Mrs. Thompson's Crisis

Upon hearing Su Li's words, Bai Lu suddenly understood and lowered her head somewhat embarrassed: "The lady's admonition is far-sighted, while Bai Lu was shortsighted, only seeing the immediate difficulty in silver turnover and not thinking long-term. Thank you for your teaching, lady. I will prepare the compensation immediately."

Su Li saw Bai Lu's humble acceptance and was even more satisfied, saying, "Just remember this for the future. You also have our business's best interests at heart. Although there were some oversights, your intentions were good. Just correct them."

"What about the silver?" Bai Lu asked.

Su Li said, "You first go and compensate those who came to collect the silver. I'll handle the turnover now. I'll ask Fourth Uncle to lend me some; he will surely be willing to."

At the mention of Yuan Jie, Bai Lu felt reassured. Yuan Jie was a wealthy local landlord, and given his relationship with Su Li, borrowing some silver would be no problem. Besides, with Su Li's capability, she would soon restore the business and be able to repay the debt.

With that, Bai Lu was completely relieved, clutching her account book happily as she left.

Just as Bai Lu stepped out, Su Li prepared to go discuss borrowing money with Fourth Uncle. When she reached the door, she saw a tall figure standing in front of her.

Xiao Zetian lowered his head, a smile at the corner of his eyes as he blocked her way.

Su Li dodged left and right a few times, and Xiao Zetian swayed left and right as well, always blocking her path.

"Where is the lady going?" Xiao Zetian asked, looking at her.

"To see Fourth Uncle," Su Li lowered her head. Since learning his true identity, Su Li always felt a slight barrier in her heart, making their interactions awkward, unlike the carefree times with Tong Yuanbao.

Xiao Zetian squinted slightly, grabbed Su Li's arm, and pulled her inside: "Dress warmly, I’ll take you somewhere."

Inside, Su Li changed clothes with a belly full of suspicion. Xiao Zetian fetched her fox fur coat and wrapped her up before heading out.

Only then did Su Li realize why he wrapped her up like a dumpling—it was because they were going horseback riding.

Xiao Zetian mounted the horse, smiling at her and extending his hand: "Lady, get on."

Su Li looked at him, feeling a bit awkward. Sharing a horse meant being very close. Sigh... oh well, they had ridden together before, so no fuss this time.

Su Li reached out and took Xiao Zetian's hand. His smile widened as he pulled her up, wrapping her in his arms and tightening her coat: "Be careful not to catch a cold."

After saying that, he gave a command, and the horse galloped off with Su Li.

The horse's back moved up and down, rising and falling, but Su Li, tightly held by Xiao Zetian, didn’t feel much of the bumpiness.

"Where are we going?" Su Li asked.

Xiao Zetian lowered his head, smiling without a word, but pointed to the road ahead: "A Li, look, who’s that!"

Su Li followed his finger and was surprised to see none other than Zhang Zhuzi, Mr. Tang's husband!

Zhang Zhuzi was pushing a flat cart, on which sat a flamboyantly dressed woman heavily made up, holding a small bundle in her arms.

Zhang Zhuzi looked very pleased, humming a tune as he pushed the cart, showing off proudly.

"Who’s that woman?" Su Li asked curiously.

Xiao Zetian smiled: "Zhang Zhuzi's new lover, a washed-up courtesan from Qingmiao City's brothel, the most fierce and arrogant one there, formerly Liu Ru's sister. But soon, she’ll become Zhang Zhuzi's new wife, the stepmother of Zhang Zhaocai."

Su Li exclaimed, "So that means Mrs. Tang is going to be divorced? How do you know this?"

The moment she asked, Su Li instantly understood—so this was all arranged by Xiao Zetian behind the scenes?