Chapter 64
When Mu Qing suddenly asked that question, Boss Wang’s expression shifted ever so slightly.
Mu Qing wasn’t surprised at all—she’d been expecting this. She waited calmly for Boss Wang’s reaction.
But Sister Qin Qin couldn’t stay composed. She instinctively stepped back half a pace and grabbed Mu Qing’s hand.
Mu Qing gently returned the grip, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, and kept her eyes locked on Boss Wang.
Moments like this were all about presence. If she looked away first, that meant she lost.
Boss Wang had the kind of probing, slightly greasy gaze typical of middle-aged men, but Mu Qing didn’t mind it one bit. No matter what, she had to hold her ground. No backing down.
When it came to staring contests, she’d never lost before. As long as she didn’t flinch, the other side would. She’d proven it over and over again in her past “business battles.”
Sure enough, not long after, Boss Wang was the first to look away.
He sighed. “Miss, you’re really something… In all my years, I’ve only seen two women with the kind of presence you have. But someone so young, with this kind of poise? You’re the first.”
Mu Qing smiled but didn’t respond. She wasn’t about to ask who those other two women were—based on the way he phrased it, even if she asked, he wouldn’t tell.
Besides, she wasn’t familiar enough with the capital, let alone Tongzhou, so even if he said names, they’d mean nothing to her.
Better to spend her limited time and energy on the real issue at hand.
Like, say, the question she’d already asked. Now all that was left was waiting for an answer.
Before Boss Wang gave that answer, Mu Qing had no intention of being distracted by vague, suggestive little comments or cryptic emotional bait.
At any moment, she had to know what she wanted most—and go straight for it.
She kept her half-smiling gaze on Boss Wang, silently waiting for his response. He tried to stall, even pulling out some philosophical musings and nostalgic stories, but quickly realized—Mu Qing wasn’t buying it.
It was awkward.
Left with no choice, he finally gave in with a sigh. “Our boss figured that since you understood the truth behind that jade last time, you’d likely figure out the true nature of our shop this time as well. He said if you came back, I should take you to him.”
He paused for effect, then glanced at her again. “But he also said—he wasn’t sure you’d have the courage.”
Mu Qing couldn’t help but chuckle. “Boss, why don’t you tell me—where exactly is this mysterious man of yours? What, is he holed up in some dragon’s lair or tiger’s den that I’d be too scared to go?”
Boss Wang gave a bitter smile. “You may not know this, but he lives out at Misty Ridge—twenty li outside the city.”
The moment he said it, Sister Qin Qin let out a startled gasp. Her body tensed up and froze for a moment—clearly frightened.
Mu Qing looked at her curiously, and when she saw the expression on her face, she realized—this wasn’t just mild fear. This was full-on terror.
“So… Misty Ridge really is a dragon’s lair and tiger’s den, huh?”
She laughed, lightly patting Qin Qin on the arm in a gesture meant to comfort.
But unexpectedly, Qin Qin suddenly flung herself into Mu Qing’s arms, trembling. “Don’t say it, Sister Qing. That place… you can’t talk about it…”
Well, that confirmed it. She was absolutely terrified. This place must be the kind locals whispered about with pale faces and shaking hands.
“Don’t tell me this boss of yours looks so scary he can stop babies from crying at night?”
Mu Qing was now more intrigued than ever. But despite that, she wasn’t scared at all.
Somehow, she had the feeling that anyone who ran a jade business—even if they were a bandit—would be the cultured type.
And if he was a businessman, then they could talk. Everything was negotiable.
She continued chatting with Boss Wang, and after some initial back-and-forth, he became far more straightforward. At least his answers weren’t so cryptic anymore—much better than earlier.
He looked at Mu Qing, sighed again, and said, “Our boss does look rather fierce, but he’s a decent man. Still, since that young lady’s so afraid, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider, Miss Mu?”
Mu Qing smiled. “No need. I just need to take this little sister of mine home first. I’ll trouble you to wait a moment.”
Boss Wang had no objections, but Sister Qin Qin sure did.
She lifted her head from Mu Qing’s arms, looking furious. “Sister Qing, why are you sending me back? I don’t want to go. I’m coming with you.”
Mu Qing said helplessly, “I just thought you were scared, so—”
“So what if I’m scared?” Qin Qin puffed up, eyes wide with indignation. “Ask anyone in Tongzhou—who isn’t scared when they hear that name?”
She was clearly trembling again, but she still forced herself to continue, gritting her teeth. “Even if I’m scared, I’m still going. I want to go with you.”
The first half of her sentence seemed like she was trying to psych herself up. The second half was practically a declaration to Boss Wang, full of noble sacrifice vibes.
Mu Qing couldn’t help but laugh, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair. “It’s fine, even if you went home, that wouldn’t make you any less brave. There’s still plenty you could do back there.”
But Qin Qin shook her head stubbornly, as if to say, “If you say one more word about sending me home, we’re done.”
Mu Qing gave up. No point in dragging it out.
Honestly, she didn’t think there would be any real danger in meeting this mysterious boss. After all, the guy was willing to meet with her and had even sent that message—he didn’t seem like the ruthless, kill-on-sight type.
And even if he was, Mu Qing wasn’t too worried. She and Qin Qin were both significant supporting characters in this story. Without Liu Feng around, it wasn’t like they were going to get randomly killed off in some remote wilderness.
She was pretty sure the “plot” wouldn’t abandon her just yet—especially considering how often Liu Feng showed up around her and Qin Qin.
That guy was clearly still aiming to collect his harem. Which meant the narrative hadn’t let go of them yet. Who knew what kind of drama was still coming their way?
Might as well keep stirring things up and solidify their positions.
Having made up her mind, Mu Qing felt completely calm.
She borrowed some paper and ink from the shop, wrote a simple letter, and had Qin Qin write one too. They handed the notes to a boy out on the street, instructing him to deliver them—one to the Mu residence in the north of the city, the other to Baihe Academy just outside the city.
Then they got ready to leave.
Once Mu Qing agreed to go, Boss Wang stopped talking. His attitude toward her became noticeably more respectful.
He waited patiently while she and Qin Qin finished preparing, summoned one of his assistants, and made some arrangements. By the time the letters were handed off, everything else was ready.
Mu Qing and Qin Qin followed him out the back door of the jade shop and discovered a modest courtyard behind it.
In the center stood a carriage—completely black, simple in appearance. But on closer inspection, there was a small emblem carved into the roof. It wasn’t any recognizable family crest, but if you looked carefully, it resembled a character in ancient seal script.
Seeing Mu Qing studying it, Qin Qin leaned over too.
Then she gasped in recognition. “That’s the seal script for the word ‘Feng’!”
Right… she’s the top student. Of course she could recognize obscure characters without breaking a sweat.
Mu Qing sighed. Some people really were blessed with both brains and beauty. She gave Qin Qin’s head a fond pat in praise.
By this point, Qin Qin had calmed down quite a bit. She was starting to return to her usual top-student self.
But Mu Qing didn’t want her going off on a lecture just yet. If she started explaining the history of seal script and its cultural value… they might not make it to Misty Ridge before nightfall.
They had a mission, after all. Research could wait.
So Mu Qing politely cut her off and turned to Boss Wang. “We’re ready whenever you are.”
Boss Wang nodded and called the new assistant over, gave him some instructions, and the young man went into a side room to fetch a bundle of dry branches. Then he climbed onto the carriage, taking the driver’s seat.
Qin Qin looked puzzled by the odd behavior and seemed like she wanted to ask something, but Mu Qing just patted her hand and told her to behave. Qin Qin, full of questions, could only follow her into the carriage.
The black carriage rolled out of the courtyard, through the city, and out the gates, speeding toward Misty Ridge twenty li away. The driver was highly skilled—the ride was smooth, barely a bump or noise. Only a faint trail of dust rose behind them. In the bustling streets of Tongzhou, it was so discreet that no one even looked twice.
But just as the carriage left the city, someone had already received a secret letter.
He opened it with a smile, but his expression shifted into surprise. Then he laughed and said:
“Interesting, very interesting. That fake wife of Fourth Brother is getting more amusing by the day.”
The man next to him grinned. “If she’s that fun, Second Prince, why don’t we join in the fun too?”
“Of course. Let’s go.”
They laughed together, then gave the order to prepare their horses, and galloped off toward Misty Ridge.
