The night wind brushed past, carrying a chill. Victor Fan rose to retire for the evening. After setting down the bamboo scroll in his hand, he walked to the window and gazed at the moonlight outside.
A gentle smile spread across his face.
"John Chou must have finally revealed what the Henderson Family has truly been up to!"
Victor Fan had watched John Chou grow up from a young age. When he discovered that the boy had been feigning ignorance and playing dumb even at such a young age, Victor was genuinely surprised. To have fooled him so thoroughly—looking back, the reason was simple: he’d always treated John Chou as just an ordinary child, never imagining that a child so young could possess such cunning.
This was all shaped, bit by bit, under the influence of Maggie Mute. Victor Fan knew her well—a remarkably intelligent woman.
Much of what John Chou had learned before came from her. Among politics, economics, and culture, John excelled most in economics. As for politics, he was still too inexperienced, and he seemed to have little interest in it. When it came to culture, John often dismissed it with a sneer, holding views quite different from those of the old scholars.
This was what pleased Victor Fan the most—John could absorb the best from others and discard all the dross.
John Chou wanted to audit the accounts to truly understand the Henderson Family’s business operations. The most critical aspect was scope; just by reviewing the accounts, he could see the extent of their commercial activities and the profits involved. Today, Victor had given him a casual hint, and John immediately caught on, leaving in high spirits.
"In a few years, I might have nothing left to teach John Chou."
Victor Fan smiled. Now, the only thing left he could teach John was politics. In the whirlpool of power, one must tread carefully—one wrong step and there’s no turning back. The Johnson Family was the best example: a single misplaced bet had led to their complete ruin.
Not long ago, Victor Fan had asked Zane Zhuang about some matters. After all, no matter what had happened, the Johnson Family had once helped him, and he hated to see them fall so far.
Today, Victor briefly discussed the Johnson Family’s problems with Zane Zhuang. Especially after hearing what John Chou had said, Victor was taken aback. He planned to visit the dilapidated courtyard where the Johnsons now lived first thing tomorrow. Only by going himself could anything be resolved—Zane Zhuang simply wasn’t able, and Victor had long known the Johnsons would never heed Zane’s advice.
Just then, the door to the room opened and his old servant rushed in, panic on his face. Victor Fan looked at him in confusion.
"What’s happened?"
The person who followed the old servant inside was rather young, about thirty, similar in age to Zane Zhuang.
"And you are...?"
"Master Tao Zhu, I serve under Master Yi."
As he spoke, the newcomer immediately produced a painted pottery shard. Victor Fan took it, and as he gazed at the fractured shard, he seemed to realize something—his expression instantly turned mournful.
The visitor then began to recount what had happened in Master Yi’s household.
After a long while, Victor Fan, trembling, placed the pottery shard on the table. The fact that Isabelle Frost was still missing deeply worried him. He had promised Maggie Mute that he’d find a good place for the girl—yet in just six short years...
But what pained Victor Fan most now was that Master Yi, who had long since stopped working as a spy, suddenly returned to his old trade—and was exposed, bringing disaster upon his family.
Victor Fan quickly realized the situation: with tensions rising between nations, Master Yi’s former lord had shown him great kindness, even allowing his family to retire in peace after his service ended. Victor had written to Master Yi long ago, urging the family to live quietly and avoid getting involved again.
Now, things had gone against his wishes—trouble had come for Master Yi’s family.
"Prepare my horse. I’m going to Chou Manor."
A series of urgent knocks echoed through the night. Maggie Mute awoke from her sleep, and John Chou rubbed his tired eyes and got up.
"Madam, the master requests your presence."
Zane Zhuang spoke at the door. John Chou climbed out of bed.
"What’s wrong, Mr. Zhuang? You look so anxious—did something happen?"
John Chou saw Zane Zhuang’s pale face in the moonlight and immediately sensed something serious had happened.
After a while, mother and son arrived in the main hall. Victor Fan sat there, his face heavy with sorrow. Henry Henderson was seething with silent rage.
"What exactly has happened?"
John Chou asked. Maggie Mute hurried to Victor Fan, grabbing his hand, sobbing anxiously.
"Ah, Maggie, I couldn’t fulfill the promise I made back then. The good place I found for your daughter—there’s trouble now."
Maggie Mute sobbed, fat tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Mom, what’s going on?"
John looked around the room in confusion. Henry Henderson glanced at Zane Zhuang, who nodded and began to explain. Years ago, when Maggie gave birth, there were two children—one was a girl, sent to the distant Yi Family in Qi Kingdom. Now, the Yi Family was in serious trouble, and the little girl was missing.
Everyone in the room fell silent. Maggie continued to weep, wiping her tears, and Victor Fan looked deeply remorseful.
"Can’t we just bring her back?"
John Chou smiled, and Henry Henderson looked at him in surprise.
"Grandpa, since things have come to this, and Mr. Zhuang said that if my sister didn’t leave, my life would be in danger—now that it’s all out in the open, why not go find her? Mom, don’t cry. Let me go and bring my sister back."
(This chapter is not yet finished~.~ Please click ‘Next Page’ to continue reading the rest of the exciting content!)
Maggie Mute immediately shook her head.
"The Henderson Family’s farthest business reaches Qi Kingdom, but it’s still a long way from Liaocheng. It’s not possible."
Henry Henderson quickly objected. To go all the way to Qi Kingdom to look for someone—such a long journey would take at least a month, and by then, everything would be over. If they started asking questions, they might be mistaken for accomplices of the Yi Family. Absolutely out of the question—far too dangerous.
"Let me go, Master."
Zane Zhuang spoke, cupping his hands respectfully. At that moment, the only thing on his mind was to ask Sanyan for help. If Sanyan got involved, finding someone wouldn’t be difficult.
Suddenly, John Chou’s face darkened, a hint of wickedness flickering across his features. Zane Zhuang looked at him in surprise—John had shown the same look earlier when he was observing things.
"Since you want me to inherit the Henderson Family business, Grandpa, let me go out and gain some experience. Just give me a few men, and I’ll bring my sister back. What do you think? Last time, the task you gave me was far too easy."
Henry Henderson looked at John Chou, hesitating. With wolves circling everywhere, going to Qi Kingdom was hardly wise.
"Master, I swear I won’t let anything happen to the young master."
For some reason, Zane Zhuang spoke up at once. Henry Henderson watched him quietly, and Victor Fan stood up.
"John, how confident are you?"
"Absolutely certain."
After some hesitation, Henry Henderson nodded in agreement. Maggie Mute was deeply worried.
"Don’t worry, madam, master. I have a friend—the same one who saved the young master years ago. He’s incredibly capable. If there’s any danger, I’ll ask him for help."
Henry Henderson then had someone bring out a map of Qi Kingdom painted on pottery shards. He opened it and explained in detail: right now, Qi Kingdom was in turmoil, with several lords vying for power. It looked stable on the surface, but war had already begun behind the scenes. The Henderson Family had only ever gathered intelligence from the outskirts, avoiding involvement in the chaos.
Their departure had to be kept secret. The only way was to take the mountain path—the same route Henry Henderson had used years ago.
Once everything was decided, Henry Henderson immediately ordered his trusted aides in Chou Manor to prepare. He instructed that when John Chou and his group entered Qi Kingdom, they should first go to the Henderson Family’s outpost to gather information and change into local clothes—even their names would have to be altered.
John Chou memorized all the details, looking quite excited.
"John, remember, you must never..."
"I know, teacher. I don’t take being absolutely certain lightly."
Seeing that John Chou wasn’t complacent, Victor Fan felt reassured. The reason he’d spoken up for John was because of what Zane Zhuang had said—that friend of his was a ghost, and not an ordinary one.
During preparations, Maggie Mute and John Chou went to rest. They would have to set out before dawn. Henry Henderson had already ordered a few trusted aides to spread the word outside in the morning—that John Chou, the young master, had fallen ill.
Back in the room, John Chou sat excitedly at the table, packing his things. Maggie Mute watched him anxiously from the side.
"Mom, why didn’t you ever tell me I had a sister?"
Maggie Mute shook her head, and John Chou smiled.
"I don’t know what happened back then, but having a sister is pretty great. At least I won’t have to shoulder the family business alone. Things just got a lot easier."
Maggie Mute moved closer to John Chou and hugged him.
"Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not the same as I used to be—I understand a lot more now. And everything you taught me, I’ve already mastered."