The Elixir is for You, The Poison is for Me

"There? That's where Song Zhongwen's accountant lives."

Gu Caiwei's expression looked somewhat unpleasant.

Because Song Zhongwen's accountant had run away, it meant that the traitor was Shopkeeper Wang.

This was the old shopkeeper whom Gu Caiwei and her late husband trusted the most, loyal and devoted for many years, meticulous and conscientious in his work.

Seeing Gu Caiwei's appearance, it seemed she was still somewhat unwilling to believe this result.

She called for Xiuxiu outside and said to the latter, "Go and invite Shopkeeper Wang over, no… I'd better go myself, I want to ask him to his face why he would do such a thing."

Lu Jing heard this and said nothing, following behind Gu Caiwei, and the two quickly arrived at Shopkeeper Wang's residence.

Gu Caiwei stepped forward and knocked on the door, and after a while, the door was opened.

Then Shopkeeper Wang poked his head out while putting on his clothes, "Who is it?"

When he saw that Gu Caiwei was standing outside the door, his expression was obviously flustered, but in just a moment, he regained his composure.

"Madam Gu, why are you calling so late? Has something happened?"

"Shopkeeper Wang, my late husband and I have treated you well, haven't we?"

Gu Caiwei's face was clearly filled with anger.

Shopkeeper Wang was silent for a moment upon hearing this, and after a while, he forced a smile, "Why does Madam Gu suddenly bring this up?"

"I'm not here to interrogate you tonight, and I don't want to hear any more lies.

I only have one question, just one question, and after you answer me, we will have nothing to do with each other from now on,"

Gu Caiwei said coldly.

"…Madam Gu, ask your question."

Shopkeeper Wang finally put away the forced smile on his face and sighed.

"What benefits did the Song fellow promise you that made you willing to be his lackey?"

"No benefits,"

Shopkeeper Wang said in a muffled voice.

"No benefits?"

Gu Caiwei looked incredulous.

"Madam Gu, you were the one who abandoned us first."

Our family and friends are all here, our roots are here, but you are different.

Before marrying Master Mo, you always lived in the capital.

This time, you wrote a letter to your cousin, asking him to help you find another husband in the capital.

"The people below are all guessing that you can't hold on here and want to abandon us and return to the capital."

Gu Caiwei bit her lip and said nothing.

"And it doesn't matter if you leave, the firewood and charcoal shop and the charcoal kiln certainly can't be taken away, and we can't follow you… This is not just my decision.

Steward Ma and the others had already come to me several times before, asking me to consider the future of everyone, so after seeing that letter, I took the initiative to find Young Master Song…"

"Stop talking…"

Gu Caiwei interrupted Shopkeeper Wang's words, somewhat dejectedly, "I'm sorry to you all, you're right, I'm a selfish woman, so today's betrayal is my own fault."

After saying that, she didn't look at Shopkeeper Wang again, turned around and said to Lu Jing, "Young Hero Lu, let's go."

Lu Jing nodded, he could feel the frustration in Gu Caiwei's heart at this moment.

The feeling of being betrayed by someone you trust must not be pleasant, especially since Gu Caiwei attributed all of this to herself.

In fact, in all fairness, she certainly had let down Shopkeeper Wang and the others, but from her own perspective, she had no other choice but to escape Wujiang City at that time.

It can only be said that everyone is considering their own future.

The atmosphere was obviously a bit oppressive on the way back, and neither of them spoke.

When they arrived at the door, although Gu Caiwei's mood was still low, she forced herself to cheer up and said, "Young Hero Lu, it's late, and the city gates are closed, why not rest here for the night?"

After saying that, she smiled self-deprecatingly, "I don't have anything else here, just many empty rooms."

"Alright."

Lu Jing did not refuse, indeed, he could not return to his residence outside the city at this time, and even if he didn't stay at Gu Caiwei's place, he could only find an inn to stay at.

Since that was the case, he had no reason to go further and spend money unnecessarily.

"I'll have Xiuxiu clean up a room for Young Hero Lu."

Gu Caiwei said and paused, then continued, "As for the matter of the monk's staff… Young Hero Lu has fulfilled his promise to Caiwei, and Caiwei naturally cannot go back on her word.

I will find the best blacksmith in the city to forge it for Young Hero Lu, and Young Hero Lu can feel free to make any requests."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Lu Jing thanked her again.

Gu Caiwei glanced at Lu Jing again with a sigh, before bowing and taking her leave.

Afterwards, Lu Jing was led by Xiuxiu to the room that had been specially cleaned for him.

After everyone else had left, Lu Jing opened the window facing the river and brought down A'mu, who was squatting on the roof blowing the cold wind.

After Xiuxiu left the room, she walked to the front yard and saw Gu Caiwei standing alone under the osmanthus tree, staring blankly at the crescent moon above her head.

"What is Miss thinking about?"

Xiuxiu stopped and asked, holding the lantern.

"I'm thinking… besides this bright moon above our heads, what else in this world can remain unchanged for a long time?"

Gu Caiwei sighed.

Xiuxiu didn't know how to answer.

"Forget it, it's my fault for expecting too much, even this moon has its waxing and waning phases, at least I still have you by my side.

As far as this city is concerned, both you and I are strangers in a foreign land.

After wandering outside for so many years, it's time to go home."

"Miss,"

Xiuxiu said, "What about the charcoal kiln and the firewood and charcoal shop, and this house…"

"While Young Hero Lu's prestige is still there, let's sell them according to the original plan.

Presumably, those who take over won't dare to deliberately lower the price anymore.

Give my share that I promised Grandma before to her, and divide the remaining money into three parts.

One part will be given to those old partners who have followed us for so long, one part we will take back to the capital to live on, and the remaining part, I want to give to Young Hero Lu.

"After all, I have received such a great favor from him, and I should repay him no matter what, but I heard from Protector Yin of the Three Tigers Hall that Young Hero Lu is not very interested in wealth.

It seems that it is true that he is not very concerned about wealth with his unparalleled martial arts, it should be easy to make money, but even when forging the monk's staff, he came to me, so he must not really care about wealth.

"Since that's the case, then let's build a charity hall in his name and use this money to help the poor families in the city.

Young Hero Lu hates evil like an enemy, but sometimes his methods are inevitably a bit harsh.

In case he provokes a villain because of something in the future, with this reputation protecting him, at least the other side won't be able to put the label of the demonic path on his head."

Xiuxiu frowned upon hearing this, "Miss, I have no objection to the share for Grandma and Young Hero Lu, but the money for Shopkeeper Wang and the others… I naturally agreed when you divided it this way before, but now haven't they already betrayed you?

Why are you still giving them money?"

Gu Caiwei waved her hand, "Everyone has selfish motives, they are just considering themselves, which is understandable.

Besides, they have been conscientious and diligent all these years, and even if they have no merit, they have worked hard, but they just made a mistake in the end, there is no reason to erase everything they did before…

"I'm already tired, I don't even bother to take revenge on Song Zhongwen and those people, let alone blame them, I just want to finish things here as soon as possible and return to the capital to play with my pet raccoon without any worries."