Chapter 507: Fully Supporting Trading with Nanyuan 4
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes. I’ve heard about you many times from the old master and other family members. Rumors about you are constantly circulating throughout the Capital City, so I was naturally curious. I wanted to see for myself what kind of six-year-old could stir up so many legendary stories," Mrs. Dai said, her righteous tone carrying more than a hint of admiration.
"So, what’s your impression now that you’ve met me?" Ye Qianning asked, intrigued.
Mrs. Dai fell silent, her eyes studying the girl intently.
Ye Qianning’s clear, bright eyes didn’t waver. A faint, unreadable smile played on her lips as she allowed the woman to scrutinize her.
After a moment, Mrs. Dai chuckled. "I think I finally understand why the old master dotes on you so. At such a young age, you face trouble without panicking, think clearly, and show no fear. That courage alone is something many people lack. You truly are worthy of the title the Emperor himself bestowed: a model of the great families."
"It’s not all that..." Ye Qianning’s little face flushed with a bit of embarrassment.
"Haha," Mrs. Dai chuckled.
Ye Qianning scratched her head and laughed along. Mrs. Dai was different from other women; there was a heroic spirit in her eyes, a certain air of chivalry about her.
"Meeting you has put my mind at ease, Miss Xiang. I still have matters to attend to at home, so I won’t impose on you any longer," Mrs. Dai said, feeling as though a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Of course. Once everything is settled, you must visit the General’s manor again when you’re free, Madam." Ye Qianning didn’t press her to stay.
’The Gu family must be in an uproar by now.’
Mrs. Dai nodded. "I will."
"Take care, Madam."
Mrs. Dai turned, the smile never leaving her face. ’I’m a good judge of character,’ she thought. ’That little girl is remarkably perceptive, not at all the bewitching manipulator my family claims she is.’
’At first, I was worried that Old Master Gu had been muddled by something, which is why I wanted to meet Miss Xiang in person.’
’After meeting her today, I finally understand. You can’t trust rumors. At the end of the day, this is all just the Gu family fighting over trivial things. Their hearts are simply in the wrong place.’
"Why are you out so soon?" Gu Mingqiu hurried to meet her.
"What, did you expect me to stay for dinner?" Mrs. Dai didn’t even glance at him, walking past him toward the main gate.
Gu Mingqiu followed, clearly displeased. "What did you say to her?"
"Nothing much."
"Nothing much? She’s bewitched the old master and Gu Shuo! How can you say it was nothing?"
"What ability would a child have to bewitch the old master? And I know my own son’s character. He doesn’t give a damn about the Gu family’s meager fortune."
"What do you mean, ’meager fortune’? The old master was always planning to leave the inheritance to Gu Shuo! If that Xiang family brat hadn’t meddled, he never would have split the family assets. That child seems downright evil to me. Maybe she gave the old master some kind of mind-control potion. I heard that in Nanyuan, there’s a drug that allows you to manipulate anyone who takes it..."
"Enough!" Mrs. Dai stopped in her tracks and whirled around to rebuke him.
Gu Mingqiu was startled. "What are you doing?"
"If you want to fight over it, then go fight for it yourself! Stop blaming everyone else." Mrs. Dai turned away again, letting out a heavy sigh.
"What do you mean, *I* want to fight over it? The old master was always going to leave it to Gu Shuo!"
Mrs. Dai ignored him.
"Did you hear me? This is all that little Xiang brat’s fault for instigating this! We can’t just let it go... Wait for me..."
Mrs. Dai strode out of the Xiang family’s main gate and climbed directly into her carriage.
Gu Mingqiu scrambled into the carriage after her. "Didn’t you hear what I just said? This whole thing..."
"Just shut your mouth," Mrs. Dai said, pressing her fingers to her forehead.
"What? Don’t tell me that little brat fed you a mind-control potion, too."
"Yeah, a potion for that dead head of yours."
Gu Mingqiu stared in astonishment, raising a trembling hand to point at her. "You..."
"Where do you think you’re pointing that finger? Believe it or not, I’ll snap it right off."