Chapter 134 - 3.30

"..Hmm, really? I've earned your respect this easily? You know, little lady, what if I turn back on my words?" He Yiyuan began to have ideas of testing the girl, feeling a bit mischievous.

"Appropriate measures will be taken by then. I am someone who is able to judge people extremely well. I don't think that you are that bad of a human being. At the very least, you have decency. Your country has also been quite supportive to my plans, so I don't plan on breaking that connection this soon in the game. I still have a long road to go through." Xu Jiaqi briefly explained her take.

"Ahah! I see.. That's how it is. Your point of view is rather interesting. Well, that aside, lady advisor, my plan on spending some time in Xian Ruo was not just a ruse to meet you. I did plan on doing so, since my subordinate has taken some interest in this peculiar land.. I became rather curious on what you guys could offer. I hope I am not being intrusive?"

"..Absolutely not. Since you are being serious, then I will proceed with the necessary accommodation. Would you like to follow me to the center right now, or do you want to go by yourself? Either way is fine with me."

After the pressing situation had calmed down, Xu Jiaqi actually felt like He Yiyuan was not a bad person. She should treat him with courtesy, considering how they would be further acquainted with each other should the business treaty go well.

"I will go on by myself. Lady advisor, you can return to your own thing now, I want to have a look at the surroundings before I formally enter Xian Ruo. Please do not fret, I won't do anything dangerous, so won't you keep my arrival as a secret for the time being?" He Yiyuan launched a wink towards Xu Jiaqi's way.

"..Haa, I will get into trouble if this gets out, you know? But well.. I doubt that you would do anything silly. You are carrying the name of Xi with you, and according to your principles, it's just not worth it to harm Xian Ruo out of nowhere. Correct me if I am wrong." Xu Jiaqi stated.

"You are right! Which is why, my request will go through, right?"

"Yes, I will make an exception just this once."

Rather than having to deal with irksome trouble, Xu Jiaqi would rather back out right now.

After receiving the input from He Yiyuan and exchanging some words, Xu Jiaqi bid her goodbyes and left the vicinity.

He Yiyuan, who was left behind dropped his jolly smile and snickered.

"..Me, being called a decent person? Well, that's new..." He Yiyuan stretched his limbs, eliciting a low grunt at the feel of his muscles stretching.

"Your Highness, she only got to see you from this first meeting's perspective. If she saw how unprofessional and unkempt you are at a daily basis, would she say the same thing?" A voice rose out of nowhere.

If Xu Jiaqi was still here to sit back and listen, she would recognize that voice in a heartbeat.

"Ouch. Your words sting, Jianyu. When are you going to fix your mouth, Devil?"

Zheng Jianyu had actually been there the whole time. Being the most trusted subordinate of He Yiyuan, he did not just possess skills relating to money, but rather also had his fair share of fighting experience. In addition to that, Xu Jiaqi was very distracted by He Yiyuan, and all her focus was placed on him at the time of their conversation. All of that contributed to how Zheng Jianyu's presence went unnoticed.

"I apologize, my way with words have been like this for as long as I can remember. How can I change it on my will?" Zheng Jianyu brushed off some dust from his clothing, as he had been hiding in a rather obscure and dusty place.

"Really, what should I do in this situation~? I want that girl on my side, but... Part of why she is so interesting is exactly her attitude towards paving her way to glory. I suppose I should let her shine for now, hm? What do you think about her, Jianyu?"

"She is obviously a brilliant seed. Considering her background, I find it rather.. disturbing that a figure like her was able to spurt out, but that is besides the point. I believe that she would be a great asset to us.. Do you not want to just steal her outright after all?"

He Yiyuan broke into a fit of laughter. "No. You have kept an eye on her, right? You should know that she isn't the type of person who would tolerate being ordered around. Even if we offered her the best conditions, if she wants to stick to Xie Yongrui, then she would not back down at all."

"But again, coming from where she is, won't she desire a lavish lifestyle? We should show her what glory truly is. You and I share the same views. Glory isn't physical strength, or pointless political facades like the Empire. Glory is wealth, and the life you are able to afford with said assets." Zheng Jianyu mused.

"..What if she isn't the little slum girl, the Xu Jiaqi whose background we dug into?"

He Yiyuan's gaze shifted, and he clenched his fist which had once grabbed onto Xu Jiaqi's collar.

"What are you implying? Are you actually having doubts about our information channels? The one that even the Empire's people flocks up to?" Zheng Jianyu sneered.

"I don't know~ Jianyu, what are good points about me?" He Yiyuan asked in a playful manner.

"Huh? Your looks, your speed in finishing your work so that you can freely roam about uselessly, your charisma... Are you trying to make me praise you? You should just say it outright, I will have a list of mouthwatering praises ready for tomorrow."

"No, no, no. If you had to name one, what is the most outstanding quality within me?" He Yiyuan scratched his face. Zheng Jianyu's ability to speak was really uncalled for. Who allowed him to speak this bravely?

Oh right, he was the one who gave permission to him.

"..Your scary intuition and perception?" Zheng Jianyu raised a brow, not getting what He Yiyuan was trying to say.. It wasn't like him to speak like this.