Lan Ruo Ting had originally spoken of finding a way to thank Lord Dao, but he hadn't expected Shu Qing to suggest such a solution. Thus, he didn't raise any significant objections.
In truth, it was difficult for Chao Zong to part with ten thousand gold at present. Qingshan County was in a precarious situation, and money was needed everywhere. Therefore, he agreed with his sister's proposal to speak with Lord Dao. After all, ten thousand gold would be a paltry sum for Lord Dao's merits.
— Shu Qing, what you say is logical. People are generally more amenable to you ladies.
Lan Ruo Ting gave Chao Zong a strange look, muttering to himself, "An unmarried girl going to a man at such a late hour—is that appropriate? Are you not afraid of rumors spreading about your sister?"
Chao Zong, in fact, hadn't even considered that. After all, his sister had a blemish on her face; what man would want to harass her? And Niu You Dao wasn't that kind of person!
Of course, he believed in Niu You Dao's moral character, and during his time with him, he had noticed that Niu You Dao had a discerning taste. Moreover, he wasn't just some ordinary cultivator who wouldn't let a single skirt pass him by!
However, they had another problem now. Where would they get ten thousand gold? Their current expenses were already massive. Especially with the arrival of the Heavenly Jade Sect elders, and then the high-ranking members of three other sects. All of them demanded good treatment, so the current county expenses were severely squeezing Chao Zong.
A subordinate in charge of the account book arrived.
Chao Zong and Lan Ruo Ting began consulting on where to find ten thousand gold and how to cut expenses. However, no matter where they looked, there was nowhere to cut costs. They discussed it for a long time and ultimately decided to reduce military spending.
Other options were simply not permissible. For example: they couldn't cut expenses for the common people and officials right now. The families of officials, just like the common folk, were hungry and needed to be fed. You would be rich if you fed the hen that laid your eggs.
Qingshan County was ravaged everywhere. Money was also needed for construction and reconstruction. But the troops could bear it. While the situation was relatively stable, they could slightly reduce military expenses. The soldiers could also eat from the common pot. They could save a little on the officers too; they would understand. And when money became available, everyone would receive what they hadn't been given today.
They settled on this. Chao Zong himself signed the account book. He took ten thousand gold in banknotes and handed them to Lan Ruo Ting, who then passed them to Shu Qing.
Having received the ten thousand gold, Shu Qing made her way to Niu You Dao. Niu You Dao had just returned from his journey and was unlikely to be asleep. She had wanted to speak with Lord Dao all this time, but there had never been a suitable opportunity. Now, with the ten thousand gold in hand, she proceeded to the rear of the governor's palace, where the garden was located.
Niu You Dao was indeed still awake. He was taking a bath.
— Great Princess, perhaps you could wait in the sitting room? I will inform you when Lord Dao has finished his bath. Would that be alright? Yuan Fang, guarding the chambers, suggested Shu Qing leave. He felt awkward.
He himself didn't understand what Black Peony was doing with Lord Dao. He had seen them enter the bath together. A lone man and woman—what business could they possibly have at this moment?
Yuan Fang also didn't want anyone to find out about it. After all, Black Peony was older than Lord Dao. Yuan Fang was indignant to himself, thinking, *Such a young and distinguished Lord Dao, couldn't he find a proper woman? What did he see in Black Peony?*
Shu Qing replied with a smile:
— There's no need. I'll wait here.
She couldn't procure much money, but at least she could show her sincerity.
— Ugh.... — Yuan Fang didn't know what to say.
Knowing Shu Qing's status, he couldn't simply drive her away. He was just beginning to think of a pretext to lead Shu Qing away when, at that moment, the creak of an opening door sounded. And with an abundantly graceful figure, Black Peony emerged from the bathing room. She wore simple clothes, her wet hair cascading over her shoulders.
Niu You Dao followed, also in simple attire.
Standing in the courtyard, Shu Qing's eyes widened. She simply froze on the spot, staring at the man and woman emerging from the bath together.
In that instant, Shu Qing immediately felt her heart clench tightly. Something lurched within her chest, causing her an indescribable pain!
At that moment, it was as if something had struck her hard and true. She had never before experienced such a feeling in her soul and heart. Such a complex emotion was deeply imprinted within her!!!
She didn't even notice that at the sight of this scene, she instantly became flustered. Chaos reigned in her mind; her hands and feet wouldn't obey her. She turned her head and left.
She reached the stairs, and at that moment, Niu You Dao was surprised. He didn't understand what this girl was doing here.
— Princess, what happened?
Shu Qing said as she left:
— Nothing. Shu Qing is simply ignorant. — She didn't even turn her head and vanished through the circular gate.
Black Peony, standing with him, fell into thought.
Niu You Dao descended and asked Yuan Fang:
— Did the Princess want something?
Yuan Fang, nodding, said:
— It seems she had some business. She was waiting for you, but then... — He looked at Black Peony:
— It seems a misunderstanding occurred, and to avoid disturbing Lord Dao, she left.
Niu You Dao gave him a cold look:
— What nonsense are you blathering, monk!
Yuan Fang timidly replied:
— Only a blind man wouldn't understand here. If you didn't have such business, then what was it?
Niu You Dao turned his head and looked at Black Peony, then at the bath. Indeed, it must have been a misunderstanding.
However, he didn't attach much importance to it. A misunderstanding was just a misunderstanding. There was no need for him to explain himself.
The girl was intelligent. If it had been important business, she wouldn't have left because of a misunderstanding.
Niu You Dao turned and left. Following him, Black Peony suddenly said:
— Lord Dao, it seems the Princess is in love with you.
Niu You Dao glanced at her askance and didn't want to discuss the topic.
He had no interest in Shu Qing, and it wasn't related to her disfigurement. Even if Shu Qing were as beautiful as a celestial maiden, he still wouldn't flirt with her. All the more so when she was frightening to look at. In principle, he was also a person who first looked at a person's inner qualities before their appearance.
Seeing his reaction, Black Peony understood that Lord Dao harbored no feelings for the Princess. Indeed, she was disfigured. If it weren't for her status, no man would covet her.
Black Peony was already experienced in such matters and sighed inwardly. *It doesn't matter if she's disfigured or not, what girl hasn't experienced first love? Only this girl is audacious! To show her feelings so openly, she could simply harm herself.*
Partially, she felt pity for Shu Qing. She also understood her. To calmly look and speak with everyone despite being disfigured—how strong did one have to be? Especially for a girl!
Unlike her, even the audacious and unfeeling Feng Ru Nan sympathized with Shu Qing and treated her differently.
Now, it seemed, Shu Qing would not pose a threat to any girl, so no one would be jealous of her.
Disfigurement—it wasn't entirely bad.
Meanwhile, Shu Qing had just moved away a bit and leaned against a wall. With one hand, she braced herself against the wall, while with the other, her trembling fingers touched her face. She truly felt ashamed of her face now.
However, Shu Qing quickly came to her senses. *How could this be possible!*
What had happened to her? She was supposed to resolve the matter! Her brother and Mister Lan were waiting for her. What would she tell them? Her brother was certainly expecting her answer.
— Who's there? — A silhouette appeared ahead, asking sternly. A powerful aura emanated from him.
This was none other than Niu You Dao's very first bodyguard, Yuan Gang.
— It's me! — Shu Qing stood up straight.
Seeing Shu Qing leaning against the wall, Yuan Gang asked with doubt:
— Princess, what's wrong? Are you unwell?
Shu Qing pondered what to tell him. What should she do at all?
— I originally wanted to speak with Lord Dao about some business, but I rudely stumbled upon Lord Dao and Black Peony bathing together. Therefore, to avoid disturbing Lord Dao, I left. Now I'm wondering how to report back to my brother. And what should I do?
Yuan Gang immediately understood that the Princess had clearly misunderstood everything. He said:
— You didn't disturb anything. Lord Dao has no interest in such matters. Lord Dao and Black Peony do not have the kind of relationship you imagined. Princess, you've overthought things. Since you have business, Lord Dao must not have retired for the night yet. Princess, please follow me.
Upon seeing Niu You Dao again in the sitting room, Shu Qing had already regained a composed demeanor.
Niu You Dao noticed that Yuan Gang had brought Shu Qing back. It seemed a misunderstanding truly had occurred earlier. He asked with a smile:
— It seems there's serious business. How may I help you?
— Lord Dao makes fun of me. — Shu Qing took out a wad of money and placed it on the tea table. Her delicate, slender hands pushed the money towards Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao looked at the money and asked:
— Princess, what is this? Is this for me?
Shu Qing, being of royal lineage, felt awkward handing over so much money. She timidly replied:
— Lord Dao keeps so many people around him, and surely Lord Dao incurs considerable expenses. It's just that Qingshan's situation isn't the best right now, so we could only gather this much. Lord Dao, please take this for now. Afterwards, when things improve, we will give you more.
"It's really for me!" Niu You Dao understood everything. He merely looked strangely at the banknotes.
Then he saw that Shu Qing was looking at him differently, even a little resentfully. Had she really misunderstood everything and was now angry?
Niu You Dao slowly asked:
— Is Qingshan's financial situation difficult right now?