C10 How Can We Talk about Business?

After sending Limo away, Lo Qiuli gracefully entered the courtyard. In a few days, a heavy rain would come, revealing the mineral veins in the peach blossom forest. She couldn't let the Prince's people get their hands on it; such a crucial resource needed to be under her control. However, with her limited power, it would ultimately benefit Xiao Yuhan. Just thinking about that cunning Xiao Yuhan made her uneasy.

Sitting down in the courtyard, Lo Qiuli poured herself a glass of water. After soothing her throat, she spoke, "Ninth Prince, you've been watching the show for quite some time. You must be tired. How about we discuss a business deal?"

A clear, melodious voice rose from below. Seeing the person who had been in the pavilion now seated on the swing, Xiao Yuhan's eyes flashed with surprise before quickly returning to normal. He knew she was skilled in martial arts but hadn't realized her abilities rivaled his own. Truly intriguing—she was the daughter of a prime minister, yet raised in an old house. What other secrets did this woman hold?

"Tonight at midnight, at the Drunken Immortal Tavern, I'll wait for you," Xiao Yuhan's deep voice resonated, then faded away. Birds startled from the trees, but soon the tranquility returned, indicating the person in the trees had left. Lo Qiuli nonchalantly swung on the swing, her expression unchanged since earlier. Their collaboration promised to be quite interesting.

Time flew by, and soon it was midnight. Lo Qiuli, who should have been asleep, was still reading. Limo stood by, drowsy and struggling to stay awake. Amused, Lo Qiuli looked at Limo after taking a sip of tea and gently nudged her. "If you're sleepy, go rest. I'll turn in as well."

"I'll help you get ready for bed," Limo said, blinking her sleepy eyes. Seeing Lo Qiuli put down her book, she immediately stepped forward to assist her to bed. Lo Qiuli sighed, and to ease Limo's worries, she obediently let Limo help her change and then settled into bed.

Seeing that Miss Qiuli was already asleep, Limo finally blew out the candle and left the room, returning to her own quarters. Lo Qiuli listened to Limo's footsteps until she heard the distant sound of a door closing. After a moment of silence, she climbed out of bed, dressed, and slipped out the window, disappearing into the vast night.

The night was deep, and the Prime Minister's Mansion was enveloped in silence. Apart from the sound of patrolling footsteps, there was no noise. No one knew that the new lady of Orchid Fragrance Garden had quietly left the mansion under the cover of darkness.

By this late hour, the Drunken Immortal Tavern was empty of patrons, except for one person still seated in a private room on the top floor. This person had arrived earlier and seemed to be waiting for someone. Although the waitstaff were a bit impatient, seeing the respectful demeanor of the manager, they dared not disturb him and could only wait for him to leave the room on his own.

As soon as Lo Qiuli stepped into the tavern, she drew curious glances. The manager looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly at the sight of the unassuming Lo Qiuli. This must be the person the master was waiting for. With this thought, the manager stepped out from behind the counter to greet her, "Sir, you've arrived. The young master has been waiting upstairs for quite some time!"

"Yes." Disguised as a man, Lo Qiuli noticed the manager's respectful attitude, a flicker of understanding passing through her eyes. It seemed that Fifth Prince Xiao Hongfei's rivalry with Xiao Yuhan was not unfounded; his wealth and power were beyond her expectations!

Entering the private room, she found Xiao Yuhan leisurely sipping tea. Lo Qiuli's lips curled into a smile. He certainly had patience, but if not for the generous gift she had sent earlier, they might not have been able to sit together today. "Greetings, Mr. Xiao!"

Upon hearing her, Xiao Yuhan looked up at Lo Qiuli as she entered. His hand paused mid-sip, and an unintentional smile betrayed his good mood. He hadn't expected the esteemed lady of the Prime Minister's Mansion to have such a knack for disguise. Although her current appearance was charming, Xiao Yuhan blinked, still finding Lo Qiuli's original look more pleasing, despite the birthmark!

"Mr. Lo, I've been waiting for you quite a while!" Xiao Yuhan poured a cup of tea for Lo Qiuli, his tone light and brisk. Yet, the underlying message was clear: if the collaboration didn't pique Lo Qiuli's interest, he'd have to compensate for the time spent waiting. After all, Mr. Xiao's time was quite valuable.

"Don't worry, you'll definitely be interested!" Lo Qiuli's lips twitched slightly. He hadn't expected the renowned Xiao Yuhan to be so meticulous about costs. It made him second-guess partnering with him. However, looking around the city, Lo Qiuli couldn't find anyone more suitable for the job. With a deep sigh, he resigned himself to the decision.

"In that case, Mr. Lo, why don't you tell me what kind of collaboration you're proposing?" Xiao Yuhan chuckled, not taking the comment to heart. Despite this, Lo Qiuli's proposal intrigued him. After receiving the gift of the Jade Face Fox, he was curious about what new surprises Lo Qiuli might have in store.

"The peach orchard at Sunset Hill—I hope you can invest heavily in securing it. Once we uncover the mineral veins, I only ask for a twenty percent share of the revenue." Lo Qiuli felt a pang of regret. Twenty percent was a mere drop in the bucket, but with nothing to his name, it was enough to start building his fortune.

"You've got quite the deal figured out. No investment, no effort, yet you claim twenty percent. If I secure the peach orchard and find no mineral veins, what then?" Xiao Yuhan's eyes gleamed with amusement as he looked at Lo Qiuli. This person certainly knew how to drive a hard bargain, but it was up to him to decide whether to accept it.

"If there aren't any, doesn't the Jade Face Fox more than make up for a small peach orchard? I've heard the peach blossoms at Sunset Hill are more beautiful than anywhere else. If you could make it your private retreat, wouldn't it be delightful to enjoy the spring blooms?" Lo Qiuli had anticipated this question when gifting him the Jade Face Fox.

The Jade Face Fox is priceless, and Lo Qiuli knows exactly when the mineral veins in the Peach Blossom Forest will emerge. She doesn't need Xiao Yuhan to come here with threats and intimidation. With a confident smile, she opens her fan and gives it a gentle wave, exuding assurance rather than hesitation.

"If the mineral veins truly surface, I'll split it with you fifty-fifty." Seeing the expression on Lo Qiuli's face, Xiao Yuhan has no choice but to believe her. After a moment of contemplation, he finally makes a decision. Half of it is Xiao Yuhan's way of thanking her for saving his life, and it also repays her for bringing the Jade Face Fox to him. With the Jade Face Fox by his side, many things have become much easier to handle.