Chapter 210: Testing The Medicine
There was no movement behind the gauze curtain for a long while, and only after a long time did a lazy voice come through, “Why would I punish you? Did Shopkeeper Shang have you bring back any message?”
Steward Zhong lowered his head and reported, “Shopkeeper Shang asked me to convey her thanks to you.”
“Thanks?” The youth gave a cold scoff, poured another cup of wine, and slowly brought it to his lips.
Steward Zhong said, “Shopkeeper Shang is hosting a banquet at Qionghua Restaurant the day after tomorrow and requests that you kindly attend.”
Qionghua Restaurant was the restaurant opened by Qiao Yu Gui.
The room instantly fell quiet, with pale smoke slowly rising from the copper incense burner, and the rich floral fragrance filling the room.
Steward Zhong silently stood up, but his head was still bowed, his posture respectful.
The lazy voice came from behind the gauze curtain again, “Is there any news from the capital city?”
“No.”
“No, there is.” The youth repeated word by word, his finger joints tapping the desk with a ‘tap tap tap’, murmuring to himself, “How could there be none?”
After a moment, Steward Zhong heard the person behind the gauze curtain say, “If there is none, then there is none. Report back immediately if there is news.”
Steward Zhong hurriedly replied, “Yes.”
“Tell Shopkeeper Shang that I will go.”
“Yes.”
The room fell quiet again for a moment, and then the youth’s voice rang out once more, “What has Chu Wujiu been doing lately?”
“Young Master Chu is looking for someone to paint a picture, a Treading Snow Painting.”
The youth became interested and changed his position on the soft couch, asking, “Did he find someone?”
“He found one, a xiucai scholar surnamed Lu.” Steward Zhong raised his head and glanced at the vague figure behind the gauze curtain, “He is Shopkeeper Shang’s husband.”
“Ha.” The youth was somewhat surprised, “What a coincidence.”
He suddenly remembered something and asked, “Is this Lu Xiucai Scholar the Third Young Master Lu who was struck from the Lu Family family tree and passed the xiucai exam at just thirteen years old?”
“Exactly.”
“Tsk tsk, picking up sesame seeds and losing a watermelon.” The youth shook his head disdainfully, “Lu Mingsheng’s brain must have been kicked by a donkey.”
Steward Zhong kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, making no comment on the matter.
The youth said, “Go tell Chu Wujiu that the day after tomorrow, I will treat him to a meal at Qionghua Restaurant.”
Steward Zhong knew his own owner wanted to find some fun, so he didn’t ask more and replied, “Yes.”
·
As dusk fell, Shang Wan settled today’s wages with Wu Kai and conveniently handed him a box of ointment.
“This ointment can fade scars. Take it back and try it.”
Wu Kai’s eyes flickered slightly. He glanced at the box but didn’t reach out to take it.
He had bought countless ointments claiming to remove scars, but none had worked.
The doctor had told him that his were old scars from years ago, which couldn’t be faded with ointment at all, and advised him not to waste money anymore.
“No charge.” Shang Wan directly stuffed the ointment box into his hand, “Just work diligently for me. Once the scar fades, help me publicize it to the neighbors.”
There was such a good deal?
Wu Kai’s eyes widened slightly, “Shopkeeper Shang, are you serious?”
“Of course.” Shang Wan explained how to use the ointment to him, “Apply it to the scar after washing your face, not too much, just a thin layer. You’ll see results in no more than three days.”
Wu Kai didn’t believe it could work in three days, but seeing Shang Wan’s confident look, a bit of hope rose in his heart.
What if?
What if this ointment really worked on the scar on his face?
If there were no scar on his face, or if it faded some and didn’t look so scary, surely some young lady would be willing to marry him.
He dreamed of a life with wife, kids, and a warm kang bed!
“Thank you.” Wu Kai thanked him while holding the ointment box. Regardless of whether it worked, at least it was a kind gesture.
“No need to thank me. When the time comes, publicize it well for me, and I should be thanking you.” Shang Wan waved her hand and instructed, “Tomorrow, don’t eat breakfast at home. Go directly to the neighboring eatery. I’ve asked the boss lady to prepare it for you.”
Hearing this, not only Wu Kai but even his two nephews couldn’t help but sigh that Shopkeeper Shang was truly a good person.
Watching Wu Kai and the three people leave, Xiao Huan turned to Shang Wan, “Sis, let’s go back too. Brother-in-law and the others must be waiting anxiously.”
Shang Wan nodded, bent down and patted Xiao Hei’s head, “Guard the shop well. Bite any thieves who break in; I’ll cover any damage.”
Xiao Hei understandingly gave a “woof woo” and wagged his tail at Shang Wan.
Yuan Yuan stretched out her small hand and waved at it, “See you tomorrow, doggy.”
“Woof!”
·
“They’re back!” Shi Tou stood on the hillside, spotted the ox cart, excitedly waved his hand, and ran over with Xiao Hui to greet them.
Xiao Hui butted his head under Yuan Yuan to lift her onto his back, then carried the little baby girl racing home.
Little Yuan Yuan blinked her big eyes in bewilderment, got a face full of the oncoming night wind, and the little topknot on her head was all messed up.
At the courtyard gate stood a man in blue robes, tall and straight, with a smile in his eyes.
Yuan Yuan’s eyes lit up, and she shouted crisply, “Daddy!”
“Yes.” Lu Chengjing responded, bent down to lift the little baby girl off the gray wolf’s back, “Did you miss Daddy?”
“Yes!” The little baby girl answered loudly and nodded her little head vigorously.
The ox cart stopped at the courtyard gate, and Shang Wan and the others jumped down from it.
Shi Tou reached out and took Yuan Yuan from Lu Chengjing’s arms, carrying her inside while chattering to her, “Uncle went into the mountains today and picked some red berries, saved them all for you and A Nian. They’re especially sweet; you’ll love them.”
Yuan Yuan obediently hugged Uncle Shi Tou’s neck and called for little brother to follow, to go see the sweet berries together.
Xiao Huan, thinking of making dinner, asked, “Brother-in-law, have you and Shi Tou eaten yet?”
Lu Chengjing: “Shi Tou stir-fried two dishes, waiting for you all to come back and eat together.”
“Then I’ll boil some soup.” Xiao Huan dropped this sentence and hurried to the kitchen.
Instantly, only Shang Wan and Lu Chengjing were left outside the courtyard. Shang Wan smiled at Lu Chengjing, “What are you staring at me foolishly for? Don’t you recognize me anymore?”
Lu Chengjing shook his head, walked over to help hold the ox cart.
“You didn’t come back last night. I wanted to go find you, but the city gates were closed by then.”
“Worried about me?”
Lu Chengjing nodded and asked, “What happened last night?”
Shang Wan briefly recounted the events, especially mentioning the compensation gift Zhong Li had sent to the door, and ended with, “I feel like he’s up to no good, like a weasel paying respects to the hen.”
“Perhaps.” Lu Chengjing’s lips pressed together, his brows furrowed tightly.
Seeing his serious expression, Shang Wan also reined in her joking mood and asked solemnly, “What did you think of?”
Lu Chengjing looked up at her, his lips parting as if to speak, but then he hesitated.
Shang Wan was so anxious, she reached out and pinched his cheek, urging, “Spit it out.”
Lu Chengjing slightly bent down to make it easier for Shang Wan to pinch.
He lowered his eyes to her attire and softly asked, “Does Boss Zhong know that the young lady is already taken?”
Shang Wan: “???”
Shang Wan: “…”
She withdrew her hand and gave the man in front of her an eye roll, “What are you imagining?”
She already had a child; how could Zhong Li not know she was married?
Besides, that guy was a bit crazy, and his actions couldn’t be judged by normal standards.
She reached out and poked Lu Chengjing’s chest, “Have some confidence. You’re better looking than Boss Zhong.”
Lu Chengjing: “…”
So it still comes down to the face?
