Chapter 274 The Infatuated Young Master
Today she wore a crimson-purple ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) with lotus patterns, her hair was neatly styled and adorned with two red-gold and kingfisher-feather hairpins, the tassels swaying gently as she walked, still displaying the shrewd and capable demeanor of a matriarch.
Behind her followed a smiling Mrs. Kong and a curious Mrs. Deng, looking around curiously.
Now everyone's here.
Madam Song stepped forward and nodded to Jiang Ling as a greeting.
Then his gaze fell on Wang Yue and Sun Qiuxiang's protruding bellies, and he joked with a smile:
"Look at the two of you, your bellies are so pointed, have you two agreed to have a big, fat boy together?"
Madam Kong softly echoed, "Yes, I just saw my two sisters from afar in the main hall. Their peaceful demeanor tells me that they are blessed by Buddha and have great fortune."
Madam Deng, being straightforward, exclaimed upon seeing their bellies, "Sister Wang, Sister Sun, your bellies... they look much bigger than when I saw you at the tea party last time! Be careful where you step, there are many people on the road."
Wang Yue is now in a good mood and doesn't get angry when people tease her. Instead, she pats her belly with a bit of pride: "Don't worry, it's fine! As for you guys, what brings you all here today? Sister Song, you're such a busy person these days, it's hard to even see you. I couldn't get you to come to any of the gatherings! Did you save those bolts of Suzhou brocade for me last time?"
Madam Song pointed at Wang Yue with her fan and laughed, "You're the one who's thinking about this! My sister Wang ordered it, how could I not keep it? I've already prepared it for you, and I'll have someone send it to your residence later."
Sun Qiuxiang joked, "Sister Song's business is really booming. I heard that the branch in the capital is not enough, and she is planning to open a new store in Jiangnan? She really puts all her heart into this."
Madam Song waved her hand, but couldn't hide her smile: "Oh dear, it's all thanks to my sisters, everyone's support. Our family isn't as leisurely as yours, we always have to think of ways to make a living, don't we?"
They chatted for a while longer, and as more and more people gathered, Wang Yue and Sun Qiuxiang left first.
Jiang Ling then asked about Xiao Tao.
Madam Song smiled and said, "The person Miss Jiang introduced is really good. Don't underestimate her because of her young age. She is willing to do anything and is also smart and learns everything quickly."
Hearing that Xiao Tao had done well with Madam Song and had gained her approval, Jiang Ling felt quite gratified.
It seems she has truly found the path that suits her.
"It's good that she's willing to learn and work hard. We should also thank Madam Song for giving her this opportunity," Jiang Ling said modestly.
As the sun rose higher and higher, more and more people gathered at the temple fair.
Jiang Ling took her three children to have lunch in the temple's vegetarian dining hall.
The vegetarian dishes were exquisite and delicious, including mushrooms and greens, vegetarian chicken and duck, and even "braised pork" made with tofu, which tasted just as good as real meat.
I wandered around the temple a bit more and bought some amulets and trinkets.
As the sun began to set and the crowds thinned out, they prepared to descend the mountain and return home.
Just as they were walking down the stone steps outside the temple and were about to reach the flat ground at the foot of the mountain where the carriages were parked, a young man dressed in an indigo brocade robe and wearing a jade crown walked towards them with two servants. His gaze fell directly on Xiao Qiu, who was half a step behind Jiang Ling.
The young man was in his early twenties, with a handsome face and a touch of pampered nobility in his eyes.
He quickened his pace and stopped in front of Jiang Ling and the others. He first politely cupped his hands in greeting to Jiang Ling, who was at the head of the group.
"Excuse me, young lady."
His gaze then swept past Jiang Ling and went straight to Xiao Qiu behind him. "This...is this Miss Xiao Qiu?"
Xiao Qiu suddenly looked up, and after seeing the person's face clearly, her face turned even paler. She pursed her lips tightly, not daring to answer.
During her stay in Jishui Village these past few days, everyone treated her with great courtesy and did not neglect her because of her past status.
This allowed her to temporarily forget the humiliation she had suffered under the peony blossoms, and she didn't want to have any further contact with the past.
Jiang Ling frowned slightly and took half a step forward. "Young master, what business do you have with Xiao Qiu?"
Seeing Jiang Ling's extraordinary demeanor, Chen Wenjing dared not be negligent and hurriedly said:
"My name is Chen Wenjing, and I live in Ping'an County. I apologize for stopping you all, but it's because... I'm in a hurry."
His gaze then turned to Xiao Qiu, his tone sincere, even pleading.
“Miss Xiaoqiu, don’t be afraid, I mean no harm. I just… I just want to ask, where is Miss Hongxiu now? After the incident under the peony, I inquired everywhere, intending to redeem her, but I don’t know where she is…”
It turns out that this man is Chen Wenjing, the eldest son of the Chen family in Ping'an County. His family runs a silk shop and a money exchange, making them one of the wealthiest households in the county.
This young master Chen was a frequent visitor to the peony garden and fell in love with Miss Hongxiu at first sight. He spent a fortune on her many times and even considered redeeming her from her servitude. However, Hongxiu was in love with Fang Shijie at the time and did not agree.
A month ago, he stayed in Beijing for more than a month because of family business matters.
I had just returned to Ping'an County when I heard that something had happened under the peony flowers.
After finding out the details, he took the ransom to the yamen, but he couldn't find Hongxiu anywhere.
Their family had some dealings with the government, and when they asked the constables, they were surprised to learn that Hongxiu had not been seen since the area under the peony was sealed off.
He was extremely anxious and inquired everywhere, only to learn that Hongxiu had actually disappeared a month ago.
He had no choice but to come to Xiao Qiu.
Upon hearing Hongxiu's name, Xiaoqiu glanced quickly at Jiang Ling. She lowered her head, her voice barely audible:
"Young Master Chen...this servant...this servant doesn't know where the young lady has gone..."
Disappointment immediately crossed Chen Wenjing's face, and he eagerly pressed for an answer:
"How could you not know? You're her personal maid! If you don't know, then who does?!"
Xiao Qiu became even more flustered under his questioning, her eyes reddening, and she could only shake her head: "This servant...this servant really doesn't know..."
Seeing this, Jiang Ling spoke up at the opportune moment, her clear and cold voice interrupting Chen Wenjing's questioning:
“Young Master Chen, Xiao Qiu is now my person, she has a contract with me, and she is a shop assistant in my general store. The matter under the peony is over, and the government has reached a conclusion. Please do not make things difficult for her anymore. The past has nothing to do with her anymore.”
Chen Wenjing was taken aback by Jiang Ling's words. Looking at Xiao Qiu's panicked and helpless appearance, he realized that he had been too hasty and had frightened her.
He took a deep breath and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Jiang Ling and Xiao Qiu:
"I apologize for my abruptness. It's just... I was really worried about Miss Hongxiu... that's why I lost my composure..."
He paused, then took out a piece of mutton-fat jade wrapped in a silk handkerchief from his robes and handed it to Xiao Qiu.
"Miss Xiaoqiu, if you ever have the chance to learn of Miss Hongxiu's whereabouts in the future, or if she needs help, please be sure to send someone to the Chen residence in the east of the city to inform her. This jade pendant is a small token of my apology and also a keepsake. Chen Wenjing thanks you in advance!"
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