Shen Hao never expected to have so much going on in just his second day after taking office.

First, Wu Changhe hinted that he should pick a side, but Shen Hao pushed back politely without being too soft or hard. Then, one of the Flag Officers whom Shen Hao had ordered back the previous morning showed up, claiming he had something to report in secret.

To report in secret?!

Those two words left Shen Hao confused. He thought it was some major whistleblowing, so he quickly closed the door to listen. But it turned out this guy’s "secret report" was just finalized—and the target was Shen Hao himself, who hadn’t even warmed his seat yet as the Hundred Households Officer for the Black Banner Battalion at the Thousand Households Station.

"Your name’s Liu Kuan, right?"

"Yes, sir. You’ve got a good memory."

Unlike most Xuanqing Guard members Shen Hao had met, Liu Kuan looked all brawny and tough, but when he smiled it was downright shifty. His vibe felt suspiciously similar to Flying Dragon, that slippery rascal.

"You did good here. Don’t make a fuss when you get back—keep your connection with them, and report to me directly if there’s any update. But I have to remind you: you did well this time and I’ll remember that, but anything I assign you still needs to be done. If you screw up, don’t blame me for not cutting you slack. Got it?"

"Understood, sir! I’ll make sure to carry out your instructions when I get back and won’t let you down!"

"I hope so. Off you go."

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

As soon as Liu Kuan left, a chubby guy slipped out from behind the partition in Shen Hao’s office. It was Chen Tianwen, who had been waiting there for a while. They had been discussing how to write up and spread some of the Li City Black Banner Battalion’s experience. But with Liu Kuan coming over, Shen Hao had Chen Tianwen make himself scarce so he could hear what one of the "three idiots" Chen Tianwen had mentioned wanted from him.

"Well? Do you still think they’re idiots?"

"Tsk. I really misjudged Liu Kuan—never thought he was so scheming. He fooled me first, then turned around and sold out the other two. Guy’s a bit vicious!"

Shen Hao just smiled and kept quiet. Liu Kuan was indeed a bit sinister, but if you’re careful you can still use him. To put it plainly, he’s a real scoundrel—not someone you can count on for loyalty or hard work. But as long as you’re in a strong position, folks like him won’t dare play double-faced games with you.

Of course, these thoughts weren’t something Shen Hao would share with Chen Tianwen.

"Leave those other three alone. If their hands aren’t clean, tie a rope around them—scare them a bit and see what tricks they try next. Do they really think I’m Chen Yiyun? Hiding behind the Hundred Households of the Guard and thinking I can’t touch them?"

Chen Tianwen stood respectfully to the side, responded, and didn’t dare say much more. Shen Hao gave a few more instructions before letting him leave. Chen Tianwen knew full well that the two idiots betrayed by Liu Kuan probably wouldn’t be seen around much longer.

...

After his duties, when Shen Hao returned to his new residence, he found it totally refreshed.

"Master! You’re back!" Xia Nu hopped around happily, pretty much forgetting everything she’d learned at the brokerage. She’d noticed that her master didn’t mind her being like this.

Following Xia Nu out to greet him was Hu Tian, leaning on his cane but much more agile than before. As for Xiaoma, Shen Hao had sent him back to handle chores. The old man was still left with the housekeeper duties.

"Master Shen, this is the new cook I found, Li Erfu. He used to be head chef at a restaurant, but after his back gave out he couldn’t work long hours there, so he came to us. I’ve tried his cooking and it’s great—you should try it today?"

"Sure. Make your specialty dishes for tonight."

"You got it, Master Shen! Please wait a moment, it’ll be ready soon!"

Hu Tian led Li Erfu to the kitchen. Xia Nu brought hot water for Shen Hao’s wash-up, took off the Yanji Saber and Waist Token at his belt, and handed him soft cotton shoes, making him instantly feel much more comfortable.

"Master, there were so many people sending calling cards today! Some even brought stuff—a whole cartload each. I saw some gorgeous silk on the wagons, but Housekeeper Hu wouldn’t let them in—not a single thing was allowed inside." Xia Nu chattered away as she helped Shen Hao, painting a picture of how lively the household had been these past few days.

"Did anyone give you anything?"

"Ah? Yes, actually. A woman tried to force a big gold bracelet on me—I was scared to death and ran back without taking it. Didn’t even buy enough bedding afterward because of it."

"If you didn’t get enough, just go buy more tomorrow. By the way, do you like gold bracelets?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Ah? Not really. They’re heavy and inconvenient on the wrist. I like pretty dresses!" Xia Nu never cared for jewelry, but she was obsessed with clothes. Of course, Shen Hao didn’t know any of this.

"I remember you had the most luggage when we moved—just clothes alone filled three big chests. You still need more dresses?"

"Not really, but I just love them! Oh, Master, before we came, Ms. Xin’Er asked me to check out shops in Fengri City for her. I walked around today but didn’t know much. Do you know which areas are best?"

Shen Hao glanced over—this silly slave really had a lot going on. He grew impatient and grabbed her pointy ear, twisting it a round: "Why are you so talkative? Ask Housekeeper Hu about these things, not me!"

"Ow ow ow! Master, I won’t ask anymore, okay?"

He must have twisted hard—Little Fox Girl’s pretty face was all red and her eyes welled up. Shen Hao burst out laughing, let go of her ear, and pinched her cheek.

It was so smooth.

Before long, Li Erfu’s cooking arrived: three meat dishes, two veggies, a soup, and a big basin of rice.

"Hmm... not bad. You can stay."

"Thank you, Master Shen, thanks Housekeeper Hu!"

Li Erfu really could cook, better than Aunt Zhang. Just that he’d only just arrived and didn’t know Shen Hao’s tastes yet, plus some dishes Shen Hao was used to weren’t in his repertoire. But no worries—Hu Tian had the recipe notes Aunt Zhang came up with, and with Li Erfu’s skills, he’d learn fast.

Eating and chatting with Xia Nu as she served at his side was Shen Hao’s favorite way to relax at home—just mindless downtime.

"I didn’t go out yesterday, just stayed home all day cleaning. There were mice in the house—found and killed three! Later Housekeeper Hu put out rat poison. I figure with regular poison, we’ll get rid of them for good."

"Fengri City is huge! I went shopping today and walked half the day but only saw three streets. I heard there are still tons of shop-lined streets I haven’t explored."

"It’s just that there are too many people—almost got lost. And I noticed there are way more rich folks here, way more than Li City. But there are also a lot more beggars and vagrants on the streets than Li City."

"When I came back at noon, I saw a porridge stall on the west side, looked like the Government Office was giving out porridge. So many people went—at least a hundred. Are they all beggars?"