Chapter 96 Extra Chapter-Baizhou (1)
Baizhou is the center of the Jiangnan region, with the Mojiang River flowing through the city, dividing this land in two.
The north bank is a bustling and lively street, with vendors thronging the area, their calls rising and falling, and a dazzling array of local delicacies filling the air with enticing aromas.
The south bank is relatively tranquil, with some elegant academies and secluded gardens scattered in a well-organized manner. From time to time, one can hear the sound of reading aloud or the cheerful chirping of birds in the branches.
Several stone bridges of different shapes span the Mo River, connecting the prosperity and tranquility of Baizhou. Pedestrians come and go on the bridges in an endless stream.
Shen Shu and Lin Wei strolled through the streets of Baizhou, becoming curious about the alcoves that every household had.
"I've never seen which god they worship."
Upon hearing Shen Shu's question, a roadside vendor couldn't help but reply, "Are you and your wife from the north?"
Shen Shu nodded slightly. Seeing this, the merchant became interested and continued, "In our Baizhou, we worship an official under the judge named Guang Jue. Guang Jue is very efficacious. Families with businesses all worship him. As long as you worship him, your business will be prosperous every year."
After hearing this, Lin Wei asked with great interest, "Is there such a saying? If it's so effective, why don't you make offerings to it?"
The vendor slapped his head and laughed, "Sir, you're right. I'm just a small-time trader, wandering the streets and alleys all day long, with no fixed abode. Even if I wanted to provide for someone, I wouldn't have a suitable place."
"Besides, my business is small, and whether I can supply or not depends entirely on God's blessing. But even so, I still hope to receive the protection of Master Guangjue."
Upon hearing this, Shen Shu smiled slightly and teased, "You're quite clever; you want protection but don't want the burden of offerings."
Upon hearing this, the merchant laughed and waved his hand, saying, "My lady, you flatter me. How could I dare to have such a lazy thought? It's just that Lord Cui Jue is not someone that ordinary people can afford to worship. I would like to worship him, but unfortunately, Lord Guang Jue doesn't think much of him."
After hearing this, Lin Wei exchanged a glance with Shen Shu, a hint of curiosity and inquiry flashing in their eyes. Lin Wei then asked, "Does this Master Guangjue have such particularities? I wonder why he is not someone that ordinary families can afford to worship?"
Seeing the two men's keen interest, the vendor became more animated and began to describe the situation vividly: "To invite Master Guangjue home, we not only need to please him, but we also need to offer him some sacrifices."
Lin Weijian found the merchant's claims becoming increasingly outrageous.
Unable to resist interrupting, he said, "This concept of sacrifice is quite novel. I wonder what is to be sacrificed?"
The vendor lowered his voice mysteriously: "These sacrificial offerings are no ordinary items. Some are rare treasures, some are exotic beasts, and some even require human sacrifice! The quality of the offerings depends entirely on Lord Guangjue's mood."
Upon hearing this, Shen Shu frowned slightly and gently rebuked, "Don't talk nonsense. Human sacrifice is no child's play. If this is true, then this Lord Guangjue is probably not a true god."
Seeing Shen Shu's displeasure, the vendor quickly smiled apologetically and said, "Please don't be offended, madam. I just heard it from someone else. It's not true, it's not true."
But when Shen Shu looked down the street, she saw that most of the people there worshipped this Guangjue.
The vendor continued, "These all belong to the Le family. The head of the Le family invited Master Guangjue home long ago, so every shop opened by the Le family will have a statue of the god Guangjue."
"Lejia?"
"My lady, don't you know? The Le family is the richest family in Baizhou City. Everyone says that they got their position as the richest family by praying to Lord Guangjue. That's why many merchants are envious and have tried to invite him. Unfortunately, none of them have been able to get the same spiritual power as the Le family."
Shen Shu and Lin Wei exchanged a glance: Could it be the merchant family that she and her aunt had secretly pledged their lives to each other, and the one that was later recognized by the prime minister, Le Ning?
The vendor looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention to them, spoke up boldly.
"I heard that it was invited by a concubine from the Music Bureau."
Lin Wei raised an eyebrow: "A concubine?"
Shen Shu was also very curious: "Now that the Le family has obtained such extraordinary wealth, why haven't they made this concubine their official wife?"
“Oh, you’re right,” the vendor said.
"I heard that he was fine a few years ago, but he suddenly went crazy in the last two years and even had a crazy daughter."
"You know, the Le family is so powerful and wealthy, how could they let a madwoman be their legal wife?"
As he spoke, he showed Shen Shu his stall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, you've been listening for quite a while now, why don't you take a look?"
Shen Shu: ...
So that's what they were planning.
Lin Wei smiled helplessly; it seemed this merchant was specifically targeting out-of-towners to rip them off.
This story is probably fake too.
He was just using this as an excuse to promote his stall.
Seeing that the vendor had said so much to her, Shen Shu bought half a stall's worth of trinkets from him.
The vendor beamed from ear to ear, quickly packing the goods while continuing to say:
"If you're interested, madam, you might as well visit the Le family. They're a large and wealthy family, and the statue of Lord Guangjue they worship is magnificent and said to be very efficacious."
Shen Shu smiled and pulled Lin Wei away.
It seems that coming to Baizhou this time was definitely the right decision.
She came to Baizhou with Lin Wei this time to find her aunt Wen Lanyun, whom she had never met.
Wen Lanting harmed Wen Lanyun, and her daughter Shen Xiao, who was left behind, is now also dead.
The Shen family... feels deeply sorry for her.
If her aunt can be found, Shen Shu will treat her with the respect due to her own mother, so that she can enjoy her old age in peace.
If she were to remarry, Shen Shu would want to see her safe and sound with her own eyes.
Lin Wei said to Shen Shu, "The Shen family is all dead. You have now completely offended the Wen family. As for asking about your aunt's whereabouts, why don't you let me ask her? Because of my status, the Wen family wouldn't dare to disrespect me."
Shen Shu shook her head: "No."
“My lord, you should ask them directly. The Wen family will definitely not tell the truth. If this matter is confirmed, Wen Lanting will have another crime added to his list. This will be detrimental to the Wen family in every way. The Wen family will not tell you.”
Lin Wei looked at Shen Shu: "Then why don't we start with the Le family?"
The Le family took in Le Ning, the son of the prime minister, and later he secretly pledged his life to Wen Lanyun, the aunt of Shen Shu.
Although they ultimately didn't end up together because of Wen Lanting's scheme, Le Ning might still care about their past relationship and keep an eye on Wen Lanyun's whereabouts.
Who knows, maybe the person will end up in the Music Bureau.
Shen Shu said, "I just don't know if the Le family disobeyed the Wen family by revealing my aunt's whereabouts to us."
Lin Wei's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes.
He then summoned Shi Feng.
"Go and spread the word that I am in Baizhou."
As the largest merchant family in Baizhou and a local power in the Baizhou business community, the Le family would certainly not miss the opportunity to curry favor with him upon learning of his arrival in Baizhou.
It's unclear whether the Le family will come in person or rely on the Wen family's influence to intervene.
However, you'll know once you try it.
Shi Feng accepted the order and left. Soon, the news that Marquis Dingyuan, Lin Wei, had arrived in Baizhou spread like wildfire throughout the city.
When Le Zheng, the head of the Le family, learned of this news, he couldn't contain his excitement.
The fact that the Le family has been able to become the richest family in Baizhou for so many years is inseparable from the help of the Wen family. However, the Wen family's appetite has grown bigger and bigger in recent years, even though the Le family has secured the position of the richest family on the surface.
In reality, the Le family had to be mindful of the Wen family's wishes in many business dealings.
Most of the money earned went into the Wen family's pockets.
Le Zheng had long harbored resentment, but the Wen family held considerable leverage over him, preventing them from taking any rash action.
Now that Marquis Dingyuan, Lin Wei, has come to Baizhou, this is undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.
If he could establish a connection with Marquis Dingyuan, it might help him break free from the constraints of the Wen family.
So he carefully prepared a generous gift and, under the cover of night, led several important members of the Le family to Lin Wei's lodging to pay a low-key visit.
Lin Wei sat calmly in the main seat, watching Le Zheng and his entourage bow respectfully, already having made his plans.
With a forced smile, Yue Zheng carefully presented the generous gift, saying, "It is truly an honor for Baizhou to have the esteemed Marquis of Dingyuan grace us with his presence. I have prepared this small gift in hopes that Your Excellency will accept it with a smile."
Lin Wei smiled slightly, but did not accept it.
His gaze swept over the members of the Le family, and he slowly spoke: "Master Le, you are too kind. I have heard that the Le family has made great achievements in the business world of Baizhou. Recently, I took a stroll around Baizhou City and found that nine out of ten shops displayed the Le family's business emblem. It seems that the reputation is indeed well-deserved."
Upon hearing this, Le Zheng was overjoyed and quickly replied, "You flatter me, Your Excellency. The Le family is just a small-time merchant family, not worthy of being mentioned in public. We cannot compare to Your Excellency and Madam's noble status. It is an honor for the Le family to receive Your Excellency's praise."
His words were impeccable, he adopted a humble attitude without being annoying.
Le Zheng presented a visiting card with both hands: "Three days from now, there will be a dragon and fish lantern banquet in Baizhou City. The Le family has a pleasure boat on the Mojiang River with elegant seats set up on it. The location where it will be moored that evening will be an excellent viewing spot. I would like to extend a special invitation to the Marquis and his wife to enjoy the banquet together. I wonder if the Marquis would do me the honor of attending?"
Lin Wei nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Patriarch Le is too kind. My wife and I will certainly go."
Seeing that Lin Wei had agreed, Yue Zheng felt a great weight lifted from his heart, and his smile deepened: "In that case, I will wait for the Marquis and his wife on the pleasure boat."
After Yue Zheng left.
Shen Shu was quite surprised: "The Le family actually bypassed the Wen family and came directly to our door?"
It seems that the Le family is not as on good terms with the Wen family as they appear.
Otherwise, why would they avoid coming late at night? It's obvious they don't want the Wen family to know.
Lin Wei recalled what Wen Hengzhi had said before he set off for Baizhou.
The analysis continued, "The Wen family relies on the fact that three generations of their ancestors served as imperial tutors, and thus enjoy the honor of being enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Your uncle was also the top scholar in the Three Scholars Examination. When he was first sent down to Baizhou, he served as an official for more than 20 years. The Wen family has become the local tyrants of Baizhou. The Le family is at the height of their power in Baizhou, which must be inseparable from the help of your uncle."
Lin Wei narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a low voice, "The Wen family has been entrenched in Baizhou for many years, and their influence is deeply entrenched. If the Le family has no benefits to offer the Wen family, why would the Wen family support them?"
Shen Shu frowned slightly and pondered for a moment: "Back then, Shen Xiao was able to escape from Prince Cheng's hands because of my uncle's actions. Shen Xiao committed such a heinous crime, yet the Wen family was willing to help him. This shows how terrifying my uncle's power in Baizhou is. The Le family has been living under the Wen family for a long time, so I imagine their lives are not easy."
"My lord, this dragon and fish lantern banquet... does this Lord Yue intend to use you to get rid of the Wen family?"
Lin Wei's gaze was deep and unfathomable as he slowly said, "Le Zheng's actions are not simply to use me to get rid of the Wen family. He is a shrewd businessman and will not put all his chips on me alone."
"He invited us to the Dragon Fish Lantern Banquet for two reasons: first, to test our attitude toward the Wen family; and second, to take this opportunity to establish contact with this Marquis and pave the way for the Le family's future development in Baizhou."
Upon hearing this, Shen Shu's eyes flashed with understanding, and she said softly, "What the Marquis says is absolutely right. Yue Zheng is a man of deep thoughts. However, while his ideas are beautiful, we cannot let him scheme against us."
Lin Wei smiled slightly: "Then what does Madam wish to do?"
Shen Shu was still quite uncomfortable with him calling her "Madam".
She went to the window for some fresh air: "Naturally, we'll let the word out and see what the Wen family's attitude is."
"Le Zheng wants to find a way out, but he is unwilling to offend the Wen family openly. There is no such thing as a free lunch. We must make him have no other choice and no way to retreat."
The day after the news leaked.
Then people from the Wen family arrived.
It was the Wen family's butler who arrived.
But Shi Feng stopped him outside the courtyard.
"The Marquis and his wife stayed in Baizhou, and you kept it so well hidden. The Marquis is of noble birth, and the Marquis's wife is the niece of the Wen family. As the host, the Wen family has failed to give them a proper welcome. Please forgive us."
"The Wen family will be holding a family banquet at the Wen residence in two days. We would like to invite the Marquis and his wife to join us for a simple meal. After all, we are relatives, and it would be impolite not to visit."
Butler Wen's words were very insightful.
They could avoid offending anyone while using their family ties to exert pressure.
If the Marquis doesn't come, it would be disrespectful to his elders.
Shi Feng sneered inwardly: They think they can just dismiss a steward? The Wen family's rules are really outrageous.
"The lady is ill, and the Marquis will need to take care of her personally these next few days, so he may not be able to attend the banquet. Although the Wen family are the elders, the younger generation is unwell, and the elders would not force someone to go to see them, would they?"
Fortunately, Shen Shu and Lin Wei had already given Shi Feng instructions.
If they say someone from the Wen family is coming, you must refuse them.
Butler Wen almost lost his composure.
Although he was just a steward, in Baizhou City, he represented the Wen family and Lord Wen.
In Baizhou, you'll find yourself respected and addressed as "Sir" wherever you go.
Now that Shi Feng had retorted so bluntly, how could he swallow this insult?
Although Steward Wen was annoyed, he had to force a smile and cupped his hands, saying, "Since the Lady of the Marquis is unwell, then I will not disturb you any longer. I hope the Marquis will tell the Lady to take good care of herself. Once the Lady has recovered, the Wen family will welcome the Marquis and the Lady to visit us at any time."
After saying this, Butler Wen turned and left, filled with resentment and indignation.
The servant following Butler Wen whispered, "What do you mean by 'illness'? It's a lie. If he were ill, why would he have accepted the Le family's invitation?"
Butler Wen said coldly, "Shut up!"
"This matter still needs to be reported back to the master before a decision can be made. The Le family... it seems their wings have really hardened."
Shi Feng watched Butler Wen's departing figure, then turned back into the house and reported the matter to Lin Wei and Shen Shu.
Shen Shu thought to herself: Since I've already offended someone, I might as well make sure I'm completely clean of it.
"My lord, I've heard that Baizhou City is quite different from the capital. Why don't we go out for a stroll?"
Lin Wei smiled and said, "Since Madam is in such a good mood, I will certainly accompany her."
...
Soon, news of Shen Shu and Lin Wei's trip reached the Wen family residence.
Upon hearing this, Wen Qi, Shen Shu's uncle and the head of the Wen family, sneered: "Well, Shen Shu just refused the Wen family's banquet under the pretext of being unwell, and now she's gone out to travel. It's obvious that she doesn't take the Wen family seriously."
Instead of attending the Wen family's banquet, they gave the Le family face by going to their boat.
This made Wen Qi wonder if the Le family had reached some kind of agreement with Lin Wei.
The Le family wants to curry favor with Lin Wei, fine.
Then he sent the Le family to curry favor with them.
So he summoned the butler and whispered a few words of advice in his ear.
...
Three days later, night fell and the city lights came on.
On the Mo River, lights shone brightly, and cruise ships swayed gracefully on the water. Dragon fish lanterns twinkled with colorful light in the night sky, illuminating the entire city of Baizhou in a dreamlike manner.
Lin Wei and Shen Shu rode in a carriage to the Mo River.
Le Zheng had already been waiting there with the rest of the Le family. Upon seeing Lin Wei and Shen Shu arrive, he hurriedly stepped forward, his face full of fawning smiles: "Lord Marquis, Lady Marquis, welcome! The pleasure boat is ready, please follow me aboard."
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