Wu Jingzhi looked at Li Xinniang more and more, but he was sure he had never seen her before. So he smiled and said, "I visited your two older brothers at your home the other day. I felt that their manners and knowledge were not those of children raised in a farming family. Today, after meeting Brother Xin, I feel that his elegance and charm are beyond our reach."
Yan Qingqing said with a smile, "This child has been in poor health since he was little, and I spoiled him rotten. When you went there a couple of days ago, I sent him to the city to deliver some things, so you didn't see him."
He usually helps out with errands at the embroidery shop, and he knows more about it than I do, so I brought him along this time, hoping he can be of help to Jingzhi.”
Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhi quickly bowed to Li Xinniang and said, "Then we have Brother Xinxin."
Li Xinniang's lips twitched. Her mother could come up with such half-truths so easily. Li Xinniang said helplessly, "Young Master Wu, you're too kind. I hope this trip can be of help to you."
Before Wu Jingzhi could say anything more, Yan Qingqing interrupted him, saying, "Now is not the time for reminiscing. Let's hurry to the prefectural city. It will probably take two or three days to get there. Let's not delay our business."
Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhi replied, "Auntie is right. I just feel that I get along very well with the young masters in your family, and I can't help but say a few more words when we meet."
After saying that, Yan Qingqing got back into the carriage, and Wu Jingzhi mounted his horse and the group headed towards the prefectural city.
Finally, at noon on the third day, they arrived at Xuancheng Prefecture. This prefecture was much more bustling and prosperous than the county town. After they showed their household registration and travel permit, the guards on duty let them in.
The streets on both sides were clean and tidy, lined with tall buildings, and even the street vendors were exceptionally enthusiastic. Yan Qingqing's desire to go shopping was instantly aroused.
However, she was a very restrained person. Besides, she had seen all kinds of prosperous scenes in her previous life. Even if she wanted to go shopping, she would wait until after the Chamber of Commerce.
Li Xinniang was also very excited. She couldn't see such a prosperous scene in Chengyang County. She really wanted to get off and take a look, but when she saw Yan Qingqing sitting in the carriage with a calm and collected look, she immediately calmed down.
Her mother had brought her here on important business, so she couldn't just think about playing and embarrass her mother. Therefore, she sat up even more upright, looking straight ahead.
Wu Jingzhi led them directly to the inn he had booked in advance. As soon as they got off the carriage, a waiter greeted them warmly. After Wu Jingzhi gave his name, he casually tossed him a piece of silver and said, "We must take good care of you while we stay here, especially my aunt and brother. You must not neglect them."
The waiter gave Yan Qingqing and Li Xinniang a fawning look and said, "Young Master Wu, don't worry, your friends are our most honored guests. Even if you didn't instruct me, I would still take extra care of them."
It's said that money makes the world go round, and the inns they stayed at along the way were mostly arranged in advance by the Wu family, from which Yan Qingqing and her companions benefited greatly. While inwardly wishing she could be as wealthy as the Wu family, Yan Qingqing maintained a polite smile and said courteously to the waiter, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."
The waiter was overjoyed, having gained both money and face. He quickly arranged for someone to lead their carriage to the backyard and personally escorted Yan Qingqing and the others to their guest rooms upstairs.
Although Li Xinniang really wanted to share a room with Yan Qingqing, she was dressed as a man, and people would gossip if she shared a room with Yan Qingqing. A'da was a servant, and there was no reason for a servant to share a room with his master. So Yan Qingqing asked for three superior rooms.
Throughout the journey, Yan Qingqing insisted on paying for her own food and lodging. Wu Jingzhi tried to persuade her twice, but seeing that Yan Qingqing was determined, he stopped trying.
Seeing that Yan Qingqing was also a generous person, the waiter smiled and flattered her, "Madam, you are so generous. This is the first time I have ever seen servants stay in such a high-class room. We have special rooms for servants here, the kind with large communal beds. It only costs twenty coins a night."
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "No need. My family members are different from others. They are all good children that I have chosen. In my heart, they are no different from my own children."
Ah Da, who was carrying things to Yan Qingqing's room, was so moved by Yan Qingqing's words that he almost burst into tears. He had always known that the madam treated them well, unlike other wealthy families who would beat or scold their servants. They ate and dressed well in Canghe Village, and had white flour steamed buns every meal. The madam valued them, and now she even said that she treated him like her own child. He wished he really had a mother like Yan Qingqing.
Yan Qingqing herself never expected that her casual remark would earn her A-Da's lifelong unwavering loyalty.
The waiter and Ah Da were busy for a long time before they finished tidying up. Wu Jingzhi also finished tidying up and came over to say, "Auntie, the Chamber of Commerce doesn't start until the day after tomorrow. You must be tired from traveling these past two days. You can rest for a while. There are many fun places in this city. You can go and have a look when you have time."
I've been to Xuancheng Prefecture twice before. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime.
After saying that, he glanced at Li Xin's mother and said, "I'm going to see a friend later, why don't you come with me, Xin-di?"
Yan Qingqing knew that Wu Jingzhi meant well, so she smiled and replied, "Okay, I'll remember what you said. I'll definitely come to you as soon as possible if I have any questions."
"Xin'er won't go with you. She just told me she wasn't feeling well. Let her rest here."
After listening, Wu Jingzhi asked with concern, "Where do you feel unwell? I'll send someone to fetch a doctor."
After saying that, he was about to send someone to fetch a doctor when Yan Qingqing stopped him and said, "No need, he's just a little carsick, he'll be fine after a rest."
Upon hearing this, Wu Jingzhi said, "No wonder Xin-di always sits outside the carriage; he gets carsick."
Yan Qingqing and Li Xinniang were both a little embarrassed. Could they say that Li Xinniang thought the carriage was too crowded?
After Wu Jingzhi left, Yan Qingqing lay down on the bed to rest. She was exhausted from being cooped up in the carriage for the past two days, and she needed to take the time to rest so she could attend the business meeting the day after tomorrow.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Yan Qingqing hadn't left the restaurant at all during those two days. After resting enough, she would sit by the window and watch the people coming and going.
Ah Da, on the other hand, was so busy he was practically never around; you couldn't even see a soul in sight. Even Li Xin's mother went out for a stroll several times and came back with a lot of trinkets.
While pouring tea for Yan Qingqing, Li Xin's mother asked, "Mother, don't you always say that knowing yourself and your enemy is the key to victory in every battle? Why don't you go out for a stroll?"
Yan Qingqing smiled and said, "You don't understand. Sitting here, I can understand the situation of the whole city better than if I were shopping."
Upon hearing this, Li Xin's mother looked at Yan Qingqing with suspicion. Why was she so skeptical? Was her mother lying to her?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com