanded true amazent.
Yet Lu Yuan seed entirely uninterested. He continued to sip his tea leisurely, not sparing the won a glance.
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