Running About, Heartshadow Pavilion Suits Bella Qin

Whether Heartshadow Pavilion still remains loyal to the Lan clan or not, once Lance Quinn revealed his identity and Master Xuanqing acknowledged him as her sovereign, Heartshadow Pavilion must be brought fully under their control.

The Liancastle city lord said, "Your Highness, do you think we should send someone to infiltrate Heartshadow Pavilion, or perhaps drug the Pavilion master?"

Although using drugs to control people is a low-level tactic, when dealing with someone like Master Xuanqing, it’s actually the most effective method.

"No need. I already told Master Xuanqing I would send someone to Heartshadow Pavilion." Doing things openly is far more efficient than sneaking around; when the time comes, it’ll be a contest of who can outmaneuver whom and completely seize control of Heartshadow Pavilion.

From that night’s conversation, Lance Quinn could tell that Master Xuanqing’s grip on the Pavilion was weak—the other women there did not truly obey her.

"She agreed?" Storm Cloud Bu said in surprise.

The Valley Master of Mystic Healer Valley is so loyal to Lance that he won’t even let him plant people in the Valley, yet Heartshadow Pavilion actually agreed.

Lance Quinn gave a cold laugh. "Heartshadow Pavilion is desperate for silver."

Everyone has a weakness, and Heartshadow Pavilion’s is so obvious that he’d be remiss not to exploit it.

"Uh... Even a single copper can topple a hero. Heartshadow Pavilion fell simply because they ran out of money." Storm Cloud Bu hadn’t expected that to be the reason.

"Does Your Highness have anyone in mind?" The Liancastle city lord ran through his mental list but couldn’t think of anyone suitable.

Heartshadow Pavilion needs a woman, but they don’t have any women skilled in business.

"Bella Qin." Lance Quinn said the name calmly. Before he could elaborate, Storm Cloud Bu hurriedly interrupted, "No, no, absolutely not. Bella can’t do this sort of public work. Her health is poor—she shouldn’t be troubled. You can’t send her."

Lance Quinn gave Storm Cloud Bu a cold look. "Why can’t Bella Qin do it?" He wasn’t asking her to do hard labor, just to sit in at Heartshadow Pavilion.

"Bella is your fiancée. How can you let her do something so dangerous, drag her into this muddy mess?" Storm Cloud Bu glared at Lance, refusing to back down.

Serena Feng is still my woman, and she still has to do everything.

Lance didn’t say this out loud, but the look in his eyes made it clear, and Storm Cloud Bu understood. His bravado vanished, and he pleaded, "Lance, I’m not just biased toward Bella—she really isn’t suited for this. Can’t you reconsider? Bella isn’t Serena Feng; she can’t handle that kind of hardship, and her health is poor."

"She’s been recovering well these past two years. With the Valley Master’s Heart-Calming Pills, she rarely falls ill. Besides, keeping her busy will stop her from overthinking all day." Lance wasn’t backing down.

Heartshadow Pavilion is a perfect fit for Bella Qin. Bella is like a bindweed flower—she needs to see more of the world.

"Lance, Bella can’t handle Heartshadow Pavilion." Storm Cloud Bu was at his wit’s end and kept signaling desperately to the city lord. The Liancastle city lord thought for a moment, then spoke up: "Your Highness, Storm Cloud makes sense—Miss Qin really isn’t suited for this."

It’s not that she’s unsuited—it’s that she simply can’t do it. Clearly, the Liancastle city lord doesn’t think highly of Bella Qin.

"She doesn’t need to do anything herself. Just assign her two highly capable maids." Lance Quinn’s words made it clear there would be no further discussion. The city lord’s eyes lit up—he instantly understood Lance’s plan.

"I’ll handle it right away." Bella Qin is far too harmless; after enough time with her, Master Xuanqing won’t guard against her at all. But what they don’t realize is that the real people planted in Heartshadow Pavilion aren’t Bella Qin—they’re the maids.

"Mm." Lance Quinn nodded, signaling the city lord to withdraw.

Now only he and Storm Cloud Bu were left in the room. With no outsiders present, Storm Cloud didn’t bother hiding his displeasure and glared at Lance Quinn. "Lance, what are you really thinking? If you won’t take care of Bella, I’ll bring her to Stormcloud Villa myself. Why make her do something so dangerous? Don’t you know that if Heartshadow Pavilion turns against her, she’ll be in real danger?"

"With you around, what danger could Bella possibly be in?" Lance Quinn was clearly counting on Storm Cloud Bu, who was so angry he nearly stomped his feet. "Lance, this is Heartshadow Pavilion—I can’t even get in."

"You can go—as Bella’s bodyguard."

"Really? I can stay by Bella’s side?" Storm Cloud Bu’s eyes lit up instantly.

There were too many people watching him in Liancastle, and because he treated Bella so well, there was constant gossip. Going to Heartshadow Pavilion would be better—at least no one would be whispering in his ear all the time.

"Storm Cloud, you care too much about Bella. That’s dangerous. Because of her, you’ve made mistakes more than once." Lance Quinn gave him a long, warning look.

Storm Cloud Bu muttered under his breath, "I don’t care about power—I just want Bella. I’d do anything for her."

"You do too much for Bella. She’s come to take your kindness for granted, and then she won’t cherish it. In the end, you’re the only one who’ll get hurt." Lance Quinn was advising as a friend.

Storm Cloud Bu gave a bitter smile. "I know, but I can’t help myself. Lance, I’m not you—I don’t have your rationality or your big-picture view. I have no other ambitions. I just want to be with Bella, and that’s enough."

"Do you really think, in these troubled times, a lone warrior like you can keep Bella Qin safe? Can you guarantee you’ll never slip up? With Bella as she is, even the smallest accident could be fatal. Storm Cloud, if you truly care for her, let her grow on her own." Lance worried about Serena Feng for a month, but never despaired, because he trusted her abilities.

Serena Feng will be fine, no matter what.

Storm Cloud Bu fell silent...

No matter how much Storm Cloud Bu protested, he couldn’t refuse Lance’s orders. When Bella Qin learned it was Lance’s decision, she wasn’t worried at all—instead, she was overjoyed.

"Senior brother is so good to me. He believes in me—I won’t let him down." Her usually sickly face was radiant, making Storm Cloud Bu both happy and sad.

And so, Bella Qin’s trip to Heartshadow Pavilion was decided. Before leaving, she wanted to see Lance Quinn, but was refused—he had already left.

Bella looked disappointed, but remembering she could help Lance, she brightened again and happily began preparing for the journey.

Seeing Bella so full of energy, Storm Cloud Bu hoped she’d succeed, so he began explaining Heartshadow Pavilion’s situation. But Bella was completely lost: "Storm Cloud, don’t tell me all this—I don’t understand."

"It’s fine. If you don’t understand something, I’ll explain it again. Once you know the situation in Heartshadow Pavilion, you’ll know what to do." Storm Cloud Bu was always patient with Bella.

Bella scrunched up her little face and said playfully, "Storm Cloud, I don’t understand any of this. As for Heartshadow Pavilion, you’ll be there, right? I trust you."

As she finished, Bella’s smile was radiant, dazzling Storm Cloud Bu so much he lost his bearings and blurted, "Don’t worry, I’ll help you take Heartshadow Pavilion for sure."

Lance Quinn heard about this and could only shake his head and sigh.

It’s not that he wants to scheme against Storm Cloud Bu—it’s just that Storm Cloud is far too easy to manipulate.

So you want the beauty, not the kingdom? Then from now on, you’ll be running around for her...