"Uncle, be gentle..."

Even though Han Anniang was a mature woman and had experienced countless pleasures with Chen Mo, she was never a match for him. Even though she was a Grade-Entering Martial Artist, Chen Mo's strength had increased significantly, and she could barely keep up with his rhythm.

Her fair arms wrapped around Chen Mo's neck, head tilted back like a proud swan, slightly plump, with her ample bosom sitting in Chen Mo's lap.

Han Anniang's hair was completely drenched in sweat, sticking to her forehead, cheeks, neck, and shoulders.

Her breath slightly faltered, her voice tinged with a tremor, she said, "Uncle, why don't we move out of the government office?"

Chen Mo was taken aback, looked down at Han Anniang's charming face, and asked, "What's wrong?"

"I just feel it's not quite right. When you're not at the government office, this discomfort in my heart keeps growing." Han Anniang rested her chin on Chen Mo's shoulder, holding his hand and placing it on her bosom, her face slightly flushed, said:

"The government office is a place for business. When you're not in Longmen County, Lord Huang is the one handling affairs. Every day, people come to beat the drum and file complaints, coming and going, all for official business. I can't really say anything, but it doesn't feel like home." Han Anniang said.

Chen Mo understood Han Anniang's concerns. To him, the back of the government office was a resting place for himself and his family, the front hall for business, and the resting place was home.

But Han Anniang saw the front hall and the backyard of the government office as one, so she couldn't feel the homey atmosphere.

Chen Mo thought about it and agreed.

After all, he had appointed Huang Xiu as the county magistrate of Longmen County, but he was occupying the government office himself, which didn't quite fit.

"Well then." As he spoke, Chen Mo pinched Han Anniang's smooth, jade-like chin.

"What are you doing?" Han Anniang's long eyelashes trembled slightly, she said softly.

"Let's move the government office to a different place." Chen Mo lowered his head and captured Han Anniang's slightly cool lips.

Han Anniang's heart fluttered, gently caressing Chen Mo's shoulder, her cheeks blushing, she whispered, "Having them relocate, Uncle, that's not right."

In Han Anniang's mind, she could move out and spend money to buy a house, but relocating the government office would inconvenience others.

And she was also afraid that people would say it's because she whispered in Chen Mo's ear.

"There's nothing wrong with that. The money for relocating the government office can come from the restaurant's account, no one will say anything." Chen Mo inhaled deeply, raised his hand to caress Han Anniang's face, and said, "Sister-in-law, lift your face, look at me..."

Chen Mo guided Han Anniang step by step, holding her tightly.

Finally, a violent storm blew its trumpets, the ocean surged with immense waves, then thudded down vertically, settling into calm.

...

Meanwhile.

Across several courtyards, inside a room still lit as bright as day.

A voluptuous and mature lady set down the account book in her hand and rubbed her tired temples.

Currently, all matters of the Fu Ze Hot Pot Restaurant were handled by her.

Not only did she train the staff.

Purchasing of ingredients, expansion of the restaurant, the costs of opening a new branch, and so on.

At this moment, she was going over the accounts.

For a merchant, anything can be delegated, anything can go wrong, but the account book must always be in one's own hands.

Qing Dance brought a basin of hot water, saying, "Madam, time to wash your feet."

Madam, a respectful title used in the Great Song Dynasty for married middle-aged women.

Following Chen Mo's suggestion, after buying Qing Dance back from the brothel, Ning Wan had her stay by her side to assist her.

Day-to-day, the work that required public appearances was all handed to Qing Dance by Ning Wan.

Ning Wan took off her embroidered shoes, lifted her feet, and with Qing Dance's service, removed the silk socks, revealing jade-like smooth, white feet, as tender as lotus roots, skin as white as snow, ten toes neatly aligned, resembling newly sprouted bamboo shoots.

Now the restaurant had branches all over the Upper County of Yu State, business was booming, making a fortune daily, a success to which Ning Wan greatly contributed.

So Ning Wan could finally live at ease in the backyard, enjoying the service of her subordinates.

Putting her feet into the water basin, Ning Wan set aside the account book and furrowed her eyebrows, asking, "Who is the shopkeeper of Qin City?"

Qing Dance had memorized all the information about the shopkeepers in each county and replied, "It's Luo Qin, Shopkeeper Luo."

She then gathered the courage to ask, "Madam, what's the matter?"

Ning Wan, intending to train Qing Dance, handed her the account book, "These are the accounts sent from Qin City's store."

Qing Dance flipped through it. Not understanding accounts, she couldn't quite grasp it and asked, "Madam, is there something wrong with this account book?"

"The accounts recorded in this book are fishy. If my guess is right, the Qin City store has been falsifying its accounts."

Ning Wan, having been exposed to business knowledge since she was young and having reviewed account books by the stacks while accompanying her father, could easily spot these petty tricks in the account book.

"Ah?"

Qing Dance was startled.

Ning Wan was silent for a moment, then said in a cold voice, "Qin City's restaurant has only been open for two months, and within such a short time, someone dared to falsify accounts under my nose. That's some nerve."

At this moment, she showed none of the timid or foolish demeanor she had when facing Liang Song or Chen Mo.

Ning Wan said sternly, "Qing Dance, tomorrow take people to Qin City personally to audit the accounts. If it's found to be true that accounts were falsified, show no mercy; handle it how it should be handled."

Qing Dance was startled again.

"Any problem?" Ning Wan glanced at Qing Dance.

"Madam, should we consult the Marquis first?" Qing Dance asked.

"Why bother the Marquis with such a trivial matter, it's unnecessary."

"Madam, you might not know, but this Shopkeeper Luo Qin is General Luo's uncle." Qing Dance whispered.

Ning Wan was taken aback, "Which General Luo?"

"General Luo Yong, a centurion in the Divine Brave Guard, credited with Xian Deng achievements, having received the Marquis' commendation, and was granted a title by the court..." Qing Dance explained.

Upon hearing this, Ning Wan's brows knitted tighter, a flash of realization in her eyes, "No wonder he has such audacity, so he has someone to back him up."

After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Investigate secretly to see if the falsifying of accounts is true, and if it is, how much silver taels have been embezzled; if it's a significant amount, I'll bring it to the Marquis."

"Yes."

This period, to develop the restaurant, Ning Wan had also built a small team of her own, which included an accountant she personally recruited who had previously served in a money house, as well as Grade-Entering Martial Artists recruited under Chen Mo's name to maintain appearances.

Qing Dance was swift in her tasks, which was why Ning Wan wanted to nurture her.

Once in Qin City, it took Qing Dance no more than three days to figure it out.

As Ning Wan expected, the accounts submitted were indeed falsified.

Through concealing and substituting, Luo Qin embezzled, pocketing over three hundred silver taels in just two months.

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