Chapter 65 Ji Yushu's Master!

Not long after she stepped outside, Fan Xiaoxiao felt the malice of the ancient summer.

"Ugh, it's so hot."

Today seems to be the start of the hottest period of summer, and the weather is frighteningly hot. Carrying a wine jug, Fan Xiaoxiao followed Steward Ji step by step toward the market. Her face was already flushed red, and sweat was constantly dripping from her cheeks.

She wiped the sweat from her cheeks, and as if to divert her attention, she inquired about Ji Yushu's master from Steward Ji: "Steward Ji, what kind of person is Young Master Ji's master? We'll be paying him a visit later, so I wonder if there are any taboos he might have?"

Manager Ji touched his chin as if recalling something: "Hmm... Young Master's master is an old man with many friends, and he's quite easygoing."

As for taboos... I don't really know, but I do know that once a strange, fat old man came and disturbed one of my master's tea trees, which made my master so angry that he chased him for three or four blocks.

Listening to Manager Ji's description, Fan Xiaoxiao couldn't help but picture two playful old men in her mind. She laughed out loud at the image: "Haha, they sound like interesting old folks."

As they talked, they unknowingly arrived at the market. Today, the market was pitifully empty, with only a few vendors sitting in the shade chatting.

Xiao Bao has good eyesight; from afar, they spotted Old Zhao and Uncle Wang sitting under the shade of a tree, selling bamboo baskets.

He ran over excitedly, calling out, "Grandpa!"

The group followed Xiao Bao over. Madam Fan looked up at the market, which was noticeably quieter today, and a look of confusion appeared on her face: "Hmm? Why are there so few people here today? Weren't merchant ships supposed to dock tomorrow?"

Uncle Wang, who was feeding Xiaobao water, sighed as he listened: "Sigh, there were quite a lot of people this morning, but Hou San came by and drove away a lot of merchants who were close to Zhu Er. Then Zhu Er came by just now and drove away some more who were on good terms with Hou San."

Upon hearing this reason, Madam Fan was slightly taken aback. She asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why? Aren't they all from the same family?"

Looking at the deserted market under the blazing sun, Old Zhao, who was fanning himself with a palm leaf fan, sneered from his nose: "Tch, what else could it be? It's those walnuts from yesterday! Hou San suspected Zhu Er of secretly selling them for money, but Zhu Er suspected Hou San of stealing the walnuts. Huang Yuan openly prevented the two from fighting, so they harassed the merchants."

“But they’re so blatantly preventing others from setting up stalls. Won’t Huang Yuan blame them? After all, his Huang family isn’t collecting rent.”

Fan Xiaoxiao's eyes flickered slightly as she glanced at Steward Ji beside her. The latter smiled at her impassively, and Fan Xiaoxiao understood immediately; the Ji family must have been involved in this matter. She lowered her gaze and tugged at Madam Fan in front of her.

“Sister, how could Huang Yuan possibly hear the truth? Hou San and Zhu Er will surely say that those people aren’t setting up stalls because of the hot weather today.”

"Yes, yes! Silly Mother!"

Xiao Bao nodded his little head earnestly, which amused everyone. Madam Fan patted Xiao Bao's head gently, both amused and exasperated: "You know something now? Have you finished your water? If you have, let's go."

"Hehe, all drunk!"

After saying goodbye to Old Zhao, Xiao Bao left the market with Fan Xiaoxiao and the others.

Then, Steward Ji led them through the residential area, turning left and right. As Fan Xiaoxiao looked at the road in front of her, a strange sense of familiarity slowly rose in her heart.

After a while, the group finally passed through the residential area. When they saw the still dilapidated little tea stall in front of them, Fan Xiaoxiao finally understood what that strange and eerie feeling of familiarity she had been experiencing was.

It turns out that Uncle Wang's friend who loves brewing tea is actually Ji Yushu's master! What a small world!

Fan Xiaoxiao shifted her gaze to Steward Ji's face and asked uncertainly, "Here..."

"Uncle Ji! Hey, isn't this the young lady who was with Uncle Wang the other day?"

A cheerful young voice interrupted Fan Xiaoxiao's question. She looked up and saw Xiao Fan from the tea stall running out, smiling at them.

Manager Ji looked at Fan Xiaoxiao and Xiao Fan with some surprise, seemingly not expecting that they knew each other.

"Have you met Xiao Fan before, my lady?"

Under the scrutinizing gazes of everyone, Fan Xiaoxiao nodded helplessly and said, "I visited once before with Uncle Wang."

"Yes! By the way, what brings you here today?"

"Oh! A few days ago, Young Hero Miao saved Madam Fan's nephew in town. I brought them here today to express my gratitude."

"Yes, yes! We've come to deliver the wine jug to Miaomiao!"

Xiao Bao looked adorable as he held the wine jug that was to be given away. Xiao Fan smiled and ruffled his hair, then turned and led the group inside, saying, "Why didn't you come with Brother Ji today? He just arrived recently. He's planting tea trees for Grandpa inside right now."

Manager Ji was slightly taken aback; he had no idea that Ji Yushu was also coming today!

"My lord has come too? How come I didn't know?"

"Well."

Xiao Fan paused, somewhat embarrassed, and glanced at Steward Ji, whose face was full of doubt. He scratched his head, and then, as if he had thought of something, he looked somewhat unfocused towards the backyard.

When Manager Ji saw his expression, his doubts deepened, so he immediately led Fan Xiaoxiao and the others towards the backyard.

"Ji Yushu! Get back here!"

As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, they heard a roar from inside.

The group paused, then hurried into the courtyard. Suddenly, a flowerpot flew towards them, grazing Steward Ji's face before crashing into a nearby pillar.

Terrified, Steward Ji immediately collapsed to the ground, his lips trembling. Following the flowerpot out was a disheveled Ji Yushu.

He was clutching his head, his clothes were filthy, and he looked quite disheveled. Behind him followed a fierce-looking old man. Fan Xiaoxiao looked closely and recognized him as the old man who had been drinking tea with Uncle Wang.

“Young Master Ji…you…”

Before Fan Xiaoxiao could finish her sentence, Ji Yushu pulled the steward to his feet, his expression filled with anxiety. He kept urging the people blocking the passageway away, shouting, "Run! Run! The old man is going to eat people!"

Having said that, without waiting for anyone's reaction, he pushed and shoved his way out of the tea stall. Little Bao, being small, shoved the wine from his arms into Xiao Fan's hand as he passed, the little boy stammering urgently, "This! This is for Miao Miao!"

Before Xiao Fan could say anything, he had just accepted the wine when Xiao Bao was already taken far away.

The old man who had chased after them saw Ji Yushu's figure almost disappearing from sight, spat fiercely, and then turned around to see Xiao Fan looking stunned.

"Why are you standing there like that? Huh? What are you holding?"

"Hmm? Oh! This is what the Fan family's child said he wanted for Miaozi!"

The old man nodded, took the wine jug, and walked into the courtyard.

"Hey! Little Grass, here's your wine!"

(End of this chapter)