Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 14

14: Zhou Yilun?

Xi Lingxue was quick to speak, and only after she finished did she realize what she had said.

Worrying about Gao Yi?!

Yes… after all, they had signed a contract, and until they parted ways, their fates were intertwined.

Xi Lingxue composed herself and returned to her usual aloof demeanor, “I just think that if you fail and get captured, it won’t do us any good.”

“Oh…”

Jiang Ci: So she was being presumptuous, thinking that after that night, the Black Lotus already considered her a friend.

“Forget it then,” Jiang Ci said with a smile, “I’ll think of another way, so you won’t have to worry.”

Perhaps dazzled by that smile, Xi Lingxue was momentarily stunned, feeling a bit unsettled.

In fact, this matter had nothing to do with Gao Yi; she had no reason to get involved, let alone take such a risk for someone she had never met.

Xi Lingxue was suddenly filled with many doubts.

Why…

Why was Gao Yi so obedient now?

Why was she being so nice to her?

Could a mental disorder change a person so much?

As she pondered this, the carriage had already reached the center of the commotion, where the people beating gongs and drums had stopped. Xi Lingxue looked out through the window and saw Huang’s General Store.

Although the shop was closed, many townsfolk had already gathered at the entrance.

A man struck a gong and said, “Everyone, come and see! This Huang Fu, the boss of Huang’s, is a fraud! My brother used their face mask, and who would have thought that the next day, his face would break out in red rashes! Now that Boss Huang has closed her shop to hide, what about my brother?! Shouldn’t she come out and give an explanation, take responsibility for my brother?!”

Jin Yu was furious upon hearing this, “How can they do this? They smashed the shop yesterday, and now they’re causing trouble again today?!”

Xi Lingxue coughed lightly, signaling her to keep quiet, but Jiang Ci had already caught the key point.

“You came here yesterday?”

“No,” Xi Lingxue covered up, “I just heard about it.”

Jiang Ci asked again, “I heard that man mention a face mask, so it’s this shop, right?”

Xi Lingxue nodded.

Jiang Ci understood now, so her fellow countryman’s name was Huang Fu, and it seemed she was in trouble?

The noise from the gongs and drums had caused quite a stir, and Huang Fu, hearing the news, hurried over.

“What are you doing?!”

“What are we doing? Boss Huang, my brother is still injured, and you’re planning to close up and run away? We spent so much money on medical bills, shouldn’t you be the one to compensate?”

“If it really was my fault, Huang Fu will naturally compensate! But how can you be sure that your brother’s rash was caused by my face mask?”

“Isn’t it obvious?! He didn’t use anything else but your face mask! Your Huang’s store is a black shop! You’re swindling money and harming lives!”

…

Jiang Ci frowned as she watched. Huang Fu only had two or three employees, while the other side had many people, clearly prepared.

After listening for a while, she roughly understood what was going on. They didn’t even have evidence, were they just going to falsely accuse her?

Xi Lingxue’s face darkened. Naturally, she couldn’t sit still seeing Huang Fu being targeted like this.

Just as she was about to get off the carriage, Jiang Ci suddenly said, “Wait here, I’ll go take a look.”

Both of them were surprised.

Xi Lingxue: “You?”

Jin Yu: “Do you know Boss Huang?”

Jiang Ci: “No.”

Jin Yu: “Then why are you going?”

“I’m going to help Boss Huang argue!” Jiang Ci said, “They’re just bullying her, making baseless accusations. In a society ruled by law, you need evidence to speak!”

Jin Yu said, “That’s true… but what does this have to do with you…?”

It would make sense for her and the princess to go! Why was Gao Yi more agitated than them?!

Jiang Ci didn’t plan to explain the whole backstory to them, as they probably wouldn’t understand, and simply said, “I feel a connection with Boss Huang at first sight, and such scoundrels deserve to be scolded by everyone! I’m just doing my part to help.”

With that, she got off the carriage and turned back to Xi Lingxue, “Don’t worry, I’ll be quick!”

Jin Yu was completely baffled, “Your Highness, is she having another episode?”

Gao Yi feeling a connection with Huang Fu at first sight?! That’s too far-fetched!

Xi Lingxue was also full of doubts and didn’t understand what Gao Yi was up to. But for now, having Gao Yi intervene was indeed better than her doing it herself.

“…Let’s see first.”

As Jiang Ci walked over, Huang Fu was in a heated argument with them. Just then, the crowd suddenly parted, and a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes arrived with his entourage.

“Everyone, stop arguing, let me, Wang, say something. Brother, your brother’s loss naturally needs to be compensated, facial matters are of great importance! As for Boss Huang, from what I know, she has only been in the capital for a few years, running a small business. Life is hard for everyone, there’s no need to fight to the death.”

“Here’s what I propose, I will take responsibility today, and no matter how much your brother’s loss is, I will cover it. Boss Huang is young and promising, I doubt she would commit fraud, perhaps there was just a mistake in the ingredients. Let’s be forgiving and give Boss Huang a chance to make amends.”

His words won the praise of the townsfolk, all saying that Boss Wang was magnanimous. The troublemakers, having received compensation, naturally wouldn’t pursue the matter further and were even more impressed by Wang Shichang’s generosity.

Only Huang Fu was anxious, her face red, “No, our ingredients were carefully checked, there couldn’t have been a mistake!”

Seeing her so stubborn, the onlookers shook their heads, “Boss Huang, you’re in the wrong here, Boss Wang has even paid for you, how can you not be grateful?”

“Exactly, before doing business, one must learn to be a decent person! I won’t dare to go to Huang’s General Store anymore, I’d rather spend a bit more and go to Ningxiang Pavilion!”

“Indeed, Boss Wang is kind-hearted, truly a model merchant of our Yu Kingdom!”

Huang Fu was at a loss for words, everything she said seemed to be wrong.

While everyone was praising Wang Shichang, a strong voice suddenly came from behind.

“A model? Just this? Your standards are too low!”

Jiang Ci stood tall, hands behind her back, and as she glanced at Huang Fu, she subtly raised an eyebrow.

Don’t worry, fellow countryman! I’ve got your back!

Huang Fu was frozen in place, almost thinking she was seeing things.

…What’s going on? Why is the Marquis of Dingyuan here?!

She had never had a good impression of this Qianjun, and had no idea what this person’s sudden appearance meant.

Jiang Ci didn’t show it on her face, but she was thrilled inside!

She walked through the crowd to Huang Fu and patted her shoulder meaningfully.

Huang Fu’s heart trembled.

Jiang Ci: Here we go, it’s finally time for the most thrilling moment for time-travelers—exchanging secret codes!

She had already thought about it last night, as soon as the other person heard these three words, they would definitely know her origins!

Jiang Ci whispered quickly, “Zhou Jielun.”

Huang Fu: “???”

What, what? She didn’t quite catch it, was it Zhou Yilun?

What’s that about…

Seeing her look of surprise, Jiang Ci was ecstatic inside.

Hahaha, shocked, aren’t you, fellow countryman! I feel the same way!

Wang Shichang’s frown was deep enough to crush a fly. Seeing that the two seemed to know each other, he quietly asked his subordinate, “Does Huang Fu have any connection with the Marquis of Dingyuan?”

“Not at all…” The subordinate was also confused, “I’ve checked, Huang Fu is just a farm girl, although somewhat attractive, her status is lowly, she has no connection with the Marquis of Dingyuan!”

Wang Shichang thought it was strange, if there was no connection, why would a marquis interfere in such a trivial matter?

Wang Shichang straightened his clothes, put on a smile, and went forward, bowing respectfully, “Wang Shichang of Ningxiang Pavilion greets the Marquis. What brings the Marquis to the East Market today?”

Jiang Ci looked at the middle-aged man in front of her, so this was the old scoundrel who exploited Qilixiang, slick enough to ooze oil.

What a coincidence, settling old scores and new grudges all at once.

“Oh, Boss Wang, I’ve long heard of your great name. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Jiang Ci chuckled lightly. “Seeing you today, you really are like Doraemon’s pocket.”

“Pocket???”

“Yes, especially good at holding things in.”