Chapter 244 New Neighbors Move In
Ever since Da Niuer got married, the old Gu family seemed to have disappeared from Li Wanqing's life.
Li Wanqing stayed there comfortably for two months, and her belly swelled up like it was inflated.
Juzi brought in the soft quilt that had been dried in the sun and spread it on the kang while saying to Li Wanqing:
"Ma'am, a new neighbor has moved in next door. They have two carriages, and their luggage has been moved here since early morning."
Li Wanqing raised her eyebrows and said:
"It's their business whether they are rich or not. Besides, why would a really wealthy family choose our county? Tell Aunt Qiu and the others to be careful recently."
Juzi answered yes, packed up the sundries and went out. After a while, Aunt Qiu came in and reported:
"Madam, the neighbor's servant and maid are outside the door. They said they are here to deliver a visiting card and some other things."
A visiting card? Li Wanqing was a little surprised. In a small place like theirs, basically no one sends visiting cards. When they move, they just give some cakes to the neighbors.
Li Wanqing kept talking as she thought about it several times.
"Bring the things in."
Li Wanqing noticed that the paper used for the invitation was unusual and even had a fragrance. Taking Xuanxuan as an example, Li Wanqing's family was very willing to invest in their children's education.
But even so, the paper Xuanxuan usually uses for practicing calligraphy does not meet this standard, he just uses ordinary paper.
Looking at the cakes again, regardless of the taste, the appearance alone was extraordinary. Li Wanqing thought for a moment, called Orange over, and instructed:
"Pack up some seasonal fruits and vegetables. They might not be able to prepare them now that they've just arrived. Besides, we don't have such exquisite pastries. If we try to be generous, we'll just make people laugh."
Orange nodded and walked over.
When Gu Yan came back in the afternoon, Li Wanqing told him about this.
"I find it strange that you say that. How could anyone with money come to a small county like ours, where there's no village or shop nearby?"
Gu Yan nodded, feeling strange, and said:
"Then what's there to be scheming about? It's not something we boast about, but if there's anything worth looking at, it's our drug identification skills."
Li Wanqing shook her head and denied it:
“This pharmaceutical technology sounds good, but it’s only in this county. At most, it can be considered a high-end skill in the provincial capital.
But if you go further up, you'll see everything. To be frank, this pharmaceutical technology only works in mountainous areas, not in bustling big cities."
Li Wanqing was really confused and looked a little sad. Gu Yan couldn't bear to see his wife looking so depressed, so he comforted her:
"If an enemy comes, we'll fight him; if a flood comes, we'll block it with earth. I don't think they've chosen us as their neighbor and they don't intend to use force. Let's just go and see."
Li Wanqing nodded, asked Gu Yan to take out the invitation, and said:
"Whether he is a human or a ghost, we will know tomorrow. Let's see what Madam Zhu is planning."
Through the invitation and the introduction of their servant, Li Wanqing learned that her next-door neighbor was surnamed Zhu and was doing business in mountain products.
The next morning, Gu Yan originally didn't want to go to the farm, but to accompany Li Wanqing to the Zhu family.
Li Wanqing waved her hand and said:
"Go to the farm and keep an eye on it. You're not needed here. Trust me, go ahead."
Only then did Gu Yan walk away, looking back every few steps.
Li Wanqing turned around and saw Juzi covering her mouth and laughing. Li Wanqing discovered it, and Juzi said.
"The master really loves his wife. He doesn't even worry about her when he goes to visit the neighbors."
Li Wanqing tapped Orange's head with her finger and said:
"You are such a mischievous girl. You want to find a husband too, right? I'll find one for you someday and marry you off."
Juzi stamped her feet, turned her head away in embarrassment, and ran back to work.
Aunt Qiu accompanied Li Wanqing to the Zhu family next door.
The Zhu family's doorman was very dedicated and had been waiting for them at the door for a long time.
"Mrs. Gu is here. Our mistress has already given us instructions to wait here in advance."
Li Wanqing nodded, but she thought in her heart:
The Zhu family is quite impressive. The courtyards of the two houses are next to each other. Logically, the layout should be similar, and there are only a few steps between them. They even have a gatehouse.
After walking in, Li Wanqing found out that the Zhu family had bought not just one courtyard next to theirs, but had bought two connected courtyards and connected them.
After walking for a while, Li Wanqing entered the main house.
Mrs. Zhu was very enthusiastic when she saw Li Wanqing. She came up and took Li Wanqing's hand, saying:
"Oh, seeing is believing. I've heard for a long time that there's a Mrs. Gu in our county who's an expert at identifying medicines. So, I specifically chose your family as my neighbor."
Li Wanqing just felt that Mrs. Zhu's clothes were dazzling, and she also had a lot of messy pearl hairpins on her head, which made her look like a Christmas tree that had come into being.
Besides, what Mrs. Zhu said was very offensive. Li Wanqing was very averse to other people prying into her privacy at will, so she just smiled and said nothing.
Mrs. Zhu talked to herself for a while, but then felt it was boring, so she said goodbye to Li Wanqing and politely sent her out the door.
Li Wanqing didn't even have time to rest after returning home before calling Guangming, asking him to go to the farm and call Gu Yan back.
"Wife, what's wrong? Is there something wrong?"
Gu Yan asked breathlessly.
Li Wanqing waved her hand, letting Aunt Qiu and the others go down, and said:
"Today I went to the Zhu family and met Madam Zhu. Apart from anything else, the material used in Madam Zhu's clothes is rare even in the city.
At least it has to be the kind of material that only the wealthy families in the prefectural capital can afford, but it's always been the people from the county who go to the prefectural capital, and it's impossible for people from the prefectural capital to deliberately go back to the county."
Gu Yan thought about it carefully and realized that this was the truth, so he listened to Li Wanqing again.
"Besides, I heard Madam Zhu's words were full of praise for our skills in identifying medicines. But I think Madam Zhu and her family don't need our skills at all given their wealth. Why would they come back to the county just for our skills and become our neighbors?"
Gu Yan agreed deeply and actively tried to find a solution:
"Then I'll go back to the village and find a few of my childhood friends and have them keep an eye on the Zhu family every day."
Li Wanqing nodded and agreed with Gu Yan's approach. She always felt that the Zhu family had bad intentions.
And added:
“Tell those who came to follow us to be careful and not let the Zhu family find out.
Besides, we won’t let them keep an eye on us for nothing. We’ll give each of them some money every day, but tell them not to make it public.”
Gu Yan nodded, hugged Li Wanqing and gave her a hard "hmm".
"Otherwise, I would have to marry you. Look at how thoughtful you are in what you say and do. I am so lucky to have you as my wife."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com