Chapter 275: Each Their Own
Shi Gun entered the room from the side door leading to the tea room. After listening to the young official finish speaking, he lowered his head and hands, stepping back. He quickly moved a few steps forward to Gu Yan’s side and reported in a low voice:
“Reporting to Young Lord: I saw Wan Jing. Wan Jing said that Yu Lan did not enter the house and blocked her outside the door as well. She didn’t hear what Miss Li and Eldest Madam said. She said Miss Li only sat for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, and that Eldest Madam welcomed her in when she arrived, and Eldest Madam didn’t move at all when she left.”
“Yu Lan stopped her, and she just let Yu Lan stop her? Doesn’t she know whose servant she is?” Gu Yan was furious.
“Wan Jing said, said, that, that.” Shi Gun’s tongue was tied. “She said to ask me not to look for her anymore, saying that her indenture contract has already been sent from the Prince’s Estate to the Li Family. She said if I look for her again, if she doesn’t say anything, people will gossip that she’s ungrateful and doesn’t recognize her old master. If she does say something, it’s even worse…”
Facing Gu Yan’s bristling eyebrows, Shi Gun shrunk his neck, not daring to continue.
Gu Yan took a deep breath.
No wonder foolishness and loyalty are always linked. Just look at this idiot Wan Jing.
“Has Mr. Zhou returned?” Gu Yan suppressed his annoyance and asked loudly.
“He has already returned,” replied the servant standing by the door.
“Go and invite Mr. Zhou over to talk,” Gu Yan suppressed his annoyance and ordered.
“Yes!” Shi Gun, as if granted a great pardon, quickly went to invite Zhou Shennian.
Zhou Shennian hurried into the room. After paying his respects, he first explained, “I had a bit to drink, so I had a smell on me, and I went back to change my clothes first.”
Gu Yan grunted and asked directly, “What are Mr. Dongxi’s plans?”
“As Young Lord predicted, Mr. Dongxi indeed feels that the obstacle in the marriage is a good thing, a rare opportunity. Mr. Dongxi plans to lend Miss Li a hand.”
Gu Yan let out a soft sigh of relief, leaned back in his chair, and smiled, “How does he plan to help?”
“We’re still discussing it. Miss Li wants to interact with the female family members of various households, and about this, we don’t know much,” Zhou Shennian said with a wry smile.
Gu Yan grunted and, after a moment, sighed.
He was also worried about the female family members. After thinking about it, he couldn’t think of anyone to consult. If only he could persuade Eldest Sister, but Eldest Sister was even more infuriating than his mother. Eldest Sister had no openings. Perhaps he should talk to Second Sister again?
……………………
Li Xiaonan returned to her new home and discussed with Wan Jing, Yu Ting, and A Wu where to go tomorrow and whether to go out for a stroll in the evening.
“I’ve been to Jianle City before, but you haven’t, right?” A Wu suddenly became smug. Seeing Wan Jing’s wide eyes, he suddenly realized, “I didn’t mean you. That, you speak first. You know Jianle City the best.”
“From now on! In our estate, no, in our home! We need to establish rules. For example, you,” Wan Jing pointed at A Wu, “cannot say ‘you’ and ‘me’ when talking to Miss!”
“Huh? If I don’t say ‘you’ and ‘me’, what should I say? Aren’t you also saying ‘you’ and ‘me’? We’re all saying ‘you’ and ‘me’.” A Wu pouted.
“I need to change too, everyone needs to change. You should address her as Miss, not ‘you, you, you’, and definitely not point with your finger!” Wan Jing gestured with her finger at A Wu.
“We’ll talk about this later. Let’s first discuss where to go tonight. Let’s go out for dinner,” Li Xiaonan interrupted Wan Jing.
“Right! Let’s eat our way through all twenty-four main restaurants in Jianle City!” A Wu’s eyes lit up.
“No!” Wan Jing refused decisively. “I’m telling you, no, Miss, I’m telling you, no, I mean! I’m telling… that, our Prince… no!”
Li Xiaonan rested her elbows on the armrests of the chair, propped up her chin, and watched Wan Jing, who couldn’t speak properly while trying to enforce rules.
“There are no outsiders now, so you don’t need to be so particular. We’ll change slowly. Have some tea first,” Yu Ting poured a cup of tea and handed it to Wan Jing, then playfully slapped A Wu, who was stifling a laugh.
“Alright,” Wan Jing took a big gulp of tea. “Princess Consort must be watching you. If we go around everywhere late at night, what will Princess Consort think? If we’re going to go out, we should do it after you marry into the Prince’s Estate, right?”
“Wan Jing is right, marrying into the Prince’s Estate is a big event,” Yu Ting said with a serious expression.
A Wu sighed in disappointment.
“Miss, don’t think about going out to eat this and that first. Let’s discuss how you can have reciprocal relationships with the families in Jianle City. Which family should we visit first?” Wan Jing said earnestly.
“Which family can we visit?” Li Xiaonan asked.
Wan Jing blinked her eyes repeatedly and couldn’t speak for a long time.
“Shall we visit the Wei Family? We came on the Wei Family’s boat, so we definitely need to go and thank them,” Yu Ting suggested.
“Hmm! No! That’s too much!” A Wu shook his head with a look of disdain.
“A Wu is right,” Li Xiaonan agreed.
“Then there’s really no one else,” Yu Ting spread his hands.
Li Xiaonan absently grunted, thinking about the real reason Gu Yan rushed back. The Emperor must be very ill now. Many families in Jianle City must know about the Emperor’s serious illness and will surely quietly reduce their banquets and entertainment, and even try to go out less and receive fewer guests. Now is the time to stay quiet.
“What are you thinking about, Miss?” Wan Jing asked, looking at Li Xiaonan, who was lost in thought.
“This matter cannot be rushed,” Li Xiaonan replied casually. “I was thinking… Right, let’s go to Da Xiangguo Temple, light some incense, and have a vegetarian meal.”
“Yes, yes, yes! After the vegetarian meal, let’s go to the ghost market! I’m telling you, there are assassins setting up stalls in the ghost market!” A Wu’s eyes lit up.
“We’ll come back after the vegetarian meal!” Wan Jing glared at A Wu.
“Wan Jing is right. Assassins, really? Can you afford an assassin?” Yu Ting also glared at A Wu.
“Why would I hire an assassin? I can be an assassin myself. Shall we go now?” A Wu stood up.
“Let’s go,” Li Xiaonan stood up as well.
“A Wu, don’t ride a horse. Tell the cart driver to drive the carriage. There’s no place to park at Da Xiangguo Temple. What’s our cart driver’s name?” Wan Jing said, pushing Li Xiaonan and looking around. It was fine, not dirty, no need to change clothes.
“His name is Da Yan. They say his eyes were particularly large when he was born. His eyes are indeed not small. I’ll go call him,” A Wu strode out.
……………………
Pingjiang City.
Li Jinzhu stood in the spacious, large storeroom filled to the brim, her brows furrowed with worry.
Sister-in-law Yin emerged from a row of shelves, wiping the sweat from her forehead, and said with a wry smile, “It’s too full. It’s more humid inside than outside. We need to take out the cloth from the inside and air it out. We can’t store any more in this storeroom; we need to rent a larger one. We must quickly find a way to sell this fine cloth, A Nan…”
“We’ll find a way ourselves,” Li Jinzhu interrupted Sister-in-law Yin.
“I know it’s not easy for A Nan, and I’m not trying to cause trouble for A Nan, but this matter, look at this fine cloth. Every day it’s stored is a day’s worth of copper coins. The plum rain season is approaching. If it’s like last year, with over forty days of no sunshine, what will we do with this fine cloth?” Sister-in-law Yin’s hair was turning white with worry.
“Let’s try making quilts, just as A Nan said, with silk wadding inside,” Li Jinzhu gritted her teeth.
“Who will buy them after they’re made? Families with real money use quilts made of brocade inside and out. Families who can’t afford them won’t buy them,” Sister-in-law Yin shook her head in opposition.
“Let’s try and see, maybe,” Li Jinzhu said after a moment of silence, looking at Sister-in-law Yin.
“Alright! Let’s try!” Sister-in-law Yin met Li Jinzhu’s gaze, and after a moment, gritted her teeth and stamped her feet, “Let’s make some small quilts for the little ones. Ordinary families can afford them too.”
“Should we hire people ourselves? Where would it be cost-effective to hire people?” Li Jinzhu and Sister-in-law Yin discussed.
“I think it’s better to find a garment workshop to make them for us. We’re trying to sell fine cloth, not change careers to sell bedding. Hiring people ourselves isn’t cost-effective,” Sister-in-law Yin calculated.
“Okay, shall we go to the garment workshop to ask now?”
“Good!”
The two discussed and got into a carriage, heading straight for the garment workshop.
……………………
Linhai Town.
The crescent moon flickered in and out of the clouds.
On a small mountain by the sea, Huang Xianzhou squatted beside a rock, craning his neck to look at the small bay not far from the wharf.
Two groups of people stood in the small bay, holding clubs and axes.
Huang Xianzhou’s heart tightened as he watched the two groups fight each other with clubs and axes, and he closed his eyes in pain.
“General Yang said everything was arranged… they’re fighting, they’re fighting!” Mr. Yao hadn’t finished speaking when he saw the melee in the small bay, his legs went weak, and he fell beside Huang Xianzhou.
“Old Yao, this is all karma,” Huang Xianzhou’s voice was filled with bitterness. “It’s all human lives, living human lives.”
“Esteemed Master, you can’t say that. Alas, it’s tragic,” Mr. Yao glanced, then quickly turned his head away, not daring to look again.
“Back then, I hated this the most, this…” Huang Xianzhou watched the bloody fight in the small bay, tears streaming down his face. “Old Yao, tell me, how did I end up like this?”
“Don’t watch anymore, let’s go back,” Mr. Yao dragged Huang Xianzhou and stumbled back down the mountain.
On the wharf, Yang Qifan stood on the lookout tower, watching the battle in the small bay.
In just a moment, the battle situation became clear.
Although the Cheng Zi Gang members who stood in the open and confronted the other three groups were few, each one was fierce and elite. After the close combat, the ambushing troops rushed out.
Yang Qifan squinted at Wu Miaozhen, the new Gang Leader of Cheng Zi Gang, who was standing to the side, waving a flag and directing. He was full of admiration. This woman was ruthless and capable, truly excellent. Young Lord’s judgment of people was indeed impeccable! After this battle, Cheng Zi Gang would be the number one gang in the entire Linhai Town. Oh, no, there was also the Jiangbei Gang, which had allied with Cheng Zi Gang.
He wondered if the Jiangbei Gang could withstand Cheng Zi Gang. The leader of the Jiangbei Gang was a bit reckless. Hmm, he should write a letter to Young Lord and ask him if, in case the Jiangbei Gang couldn’t handle that Wu Miaozhen, they should help the Jiangbei Gang. It wouldn’t be good for Cheng Zi Gang to have a monopoly.
While Yang Qifan was lost in thought, the battle in the small bay had already been decided. Yang Qifan quickly slid down from the lookout tower and strode back to the camp. He had to write the letter quickly.
