She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

Zhao Zun once said, among the four major families, apart from the Song Family, who have been influenced by their family tradition since childhood, advocating virtue and propriety, being gentle and elegant, the other three major families wield enormous power, oppress the common people, and dominate the countryside. They often resort to violence against innocent people, and at the slightest displeasure, they destroy homes and seize land.

The misdeeds of the three major families are such that they outrage both people and deities. Yet, with the government backing them, the common people suffer in silence, fearing to provoke disaster upon themselves.

The Su Family, mentioned by Yang Haibo, is indeed the family of the empress’s maternal clan, which includes the Marquis of Champion and Princess Changle. Just by observing Princess Changle’s arrogance and superiority, Han Lei could glimpse a part of it.

At this time, Da Wu leaned in close to Han Lei’s ear and whispered, ”Miss, what he said might be true. I overheard him saying outside the door just now that now he’ll have silver to buy medicine for his mother.”

”Hmm!” Han Lei nodded gently; she could see too, that these two thieves before her were merely unfortunate souls oppressed by feudal society.

With a soft sigh, Han Lei stood up and walked over, personally helping Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong to their feet. ”Get up and sit here to talk!”

Terrified but grateful, both stood up and sat down, repeatedly thanking her. ”Thank you, thank you, Miss.”

”You should stop stealing and come boldly to help me sell wine, alright?” After returning to her seat, Han Lei asked softly.

”What?”

Yang Haibo thought he must have misheard, his face full of disbelief.

They had stolen this young lady’s wine, yet rather than blaming them, she actually wanted them to help her sell wine?

Han Lei chuckled lightly and repeated, ”I mean, you needn’t skulk around; come directly to help me sell wine, and I will pay you. How does that sound?”

Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong, hearing her words, felt ecstatic, yet soon fell into confusion again.

”Miss, we don’t have any skills. Can we... really?”

”Of course you can.” Han Lei smiled sweetly. ”Your trading talent is indeed a skill. Being able to sell stolen wine at a high price proves not only your courage but also your intelligent minds.”

Yang Haibo exchanged glances with Tang Xiaotong, both dumbfounded. Was the lady actually praising them?

”Let’s chat as we eat,” Han Lei invited Da Wu and the others to sit down, then picked up the jug on the table and personally filled their cups. ”Give to taste the wine, how does it impress?”

Both Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong awkwardly rose and thanked her, and only after everyone at the table began to eat did they cautiously sip their wine.

As the wine slid down their throats, a fiery sensation followed, leaving a lingering richness and aroma.

”How is it?”

Han Lei looked at them with a smile, while the brothers from the Da Zi team also gazed at them with great anticipation.

”Miss, this indeed is superb wine!”

Yang Haibo smacked his lips, a blush appearing on his cheeks—not from the wine’s strength, but from awkward embarrassment.

”Miss, honestly, after stealing your wine, we didn’t dare taste a drop ourselves, all was sold for silver to buy medicine for our mother.”

”Hahaha...” The others present were amused by his words.

”Hehehe, we all know,” Han Lei laughed heartily. ”Not only do we know you haven’t tasted a drop, we also know you say, even the immortals would nod in approval.”

”This...”

Upon hearing this, the faces of Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong grew ever redder.

They thought their theft went unnoticed, yet every move was actually under someone else’s watch.

Da Wu patted Yang Meibo’s shoulder and made a thumbs-up, ”You two truly are peddlers who traverse the streets, adept at reading others and asking exorbitant prices, you have a knack for it.”

This originally was meant as praise, yet Yang Haibo felt utterly embarrassed listening to this and could only manage a dry laugh.

Han Lei continued the subject, ”What do you think of what I proposed? If you join my team and help me with my affairs, I will ensure you live a life better than this.”

”Really? You’re willing to take us in?” Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong were overjoyed to hear this.

”Of course it’s true. But let me make it clear upfront, should you betray me, or engage in any illegal activities, I won’t be lenient.”

Han Lei’s tone was firm, a chill flashed in her eyes. This era is tough for the common people, but she wouldn’t allow her people to steal or rob.

”We won’t, we won’t.”

Seeing Han Lei was serious, Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong were so thrilled they couldn’t find the right words. This indeed was a stroke of luck!

Da Wu, seeing their hesitation, interjected, ”What are you hesitating for? Quickly agree! Our Miss is very good to people and will surely treat you well.”

”Yes, quickly agree!”

”Look, we all work under Miss, and she’s never mistreated us.”

”Miss even saved our lives!”

The brothers from the Da Zi team eagerly echoed.

Only then did the two come to their senses, kneeling down before Han Lei.

”Thank you, Miss, we brothers shall serve diligently.”

”Haha, welcome to our family, now we shall be one,” Han Lei walked over and helped them up, then picked up her cup, ”Come, let’s all toast together to welcome them.”

A round of applause followed and everyone toasted.

After the toast, Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong felt less awkward and much more at ease.

Han Lei ate and talked business with them.

”You said, even the immortals would nod at this wine, how about we call this wine Drunken Immortal Brew?”

”Good, that’s a fine name!”

Everyone agreed enthusiastically.

”I’ll open a tavern named Drunken Immortal Brew in the Capital City, and I’ll leave it to Yang Haibo to manage,” Han Lei said, looking at Yang Haibo.

”Capital City? Leave to me?” Yang Haibo was startled and delighted.

He thought at most he’d help Han Lei with errands, little did he expect she’d appoint him to manage a tavern in the Capital City. It was such a show of trust!

Han Lei nodded affirmingly.

”Yes, leave it to you, I have faith in you! Tang Xiaotong is still young, let him follow you, guide him, and strive for him to stand on his own in the future.”

”Yes, Miss Han, rest assured, we will wholeheartedly!” Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong nodded repeatedly, filled with joy.

Han Lei’s decision already thrilled Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong, but she then dropped an even bigger surprise.

”You need to return to Taoyuan County first, to observe the brewing of Drunken Immortal Brew, so you can better introduce it to guests later. Once back, bring your mother for me to see! I know some medicine and might be able to treat her. Once she’s healed, you can head to the Capital City together.”

It’s said doctors don’t solicit, nor are goods cheaply sold, yet Miss offered to treat his mother’s illness?

Upon hearing it, both Yang Haibo and Tang Xiaotong felt as if a bright light flashed through their minds, thinking to themselves: What kind of luck have they encountered?