Chapter 6: On the Verge of Rapid Success

"Money taken from Jinhua Pavilion is all illicit. If you take that money and use it to buy worthless antiques from the Pavilion, and then I use various pretexts to record those funds as expenses, the money will be laundered clean. Don't you see?" Li Baofu whispered.

Liang Shucheng savored Li Baofu's words carefully.

The Liang family were merely pawns for the powerful clans of Liangzhou. This money only passed through their hands; very little of it ever remained with them. Since the amounts were insignificant, whether the money was clean or not didn't really matter to the Liang family.

Li Baofu continued, "Young Master Liang, you can use this method to help those high-ranking officials and nobles wash their dirty money, and then charge a commission. Wouldn't you make a fortune?"

Upon hearing this, Liang Shucheng's eyes lit up.

The vast majority of the money fell into the pockets of others, and those people dared not spend such illicit funds recklessly. If Liang Shucheng could use this method to help those big shots clean their money, they would certainly be willing to pay a commission.

"A brilliant plan."

"Young Master Liang, you must act quickly. Time waits for no one. Once Xu Shuangyi officially takes over Jinhua Pavilion, there will be nothing I can do."

"Very well, you may go."

After Li Baofu left through the back gate, he was drenched in cold sweat. Fortunately, the back courtyard was dim; otherwise, his guilty expression would never have escaped Liang Shucheng's notice. As for Liang Shucheng, he had already begun dreaming his grand, ambitious dreams of sudden wealth.

At this moment, inside the Su residence.

Su Hanwei had just returned from a night out with Liang Shucheng. It had cost her some money, but it was worth it to see the worry vanish from her "Brother Shucheng's" brow. The mere thought of how Xu Mu had suddenly changed his attitude made her feel incredibly uneasy. And that lowly woman who had slapped her in public today—how dare she? She truly had a death wish! Only by keeping Brother Shucheng in her heart could she find any meaning in her life.

Passing through the main hall, a stern old man blocked her path. The old man was Su Tong, the Prefect of Liangzhou, a fourth-rank official.

"I saw Mu'er not long ago. He said your mother-in-law is very ill. It's the middle of the night; why have you come back instead of staying home to take good care of her?"

Thinking of the fact that she had already divorced Xu Mu, Su Hanwei’s eyes darted away, her face full of guilt.

"Did you forget the supplements I gave you for your mother-in-law?" Su Tong asked, his tone somewhat stern.

Su Hanwei did not know how to answer.

"You have been married for three years, yet you still lack the demeanor of a wife. I bought two ginseng roots and a portion of bird's nest today. Take them home to your mother-in-law tomorrow, and remember to boil a bowl of bird's nest for her yourself."

Thinking of that long-suffering mother and son, Xu Mu's family, Su Tong felt a sense of pity. Every time he met Xu Mu's mother, she always spoke well of Su Hanwei. Yet, he had watched Su Hanwei grow up; he knew her character perfectly well. That woman was truly a rare treasure in this world, though it was a pity she was born with such a sickly constitution; she was not destined for a long life. Lost in these thoughts, Su Tong failed to notice how guilty Su Hanwei looked.

"By the way, tomorrow I will accompany you to the Xu residence to pay a visit to Miss Xu. Make sure to mind your manners and speak sweetly. If you can earn her favor, it will open another path for your future. It's getting late, go and rest."

Su Tong walked away with his hands behind his back, his gait slightly unsteady.

Su Hanwei suddenly felt a pang of guilt for disregarding her grandfather's earnest teachings. But as soon as she thought of that good-for-nothing Xu Mu, who had found some slut from a brothel to strike her, her remorse vanished instantly. She even felt that her grandfather must have been blind to have chosen Xu Mu for her back then. Otherwise, with her beauty and the status of being the granddaughter of the Prefect of Liangzhou, she could have easily married into the family of a regional inspector or an assistant governor.

Early the next morning, Su Tong, who had intended to visit the Xu residence, was called away by urgent business. He told Su Hanwei to go home first to deliver the supplements to her mother-in-law, and then proceed to the Xu residence to pay her respects. He repeated his instructions over and over, telling her she must speak well and win Miss Xu's favor.

Carrying the expensive supplements, Su Hanwei thought of that sickly woman and felt that giving them to her was a waste, like feeding ginseng to a dog. Consequently, she carried the supplements to the Liang residence instead.

Seeing her beloved, all her troubles evaporated, and a sense of peace washed over her.

"Brother Shucheng, look what I brought for you! Two ginseng roots and a portion of bird's nest. You haven't been feeling well these past two days, and after being punched by that coward Xu Mu, you really need to build up your strength."

Liang Shucheng suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Su Hanwei's hands, his eyes filled with profound emotion.

Su Hanwei's face flushed red. She wanted to pull her hands away, but let Liang Shucheng hold them instead. Through his warm hands, she could feel the overflowing love he had for her.

"Hanwei, in a few days, I will go and propose marriage to your grandfather!" Liang Shucheng said excitedly.

"Ah?"

Upon hearing this, Su Hanwei was both surprised and moved, her gaze lingering on him. "But, but..."

"There are no 'buts.' Your grandfather didn't realize how capable I am, but I will soon show him that I, Liang Shucheng, am worthy of you. When that time comes, I will buy you anything you want. I will give you more money than you could spend in a lifetime."

"Brother Shucheng, actually, I’m not with you for your money. Whether you are rich or poor, you will always be my dearest Brother Shucheng!"

Liang Shucheng pulled her into his arms.

"But I can't stand us being together in secret. I want to propose to your grandfather openly and honorably. I will even find someone of noble status to act as a matchmaker, so your grandfather will have no reason to look down on me."

"I am content just knowing you have this intention. I only wish to be with you for the rest of my life."

After being intimate for a while, Su Hanwei left, though she was clearly reluctant. She had no intention of going home; she had already divorced Xu Mu, and that was no longer her home. However, she dared not disobey what her grandfather had entrusted to her. She wondered who this Miss Xu was, for her grandfather to insist on taking her to visit in person.

When Su Hanwei arrived at the gates of the Xu residence, she saw white funeral banners hung outside. Servants were rushing in and out, busy preparing for a funeral. The entire residence was solemn and grave.

"My grandfather told me to visit the Xu residence, but they are holding a funeral. How unlucky!"

Su Hanwei muttered to herself, but she soon noticed that quite a few people were waiting outside the gate, including some big shots of even higher rank than her grandfather. And their attitudes were one more respectful than the next.

Just who was this Miss Xu? How could she attract so many important figures to visit at the same time?

Just as Su Hanwei was lost in surprise, a familiar figure appeared beside her.

"Xu Mu?"