Chapter 43 I can ask him to find a marriage
For some unknown reason, Ji Shubai and Lu Jun had become more diligent over the years. Song Jin thought that the dishes he cooked suited their tastes and was happy.
As long as these officials didn't cause her trouble, she would be happy. But as soon as Lu Junnian opened his mouth, she knew that these two people came today not just for food.
"Did you make tea for Lord Luo yesterday?"
"...Yes, it is."
"You two talked for a long time, right? What did you talk about?"
"This... is nothing." Song Jin felt that there was really nothing to talk about. Even if there was something to talk about, she might not dare to tell Lu Junnian what she would dare to tell Lord Luo.
"Hey, tell me something. Family matters? Daily life in the shop? Or where is the best tea?"
"...Lord Luo is drinking Fenghuang Dancong, and he seems to like that."
Song Jin found someone who could talk. Lu Junnian looked worried after hearing this: "Oh, this Suzhou is not easy to find. Hey, isn't your brother Chai in the tea business? Can he find it?"
This question was asked to Ji Shubai.
Ji Shubai held up the teacup and said, "If you want it, I can ask him to find it."
"Why should I want it? Lord Luo has come all the way from the capital, so we have to show our appreciation. I don't want this expensive thing, but tea will be fine."
Ji Shubai said nothing, and Lord Luo looked at Song Jin again: "What else did you say?"
Song Jin bit his lip and twisted his sleeves with his fingers, not knowing what to say.
She didn't want to get involved in the affairs of these court officials and didn't want to be involved with either side.
"If you don't want to talk, then don't bother. Please help me cook a few dishes."
The person who spoke was Ji Shubai. Song Jin felt as if he had been pardoned. He nodded quickly and went downstairs. He heard Lu Junnian's voice behind him.
"Why won't you let me finish my question?"
"What's there to ask? Isn't it just about those things? Why make things difficult for him?"
This is the second time that Song Jin feels that Ji Shubai is a good person. The last time, she was at Chai’s house and said that she would send someone to send her back.
Ever since Lu Junnian said he wanted to eat bitter melon wine, Song Jin prepared this dish in advance. When the waiter mentioned it to the guests, he often said it was the favorite of Lord Censor Luo. Even Lord Tongpan specifically requested it. It suddenly became a hot-selling dish, so it was prepared every day.
Afterwards, Song Jin cooked and served the dishes as usual. When Lu Junnian saw him smiling, she didn't ask any more questions, and she felt much more relieved.
Unexpectedly, just when things had calmed down, a servant from the Bai family came to the store and asked Song Jin to take time out to go back to the Bai family early the next morning because the eldest lady wanted to question her.
Song Jin felt as if she had been out in the field for a long time and was suddenly called back by the company boss to report on her work. She had been planning rebellion for a long time, and this feeling was even worse.
Song Jin didn't sleep well that night.
The next morning, Song Jin did not delay. After washing up, he told his maid to buy a few things at the vegetable market, and then returned to the Bai family alone.
After being away for nearly three months, Song Jin was familiar with the layout of the house, yet it felt extremely unfamiliar.
She once belonged here, but she never considered this place her home.
After entering the door and seeing the people in the courtyard, everyone was greeting each other. Song Jin didn't notice anything unusual until she stepped into Zizhu Garden. She immediately saw Lianxin's frown.
She looked at Song Jin, then looked inside the door. Song Jin guessed that something had happened, so he had no choice but to walk inside. As a result, as soon as he entered the hall, he saw Wen Xin standing next to Wen Ya, with a smug look on his face.
"Hail, Grandma."
Song Jin bowed calmly, then looked up at Wen Ya, who was reading an account book in her hand. She glanced at A Rong, and that was the account book they used to record every time they sent money to Ma Ti Xiang.
Wen Ya flipped through the account book, closed it and put it aside, then looked up at Song Jin: "How is the business of Shi Ding Lou?"
"Everything is normal, with more visitors than in the previous two months."
"Oh," Wen Ya took another cup of tea and continued, "Then why did you hand over the money so late?"
Song Jin said, "Shi Ding Lou has just opened, and most of the customers who come to the restaurant are familiar customers from nearby. As time goes by, its reputation will spread, and I believe the business will be better."
Wen Ya listened but smiled without saying anything. She took a sip of tea before saying, "I heard that Mr. Chai likes the dishes you cook? Have you ever hosted a banquet at his house?"
"To call it a banquet is really an exaggeration. It was just a small family dinner for three or four people, not a big banquet. Mr. Chai just thought it was new, but he didn't like it very much."
"Really?" Song Jin heard the sound of a porcelain cup, which was heavier than usual. "Why did I hear that the censor from the capital invited you to the government office to make tea?"
"Lord Luo...Lord Luo is on tour on behalf of the emperor and wants to chat with the common people, so he asked me to go over."
"So what did you guys talk about?"
Song Jin raised his eyes and saw the majestic smile on Wen Ya's face. He thought for a moment and said, "Lord Luo asked about our family's case of establishing a successor."
Wen Ya was now interested and asked, "So what did you say?"
Song Jin said, "My Lord, you asked me why the Madam insisted on fighting this unwinnable lawsuit, so I had to tell you the truth."
"How do you tell the truth?"
Song Jin said, "I said that since the eldest lady married into the Bai family, she is a member of the Bai family. Why can't the eldest lady inherit the family business after her husband passed away? In terms of ability, the eldest lady is not inferior to anyone, but just because she is a woman, she is restricted in every way. It is really unfair."
Wen Ya didn't say anything for a long time after hearing this. Just as Song Jin was puzzled, a voice came: "What did Lord Luo say?"
Song Jin said: "Lord Luo didn't say anything after hearing this. I guess he won't win the lawsuit."
Wen Ya put down the teacup, and the sound was no different from before.
"You are quite eloquent. You have become more successful in Japan during this period of time." Wen Ya's face was smiling again, and she said gently, "You are seventeen years old now. When I was your age, I had already entered the Bai family and became the wife of the second room."
Song Jin's heart suddenly tightened, and he suddenly understood why Wen Xin was here. It was probably not just because he made too little money.
"As a family slave, you should have married a servant, but now you have made some progress outside. It would be unfair for you to marry a servant. So I think you are old enough, so you might as well marry my nephew. Then you two can help me with things outside, so you can have someone to help you. If you marry Wen Xin, you will have made it through."
"But...but after marrying Master Wen, I am still working as a kitchen servant outside. I am afraid that it will embarrass Master Wen."
Song Jin found an excuse to shirk his responsibility, but Wen Ya refused to listen: "Didn't you teach all your cooking skills to those maids? If that's the case, then there's no need to worry. Shi Ding Lou will still be open without you."
As soon as Wen Ya finished speaking, Wen Xin continued, "Aunt, when Mancao marries my nephew, ask her to serve you in this courtyard. Ask her to cook whatever dishes you like for you."
Wen Ya said, "Since you are married, you are the one in your room. How can a niece-in-law serve her aunt? You should serve your parents." After that, she looked at Song Jin and said, "Now that you are married, I will naturally return the red deed and let you be a good woman. Once you are freed from slavery, you can be proud of yourself. Why don't you thank my nephew for accepting you as a concubine?"
Song Jin: I thank your ancestors for eight generations!
The two of them stood on top, watching Song Jin hanging his head and saying nothing. Wen Ya couldn't help but get angry: "Why, is marrying my nephew wronged you?"
"I dare not, but I feel..."
"What do you think?"
Tears welled up in Song Jin's eyes. If she didn't agree, she couldn't leave. If she agreed, she might as well die.
"I thank Madam and Master Wen, but there are still some dishes in Shidinglou that have not been explained clearly, and the censor has also specifically asked me to go over and make tea, so..."
"It's okay. There's no rush. You can teach me how to make tea and learn how to pick red apricots and wild lilies. Then you won't have to go there in person."
Song Jin had no choice but to agree, but at least he gave her some time to plan carefully.
As long as she doesn't get married, she still has a chance to escape.
The matter of denaturalization is imminent.
After leaving the gate of Zizhu Courtyard, Song Jin felt exhausted. One reason was because Wen Xin was making things difficult for her and forcing her to get married, and the other reason was because of Lord Luo.
Just because she made a pot of tea for Lord Luo, Lu Junnian and Wen Ya also came to ask, and they were all curious about what Lord Luo said. This is why Song Jin doesn't like dealing with officials. There is nothing wrong, but everyone thinks there is something going on between you. If you say it simply, they won't believe it. If you don't say it, they will think it's a secret. She is really tired of dealing with it.
Song Jin left Wen Ya's sight and went to the side corridor of the main hall where the beauty sat to rest, and thought about what to do next. But before she could come up with a solution, she ran into Lian Xin who came out to chase her.
Lianxin ran too fast, and when she got closer she was panting and unable to utter a word. Song Jin had no choice but to pat her on the back and asked her to sit down and rest for a while.
"What's the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"...Dujuan...Sister, you asked me to find you..."
"Dujuan is looking for me? Why doesn't she come?"
Song Jin understood as soon as he asked. He had to send Lian Xin because he couldn't find time to serve her personally.
"Is there anything wrong?" Song Jin asked.
Lian Xin nodded straight, took two breaths and said, "That Master Wen said a lot of bad things about you in front of the Grandmother. Sister said that this marriage is not a good one."
Song Jin had mixed feelings after hearing this. She knew it was not a good idea, but refusing now would mean breaking up, and she was not ready yet.
"Did she say anything else?"
Lian Xin tilted her head and thought for a while, then said, "I was in a hurry just now, so I only had time to say these words to me. But she said that if you are not in a hurry, just wait here, and she will come out to find you later."
Song Jin said: "Okay, go back and tell her quietly that I won't leave yet. I'll wait for her."
Lianxin returned to Zizhu Garden, leaving Song Jin sitting alone in the corridor.
Song Jin was upset and made things difficult for her one after another, catching her off guard. Du Juan was someone close to Wen Ya, so maybe she knew something and could help her think of a solution, so she had to wait here.
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