Lu Qing Wan showed an expression of "a promising pupil," asking, "Can you do it?"
Li Jin blinked his eyes. "Your subordinate is also not entirely sure. Dare I try?"
Lu Qing Wan grinned. "I knew you could do it. As expected of the head steward of the Regent's Mansion. Go for it! I'll have Wu Ying help you!"
Li Jin was praised to the point of being dazed.
Wait, he didn't seem to have promised the Princess Consort that he could definitely make Ming Wu Ya fall, did he?
What was this feeling of being pushed onto a shelf?
Just as he was about to try to salvage the situation, Li Su's voice sounded from outside. "Princess Consort, Miss Wu Ying has arrived."
Lu Qing Wan immediately waved at Li Jin. "Alright, you can go. I'll have Wu Ying find you later."
Her obvious unwillingness to speak further made Li Jin swallow all his intended words. "Yes, Princess Consort."
He then respectfully withdrew.
Soon, Li Su brought Wu Ying into the room. Wu Ying was still her usual cool self, but her eyes were no longer filled with hatred and hesitation.
Her brown eyes were filled with respect as she greeted Lu Qing Wan. "Your subordinate greets Master."
"Sit down and talk," Lu Qing Wan said, gesturing to a chair below.
Wu Ying stood up and politely sat on the chair Lu Qing Wan indicated. "Master summoned your subordinate here. May I know your command?"
Lu Qing Wan was direct. "How is the matter I asked you to handle before?"
As Lu Qing Wan's top subordinate, she had arranged quite a few matters for Wu Ying, directly or indirectly.
Wu Ying was momentarily unsure which matter she was referring to and could only guess. "Is Master referring to the matter of transporting grain and winter clothes to Saibei, or...?"
"The future leader of the martial world."
Lu Qing Wan snorted with mild dissatisfaction. "Did you find the future leader of the martial world I asked you to find for me?"
"Found! Absolutely found!"
Fearing that Lu Qing Wan would send her to become the leader of the martial world again, Wu Ying stood up hastily, her expression solemn and her tone sincere, as if taking an oath.
Lu Qing Wan looked at her with half-belief. "Is that so? Where is he? Why didn't you bring him to see me?" Her tone was strangely like a mother-in-law waiting to meet her future son-in-law.
Wu Ying said helplessly, "That person agreed to contend for the position of the martial world leader and to pull Ming Wu Ya down from his pedestal. However, I haven't known him for long. I've only just figured out his background. I haven't fully understood his martial arts skills or character yet, so I wanted to figure it out before bringing him to see you. However, he is currently in Bu Ye Zhou. If Master wishes to see him, I can have him come over at any time."
Lu Qing Wan did not rush to make a decision. Instead, she asked Wu Ying, "People in the martial world also cultivate inner strength, right? I remember the Prince is a Rank 8 warrior, unmatched by few in the world. What rank is Ming Wu Ya? And how is the strength of the person you found?"
As long as she wasn't asked to become the leader of the martial world, Wu Ying's professional capabilities were undeniable. This information was like plucking things from her pocket. Without even thinking, she spat it out.
"Ming Wu Ya is a Rank 5 warrior. However, thanks to Xie Shi Yu's introduction, after joining the Xuan Tian Sect, he befriended many people from various sects and obtained many advanced cultivation techniques. Therefore, his combat power is comparable to a Rank 6 warrior. As for Wen Ji Ting, he claims to be a Rank 7 warrior, but I have not seen him fight, so I am unable to ascertain the truth for now. I intended to use my father's past connections to find someone to test him, but before I could find anyone, Master started asking..."
Wu Ying's expression was quite ashamed as she spoke. It had been almost half a year since Lu Qing Wan assigned this matter, yet she had not completed it, feeling she had failed Lu Qing Wan's trust.
Lu Qing Wan did not think so. "Wen Ji Ting? Is that the person you found? A Rank 7 warrior, if he's not lying, he's considered a top-tier expert, right?"
Wu Ying nodded repeatedly. "More than just a top-tier expert. If his external skills are not lacking, he could even be considered an ultimate master. You must know that my father was the leader of the martial world for thirty years, and he was only a Rank 5 warrior. In terms of strength alone, Wen Ji Ting is more than enough to be the leader of the martial world."
"There's no need to investigate his background further. Take him to see Li Jin. If he can complete this mission, he will be the future leader of the martial world."
When Lu Qing Wan mentioned Li Jin, Wu Ying knew that she had definitely found her touchstone. She naturally agreed.
Only after Lu Qing Wan had made up her mind did she ask, "Wen Ji Ting agreed to contend for the position of martial world leader. Did he have any conditions?"
Wu Ying's expression turned peculiar at this. She shook her head. "He only made one request, which is that he wants to observe whenever Tie Shou does his work from now on."
"Ha!" Lu Qing Wan was momentarily taken aback. "Is this person a devoted fan of Tie Shou?"
Wu Ying wore an expression of "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Lu Qing Wan quickly retracted the nonsensical thoughts in her head. "I have no problem with this, but have you discussed it with Tie Shou?" Tie Shou was not her subordinate. Making Tie Shou work for her for free was already a great favor. Forcing him further would not be very kind.
Wu Ying's lips curved upwards. "Your subordinate brought him to meet Tie Shou once. I don't know what they talked about, but Tie Shou agreed."
"Tsk, Tie Shou looks unremarkable, yet he has helped us so much." Lu Qing Wan waved her hand generously. "Tell Tie Shou that from now on, if he wants to make anything or needs any materials, he can say so. Bu Ye Zhou will provide him with them for free."
Wu Ying nodded in agreement. "Your subordinate also thinks so. I will tell Tie Shou when I return."
The tacit understanding between mistress and servant made them both involuntarily happy.
"Speaking of Tie Shou, I almost forgot another matter for which I asked you to come." Lu Qing Wan patted her forehead. "How is the experiment with the bronze mirror in Bu Ye Zhou going?"
"Very successful!" Wu Ying's words were full of pride. "Ever since you left last time, your subordinate has replaced it with a glass mirror, which is much clearer than the bronze mirror. The shop assistants have already caught many petty thieves through the glass mirror. Those who were envious of Bu Ye Zhou's business and tried to cause trouble were also kicked out. A few days ago, we even cooperated with the Kyushu Patrol of the Ministry of Justice to arrest an escaped imperial fugitive. The Ministry of Justice even sent a plaque for bravery to Bu Ye Zhou!"
With her family revenge settled, Wu Ying was wholeheartedly devoted to Bu Ye Zhou. When she spoke of Bu Ye Zhou, it was as if she were talking about her own child, proud and boastful, even her usual cold demeanor softened a little.
Lu Qing Wan was extremely pleased. "That's for the best. Go back and discuss with Tie Shou about installing the glass mirror in Bai Xing Lin as well. The expenses will be covered by Bai Xing Lin's profits. As for the construction, it will be tough on you and Tie Shou."
Bu Ye Zhou had already benefited from the mirror technique. Wu Ying merely thought Lu Qing Wan was being far-sighted and did not ask many questions, directly agreeing to Lu Qing Wan's instructions.