97: Collaboration II

Collaboration II

Jiu Ming grinned wickedly. "It's because we are going to collaborate now. I need your herbal dishes and you need Paramount's power."1

"Alright." There was a determination in Feng Ruqing's eyes. "I accept your proposal. I will give you all my herbal dishes and in return, I want Paramount's power."

"Deal!"

***

It was late by the time Feng Ruqing left the ship. She lowered her eyes and looked at the token in her hands. There was happiness in her eyes. 

She did not come to the meeting without gaining anything. She at least gained a token. She could now have an easier time taking take care of things with the token. 

At least, she could ask the people in Paramount to go and buy precious herbs.

"Sir."

Inside the ship.

Xu Lao frowned and looked at the space where Feng Ruqing was before she left. He sighed. "Feng Ruqing might not know the significance of being the lady of Paramount. Do you really want to do that?"

Jiu Ming stood with one hand on his back. His sleeves flapped about as they were moved by the breeze. The young girl's plump body slowly disappeared from his sight. 

"I was saved by Empress Nalan when I was tricked and hurt badly that year. Now I built Paramount." Jiu Ming turned and looked at Xu Lao. "It's all because of Empress Nalan. If there were no Empress Nalan, do you think Paramount could exist?"

Xu Lao stopped talking.

"I have never seen myself as the master of Paramount. It was all because of… Feng Ruqing."

Xu Lao looked at Jiu Ming with great shock.

Paramount was built by Jiu Ming. He had never treated himself as the master of Paramount but a mere official's son instead. Was it all because of Feng Ruqing? 

"Sir, you mean…" Xu Lao's voice was trembling. There was a shock in his eyes. 

"My life was saved by Empress Nalan. I repaid her kindness by giving away Paramount. It's not too much to give. But, Feng Ruqing was a villain all these years that I could not meet her. She did all kinds of evil things."

If Paramount was given to such a villain, the world would descend into chaos.

Jiu Ming could not allow Empress Nalan's daughter to become such a villain since Empress Nalan was an exceptional woman.

"She's indeed different now."

Xu Lao kept quiet for a while before he voiced his opinion, "But…" His heart was calm but he stopped and asked again, "Sir, why didn't you accept her proposal and give her half of Paramount?"

Jiu Ming smiled wickedly and stroked the cup on the table. "One never appreciates anything that is gained easily. Moreover, she's still too weak to control Paramount. If I gave her half of it, it might destroy her."

Xu Lao was silent.

Sir always valued loyalty and righteousness. But, the value of Paramount was too high.

The public only knew about Paramount's business. They never knew its significance in this country.

"Sir, are you worried about the people in your family?" Xu Lao raised his eyes and asked in a deep voice.

Jiu Ming's eyes darkened. "Yes. Those people have always wanted Paramount since I have created it. They want me to give it to my elder brother. If they know that I've given it to Feng Ruqing, she might be in great danger." 

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