Chapter 148 – The Right Way to Increase Favor (Part Six)
Once the chaotic times set in, the Meng Clan was just a mere highborn family. Though they possessed a military force, it was limited. With no promising descendants to take charge, their military strength barely shielded them from surviving in this chaotic world; how could they possibly deal with her?
Dream on!
Qi Guanrang snapped back to reality from his initial shock, steadying his breath.
He was already mentally prepared for thunderous news.
“What else do you want to say? With your audacious personality, I suspect this is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Jiang Pengji shyly smiled, sending a chill down Qi Guanrang’s spine as he heard her say, “My family’s accountant gave me an idea.”
“What idea?”
Qi Guanrang pressed, and Jiang Pengji succinctly outlined Xu Ke’s plan.
“That’s certainly a bold idea with a workable logic, but the troubling part is, where will we get the initial batch of grain from?” Jiang Pengji suddenly brightened her smile, “Just as I was fretting, that Meng Liang bumped into me. If I don’t take advantage of it, wouldn’t that be a waste?”
At this point, Jiang Pengji left Xu Ke baffled, unsure of her next move, but Qi Guanrang saw everything clearly.
And precisely because he had such clarity, he found himself dumbfounded by Jiang Pengji’s audacious creativity.
“You mean to tell me you want to exchange Meng Liang for a large stockpile of grain from the Meng Clan, have that officer kill Meng Liang to vent frustrations, publicly claim that the officer has been subdued by you, secretly use Meng Liang’s life as a bargaining chip to win favor with the officer, and besides, let him bear the wrath of the Meng Clan?”
How could anyone have such thick skin!?
She’s taking all the benefits while acting as if she’s the one losing out.
“Ah, you missed a point! If the officer ‘dies’ at my hands, I can also ask the Meng Clan for a little reward afterwards.”
Qi Guanrang: “…”
And that’s not all! She could also use the grain she got from the Meng Clan to pull a fast one on those wealthy clans and influential families.
From start to finish, she didn’t invest a single coin, yet could rake in a huge profit.
Confused, Qi Guanrang asked the critical question.
“But why would you tell me such an important matter?”
Jiang Pengji replied, “Mr. Wei is looking to marry, yet with no assets to his name, which gifts should you cut down?”
Upon hearing this, Qi Guanrang fell silent.
After a while, he said, “Lan Ting wants to use these to win people’s hearts?”
Was he so cheap?
Telling him this, meant to cozy up, but in reality, it would drag him down too.
If it failed, they’d all plunge together, and if it succeeded, he’d only gain a mere sliver.
No matter how he thought about it… it felt like a loss.
Jiang Pengji patted his shoulder, but alas, she was short; the best she could do was pat his arm.
“Value isn’t in the grandiosity, but in the thoughtfulness.”
Thoughtfulness that takes lives?
Qi Guanrang couldn’t help but chuckle internally, yet he surprisingly felt no aversion.
It must be said, Liu Xi—Liu Lanting’s temperament was simply to his taste! They clicked remarkably well!
Xu Ke, having caught wind of Jiang Pengji’s arrival news, rushed over, just in time to see his Young Master sitting across from a somewhat cold-looking young man. The former was all smiles, while the latter, albeit still looking aloof, wore a slightly softened expression with fiery, piercing eyes.
“Xu Ke greets the Young Master.”
Xu Ke cupped his hands in greeting, yet discreetly scrutinized Qi Guanrang, a flicker of intrigue flashing in his eyes.
Qi Guanrang noticed the thick white bandage covering Xu Ke’s face, concealing the tattoos, and slightly furrowed his brows without speaking.
“This is my accountant Xu Ke, Xu Xiaoyu; temporarily leave the bandit affairs to him.”
Upon hearing Xu Ke’s name, Qi Guanrang’s previously relaxed demeanor tightened.
He wasn’t oblivious; the plan Jiang Pengji mentioned earlier came from this Xu Ke.
“He’s got guts,” Qi Guanrang remarked, awkwardly curling his lips, suddenly more intrigued by Xu Ke.
It was an instinct, as if he sensed a kindred spirit. Even though Xu Ke was different from him, they resonated on a similar wavelength.
Compared to straightforward strategies, both Qi Guanrang and Xu Ke excelled in duplicitous and crafty plots; their energies coalesced naturally.
“This is… my future brother-in-law…” Jiang Pengji, undeterred by Qi Guanrang’s sinister gaze, fearlessly downgraded their relations. I mean, starting from Mr. Wei, Qi Guanrang’s generational ranking was already low; “He’s quite an interesting person.”
Xu Ke took the chance while cupping his hands to roll his eyes.
Whenever his Young Master claimed someone was interesting, he’d know that person was likely ruthless.
Like attracts like; the companions his Young Master could draw in surely weren’t anything virtuous.
Jiang Pengji showed no hesitation towards Qi Guanrang, asking Xu Ke, “Did that bunch come by last night?”
Xu Ke shot a wary glance at Qi Guanrang, who seemed unfazed.
“They dropped by around midnight.”
Jiang Pengji’s smile brightened even more, “Did they take everything?”
Xu Ke nodded, “Yeah, they took it all.”
Qi Guanrang silently listened as this black-hearted master and servant chatted, secretly sweating for the supposedly kind and honest officer he had heard about.
“I’ll go change into some attire, Xu Xiaoyu can entertain Mr. Wei for me.” Jiang Pengji stood up to switch into a practical outfit suitable for movement. The layers of her current attire, despite being flashy and ornate, still left the chilly airflow unimpeded.
With Jiang Pengji gone, Qi Guanrang finally examined Xu Ke openly. The latter showed no signs of shyness, and their gazes clashed.
In a flash, Jiang Pengji returned after a quick change into practical trousers: “…”
Though men’s fashion was in vogue, the intense gaze they exchanged was something that made her, the mutual friend, really uncomfortable.
“Ahem ahem ahem—”
An awkwardly fake cough shattered the tense standoff.
This was Qi Guanrang’s first time seeing Jiang Pengji in practical attire. He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, “Why did you change into this?”
Although practical, during this current trend, such clothing was something only commoners or those from poorer families wore.
Someone like Jiang Pengji, from a noble family, wouldn’t even dare touch them, let alone wear them. Not to mention etiquette, wear such clothes, and she could expect criticism from the old-school scholars who might accuse her of being uncivilized.
“Aren’t clothes made for wearing? As long as they’re comfortable, they hold value. What’s the point of having a magnificent appearance if it hampers movement? Might as well hang it on a rack for display instead of making oneself uncomfortable,” Jiang Pengji retorted nonchalantly, “Besides, Mr. Wei isn’t some uptight person. Do you think he would get angry and leave simply because I’m wearing practical attire?”
Qi Guanrang was caught off guard by her sharp reply. He felt an urge to quip back; how could someone be so adept at twisting logic?
