Chapter 59: The Care of Previous Days

Shangguan Ya'er pushed open the door of the small shop, just in time to see Chu Nan half-reclining on a rocking chair, looking thoroughly relaxed.

She was dressed in dark martial arts attire with a long sword at her waist. Moonlight cast its glow upon her garments and armor, lending her an aura of striking heroism.

"Master Chu," Shangguan Ya'er walked into the courtyard, her gaze sweeping over the neatly stacked supplies before she nodded slightly, "It seems you prepared everything quite quickly this time."

Chu Nan sat up from the rocking chair, raised an eyebrow, and spoke with a hint of quiet complacency, "Naturally. How could I dare to delay anything entrusted to me by Lady Shangguan?"

Shangguan Ya'er did not take up his banter. Instead, she casually glanced around the courtyard until her gaze was suddenly caught by a mirror resting against the wall.

It was a vanity mirror framed in gold, its surface reflecting a crisp, bright luster under the moonlight, casting a shimmering glow across the entire courtyard.

She halted her steps, walked up to the mirror, and studied it closely for a moment, a trace of astonishment showing in her eyes. "Master Chu, how was this mirror... crafted? How can it possibly be so clear and translucent?"

Seeing her expression, Chu Nan could not help but smile. "Oh, this little gadget? Nothing special, just an ordinary trinket."

"Ordinary?" Shangguan Ya'er lifted her eyes to look at him, her brows slightly furrowed. "Master Chu, you say that far too lightly."

"The bronze mirrors we use are nowhere near this clear. To make out the details of one's face, one has to wipe them over and over again."

"Yet this mirror shines like water and reflects every single detail without the slightest flaw. It is definitely no ordinary object."

Hearing this, Chu Nan laughed inwardly while feigning casual indifference on the surface. "Ah, well, perhaps the craftsmen on our side simply possess better skills."

"If Lady Shangguan likes it, I can simply give this mirror to you."

Shangguan Ya'er was slightly taken aback. Her gaze fell upon the mirror with a complex expression. "Give it to me?"

Chu Nan nodded and said nonchalantly, "It's just a mirror, nothing of great value."

"Consider it a token of gratitude for Lady Shangguan's care over the past period."

Shangguan Ya'er stared at the mirror for a moment before nodding softly. "Since Master Chu is so generous, I shall accept it without modesty."

She gathered the gold-framed mirror into her arms, lowered her gaze to examine it a few more times, and still could not hide the lingering awe in her eyes.

The clarity of this mirror far surpassed any bronze mirror she had ever seen before; she could even make out the finest textures of her own skin.

She gently stroked the mirror frame and said with a complex tone, "Master Chu, an item like this..."

"If this were taken into the imperial palace, I am afraid it would cause quite a stir."

Hearing this, Chu Nan smiled and teased casually, "What, does Lady Shangguan intend to take it back to show off? Rest assured, the mirror I'm giving you is completely unique; you won't find a second one in the palace."

Shangguan Ya'er raised her eyes slightly to look at him and replied calmly, "Master Chu is certainly eloquent. However, I shall treasure this mirror well."

She handed the mirror to her attendant behind her to store away, then shifted the conversation. "Let us discuss official business first. I have just inspected the grain and provisions, and the quantity is indeed substantial."

Upon hearing this, Chu Nan turned back, pointed to the neatly stacked chests in the courtyard, and said, "This batch of goods has just arrived—rice, flour, and dried vegetables are all included, enough to sustain our brothers at the northern frontier for quite a while."

"However, the volume this time is indeed rather large, and my current inventory is limited. I cannot produce the entire amount all at once. You can take away a portion first, and the rest will arrive in a couple of days."

Shangguan Ya'er nodded, her face showing not the slightest trace of displeasure. "No matter. That Master Chu can operate with such efficiency is already quite admirable."

"Transporting it in batches is acceptable as well; there is still some buffer time before we reach the northern frontier."

"I am glad Lady Shangguan understands," Chu Nan said with a smiling nod. "By the way, what about the payment for the goods? You aren't expecting me to pay out of pocket first, are you?"

Shangguan Ya'er gave a light hum and waved a hand behind her.

Immediately, several strong guards walked in carrying a heavy chest.

As the chest was set down, a heavy thud echoed through the courtyard. Chu Nan could not help but raise an eyebrow. "So heavy, could it be gold?"

"Master Chu can simply open it and see for himself."

Shangguan Ya'er stood to one side, her tone indifferent.

Chu Nan flexed his wrists, squatted down, and unlatched the chest.

What came into view was a dazzling golden light—an entire chest filled to the brim with glistening gold ingots.

Chu Nan stared dumbfounded for a few seconds, then could not help exclaiming, "The Empress is certainly generous! Settling the entire balance in one go?"

The corners of Shangguan Ya'er's mouth curved upward slightly. "This is Her Majesty's will. Since Master Chu is able to provide provisions for the northern frontier, your service is of great merit, and this gold is well-deserved."

Chu Nan raised a hand to rub his chin, calculating rapidly in his mind before smiling. "It seems Her Majesty's pockets have grown considerably more affluent lately. Tsk, I wager she must have squeezed a tidy sum from some wealthy aristocratic families or some fabulously rich province, otherwise how could she be so prompt?"

Shangguan Ya'er straightened her expression, her tone turning slightly cold. "Master Chu, do not speak carelessly. Her Majesty raised these provisions entirely for the sake of the border troops; there is no need for Master Chu to indulge in wild speculations."

Chu Nan shrugged and let out a dry laugh. "Just speaking off the cuff, don't take it seriously, don't take it seriously."

Then, he peered back into the chest and sighed, "Still, speaking of which, this chest of gold carries real weight. Compared to those wealthy households, the Empress certainly acts with utmost decisiveness!"

He tallied the number of gold ingots and found that the sum was indeed quite considerable—more than enough to cover the cost of a massive shipment of grain.

With a mental sigh of appreciation, he asked no further questions. He latched the chest shut, stood up, and said, "Lady Shangguan, you may take this batch of goods away first, and I will make up the remainder as soon as possible."

Shangguan Ya'er nodded and turned to instruct her guards, "Load these provisions onto the carriages and deliver them to the northern frontier's warehouse as quickly as possible."

The guards moved swiftly, carrying the boxes of provisions from the courtyard onto the horse-drawn carriages one by one.

Standing to the side, Chu Nan watched and smiled, "Tsk tsk, with such high efficiency, no wonder you are able to keep the court's affairs running like clockwork."

Shangguan Ya'er did not respond to his teasing. She simply kept her eyes fixed on the guards' actions, and only after confirming everything was correct did she turn back and say, "Master Chu, please notify me as soon as the remaining goods arrive, and our men will come to collect them at any time."

"Rest assured," Chu Nan waved a hand. "I will never delay your provisions."

"Then I thank Master Chu."

Shangguan Ya'er gave a slight nod, swept her gaze across the interior of Chu Nan's room, and then let it fall upon the mirror carelessly left resting on the table. A complex flash crossed her eyes, but in the end, she said nothing and turned to leave with her retinue.

Watching Shangguan Ya'er's carriage recede into the distance, Chu Nan stood at the doorway and stretched his back.

He turned to look at the vast expanse of cleared space in the courtyard and let out a long breath. "Half of the work is finally done, now I need to hurry up and finish the rest. Tsk, the Empress's move is truly ruthless—dropping a chest of gold like that, who could possibly say 'no'?"