Section 7: Life is like a play, entirely dependent on acting

Dan Fei was momentarily taken aback, realizing that the "Sikong" mentioned by Cao Ning'er was likely referring to Cao Cao. It seems that Cao Cao served as Chancellor before the Battle of Chibi. The position of Sikong ranks among the Three Dukes, but in essence, both Sikong and Chancellor are merely titles; ultimately, it was Cao Cao who held all the power, and no one could overshadow him.

"Isn't it said that your siblings are quite skilled in acting?" Xiahou Heng's expression darkened as he coldly replied, "Miss, do not think that by staging this play with Brother Ji and Yuan, the land deed need not be presented. In Ru Xian Tower, there are many eyes watching your elder brother lose the medicine hall to me. Even if the young lady is domineering and unreasonable, if this matter were to reach your father's ears, I fear..." Even if the young lady is domineering and unreasonable, if this matter were to reach your father's ears, I fear...

Cao Ning'er watched as Xiahou Heng walked away, finally letting out a light sigh. She said to Uncle Fu, "Uncle Fu, it's not that I don't trust you, but for the time being, let's keep the land deed with me."

Cao Ning'er coldly laughed and said, "That gust of wind was most likely leaked by you, Xiahou Heng, wasn't it?"

"Why did you just close your eyes?" Cao Ning'er suddenly asked

Uncle Fu nodded repeatedly, and Cao Ning'er glanced at Dan Fei, saying lightly: "Let's go." When they reached the carriage, Cao Ning'er suddenly stopped and looked at Dan Fei, saying: "I haven't thanked you for saving Uncle Fu yet"

"Why not cut it?" Cao Ning'er said淡淡.

Everyone in the hall was taken aback, as they had not expected Cao Ning'er to respond in such a manner

Cao Ning'er was taken aback, not expecting him to respond in such a manner. With a flicker of her beautiful eyes, Cao Ning'er suddenly smiled and said: "What if he were to strike at me with a sword? Would you close your eyes?"

Cao Fu, feeling a sense of urgency, called out loudly as he saw Cao Ning'er about to leave again: "Sister, no matter what, I am still your elder brother. You may not know this, but if I fail to obtain the land deed this time, they will chop off one of my hands"

Xiahou Heng said lightly: "This pharmacy actually already belongs to the Xiahou family"

Eldest son, I am innocent; I have done nothing at all

Originally intending to distinguish between the two sentences, Cao Fu had already walked far away

Life is like a play, entirely dependent on one's acting skills

Cao Ning'er gazed for a moment before saying: "You have noticed as well, Cao Fu would never cut off a hand, would she?"

"I will not accompany you for a meal, and this gambling debt cannot be counted." Cao Ning'er had a demeanor as cold as ice and as hard as iron, leaving Shan Fei beside her dumbfounded.

Young Master Xiahou should also prepare more healing medicine, lest you forget that in the Immortal Pavilion, there are dozens of eyes watching as Young Master Xiahou sets the stakes

Solo flight! Cao Ning'er suddenly exclaimed

He dropped a harsh remark but ultimately did not dare to lay a hand on Cao Ning'er. As he passed by Shan Fei, Cao Fu stopped and glared at him fiercely, "You dog servant, just wait, this young master will not let you off."

This, well..." Xiahou Heng, with his entire demeanor, appeared quite dashing and said: "I am not talented enough to make any guarantees.

Xiahou Heng was taken aback, and after a long pause, he coldly laughed and said: "Cao Ning'er, do not be too pleased with yourself. One day, I, Xiahou Heng, will make you bow your head before me."

Because Cao Sikong, in order to avoid losing ambition to frivolous pursuits, prohibits gambling among the clan, and this wager does not count. Cao Ning'er revealed her cards and said: "You may spread this matter as you wish, but if you dare to do so, I will ensure that Cao Sikong finds out."

Cao Ning'er finally came to a halt, turned around and said: "If you cannot lift your head, then lower it; if not, just cover it up. This is better, to avoid exposing yourself and bringing shame to the Cao family"

My father will not know about this" Cao Ning'er said淡淡道

The sky is clear for miles, the wind is calm and the waves are gentle, and the garments of the two individuals appear to have not moved a bit.

I don't have that many hands. It's difficult to go solo. That incense burner is quite heavy, and while it's true that those who are capable should take on more work, this young lady seems to have him at her mercy, making him involve himself in everything.

The young lady has not yet expressed her gratitude; she has only attracted the attention of two officials' offspring for him. If she were to properly thank him, he would never know when he might be dismembered by others.

He hurriedly expressed his humility, as he had always felt that this young lady was as cold as ice. Now, he realized that he needed to reassess her; this young lady was clearly a pit of fire.

As applause erupted, Xiahou Heng clapped his hands and laughed, saying: "It is said that the young lady's beauty rivals that of flowers, yet her heart is as ruthless as a blade. Today, upon seeing her, it is indeed a reputation well-deserved"

Oh? Xiahou Heng said with surprise, "This is hard to say; who knows when some wind will carry this matter to your father's ears? At that time, your father, unable to maintain his dignity, will still have the young lady transfer the pharmacy to the Xiahou family. If that is the case, why should the young lady overestimate her own capabilities?"

"Cao's Pharmacy does not welcome you," Cao Ning'er said coldly

Seeing Cao Ning'er looking at him coldly and remaining silent, Xiahou Heng also felt somewhat uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and said: "It is just that your brother and sister's performance in this play is truly remarkable"

"Not bad," said Xiahou Heng, clapping his hands. "If Brother Jiyuan fails to obtain the land deed today, and this matter gets out, not only will the brothers look down on him, but even Liu Mengru from Xianlou will also hold him in contempt."

Flying solo, I was left speechless, not wanting to step back into the shadows, and in silence, I ended up offending two second-generation officials

Cao Fu, with one hand on the desk and the other holding the treasured sword high, said: "Sister, if you refuse to agree to help your elder brother repay the debt, this hand of mine will eventually be cut off by someone. Since that is the case, it would be better for me to cut it off myself. Sister..."

Cao Fu shouted loudly, wanting to snatch back the land deed but hesitating to do so. He was certainly not afraid of Shan Fei, but rather fearful of Cao Ning'er’s methods. Seeing that Cao Ning'er and Shan Fei were about to leave the pharmacy, Cao Fu called out: "Sister, you cannot leave. If you just walk away like this, how can I hold my head high in front of my friends?"

What kind of world is this

With a sorrowful expression, Cao Fu said: "One must have integrity as a person; debts of gambling must be repaid. Before my elder brother passed away, he had no other requests, only asking me to hand over the deed to the medicine hall to him after he severed this hand. My elder brother dies without any regrets."

"Are you my sister?" Cao Fu nearly jumped up, and with a clatter, the long sword fell to the ground. Angrily, Cao Fu approached, "You watched your elder brother lose his hand and didn't even come to help? In the future... in the future... when you are in trouble, do not expect me to come to your rescue!"

No need, no need

Cao Ning'er, without saying a word, directly stuffed the box into Shan Fei's collar and turned around, saying: "If you want to take the land deed, you can step over Shan Fei's corpse to get it"

Xiahou Heng's expression slightly changed, realizing that this young lady was not making empty threats. He pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, Brother Ji Yuan will certainly have to endure dozens of lashes."

He smiled faintly and did not continue speaking

Xiahou Heng's expression darkened, "Isn't the young lady being a bit too arrogant? Since we are gambling, why not count it?"

I can't believe it, are you really this cruel, woman

"Perhaps that day will come when you are laid to rest." Cao Ning'er showed no signs of yielding

Dan Fei was momentarily taken aback, and only then did he understand what the young lady was asking. Seeing Cao Ning'er staring at him intently, Dan Fei took a long while before he replied: "It was the sandstorm that blinded my eyes"

The land deed is still with the Cao family. Cao Ning'er is indeed sharp as a needle.

You can be assured of that. Cao Ning'er stepped forward and smiled, saying: "I believe that Young Master Xiahou would certainly not say such a thing"

I did not expect that this woman not only had a sharp tongue, but her observations were also remarkably keen. After a moment of silence, she said: "I closed my eyes because I could tell that the sword strike from the eldest son would definitely not hit me."

Xiahou Heng sighed, and before he could say much more, he suddenly saw Cao Fu leap forward, reaching out his hand to draw the treasured sword from his waist. Xiahou Heng was taken aback and stepped back several paces

Sister!

Cao Ning'er showed a slight change in expression

What?

The performance just now by the young master Cao Fu was somewhat ostentatious, and indeed lacked the maturity to contend for an Oscar. However, the performance style of this young lady before him truly left him unable to discern the source of her confidence.

I never expected that upon arriving here alone, I would witness a family blood feud. It is truly hard to bear seeing this young master lose his hand, so I simply closed my eyes.

After a while, Shan Fei finally opened his eyes. He noticed that Cao Ning'er was not looking at Cao Fu, but instead was gazing at him. Shan Fei was taken aback and turned his head to look over, seeing that the sword was still held high, while Cao Fu's face was as red as Guan Gong's.

Almost fainting from the sudden departure, I hurriedly picked up the incense burner and followed behind Cao Ning'er as we walked outside

Xiahou Heng waved his large sleeves and left in a huff. As he passed by Shan Fei, he shot him an angry glare and said, "You dog servant, I will remember you."

"With the land deed in hand, we shall depart," Cao Ning'er said as she thrust the box into Shan Fei's hand

Dan Fei was also taken aback, not understanding why this young lady always called his name at such times. Seeing everyone looking over, Dan Fei whispered, "Miss, what is it?"

"Miss, are you this confident?" Xiahou Heng looked at Cao Ning'er with a lingering gaze, swallowing hard as he said, "However, the young lady indeed has the qualifications to be this confident. How about this? As long as the young lady accompanies me for a dinner, I will consider this gambling debt settled in one stroke"