Chapter 90: You’re Not Planning to Settle This by Force, Are You?

Five days later, at noon.

Qin Mu-tou drove the mule cart and brought Xu Mo into the city.

Once inside, Xu Mo headed straight for the county yamen.

He had come to speak with Xiong Youli about keeping order, for in a few days it would be the day of the great market in Xinzhou City.

A great market was different from an ordinary market day: far more people came, the streets were livelier, and opera troupes would even set up stages to perform, somewhat like a temple fair during the New Year.

So Ning Yaxin felt this was a good chance to publicize the Peony brand soap again.

She therefore sent someone to deliver a letter to Xu Mo, explaining the matter in detail and asking him to help contact Captain Xiong.

When he arrived at the Xinzhou county yamen, Xu Mo soon met Xiong Youli.

The moment Xiong Youli saw that it was Xu Mo, his stern, cold expression instantly turned warm.

When he heard Xu Mo had come to ask for help, he at once invited him to a nearby teahouse to talk.

Xu Mo did not waste words. He stated his purpose directly, then waited for Xiong Youli’s reply.

As soon as Xiong Youli heard there was a private job to take, and the pay was quite good besides, he agreed without hesitation.

To show his sincerity, Xu Mo immediately paid Xiong Youli a silver ingot in advance. By the time Xiong Youli accepted the money, he was practically grinning from ear to ear.

After the matter was settled, Xu Mo took his leave of Xiong Youli and went instead to the Fragrant Skin flagship shop.

Business at the shop was as good as ever, with customers coming and going in an endless stream.

Xu Mo got out of the carriage and entered the shop, first exchanging a few pleasantries with Manager Xie Yuqing, then went straight upstairs.

Knock, knock, knock.

Xu Mo rapped on Ning Yaxin’s door and called, “Miss Ning, it’s me.”

Very soon, Ling’er opened the door.

Ning Yaxin was looking over the account book at the time. Seeing Xu Mo arrive, she quickly set the ledger aside and rose to greet him.

“Ling’er, go keep watch outside. I need to discuss something with Young Master Xu,” Ning Yaxin instructed.

Ling’er answered at once, and after leaving, she closed the door behind her.

“Please, Young Master Xu, have a seat,” Ning Yaxin said.

Before even sitting down, Xu Mo said, “Miss Ning, I just went to the county yamen and saw Captain Xiong. He’s already agreed to help keep order during the great market in a few days. As long as we decide on the time and place and notify him in advance, that will be enough.”

Ning Yaxin nodded. “That’s wonderful. With the yamen’s people there, I can be much more at ease.”

“It must have been hard on you, Young Master Xu,” she said gratefully.

Xu Mo waved it away. “Miss Ning, from now on, there’s no need to be so polite. You’re my sole distributor; helping you is helping myself. We’re all on the same boat.”

Ning Yaxin was amused at once. “Young Master Xu, being on the same boat sounds like quite the unfortunate saying.”

Xu Mo smiled and asked, “Then how should it be said?”

After thinking seriously for a moment, Ning Yaxin replied, “It should be, if one prospers, both prosper; if one suffers, both suffer.”

“Exactly, exactly! Miss Ning truly is learned,” Xu Mo said with a laugh.

“Young Master Xu, please don’t tease me,” Ning Yaxin said, somewhat embarrassed.

After their laughter died down, Xu Mo suddenly thought of someone and asked, “By the way, Miss Ning, has that Zhang Zhishen returned to Heyang?”

The moment Ning Yaxin heard the name Zhang Zhishen, her expression turned troubled.

Xu Mo understood instantly and asked, “Miss Ning, is that fellow harassing you again?”

Ning Yaxin sighed helplessly. “Ever since that day, he has come to block my way outside my home every single day. I’ve already said everything I needed to say, but he’s still the same. He’s practically driven me mad.”

“No way. That man has such a thick skin?” Xu Mo said in surprise.

Ning Yaxin shook her head and sighed again, clearly at a loss for what to do with Zhang Zhishen.

Xu Mo frowned and thought for a moment, then said, “Miss Ning, how about I see you home today? If we run into him, you needn’t worry about a thing. I’ll handle him.”

Ning Yaxin immediately grew concerned and asked hurriedly, “Young Master Xu, you’re not planning to solve this with force, are you?”

“Of course not!” Xu Mo shook his head and said with complete seriousness, “I’m not someone who resorts to violence casually!”

Then he smiled with confidence. “Miss Ning, rest assured. I’ll make sure Zhang Zhishen is dealt with properly.”

Ning Yaxin was half-convinced, half-doubtful, but in the end she still agreed to let Xu Mo step in, because she truly did not want to see Zhang Zhishen again.

At that moment, Xu Mo suddenly stood up and, while walking toward the door, said, “Miss Ning, there’s still one thing I need to take care of. Wait for me a moment; I’ll be back very soon... Miss Ning, you must wait for me to return.”

“Where are you going, Young Master Xu? Young Master Xu...”

Before Ning Yaxin could finish, Xu Mo had already vanished from the doorway.