Chapter 90 Qi-Liang Realm (Part 2) This matter will be decided by her, the old lady...
After a couple of days of cooler weather, the Indian summer returned, bringing several days of intense heat. Finally, the weather cooled down, and I felt a bit refreshed, but then I heard some terrible news: Chen Jia had actually been rescued!
Jiuli couldn't help but feel sorry for Huixin and the others, and complained while leaning on the counter, "The King of Hell is so unpredictable when it comes to taking people! This kind of person has been seriously injured time and time again, but he just can't die!"
Fengqiao, leaning against her, said, "Haven't you heard the saying, 'Good people don't live long, but evil people live for a thousand years'?"
Zhang Da stood in front of the counter, draped one arm over it, and smiled mysteriously. He pointed two fingers at the counter and said, "I heard from the two brothers guarding the inn that we owe a lot to Miss Guan this time. When they rescued Chen Jia that night, they were short of a good ginseng. Several servants of the Chen family searched all over the city all night but couldn't find it. Somehow, Guan Youjun overheard them. Luckily, her family had some excellent ginseng brought back from Liaodong. In the middle of the night, she personally hitched up a carriage and delivered it to the inn, which saved Chen Jia's life."
Hearing this, Jiu Li was extremely puzzled. "Don't Aunt Guan and Chen Jia not know each other and have no relation to the Chen family? Why would she send ginseng to save him?"
"We didn't know each other before, but now that we've met, we do! Guan Youjun really knows how to handle people. Does the Chen family need someone to add to their glory? Besides, they usually fawn over officials. Now that Guan Youjun is offering help in their time of need, she'll definitely make a name for herself in the Chen family."
That's what you call knowing how to seize an opportunity. In the past, when Guan Youjun wanted to get in touch with the Chen family, not to mention the long distance, even if she really sent her to a wealthy family, they probably still wouldn't remember who she was. This time, she made a huge favor with just a ginseng. It was truly a very profitable deal.
Jiuli couldn't help but admire Guan Youjun once again, "She truly lives up to her reputation as Aunt Guan."
What are you saying about me?
A soft laugh rang out, and as if speaking of the devil, he appeared. Youjun and Niangzhuang stepped into the pharmacy. Youjun was wearing a pine-colored silk shirt and a duck-yellow skirt. Niangzhuang was carrying several bags and packages, saying that she had been busy for a while and hadn't had time to come. Now that she was done, she came to pay her respects to the old lady and to check on Yuqi's injury.
Yuqing was also in the shop. She quickly took over and said with a smile, "The old lady is taking a nap right now. Please come and sit in the hall inside, I'll go and wake her up."
Youjun quickly said there was no need, and saw Yu Qi holding a prescription and pointing at Du Zhong as he came in from behind. She called out to him softly. Yu Qi handed the prescription to Du Zhong, gave him a few instructions, and walked towards her, bowing slightly.
She returned the greeting, then looked down at his hand. She had heard that the wound was deep and that it was still bandaged after so many days, which showed that it was indeed quite serious. She smiled and asked, "I wonder how your injury is, sir? I should have come to see you sooner. But I was busy these past few days, sending the Gu family back to Changzhou and it was also a holiday. I suppose you were busy too, so I only came to see you today."
Jiuli spoke up from behind the counter, "Did Mrs. Gu go home?"
"Yes, Mr. Gu came from Jinan before the Mid-Autumn Festival to take his wife and son home for the holiday. He left in a hurry and didn't come to say goodbye. She asked me to tell you that she would come to visit again when she returned to Nanjing."
Jiuli nodded, and seeing Yu Qi leading her inside, she wanted to follow. But Yuqing rushed out and pulled her back, quietly scolding, "Are you so clueless? What are you doing sitting down while the elders are talking?"
This means that we should give them both a chance. Why would Aunt Qing say such a thing? It must be something the old lady revealed when she mentioned Guan Youjun.
Jiuli naturally couldn't follow them inside. Although she was a little reluctant, she was relieved because she knew that Yu Qi had no other intentions towards Youjun.
She had no choice but to crawl back behind the cabinet and continue talking to Zhang Da, "Is your body feeling heavy, sister-in-law?"
Zhang Da chuckled, "Your sister-in-law is heavy-set even though she's not pregnant."
Du Zhong, who was fetching medicine with his back turned, turned around and sneered when he heard this, "Brother Zhang, you're no better than him, how dare you speak ill of your sister-in-law?"
Everyone chuckled, their laughter echoing in the hall. Youjun smiled too; she wasn't usually a talkative person. She sat in the hall, ate half a bowl of tea, and mostly inquired about the Qinglian Temple case. She wasn't really that interested, but if she didn't ask, Yu Qi would likely remain silent for a long time, and wouldn't that be awkward?
Hearing laughter coming from the shop, she changed the subject, praising the Yu family for their harmonious atmosphere.
“That’s called being disrespectful.” Yu Qi didn’t feel embarrassed. He just replied to whatever she said, not very attentive, but still polite.
"Isn't that good? I don't think you're someone who cares much about hierarchy." Youjun admired this about him. He was indifferent to everyone, without any distinction of rank. She had been in business for over ten years and had seen too many snobs. She was the same way herself, so she valued his humble yet respectful attitude towards everyone.
"Master Chen's life has been saved. Have you heard about this, sir?"
According to Zhao Liang, the case involves the Chen family. Jingzhen and other prisoners have been escorted to the capital. However, Chen Jia is seriously injured and cannot be moved. The emperor has issued an edict ordering him to stay in Nanjing to recuperate and to send Prince Zhao, Zhou Yu, to Nanjing to hear about the case and escort Chen Jia back to the capital.
Chen Jia survived thanks to her; the Guan family's Liaoning sea cucumber was indeed top-grade. He smiled, "The Chen family should thank the eldest young lady for saving their life."
Youjun also laughed frankly: "It's nothing, just a favor to others. Businessmen most want to do business in the palace. The Guan family's business is all over the place, but none of them are done well. Since the beginning of this year, I have been thinking that Jiangnan has a lot of tea, which is famous all over the world. It is most important to refine and expand this business."
"But there are many tea merchants in Jiangnan, and the palace has already made appointments with tea merchants. If the Guan family wants to be a surprise contender, they have to get in touch with someone who is very influential in the palace. Trading a ginseng for a connection is a very worthwhile deal."
Youjun smiled and nodded, "I have to thank you for this, sir. Without you, the Guan family would not have had this opportunity. I owe you this favor. If you ever need anything in the future, please just ask. As long as the Guan family can do it, we will never refuse."
She didn't want to dwell on these scheming words, because she sensed a slight sarcasm in his tone, as if he thought she was incapable of distinguishing right from wrong and only interested in profit.
But it seemed there was nothing else to talk about with him, so he brought up Jiuli again. "A few days ago I ran into the two ladies of the Qi family on the street. They seemed to be going to the Baiyun Temple to perform a ritual, presumably to ask for help with Master Qi's marriage. Do you think the Qi family is really not a good match for you, sir?"
As he spoke, he glanced down at the table beside him, slowly put down his teacup, and smiled knowingly. “In my opinion, Qi Xubai is a bit shrewd, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Does being stupid mean you’re good? Sir is being too picky about people.”
Yu Qi smiled and shook his head, but did not answer. You Jun felt that it was a bit presumptuous of her to comment on his family affairs, so she also shut up awkwardly.
After a while, she suddenly laughed, then said with a hint of disappointment, "Actually, I don't do business in medicinal herbs, so why do I keep coming to see you, sir?"
It was like a question, but they both knew the answer. Yu Qi was even more at a loss for words. After pondering for a long time, he could only say, "Yes, Miss Guan, you have really wasted your time. What have I done to deserve this?"
Youjun was silent for a moment, then smiled and explained, "Even the most profit-driven person has moments when they don't care about fame or fortune."
Yu Qi smiled, leaning back in his chair with his face slightly tilted to the side, still with a nonchalant expression.
People who are only interested in profit are often calculating by nature. They always calculate the cost first, it's instinctive. He won't take such words to heart, and he doesn't believe that a short acquaintance can change a person's character. He feels that he hasn't attracted women to that extent.
Yuqing listened outside the back door for a while, wondering why they had fallen silent. After waiting a moment, she heard Youjun say goodbye, and she quickly turned around and went into the north room. "Grandma, Miss Guan is leaving! Aren't you going out?"
The old lady hadn't fallen asleep. Knowing that Youjun was coming to the house, she intended to get up and entertain her, but then she thought that if she went up together, Yu Qi would just pass the guest to her. She didn't want to delay their conversation, so she pretended to be asleep in the room.
Hearing that Youjun was leaving, she hurriedly tried to get out of bed, but then, afraid that Yuqi would notice if she went out, she had to pull her feet back onto the bed. "Let your master see her off. She can say a few more words."
"Hey, what are you talking about? Our master talks like that in front of her too!" Yuqing plopped down on the edge of the bed. "I don't think the master has any feelings for her."
The old lady raised an eyebrow and glanced at her. "Are you confused? If you meant that, why would I care?"
Yuqing smiled and said, "That's true, but I heard that the master doesn't like her very much. He doesn't even appreciate it when she asks about our family affairs."
What did she say?
"Regarding Yu'er's marriage, she advised the master that it would be better to marry into the Qi family, but the master did not say a word."
He naturally refused to speak, humph, he wished Jiuli would never leave the house! The old lady was furious, propped up one knee and hugged herself, "In a couple of days I will take Yu'er to the Wei family. Once Yu'er's marriage is settled, he will be willing to plan his own affairs."
Yuqing nodded in agreement, "That's true. Master is still worried about the fish, so he can't take care of himself."
The old lady sulked again. "Hmph, he worries too much!"
Just before the festival, the old lady of the Wei family specially sent someone to deliver a gift. The old lady was thinking about returning the gift, so she waited for two days. When Yu Qi went out to see a doctor, she took the opportunity to bring Jiuli Duzhong to pay her respects to the Wei family.
Coincidentally, Xiuzhi also took leave and went home that day. Du Zhong had previously said he wanted to visit her, but she always made excuses. So Du Zhong thought he would go to her house himself that afternoon to meet her son and mother-in-law, and she couldn't very well refuse to let him in. Therefore, he made an excuse to the old lady, refusing to go to the Wei family with her.
Hearing this, Jiu Li squeezed into his room, glaring at him menacingly, "If you don't go, I'll go by myself. What will you say to Wei Hong? He blushes so easily, it'll be so boring for the two of you to sit there. If you go, you can stand in the middle and crack jokes, and everyone won't feel so awkward. What's wrong with you? Are your legs alright? You can still walk, right?"
Du Zhong sat up in anger. "You mean, even if I'm about to die, as long as my leg is still okay, I have to go with you? What does your business with Wei Hong have to do with me? You're just dragging me into this! I don't even know him, and I have nothing to say to him!"
Jiuli stood in front of the bed, rolling her eyes. "A person who is about to die can't walk, let alone have your energy."
He impatiently shooed her away, "Get out, get out! I can't be bothered talking to you. I'm going to take a nap. I'm not going!"
Jiuli had no choice but to come out. Walking under the eaves, she felt caught in a dilemma. Earlier, because she was angry with Yu Qi, she hadn't clearly told him she refused. And to make matters worse, Yu Qi wasn't home at the moment.
However, he probably wouldn't object to the old lady taking her to the Wei family if he were at home, since he was the one who started it, and now no one knows how to clean up the mess.
She went inside to change her clothes, while the old lady went ahead and asked Fengqiao when Yu Qi would return. She was still worried that if he came back, he would take Jiu Li to the Wei family right under his nose, as if he had stolen some treasure from him.
Even after all this time, she still couldn't forget the look in his eyes when he left with that itinerant doctor. Now, he was probably going to lose heart over her again, but there was nothing she could do. Didn't she know her own son? He himself might not be afraid, but he couldn't bear the thought of Jiu Li being scorned in the future. He couldn't help but feel pain and self-blame, and once the rumors started, they would never end.
"I'm afraid they'll have to invite you to stay for lunch this afternoon. You don't know, this time it's Master Liu's favorite concubine who's sick. And that Master Liu is this," Fengqiao leaned on the counter, gave a thumbs up, and turned back twice to emphasize, "Hey! He owns most of the spice business in Nanjing. He's incredibly rich!"
The old lady felt relieved, knowing that Jiuli probably wouldn't be back for a while. She went to the back and called out to Jiuli, but when she saw that Jiuli hadn't changed her clothes, she became anxious. "What are you dawdling for? Your Aunt Qing has already hired a carriage and loaded everything onto it. We're just waiting for you."
After thinking it over, Jiu Li decided not to go. At this time, Yu Qi was in a dilemma. If she went to the Wei family, Yu Qi might take the opportunity to give her to the Wei family again, and all her previous efforts would be in vain.
Sitting on the tatami mat, he said, "I'm not going. I'm not feeling well either; it seems like I stopped eating after having a late-night snack last night."
"You didn't eat much last night either. I'm an old man and I haven't stopped eating. Is your stomach and spleen even weaker than mine?"
"I've always been this way, have you forgotten?"
Although the old lady was skeptical, she figured it was better to believe it was true than not. If she really got sick, it would be a loss. So she put her hands in front of her stomach and said sullenly, "Alright then, you stay home and sleep for a while, I'll go by myself."
She figured that since Jiuli couldn't say anything about this anyway—it was all the elders' business—she might as well take the lead as a grandmother and make the decision herself!
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Author's note: Thank you for reading.
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