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Chapter 30.2

An Ruochen sat down obediently. “General, Doctor Wei said my body is fine, and Lord Xie also thinks I have grown a bit in my studies.” In other words, she could go out and work for the General.

“How far have you progressed?”

An Ruochen froze. Xie Gang must have reported to Big Long in detail how her condition was. But why did Big Long ask this question? Did he want her to praise herself?

Fine.

An Ruochen cleared her throat and said how diligent she was and how she memorized all the information thoroughly and used the word ‘never forget’ exaggeratedly. She also said she was good at observation. She grew up watching her father’s and concubines’ faces and had to judge from the servants’ attitude whether something was going on in each room, so she developed the skill of reading faces. And after some guidance from Lord Xie, it improved even more.

Moreover, she can understand people. Many people were going in and out of her mansion, but she only chose Lu Daniang as a helper. This matter proved that her judgment was correct. Lu Daniang was indeed reliable. Lord Xie designed many scenarios and arranged some people in the courtyard to show various situations for her to observe, and she could judge accurately in most cases.

There was also the secret code, the secret language, rescue methods, how to choose to retreat in different environments, etc., that she learned. She learned only for a few days but used the word ‘thoroughly.’ Since it was meant to be boastful, let’s boast hard.

An Ruochen cheekily praised herself while carefully observing Big Long. When she finished, Big Long said, “Miss An is not stingy in praising herself.”

Does it sound like General Long’s mood has changed for the better? An Ruochen answered seriously. “Every word is true. Naturally, I have a clear conscience.”

Big Long laughed.

With this smile, his cold face melted away as if there was a warm breeze in the room. An Ruochen looked into Long Da’s eyes when he smiled. His eyes were curved, and there was a fine line at the end of his eyes. His voice was low, carried a smile, and was gentle: “Is it proper for a girl to be so brazen?”

An Ruochen’s heart pounded, she abruptly lowered her eyes, not daring to look at him again, and her face heated up. She pursed the corners of her lips, maintaining a straight posture and sitting upright, trying to show a ‘clear conscience’ look.

Big Long looked at her and smiled again, saying: “If you hadn’t blushed and hadn’t averted your eyes, your previous remarks would have been more convincing. Miss An, it is obvious that your skills in dealing with all kinds of situations are not up to par.”

An Ruochen: “……”

Once she raised her eyes to look, Big Long’s face was already serious again.

An Ruochen almost had to count from one to ten to stabilize her emotions. General, is it appropriate for you to be so profound and unpredictable?

She fixed her mind. Her face did not change color, and she said calmly: “You’ve taught me. The General is wise and brilliant. With this guidance from the General, I will be more advanced.”

“Hmm.” Big Long nodded seriously. “Don’t neglect your flattery skills either.”

“……” An Ruochen counted to five and kept on saying seriously without changing her face, ”I will work hard.”

“Very good. Then how do you feel about General Zong?”

An Ruochen froze for a moment. The subject changed. What is her opinion of Zong Zeqing? What was his intention in asking this?

“General Zong is young and talented and is the country’s pillar of support.”

“He gets along with you very well.”

“General Zong is warm-hearted, kind, and straightforward, and I can’t thank him enough.”

“Hmm.” Big Long nodded his head.

An Ruochen waited for him to continue, but it turned out that he had nothing more to say.

An Ruochen waited, ah, waited. She could not guess Big Long’s mind and frowned slightly.

“Miss An is getting restless.” Big Long said.

An Ruochen hastened to straighten her face: “It is right for the General to criticize.”

“I think General Zong is quite fond of you. What do you think?”

An Ruochen stupefied slightly. This line of questioning is getting difficult, ah. “I am indebted to General Zong.”

“General Zong has not yet married a wife.”

“……” This time An Ruochen’s level of stupefaction slightly aggravated. What did it matter to her if he hadn’t taken a wife?

Ah, yes, she mustn’t blush. She mustn’t dodge her gaze. The General picked her fault for being indolent just now.

An Ruochen steadily looked into Big Long’s gaze and said back. “I believe General Zong must appreciate General Long’s care for him.”

Big Long looked at her, and An Ruochen also looked at him. General Lord’s facial expression seemed to relax a bit. His eyes were soft, unlike the stern ones when he first entered the room.

An Ruochen felt relieved that General Long was in a better mood. He must have been pleased with her progress.

At this time, Big Long spoke. “You need an identity. Otherwise, you can’t justify yourself outside, and you can’t do anything.”

An Ruochen’s spirits lifted. Did he approve of her going out?

“What kind of identity do you think is appropriate for yourself?”

An Ruochen had already considered this question and replied, “General, I would like to serve you. The General lacks a housekeeping sister in the backyard of the Purple Cloud House. I have been taught at home since young and know all the things to do in the courtyard. I can read and write, I can do accounting, I know how to train the servants, and I can do everything the stewards and maids can do.”

“Housekeeping sister? Grannies?”

An Ruochen did not notice Big Long’s expression and continued to say aloud: “If I can be a housekeeping sister, I can go out under the name of handling chores and buying, etc., can get in touch with the maids and servants of all kinds of people at the marketplace, so it will allow the spies to approach me. As the housekeeping sister, the spies will think I have some power in the backyard, and by taking care of the lords’ affairs, have access to information, and thus have value.”

An Ruochen talked about what she had in mind. She wasted all her efforts to get rid of the marriage contract and become a witness in the espionage case. But if she could not work it out, and the clues she could find were too few, making the General unhappy, she would become guilty instead. She couldn’t leave military custody and was not of much use for the time being. She volunteered to help Steward Fang do some chores to avoid punishment.

She was clever and had lived in the big mansion before. She knew how to get in and out of trivial matters, curry favor, and finally gain the trust of the lords. General Long allowed her to have maids and grannies to serve her and entrusted her to take care of the lords. Although she became a subordinate, she was safe and quite satisfied. But this is not a permanent solution. She needs to make some proper arrangements.

An Ruochen finished in one breath, carefully looked at Big Long, and added: “Of course, this is only my idea. Everything is still at your command.”

In the end, Big Long answered promptly. “Okay then. From today onwards, you are the steward of the Purple Cloud House.”

The words ‘sisters and grannies’ were automatically ignored.

“I will let Steward Fang teach you to take care of the miscellaneous affairs in the Residence and manage the maids and servants. Military-related matters, such as the arrangement of guards, patrol affairs, military reports pick-up and drop-off, and court cases, will be handled by Li Changshi. You need to listen to his instructions if you need his cooperation.”

An Ruochen was very happy. The satisfaction of getting affirmation filled her heart. She answered ‘yes’ loudly and crisply.