A Time-Traveling Mishap: I Became an Ancient Nobleman

Chapter 130 You are Zhou Huaide's daughter, aren't you?

Liu Niang spoke without the slightest hint of guilt, and Zhou Hanzhang, looking at her like this, was unsure whether to believe her.

Seeing her like this, Liu Niang laughed again, "You don't believe me?"

Zhou Hanzhang didn't know what to say.

“You don’t need to be like that. I really don’t know where your father and uncle went. Did they offend someone?” Liu Niang took a sip of tea leisurely.

Zhou Hanzhang didn't know their purpose in coming here, nor did he know how to respond to Liu Niang.

Liu Niang wasn't in a hurry, and seeing that she seemed genuinely confused, she asked, "You don't know?"

Zhou Hanzhang finally got to see the Liu Niang that General Gu had mentioned. Her observation skills were truly remarkable; she knew what he was thinking with just one glance.

She smiled and said, "Youying truly lives up to its name."

Liu Niang's eyes lit up. "What did you hear about me?"

People outside her describe her in all sorts of ways, some good and some bad, and she is really curious about what Zhou Hanzhang hears about her.

Zhou Hanzhang didn't hide anything, saying, "I mean you're very capable, but your temper is a bit eccentric."

"Has a strange temper?"

"Hmm, but I think it's just a rumor. You don't seem like a weird person. I actually quite like your personality."

"You have good taste. What else have you heard?"

"That means your martial arts and agility are exceptionally high, and few people can compare to you. Moreover, you have never failed in any of your missions."

Upon hearing this, Liu Niang seemed to recall something and smiled bitterly, "Not really. I've made mistakes before, and I paid a heavy price for it."

Zhou Hanzhang knew that everyone had their own unspeakable things, so he didn't press her for details and just listened quietly to her.

She gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Why am I telling you all this? Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's talk about your father and uncle."

Liu Niang recalled the night they left. The two of them sneaked out of her inn, acting suspiciously. She glanced at them as she was about to go out, and thought about following them, but then remembered the things she was doing and decided not to.

When she finally returned after finishing her business, the two men were long gone. She was worried that they might have secretly taken some things from her inn, but after checking and finding nothing missing, she was relieved.

Moreover, there was an extra bag of silver on the counter.

The bill is settled, so let's go. As long as nothing is missing and we even made a profit, what more could we ask for?

Liu Niang told Zhou Hanzhang everything she had seen that night.

"Looking at how they're dressed, I never imagined they could be so sneaky," she exclaimed.

Zhou Hanzhang was speechless, but now that they were gone, she really had no choice. According to Liu Niang, she was the last person to see the two of them.

Liu Niang's words coincided with what the secret guard had said.

The guards reported that the emperor had ordered them to go elsewhere that day, and no one was guarding them at all, leaving Zhou Hanzhang in a dead end once again.

There was absolutely no clue.

She stood up and walked around.

Liu Niang was annoyed by her wandering around. "Stop wandering around. Let me help you look for them. As long as they are still in this town, I can find them for you. But if they have left this town, there is nothing I can do."

Zhou Hanzhang's eyes lit up. "Can you help?"

Liu Niang chuckled, "So you finally know how to use me?"

"Ahem," Zhou Hanzhang coughed awkwardly, then smiled at Liu Niang without saying anything more.

It's not that she disrespects people; their positions are what they are, and in this era, she should follow the rules.

"What do you need? Money? If I can afford it, I can provide it."

She remembered General Gu saying that as long as Liu Niang took on the task, there was nothing she couldn't complete, and she could just pay her more money.

Anyway, I have plenty of money at home.

Liu Niang raised her hand and looked at her fingernails. "Do I look like someone who's short of money?"

"No, but no one ever complains about having too much money, right?"

"What you say is true, but I've taken a liking to you."

"...You've taken a fancy to me? But don't you know I'm a young lady?"

Liu Niang gave her a reproachful look, "What are you thinking about?"

“I told you I’ve taken a liking to you and want you to be my apprentice. You’ll learn kung fu from me from now on, and I’ll help you find your father and uncle. How about that?”

"This is a great deal! There are plenty of people in the world who want to be my apprentice, but I haven't agreed to any of them," she said proudly.

"Then why did you take a liking to me?"

"I see you have good physique."

"How did you come to the conclusion that I have good bones and muscles?"

Liu Niang rolled her eyes. "I said it's good, so it's good. Are you doubting me?"

"I wouldn't dare," Zhou Hanzhang said, somewhat annoyed.

"So, will you agree?"

Zhou Hanzhang seemed to be lost in thought, his brows furrowing slightly.

"If you have any concerns, I'll help you resolve them."

Zhou Hanzhang: ...

Sure enough, it was brutal.

She thought for a moment, "I'm the only son in my family. If I were to go with you, I'm afraid my elders wouldn't agree."

"If you don't agree, the family will lose two elders."

!!!

"I'll think about it." Zhou Hanzhang still didn't agree.

Liu Niang had already finished a pot of tea, but seeing that she was still hesitant, she was a little annoyed and frustrated. "Is it really such a hardship for you to be my disciple?"

"No, no... it's just that for such an important matter, I think I need to discuss it with my family."

"How could your family disagree? You're Zhou Huaide's daughter, right? The uncle you're talking about must be the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

Zhou Hanzhang was once again shocked by Liu Niang's insight and stared at her with wide eyes.

"Don't look at me like that. Your clothes look simple, but they are made of the finest materials. And you've been spending money like water in my inn these past few days without batting an eye. Plus, those two men surnamed Gu with you are the great generals of your Great Zhou Dynasty, right? The younger one is his only son."

Don't deny it. In our line of work, it's all about information asymmetry. Whoever knows more has the upper hand. Don't think you're losing out by following me. My businesses are no less than your Zhou family's. If I die, they'll all be yours and your senior brother's."

"I have a senior brother?" Zhou Hanzhang was completely unaware that he had fallen into Liu Niang's trap.

"Yes, I picked up an orphan when I was young, but I haven't seen him for many years. He was in poor health when he was young, so I sent him to a remote mountain village to learn how to recuperate with my friend."

But he seems to be in the capital now; you should be able to see him when you return.”

Zhou Hanzhang was about to nod when he realized he had already put himself in the shoes of Liu Niang's apprentice.

“I know a bit about your family situation. It must have been tough for you to have such a father. How about this, after I help you find them, I will go to the capital with you, so you won’t have to worry about being separated from your family.”