Chapter 106 I Came Specifically to Find You

Since adopting Lady Ye's management methods, Xilailou's business has become even more prosperous.

Recalling that dark, smiling face, Liu Wenshu couldn't help but laugh.

Manager Liu thought he was unwilling to go and tried to persuade him again, "Young Master..."

Liu Wenshu raised his hand to interrupt him, "Tell me, where is the news about Fang Daru this time?"

"At the bookstore, an old man was holding Fang Daru's private seal and asked the bookstore to help him find someone."

Only a very few people knew this news. It was said that the only person who could produce the private seal was Fang Daru himself. No one could forge his private seal, and if it were discovered, he would be despised by all the scholars in the world.

"Looking for someone? Who?"

Liu Wenshu asked a question and then turned to walk back.

Manager Liu panicked and hurriedly followed, "Young Master, what's wrong?"

Why did you turn back when you were about to leave?

"I'll go change my clothes before I go." Liu Wenshu suddenly felt that the color of his outfit today was too dark.

Manager Liu nodded, "We need to change clothes to see Master Fang. I heard that Master Fang prefers simplicity." The young master's outfit is too flamboyant, and the colors are not dignified enough.

Yantai secretly complained to herself, "This isn't a trip to see Master Fang, it's clearly a trip to see Lady Ye."

He dared not interfere in the young master's private affairs; it was best to remain silent.

Just as Liu Wenshu changed his clothes and was about to go out, his cousin Liu Mo arrived.

His cousin's parents died early, and he was raised under his father's name, as far back as he can remember.

"Where are you going, little brother?"

Liu Mo was short and slightly chubby with a smiling face. At first glance, he looked like a kind-hearted person and resembled Master Liu somewhat.

As for Liu Wenshu himself, he and Liu Yuanwai did not look alike at all, but Old Madam Liu always said that he looked exactly like his grandfather when he was young.

"I'm going out for a bit, Brother Mo, is there something you need?"

Liu Mo smiled and said, "Your sister-in-law's family has come to visit. I was thinking that since you're going to the capital soon, I'd like you to come and join in the festivities."

"My sister-in-law's family, female guests? I don't need to entertain them, do I? My grandmother heard about Fang Daru and wants me to go and become his disciple." Liu Wenshu finished speaking and left quickly.

As the old lady's darling, Liu Wenshu naturally held a very high position in the family, so it was perfectly acceptable for him not to accompany the female guests.

Liu Mo's smile faded as the person left.

He's just spoiled by the old lady, what's so great about that?

I never expected this kid to be so lucky. He always seemed so carefree and irresponsible, but he actually passed the exam.

If I were to become a disciple of Master Fang...

Thinking of this, the smile disappeared from Liu Mo's face.

Back in the courtyard, Liu Mo's wife, Zhou, saw that he had come alone and hurriedly asked, "Where is he? Did he not want to come?"

Liu Mo's expression was unpleasant. "Liu Wenshu has always been arrogant, and now that he has become the top scholar in the provincial examination, how could he possibly look down on us? Your plan may not succeed."

Zhou wanted to marry her younger sister to Liu Wenshu, so that they would be brothers and in-laws, sharing both glory and misfortune.

If they were to bring it up directly with the old lady, given the Zhou family's status, she would absolutely not agree. So they thought of having Liu Wenshu meet with her; if Liu Wenshu did speak up, the old lady would definitely agree.

While the two were talking, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old came out of the house, her face flushed with embarrassment, and said to Zhou Shi, "Sister, I'm going back first. What kind of girl goes to find a husband's family on her own?"

Zhou pulled her younger sister back, "Yi'er, don't be shy. A woman will eventually get married. If you marry him, he will be an eighteen-year-old top scholar, and his future will definitely be bright. Besides, with your looks, how could he not be attracted to you after just one look?"

If her younger sister Zhou Yi were ugly, that would be one thing, but she's a beauty and definitely a good match for Liu Wenshu.

Zhou Yi blushed again. She had secretly met Liu Wenshu and had already fallen for him.

Zhou found a servant and said, "Go and find out where they went. Let's go out for a walk too."

Zhou felt that the previous method was too risky, and it would be better to tie Liu Wenshu to them.

...

...

Ye Wan came to the prefectural city today to inquire about Lin Anyuan's whereabouts.

Several days have passed, and Lin Anyuan has been taken away as if he has vanished into thin air; there has been no news of him since.

She went to Officer Li's place today but didn't hear from him. Officer Li's eyes were somewhat evasive.

Ye Wan suspected that Officer Li was hiding something from her, but since he was unwilling to talk about it, she couldn't force him to.

Sitting in Xilailou, Ye Wan listened to a group of people at a table not far away talking about the rebels.

"Have you heard? After the rebels captured Youzhou, they randomly seized women. Any woman with even a little bit of beauty, whether married or not, was sent to Prince Jing to choose from. It's like the emperor selecting concubines."

"Isn't this place the fiefdom of Prince Jing? I've never heard of Prince Jing being so interested in women."

"King Jing had more than a dozen sons, and you're telling me he didn't care about women?"

"Oh, right, there's another piece of news, did you know? A group of heroes have appeared on Snake Mountain, robbing the rich to help the poor..."

"Lady Ye".

Ye Wan turned around upon hearing the voice, "Young Master Liu? I didn't expect to run into you again by such a coincidence."

Liu Wenshu, dressed in a moon-white long robe with cloud patterns, held a fan in his hand and smiled with high spirits.

"I came here specifically to find you."

Ye Wan was stunned for a moment. It seemed that Liu Wenshu said this every time they met.

Yantai spoke up from the side, "Young master, didn't you come here to become a disciple of Master Fang?"

Coming specifically to find a married woman, isn't that just deliberately causing a misunderstanding?

Liu Wenshu then realized that his words were inappropriate, and awkwardly squeezed the fan in the book. "Yes, I was just joking. I came to see Master Fang."

"I overheard some news: those who were arrested and sent to the army have all disappeared."

Liu Wenshu lowered his voice.

Fang Daru was looking for one of these people. The Liu family received the news earlier, before it spread.

"Gone?" Ye Wan asked, puzzled.

"The cell door was wide open overnight, and the person disappeared." Liu Wenshu lowered his voice. "I only just found out about this myself, which is why I'm telling you."

Of course, he didn't mention that grain and medicinal herbs were also lost.

"Thank you very much, Young Master Liu." Ye Wan breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as he isn't arrested by the government, Lin Anyuan can survive even in the mountains.

"You're welcome, it was nothing. I wish Madam Ye could open a restaurant, it's been so long since I've tasted Madam Ye's cooking."

Liu Wenshu added, "Although you gave me the recipe for hot and sour noodles, the chef's version just doesn't taste the same."

Ye Wanxin said that without the spring water in her space, it certainly wouldn't taste the same.

"It's nothing. Young Master Liu is my benefactor. When my husband returns, come to my house and I will personally cook for you."

When she heard her say that Lin Anyuan was her husband, Liu Wenshu was stunned for a moment.

Who is that?

Zhou Yi followed Zhou Shi to the teahouse and saw Liu Wenshu talking to a woman from afar. The woman was dressed as a young girl, and Zhou Yi immediately felt a pang of jealousy.

When the waiter served the tea, he explained, "That's Young Master Liu's guest."

"Sister-in-law, that woman looks like he..."

Zhou didn't take it seriously. "She's just a dark-faced woman. Why bother with her? Yi'er, just do as I say later."