One hundred taels of silver may not be much for the nobles in the palace, but for a person in distress like Lu Li, it is nothing short of a sky-high price.
These days, more than ten taels of silver are enough for a family to spend for a year.
This man was smart enough not to give the sword to Mu Qingchao to pay off his debt. After all, his sword couldn't be sold for thirty taels of silver in a pawn shop, and there was no reason for a girl to spend one hundred taels to buy it.
He knew very well that Mu Qingchao must have her reasons for helping.
Mu Qingchao turned back to look at Lu Li, smiled at him and said, "You are very smart, so of course it is not because of my conscience that I am helping you.
I am not a living Buddha. If I had a fortune, I could help you.
But you have also seen that I am also a person who cannot protect myself when I go into a pawn shop, so naturally I will not do anything without a purpose."
These words did not make Lu Li feel angry. On the contrary, Mu Qingchao's confession made him feel very comfortable.
There was no pretentious politeness, he needed money and she also wanted something, it was just a barter transaction.
"So, what is the girl's purpose?" Lu Li asked.
"I wonder how you can enter and exit the inner courtyard of the palace with your master's skills?"
Mu Qingchao's words were said in an understatement, but it shocked Lu Li's heart.
He has been practicing martial arts since he was a child, and his martial arts skills make it difficult for him to meet his opponents. However, the opponent allowed him to enter and exit a heavily guarded palace. This was not something that ordinary skills could achieve.
But after thinking about it, Lu Li answered truthfully: "You have to give me a few days to get familiar with the terrain in the palace."
Mu Qingchao was not surprised by this answer.
A general who fought bravely on the battlefield and an opponent who was as famous as King Wu'an. Mu Qingchao had great confidence in his skills.
"Let me tell you the truth, I am a woman with no ability to restrain a chicken. The only thing I lack is a bodyguard who can protect me in secret.
I want you to hide in the dark and be my secret guard. I also want you to go in and out of the palace and help me with things outside the palace.
I will give you a few days to bury your master properly, and after you have made all arrangements, you can come to Chaoyun Palace to find me after three shifts."
Mu Qingchao told everything.
But Lu Li asked, "Aren't you afraid that I'll take the money and run away?"
Mu Qingchao turned around and said two words lightly.
"Don't be afraid!"
"Why?"
"You would rather sell the only sword you have to bury the master. How can such a kind and righteous person betray his trust?"
Mu Qingchao understood the principle of not trusting people when you employ them and not using them when you are suspicious.
If Lu Li doesn't come in a few days, then she will only lose one hundred taels of silver. If he comes, then she will have a right-hand man whom she can completely trust.
Of course she can figure out which one is more cost-effective.
After Mu Qingchao said these words, he turned around and went to the sedan chair.
But Lu Li still didn't give up and followed her and asked her, "Who are you?"
Mu Qingchao turned around and said in a darker tone: "Ai Jia is the current Queen Mother."
"You are the demon..."
The word "monster" didn't come out of his mouth, but Lu Li quickly swallowed it back.
He knew he had said something wrong and looked at Mu Qingchao apologetically.
"What? Do you regret it?" Mu Qingchao asked him.
"No." Lu Li answered decisively, without any hesitation: "Since the Queen Mother trusts my subordinates, then my subordinates also believe that the Queen Mother is not what the outside world rumors say."
He quickly stepped into his role and now calls himself a "subordinate".
Mu Qingchao said: "No, the Ai family is just like the legend."
Not only are they monsters, but they are also ghosts. As long as they block her way or pose a threat to her, she will eliminate them one by one.
She gave up all the weaknesses, pity, empathy, compassion...
These are unnecessary, she has to live selfishly, just for herself and the people around her.
But she didn't say this, but changed the subject: "But don't worry, the Ai family will not treat you badly, and they will not give you less of the reward you deserve."
"But why did the Queen Mother choose her subordinates?"
This is the question Lu Li has always wanted to ask.
It seems that ever since Mu Qingchao appeared, he had a clear intention to recruit him into his army.
But this was the first time they met.
"Because... the Ai family knows that you, like the Ai family, are like dragons meeting shallows."
Mu Qingchao looked at him and asked, "Isn't it?"
"The moment I met the young master, the Aijia knew that you and I are the same people. We have big plans in our hearts but are stuck in front of us and can't escape. So the Aijia will help you bury your master. You will protect the Aijia and wait until the Aijia is completely safe.
On the day, I will completely set you free.
When the time comes, the sky is high enough for birds to fly, and the sea is wide enough for fish to leap, and you will have a great opportunity to show off your skills and make a name for yourself."
After Mu Qingchao said this, he bowed and got into the sedan.
The bearer lifted the sedan and swayed forward. Lu Li stood behind the sedan for a long time, watching the sedan swaying toward the palace.
The rumor that the Queen Mother is a monster has already spread in the streets.
What's more, it is said that she is the reincarnation of a vixen who specializes in sucking the essence of men. The late emperor fell into this trap.
Lu Li has naturally heard a lot of these rumors.
But when I saw it today, the rumored murderous and blood-drinking monster was nothing more than a delicate little girl who looked so weak.
She is as delicate as a flower that should be protected and nurtured in someone's arms, and should not suffer any setbacks from wind and rain.
**
Just when Mu Qing returned to the palace, Lord Zhong Mingzhong was able to go home from the palace.
As soon as he got home, he saw his wife, Mrs. Ma, standing at the door, twisting a handkerchief in her hand, pacing back and forth, her eyes full of worry.
As soon as he saw the bell ringing, Ma quickly rushed to greet it.
"Master, why did you come back just now?"
Ma was anxious and didn't care about etiquette when she spoke.
"There were too many affairs in the court today. His Majesty called him to the study for a while to talk about things. After leaving the palace, I hurried back."
Zhong Ming didn't forget what he had planned before, so he hurried back. But when he saw his wife's expression, he had a premonition that something was not going to happen. He frowned and said, "What's wrong? What happened?"
"It's... it's the old lady..." Ma hesitated.
This made Zhong Ming even more anxious: "What's wrong with the old lady?"
"She...she...oh, I'd better go to Rongxue Hall and have a look."
Ma made Zhong Ming click his tongue impatiently and hurriedly arrived at Rong Xuetang.
Before reaching the Rongxue Hall, I heard a commotion.
"Just let me die, I really don't want to live anymore..."
The maids and servants on the side gathered around and comforted them: "Old madam, don't say such things. I am filial. If you really die, will I die of grief when I find out?"
"But my old face has been completely disgraced, what's the point of living like this?"