Some things were better left unknown, Shi Chun figured she almost burst into laughter upon learning the truth.
As to why she ended up being called "mother", the memory was etched deeply in her mind.
She remembered how shamelessly they flattered her, praising her beauty, lacking any education to conjure new compliments, the repeated flattery simply became nauseating. So, to shut the big man up, she quipped that he could call her mother...
But before she could finish her sentence, the big man knelt down promptly and called her "mother" so cleanly.
It was frightening, and she was dumbstruck at the time. Her intention was to make him speak more respectfully, not to adopt a son. She hurriedly said that wasn't what she meant and asked him to stop calling her that. However, future encounters proved nothing changed, and the pet name stuck.
And so it went, each time he called her "mother" and she told him not to.
If it weren't for the rules of the Land of Exile that discouraged violence within Zhixu City, she felt she might not have killed this cheapskate son, but she certainly would have torn out his tongue.
She couldn't understand it, anyone with half a brain could see he was trying to climb the social ladder, with no sincere feelings involved. What was the point in shamelessly forming such ties?
Then, there was recent news: somehow, the people below had the free time to report to her, who was in the outside world, about what was happening with Wu Jinliang and the others. They informed her that the group in East Nine Plain had amassed a large amount of resources, enough to qualify them to escape from their hardships. Over a hundred people had left in one go.
In the Land of Exile, that was no small number, but rather a significant one. She became quite curious. What was happening?
So she picked out two sharp-looking individuals from those who had left East Nine Plain, suggesting that she could recommend them for work at the Bowan Building, and inquired if they were willing.
She was referring to the outside world's Bowan Building. As for the Cultivation World's Bowan Building, Lan Qiaoyan only took care of business pertaining to the Land of Exile.
For those newly freed from the Land of Exile, working at the Bowan Building was an opportunity of a lifetime – they were more than happy, absolutely thrilled.
But, of course, such good fortune does not come without strings attached. Immediately, these two sold out Wu Jinliang and the others, recounting how they had come by those resources, and in an attempt to ingratiate themselves, they spared no detail, neither far nor near.
That's when the details emerged about Wu Jinliang calling many women "mother".
Being called "mother" was the least of the issues. The problem was that most of the women he called "mother" met with terrible fates, some even at Wu Jinliang's own hand.
Calling someone "mother" to their face while stabbing them in the back—could such a thing be done by a human?
Now he dared to call her "mother" again. She would've been angry, to say the least. She could only comfort herself with the fact that violence was not appropriate inside Zhixu City.
Thankfully, her temper seemed manageable. After throwing Wu Jinliang a disdainful look, she turned her eyes to Shi Chun, her tone somewhat more normal. "So, you're leaving as well?"
She also noticed something different. Wu Jinliang was carrying a bundle of his belongings.
Shi Chun nodded politely, doing his best to present a gentle and refined demeanor. "Indeed."
Lan Qiaoyan responded with a feigned smile; she had to stay vigilant. This man was always after her daughter. How could she not learn more about what sort of man the Master of East Nine Plain was? Especially when he has made quite a fearsome reputation for himself ever since taking over, a reputation not built on pretense but on actual bloodshed—he was truly a man who killed without batting an eye.
Outwardly, she remained nonchalant. "Leaving is good. But the rules outside are different from the laissez-faire killings here. Take care of yourself."
"Yes," responded Shi Chun, bowing in thanks before asking casually, "Mistress, where is Miss Miao?"
Lan Qiaoyan was left speechless by his question. What was going on? Was there some twisted fate at play here?
Sending her daughter to run the books at Life Prison's twelve cities was meant to teach her, to prepare her for a future where she'd play a significant role in the Bowan Building. She never intended for her daughter to stay forever in this godforsaken Land of Exile. Plus, this young man was doggedly pursuing her, and over time, she worried her daughter might not withstand his persistence. It wasn't about respect or disrespect; their statuses were too disparate—it simply wasn't suitable.
Thus, three months ago, after her daughter's last visit to check the accounts, Lan Qiaoyan sent her daughter out, securing her a spot at the Bowan Building in the outside world.
Just like that, the man before her settled the departure of his group from East Nine Plain, and now he too was leaving. Could this timing be any more convenient? It seemed as though she was laying groundwork for the young couple in advance.
But the Bowan Building was not a playground, and it wasn't as if calling her daughter back or reassigning her wouldn't be a problem—she could move her daughter if she wanted to. Still, this frequent reassigning was inappropriate; it hadn't been long since the last move. The well-established places had their own rules, and things needed to be done with care—it wasn't just up to her to call the shots for the entire Bowan Building.
So she preferred not to disclose the whereabouts of her daughter, and instead she dismissed the inquiry: "She's busy and couldn't come for the accounting this time."
The old servant standing to the side, dressed simply with a face that was both astute and gentle, was known as Tan, Lan Qiaoyan's capable assistant. He was usually quite composed, but upon hearing Lan Qiaoyan's words, he couldn't help but smile, seemingly guessing his mistress's thoughts, revealing an evident smirk at the corner of his mouth.
He knew the mistress disliked the two youngsters before her, yet also held some sort of appreciation for them. If not for that, how could they be qualified for the conversation they were having, let alone have repeated, easy access to Miss Miao? Some things were clearer to an onlooker.
Not here? Shi Chun was slightly taken aback. He had wanted to specifically bid farewell to Miss Miao. Although once he left, there would be no need to continue the charade of pursuit, having played the part for so long, it wouldn't be worth blowing his cover at the end. What would people think?
Toying with someone's daughter for fun, as if they were easy to provoke? The influence of the Bowan Building was much greater than the Qi family backing Shen Youkun.
Besides, he had wanted to mention to the gentle and kind Miss Miao about having the Bowan Building's outgoing shipment team bring them along. Surely, she wouldn't refuse.
This absence was troublesome.
What else could he do? Shi Chun's calculating gaze landed on Lan Qiaoyan, and he sighed, "What a pity! To leave without seeing Miss Miao one last time, it truly doesn't sit well with me, a deep regret that will linger for the rest of my life."
He then bowed and said, "Mistress, if you happen to see Miss Miao later, please relay a message for Shi Chun to her, just say Shi Chun has left, and if fate allows, we shall meet again!"
"Alright, I've got it," Lan Qiaoyan replied generously, flicking her hand lightly, teasingly saying, "Go on then, set off in peace."
Wu Jinliang, whose cover was blown, couldn't put on airs anymore. He kept quiet and just looked around with wide eyes.
Shi Chun, with his purpose unachieved, couldn't just give up. He immediately played along with her words and pretended to be anxious, "Mistress truly has discerning eyes to see that we cannot set out in peace."
Was that what she had implied just now? Lan Qiaoyan questioned herself and was almost confused by him; surely she hadn't shown wrong emotions? Then, a little curious, she asked, "Why can't you set out in peace? What kind of guilty conscience is this?"
Shi Chun earnestly answered, "It's unfamiliar territory outside, going to an unfamiliar place does indeed make me a bit nervous and scared."
"Pfft," Lan Qiaoyan laughed, "You, scared? Somehow I find that hard to believe. You actually get scared?"
She had paid attention and naturally knew that this fellow had committed plenty of audacious deeds in the Land of Exile.
"The way things are done out there is, after all, different from here. There are more rules to follow, and it does scare me a bit," Shi Chun explained briefly, then bowed again, "Please, Mistress, do me a kindness. When it's time for the goods to leave, could you perhaps allow us to hitch a ride with your shipment team, just to shadow them and learn the way. Just a small favor. Rest assured, Mistress, we won't be an excessive bother."
This minor matter was no big deal for Lan Qiaoyan, who readily agreed, "Whenever you're ready to leave, just ask Tan."
Hearing this, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were overjoyed. Just as they were about to bow in gratitude and turn to leave, Lan Qiaoyan suddenly exclaimed, stopped in her tracks, turned with a questioning look, and asked, "It's not because you've offended too many people and are afraid of being ambushed once you step outside, is it?"
Whoosh! Shi Chun suddenly moved, pulling a knife from Wu Jinliang's back, and said with composure, "Though Shi Chun is but a scholar, his best skill lies in wielding a blade. I fear many things, but not crossing blades with others. What is there to fear from living the knife's edge? Do not underestimate me, Mistress. With this blade in hand, my resolve is clear!"
"I'm in too!" Wu Jin shouted, brandishing his large saber in support.
Lan Qiaoyan gave them a cold look, making it clear that she didn't need Wu Jin's involvement. Wu Jin immediately wilted, his large knife proving useless as he lowered it.
Yet Lan Qiaoyan did believe Shi Chun's bluff, convinced that he truly wasn't afraid to fight or kill. However, that didn't stop her from responding sarcastically, "A scholar, you say? Have you even seen what a book looks like?"
Shi Chun replied, "I've seen one with Miss Miao."
Dragging his daughter into the conversation again, Lan Qiaoyan didn't want to say another word. She turned on her heel to leave but gave Tan a look over her shoulder.
Tan immediately nodded, signaling that he understood and would make arrangements.
As Lan Qiaoyan walked away with an air of disdain, she glared at Wu Jinliang once more. She couldn't understand how such a majestic, tall man with bold eyebrows and large eyes, every inch the image of a capable man, could develop the habit of kneeling and calling out for his mother at the drop of a hat.
Knowing the truth, she found it a bit hard to accept. It was just too disgusting.
Wu Jinliang, aware that she despised his habit of calling out for his mother, also felt a little wronged. At first, he hadn't wanted to do it either, but once, under duress, Chun Tian didn't want to acknowledge his mother and persuaded him to do it instead, and after tasting the benefits, it became routine.
It was also Chun Tian who told him to sweet-talk Lan Qiaoyan, so he felt quite aggrieved, feeling that he had made great sacrifices along the way as Chun Tian rose to the top in East Nine Plain.
Shi Chun, unaware of his thoughts, hurried to catch up with Tan to inquire about the specifics of their departure.