Chapter 25 The turmoil is because she trusts me, how can I betray her? ...
April in Huaicheng was very hot. When Zhu Hao left the prison, he passed by a bookstore in his sedan chair and asked the driver to stop the sedan chair.
This shop is run by the Shi family. Since I'm passing by here, I might as well pick up two books about clothing making.
As Zhu Hao stepped out of the carriage, he saw Shi Chunsheng sitting low on the threshold, a scroll in his hands, his brow furrowed in thought. Suddenly, a graceful figure obscured most of the sunlight from his gaze. Shi Chunsheng's thoughts faltered, and when he looked up, he saw Zhu Hao standing three steps away.
Zhu Hao realized her position was hindering his reading, so she hurriedly moved to the side. Shi Chunsheng saw that Zhu Hao's legs were still a little unsteady, so he said gently, "No need to move. I'll just flip through it." He put the scroll away, stood up, and asked with a smile, "Madam Zhu, are you here to buy books?"
Zhu Hao nodded. "I'm thinking of picking out some books on tailoring, but I wonder if they're available."
"All kinds of illustrated books are available. Follow me," Shi Chunsheng said suddenly. "You... your sprain hasn't healed yet, do you need any help?"
The reason why he did not ask her yesterday, but helped her down the stairs without asking for permission, was because Zhu Hao and Fang Fang were injured and their faces were pale. Even if she refused, he would not let Zhu Hao leave alone.
"No need, I'm fine."
The sales of clothing-making books were very small, so they were placed at the end of the row. Even though it was daytime, the shop was still dark. Shi Chunsheng lit all the candle holders around to prevent them from being bumped or knocked.
The Shi family's bookshop was spacious. Fortunately, Shi Chunsheng had been coming here since he was a child and was familiar with the locations of various books. In a short while, he led Zhu Hao to the wooden rack where the books on clothing making were displayed.
Zhu Hao glanced over the books. The shelves were just the right height, allowing her to easily access even the top shelf. She picked out a volume on men's and women's clothing, and happened to notice a volume on arithmetic on abacus on a shelf not far away. She pulled one out and followed Shi Chunsheng to the counter. They only had to pay before they could return home.
When she was a child, she and Shi Chunsheng often played in the shop or recited poems. In the blink of an eye, more than ten years had passed. Zhu Hao was still walking and scanning the surroundings. The furnishings and decorations were the same as before. When she raised her eyes, she caught a glimpse of a book with a black-gray cover and paused.
She took a few steps forward, pulled out a scroll from the wooden frame, and wrote on it: Huaixianlu.
Shi Chunsheng noticed that Zhu Hao hadn't caught up yet. He turned around and saw Zhu Hao holding the book. He said, "The book is just as its name suggests, recording the life of Zhe E Zhai and Huai Xian, but no one has read it."
Indeed, who would have the leisure to go to a bookstore just for a nonsensical tome on supernatural phenomena? Moreover, this immortal was a notorious fallen immortal, let alone anyone reading this book.
However, I wish you a good buy.
She is somewhat interested.
Shi Chunsheng raised his eyebrows but did not ask any further questions.
The bookshop was opposite Ningtangfang. As Zhu Hao was leaving the shop, he happened to see Fang Xuyin standing on the windowsill in front of the shop, chatting and laughing with the old-looking, white-haired shopkeeper. Before Zhu Hao even approached, he heard Fang Xuyin calling out, "Xuyin."
Fang Xu came because of her reputation. Seeing that it was Zhu Hao, she noticed that she was having difficulty walking. She hurried forward to support her and asked, "What's wrong with your legs? Have you seen a doctor?"
Zhu Hao didn't tell her about the embarrassing incident of spraining his ankle while climbing the case, but simply explained it as an accidental fall. Then he asked, "Xu Yin, are you here to buy some candy or fruit?"
Fang Xuyin said no. She helped Zhu Hao sit on the long stool in front of the square and said, "I don't like sweets. I came here just to deliver the newly painted Huai River scenery."
She explained, "Meng Aung is the owner of Ningtang Shop. He has no wife or children, and he manages the shop alone. In the past, I occasionally did odd jobs here to pay for my mother's medicine. As time went by, I became familiar with Meng Aung. Not only did he give me candied fruits and teach me to take them home for my mother to try, he even adopted me as his granddaughter."
"My father-in-law passed away before I was born, so I have always cherished his friendship. Later, when he occasionally saw me painting, he often praised me. So, I cleverly painted a scene of Huaicheng and copied it on the oil paper of the package. This method is often praised. However, it was just a casual painting, not as good as everyone says."
Zhu Hao looked towards the market platform and saw several drawings on it. The market was packed with customers, so before Manager Meng could put the drawings away, Zhu Hao took a few steps forward to take a closer look. The first drawing was of Zhe E Zhai. The brushstrokes were delicate and the ink was bright, and every brick and tile was exactly the same.
Zhu Hao shook Fang Xuyin's hand and exclaimed in amazement, "Xuyin, you paint so well!" Without waiting for Fang Xuyin to reply, Zhu Hao asked, "Xuyin, besides painting landscapes, do you ever paint anything else? For example, clothing and accessories?"
"Clothes?" Fang Xu pondered for a moment. Although she didn't understand why Zhu Hao asked, she answered seriously, "I haven't painted in recent years. When I was a child, I did paint clothes for the silk dolls my mother sewed for me."
Zhu Hao pressed on with his victory, "Xu Yin, can you find a way to make a living?"
Seeing Zhu Hao's naive eyes, she teased, "What? Does Shopkeeper Zhu have a good job to recommend?"
"Well, it's a long story."
Zhu Hao explained the general reasons to her. Fang Xuyin's eyes were slightly moved after hearing it, but at the end she said, "Zhu Hao, this matter... I can't promise it right away. It's not that I don't trust you, but I don't trust myself. Can you give me some time? I'll try to draw it, and after you review it, if you think it's okay, we can discuss it later."
Zhu Hao laughed, "As you wish."
…
Zhu Hao returned to the Song residence. Before she even stepped through the gate, she was stopped by a man dressed as a servant. "Miss Zhu, my master has sent a message. The matter with You Yan has been resolved. I can now tell you what I promised you before. If you trust my master, the door of the You family is always open to you."
Zhu Hao recalled Zhu Lanxiang's expression in prison, and she also wanted to confirm her judgment as soon as possible. Therefore, she left a note at home and went with the servants of the You family.
When Zhu Hao was invited into the You family's house, he saw a coffin that was exquisitely crafted and extremely luxurious parked in the huge outer courtyard. Zhu Hao only took a quick glance at it and then looked away.
The You family's house was spacious, and the servants led her around in many ways. The You family was the richest family in Huaicheng, and their ancestor was the founding left prime minister. All their houses were built according to the regulations for first-rank officials, and could be called "mansions". Looking around the whole Huaicheng, only the Song family's house could be compared with it. However, the Song family's house was of a leisurely and elegant style, with pavilions and terraces all suitable for enjoying the wind and chanting under the moon. However, the You family's house was of a grand and majestic style. At a glance, it was all a grand and magnificent structure, as if built with gold and jade.
The servants gathered in an octagonal pavilion. He dismissed the cleaning servants, bowed slightly to Zhu Hao, and then went into the darkness.
You Heng didn't let her wait long. After the servants disappeared, he slowly walked into the pavilion.
He waved his sleeves and said, "Sit down."
Zhu Hao sat down as he was told, standing quite a distance away from him. "I hope you can keep your words short, Master You. Also, you promised me something that might help me file a case for my father. I hope you won't break your promise, Master You."
You Heng smiled. The title of "Young Master You" was interesting. When You Yan was still alive, he was only worthy of the title of Second Young Master. Apart from his false reputation, You Yan was superior to him in every way. But now, he was the only direct young master in the You family.
"I am not a man who goes back on his word."
Zhu Hao sarcastically said that she was not sure whether You Heng was trustworthy, but she knew that You Heng was not worthy of being called a "gentleman".
"Your Zhu family has twin daughters, one is your mother, the other is Zhu Lanxiang. While not incredibly wealthy, your family is well-off and well-fed. Since ancient times, important matters of marriage have often been decided by the parents, and your mother and Zhu Lanxiang are no exception. Your grandmother was reluctant to marry her daughters off to other families, so she sought out sons-in-law for them. She arranged marriages with two blacksmith brothers from a village in the north suburbs of the city. Although they are siblings, their temperaments are very different. Your father was a scholar, and he and your mother studied embroidery. The couple opened a new clothing shop in the city, and business is doing well."
"On the other hand, Zhu Lanxiang's husband is a complete failure. He just wants a safe home and still makes a living as a blacksmith. Seeing your mother living a life of luxury, and her own husband being depressed and boring, she feels resentful."
Zhu Hao interrupted him, "Why are you so familiar with my family?"
You Heng laughed. "Your aunt had an affair with my servant, and he knew everything from the beginning. Your mother died in childbirth, and your father was devastated. Zhu Lanxiang became even more arrogant because of this, but she didn't divorce your uncle. She used your mother's relationship to offer to take care of your daily needs. Your father, weakened by the grief of losing his wife, found it difficult to care for you. Considering that Zhu Lanxiang's husband was his brother, he asked her to stay at the Zhu residence permanently."
"While she ostensibly cared for her deceased sister's daughter, she was actually having an affair with my servant and even embezzled your parents' property. Meanwhile, Zhu Lanxiang's husband was busy forging iron, living alone in the village north of the city."
"One day, your father caught her having an affair with a servant. Furious, he wanted to expel Zhu Lanxiang and even threatened to have his brother divorce her. Zhu Lanxiang begged him profusely, even using you as an excuse to gain his forgiveness. While Zhu Lanxiang pretended to break off her relationship with the servant, she was actually carrying on a frequent affair. The servant was temporarily managing a pharmacy for my father. Fearing the affair would become a big deal, she also wanted to seize your family's assets as quickly as possible. She harbored evil intentions and wanted to use the servant to eliminate your father."
Zhu Hao's eyes were already misty, and she was completely unaware that her ten fingers were embedded in her palms, and her nails were soaked in blood, like freshly dyed bright rouge.
"Your father is weak, so a mixture of iris and ling is perfect. However, this medicine can only be taken by those in good health, or else someone might use it to cause harm. Dacheng has a law requiring anyone who purchases iris to present a doctor's handwritten note and seal. However, for the servant who's temporarily managing the pharmacy, this isn't a problem. He has no intention of harming anyone, but how can Zhu Lanxiang accept this?"
You Heng placed a piece of paper on the table. It was yellowed and curled at the corners, clearly showing its age. "Zhu Lanxiang begged the servant to take her into the pharmacy under the pretext of visiting. She took advantage of the servant's absence and stole the lingzhi. The pharmacy's expenses are recorded in detail, and within three days, my father learned of this. The servant saw your father die because of her, and he was terrified all day long. And Zhu Lanxiang is of low character. Having inherited the family fortune, how could she care about a mere servant?"
"She abandoned the servant, and the servant was then banished by my father. How could he not resent her?" You Heng moved the document towards Zhu Hao's seat. "Although Zhu Lanxiang stole the herbs, she could only credit the herbs lost in the market to the servant's name. This document is her evidence of the theft. Zhu Lanxiang used money to keep the servant silent, forcing him to flee Huaicheng. However, over ten years later, all the money had long since disappeared. A few years ago, she returned to the You residence and begged my father to give her a job. I happened to be there, but my father ignored her."
"Miss Zhu, I know his whereabouts," You Heng pointed at the book. "After several years, it's difficult to build a case for your father with just a piece of paper. The servants wanted to accuse Zhu Lanxiang, but he couldn't do it alone, especially since he had already accepted money from Zhu Lanxiang. But if you two work together, this matter is not completely hopeless."
Zhu Hao looked at him and sneered in his heart, "Master You, what do you want?"
"Miss Zhu, why do you compare me to a wicked person? I'm just..." You Heng sighed. He glanced at the withered spring flowers in the inner courtyard. "I wanted to talk to Sanniang, but she didn't want to see me."
"Yes, I used her mother to make it difficult for her to appear before the government office to face justice, but I never intended to put her mother in a dead end! I sent people to look for Fang Dalang many times and even ordered the servants to feed porridge to his mother, but I didn't know it was too late."
Zhu Hao glanced at him sideways, his voice vehement, "If you hadn't exploited her sincerity, how could her mother have starved to death?"
You Heng showed no regrets and simply said, "I'll offer the whereabouts of my servant as a reward, just to see Sanniang. I know she trusts you. Miss Zhu, are you willing to make this deal with me?"
"Because she trusts me, how could I betray her?" Zhu Hao stood up. "I will only tell Xu Yin what you said today. She will make the rest of the decision herself."
…
Miaoli recognized a few words and left a note at home wishing him a good trip.
Firstly, to tell her where she was going so that Miaoli wouldn't worry.
Secondly, if she met with an accident at the You family, Miaoli might report to the authorities to find her if she had not returned home for a long time.
However, as soon as she left the You family's gate, she saw Miaoli running towards her in a hurry. Zhu Hao's heart was pounding. She hadn't even been at the You family for half an hour, so why was Miaoli so nervous? There must be something else going on.
Miao Li was out of breath, her face flushed red as she said, "Oh no! The silk brocade shipped from Nanjun was looted by pirates! Not a single piece is left..."
The merchants in Nanjun were only concerned with selling brocade and did not care about transporting the goods. The three hundred taels that Zhu Hao had spent on purchasing silk brocade had already gone into the merchants' pockets. The waterway was rented by her and other merchants. If the cargo ship or the boatman was at fault, she could seek compensation from the dock, but if she encountered pirates, she would be unable to do so.
Zhu Hao felt a tightness in his chest and coughed dryly a few times before asking, "Are there any merchants at Yuequan Wharf being robbed by pirates causing trouble?"
Miao Li said bewilderedly, "I haven't heard of it. Besides... I just hope that Sister's goods were completely looted by the pirates, while the other merchants may have some left."
Zhu Hao clutched his chest and asked, "Are there any boatmen in danger?"
Miao Li supported Zhu Hao and shook her head. "No one was harmed by the pirates. Sister Zhu, you probably don't know that the person in charge of Yuequan Wharf has just been replaced. It's none other than Master Zhu Qi. You are his cousin. Although Madam Zhu was imprisoned for framing you, shouldn't Master Zhu Qi distinguish right from wrong? Otherwise, how about we..."
Miaoli shouted in surprise, "Sister! What happened to your palm?"
"Nothing, let's go, Miaoli." Zhu Hao said calmly, "Besides, there's no need to rebuild the cloth shop. Pay the workers their due wages and fire them."
Miao Li helped Zhu Hao into the sedan chair and quickly took out a handkerchief to wrap around her bleeding palm. "Sister Zhu, shall we go look for Master Zhu Qi?"
Zhu Hao leaned against the car wall and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "No, let's go home. I'm hungry."
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The author has something to say: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or provided me with nutrient solution between 2024-07-22 22:11:57 and 2024-07-24 21:42:53~
Thanks to the little angel who cast the mines: 1 Fayaoyao;
Thanks to the little angel who irrigated the nutrient solution: 6 bottles of Fayaoyao;
Thank you very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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