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Qiao Xuan firmly decided to keep her distance from them, as she would never involve herself with such people.

However, considering Shao Yunduan’s affiliation with the Crown Prince’s gang and the need to adhere to Emperor Xuan’s stance, she realized that she couldn’t remain idle. Perhaps, despite the odds, the Crown Prince could persevere until the end.

Determined not to be passive observers, they had to be proactive in their endeavors. Qiao Xuan saw this as an opportunity to make a substantial amount of money, which might prove useful in the future. With the support of the East Palace, they had some protection, regardless of the size of their properties.

Although Qiao Xuan initially planned to consider her options after the New Year, she knew that if she failed to find suitable collaborators, she might have to venture into the business herself. The only setback was the lack of manpower and connections, making it more convenient to collaborate with others.

As the wife of an officer, there were certain limitations to what Qiao Xuan could personally undertake. Thus, finding reliable partners was crucial. However, she held little hope of discovering collaborators similar to the Yuezheng Family, as such opportunities were scarce and challenging to come by.

In fact, that was almost impossible.

Especially in a place like the capital, where people from all walks of life mingled, materialism prevailed, and the nobility held influence, most businessmen were driven by greed, sycophantic, lacking integrity, cunning, and solely focused on profits. Collaborating with such individuals meant being constantly vigilant for potential counter-attacks.

Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan fully understood the risks involved, and they were prepared to face any challenges that might arise.

However, their plans took an unexpected turn when Zhao Shu unexpectedly approached them.

These two aspects particularly pleased Qiao Xuan – money was not a concern for the intermediate school.

Of course, they needed to ascertain the details of Zhao Shu’s proposal and figure out the underlying motivations.

Without giving an immediate response, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan decided to hold off on making a commitment until after the New Year. They needed time to carefully consider the implications and weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.

Zhao Shu felt reassured and content with their response, as he saw a glimmer of hope in their consideration.

After a while, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan returned home, bringing along a few roosters and rabbits, much to the delight of Lixia and Liqiu.

It turned out they weren’t the only ones craving wild animals; the servants were equally eager for the treat.

Considering the weather, the roosters and rabbits could be kept fresh for several days without spoiling. However, the sudden cooing of a hen startled them.

“Did Fifth Master and Fifth Madame also get this from the mountains?” Lixia inquired.

Amused, Qiao Xuan chuckled. “Are you two going crazy? You can’t catch chickens in the mountains. And even if you manage to catch some, it’s not stealing!”

The couple joined in the laughter too.

That was right!

Fifth Madame must have purchased them, and that was why she brought them to the backyard and secured them.

Feeling more at ease after changing her clothes and settling down on the warm kang bed with a cup of hot tea, Qiao Xuan relished the sense of relaxation and laziness.

After contemplating for a moment, she turned to Shao Yunduan with a smile and inquired, “What do you think of Zhao Shu?”

“I’m not sure,” Shao Yunduan replied, displaying increased caution and prudence. He was not one to hastily form conclusions unless he had solid evidence, and he did not wish to let his initial impression cloud his judgment.

As for Zhao Shu’s words, Shao Yunduan found them perplexing, leaving him in a state of confusion.

“I’ll look into his background, and once we have a clearer understanding of him, we can discuss this further, alright?” he suggested.

Qiao Xuan agreed without any objections, nodding with a smile. “Of course. Though he doesn’t seem to be lying, appearances can be deceiving in the capital. Not many can be trusted solely based on their outward demeanor.”

If he thought he could play games here like he would in a small town, he was in for a rude awakening.