Shu Jian's performance was so exaggerated that Yan Feng chuckled mockingly and remained silent.
He had learned his lesson and knew that Wei Qinglou was far more shameless than him. To prevent Wei Qinglou from climbing over him again, Yan Feng felt that the best way was not to give him even a glance.
He wouldn't be foolish enough to ask Wei Qinglou who he was in love with—who else could it be but Zhu Jiayu?
Seeing Wei Qinglou smiling gently at Zhu Jiayu, Yan Feng quickly said, "Speaking of which, does Miss Zhu know that Lord Xiao originally had children?"
This is an old story from long ago.
Zhu Jiayu's attention was indeed drawn to him: "Hmm?"
Yan Feng avoided her gaze, cast a provocative look at Wei Qinglou, and then said to her, "That happened twenty years ago. I don't know the specifics, but I do know that Miss Xiao was eight years old that year. Madam Xiao took her to the flower market, and then she disappeared."
"The Xiao family searched for many years. Even after the old master Xiao brought back his adopted daughter in Suiping—who is your aunt—they continued to search, but as the years passed, there was still no news."
Zhu Jiayu remained silent for a moment: "Could it be that someone deliberately set this up?"
When Madam Xiao travels with her daughter, she should be accompanied by guards. It is unlikely that the little girl would get lost on her own. In Zhu Jiayu's opinion, someone must have committed a crime and tricked the young lady of the Xiao family.
Yan Feng shook his head: "I don't know about that." He smiled at her, "I went to a lot of trouble to find out about this matter. I don't know if it will be of any use, but I feel it would be good if you knew more about it. Shouldn't Miss Zhu repay me?"
At least say a few nice things, right?
Zhu Jiayu glanced at him, but before she could speak, she saw a haggard-looking lady walk through the garden, surrounded by many maids and servants. Everyone's face was gloomy and their expressions were heavy.
Yan Fengshang was unaware that she had already visited others and was still waiting for her praise, but Wei Qinglou had already spoken up calmly to explain for Zhu Jiayu:
"That's the second wife of the Marquis of Sheng'an. Just the evening before last, her youngest son went missing. It was said that he secretly slipped out of the mansion. The servants in the courtyard were afraid of being punished by their mistress, so they thought they could keep it a secret and that the young master might return soon. But they didn't see him return until nightfall. Later, the second wife sent people to look for him, but they couldn't find him anywhere."
Zhu Jiayu sighed, wanting to say something, but knowing it would be futile.
Moreover, in this situation, whatever she says seems to carry a condescending sense of pity.
She doesn't like it.
...
A few days after returning from the Sheng'an Marquis's residence, Zhu Jiayu received news from the Lin family.
The person in charge of the Lin family, namely the third young master Lin Zhi, invited her to meet at Songchao Tower.
Songchao Tower is located on the banks of the Chunyin River. It got its name from the fact that people on the tower can watch the gentle tides carried by the wind and the moon surging in the river.
Lin Zhi was busy organizing documents at the Beijing Chinese Library during the day and only had free time in the evening, so the two arranged to meet in the evening.
Zhu Jiayu arrived first, and after waiting for about fifteen minutes, Lin Zhi hurriedly came to her and bowed, saying, "Miss Zhu, I'm late."
Zhu Jiayu glanced at him and said with a faint smile, "It's alright. There's no need for further words. I came here to see Young Master Lin's sincerity."
"I will do my best to do what you want me to do. If it doesn't work out, we'll part ways without blaming each other; but if it does work out..."
Zhu Jiayu pursed her lips. The dim yellow light in the room shattered in the tea. She lowered her head, and her eyes also filled with a light and shimmering ripple.
“We certainly have sincerity,” Lin Zhi said, sitting up straight. “But we don’t know if it will suit Miss Zhu’s taste.”
Zhu Jiayu raised her eyes: "Young Master Lin, I am a businesswoman and I never do business at a loss. It's easy to please me, it just depends on whether you are willing or not, or rather..." She drew out the last syllable, like the continuous rain at this time of year, with a lingering resonance, "whether you are willing or not."
Lin Zhi turned the teacup in front of him over, picked up the teapot, and added some tea to the cup: "Since Miss Zhu says so, then let's talk business. If you are willing to help the Lin family with this favor, the Lin family will definitely treat you as an honored guest in the future, and we will not dare to refuse any request."
Zhu Jiayu smiled gently yet coldly: "I thought that since Young Master Lin was willing to approach me, he must have some understanding of my character and conduct. What, do you think I'm the kind of person who would appreciate empty talk?"
"Or does Young Master Lin think that going through all that trouble and effort only to end up with empty words is actually a worthwhile deal?"
Lin Zhi responded with an "Eh," then slowly picked up the teapot and added water to the teacup, saying, "Miss Zhu, don't be in such a hurry. If you're not satisfied, we can talk about it again."
He thought for a moment, "The Lin family is now doing some business. In the future, when the Lin family returns to its former glory, how about splitting the profits from the estates and shops in the manor with Miss Zhu fifty-fifty?"
If you don't want fame, surely you can at least not want profit?
Zhu Jiayu nodded: "That sounds good."
She raised her hand to press down on the teapot, leaned forward, and filled Lin Zhi's cup with tea.
"Ten years, a 40/60 split. The entire Lin family will obey my orders and work for me. Of course, I won't make things difficult for you, or ask you to do things beyond your capabilities or that would harm the Lin family. How about it?"
Lin Zhi quietly looked at her, moved the teacup slightly in front of him, and said meaningfully, "Miss Zhu, if you pour any more tea, it will overflow."
"Is that so?" Zhu Jiayu asked calmly. "But if it quenches thirst, what's wrong with overflowing a little? There's always more water to add to the teapot, isn't there?"
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