Chapter 533

He turned to leave, but Madam Chen grabbed him, saying, "Wait! What's the rush? Let's ask our daughter about the Marquis's residence before making any plans!"

She had recently heard of the reputation of the heir of the Marquis of Xuanping's mansion. She heard that he was handsome and capable, having first achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations and now serving the emperor in the south. Once he returned, he would surely become the emperor's confidant.

If such an outstanding person were to fall for their daughter, their indiscriminate impeachment would only put Yunxi in a difficult position.

Chen Zongwen didn't understand women's thoughts, but he did whatever his wife said. He nodded and went out to teach.

Madam Chen sighed and went to Yunxi's room.

She gently pushed open the door and saw Yunxi sitting by the half-open window. She had obviously been awake for a while and had probably heard what was said earlier.

Seeing Madam Chen approach, Yunxi curled her lips into a smile: "Mother."

Madam Chen sighed and hugged her tightly: "Your parents are here, no one will let you suffer anymore, don't worry."

"Um......"

With my parents around, I naturally feel at ease.

In the shadows, someone wrote all of this down on a short note. A white dove flew out from the neighboring courtyard and headed into the distance.

——

Suzhou, the Xiao family.

The Xiao family was a well-known wealthy family in the area. Their mansion was naturally elegant, with white walls and black tiles, carved windows, and water and rocks reflecting each other in the courtyard. The rocks were stacked to form mountains, making it feel like walking through a painting of Jiangnan.

Xiao Zhenzhong stood with a young man under the eaves.

The man was tall and slender, with a straight and upright posture like a pine tree, and possessed an extraordinary air about him.

Xiao Zhenzhong's gaze lingered slightly on the worn sachet at the man's waist: "Lord Shen has come from afar, haven't you had a proper look around Suzhou yet?"

"I've long heard that the scenery of Jiangnan is unique, and today at Lord Xiao's residence, I've finally gotten a glimpse of it."

Xiao Zhenzhong chuckled twice: "Me? I'm just a businessman covered in the smell of money. The scenery in this courtyard was all planned by my nephew. I don't know anything about it. It's just that when I have a headache from doing accounting, I come out for a walk and it seems to really relieve a lot of it."

"nephew?"

"Yes, my nephew has been frail since childhood and is currently seeking medical treatment elsewhere. He hasn't returned yet, so it's normal that Lord Shen doesn't know."

"I see."

The two stood there for a while longer before returning to the main hall.

Xiao Zhenzhong ordered tea to be served, feeling a little uneasy.

"I have long heard of Lord Shen's talent, and now that I have met him, I can see that he is truly extraordinary."

Shen Rang always ignored such flattery and got down to business: "I heard that Lord Xiao is acquainted with an old gentleman surnamed Fang?"

Seeing that he got straight to the point, Xiao Zhenzhong also straightened his expression: "To say that we are acquainted is too kind of me. Mr. Fang is one of the most important figures in Suzhou. How could I, a businessman, be acquainted with him?"

Mr. Fang was not born into a noble family. It is said that he came from the north in his early years. No one knows his origins. However, he was very resourceful. As an outsider, he controlled most of the canal wharves in Suzhou in just over ten years. Later, he also got involved in the salt industry. Now, he is just a figure in legend.

No one in Suzhou failed to admire his methods, and naturally, they all went to great lengths to become his disciples. However, Mr. Fang used his advanced age as an excuse to turn away all those troublesome people and matters, so countless people wanted to see him, but none of them could.

It's not surprising that Xiao Zhenzhong said he didn't know him.

But Shen Rang only looked at him indifferently: "If Lord Xiao did not know that person, I would not have come today."