Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 441

Chapter 441: 441

Wufu arrived at the Floral Hall designated for receiving guests, where Ah Jiu was sipping tea. Upon seeing her, he nodded as a way of greeting.

"Did you go up a mountain or dive into the sea?" Wufu took a glance at him and pointed at his face, "Why has it darkened so much?"

Not having seen each other for two months, the first thing she mentioned was his face. Ah Jiu subconsciously touched his own face and said, "Took a trip to Yungui."

Wufu realized at once, Yungui Plateau—that explained the tan.

"Injured?" she asked further.

Ah Jiu froze again, but Wufu pointed to below his ear, at his neck, where there was a scab as long as a finger. It couldn’t be said to have been an accidental scrape, as it looked more like a cut from a sword or knife.

"The master almost got killed," Xiao Li, who stood behind Ah Jiu, blurted out before Ah Jiu could speak.

"Xiao Li!" Ah Jiu chided softly.

Xiao Li stuck out his tongue but looked towards Wufu.

"What, did things not go smoothly?" Wufu frowned and asked, nearly getting killed meant a brush with death, and such usually happened only when things did not go well, right?

Ah Jiu felt a gentle warmth in his heart and smiled, "Did suffer some covert losses, but there were no real dangers."

Wufu inspected him closely, seeing his slightly upturned lips and his face that had darkened a shade, which seemed to have gained a few hints of steadiness. It must be that the covert losses he suffered were quite nasty, right?

Only those who have been through hardships develop a composed air and demeanor. Seeing him retract some of his sharp edge, becoming more reserved, Wufu knew the covert losses he mentioned were definitely not as simple as he let on.

After thinking for a moment, Wufu said, "Whenever you need my help, just say the word."

She owed him a favor.

Ah Jiu raised an eyebrow, "Sure. Actually, there is something I’d like help with."

"Do tell," Wufu said, her interest piqued.

"After the New Year, come with me to the capital," Ah Jiu said.

To the capital?

Wufu’s eyes lit up, "Sure, when are we leaving?"

"Aren’t you going to ask what it’s for?" Ah Jiu couldn’t help but laugh as she seemed overly excited.

"Once we get there, you’ll naturally tell me. Surely you’re not going to take me on a leisurely tour of the mountains and waters."

"What if I really take you on a sightseeing trip?"

Upon hearing this, Wufu looked at him, assessing him from head to toe, "Seriously?"

Ah Jiu burst into a hearty laugh; she always had a way of delighting people.

He placed his fist to his lips and coughed twice, glancing at Xiao Li.

Xiao Li quickly went to the door and gave an order, and soon someone came in carrying a small chest, which Wufu watched curiously.

"Have a look," Ah Jiu urged her with a nod.

Wufu walked over and opened it to see, goodness, a chest full of jade—jadeite, white jade, chicken blood ink jade, it had everything. She picked up a piece of jadeite and examined it; the quality wasn’t bad.

She turned around and somehow Ah Jiu had already walked over to her side, saying, "Don’t you like carving? I saw quite a few good stones over in Yungui, so I brought them back for you."

"For me?" Wufu pointed at herself.

"Hmm, they say fine swords are presented to heroes, and this jade... just enjoy carving it!" Ah Jiu said, feeling somewhat awkward but trying to appear unperturbed, "It’s not worth much anyway."

"Ninth Master, I do not accept undue reward," Wufu raised an eyebrow, tossing a stone back into the chest.

"Hmm, consider it a deposit for the trip to the capital after the New Year?" Ah Jiu thought for a moment before saying, "Can’t have Miss Wufu dealing with matters without compensation. I’m using jade in place of silver, that should be fine, right?"

Xiao Li, standing behind the two, rolled his eyes. Clearly, he had seen Ninth Master buying those jade pieces after saying Miss Wufu would probably like them, insisting on purchasing remorselessly. God knows how heavy that chest was for them to carry all the way back.

And yet this charming man was not straightforward about it, claiming it to be some sort of advance payment for hiring her services, tsk!