Expelled from the Duke's mansion, the fake heiress is richer than a country.

"Miss Yu is well-traveled and knowledgeable. She understands Pahang language and also Cham language?"

Gao Huaien suddenly cut to the chase.

Yu Wanran has been in business for decades, and although she is used to speaking to people in a certain way, she dislikes lying unless absolutely necessary.

Therefore, Gao Huaien's question made her hesitate slightly. In that moment of hesitation, seeing the happy smile on Gao Huaien's face, she realized that denying it would be useless.

Given the other party's background and influence, they wouldn't tolerate her lying and denying it.

"With such talent as Miss Yu, it's truly a case of putting the cart before the horse that the Duke's mansion has actually expelled you!"

Gao Huaien's exclamation was half sincere and half provocative.

Do you still want to go back to the Duke's mansion?

Yu Wanran had completely calmed down by now, looking at the other person quietly without flinching from their piercing gaze, speaking each word clearly.

"My grudges with the Duke's mansion have been settled, and from now on we will be strangers!"

Even when faced with imperial power, she refused to bow her head this time, unwilling to be leashed and driven like a dog. At worst, she would take her family and sail away to live in another country.

She has the experience and business acumen accumulated in her previous life, and there are many risk-takers willing to help her.

If Dazhao does not allow her to be free, then she will go outside Dazhao and find a place where she can be free!

Gao Huaien's attempt to force her to submit through power and lure her into working for him with bait is not going to be so easy!

At this moment, Yu Wanran subconsciously revealed the spirit she had displayed during her twenty years in the business world, when she bravely fought against bandits and pirates and negotiated with various domestic and foreign business giants.

Gao Huaien noticed the girl in front of him suddenly unleashing a powerful aura, and was taken aback.

Yan Cheng'an was a trusted companion of the Crown Prince. To ensure the Crown Prince's safety, they naturally conducted secret investigations into anyone who had contact with Yan Cheng'an.

Before this, Yu Wanran, the fake heiress from the Duke's mansion, was merely someone who had unintentionally helped Yan Cheng'an and was unfortunately caught up in the vortex of treacherous struggles in the court and the harem.

Now, because he understands Pahang and Cham languages, he may have some value. Therefore, Gao Huai'en, representing the Queen and the Crown Prince, tried to bribe him and coerce him into doing things for him.

But when he tried to probe with his words, Yan Cheng'an, who was standing next to him, didn't understand at all; Yu Wanran, on the other hand, not only understood cleverly, but also responded to his question with composure and confidence.

Gao Huaien immediately realized that this matter was somewhat tricky.

The other party wasn't the kind of sycophant who would fawn over someone for a little benefit; nor was he the kind of ordinary person who would immediately submit and be driven around by force. He had to go back and report to the Empress for further consideration.

After all, Yu Wanran is truly capable and might be able to help them! We can't use ordinary methods to force her.

Gao Huaien, being very perceptive, steered the conversation to a few trivial matters before rising to take his leave. Before departing, he thoughtfully asked Young Master Yan to spend more time with Miss Yu, fulfilling his duty as host.

As soon as he left, Yan Chengan immediately apologized to Yu Wanran.

"I'm sorry, Miss Yu! I only went back to tell them about Champa. I didn't expect Her Majesty the Empress to take it so seriously and send her chief steward over..."

Yu Wanran remained silent, ignoring his apology.

I also blame myself for not being able to suppress my desire to make money when I met the Pahang businessmen, which exposed a certain aspect of my abilities.

Who knew that the Crown Prince was seriously ill and wanted to seek medicine overseas?

If she gets involved in this matter, unless she can find medicine to save the Crown Prince, she will either die at sea or return and wait for the Crown Prince to pass away. Those of them who failed in their duties will be punished by the Emperor and Empress and will also die.

Yan Cheng'an was foolish, unaware of the gravity of the situation, and single-mindedly focused on saving the Crown Prince. It's a mystery how the Yan family raised their children; they produced such naive individuals.

She waved her hand dismissively, calmly telling him to leave.

"It's getting late, Young Master Yan, please go back! Apart from business dealings, Young Master Yan, you don't need to talk to me about anything else."

If things don't go well, she doesn't even plan to continue the spice business. She wants to dispose of her assets as soon as possible, take her family to sea, and leave Da Zhao.

This is a mess that you absolutely mustn't get involved in!

Haven't you seen that second prince commit so many evil deeds in private, causing the deaths of hundreds or even thousands of people, all just to target the crown prince? His wolfish ambitions are blatantly obvious, yet the one on the throne hasn't made any move.

Seeking medicine for the Crown Prince would be tantamount to driving the Second Prince to desperation! She was unwilling to be dragged into this without any protection, and to implicate her family.

After Yan Cheng'an left, Yu Wanran hesitated for a moment, then made a resolute decision to bring forward the subsequent plans to go to sea.

She currently doesn't have enough funds to build merchant ships and engage in overseas trade, but she can find capable partners. She provides the shipping routes and the ability to negotiate with other countries; they provide the capital and manpower, and at worst, she'll receive less in profit sharing.

In dangerous situations, they can also use each other's strength to protect their families and smuggle themselves out to sea.

Without hesitation, she left Yanqing to protect Zhong Yeliu, took Wangyou with her, and traveled by carriage to the West Market of the capital.

While the government of the Great Zhao Dynasty outwardly maintained order, the Green Gang was one of the largest criminal gangs in the dynasty. They controlled water transport and secretly colluded with the government to sell smuggled salt and tea.

Yu Wanran originally did not want to get involved with the other party so quickly. In her previous life, she was betrayed and died at sea, and the Green Gang had more or less played a part in it.

This is tantamount to her asking a tiger for its skin.

However, without the help of the Green Gang, it would be difficult to lead their families to escape the Great Zhao Dynasty. Therefore, faced with two evils, they chose the lesser and had no choice but to take the risk.

She relied on what she controlled and the fact that she had a deputy leader in the Green Gang who had once been her subordinate. She had a general understanding of the other party's personality and interests, and should be able to discuss things when they met.

When the carriage arrived at the West Market, Shunzi was instructed to wait there while Yu Wanran took Wangyou and walked into the winding alleyway.

She navigated the dark, narrow slums with practiced ease, and no one would suspect that a branch of the Green Gang was hidden among them. Wangyou was puzzled, but following his master, he asked nothing.

After a long while, the two stopped at a seemingly ordinary tavern.

The patrons here are nothing more than peddlers and laborers, dressed no differently from ordinary people. But upon closer inspection, they are all burly and strong, with fierce expressions, and a slight bulge under their clothes indicates that they are all carrying weapons.

These were all members of the Green Gang, known for their bravery and ruthlessness. This small tavern was their gathering place for relaxation.

Besides smuggling salt, they also took on shady businesses, such as helping people settle scores, kidnapping, and extortion.

Those who come here to commission and post tasks are mostly people who know the inside story of the Green Gang through various channels.

Ignoring the various malicious glances, Yu Wanran walked straight through the smoky shop and headed towards the counter at the back. She spoke to the lecherous shopkeeper with shifty eyes.

"I have long heard of your fine tea, called 'Dragon Raises Its Head.' I would like to request a cup; I wonder if you, sir, would be so kind as to part with it?"

The shopkeeper sized her up, probably surprised that a woman would dare to come here! But since the code was correct, he couldn't turn her away.

He hesitated slightly before replying, "There are hundreds of kinds of tea. If our distinguished guest dares to order 'Dragon Raising its Head,' you should know the price you will have to pay."