Chapter 155: The Scroll

"So that's how it is. It seems I misjudged Boss Jiang," Su Liluo touched her nose, looking somewhat guilty.

"Boss Su, I have no idea who is trying to track down the formula for Xuexiu. However, this matter cannot be hidden for long, and they will surely trace it back to you eventually. I hope you will be on guard early on," Jiang Nan's sincere words brought tears to Su Liluo's eyes.

"Thank you, Boss Jiang." Su Liluo was truly grateful to him, yet a sense of fear lingered in her heart. Her formula came from a medical book, but no one in the Prime Minister's Estate had ever known the whereabouts of that book. Could it have been left behind by her mother?

Su Liluo sat uneasily, afraid that Jiang Nan might notice any flaws in her composure. She forced down her growing terror and wondered if the person searching for the formula was trying to find her mother. But her mother had been dead for many years—who wouldn't know that?

A flash of insight struck Su Liluo's mind. The military tally in her possession was also left by her mother. Could those people be after that? Su Liluo trembled, her face turning pale. Noticing this, Jiang Nan asked with concern, "Why is Boss Su suddenly sweating so much?"

"It's nothing, nothing at all," Su Liluo wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. Her current situation was perilous; a few days ago, unprovoked men in black had tried to take her life, and now someone was inquiring about her mother. Her very life was in jeopardy.

Deeply frightened, Su Liluo could not confide this misery to Jiang Nan. She could only force herself to calm down, clutching her palms so tightly that red marks formed, though she paid them no mind. Her voice raspy, she said, "Boss Jiang, I have a favor to ask of you."

Seeing her recover slightly, Jiang Nan smiled and said, "Boss Su, what is our relationship? If there is anything Jiang can help with, just say the word, and I will certainly not hesitate."

Jiang Nan's words gave Su Liluo a measure of courage. She wiped the corners of her eyes and began, "I only wish to ask Boss Jiang to help me investigate who is behind the search for the Xuexiu formula, and whether there is someone directing them from the shadows. As Boss Jiang knows, my identity as the eldest young lady of the Su family comes with many restrictions, so I must rely on you to send someone to run this errand for me."

Jiang Nan gave a light cough and smiled, "I thought it was a major matter—it's just a trifle. Rest assured, Boss Su, the moment there is news, I will have someone notify you. Since there is nothing else today, I will take my leave." Glancing at the time, Jiang Nan realized they had stayed long enough. Being inside someone else's estate, one always had to mind propriety.

"Very well, I will have the Princess arrange for someone to escort you out of the estate." Su Liluo opened the door, spoke of the matter to Princess Anping, and immediately summoned a pageboy to lead Jiang Nan secretly out of the Prince's Estate.

When Princess Anping and Su Liluo returned inside the room, she noticed Su Liluo's abnormal complexion and asked urgently, "Sister Liluo, what is wrong? Did you and Boss Jiang have a falling out? Why do you look so pale?"

Su Liluo came back to her senses and quickly shook her head, "It wasn't Boss Jiang, Princess. The ice shop business may no longer be viable."

Seeing the bitter smile on Su Liluo's face, Princess Anping opened her mouth in shock and asked, "S... Surely not?"

Su Liluo only shook her head, her face full of despair. Princess Anping felt somewhat anxious at this, finding it strange that an ice shop with such stellar business could fail. Yet, seeing that Su Liluo was in a dreadful mood, she felt it inappropriate to press the matter further or dampen her spirits any more over her private affairs. Desperate to distract her, she shifted topics.

"Sister Liluo, the resort villa has been initially renovated. When will Sister go take a look? If there are any issues, we can make improvements in time and open for business early. I've been waiting to make some money!" Mentioning the resort villa lifted Princess Anping's spirits. Although it was a joint venture with Su Liluo, it was her very first foray into the business world, filling her with excitement.

Hearing the word "outing," Su Liluo immediately shook her head. Seeing the princess looking at her in astonishment, she could only force a bitter smile and say, "There are matters in the estate these days, and it is inconvenient for me to go out. Let's postpone the visit to the estate, or perhaps the Princess can go first. If you find it satisfactory, we can open for business." She could not share the terror in her heart; if she risked her life just for a stroll out, it simply wouldn't be worth it.

"Very well, we'll wait until Sister Liluo has the time," Princess Anping pouted in disappointment. Seeing her like this caused Su Liluo a pang of distress, and she softly consoled, "I have no choice in the matter. I hope the Princess can understand."

Hearing these helpless words filled Princess Anping with sorrow as well. She grasped Su Liluo's hand tightly and said, "Sister, I understand your hardship, say no more. Whenever Sister has time in the future, we will go together."

At this, the two exchanged smiles. Princess Anping knew what kind of life a proper young lady of a noble house was expected to lead; her own freedom was due entirely to the doting elders in her estate, whereas Su Liluo enjoyed no such fortune.

Having listened to Su Baihan chatter incessantly for ages, the Heir of Annan estimated that enough time had passed for any conversation to have ended, and his responses to her grew perfunctory. Suddenly, he feigned surprise and said, "Fourth Young Miss, I have matters to attend to and must take my leave."

"Wait, Lord Heir, this painting..." Su Baihan looked at him expectantly. The Heir of Annan glanced at it dismissively and replied, "Since the Fourth Young Miss thinks so highly of it, you may keep it. Consider it a token of my regard."

Beaming with joy, Su Baihan cried out loudly, "Thank you, Lord Heir! Han'er will cherish it dearly." The Heir of Annan strode away hurriedly, paying no mind to whatever else Su Baihan might say.

Su Baihan looked down at the scroll in her hands with a smiling gaze, stroking it gently as if she could still feel the warmth of the Heir of Annan's hands holding it.

She chuckled softly and murmured to herself, "You are the witness between the Heir and me." Though she would have preferred not to rely solely on a painting, she had nothing else to hold onto now.

Upon returning, Princess Anping and Su Liluo witnessed this scene. The princess asked in astonishment, "Fourth Young Miss, isn't this my brother's painting? Why is it in your hands?"

Su Baihan replied with a coy smile, "His Highness the Heir gave it to me. Have Sister and the Princess finished talking already?" Radiant with joy, her rosy complexion contrasted sharply with Su Liluo's pale face, a sight that deeply displeased Princess Anping.

Her tone turning sharp, Princess Anping said, "Indeed. I never imagined that in such a short span of time, the Fourth Young Miss would manage to get my brother's painting into her hands. Truly quite a skill." Su Baihan's smile froze, and she glared at Su Liluo with an unfriendly look.

"The Princess jests. It is only because the Heir holds me in high regard. If Sister and the Heir had been engaged in deep conversation earlier, I suppose this painting would never have found its way to me," Su Baihan said, arching an eyebrow at Su Liluo, her words dripping with provocation.

"What is Sister saying? You obtained this painting through your own capability; Sister would never dare take the credit," Su Liluo feared that Su Baihan would relentlessly dwell on the matter and make things awkward for everyone, so she quickly cut her off. Besides, she actually owed her thanks for keeping the Heir of Annan occupied.

"Very well. It is rare for Sister Liluo to visit, and many flowers are in bloom in the garden. Let us go take a look together to clear our minds, and the Fourth Young Miss can join us as well," Princess Anping said, fixing her gaze on Su Liluo while casting a sidelong glance at Su Baihan, whose irritation at the cold treatment found no outlet.

"As the Princess says. Please wait a moment while I put the painting away properly," Su Baihan carefully wrapped the scroll in brocade cloth and placed it on the table. With Princess Anping leading the way and the others following behind, they headed straight for the back garden of the Prince of Annan's Estate.

Su Liluo walked closely behind Princess Anping, her steps steady, but her mind was soaring far away. She thought with secret dismay, *If the military tally in my hands is discovered, more than half of the capital will want my life. How on earth can I protect myself then?* Unable to find a solution, she found herself completely devoid of any mood to appreciate the scenery passing by.