Chapter 83 Zhao Yu Heads to Jiangnan
This time, Xu Chumian was really furious and, disregarding her pride, directly summoned Zhao Nai.
One was the former master, and the other was the current master.
Xu Chumian pursed her lips and glared at Zhao Yu: "Get out."
At the doorway, Zhao Nai hesitated for a moment before tentatively saying to Zhao Yu, "Young Master, please."
Zhao Yu stared at Xu Chumian for a long time before getting up and leaving.
Snowflakes were falling heavily outside. Zhao Yu stopped under the eaves and suddenly turned around.
Xu Chumian was still standing there looking at him, her face displeased, her puffed-out cheeks glaring at him, just like when she was still at Wenju. But no matter where she went, whether it was Wenju or Xu Family Courtyard, the place had changed, but Xu Chumian was still there.
Zhao Yu curled the corners of his lips, and a cold wind swept by, ruffling his clothes.
Heaven was ultimately kind to him.
Inside the room, Xu Chumian vigorously wiped the corners of her lips.
Shameless scoundrel!
As winter approached and the weather turned bitterly cold, even with charcoal burning inside, the chill seeped into Xu Chumian's very bones.
When they escaped from the Xu family, Xu Chumian took Mu Mu and Xiao Tao and hid in various places. After falling down, she ignored her injuries and ran away.
It wasn't until she finally left Jiangnan that Xu Chumian went to see a doctor. Her injury was almost healed, but she had still injured her joints and bones. Every winter, Xu Chumian had to apply thick plasters and couldn't stand the cold at all.
It seems unusually cold tonight.
Xiao Tao put several hand warmers in the quilt, but it didn't work. Xu Chumian went to the kitchen, closed the door behind her, and there was still hot water in the pot.
She scooped up a basinful, then soaked a cloth in it, wrung it out, and applied it to her ankles and knees.
After repeating this process several times, the pain in my foot gradually subsided.
In her previous life, she passed away in the spring. In the years before, Zhao Yu was often worried about her legs. The courtyard was heated with underfloor heating all year round. Zhao Yu was worried that her old injuries would relapse, so he repeatedly told Xu Chumian not to go anywhere in the winter and to stay in the courtyard.
Even when going out, Zhao Yu would wrap her up in layers of clothing.
Every night, he would tirelessly warm her feet and apply medicine. Xu Chumian felt bad about it, so Zhao Yu would pretend not to hear her and make up for it in other ways.
Later, when the young emperor ascended the throne and Shen Lingyin ruled from behind the curtain, Zhao Yu became increasingly busy. Xu Chumian gradually picked up the things that Zhao Yu had long been used to doing.
She could take medicine and eat by herself, waiting for Zhao Yu to return day after day. After losing her child and Mu Mu's death, she endured the darkest period on her own. She got used to Zhao Yu's gradual departure. She became a housewife in the Zhao family of the Regent's Palace, managing the inner courtyard and the family property like the matriarch of a noble family in the capital. She did a good job, without a single fault.
She was like a beautiful but heartless sculpture, kept in the Zhao family, having lost all hope.
Even if, as Zhao Yu said, he had no relationship with Shen Lingyin, it was already too late. What stood between them was Mu Mu's death, her miscarried child, and his biological mother.
...
Zhao Yu set off before dawn, taking only a few trusted confidants with him.
On the way, he passed a kapok incense shop, where Amo was sweeping the floor. As he left the city, he turned his head and looked at it for a long time.
Guan Yan looked in the direction he was looking, and there was no one else besides the stalls and vendors.
Guan Yan thought to himself, "It's such a cold day, Miss Xu won't come to see me off."
Zhao Yu withdrew his gaze and rode away from the capital.
For the next two or three days, Xu Chumian attended classes as usual, and occasionally ran into Xingyang in the classroom.
Now Xingyang is infamous, and he only has a maidservant by his side, keeping a low profile and no longer displaying his former domineering and arrogant attitude.
Students tend to avoid Xingyang whenever possible, because they never know when they might accidentally offend someone and be tormented to death.
When they met face to face, Xu Chumian remained indifferent.
As they brushed past each other, Xingyang couldn't help but utter a harsh word in a low voice: "Xu Chumian, what goes around comes around. You won't always be this lucky!"
Xu Chumian: "Then we'll wait and see."
Xu Chumian left, and Xiao Tao snorted, "I really don't know what she's so smug about."
Xu Chumian curled her lips and said, "Let her be. Someone will take her in."
After the morning classes ended, Xu Chumian handed the transcribed translation to Qin Hua.
"Please take a look, Young Master Qinhua."
Qin Hua smiled, his eyes gentle and bright, and he casually flipped through a few pages.
"I trust Miss Xu to get things done."
Xu Chumian smiled faintly, "This is my first time copying. If there are any errors, please point them out, young master."
Qin Hua shook her head. "By the way, how are your incense sticks?"
"It should be finished in about two more days."
Qin Hua nodded, "It's still early. There are some things I need to tell you about the journey. How about we have lunch together?"
Xu Chumian nodded.
Zhao Lingyao hasn't come to see her for meals these past few days. The Second Madam is keeping a close eye on her, picking her up as soon as she gets off school, afraid that something might happen to Zhao Lingyao.
The two casually found a restaurant nearby and booked a private room.
The two sat at opposite ends of a round table. Qin Hua talked at length about interesting things in the Western Regions, while Xu Chumian listened attentively, occasionally offering her own insights.
When they had almost finished eating, Qin Hua brought up the problems that would arise when transporting spices to the Western Regions.
Xu Chumian needs to provide the ingredients of each type of spice, the taxes to be paid along the way, and the various checkpoints.
Qin Hua, with his refined and scholarly appearance, slowly said, "If Miss Xu has suitable people, they can also make this trip together to familiarize themselves with the trade routes."
Xu Chumian's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Qin Hua's words meant that the Yu family caravan would take Xu Chumian with them. When traveling as merchants, experience, routes, and connections are the most valuable. Young Master Qin Hua's move was too precious, making Xu Chumian think too much.
Young Master Qinhua smiled.
“Miss Xu, there’s no need to be so alarmed. Let’s be business. I’m optimistic about your spices, so I’ve decided to give it a try. It’s a win-win situation. If your spices can be successfully distributed in the Western Regions, I can also make a lot of money.”
At least initially, Xu Chumian needed the help of the Yu family caravan to sell her spices.
Xu Chumian pursed her lips. Qin Hua was a businesswoman, and the Yu family was large and powerful. It would be too complicated and troublesome to try and take her shop and recipes. The money she made from selling spices wasn't even a small fraction of the Yu family's assets.
Having figured this out, Xu Chumian's wariness gradually subsided, and she offered Qin Hua a cup of tea.
"In the future, I will rely on Young Master Qin Hua."
Qin Hua: "Miss Xu, you're too kind."
Qin Hua's optimism about spices is partly due to Yu Shan.
Yu Shan almost harmed Xu Chumian. Even though she had already made amends, Qin Hua still felt ashamed for Yu Shan every time she saw Xu Chumian and couldn't help but want to make amends in some way.
After leaving the restaurant, Xu Chumian planned to return to her shop to oversee the spices.
The two parted ways at the entrance of the restaurant, but just then, Xiao Qingyan appeared.
He was dressed in the uniform of the Imperial Guard, and perhaps he had just finished eating with his colleagues. Several Imperial Guards were watching them from a short distance away.
Xiao Qingyan approached Xu Chumian and scrutinized Qin Hua with his gaze.
This is a secret, competitive look between men.
Xu Chumian was only thinking about returning to the shop and did not notice the two people's unusual behavior. So she introduced them: "Qingyan, this is the teacher in the school, Young Master Qinhua."
Xiao Qingyan smiled, "...So it's Young Master Qinhua, I've long admired your name."
Qin Hua Gongzi said calmly, "Lord Xiao."
“Miss Xu, now that things are settled, choose someone quick-witted and bring them over tomorrow.”
Xu Chumian nodded.
Qin Hua left after she finished speaking.
Standing still, Xu Chumian looked at Xiao Qingyan, naturally taking his hand with a smile in her eyes, "Qingyan, I want to sell spices all over Daliang."
Xiao Qingyan looked down at her and gave a forced smile.
He may never be able to say those words that were meant to take Xu Chumian back to the North.
He quickly recovered and smiled, "Then I wish Manager Xu all his wishes come true. From now on, we'll rely on you to support your family."
Xu Chumian sighed, "Then I'll have to do it reluctantly."
The annoying things were left behind, and the two looked at each other and smiled, both knowing that there wouldn't be many more moments like this in the future.
Xu Chumian concealed the tears welling up in her eyes. "Qingyan, are you busy this afternoon? Let's go see Grandma."
Xiao Qingyan hummed in agreement.
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