Mild’s response was akin to a Golden Retriever wagging its tail with a gentle face.
“Oh dear, you were like this earlier, and you’re still like this now. You’re like a loyal big dog.”
Thinking of Mild, who showed me blind loyalty, I felt a sense of responsibility.
I must start the business soon.
“I’ll succeed this time, live as I please, and raise Mild’s salary too.”
Though the business will start here, once I’ve gathered enough money, I must move to the capital.
Everyone in this territory knows my face.
“If I go to a much bigger city, there will be many people who don’t know me, so it’ll be better for business.”
Determined, I finished my meal and arranged to look at a few more houses through a real estate broker.
Even if the house was not on Philip’s list, it was much better to find a better place and switch.
“Show me the most accessible house in the city. It’d be great if it’s vacant or will be available soon.”
“Yes, yes! Madam, there are a few perfect properties right now!”
The real estate broker fawned and introduced me to a few good properties.
Among them, I was fond of a threestory, 200square property on Main Street 5th Avenue.
The solidly built redbrick building overlooked a square with a fountain, and the first and second floors could be used as shops.
Also, there were stairs on the exterior of the building, so one could directly go up to the spacious terraces on the 2nd and 3rd floors.
The view from the 2ndfloor terrace, which overlooked the square, was excellent.
It seemed nice to place tables there and enjoy a leisurely afternoon.
“Should I make the 2nd floor a café and live on the 3rd floor? I can do any business on the 1st floor?”
It seemed like a good plan. However, there was one problem.
The price of the building was more expensive than all the houses on the list combined, so even though I wanted to contract, I didn’t have the money.
I had no choice but to withdraw with promises.
“I’ll consult with my husband and come back.”
“Understood, Madam.”
After looking around the house, the afternoon sun was dazzling. That reminded me of Domingo again.
“What time is it now?”
Mild checked the pocket watch.
“It’s 4 o’clock.”
Domingo would have done it since I warned him, but you never know.
Once I got in the carriage, I first opened the white lace parasol to block the sunlight.
“Let’s go to Mrs. Hades’ boutique.”
“As you wish.”
Clipclop, the sound of horseshoes rang cheerfully, and the carriage began to sway rhythmically.
I comfortably surrendered my body to the flow and carefully observed the passing street scenery.
The clean street was bustling, and the people passing by seemed peaceful.
Although there were people struggling to live in the slums, the city center had an atmosphere where people lived fairly well.
With a pleased feeling, while looking around for a while, I noticed several people wearing blue scarves in a secluded alley.
“Mild! Stop the carriage!”
I folded the parasol I was using in an uneasy mood.
“Yes?”
“Quickly!”
As soon as Mild stopped the carriage, I ran to the alley.
“Madam? Madam!”
Mild called me in confusion, but I had no time to answer.
Sure enough, in the alley, a few hoodlums wearing blue masks were beating a crouching Domingo.
There were a few wares scattered on the alley floor, likely recently purchased by Domingo.
“You stubborn child! Why are you so obstinate?”
“Just hand it over!”
“Stab him in the thigh once.”
“Just don’t kill him.”
One of the hoodlums drew a dagger.
He really seemed like he was going to stab Domingo.
I looked around, but there was no sign of his escort.
‘This fool! I told him explicitly then! Even if he didn’t believe me, he should have brought at least one escort!’
Anyway, I had to save Domingo first.
I grabbed the hem of my dress tightly.
“You rascals!”
And then I rushed at one of the hoodlums, delivering a powerful side kick.
“Cough!”
One of the bodies tumbled down, and the rest turned to look at me.
“What? A woman?”
One, two, three… There were seven thugs beating Domingo.
“Kuruk! MMadam?”
Domingo was startled to see me. His face was already beaten all over, bloody and bruised.
“Why are you here, Madam?”
“Domingo, why didn’t you bring the guards?”
“Ah, I… that is…”
He couldn’t meet my eyes and lowered his head, then was suddenly startled.
“Madam, you must flee quickly!”
“Flee?”
I brandished the fan in my hand and struck at the masked villains.
All the subjects knew my face, so I could certainly intimidate them.
“How dare you do this to a servant of Count Morris’s household?”
The reaction of the thugs was not what I expected. They looked at me and sneered.
“Hmph! Who is this woman?”
‘…Are they not subjects?’
Then one of the villains suddenly tried to grab me.
“This old man seems to know you; you’ll make a good hostage.”
I quickly turned and dodged his attack.
“How dare you! I am the wife of Count Morris!”
Though I was to divorce him.
I poked the villain’s back with my folded fan.
I was just trying to teach him a lesson.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
