Mo Sang slept soundly and woke up early. She first took Wan Wan for a stroll around the bamboo forest. After a hearty breakfast, Cheng Beizheng had already prepared the carriage for them to go out.
"Are we going to buy furniture?"
"Yes."
"Why don't we return the money first? Prefect Cheng isn't having an easy time either."
Cheng Beizheng looked at her with surprise, finding it remarkable that she could still think of others. "No need. The Prefect you speak of is my cousin. He came to collect the money yesterday after you fell asleep."
Of course, he also confirmed a piece of dire news. Situ Yan had indeed given him away as a favor.
What was even more terrifying was that Mo Sang not only kept snakes but was also a Gu master from Xijiang, capable of poisoning anyone casually.
If he hadn't feared she might unleash a Gu worm on him if she became unhappy, would he be this diligent, even accompanying her to buy furniture?
Mo Sang, unaware of the inner turmoil of the man beside her, exclaimed in shock, "No way, you two are cousins?"
"You didn't think of it?"
Mo Sang honestly shook her head.
"Didn't you have any thoughts when you heard our names?"
"You can't blame me. You're the richest man, while he's a fallen prefect. Plus, one is in the capital and the other in Shanxi. Who would connect the dots?"
"You were in Shanxi for so long, how could you not know he's from the capital?"
"I was very busy, alright? Where would I have the time to bother with such things? Just feeding my little darlings takes up enough time. Oh, right, let's go to the herbalist first."
Having made do for several months, now that she had found a benefactor, it was time to improve their diet.
Cheng Beizheng dared not object and quickly invited her into the carriage. His peripheral vision caught sight of another carriage slowly approaching, which then stopped in front of his residence.
Qing Ya nimbly hopped off the carriage. Lu Nianfu, inside, pulled at the curtain. "Is Third Young Master leaving the manor?"
Cheng Beizheng replied, "Taking Miss Mo to pick out some things. Why are you here?"
"Miss Mo saved the Prince, so naturally, I must show my gratitude. Miss Mo, if you are not in a hurry, could you wait a moment before leaving?"
"No need, no need. Situ Yan has already thanked me." She linked her arm through Cheng Beizheng's. "I am quite satisfied with this token of gratitude."
Cheng Beizheng gritted his teeth: I wonder how much it would cost to hire someone to assassinate the Prince?
Lu Nianfu said, "...Miss Mo, the husband was found for you by the Prince, and this is my token of gratitude."
Cheng Beizheng shot her a mournful glance.
Lu Nianfu felt guilty and did not dare to meet his gaze: Third Young Master, I really cannot afford to offend this young lady. Besides, Mo Sang saved her husband, preventing her from becoming a widow. How could she possibly ask to break up their union?
Mo Sang thought for a moment. "Then let's take a look first."
Lu Nianfu immediately took out a small box. Upon opening it, she revealed banknotes inside. "Gifts are not meant to be so vulgar, but Master Cheng said Miss Mo prefers practical things, so I hope Miss Mo will not find it distasteful."
Mo Sang greedily counted. Ten banknotes, each for ten thousand taels. "Situ Yan is indeed honest. His wife is certainly wealthy."
Then she put the banknotes away and returned them to Lu Nianfu. "I cannot accept this gift."
"Why? Doesn't Miss Mo like it?"
"Tsk, who wouldn't like money? But I have already received a token of gratitude. The favor has been repaid. If you wish to give me a small gift to express your feelings, that would be acceptable, but large sums are best avoided. We Gu cultivators from Xijiang value karma. If the giving and receiving are too unequal, it can lead to backlash."
Lu Nianfu: ...
Cheng Beizheng: ...
Lu Nianfu's banknotes were ultimately not given. As Mo Sang sat in the carriage, she clutched her chest and leaned against the carriage wall, her face full of pain.
Cheng Beizheng was startled. "You, what's wrong?"
"My heart aches. Since childhood, I've never seen so much money. Thirty thousand taels, that's enough for my little darlings to eat for how long."
Cheng Beizheng was speechless. "Seeing your righteous demeanor just now, I really thought you disdained money."
"Hmph, if I truly disdained money, I wouldn't agree to be your wife. Alas, let me be quiet. The ache in my heart is suffocating me."
The Cheng family started with a security escort business, so bumps and bruises were common, and naturally, they would have a medical clinic.
Cheng Beizheng brought Mo Sang into Baohe Hall. The shopkeeper hurried out to greet them. "Third Young Master, why have you graced us with your presence today?"
"To pick out some herbs."
"What kind of herbs does Third Young Master want?"
Cheng Beizheng looked at Mo Sang, who then said, "Ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, Dendrobium officinale. All must be over a hundred years old. Oh, and if you have any high-quality deer antler, give me a bit of that too."
The shopkeeper was taken aback. Seeing Cheng Beizheng nod at him, he said, "Deer antler is easily arranged. We also have two hundred-year-old ginseng roots in stock, but the Ganoderma and Dendrobium are only fifty-plus years old."
"Fifty-plus years? Alas, I'll make do."
"What are these herbs for, Miss?"
"Mind your own business. Haven't you heard curiosity killed the cat?"
Shopkeeper: ...
Cheng Beizheng helplessly said, "Pack everything up."
Since the boss had spoken, the shopkeeper naturally wouldn't hold back. However, before leaving, he couldn't help but glance at Mo Sang a few more times. What was this young lady's background?
A young medicine boy brought two chairs for them. "Please wait a moment, the shopkeeper will be here shortly..."
"Help! Help!" Cries of distress interrupted the medicine boy's unfinished words. A man outside, carrying a man with a sallow complexion, ran in covered in sweat. A woman followed him, her voice hoarse from crying.
The physician sitting in the hall looked forward. "This person has been poisoned."