191 The Enigmatic Miss Su
Su Binglan looked at Lin Zheng and raised her brows. “You know about the art of disguise?”
Lin Zheng thought of his past and felt a little embarrassed. He grinned and explained, “I didn’t enjoy learning boring things like math in the past and liked reading miscellaneous books instead.
“I once robbed a commoner in the past, and he told me some stories before Li Shi, Zhou Shan, and I let him go. The commoner spoke of people who could climb roofs, walk on walls, and change their appearances to blend in.”
A sense of yearning appeared on Lin Zheng’s face as he spoke. Su Binglan noticed his expression and understood something. “Changing one’s appearance is similar to putting on makeup.”
Lin Zheng realized something when he heard that. He said excitedly, “You know how to do that, right, Boss?”
“It’s an insignificant skill in the grand scheme of things.” Makeup was a simple thing for Su Binglan.
Lin Zheng revealed a pitiful expression as he looked at Su Binglan. “You are my boss and my master. You will teach me, right?”
Su Binglan thought there was no problem teaching Lin Zheng these things, but she still wanted to test how Lin Zheng handled certain matters. Only then could she decide whether or not to teach him a new skill.
After all, she would not take in disciples so easily. She said thoughtfully, “That depends on how well you perform when we’re out there.”
After some thought, Lin Zheng said, “I will perform to the best of my abilities and make you proud, Boss!”
The corner of Su Binglan’s mouth twitched when she heard that. She responded, “Pack up and get ready. It’s time for us to set off, but you need to go home and inform your parents about your departure first.”
Lin Zheng said, “I’ve already told them I won’t be back for a while, so they won’t wait around for me.”
Su Binglan had set up a resting place in the shops’ backyard, so Lin Zheng and his two friends could sleep there if they chose not to go home. Lin Zheng often stayed at the shop, and his parents did not ask about it.
“You should leave them a message, at least,” Su Binglan said.
Lin Zheng responded smilingly, “My parents would have come here if they needed to tell me something. They even told me to work hard for you.”
His parents had secretly gone to the dessert shop and were excited when they saw how well their son was doing. They even rooted for him to work hard for Su Binglan.
Previously, his parents had passed by Binglan’s Desserts and Su’s Tofu during their grand opening and saw Su Binglan saving a little girl. From then on, Lin Zheng’s parents knew Su Binglan was special.
Moreover, their son was busy working alongside Su Binglan. Lin Zheng was no longer a hooligan who robbed others and became more sensible. He even brought some delicious food home for his parents from time to time.
That made Lin Zheng’s parents happy as they wished for him to stay alongside Su Binglan forever so they would not have to worry about their son.
After some pondering, Su Binglan said, “Okay, everything should be okay then.”
Shortly after, she left with Lin Zheng. She first went to buy two horses.
Since she decided to go on a long journey, Su Binglan had gone to the bank, taken out a thousand silver taels, and given them to her parents.
When Su Binglan said she was going on a long journey, her parents offered her the thousand silver taels, but she refused to take them.
Still, her parents insisted, and Su Binglan took only two hundred silver taels. However, buying two horses cost a hundred silver taels, and Su Binglan felt distressed.
Despite that, she knew she could always earn more silver and that her second brother’s life was more important than money. Su Binglan wanted to bring Su Wenxiu home safely, no matter what.
Lin Zheng had learned to ride a horse when he was just a child. After all, his family was well off, so it was customary for him to learn how to ride a horse.
His mouth was wide open when he saw his boss’s horse riding skills and how easily she mounted the horse. Lin Zheng widened his eyes in shock.
‘S-She grew up in a village, so how does she know how to ride a horse?!’
He was not shocked that Su Binglan knew how to ride a horse, but it was that she was so good at it. Lin Zheng knew how to ride a horse, but it took him a long time to learn.
The person who taught Lin Zheng also showed him what it took to be a great rider, yet Lin Zheng had only learned 50 to 60% of it. Nonetheless, he was stunned when he saw his boss’s riding skills.
Su Binglan rode the horse better than Lin Zheng’s teacher, and Lin Zheng instantly became fascinated with his boss.
Su Binglan rode far away and looked at Lin Zheng leisurely following behind. She turned back and said, “Why are you waiting around? Didn’t you say you know how to ride a horse?”
She took him along because he said he knew how to ride a horse. Lin Zheng collected his thoughts and said, “I-I do.”
Su Binglan said, “Well, hurry up.” She was in a hurry, after all.
“Giddy up.” With that, Lin Zheng tugged the reins and rode his horse forward.
Su Binglan applied pressure to the horse’s belly with her heels and quickly rode off.
…
Meanwhile, Luo Jin’an was playing chess with Mr. Kong at Blue Mountain Academy. Luo Jin’an was discrete, and no one would ever know what he was thinking.
Still, Mr. Kong knew Luo Jin’an was concerned, judging from how Luo Jin’an played. “Are you worried about Miss Su?”
Luo Jin’an said lightly, “Well, she is my wife, after all.”
Mr. Kong sighed and said, “Your wife treats you well, so it’s normal for you to worry about her.” He knew Luo Jin’an valued loyalty and friendship, so he continued, “Besides, you’ve already arranged for Luo Ying to protect Miss Su secretly, so she should be fine.
“Still, Luo Ying might blow his cover if he needs to make a move. Some people are still looking for the forces you left behind, Jin’an.”
As soon as Luo Jin’an arrived at the academy in the morning, he called Luo Ying over and told him to protect Su Binglan secretly.
Luo Ying would remain in the shadows while he followed Su Binglan to the capital, so it was highly likely to blow his cover, but Luo Jin’an did not care. Mr. Kong could see how much his master valued Miss Su.
Although his master had a nominal relationship with Miss Su, he still cherished Miss Su very much. However, Mr. Kong knew Miss Su was unique. Even the food she made was delicious.
For her delicacies, Mr. Kong felt it was beneficial to continue teaching at Blue Mountain Academy. That was what Princess Lan had arranged back then anyway.
At that moment, a figure appeared and said, “Master. Miss Su has bought two horses and has set off alongside Lin Zheng. Luo Ying is on their trail to protect them.”
Mr. Kong was stunned. “She knows how to ride a horse?”
Not everyone knew how to do that, and Miss Su was a villager. The village was well-known for its poor conditions, so cows were costly things to own, let alone horses.
Luo Jin’an did not seem surprised and even asked, “How are her riding skills?”
“Miss Su’s riding skills are excellent, even better than the elite cavalrymen from the army.”
Mr. Kong looked incredulous as he thought Miss Su was a true mystery.
Luo Jin’an said lightly, “You must report to me whenever you hear anything from Luo Ying.”
“Yes, sir.”
“All right, you may take your leave.”
“Yes, sir!”
…
Mr. Kong could not care less about playing chess anymore. “Is your wife really a country girl? She can’t be a spy, right?”
Luo Jin’an responded straightforwardly, “No.”
Mr. Kong sensed his master’s attitude and said, “You’re right. Even the doctors are amazed by how well you’re doing, considering your poisoning. It’s a miracle how healthy you are. It’s indeed your wife’s work, not a spy’s.”