CHAPTER 138: CHAPTER 138: ALL BUSINESS, NO MERCY FOR HER DAUGHTER

Meng Yao was calm.

Zhao Dahe didn’t exclaim either; he looked like he ’knew this would happen.’

Zhao Xiaoshu had a ’glad I didn’t embarrass mom’ look.

Both Mrs. Qian and Master Wang had their mouths agape, clearly quite shocked.

Qian Zhenzhen quickly got up, dusted off her clothes, and stared at Meng Yao with intensity, "Aunt Meng, can you teach me?"

Although her current embarrassment was partly due to her own carelessness, having trained in martial arts for years, she could tell what was real skill and what was just flashy moves.

The move Zhao Xiaoshu used was truly genuine martial arts.

If she could learn it, combined with what her master taught, she could handle both long-range and close combat.

Her combat power would be instantly upgraded.

Meng Yao looked at Mrs. Qian.

Mrs. Qian recovered from her shock, "Learn what? Why can’t you learn something like sewing and embroidery?"

"Ah Yao, I’m not targeting you, it’s just that this girl is too unreliable." Mrs. Qian grumbled at Qian Zhenzhen and then turned to Meng Yao to explain.

Meng Yao nodded to show she understood.

"Mom, didn’t you always refuse to let me go out? If you agree to let me learn a few moves from Aunt Meng, I promise not to leave home for the whole year." Qian Zhenzhen knew how to persuade her mother.

As expected, Mrs. Qian hesitated.

"You aren’t tricking me, are you?"

"Of course not, how could I ever trick you?" Qian Zhenzhen said confidently.

Learning from Meng Yao meant she would be under her watch at least, and with some effort, she hoped to settle the girl’s lifelong affairs this year.

After she’s married, she won’t need to worry anymore.

Whoever marries her can do the worrying then.

"Ah Yao, do you think this will work?" Mrs. Qian asked Meng Yao.

Meng Yao didn’t refuse. After all, teaching one is teaching, teaching two is teaching too. Moreover, Qian Zhenzhen knew things she didn’t, so she might even teach her to teach the younger ones.

Most importantly, it also counts as helping Mrs. Qian.

In any possible light, this was a profitable deal.

"As long as you sister don’t oppose, I have no problems here." Meng Yao said.

Mrs. Qian had a hidden agenda, thinking Meng Yao’s embroidery skills were excellent and maybe a bit of influence and learning could be good.

Qian Zhenzhen was delighted, "Aunt Meng, as a rule, I should formally apprentice. But I already have a master, so... rest assured, in front of you, I will act like a disciple. Anything you need, just let me know."

Meng Yao waved her hand, indicating she didn’t mind these formalities.

Both Master Wang and Mrs. Qian were pleased, at least they could see their daughter more often this year.

"No formal apprenticeship needed but you should perform the ceremony." Master Wang stated.

He valued this highly and insisted on it.

Meng Yao couldn’t argue with him and agreed.

Thus, Zhao Xiaoshu and Qian Zhenzhen’s apprenticeship ceremonies were held together.

Meng Yao hadn’t expected to gain a ’disciple’ from this visit; she hadn’t prepared a meeting gift and promised to make it up to Qian Zhenzhen later.

Zhao Xiaoshu received a set of the Four Treasures of the Study from Master Wang, not as valuable as what Meng Yao prepared but suitable for his current stage.

Qian Zhenzhen’s apprenticeship gift to Meng Yao was a journal.

"This contains interesting things I’ve recorded over the years while traveling the martial world with my master, Aunt Meng, take it and enjoy a good laugh." said Qian Zhenzhen.

Mrs. Qian felt slightly jealous, "Why didn’t you ever show it to me?"

"I have plenty more in my room," said Qian Zhenzhen, "Mom, if you want to see them, I’ll get them for you later. I’ve made many copies to easily share with friends."

Should this count as ancient publication?

Meng Yao flipped through a few pages; as expected of a scholar’s daughter, her literary prowess showed, full of wit and highly engaging content.

"Zhenzhen, could this be sold in a bookstore?" Meng Yao suggested.

"How could it?" Qian Zhenzhen waved dismissively, thinking it’s just her observations, not really a book.

"Why not? You know, few women get to travel around like you do. Most women are stuck in two places all their lives: their parents’ house and their husband’s house. The places they see are mainly around these two homes." Meng Yao said, "What you’ve written can show them the sights from outside."

Mrs. Qian, having been in business since a young age, had a keen instinct for this.

She immediately thought Meng Yao’s suggestion was very reliable.

"I’ll take your travel journal to a bookstore tomorrow." Mrs. Qian decided firmly.

Qian Zhenzhen seemed wholly uninterested in business, dismissively waving, "Mom, you go ahead."

"If we can negotiate this deal, two percent of the profits will go to your Aunt Meng." Mrs. Qian added.

Qian Zhenzhen agreed to follow Mrs. Qian’s decision.

Meng Yao refused, saying she merely brought it up casually and felt embarrassed to get involved. Unfortunately, her refusal was promptly dismissed by Mrs. Qian, "Without your suggestion, what she wrote would be meaningless waste paper."

"It’s not meaningless. At least, when I look through it myself, it pleases me." Qian Zhenzhen corrected.

Mrs. Qian purely approached it from a business perspective and didn’t bother arguing with Qian Zhenzhen, simply saying, "If your travel journals can rake in plenty of silver, at least you’ll have financial freedom in your future martial world journeys."

Qian Zhenzhen thought it made sense; she could leave when she wanted and not be constrained by her mom.

"Then Mom, how many shares do you give me?" Qian Zhenzhen asked eagerly.

"Two percent also, how about it?" proposed Mrs. Qian.

"Sure, sure." Qian Zhenzhen was thrilled that she got the same share as Aunt Meng, how wonderful.

Meng Yao looked at Mrs. Qian, a true businesswoman who didn’t hesitate to take advantage of her daughter.

All the travel journals were written by Qian Zhenzhen and yet she could only take home two percent of the profits, so pitiful.

After lunch, Meng Yao and Zhao Dahe bid farewell to Mrs. Qian and Master Wang.

As for Zhao Xiaoshu, he stayed.

Qian Zhenzhen naturally grabbed her luggage and followed Meng Yao.

"Qian Zhenzhen, how dare you?" Mrs. Qian questioned, "You know how to ride, just travel back and forth every day."

"Learning requires the right attitude! Just because I haven’t called Aunt Meng my master doesn’t mean I don’t act like a disciple; that’s not right." Qian Zhenzhen said confidently, "I want to be ready to assist Aunt Meng at any time!"

She found Aunt Meng interesting and following her was definitely more enjoyable than staying at home listening to her mother’s nagging.

So, of course, she followed.

"Look, Zhao Xiaoshu is staying at our house." Qian Zhenzhen argued.

"Such nonsense!" Mrs. Qian was so angry she wanted to hit someone.

"I think Zhenzhen has a point." Master Wang, who valued respecting teachers and principles, tried to appease Mrs. Qian.

Knowing she couldn’t stop her, Mrs. Qian reluctantly agreed.

"Ah Yao, you mustn’t spoil her." Mrs. Qian strongly requested, "Please help me vent my frustration!"

Qian Zhenzhen pouted, having been traveling since she was young, she’d seen any stormy weather there is.

Moreover, she was good at pleasing people, totally unafraid of her mother’s threats.

"I won’t spoil her, treat her just like the other kids at home." Meng Yao replied.