Su Manman had always been reasonably good-looking.
Besides, she remembered that back in Gu’s Village, Gu Tianye (the second son) had shown interest in her.
If she were truly ugly, how could he have felt attracted?
So Su Manman concluded that she just looked haggard from malnutrition, but her base features were still decent.
She was confident that once she found the male lead and settled everything, drinking the spirit spring water daily would soon turn her into a great beauty.
But when Su Manman looked in the mirror…
She nearly jumped out of her skin.
Damn it, who’s this ugly monster?
Her face looked like a skeleton—only her eyes were visible.
She didn’t even look like a grown woman; someone might believe she was an old granny.
She recalled the first time she had seen the three little ones, thinking they looked like aliens.
Now, looking at herself, it was the same feeling.
Probably because she had been rationing food for the three little ones, she looked even scarier than them.
Ah…
Su Manman almost went berserk.
Being transmigrated into a poor widow was bad enough, but why this ugly as well?
Heavens, didn’t leave her a single hope.
The three little ones thought Su Manman was staring at herself in awe.
It was also their first time seeing a mirror.
They all curiously looked at the reflection.
The reflection showed a face with sharp features and a skeletal look, only the large eyes were normal—it looked exactly like a little mouse.
The three children were thrilled.
“Big sister, I look just like you!”
Da Bao nodded: “Me and Xiao Bao also look like Mama!”
Hearing their innocent words, Su Manman couldn’t bear to look at the mirror any longer.
She quickly returned the mirror and sat quietly in a corner.
“No one speak, I need quiet.”
Damn it, she just wanted a moment of self-isolation.
Thunderbolt from a clear sky—she realized she was the ugly one.
“Boss, we’ve checked. Everything she said is true.
We also asked Tang Song at the Sifang Escort Agency; Su Manman and the children indeed came from Liemian Town.
The pass lists Gu’s Village as a smaller village under Liemian Town.
But Tang Song didn’t know Su Manman personally, so he’s unaware of her affairs in Gu’s Village.”
The subordinate paused and continued:
“Tang Song also said that Su Manman’s behavior is very different from her appearance.
At first, he helped her out of pity, but after spending a few days with her, he realized she’s sharp, adaptable, and doesn’t let herself be taken advantage of.
She’s not at all like a typical timid farmer woman.
On the road, she even had conflicts with the Zhuo family.
She almost got thrown out, but managed to stay through her own abilities.”
“Oh? Tell me more…”
The subordinate quickly finished reporting what they had learned about Su Manman’s experiences on the road.
Gu Tianye stared at the ring on his thumb, his expression dark and unreadable.
..
In the room, Wang Po was lying on the ground in a wretched state, a yellow stain beneath her.
As soon as Wu Rongguang entered, he smelled urine.
“Liuzi, what happened?”
The brother called Liuzi had been interrogating Wang Po.
“Nothing, she got scared and peed herself.”
Wu Rongguang snorted coldly: “So easily scared?”
“Did she confess everything?”
Liuzi nodded: “She’s responsible for this section of Cross Street, keeping track of the money the little beggars collect.
From time to time, someone comes to retrieve it.
Normally, she just watches the beggars don’t run away. She doesn’t do anything else.”
Wu Rongguang: “Who takes the money?”
Liuzi: “Someone called Tao Gu.”
“Right, the reason she targeted Su Manman today was Tao Gu’s instructions.”
Wu Rongguang: “Who is this Tao Gu? Where does she live?”
Liuzi shook his head: “Every time Tao Gu contacts Wang Po, Wang Po doesn’t know where she lives.
And by code of the underworld, you’re not allowed to pry into others’ affairs—if found out, it would be very bad for them.”
Hearing that Wang Po didn’t know, Wu Rongguang stepped forward without hesitation.
Crack! Wang Po’s right ankle was broken under his foot. She screamed in pain.
“Please, spare me, sir…”
Wu Rongguang sneered: “If you don’t talk, the next one to break will be your left foot.”
Seeing Wu Rongguang’s poisonous gaze, Wang Po didn’t dare take chances.
“I-I’ll tell, I really don’t know where Tao Gu lives.
Once, I secretly followed her and saw her enter the Zhuo Mansion.”
“Zhuo Mansion?”
Wang Po nodded: “One of Qingzhou’s four richest merchant families—the Zhuo family.”
Hearing that it might involve the Zhuo family, Wu Rongguang’s expression grew more serious.
“The rest I really don’t know.
I also dare not pry; if I were discovered, they would kill me.”
“Please, sir, spare me…”
..
“Boss…” Wu Rongguang pushed the door open to report, but Gu Tianye interrupted.
“Perfect timing. Zhuo Haonan invited us; come with me.”
Wu Rongguang was surprised. He was about to report Tao Gu, and now the Zhuo family sends an invitation?
They were on a secret mission—how would Zhuo Haonan know?
As if to remove her doubts, Gu Tianye explained:
“Han Da Ren told him.”
Wu Rongguang’s expression stiffened. By rules, secret missions like theirs must not be disclosed.
But Han Da Ren was their superior, and revealing it left them no choice but to comply.
Wu Rongguang then informed Gu Tianye about Tao Gu.
Gu Tianye hadn’t expected it—he just learned that Su Manman had conflicts on her way to Qingzhou with a servant of the Zhuo family named Tao Gu, nearly getting thrown out.
Now it turns out Wang Po had targeted Su Manman on Tao Gu’s orders.
“Boss, if Tao Gu really belongs to the Zhuo family, do we go to the mansion to grab her?”
Gu Tianye nodded without hesitation: “Of course. No one can dictate Black Armored Unit operations.”
Zhuo Mansion, reception hall.
Zhuo Haonan sat at the head of the table, around forty, slim, looking refined and elegant.
After checking the menu brought by the steward:
“Hm, prepare it as listed.
Also bring out my treasured imperial wine; we’ll use it for the banquet today.”
This “imperial wine” had been gifted by the emperor.
The Zhuo family was wealthy and contributed generously every year.
The emperor gave a box of wine to show imperial favor.
Normally, Zhuo Haonan wouldn’t open it, only for particularly important guests.
“Today, entertain the distinguished guests; make them energetic.
If they’re pleased, reward them richly.”
The steward naturally complied and left.
“Sir, who are these people that you value so highly?” Zhuo Haonan’s wife, Madam Han, asked with a smile.
Zhuo Haonan respected his wife.
“You’ve probably heard of my eldest brother’s subordinate, Gu Tianye, the commander.”
Hearing the name, Madam Han’s smile faded. A small fourth-rank military officer?
Just a subordinate of her eldest brother—not much of an honored guest.
She felt a little uncomfortable seeing Zhuo Haonan treat Gu Tianye with more ceremony than her own brother.
“Darling, Gu Tianye is your eldest brother’s subordinate.
If you need anything discussed, he’ll respond out of respect for your brother.”
Meaning: “Since my elder brother is involved, why try to flatter a subordinate? It’s beneath you.”
As expected of a merchant family—no foresight at all.