discuss
"It's alright, but the tea has gone cold. Please go and call Zhuling to add some more tea."
Granny Qin nodded and withdrew. Not long after, Zhu Ling arrived at the front of the hall with light steps.
Lin Xu looked at the crescent moon hanging high by the window and asked softly, "Is there any news from Zhiyuan?"
Zhu Ling lowered her voice:
"No news comes, all is calm."
Perhaps no news from home is the best news.
Lin Xu rubbed his sore shoulders and neck. He had been standing in the cold wind for a long time today, and perhaps the cold had seeped into his bones, making him feel tired all over.
Zhu Ling, always considerate, said, "Madam, are you feeling unwell? I noticed you didn't look well just now. If you have neck and shoulder pain, would you like some moxibustion to help?"
Nongyu was about the same age as Zhuling, and the two had become very close since they became roommates. It was only during casual conversations that they learned that Nongyu came from the countryside of Mujing, where her ancestors had run a small clinic, so she had some knowledge of acupuncture, massage, and other pharmacological principles.
Sure enough, she quickly picked up the bottles and jars and began handling them with great skill. With someone knowledgeable in medicine by her side, she felt much more comfortable after just a little treatment. Lin Xu praised her, and Nongyu smiled shyly, but she was too embarrassed to accept the reward money.
Lin Xu laughed and said, "Why are you so cautious about money? You have good skills and are quick-witted. I will feel at ease having you by my side in the future. Please accept it."
Zhu Ling also said, "You can accept the reward from the madam. The madam is kind and considerate. As long as we serve her wholeheartedly, she will always reward us."
Nongyu then accepted the reward money without further ado and bowed her head as she withdrew.
The night deepened and the dew grew heavy; the courtyard was desolate, save for the howling of the cold wind. Dou Yanxun did not return until Lin Xu had bathed and was drifting off to sleep, when a soft rustling sound came from beside her pillow.
As usual, they slept on opposite sides of the bed, undisturbed by each other. But in their half-awake state, the dim, flickering candlelight shone through their slits, making it hard to open their eyes.
She asked softly, "Has your husband returned?"
Dou Yanxun hummed in agreement.
She turned over.
After a long while, the person beside him blew out the lamp, and the surroundings returned to darkness. But then, the soft voice from before could be heard again:
"...I have longed for my husband for a long time, and it was only after receiving the imperial decree of marriage that I was unable to control my emotions..."
Her tone was so soft it was as if she had fallen into a clump of cotton wool, disappearing without a trace in an instant, making it impossible to tell whether she was murmuring in her sleep in a nightmare or whispering to him.
Perhaps because her body was particularly tired after the moxibustion treatment, she slept soundly all night. When she woke up, the morning light was already streaming through the carved window frame. The pillow still had a faint warmth left. Lin Xu was still sleepy and busied herself with washing and dressing while stretching her shoulders. She felt much better after all.
Zhu Ling stood to the side, watching Lin Xu draw her eyebrows in front of the mirror, a smile playing on her lips:
"Speaking of which, Second Master also got up late this morning. He just finished washing up and left the manor. I noticed that Second Master kept moving his arms as he left, as if he didn't sleep well last night and accidentally put his arm on something."
She paused her upward stroke, almost drawing the tail of her eyebrow crooked.
In the middle of the night, half-asleep, she felt something very soft and warm behind her. She was never a restless sleeper and thought she was dreaming about her past and all sorts of things related to Zhou Weikan.
Could it be that the warmth... was actually Dou Yanxun holding her from behind the whole time?
A thought stirred within her, but there was no way to verify it at the moment.
He hurriedly went to pay his respects to Madam Bai in the morning light. Before he knew it, the end of the year was approaching, and it was the time for shops to check their accounts and collect taxes. Several stewards from the Dou family stood in the hall and reported to Madam Bai on the income of the past year.
Lin Xu took a sip of light tea and sat to the side watching several shopkeepers in traditional robes flipping through their ledgers. She casually mentioned that the shops she had brought with her as part of her dowry were now vacant.
Bai was busy checking the numbers and couldn't spare the time, so she nodded and said:
"Very well. You are a wise and discerning person. If you have some free time, you should go and take a look. If you find a suitable one, it would be good to find a few reliable managers to do some business."
This was exactly what she wanted.
After resting for a while, Lin Xu dressed neatly and boarded the carriage. He explored several shops along the way, and soon arrived at the martial arts training ground. Mu Chun Lou stood beside the gravel-covered training ground, looking even more magnificent in the gray winter sky.
Mu Chun Lou was renowned throughout most of Mu Jing. It had previously been registered under Dou Yanxun's name, and he was in charge of all the affairs of the restaurant. However, after he joined the Ministry of Works, he no longer had the time, and Mu Chun Lou was now handed over to an elderly manager from the Dou family.
The newlywed second young mistress rarely visits, so the old steward, his back hunched, busied himself with greeting her with a beaming smile. He even prepared a quiet, private room for her, where she was served the finest tea.
While drinking tea, Lin Xu took out a thick ledger to look through. After drinking three cups of tea, Zhu Ling quietly lifted the curtain and brought over the person she wanted to see.
After not seeing her for a long time, Zhao Qi looked rather haggard, with stubble all over his face, making him look several years older, but he still bowed to her very respectfully.
Lin Xu nodded and gestured for him to sit down.
Unlike their first encounter in the alley near Bihua Tower, Zhao Qi was quite flustered this time, repeatedly expressing his gratitude:
"Madam's kindness is too much for me to bear. I am even more grateful for your generosity in saving Qingqing last time. I will do my utmost to help you, Madam, without hesitation."
Lin Xu raised his hand to interrupt his words of gratitude, saying only:
“Brother Zhao is a loyal and brave man, and there’s no need for such formalities between us. If you have any difficulties, Brother Zhao, please just speak frankly.” She slowly took a sip of tea before raising her eyes and saying:
"—Qingqing, isn't she hard to handle?"
Zhao Qi's face showed a hint of dejection, as if he were speechless, and after a moment he lowered his head:
“Madam has a discerning eye. Although I redeemed Miss Qingqing, she seems... to have no desire to have any contact with me. She refuses to mention what happened after she left Bihua Tower, and right now... I have no other choice.”
Fu Qing was deeply in love with Dou Yanxun and had followed him for many years, so naturally she didn't want to get entangled with Zhao Qi. However, seeing Zhao Qi's pained and hesitant expression, she realized he was unaware of Fu Qing's true feelings.
Lin Xu comforted him:
"The so-called love for someone is really just wishing her peace of mind, good health, happiness and joy. As for the rest, I'm afraid we should take it slow and leave everything to time. Things will naturally fall into place."
Zhao Qi raised his head, a hint of relief in his eyes, and said in a low voice:
"What you say is true, Madam. I was too hasty."
Lin Xu whispered another instruction:
"You need to keep a low profile for now. Since I have only recently married into the Dou family, everything must be done with caution. Therefore, you must not let others discover our secret contact. Otherwise, if someone with ulterior motives uses it to make a fuss, it will be impossible to clear your name. In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, don't hesitate to come to me. A new flower shop will be opening on Mujing North Street soon. If you find any information or have any other needs, feel free to go there. Don't be bound by formalities."
Zhao Qi was moved to tears and cupped his hands in gratitude, saying:
"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, Madam. I would do anything to help you, even if it means going through fire and water."
Lin Xu raised her eyes, her gaze fixed quietly on Zhao Qi. She slowly turned the lid of her teacup, and her lips parted slightly as she spoke:
"To be honest, there is indeed something I need Brother Zhao's help with discreetly right now."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi shuddered and quickly replied, "Please speak, Madam. I will answer all your questions without reservation."
Lin Xu nodded slightly:
"Actually, it was just a few days ago that I overheard that my husband and Prince Mao seemed to have some dealings in the past, but I don't know if it's true. Now that my husband has taken up a position in the government, he's only doing some trivial and miscellaneous tasks. So I've been thinking about whether I can find some opportunity to help him out, which is why I've been considering this. I wonder if Brother Zhao has heard anything about this? Or is it not just Prince Mao, but does my husband... have any connections with other powerful figures in the court?"
Zhao Qi was slightly taken aback, then lowered his gaze and pondered for a moment before whispering:
"Madam, although I served in the Dou family for several years, I was just an ordinary guard and didn't have many distinguished guests. To be honest, Prince Mao and Master did have some friendship when they were young, but as for the two young masters in the mansion, I have not personally witnessed how much they interacted."
He paused, then said:
"However, when I was still in office, I knew that the eldest young master had made many close friends at the martial arts training ground, and because of his outstanding performance, he was also acquainted with some young generals stationed abroad, so he could be considered to have some connections. But upon closer examination, the second young master... after all, has never entered officialdom over the years. Although he usually associates with some sons of powerful and wealthy families, they are all just young noblemen, such as the one from the Duke of Yao's mansion who used to associate with him quite frequently, or some roughnecks from the martial arts world. But as for the Prince Mao or other powerful and wealthy people that Madam mentioned, please forgive me, I really have no clue at the moment."
Lin Xu nodded slightly, and after a moment asked:
"Brother Zhao, have you ever heard of a young master from a prominent family in the capital city named 'Wuqiao'?"
Zhao Qi frowned slightly, clearly the name didn't ring a bell for him. He pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said:
"Please forgive my lack of knowledge, I have never heard of this person. However, if Madam needs to investigate his background, I will certainly inquire in secret, and if I have any information, I will report back as soon as possible."
Lin Xu smiled gently: "There's no need to rush. It would be good if Brother Zhao could find out the news by chance."
She put down her teacup and slowly stood up. "Then I'll entrust these two matters to Brother Zhao. Please report back any news that may arise."
After Zhao Qi left, her thoughts gradually settled down.
From their first meeting, she knew Zhao Qi to be a man of great loyalty and righteousness, as well as a benevolent and charitable person—truly a trustworthy and reliable individual. With just a little manipulation, the things Dou Yanxun was unwilling to tell her might come to light. In the future, this man might become a crucial pawn in her schemes.
She put down the ledger, tapped her fingertips lightly on the table, but something else gradually came to mind.
Dou Yanxun and Fu Qing clearly shared an extraordinary past relationship.
On that day in Yuehuan Lane, Fu Qing repeatedly told her that she would not bother Dou Yanxun again. However, the fragrance she had accidentally smelled on Dou Yanxun that day lingered, and it turned out to have come from Fu Qing.
If Dou Yanxun hadn't gone to see her again and stayed there for a long time, it would have been impossible for her to become tainted in a short time.
It seems that Fu Qing's obsession runs much deeper than she had imagined...
It's unclear what Dou Yanxun wanted to do with Fu Qing. He always sought Fu Qing's help with medical matters, so why was he asking her for medicine again?
Just as she was pondering, Zhu Ling lifted the curtain and came in: "Madam, the steward has prepared some food for you and brought the revenue ledgers for the past few months, waiting for you to take a look."
Although Muchunlou is currently operating smoothly, everything needs to be considered in the long term. She nodded and said:
"Bring him in."
Looking up, the sky, which was still shrouded in thick fog in the morning, was now clear and bright. Although the sunlight was weak, it was already faintly visible that it was breaking through the clouds.
Before long, the old steward respectfully entered and presented the menu of Muchunlou with both hands. Lin Xu took it and looked at it carefully. He saw that the menu listed a variety of dishes, all of which were seasonal delicacies that had recently been highly praised by diners in Mujing, each one elegant and unique.
She looked at it for a moment, then smiled slightly and said, "I've heard that the manager has overseen many estates and shops, so he must be very experienced. I see that every dish is made with great care, and it's hard to find any fault with it at the moment."
Then, after turning a few more pages, I saw that the first few river and seafood dishes on the menu had been erased and replaced with several light and elegant dishes that were currently popular.
He asked softly, "Why are these seafood dishes missing?"
Upon hearing this, the old steward quickly nodded and explained:
"To tell you the truth, Madam, since our Second Master entered officialdom, he has hardly had any time to manage this restaurant, let alone go fishing by the river. In the past, the fresh river and sea delicacies that our restaurant served every day were all caught by the Second Master himself. I was thinking of hiring some more staff to go out to sea to fish every morning, but it was the Second Master who instructed that there was no need to prepare these river and sea products anymore... That's why I can no longer include them on the menu."
Upon hearing this, she lowered her eyes slightly, her fingertips gently tracing the menu.
In the past, Dou Yanxun would personally go fishing on the banks of the Weilong River every day, and the river delicacies he caught were quite rare. This is why the dishes at Muchunlou were exceptionally delicious and unique, and were highly sought after by diners from the coastal areas. It is said that it was from that time that Muchunlou was able to revive from a dilapidated teahouse next to the martial arts arena and become a famous restaurant with a constant stream of guests.
Now that its unique features have been suddenly lost, it has naturally lost many customers. Since she's already here, Lin Xu wasn't willing to stand idly by. After a moment's thought, he gave the instructions:
"Since my husband has instructed that we no longer need to catch fresh river fish, but many of our regular customers prefer seafood at Muchunlou, we might as well find some high-quality dried seafood to use as a substitute. In addition, it is currently winter and cold, so warming foods are especially suitable. If we can add a little seasoning to the existing dishes to give them a warming and nourishing effect, we might be able to attract some new customers."
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