Turns Out I'm the Real Monster?!

Hearing this, the Yapu grew anxious and cut in.

"Sir, I swear I’m not lying. I truly helped bury this girl’s family. I put all seven pieces of silver toward it, and even had to add a good deal of my own money."

Jiang Mu looked at her coldly. "How did you bury them?"

"With a proper..."

The Yapu was about to spin a tale, but the moment she met the man’s gaze, sharp as a blade, the words caught in her throat.

Her conscience pricked, she avoided his eyes and said sheepishly,

"Well... coffins are expensive these days. Even the cheapest ones made of thin wooden planks, plus the cost of labor..."

Clearly, the woman had cut corners on the burial.

Jiang Mu asked the little girl a few more questions to get the full story. Then, he stood up and said to the Yapu,

"I’ll buy her."

The Yapu froze.

Seeing this, the steward quietly slipped away.

’After all, commoners don’t fight officials. It’s best not to get involved in things like this.’

The Yapu said with a sigh of resignation,

"Since you’ve asked, sir, I won’t lie to you. I didn’t really spend much of those seven pieces of silver. But this girl’s food and upkeep for the past few days must be worth at least three pieces of silver, don’t you think?

If I’m lying, may lightning strike me dead! If you want her, give me three pieces of silver and you can take her. Just consider it this old woman doing a good deed."

Jiang Mu reached inside his robes, but his hand came up empty.

’I changed into my official uniform before coming out and forgot my money pouch.’

The Yapu was a master at reading people and immediately grew wary.

"Sir, I have elders to care for and children to feed at home. Life isn’t easy. You can’t just take her for free. If you try to take her by force, then I... I’ll have no choice but to start screaming..."

Jiang Mu felt a surge of impatience.

He was just thinking of going to his family’s jewelry shop on the next street to get some silver when a crisp, pleasant, yet somewhat annoyed voice sounded from behind.

"Eldest Young Master Jiang, you sure run fast!"

There, standing at the mouth of the alley, was a panting Chu Lingzhu.

The young woman wore a jade-green silk dress, its hem swaying gently as she caught her breath, reminiscent of the freshest willow leaves on a branch in early spring.

From the rush, her fair cheeks were flushed, and a few wisps of hair clung to her temples. Far from looking disheveled, she radiated a charming and vibrant energy.

"Perfect timing."

Jiang Mu didn’t stand on ceremony, simply holding out his hand. "Give me three pieces of silver."

"?"

Chu Lingzhu was taken aback. ’She hadn’t expected this scoundrel to demand money the moment they met.’

She was about to snap back instinctively, but Jiang Mu said,

"I’m your Boss. It’s not like I’m going to skip out on paying you back. Hurry up, or I’ll find a new Shopkeeper to run that pharmacy."

"You—"

Chu Lingzhu, so angry she bit her lower lip, shot him a fierce glare. Still, she fished three pieces of broken silver from the embroidered pouch at her waist and slapped them into his palm.

"Here! Take it!"

’He must have gone to the pleasure houses and forgotten his money again!’

Jiang Mu took the silver without a word of explanation, casually tossing it to the Yapu before holding out his hand.

"The indenture contract."

The Yapu reluctantly handed over the indenture contract, not forgetting to add a bit of flattery. "You’re a kind man, sir. The girl will be blessed to be with you."

Chu Lingzhu stared at the scene, somewhat dumbfounded.

’It was only then that she realized—this profligate had asked her for money just to buy the little girl kneeling on the ground?’

She took a closer look at the little girl.

Small, thin, with a sallow complexion and covered in grime, she looked like an unwanted stray kitten.

’Clearly, the profligate hadn’t bought her for her looks.’

A flicker of surprise went through her, and she couldn’t help but ask, "What did you buy her for?"

Jiang Mu tucked the indenture contract into his robes and said flatly,

"The house is too empty, and there’s no one to help with the chores. I bought her for some extra help."

Just then, the man in white who had been pestering Chu Lingzhu finally caught up.

The man froze for a moment upon seeing Jiang Mu. A flash of contempt crossed his eyes before he cupped his fist in greeting and smiled. "Brother Jiang Chen, it’s been a while."

"Sorry, I don’t know you."

Without even looking at the man, Jiang Mu pulled the little girl up from the ground and walked away.

The man’s smile froze on his face.

Seeing him rebuffed, Chu Lingzhu covered her mouth and let out a soft laugh.

After a moment’s thought, she quickened her pace to follow them.

"Why are you following me?" Jiang Mu frowned.

"What do you think? I’m coming with you to your home to get my money, of course. Don’t want a rogue like you trying to get out of paying me back."

Chu Lingzhu lifted her delicate chin and shot him a playful glare. Then, she gestured to the little girl, who had kept her head bowed the entire time.

"What’s her name?"

Jiang Mu was at a loss for words.

’It seemed...’

’He actually didn’t know the girl’s name yet.’

He was about to pull the indenture contract from his robes to check when the little girl spoke in a small voice.

"My name is Yuan Ahqing. My mother gave it to me."

Chu Lingzhu looked at Jiang Mu, her eyes still full of suspicion.

"Why the sudden urge to buy this little girl? I’ve never known you to be so kind-hearted."

’She still felt there was something fishy about this profligate’s sudden change of heart. He had to have some ulterior motive for buying a little girl, which was why she had followed them—to make sure this little lamb wasn’t walking into a tiger’s den.’

Jiang Mu didn’t hide anything. As they walked, he briefly explained what had happened to Yuan Ahqing’s family.

Hearing about the little girl’s ordeal, Chu Lingzhu’s eyes grew red.

Her earlier teasing mood vanished completely.

She sniffled and said softly,

"Sell her to me. The pharmacy happens to need someone to help sort medicinal herbs."

Jiang Mu ignored her.

He suddenly stopped and looked down at Yuan Ahqing. "First, take me to where your family is buried."

Yuan Ahqing looked startled for a moment, then nodded silently.

Chu Lingzhu’s heart ached at the sight. Spotting an old man selling candied haws by the road, she ran over, bought a skewer, and held it out to Yuan Ahqing, her voice gentle.

"Here, little one. Have some candied haws. It’s a gift from me."

Yuan Ahqing’s face flushed red, and she clasped her small hands behind her back, refusing to accept it.

It was only when Jiang Mu said, "Go on, take it," that she timidly accepted the treat and whispered her thanks to Chu Lingzhu.