As expected, these individuals were all experts. Any one of them could have made a name for themselves in the martial world. Some excelled at hidden weapons, others at sabers, some at spears, and yet others at poisons. If Wu Caiwei hadn't possessed years of martial arts experience and exceptional medical skills, she would have struggled to cope.
Unbeknownst to her, the Third Prince's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't anticipated such formidable prowess. He knew the capabilities of these individuals; it had cost him a considerable sum to recruit them to his side. Now, to see so many of them unable to defeat Wu Caiwei, he was ecstatic, feeling as though he had discovered a treasure. Moreover, this person had come to him willingly, clearly having researched him. He couldn't help but feel pleased that he was admired.
Before long, the group lay on the ground, while Wu Caiwei leaned on her sword, gasping for breath. It had been a long time since she had engaged in such a fierce battle, and her stamina was somewhat depleted. Given more time to cultivate, she believed she could have defeated them with ease. However, for her current body, she had reached her limit. Had their martial arts been even slightly superior, the outcome would have been uncertain.
"You, young man, to possess such profound medical skills at such a tender age! Before coming, His Highness only mentioned your martial prowess, never this. It seems we are all past our prime." The only woman among them looked at Wu Caiwei with admiration. She considered her poisons to be not the most potent in the world, but certainly not something ordinary individuals could withstand.
To think that the other party not only endured it but easily neutralized it. They had fought for so many rounds, yet Wu Caiwei remained unharmed, a testament to her advanced skill. She wondered which prominent figure in the martial world had the foresight to recruit her early. If she had met Wu Caiwei sooner, she too would have valued such talent and spared no effort to lure them to her banner.
Wu Caiwei smiled without uttering a word. Initially, she had no intention of revealing her full capabilities to the Third Prince. However, the poison administered was too potent, and without employing her skills, it would be impossible to counteract. Furthermore, she couldn't afford to be defeated by these three individuals or fail to demonstrate her worth to the Third Prince, thereby undermining any future plans to overthrow the Sun family.
The Third Prince immediately burst into hearty laughter. With a joyful demeanor, he patted Wu Caiwei's shoulder and invited everyone to the grandest restaurant in the capital for a lavish feast.
Lu Zi had followed along from the beginning. Wu Caiwei intentionally wanted to train him and broaden his horizons. Lu Zi had overheard their entire conversation. He had never imagined his master possessed not only formidable martial arts but also exceptional medical skills, earning such praise even from this young master. He understood his master's high level of proficiency.
Although he didn't grasp the identities of those present, their attire and conduct indicated that the young master leading them held an extraordinary position. He could never have dreamed that this person was the Emperor's son.
As they walked back in the evening, Lu Zi couldn't help but voice his confusion. Wu Caiwei answered him directly, without beating around the bush. Lu Zi stood frozen for a long moment, unable to process the information. Seeing his master walking away, he quickly jogged to catch up and asked cautiously, "Master, you're not tricking me, are you? Was the person who dined with us truly the Emperor's third son?"
Wu Caiwei playfully tapped his head, pointing to her nose, and said with a sigh, "When has your master ever lied to you?"
Lu Zi's expression immediately fell, and he looked on the verge of tears. "Master, why didn't you tell me sooner? If you had told me earlier, I would have put on a better show in front of him. Was I embarrassing just now?"
Caiwei thoughtfully recalled his every action and found that this young man indeed judged situations based on perceived status. Although he knew the other party's extraordinary position, he couldn't execute his master's commands promptly unless specifically instructed. He stayed by her side, never leaving, for fear of being unavailable when needed.
Seeing his crestfallen face, she couldn't help but be amused. She found this disciple quite endearing, always prioritizing her needs and never failing to show her the utmost care and affection.
After a while, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Just as Wu Caiwei was about to ask what he was laughing about, he looked at her with emotion and said, "I wanted to suggest to you earlier, Master, that we find a patron in the capital. Our business is destined to grow, and we can no longer be bullied as before. While your martial arts are superb, some matters cannot be resolved by force alone. We need someone to back us, to deter those lurking in the shadows from making a move. I never imagined you would think even further ahead than I did. Whose official position could be higher than that of the Emperor's son? From now on, as long as we don't make any major mistakes in the capital, we will be protected. The thought alone makes me giddy with joy."
Wu Caiwei smiled and shook her head. It was rare for this child to possess such a sincere heart. As long as he remained loyal, she was willing to provide him with the best possible treatment within her capabilities.
Steward Liu truly lived up to his reputation for being well-informed. The man who had previously looked down on her now regarded her with fawning eyes. Wu Caiwei understood his intentions perfectly. It was said his relatives held minor official positions in the city. How had he gotten his news? It seemed no one should be underestimated.
Although the steward had a history of questionable behavior, Wu Caiwei never refused a friendly greeting. She offered a polite smile, and Steward Liu's face lit up with joy. He assumed Wu Caiwei had forgiven him and breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Wu Caiwei had no desire for further interaction with individuals like Steward Liu. Knowing that he feared her encroaching on his business, and now possessing a powerful patron, she was unafraid. To retaliate, she proceeded to open several more shops.
Steward Liu's face immediately darkened like the bottom of a pot. However, he could no longer bully her as he pleased. He concealed all his displeasure, utterly powerless against her. He could only watch helplessly as the money that would have flowed into his coffers now went into hers, feeling as though his heart was bleeding. She was truly a business prodigy; everything she touched seemed to turn into profit. If only he possessed her abilities.
At this moment, he thought of Hua Hua. That woman was truly ruthless. She had set fire to half of his courtyard, and even a cursory repair would cost tens of thousands of taels of silver. He began to curse again. His recent business had been significantly impacted by Wu Caiwei, and his income had dwindled. Now, with such a substantial expense, he felt his efforts this year had been in vain.
If he ever caught that woman, he swore he would make her regret being born. He didn't know where she was hiding. He had scoured the entire capital and found no trace of her. If he had known she would be such a calamity, he would never have married her in the first place.