Chapter 153
Translator: NovelMultiverse | Editor: NovelMultiverse
In the early morning, Yu Linglong had just had breakfast, and a maid came to report that the butler at the accountant had sent news that the mountain Yu Linglong had ordered them to buy had been bought .
Hearing this news, Yu Linglong was very interested . She wanted to see if these accountants would really buy her a poor mountain and a place with bad water according to her instructions .
Yu Linglong ordered someone to bring in the butler who bought the mountain and planned to ask him in person .
The butler rarely came to the inner courtyard, and even after entering the room, he didn’t even dare to lift his head, but bowed deeply, raised the t.i.tle deed in his hand above his head, and dared not say a word .
Ling’er took the t.i.tle deed and offered it to Yu Linglong . Yu Linglong glanced at it, and only saw that it was a mountain and woodland of more than 500 acres, then put down the t.i.tle deed and looked at the butler .
“Tell me about the situation in this field . ”
The butler was in a panic, fearing that the purchase might not be in line with the princess’s wishes, so he hurriedly said, “This mountain is in the north of the city, twenty miles away from the capital . There are nine hills, large and small, and there are only two sources of water, and there are only a few mountain springs, and no streams or rivers . There are gra.s.s and trees on these two hills, but they are very spa.r.s.ely distributed . The other seven hills are stone hills with no gra.s.s…”
The butler’s voice was getting lower and lower . He had been in charge for so many years and he had never bought such a low-quality mountain forest . Although he bought it according to the princess’s order, his heart felt really guilty .
But Yu Linglong listened very seriously, and nodded while listening, obviously satisfied: “How much money did you spend in total?”
The manager wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and said, “It took a total of six hundred taels . ”
This silver was certainly not a problem for the Xu Palace . The problem was that such inferior properties were really not easy to buy . He also tried his best to find out that there were such places for sale .
Yu Linglong nodded: “You have done a good job . Leave the t.i.tle deed here . Go back to the accountant and get ten taels of silver . ”
He didn’t believe his ears one bit . After buying such a bad place, he still got a reward?
After a moment of shock, he came back to his senses, knelt down, and thanked her for the reward, and withdrew with suspicion .
Yu Linglong looked down at the land deed in her hand, and suddenly turned around and asked: “Ling’er, how are the people I asked you to buy last time?”
Ling’er put down the kettle in her hand and said: “Mama Liu and I went to several places and bought a group of people . ”
“How many?”
“There are sixty or seventy,” Ling’er added hurriedly, “They were all bought in accordance with the requirements of the princess . ”
As Ling’er spoke, she secretly looked at Yu Linglong’s face, as if she was afraid of being blamed .
Yu Linglong looked at her expression, and after a little thought, she knew the reason . Ling’er must have bought all the children who met the requirements when she saw that the slaves were pitiful . Now she came back, and she was afraid that Yu Linglong would complain, so she was cautious .
Pretending to not see Ling’er’s anxiety, Yu Linglong smiled faintly, and said: “Well, if they meet the conditions in the future, you can just buy as many as you want . ”
Seeing that Yu Linglong did not blame her, Ling’er was greatly relieved: “Yes, Princess . ”
Ling’er thought for a while, but couldn’t help asking: “Princess, you want to buy so many slaves . What are you going to do?”
If it was just to open the mountain, then there was no need to buy as many . Besides, as the butler just said, this mountain was almost a stone mountain . It had been barren for a long time . If she bought so many people to send to the mountain, there was not so much work to be done!
Yu Linglong was silent for a moment and said, “I want to teach them martial arts . ”
“Martial arts?” Linger’s eyes widened in surprise, “Princess, are you trying to…”
She seemed to have noticed her mistake . Ling’er hurriedly covered her mouth, but her eyes were still wide open, obviously very surprised .
The princess had changed a lot since she married into the Xu Palace . Her smile had changed a lot, and she had become more kind to her servants . As a maid, she was of course happy to see the princess in a better mood, but she didn’t understand what the princess was doing recently .
Buying mountains, buying slaves, these things were normal, but teaching slaves martial arts, and accepting the Dragon Tiger Gang, she really didn’t understand these .
The princess was just a lady in the house, who had no worries about food and clothes, so what would she do?
Ling’er certainly couldn’t understand Yu Linglong’s approach . In her opinion, Yu Linglong had become the n.o.ble Princess Xu . She should dress every day like other n.o.ble women, go to banquets, drink tea, and listen to plays . But Yu Linglong didn’t think so . With her personality, doing these things was so boring that she didn’t even bother to do them .
In addition to the current situation, Ling’er couldn’t understand it, but she was insightful . Although the prince did not move these days, she would never let Lord Xu go . As the wife of Lord Xu, she naturally wanted to help her husband .
Buying forests and cultivating manpower were all preparations for the future .
She didn’t want to explain these things to Ling’er but just ordered her plan to be carried out .
“Mama Liu, go to the mansion to find a few rough women who can cook to go to the mountains to work . Ask them who would like to go . The monthly payment is ten times that of the mansion . ”
The mountain environment in the northern suburbs was harsh, and it was far from the capital, so no one was willing to live there . Yu Linglong had increased their monthly payment, which can be regarded as a kind of compensation .
Yu Linglong was telling Mama Liu about hiring a mason to build a house on the mountain . Ling’er, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly knelt down .
“I want to ask the princess for one thing . ”
Yu Linglong was a little surprised . She knew Ling’er’s temperament, perhaps because of her origin . Although she was just a slave, she had always been a bit arrogant and stubborn . She had been with her for nearly a year, and Ling’er had never been so serious about asking Yu Linglong to save her brother .
With her eyebrows furrowed, Yu Linglong said, “Get up and then talk . ”
Ling’er shook his head, with a rare insistence on his face: “Princess, I beg you to agree, let me go to the mountain to practice martial arts . ”
Yu Linglong was very surprised: “You want to go to the mountain?”
Ling’er nodded firmly: “Yes, I will also go up the mountain . ”
Yu Linglong looked at Ling’er deeply: “You just heard it all . The conditions on the mountain are very difficult . ”
Although Ling’er’s ident.i.ty was a maid, she was Yu Linglong’s personal maid . In this Palace of the Xu Dynasty, she already had a very high status . Although she usually served Yu Linglong, she also had a small maid to serve Ling’er when she was out of the room . But this comfortable life was not enough for Ling’er, and she wanted to go to the mountain to endure hardship?
Ling’er bowed to Yu Linglong and her little face was full of seriousness: “Princess, I am not very capable and can’t protect the princess . The princess was in danger several times, and I am really ashamed…”
Her voice gradually choked up, but she held the tears in her eyes and refused to let the tears flow down: “I beg you to give me a year . I must work hard and learn martial arts to protect you . ”
The last time Yu Linglong was kidnapped by Feng Xuanyuan, she was knocked out without even having a chance to make a move . When she was on the snowy mountain during the spring hunt, she tried her best to escape, but she had already lost Yu Linglong’s position; and when they were surrounded by officers and soldiers from Yu Weiwu, she even needed Yu Linglong’s action to save her life .
She was the maid of the princess, but she still needed the princess to help her . In the most dangerous times, not only could she not protect the princess, but she also hurt the princess . The thought of this made her heartbroken .
She had suffered family breakages and deaths . She even left her brother, but she still watched him being taken away and sold by others . She didn’t want to be so weak, so useless, that even her own destiny was beyond her grasp, let alone protecting the people she wanted to protect .
Now, what Yu Linglong had to do gave her a glimmer of hope . She knew the skills of the princess and the prince . If they wanted to teach slaves martial arts, then the martial artist invited must be someone with high martial skills . If she was able to learn martial arts, she would not be vulnerable when she protected the princess in the future, so she thought about it for a while, and then made up her mind .
Yu Linglong was shocked when she heard Ling’er’s words . She didn’t expect Ling’er to learn martial arts to protect her .
For a long time, she only regarded Ling’er as a neat little maid, and she was used to protecting herself . But this time, she didn’t expect that Ling’er was no longer a little girl, and in her heart, she had already regarded Yu Linglong as the person she wanted to protect to the death .
It was just that Ling’er had been with her for so long, and she suddenly asked to leave . She was really reluctant to leave her and reluctant to go to the mountains to endure hardship .
Seeing the appearance of the master and servant looking at each other silently, Mama Liu sighed and persuaded: “Princess, since Ling’er has such a heart, it’s better for the Princess…to fulfill her wish . ”
Ling’er still knelt on the ground, looking like she wouldn’t get up if Yu Linglong didn’t agree .
Yu Linglong stared at Ling’er for a long time before nodding slowly: “Okay, you can go . ”
Needless to say, she understood Ling’er’s intentions and her persistence . One year was not a long time . It may not be a bad thing for Ling’er to experience it .
Ling’er said softly: “Thank you, princess . ” Then she stood up .
Yu Linglong said, “Get ready to go out with me tomorrow . ”
Ling’er was leaving temporarily, which also reminded her that she should go and see some things .
…
Knowing that Blue and White Tiger didn’t run an honest business, Yu Linglong was mentally prepared before coming, but when she saw the business of the Dragon Tiger Gang, she still suffered a lot of psychological shocks .
The sun in late spring was drowsy, and even the soft wind was warm . The trees on both sides of the street had become a bit lush, all kinds of flowers were blooming in Baihua Lane, and spring was everywhere .
Although it was not yet summer, the brothel girls in Baihua Lane have long been eager to put on summer clothes . The streets were full of colorful and bright clothes, covering their white skin, and paired with that whimsical laughter, the way they embraced guests, and their unbridled laughter made the alleys that were not s.p.a.cious become very lively .
Ling’er had never seen such a scene . She bowed her head deeply from the moment she entered the alley, and she didn’t even dare to look at them .
She originally thought that the princess and her had changed men’s clothing so it would be more convenient to go out, but who knew that at the moment those brothel women saw them both wearing men’s clothing, young and handsome, all of them rushed up like flies to blood as if they could not wait to bring them into their buildings . They went to work immediately .
“Oh, my little brother was born so handsome, do you want me to keep you company?”
“The two masters should come to us, my house is notoriously good, and I promise to make you two comfortable!”
Even the girls upstairs heard the commotion and came out, stood in front of the window, leaned forward, and shook their handkerchiefs desperately at them: “You two should come up soon, I want you two dearly!”
Yu Linglong could still remain calm, but Linger’s face turned red when she heard her, and she followed Yu Linglong closely, fearing that the women’s army would be too fierce, so she directly rushed the princess .
As she was walking, there was a puff from the top of her head . It turned out that a brave girl dropped a fan and hit Ling’er on the head in an attempt to attract their attention .
Ling’er couldn’t bear it . With a hard hand, she pulled the fragrant fan to pieces, and rushed up to the building, and shouted, “Go away!”
When she raised her head, her little red face looked right at her . Ling’er’s words not only did not have a deterrent effect but instead caused a laugh .
“Oh, you’re blushing, are you still a baby?”
“This red one is even more handsome . Little brother, come here, I promise you will want to try it once if you taste it once!”
“Such a handsome little man, I can’t bear to fight! Come up quickly, I love you very much!”
The seductive voice was joking, and the words were blatantly spoken . How was Ling’er a match for these women? She suddenly blushed, and couldn’t speak .
At this moment, a rough voice sounded in the alley, which seemed out of place amidst the chuckles of tenderness .
“Are you full and have nothing to do? How dare you provoke our Master Ling, don’t you want to live anymore!?”
A tall man was standing in the center of the street, roaring loudly . He was shirtless and his muscles were tight, making the large tattoo very hideous .
Ling’er finally breathed a sigh of relief . For the first time, she was so grateful for Blue and White Tiger’s timely appearance . She hurried forward and shouted in a grateful tone: “Brother Gao . ”
Blue and White Tiger was flattered, and quickly whispered: “Don’t, you should still call me my nickname, how can I be worthy of the name ‘big brother?’”
After speaking, Blue and White Tiger took a few steps forward and respectfully bowed to Yu Linglong .
In front of so many people, Blue and White Tiger didn’t dare to call her Princess Yu Linglong . He thought for a moment and said, “Boss, please come in . ”
Yu Linglong nodded to him, acquiescing to this t.i.tle . It seemed that this Blue and White Tiger was still learning . He understood things clearly and reacted quickly . This boss not only concealed her ident.i.ty as a woman but also expressed self-respect .
Looking away from Blue and White Tiger, Yu Linglong looked at the sign behind him, feeling a little speechless .
In front of her was a small three-story building . It seemed that it was a brothel before it was renovated after being taken over by Blue and White Tiger . Now the smell of rouge had been swept away . The door was wide open, and a piece of grey cloth curtain hung over the door, shaking from time to time with the wind . There was a very magnificent red sandalwood sign at the door, with the four big golden characters written on it—Ruyi Gambling House .
Although it was not night yet, the gambling house was very noisy, and the sound of rolling dice and throwing Pai Gow continued one after another . It could be seen that the business here was very good .
Blue and White Tiger led Yu Linglong and Ling’er into the door . It was really lively inside . Almost all the game tables were crowded with people, and all of them rolled their sleeves up, and they seemed very excited .
Yu Linglong and the others went up to the third floor . It was relatively quiet there . Blue and White Tiger asked someone to make tea and poured it to Yu Linglong himself: “Boss, take your time . ”
Yu Linglong put down the teacup and slowly said, “Why open a gambling shop?”
She used the silver to do business for Blue and White Tiger, but she didn’t ask him to open a gambling shop . Yu Linglong was not worried that the gambling shop was illegal—he had never done anything illegal in her previous life—but this did not mean that the first business she was willing to open herself was a gambling shop .
After all, this kind of place was a mixture of good people and sc.u.mbags, and n.o.body could resist it .
Blue and White Tiger scratched his head embarra.s.sedly and explained: “This…Boss, you know me . I have done business here, and I am familiar with this kind of place…”
While talking, he sneaked a glance at Yu Linglong’s face, as if he was afraid of her ridicule . Seeing Yu Linglong’s calmness, he continued, “I wondered, we couldn’t do anything else . We will pay the boss again if we make nothing . But it would be better to open a gambling shop . The brothers only have these two brute strengths .
Yu Linglong nodded and asked, “Why did you open it here?”
Just now, Ling’er was greatly “molested” by the women in the brothel . Although Yu Linglong remained silent, she was still a little uncomfortable . Why did they choose Baihua Lane to open a gambling shop?
She guessed some of the reasons, but she still had to listen to Blue and White Tiger’s thoughts .
Blue and White Tiger quickly said: “I think there are many people who come and go in this place, and they are all masters with money, nothing else . Money and s.e.x cannot be separated, I think . Most people that come to this kind of place also like to play a few hands, so I chose this place . ”
Yu Linglong didn’t speak, but her face showed tacit approval, and Blue and White Tiger finally breathed a sigh of relief .
He continued: “The boss asked us to continue to recruit people . These days, we have a lot of brothers in the Dragon Tiger gang . Some of them are good . They stay in the gambling house to train, and the rest are still following the previous brothers in the old business . ”
They all thought that money was good . Blue and White Tiger finally had a comfortable life this time, with silver in his hand, and a storefront, and had a lot of younger brothers underneath him . He finally found a little bit of the feeling of being a big brother .
Of course, he hadn’t forgotten that all of this was bestowed by Yu Linglong, so he was sitting in the Ruyi Gambling House every day, just holding his breath and waiting for results .
Blue and White Tiger didn’t say it straight, but Yu Linglong also understood that their so-called old business was nothing more than occupying a site and collecting protection fees, and working with fists was enough .
Yu Linglong thought for a while, and said, “Have you used up the silver that I gave you last time?”
She didn’t give much money to Blue and White Tiger last time . First, she didn’t fully understand who Blue and White Tiger was . Second, she wanted to test his ability . Now it seemed that renting an entire building in Baihua Lane will cost a lot of rent, plus opening a gambling house with younger brothers, there should be very little money left over from the last time .
Blue and White Tiger smiled and said: “There are still seven or eight hundred taels . It’s enough for a while, not to mention that there are also daily profits in the gambling house now . Boss, don’t worry about it . ”
This was a bit unexpected for Yu Linglong . She originally thought that someone like Blue and White Tiger would not have much money left . She didn’t expect this strong man would be able to live a good life .
In this way, Yu Linglong was more relieved . She looked at Ling’er, and Ling’er drew a few silver bills from her cuffs and handed them to Blue and White Tiger .
Seeing the number of silver bills in her hand, Blue and White Tiger was almost speechless . The boss was too generous . This time, she gave him ten times more money than last time .
With such a large sum of silver, Ling’er just pulled it out of her cuff so casually, as if it were just a few pieces of waste paper .
Yu Linglong ignored his shocked expression and said, “You are doing a good job . With this money, I want you to continue to open shops . You can open a few more gambling houses or a brothel, but you should also do some serious business . The brothers of the Dragon and Tiger Gang are people from decent family backgrounds . If there are people who know how to do it, let them do it . If no one understands, then buy ready-made shops and staff . Remember, grain shops, cloth shops, restaurants, and p.a.w.nshops must be opened, and if the money is not enough, just come to me to get some more . ”
After these words were said, Blue and White Tiger and Ling’er were both stunned, and they couldn’t even move .
Ling’er hardly believed her ears . The princess still had to open so many shops? There might even be brothels? Could it be the place where the beautiful women outside live? Oh my G.o.d, what is the princess doing?
Blue and White Tiger was shocked by the scene depicted in Yu Linglong’s calm tone . He used to be the boss of the Dragon and Tiger Gang . Although his name was good, he was almost like a small shrimp in the capital with hidden talent everywhere . After meeting Yu Linglong, he was able to become the owner of a gambling shop with hundreds of younger brothers . This was a dream come true for him, but now, Yu Linglong had allowed him to run so many shops?
Grain shops, cloth shops, restaurants, p.a.w.n shops, even brothels? When he thought that he would manage so many shops in the future, he almost felt as if he was going to the sky one step at a time . His lips trembled with excitement, and he couldn’t say anything .
Yu Linglong looked at the dumbfounded appearance of the two of them, and couldn’t help but smile, reaching out and knocking on the table: “Did you hear everything clearly?”
Ling’er and Blue and White Tiger came back to their senses . Ling’er pursed her lips but did not dare to refute Yu Linglong’s decision . Blue and White Tiger excitedly kneeled down: “Boss, I…I, I will definitely live up to you . You can trust me!”
Seeing Blue and White Tiger with incoherent excitement, Yu Linglong just smiled faintly, then took off the jade pendant on her waist and handed it to Blue and White Tiger .
“I have something to do with Ling’er and I have to go out for a while . If you want to contact me in the future, take this directly to the palace and ask someone to send me a message . ”
Taking the piece of jade pendant with a faint fragrance, Blue and White Tiger held it carefully with both hands . As if for fear of offending her, he said respectfully: “Yes, boss . ”
After giving another order to the Blue and White Tiger, Yu Linglong stood up and was about to leave, and Blue and White Tiger hurriedly followed behind .
The second floor was an elegant room, which is obviously for qualified gamblers, but the gamblers’ psychology was the more lively the better, so the doors of these rooms were not closed, and you could still hear the sounds from time to time .
Yu Linglong just walked to the top of the stairs and heard a proud voice: “Haha, I’m lucky today, little guy, watch me win it all!”
Yu Linglong looked up and saw that in the room at the corner of the stairs, the curtain was raised high, and the situation in the room was un.o.bstructed .
She saw the familiar figure at a glance, and a cold smile appeared at the corner of her mouth .
She finally ran into him again