Chapter 810: New Species

"This bolt of lotus silk is yours." Ye Qianning stamped her personal seal and looked up with a smile.

Receiving the confirmation, Huang Lihua couldn’t react for a moment, almost losing control of her facial expressions. Finally, she slapped her hand down heavily on the table. "Miss Ye, you’re straightforward and generous! From now on, you are an honored guest of Loulan. If you ever need anything in the future, just say the word. As long as Loulan can help, we are duty-bound to do so without hesitation."

"Then I must thank Miss Huang in advance."

"Haha." Unable to conceal her smile, Huang Lihua wrapped the lotus silk in a red cloth and carefully held it in her arms. "Miss Ye, I’ll take my leave now."

"Take care, Miss Huang." Ye Qianning stood up to see her out.

Huang Lihua took two steps before remembering something and turning back. "By the way, Miss Ye, I’ll be setting off for Loulan the day after tomorrow."

"So soon? Aren’t you going to check out the Four Countries Chamber of Commerce?"

"Loulan doesn’t engage in their kind of commerce, so why bother looking at them? They’re nothing but a rabble. It’s a good thing you left the Four Countries Chamber of Commerce early, Miss Ye." Huang Lihua clearly looked down on the chamber. "Since the Four Countries Chamber of Commerce was established, they’ve put no small amount of pressure on Loulan. However, the quality of Loulan’s goods isn’t something just anyone can compare to."

"Indeed. As long as the quality is exceptional, it can’t be monopolized." When it came to Loulan’s silk, no place in the four countries could compare. The noblewomen of the four countries only accepted Loulan’s fabrics and silks. No matter how powerful the chamber was, they were still just merchants; they had no ability to contend with true authority. Even if they wanted to stage a boycott, the nobles of the four countries wouldn’t agree to it.

"Miss Ye truly understands. It seems our future cooperation will be very pleasant," Huang Lihua praised.

"I think so, too."

"I’m off. In the future, once you’re done with matters in Nanyuan, come visit Loulan when you have time. I’ll treat you to a drink."

"Alright."

Ye Qianning walked Huang Lihua to the door. Dun Dun stayed right at Ye Qianning’s heels, not leaving her side for a single step.

Ye Qianning looked down at it. "Let’s go. Let’s get something to eat."

Dun Dun nodded.

Ye Qianning went downstairs and arrived at her master’s room. She knocked a few times, but no one answered.

"Miss, Elder Chen went out early this morning," Luo Xuan said, suddenly appearing.

"Where did he go?"

"The east side of the city. Elder Chen went to meet an old friend. He told me to inform you that he’ll be back very late today, so there’s no need to wait for him."

Ye Qianning nodded slightly.

"HISS!" Dun Dun bared its teeth at Luo Xuan.

Luo Xuan stared at Dun Dun. Although his face remained calm, surprise was hidden in the depths of his eyes. "Miss, what is this?"

It looked like a monkey, yet not quite. It was slightly larger than Pang Pang, whom Elder Chen kept, and its coat of white fur looked similar to White Spirit’s at first glance.

"It’s an intelligent white ape."

"A white ape?" Luo Xuan had never heard of such a creature.

"It secretly followed me off the island. Keep an eye on it normally, lest it gets snatched by someone one day." Ye Qianning was afraid that people might harbor malicious intentions if they saw Dun Dun. It was different from White Spirit. The world knew of White Spirit, but Dun Dun was entirely unfamiliar to them. There were no records of white apes in any books. Dun Dun’s appearance meant it was a completely new species, and human curiosity was a powerful, dangerous thing.

"Understood."

Ye Qianning looked down at the vigilant Dun Dun. "Dun Dun, this is my guard. You can’t fight him when you see him in the future."

Dun Dun tilted its head, wondering what a guard was.

"A guard is someone who protects me, just like how you used to help me chase the birds away," Ye Qianning explained in a way she thought it would understand.

Dun Dun nodded.

"You two will be seeing each other often from now on. Come, shake hands, and then you can protect me together." Ye Qianning patted its head.

Hearing this, Dun Dun stepped out from behind Ye Qianning and extended a fluffy white paw.