Chapter 175 Seeking a Request

After dismissing the irrelevant people, Hua Yueniang immediately led Shangguan Jin and Shen Qingyue to a private room.

Hua Wanli also prepared all the tea-making tools.

Sipping the tea personally brewed by Hua Wanli, Shangguan Jin and Shen Qingyue both thought that her skills were quite good!

I never expected this little girl to learn so well; she's really a hidden talent!

Hua Wanli maintained a polite smile and didn't say a word.

This was the result of her last-minute cramming and three days of studying; it was passable enough to get by.

As Hua Yueniang sipped the tea her daughter had brewed, she couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Sure enough, when kids grow up, they need to be let out to experience life.

Back when she was at the Wanhualou in Jiangnan, Wanli was always thinking about running away and didn't want to learn any skills at all.

Unexpectedly, once we arrived in the capital, he became more willing to learn.

As expected of my own child, she has her own opinions.

But I'm not young anymore. When will I be able to go out and find a sperm donor like I did back in the day...?

"Wanli, don't stay cooped up in the teahouse all day, go out more!" Huayueniang suddenly said.

Hua Wanli's hand trembled slightly, and she accidentally poured too much tea.

Shangguan Jin was also filled with emotion.

Hua Wanli, such an unrestrained girl, actually behaved obediently in front of Hua Yueniang. This Master Hua must have some skills!

However, Shangguan Jin was more interested in how Hua Yueniang maintained her youthful appearance.

Her skin was as smooth as jade, with a complexion as white as ice and snow, without a single wrinkle.

And those hands—Shangguan Jin truly witnessed what it meant to have hands as soft as jade.

Needless to say, she has a great natural foundation, and she must also need a lot of maintenance after birth!

Upon seeing Hua Yueniang, Shangguan Jin felt that she, as the dignified Duchess, was living a rather rough life.

I must pay more attention to maintenance from now on.

Otherwise, if I were to walk with Hua Yue Niang in the future, people would probably mistake us for mother and daughter...

Although Hua Yueniang was clearly two years older than her...

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while.

It was nothing more than a mutual compliment based on the business of "Spring Festival Never Ends".

Hua Yueniang was grateful for Shangguan Jin's selfless help, which enabled Chun Buwan to gain a foothold in the capital.

Shangguan Jin was also grateful to Hua Yueniang for raising such capable children, who had made Chun Bu Wan a thriving business...

After drinking a cup of fragrant tea, the two were able to talk freely.

"Master Hua, did you come to the capital to see Young Master Lian and Miss Wan Li?"

If that's the case, then Wanli should accompany you on a proper tour.

"The weather is hot now, and Bao'en Temple in the suburbs is a good place to cool off," Shangguan Jin suggested.

Hua Yueniang nodded, then sighed.

"Actually, coming to the capital wasn't just about seeing these two children."

There's something else that I estimate can only be accomplished in the capital.

Shangguan Jin was taken aback.

It seems to be a big deal, otherwise why would Hua Yue Niang abandon the Wan Hua Lou in Jiangnan and make a special trip to the capital!

Are you specifically looking at Lian Qianli and Hua Wanli?

Haha, why weren't you so concerned before?

"If there's nothing too secretive, then you can tell me."

"Although our Duke Dingguo's mansion is now living a secluded life, we still know a little about what's happening in the capital," Shangguan Jin said with a smile.

It wasn't Shangguan Jin who took on the responsibility.

Rather, Hua Yueniang made a special trip to the capital for one particular matter, which inevitably led to her being associated with the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.

Instead of waiting for others to come to you, it's better to be proactive and bring it up yourself. This way, you can take the initiative in the future.

Hua Yueniang smiled, poured Shangguan Jin a cup of tea herself, and then explained what had happened.

"It wasn't a big deal to begin with; it was just a job to find someone."

A month ago, the tea supplier for Wanhualou in Jiangnan suddenly came to their door.

They said it was a cousin of theirs who lived in Beijing, and asked me to look for her.

Originally, I thought it was just about finding someone, which is exactly what Wan Hua Lou excels at, isn't it?

Who knew that this involved so many things, even the palace.

I thought to myself, since it concerns the capital, then I can only seek answers there.

"I'm still completely clueless! I don't know where to start."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Jin realized it involved the palace, which was a very serious matter...

Seeing that Shangguan Jin remained silent, Hua Yueniang quickly said, "The person who asked our Wanhualou to find someone is also an old acquaintance of mine."

My family has been in the tea business for generations.

Not only does his family control half of the tea business in Chongqing, but even neighboring countries import tea from them.

They are wealthy.

He said that whoever helped him find his cousin would receive a reward of 100,000 taels of silver.

Shangguan Jin and Shen Qingyue were both startled when they heard this.

100,000 taels...

That's a really big spender...

"Then the cousin he's looking for must be someone extraordinary?" Shangguan Jin said with a smile.

Hua Yue Niang nodded seriously.

"I wouldn't dare say she has a noble status, but she certainly must have some background."

However, this must have happened decades ago.

That cousin should be thirty-six years old now.

The tea merchant who asked me to find someone was surnamed Ye, with the single character "Wei".

His cousin's name was Ye Linlang, and her nickname was Linniang.

"Ye Linlang? I don't think there's any lady in the capital with that name."

"Sister Yao, do you know?" Shangguan Jin turned to ask Shen Qingyue, who had been silent all along.

Shen Qingyue shook her head.

"Mother, Lady Hua, although I don't remember everything, there shouldn't be any noble families in the capital whose wives have the surname Ye."

Why don't you go ask at the government office?

Logically speaking, the yamen (government office) should have the most complete household registration list in the capital.

"Young Master Lian is on good terms with those people; we should be able to find out."

Shangguan Jin nodded as well.

Yes, the yamen (government office) has the most complete household registration list in the capital. Anyone in the capital is definitely registered.

Whether you are the principal wife or a concubine or mistress of another family, you are all registered.

Hua Yueniang gave Shen Qingyue an approving look.

Look, this kind of genuine lady from a respectable family is completely different from my own daughter who always pretends to be one.

They will offer reasonable solutions.

She's nothing like my own daughter!

"Mother, how about this? You have that Boss Ye draw a portrait of your cousin, and I'll take that portrait and go to check on her house by house at night."

Given enough time, it will eventually be found.

......

“Miss Shen is right. I also thought of that and asked Qianli to investigate.”

"Who knew that the yamen (government office) couldn't find this person," Hua Yueniang sighed.

"Can't find it? Are there any specific characteristics or features?"

"Or is there a portrait?" Shangguan Jin was even more puzzled.

Are there still people in Beijing who can't be found?

That person must not be in the capital.

"It's precisely because it's been so long that it's difficult to investigate."

"Besides, Linniang was only three years old when she came to the capital. Even if she had any distinguishing features, they wouldn't be obvious anymore!" Huayueniang said.

Shangguan Jin and Shen Qingyue were both taken aback.

Only three years old...