Chapter 31: Negotiations 1 (1/2)

Chapter 31: Negotiations(1)

Su Chen returned to the Su Residence and directly headed back to the Dustsift Courtyard. When he arrived at the entrance, Jianxin walked towards him and said, “Young Master, really! You went out without me and left me at the courtyard. I don’t know whether or not I am your personal servant or your Dustsift Courtyard’s broomboy.”

Su Chen responded with a smile, “I was making my last trip to the True Jade Pavilion. What would be the point of bringing you along? As for you, you aren’t my broomboy, you’re my official head steward.”

Jianxin chucked, “Many thanks for Young Master’s generous words. Today, Young Master showed off his divine might and can now be considered to be notorious, even bringing my Dustsift Courtyard to the forefront once more. Today when the Jing Brothers saw me, they were quite courteous.”

“Ah, so that’s why your words were so cheerful.” Su Chen smiled and walked further inside.

Jianxin closely followed behind him, “However, it is quite strange. How did Young Master know that guy Su Yue had messed with your carriage?”

Su Chen stopped walking and spoke with a profound tone, “Hm? Planning on feeling around for your Young Master’s secrets?”

Jianxin touched the back of his head with a silly smile, “I was only curious.”

“Alright, then I’ll tell you. I naturally couldn’t see Su Yue mess with my carriage. However, there were others who saw and secretly warned me, and thus, I found out.”

“Someone had warned you? Was it Mingshu?”

Su Chen replied, “At the time, Mingshu had gone to call for Zhou Hong. He wasn’t there when Su Yue sabotaged my my carriage, so he couldn’t have warned me. I’ll tell you the truth – it was one of Su Yue’s men.”

“What?” Jianxin was completely shocked.

Among Su Ye’s men, who would act on Su Chen’s behalf?

As if Su Chen became aware he had revealed a secret, he continued, whispering, “That’s all you need to know this. Don’t ask any more questions.”

“I understand, Young Master.” Although he felt unresigned, Jianxin couldn’t do anything about it. He could only say, “Does Young Master have any instructions?”

At this moment, Su Chen said, “There are no further orders. I will be taking my leave first. I wish to rest by myself for a moment.”

Su Chen waved his hand to dismiss Jianxin and had already entered his room.

Just as he entered the room, Su Chen suddenly stopped.

A moment later, he turned his head and shouted, “Jianxin!”

“Young Master, what’s the matter?” Jianxin turned his gaze.

“Go and draw some hot water for me. And make sure to use the second style basin as well.”

“Yes.” Jianxin gave Su Chen a baffled glance but he still agreed.

Su Chen didn’t enter his room and waited outside instead.

A short moment later, Jianxin was carrying a basin full of water. As the basin was made of ancient copper, it held quite a bit of weight and was hard for Jianxin to carry alone.

When the copper basin was placed on the stand, Su Chen didn’t have Jianxin wait on him and sent him to look after his mother. Then he entered the room by himself.

First, he opened the window halfway before fumbling around with the basin of water. After grabbing the copper basin, he allowed the steam to warm his face before speaking in a relaxed manner, “If you aren’t going to make a move now, let’s have a chat.”

There was no response.

Su Chen smiled. He carried the copper basin in his hands and turned his body. Great amounts of steam from the rising from the basin’s hot water enveloped Su Chen in a layer of dense mist. He was holding onto the copper basic as if were a shield and tilted it forward as if he were about to throw the water.

Although it was a simple stance, his defensive position was at its peak.

Su Chen continued speaking, “You must be quite the expert since you’re capable of entering the Su Clan without detection. However, you haven’t taken action the entire time that I’ve been here. I am certain that you haven’t taken action yet because it was likely that I would’ve put up a final struggle and alerted the Su Clan. As a result, you wished to find an opportunity to finish me a single move, is that correct? Unfortunately, I’ve already prepared myself, and such an opportunity will not be given to you. Stop concealing yourself. Let’s talk, the friend beside the bed.”

That final sentence completely shattered the mental fortitude of the person who had hidden themselves.

A hoarse voice spoke, “I believed my concealment skills to be quite capable. How did you discover me?”