Chapter 1435 Fragrant Courtyard Closed
Shu Yu traveled by carriage, resting briefly at the inn before setting off.
The carriage wound its way through the streets and alleys toward the south gate of the city. Shu Yu lifted the curtain and looked at the streets along the way, quite pleased to see two shops with signs saying "New Arrival Instant Noodles".
It seems that while she was away, instant noodles gradually gained market share in the city.
Shu Yu was very happy and was about to draw the curtains when her hand suddenly stopped.
"Yingxi, slow down."
The carriage slowed down instantly, and Shu Yu looked at Piaoxiang Courtyard ahead, a look of surprise flashing across her face.
Why is Piaoxiang Courtyard closed at this hour?
As far as Shu Yu knows, Piaoxiang Courtyard was only closed for a few months at the end of last year when the emperor passed away.
When she left the city a while ago, this place had already started operating normally. Why is it that now the gates are tightly closed, there are no girls upstairs, and the entrance even looks somewhat desolate, as if it has been abandoned?
Yingxi asked in a low voice, "Miss, has something happened to Master Miao?"
Shu Yu shook her head. "Probably not." According to her master, even if there was no Master Miao in the prefectural city, he could still live a life free from want.
She was considering whether to go to Master Miao's house, but looking at the direction the carriage was heading, she ultimately gave up.
The Miao people live in the west of the city. We're almost at the south gate of the city. Taking a detour would take too much time. Let's wait until we come back from Dongqing Temple.
Yingxi quickened his pace, and the two soon left the city, heading straight for Dongqing Temple.
To Shu Yu's surprise, although she did not go to the west of the city, she saw Master Miao as soon as she entered the gate of Dongqing Temple.
Master Miao spotted her immediately and was taken aback. "Lu Xiangjun?"
Shu Yu lit incense inside the Taoist temple, then came out with Master Miao and climbed up to a shady pavilion not far away.
Accompanying them were Master Miao's wife and daughters, whom Shu Yu was meeting for the first time.
When Piaoxiang Courtyard was closed, Shu Yu thought that Master Miao would be in poor spirits, or at least look dejected. After all, it was a business he had run for many years, and its closure would inevitably have some impact.
Surprisingly, not only was there no problem, but Mr. Miao also seemed quite peaceful, and his wife and daughters appeared very happy.
The group sat down in the pavilion. Mr. Miao's daughter was still young and couldn't sit still, so she wanted to go play. Mr. Miao's wife took her hand and led her outside the pavilion to watch the squirrels jumping around in the woods.
Hearing the little girl's sweet laughter, Shu Yu felt a sense of relief and naturally asked the question that had been bothering her.
“I just came from the prefectural city and saw that the gate of Piaoxiang Courtyard was closed.”
Mr. Miao was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "It's been closed for half a month."
"That……"
"Liu Ru and a group of girls were poached by other brothels. I saw that the remaining girls were either not very attractive, too old, or unwilling to serve customers. Naturally, Piaoxiang Courtyard had no business. I asked them what they wanted, gave them a severance payment, and closed Piaoxiang Courtyard."
Shu Yu was puzzled. "Why did Liu Ru do this?"
Isn't this madam a trusted lieutenant of Master Miao? She's been with him for so many years, and now she's just leaving like that?
Master Miao thought for a moment, "She probably sensed that I was looking for other ways to make a living and wasn't paying much attention to Piaoxiang Courtyard, so she felt threatened. If someone else offers her more benefits, it's not impossible for her to follow me."
Shu Yu, "..."
(End of this chapter)
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