The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 370: Yes, I Have Double Standards

Chapter 370: Yes, I Have Double Standards

Chu Hanming immediately panicked upon hearing this and waved his hands anxiously, saying, "What are you doing, A’Li? I’m not here to ask for money."

Nanli blinked and said, "Second Uncle, you are an elder, and it’s only right for me to show my respect as a junior. Now that you have brought chicken soup for me, how can I feel at ease? Second Uncle, this thousand taels are not much. Please accept it, or I will feel guilty."

Rainbow had already fetched the silver notes and placed them on the table in front of Chu Hanming.

Chu Hanming now understood Nanli’s intentions. She was trying to preempt any requests for favors by giving him money. Feeling a bit annoyed, he thought Nanli was just finding an excuse because she disliked the quality of his ingredients and didn’t want to be asked for a favor. However, being thick-skinned, he chuckled and said, "A’Li, if you’re worried about feeling guilty, how about helping your uncle with a small favor?"

Nanli rolled her eyes internally. She knew her second uncle was being overly kind for a reason and was likely to ask for something. However, since he had already humbled himself, she decided to listen to his request and see if it was feasible.

"Please, Second Uncle, go ahead."

Chu Hanming perked up and said, "I have a close friend who wants to buy a True Word Talisman. The price is negotiable."

Nanli instinctively frowned and said, "Second Uncle, do you know that I do not sell my True Word Talismans?"

The True Word Talisman was a unique talisman she had created, which even other Taoists might not be able to master. It was no surprise that her uncle would make such a request.

Seeing her immediate refusal, Chu Hanming’s face darkened but quickly pulled out a smile and said, "A’Li, you don’t sell them to outsiders, but selling one to my close friend wouldn’t be considered the same, right?"

Nanli explained, "Some talismans, while seemingly minor, can be turned into tools for harming or killing if misused. The True Word Talisman is not for sale. I’m sorry, Second Uncle, but I cannot help."

Moreover, the True Word Talisman had little use in everyday life. It was only requested by Qin Zheng when he encountered exceptionally tricky criminals. Her uncle’s friend asking for it through such indirect means probably wasn’t for anything good.

Chu Hanming suddenly stood up, frustrated, "A’Li, do you think so poorly of my friend? His household slave stole something and hid it. Despite severe punishment, the slave still won’t reveal the hiding place, so he wanted to buy a True Word Talisman to make the slave confess. It’s not for harming anyone!"

Nanli remained firm, "Then Second Uncle should advise him to report it to the authorities. Lord Qin should have a way to make the slave speak the truth."

Chu Hanming’s face turned black as he said, "A’Li, you give talismans to Second Brother and Lord Xie without hesitation, but when it’s my turn, you keep stalling. You just said you respect your elders. Is this how you show respect?"

Nanli lifted her eyes, speaking indifferently, "Yes, Second Uncle, I have double standards."

"..." Chu Hanming’s mouth twitched. He didn’t quite understand what "double standards" meant, but he knew it wasn’t a compliment. He thought Nanli was tough on the outside but soft on the inside, so he softened his tone and said, "A’Li, my tone was harsh. But my friend truly doesn’t intend to harm anyone with the talisman."

Nanli gently shook her head, "Second Uncle, you don’t need to waste your breath. If you want a protective or household charm, I can draw some right away."

Veins bulged on Chu Hanming’s forehead. Simple protective and household charms could be easily bought from any shop or temple. There was no need for him to go through the trouble of currying favor with Nanli for those. Finally, he turned and left, but after a few steps, he returned to grab the silver notes, giving a cold snort before leaving.

Rainbow and Chunbao were stunned, feeling Nanli had been taken advantage of.

"Princess, that chicken soup was worth only a few dozen taels. You’ve taken a big loss," Rainbow grumbled.

The second household had benefited a lot from Nanli, but Chu Hanming, though verbally grateful, never showed much appreciation. Lady Tian, however, often sent over snacks whether Nanli was in the palace or back at the marquis’s residence.

Nanli shrugged, unconcerned, "No worries, he’s bound to lose money soon anyway."

Rainbow and Chunbao exchanged glances, seeing that Nanli had a plan and decided to keep quiet.

As Nanli predicted, Chu Hanming was scolded at work later. He held a minor, easy job—watching over a storeroom in the palace. The palace rules required monthly inventory checks to prevent theft. Today, the chief storeroom manager discovered a missing white porcelain vase from the storeroom under Chu Hanming’s care.

Panic surged within Chu Hanming. Losing an item meant he was responsible and suspected of theft, warranting punishment.

"Chief Manager Wang, I swear I didn’t steal it. You know my family is well-off. I wouldn’t risk such a thing," Chu Hanming pleaded.

Chief Manager Wang gave him a sidelong glance and squeaked, "I understand, but we must account for the missing item. How can I explain this to our superiors?"

A flash of inspiration struck Chu Hanming, and he quickly suggested, "I can buy a similar item to replace it. The records only note a white porcelain vase without detailed descriptions. As long as you don’t mention it, no one will know."

Though he didn’t steal it, he couldn’t escape blame for poor oversight. Even if the thief was found, he would still face a beating he couldn’t withstand. Just when he thought he had to spend his newly acquired thousand taels, Chief Manager Wang smirked, "That could work, but if I help you, you should help me in return, right?"

Chu Hanming hesitated. The "friend" he mentioned to Nanli was actually Chief Manager Wang, who had hosted him a few times, seeking a True Word Talisman. Chu Hanming, being a slacker, hoped to curry favor with Chief Manager Wang by fulfilling this request, but Nanli refused to sell one. Now, faced with Chief Manager Wang again, Chu Hanming had no choice but to respond, "Chief Manager Wang, it’s not that I don’t want to help. My niece has strict rules and won’t sell it. How about you ask her yourself? She might respect you more."

Chief Manager Wang snorted, "What nonsense, Lord Chu. If the Ninth Princess doesn’t respect you, why would she respect me?"

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