Zeng had a high fever for two days, but the fever finally subsided on the third day.

She did wake up briefly during this time, but she was in a dazed state, her eyes slightly open, seemingly half-awake.

Ever since she learned of her illness, Lu Yao has been staying by her bedside.

During the day she took care of her master, and at night Hu Jinfei took turns caring for him.

After Lu Qiqi returned, she visited Grandma Zhou in her courtyard. Old people tend to prefer to stay by themselves.

Xiao Liu and the others can only go once a day. If they go too often, the old man won't say anything, but if he doesn't get enough rest, he'll easily get sick.

Over time, Xiao Liu and the others realized what was happening and started going only once a day.

When Grandma Zhou learned that Zhou Yi had joined the army, she was worried but also proud of him.

The eldest grandson wants to become a great general. If his wish were granted, wouldn't it be a stroke of good luck for our ancestors?

Lu Qiqi also told her that Zhou San had become an accountant and that if he became more capable, he could be promoted to manager.

Hearing this, Grandma Zhou couldn't stop smiling, even though she had lost her front teeth and was spitting out air.

They didn't care at all.

He was as happy as a child.

Lu Qiqi gave her a box of Rongyang Pills and told her to take one pill every three days.

The Rongyang Pill uses only the finest medicinal herbs.

It's perfect for nourishing the elderly.

Moreover, she added spiritual spring water to the Rongyang Pill, which doubled its efficacy.

After leaving Grandma Zhou's room, Lu Qiqi went to Tongfu Pawnshop.

She took the death contract for the Shu brocade and left with Nineteen.

Logically speaking, since it was something pawned under a death contract, she shouldn't have kept the contract; the pawnshop should have only kept one copy.

However, when the pawnshop owner saw that she came alone, he was afraid that something might have happened. Since she had already asked, he made two copies as proof for both parties.

This actually makes things convenient for her.

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and Nineteen lifted the curtain. "Your Highness, we've arrived."

Lu Qiqi stepped down from the carriage, lifted her skirt, went up the steps, and walked into Tongfu Pawnshop.

The pawnshop clerks, upon seeing the lavishly decorated carriage outside, immediately greeted them with smiles and invited them inside.

Nineteen got straight to the point, "My master, the head of Kangle Township, has important business with your shopkeeper. Please trouble you to invite the shopkeeper out."

Upon hearing the words "township lord," the waiter's face stiffened; he hadn't expected him to be such a distinguished person.

Ordinary wealthy young ladies would come to the pawnshop to exchange their hairpins for some silver to spend.

Can...

"Greetings, Lord of the Village."

Lu Qiqi nodded and said calmly, "Go."

Upon receiving the order, the waiter immediately instructed the other waiter to serve tea, fearing that he might offend someone by not providing adequate hospitality.

Upon hearing the news, the shopkeeper put down his bowl, hastily wiped the grease off his mouth, and quickly followed the clerk toward the pawnshop's main hall.

"This humble subject greets the village head."

The shopkeeper arrived at the main hall and bowed to the woman before him.

Lu Qiqi put down her teacup. "Shopkeeper, please don't stand on ceremony. Sit down and let's chat."

I have come here today because I have an important matter to ask of you, sir.

A clear, melodious voice rang out. Manager Yang looked up and, when he saw Lu Qiqi's face, it seemed as if he had seen her somewhere before.

But the job he did at the pawnshop involved dealing with all sorts of unfamiliar faces.

For a moment, I really couldn't remember where I had seen it before.

As soon as he finished speaking, Manager Yang felt immense pressure. "I dare not accept such praise. Please feel free to give any instructions, Lord Kang Le."

At this moment, Nineteen handed a contract to Manager Yang.

Manager Yang unfolded the contract, which at first glance appeared to be a fixed contract, leaving him somewhat perplexed.

However, he still told the truth, "Lord, this is a death contract."

According to the rules of the pawnshop, once the money and goods are exchanged, the item has no further connection with the seller.

"Your...thing is probably hard to find."

Lu Qiqi said, "Since you're asking the manager for a favor, you'll naturally receive a reward from him."

If this item is still in the pawn shop, I'm willing to raise the price to redeem it, and everything will be done according to the pawn shop's rules.

If this item is bought by someone, it would be good to ask Tongfu Pawnshop to pass on a message to the buyer.

As she spoke, Lu Qiqi began to play the family card again, "This contract was made in Yushan Town, Qingyuan Prefecture, and was used as collateral for a Shu brocade depicting twelve ladies."

This is my mother's keepsake; she wouldn't have used it as a death warrant if we hadn't fallen on hard times.

Every customer who treats their possessions as an inescapable contract will talk about how important the possessions are to them when they want to redeem them.

Manager Yang was so tired of hearing stories of pawned goods in distress.

If everyone used this excuse to redeem their death contracts, Tongfu Pawnshop would have closed down long ago.

It turns out that Tongfu Pawnshop exists in every prefecture of the Great Jin Dynasty.

However, why does this painting of ladies, and the location of Yushan Town in Qingyuan Prefecture, sound so familiar?

Just as he was wondering what was going on, the waiter next to him whispered a few words in his ear.

This reminded him that the manager of Luzhou Prefecture had previously asked the young lady to be promoted to the new capital.

He had only been here a short time, and knew less about what was happening in the pawnshop than the previous employees.

But after the waiter reminded him, Manager Yang realized that this girl looked exactly like the young lady in the painting.

Despite his inner turmoil, Manager Yang tried his best to calm himself down. "Please wait a moment, Your Excellency, allow me to read the contract carefully."

Lu Qiqi wasn't in a hurry. She nodded and said, "No rush."

He picked up the teacup again, lowered his head, and took a sip.

Manager Yang carefully read the contract, then looked at the person in front of him again.

He was overjoyed inside.

This Lord Kang Le wasn't asking him for help at all; he was clearly bringing him immense wealth!

The more Manager Yang looked at the contract, the more reluctant he became to put it down.

He just didn't understand why, after the young lady had been found, another person who looked exactly like the portrait had appeared.

The death contract that the village head Kang Le was holding was indeed marked as being used exclusively by Tongfu Pawnshop.

He had a vague suspicion that either one of the two was an imposter, or the two were twin sisters.

But no matter which one it is, he must not act rashly.

Manager Yang closed the contract, looked at Lu Qiqi again, and smiled so much that his face was covered in wrinkles.

He said, "Village head, may I make a copy of this contract?"

"no problem."

Lu Qiqi thought he had agreed to make a copy of the contract, as long as the original was still with her.

Shopkeeper Yang returned the contract to Nineteen with both hands, not forgetting to leave Lu Qiqi's address.

They claimed that once they found the Shu brocade, they could send someone to the government office to inform them.

Lu Qiqi left the address of the house and then got into the carriage.

As soon as the carriage drove away from the street, Manager Yang hurriedly told his clerk, "Send someone to the pawnshop immediately. I have something urgent to discuss. Report back to Xinjing!"