Chapter 108: A Fixed Destination (II)

Wen Youfang was at a loss. He had only heard that the Su family of the Imperial City might be able to cure his aging mother, but he had never once considered why they would bother to help him.

Tao Ming was somewhat puzzled by Su Nanxing's words. If they did not lack people to work like beasts of burden, then what did they lack?

Wen Youfang had just mentioned he was a chief manager. Could Su Nanxing be planning to have him work at Dongchang Pavilion?

But Dongchang Pavilion was long-established, staffed entirely by trusted veterans of the Su family. There were no vacant positions for Wen Youfang to fill.

What was Su Nanxing's angle, then? Just as Tao Ming was wondering, Su Nanxing shot her a meaningful look.

Tao Ming was utterly bewildered. If he had something to say, why couldn't he just say it? She had no idea how to read his signals!

Resigned, Su Nanxing reached behind Tao Ming's back and traced four characters on her spine: "Mall Manager."

The moment Su Nanxing finished tracing the words, Tao Ming understood. Instantly slipping into her drama-queen persona, she cast a conflicted look at Wen Youfang, then turned a nervous gaze toward Su Nanxing, murmuring tentatively, "Husband, why don't we help him out?"

Su Nanxing's expression hardened. "Why should we?"

Tao Ming wheedled, "Husband, put yourself in his shoes. What if I fell ill one day, and Ruanruan had to drag me all over the place begging for a doctor..."

Before she could finish, Su Nanxing cut her off. "What nonsense is this? Unless I am dead, how could I ever let you and our daughter fall into such a state?"

Tao Ming stuck out her tongue playfully and continued to act cute. "Husband, please, just help him!"

Having served as the chief manager of Ningfeng Pavilion for many years, Wen Youfang was no fool. From their brief exchange, he pieced together what was happening. He bowed deeply to Tao Ming and, upon straightening, declared, "From this day forth, my life belongs to Young Madam Su."

Embarrassed that her subpar acting had been seen through, Tao Ming quickly waved her hands. "What would I want with your life? We can worry about the future later. For now, let's focus on treating your mother."

"My deepest thanks, Young Madam Su," Wen Youfang replied, filled with gratitude.

Tao Ming reached out her hand for a handshake, but withdrew it halfway, remembering the customs. "Don't call me Young Madam Su anymore. Call me 'boss'."

Su Fang asked in bewilderment, "What is a 'boss'?"

Ruanruan waved her little fists excitedly. "A boss is the most powerful character in a game!"

Tao Ming was momentarily speechless. "Never mind, just call me the boss."

Su Nanxing patted Tao Ming's back and instructed, "Fengying, go examine the elderly lady."

Fengying replied immediately, "I have already examined her, Master. The situation is rather complex."

Tao Ming grew even more suspicious. Fengying was being unusually proactive today; something was definitely amiss!

At that moment, Qin Yunjue spoke up. "Mingming, it's getting late. Let's head up the mountain first before we discuss this further."

Tao Ming looked at the carriage, troubled. "How are we going to get the old lady up the mountain?"

Su Fang waved his hands with a grin. "Sister-in-law, leave it to me."

A flash of green light erupted from Su Fang's fingertips. Instantly, the four wheels beneath the carriage were enveloped in green. With a series of sharp clicks and cracks, they transformed into four wooden legs, which began carrying the carriage up the mountain path.

However, the carriage had originally been facing the direction of the Imperial City. Now that the rear had become the front, it clashed with the dragon-horse that had been pulling it.

Caught off guard, the dragon-horse was dragged backward a few paces. Once it realized what was happening, it dug in its hooves and began a tug-of-war with the wooden legs, resulting in a stubborn stalemate.

Su Fang rubbed his nose sheepishly and stopped the wooden legs. Fengying unhitched and stowed the dragon-horse, turned the carriage around, and ushered everyone inside to prepare for the ascent.

Ruanruan refused to go inside. Leaning over the edge of the carriage, she stared at the wooden legs below and squealed, "Nuonuo, come look! This is so fun! I want to learn how to do this too!"

Su Fang preened. "Your Nineteenth Uncle can teach you."

Since the two little ones refused to go inside, Tao Ming had to stay out with them, firmly gripping a leg of each child to make sure they didn't tumble off the carriage.

While steering the carriage up the mountain, Su Fang remarked to Tao Ming, "Sister-in-law, I've realized something. You are definitely Seventeenth Brother's kryptonite."

Tao Ming chuckled. "Why do you say that?"

Glancing back to make sure Su Nanxing was inside the carriage, Su Fang lowered his voice. "Sister-in-law, you missed it earlier. When Fengying mentioned that Seventeenth Brother used to watch girls at Ningfeng Pavilion, Seventeenth Brother looked absolutely terrified."

Tao Ming shot him a sidelong glance. "And you don't look at girls?"

Su Fang shook his head vigorously. "I would never go out to the streets just to gawk at girls."

Tao Ming clicked her tongue, scanning Su Fang from head to toe until he began to squirm. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, uneasy.

Noting that the two children were engrossed in a lively debate about why the carriage had legs, Tao Ming lowered her voice. "If you don't go to the streets to look at girls, could it be that you go there to look at men?"

Su Fang gasped in horror and quickly backpedaled. "Sister-in-law, I was wrong! I shouldn't have spoken ill of Seventeenth Brother."

"That's more like it," Tao Ming replied with a grin. She paused, then added, "Su Fang, didn't you say you wanted to visit the other world?"

Su Fang's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly.

"If you want to go to the other world, you have to learn its language first. Otherwise, you won't even understand what people are saying. What could you possibly do there?"

"You're right, Sister-in-law. But who can teach me?"

Tao Ming figured she would teach one person first and let him teach the rest, which would save her a lot of effort. She put on her most harmless, innocent smile. "Learn from me, of course. I guarantee you'll master it."

...

Inside the carriage, Qin Yunjue, Qin Yunqi, and Su Pei crouched behind the door, eavesdropping on Tao Ming and Su Fang's conversation and exchanging knowing looks.

Meanwhile, Su Nanxing, Fengying, and Wen Youfang gathered around the elderly woman.

Su Nanxing took her wrist, circulating his energy to examine her condition. His brow furrowed. "Her illness is indeed complex."

Wen Youfang asked anxiously, "Young Master Su, can my mother be saved?"

Su Nanxing withdrew his hand and looked at him. "Have you crossed anyone in the past?"

If Wen Youfang had powerful enemies, he would not be suitable to work under Tao Ming.

Confused by the question, Wen Youfang thought back and replied, "I have always strived to be amicable with everyone. I don't believe I have ever offended anyone."

Su Nanxing shook his head. "Your mother's condition is indeed beyond the reach of any physician in Hezhou. Aside from the chronic ailments built up from years of hard labor, the primary cause of her state is poison."

"Poison?" Wen Youfang cried out in shock and fury. "Who could be so heartless as to poison an elderly woman?"

Su Nanxing retrieved a small vial and handed it to Wen Youfang. "Your mother's body is already frail, and the poison has been in her system for a long time. To purge it completely will take at least two months. This vial contains a five-day supply. Have her take it first."

Wen Youfang's hands trembled so violently he nearly dropped the vial. Su Nanxing patted his shoulder. "As long as you have spoken the truth, I will get to the bottom of this for you."

"Master, shall I send men to investigate?" Fengying asked.

Su Nanxing hesitated for a moment. "Go yourself. I cannot trust anyone else with this."

Acknowledging the order, Fengying immediately slipped out of the carriage and headed back toward Heyang City in Hezhou.

Seeing Fengying depart so decisively, Wen Youfang's gratitude to Su Nanxing deepened.

Su Nanxing looked at him steadily. "My wife is irreplaceable to me. When you work for her in the future, you must prioritize her in all things."

Wen Youfang hesitated, remaining silent.

Noticing his reluctance, Su Nanxing asked, "Do you find that strange?"

Wen Youfang opened his mouth but hesitated.

Su Nanxing, guessing what was on his mind, said, "Speak freely."

Wen Youfang gritted his teeth and asked, "I am unsure what use I will be to Young Madam Su."

"You will help her manage her businesses."

Wen Youfang breathed a sigh of relief. "If it is only a modest venture of Young Madam's, I should be more than capable."

A soft warmth entered Su Nanxing's eyes, and he chuckled. "I wouldn't be so sure. My wife is quite the workaholic."