Chapter 30

"Kalisa, come with me to the capital for the gathering." On the evening before their departure, Rao Ke called Kalisa into her room.

Kalisa didn't overthink it and simply nodded.

It just so happened that old Peter had also told her to find a way to return to the capital with Rao Ke.

The red jade bracelet emitted a faint glow, and Kalisa gently stroked it.

Rao Ke offered an explanation anyway. "Since you're the employee who knows the capital best, I've chosen you to come with me."

Kalisa hadn't expected Rao Ke to explain herself, and she froze for a moment before replying.

"Alright."

After speaking, Rao Ke told Kalisa to go back and pack her things.

Kalisa returned to her room, took out her Astrolabe, and found Duke Peter's account.

"Duke, I'll be returning to the capital with the shopkeeper tomorrow."

A reply came quickly.

"Good. Come see me in my study tomorrow night."

Kalisa replied with a simple "Yes." After all, if Peter dared to say it, he must have everything arranged.

At dinner, Rao Ke announced the news to all the employees.

Before anyone else could react, Phylosain complained mournfully that he wanted to go along too.

Rao Ke thought it over and decided having Phylosain along wouldn't hurt, so she agreed.

One man's joy is another's sorrow.

Phylosain was overjoyed, while Kalisa frowned, clearly unwilling to travel with him.

But Phylosain, completely oblivious, sidled up to Kalisa anyway.

Xue Jiali also frowned, wishing he'd spoken up too.

But for now, he decided, he'd focus on crafting the Heart of the Forest. By the time Rao Ke returned, it would be a nice surprise for her. Xue Jiali made up his mind.

After the announcement, Rao Ke finished dinner and went back to her room to pack.

"Knock, knock!"

"Come in."

Chrisley opened the door and walked in, holding something in her hand.

"You're leaving for the capital tomorrow?" Chrisley sat down.

Rao Ke smiled meaningfully. "The Human Emperor asked for me personally. It'd be rude not to go. Besides, as a big customer, he bought thirty gold cards from the shop in one go."

Seeing that Rao Ke seemed to have her own plans, Chrisley pulled out a bracelet and handed it to her.

"This is a protective charm. Keep it on you at all times. The capital might not be stable lately." Chrisley looked at Rao Ke, her eyes heavy with concern.

Rao Ke nodded. "I will."

"If you run into trouble, go to the National Astrologer's Tower and ask for Master Luosa. Mention my name, and he'll help you." Chrisley instructed.

Rao Ke nodded again.

After giving a few more pieces of advice, Chrisley told Rao Ke to rest well and quietly closed the door behind her as she left.

Rao Ke slept soundly through the night, only to be woken up the next morning by Sesame Paste stepping on her face.

After getting ready and dealing with a mountain of little tasks, she finally settled into the off-road vehicle.

Mo Duoya had actually prepared a carriage, but Rao Ke just couldn't get used to it.

So she had Kalisa and Phylosain take turns driving, and the three of them slowly brought up the rear of the convoy.

Rao Ke held a tablet in her hands, browsing the newly unlocked Apparel & Accessories and Daily Necessities sections.

The sheer array of goods was almost overwhelming.

She launched into her usual restocking spree, happily picking and choosing, then placing orders.

"Xue Jiali, a new shipment will arrive at the shop tonight. Make sure to check and organize it."

Xue Jiali replied right away.

Rao Ke continued browsing on her tablet, selecting samples to bring to the capital for promotional purposes.

After a long and arduous journey, Rao Ke and her group finally arrived at the imperial capital.

At the outer city gate, Duke Peter stood in a fine silk ceremonial robe, surrounded by his guard, waiting for Mo Duoya's arrival.

Seeing the distant convoy approach, Duke Peter smoothed his attire and put on a brilliant smile.

Mo Duoya, riding in the lead carriage, lifted the curtain and caught sight of Duke Peter's beaming face.

The disgust in Mo Duoya's eyes was almost palpable; her stomach churned, and she felt like vomiting.

The carriage stopped at the gate.

The curtain was drawn aside, and Mo Duoya stepped down with a smile.

"Long time no see, Duke Peter."

"Long time no see, Lady Mo Duoya."

Both wore brilliant but utterly insincere smiles as they exchanged pleasantries.

"His Majesty has truly missed you," Peter remarked sentimentally, then quickly steered the conversation to Rao Ke. "By the way, did the owner of Keke Shop come with you?"

Mo Duoya's face showed a touching gratitude for the emperor's regard, but inwardly she was seething with sarcasm. At Duke Peter's question, she nearly rolled her eyes.

"The shopkeeper is still in the back; she'll be here shortly." Mo Duoya dabbed at the corner of her eye.

As Duke Peter waited with eager anticipation, Kalisa finally drove the off-road vehicle slowly up to the gate.

"Oh, what a pleasure to finally meet you!"

Rao Ke had just stepped out of the car when she saw a figure in red approaching her.

Phylosain held his blade out in front of him. "My blade has no eyes, so don't come any closer~"

Phylosain hadn't hidden his demon horns, and the sight immediately stunned Duke Peter.

Peter was taken aback; he hadn't expected the mysterious shopkeeper to employ such a rare demon.

The guards around him tensed up, closing in protectively.

Phylosain's presence greatly elevated Rao Ke's perceived danger in Duke Peter's mind, reinforcing his determination to win her over.

"Haha, no need for alarm," Duke Peter said, brushing aside his guards and approaching Rao Ke with a smile.

Rao Ke returned a polite, distant smile. "Hello."

Her tone was courteous but cold. Peter's smile froze for a split second; since the Human Emperor had taken power, he hadn't had to speak so deferentially to anyone.

Peter was about to say more when Mo Duoya stepped in, positioning herself between them.

"The journey has been long; you must be tired, ma'am." Mo Duoya feigned deference.

Rao Ke raised an eyebrow and gave a faint, indifferent nod.

Peter noticed that Rao Ke treated everyone with the same haughty aloofness, and the displeasure in his heart subsided considerably.

"His Majesty misses Lady Mo Duoya dearly and has had your old palace in the imperial palace prepared. As for Master Rao Ke, you may rest at my estate." Duke Peter smiled, waving a hand slightly.

The red jade bracelet grew hot, and Kalisa's face turned pale.

Phylosain, noticing this from the side, smiled slightly, revealing his little fangs.

Kalisa gritted her teeth against the pain and said nothing.

Rao Ke glanced at Kalisa, then said, "Alright. Kalisa, Phylosain, let's go."

With that, she turned and got back into the off-road vehicle, maintaining an aloof and cold demeanor.

The red jade bracelet dimmed, and Kalisa's face remained pale.

Phylosain sidled up to Kalisa, curious. "What's wrong with you? What's your relationship with that Peter guy?"

"I've cast a suppression spell; don't worry," Rao Ke said calmly from the back seat, eyes closed.

"That old bastard, afraid I'd leak information or betray him, made me wear this jade bracelet," Kalisa said irritably, waving her hand with the red bracelet on it.

Phylosain stared at the bracelet, a flicker of something passing through his eyes.

"I don't know where this bracelet came from. I can't take it off now, and I'm under Peter's control," Kalisa said, frustrated.

Phylosain smiled and said to Kalisa, "This is called a Blood Servant Jade Bracelet. The one with stronger magic becomes the controller."

Rao Ke opened her eyes. "So if Peter were injured to the point of being immobile..."

"Then the bracelet on her wrist would become the master control bracelet," Phylosain replied with a smile. "Of course, there are other ways to break it."

"No need. I'll handle it myself. Thanks for the suggestion, though." Kalisa's expression was utterly calm.

The off-road vehicle fell silent again, and Rao Ke dispelled the suppression spell.

In the nearby luxurious carriage, Peter looked at the red jade bracelet, which had regained control, with a strange expression on his face.

He sent Kalisa a message via the Astrolabe.

"Come to my study immediately once you arrive at the estate!"

Kalisa's expression turned unreadable upon receiving the message. She replied with a simple "Yes."

The off-road vehicle and Mo Duoya's convoy split up midway, with the off-road vehicle following Peter's carriage to his estate.

Under Peter's arrangements, Rao Ke and her two companions were given the most luxurious rooms in the estate.

"Knock, knock!"

"Come in!"

Kalisa walked into Peter's study with her head lowered. "Duke Peter."

"Why didn't you speak up for me earlier?" Peter stared at Kalisa, a trace of suspicion in his eyes.

A flicker of mockery crossed Kalisa's eyes, but when she raised her face, it was instantly replaced with a look of terror.

"Duke Peter! I really didn't dare! If I had spoken up, the witch and the demon would definitely have suspected me!" Kalisa's voice trembled with panic.

"Earlier, in the car, the witch was already suspicious of me, and that demon nearly killed me!" Kalisa's whole body began to shake.

Most of Peter's suspicion dissipated. No wonder the jade bracelet's control had suddenly been suppressed.

"Don't be afraid. Once this is done, I won't treat you unfairly," Peter said, his expression suddenly turning gentle and his tone mild.

Kalisa put on a grateful face. "Yes, I'll do my best to serve you, Duke Peter."

"By the way, your younger sister's condition has improved a lot lately. She even woke up once recently," Peter mentioned casually, then fixed his gaze on Kalisa.

Kalisa's expression changed, and she looked at Peter with deep gratitude. "Really?"

"Yes. You can go see her later," Peter said with a kindly smile.

The gratitude in Kalisa's eyes deepened, and Peter, satisfied, dismissed her.

As soon as she left the study, Kalisa rushed straight to the infirmary.

She passed through layer upon layer of checkpoints before finally seeing a small peacock lying on a treatment table, with several senior mages tending to it.

"Lady Kalisa."

The mages saw her and greeted her respectfully.

"How is Hulan's condition?" Kalisa asked urgently.

The clearly leading mage replied respectfully, "Much better. She woke up once three days ago, for about five minutes."

Kalisa looked at the little peacock, her emotions settling.

"If there's any news, inform me immediately!" Kalisa ordered.

The senior mages acknowledged obediently.

Rao Ke sat on the sofa, chatting with Mo Duoya.

"You said you want to do some promotional work here in the capital. Do you need a shop?" Mo Duoya smiled slightly. "I just happen to have one."

"Really? Then I'll rent it from you," Rao Ke said, not wanting to bother searching for one. Mo Duoya's offer came at just the right time.

Mo Duoya laughed. "We're friends. No need for all that."

"Haha, alright. Thank you then." Rao Ke accepted with a smile.

The two chatted for a while longer, then Mo Duoya sent over the shop's address, and Rao Ke planned to check it out the next day.

"Kalisa, Phylosain, come with me tomorrow to look at the shop," Rao Ke sent the message in the Keke Shop group chat.

Both replied in the group.

...

The next morning, after breakfast, the three of them rode in a carriage Peter had thoughtfully prepared, heading to Mo Duoya's shop.

After a bumpy ride, the three finally arrived at the shop, exhausted.

Unlike the other two, who were used to it, Rao Ke was clearly unaccustomed to the carriage's jostling.

"We'd have been better off driving here in the off-road vehicle," Kalisa said, gently rubbing Rao Ke's back.

"I'm fine now. Let's go inside," Rao Ke said, feeling a bit better.

The three walked into the shop and were immediately struck by its desolation.

"Welcome," the employee said listlessly, then went back to scrolling through their Astrolabe feed.

Looking at the state of the shop, Rao Ke deeply understood what Mo Duoya meant by "desolate."

Rao Ke walked up to the employee and knocked on the counter. The employee looked up impatiently.

"Get your boss," Rao Ke said with a gentle smile, yet the pressure she exuded was immense.

"Y-yes, ma'am!" The employee scrambled to the back to fetch the owner.

Rao Ke took out her Astrolabe and messaged Mo Duoya about the shop's condition.

Mo Duoya replied with a few short words: "Fire them all. I'll send a friend over to help you."

So when the lazy owner sauntered out, Rao Ke immediately informed him he was fired.

Before he could even react, he caught sight of Phylosain nearby and ran off in fright.

Phylosain muttered in annoyance, "Rude humans. Am I really that scary?"

Kalisa delivered a cold jab from the side. "To other people, demons are indeed quite scary."

"Wow, your tongue's gotten sharp. And here I am, the one who saved your life!" Phylosain complained loudly.

Rao Ke looked at the dirty, disorganized shop in front of her. "Let's have a meeting!"

The three went into a room and began discussing the shop's operations.

Mo Duoya worked quickly.

Soon, the new employee and the assistant she'd mentioned arrived at the shop.

"Hello, I'm Heri. Pleased to meet you!"

The blue-haired young man greeted Rao Ke with a brilliant smile.