The Aloof Lord's Mysterious Wife
Chapter 371: So Late, Where Are You Going?

Chapter 371: So Late, Where Are You Going?

Even the grand steward by the Emperor’s side would speak respectfully to the Ninth Princess. How could someone like him dare to appear before the Ninth Princess?

Chu Hanming was truly in a difficult position. "But I... I have no other way."

Grand Steward Wang closed the registry and said, "Then I’ll have to report the truth."

Chu Hanming quickly grabbed Grand Steward Wang’s sleeve. "Grand Steward Wang, wait a moment. Can’t we discuss this?"

"I am discussing this with Lord Chu. After all, I’m not asking for the talisman without offering payment."

Chu Hanming, feeling distressed, couldn’t help but curse Nanli. She usually loves money; why won’t she sell even one True Word Talisman now?

Grand Steward Wang, seeing Chu Hanming’s indecision, became impatient. "What are you afraid of, Lord Chu? It’s just a missing vase. The grand steward, out of respect for the Ninth Princess, will probably just scold you a bit."

Despite being a mediocre person, Grand Steward Wang envied Chu Hanming. How could it be fair that someone as useless as him could benefit so much from his family and connections?

Chu Hanming’s face changed immediately upon hearing this. He quickly shook his head. "No, no, this must not be made public."

If his mother found out, he would get a severe scolding.

Grand Steward Wang frowned. "So what does Lord Chu want to do?"

Chu Hanming’s eyes darted around, his mind wavering. After a moment, he made a decision. "Please, Grand Steward Wang, cover this up for me this time. I will be eternally grateful. As for the True Word Talisman, I will deliver it in a few days."

Grand Steward Wang smiled, flattered. "I should be the one grateful for Lord Chu’s help."

Chu Hanming forced a smile.

He immediately left the palace to buy a similar white porcelain vase, just using up the thousand taels of silver note.

But how could he fulfill his promise of delivering the True Word Talisman to Grand Steward Wang?

Chu Hanming asked some street fortune tellers, but most didn’t even know what a True Word Talisman was, let alone how to draw one.

Chu Hanming intended to ask Nanli again but encountered Zhi Mi at the mansion gate.

His eyes lit up with an idea.

Zhi Mi lived in the outer courtyard of the marquis’s mansion. He was busy managing the shop’s business and doing his homework.

After finishing his work, Zhi Mi wanted to wash up and go to bed early, but a maid knocked urgently, saying she saw something dirty in the garden.

Zhi Mi found it strange because the mansion had protective arrays that kept out evil spirits and such things.

But seeing the maid so frightened, he took his peachwood sword to investigate.

As soon as Zhi Mi left, Chu Hanming sneaked into his room.

On the table were talismans Zhi Mi had drawn as his homework for the night.

Chu Hanming rummaged through Zhi Mi’s bag and found a stack of talismans.

Knowing Zhi Mi’s limited skills, Nanli had given him some talismans for protection, which were likely among these.

While planning this, Chu Hanming had sought out Xie Beihan.

Xie Beihan, easily provoked, drew the pattern of the True Word Talisman.

Although Xie Beihan’s talisman was useless, Chu Hanming praised his memory for recalling the crooked symbols.

Chu Hanming memorized the pattern, then found the True Word Talisman among Zhi Mi’s talismans!

"It’s this one!" Chu Hanming said excitedly, his breath quickening.

Calming down, he quickly put the talismans back and slipped away to avoid getting caught by Zhi Mi.

Not long after, Zhi Mi returned, muttering to himself, "It was just a piece of rope. Why get so scared?"

He paused, noticing his bag seemed out of place.

Seeing the talismans still there, he relaxed. "Why am I getting paranoid? No one would steal talismans in the marquis’s mansion."

Reassured, he washed up and went to bed.

Chu Hanming, thrilled with obtaining the True Word Talisman, hid it in his pouch and placed it under his pillow.

When Lady Tian returned, she saw him acting suspiciously and approached. "What are you doing, dear?"

Feeling guilty, Chu Hanming quickly shook his head and scolded Lady Tian. "Men’s business. Women shouldn’t meddle!"

Lady Tian’s face stiffened.

Grateful to be Chu Hanming’s main wife, she didn’t feel obliged to tolerate everything.

"Dear, your words are quite unreasonable. You don’t speak to me this way when you ask me to buy food." Lady Tian rolled her eyes, suspicious of his careful handling of the pouch. "If you want to take a concubine, just say so. But I won’t be able to provide the money."

Chu Hanming’s salary barely covered his expenses. Without her monthly stipend, their household would have been in dire straits long ago.

Knowing he was out of line, Chu Hanming helped her sit. "Don’t be upset, my dear. My work is difficult, so I lost my temper. I’ve promised not to take concubines, and I intend to keep that promise."

Lady Tian’s expression softened.

Taking his reassurance, she said, "But don’t let Ying’er see you like this. It will only worry her and hinder her recovery."

"Yes, yes, you’re right," Chu Hanming agreed.

After a few more affectionate words, they went to bed.

In the middle of the night, Lady Tian heard Chu Hanming’s snores, indicating he was deeply asleep.

She got up, lit a candle, and carefully retrieved the pouch from under his pillow.

Under the candlelight, she opened it and found a yellow talisman inside, which puzzled her.

They already had protective talismans from Nanli. Why was Chu Hanming treasuring this one?

Something was off.

Thinking Chu Hanming might have done something foolish, she donned her cloak and decided to visit Nanli at the Cool Breeze Courtyard.

Disturbing her at night was unfortunate, but if the talisman proved harmless, she could return it unnoticed, preserving their relationship.

Just as she donned her cloak, a voice came from behind: "It’s late, where are you going?"

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