Chapter 78 Change
As Fu Yunxiu had expected, no sooner had he left than the clan leader sent someone to invite Fu Ang over.
"The two stayed in the room for most of the hour, but as for what they talked about, I have no idea."
Fu Ang also had a skilled bodyguard by his side. If the guards got too close, they would be easily discovered. Fu Yunxiu didn't want to alert the enemy, so he had them keep an eye on things from a distance.
Next up was his second uncle's turn to perform.
After returning from the clan chief's house, Fu Ang stayed overnight in Su's room.
This was the first time in three years that the master had come to sleep in her room, and Madam Su was utterly flattered.
Although Fu Ang was getting on in years, he exuded a refined and scholarly air that made people feel neither pressured nor uncomfortable. When Madam Su saw him constantly rubbing his temples, she knew that his headache had flared up again.
"My lord, how about I give you a massage? It might make you feel better!"
Fu Ang opened his eyes, glanced at her, and nodded. "Okay!"
Su Shi learned her head-massaging skills specifically from Chen Shi, because Fu Ang always had headaches. Chen Shi often came to visit her, and after learning about this, she specially taught her the techniques.
For the past three years, Fu Ang had hardly ever set foot in her courtyard, so she had never had the opportunity to display her talents. Today was just the right day.
Su's technique was neither too light nor too heavy; her soft, boneless fingers gently massaged, quickly relieving Fu Ang's discomfort. This prompted him to speak, "How come I never noticed before that your massage skills are so good?"
Su was focused on giving a massage when she heard Fu Ang's question. She subconsciously replied, "I learned this from Ah Xin."
Ah Xin, also known as Chen, was named Chen Xin.
“Her,” Fu Ang sighed softly, as if he had just remembered someone, “I remember you two used to have a pretty good relationship, it’s just a pity.”
He sighed, "But I heard you're getting quite close to Madam Wang these days?"
"It's not Madam Wang, it's the third concubine of the Wang family. Last time I was harassed by the shopkeeper, it was thanks to her help. As for Madam Wang, we just bumped into each other while shopping last time and chatted for a bit."
"Oh, so what did you talk about?"
Upon hearing this, Madam Su immediately sensed something was amiss. It felt as if her husband was interrogating her.
But soon she realized she was making a mountain out of a molehill. She was a nobody in the household, so what was there to be wary of? It was probably just idle chatter.
Thinking of this, Madam Su stopped hiding her feelings and told the truth: "It was just some topics between women. Oh, by the way, Madam Wang also mentioned Ah Xin and asked me what my relationship with her was like and whether we had been in contact."
Upon hearing this, Fu Ang opened his eyes instantly, a cold killing intent flashing in them, but Su Shi did not see it behind him.
"So what did you say?"
"To be honest, we have no idea whether Ah Xin is alive or dead, so how could I have any contact with her?" Thinking of Chen Xin, Madam Su felt very sorry for her. How could such a good person just disappear like that?
Besides, everyone else said she ran away, but Su Shi was more inclined to believe that she was burned to death, since the west wing where she lived was the most engulfed by the fire.
Lord Fu had been kind to her, so she had no motive to harm him, let alone run away on her own.
The world is vast, where could a woman like her possibly escape to?
Lost in thought, Madam Su gradually stopped what she was doing. Fu Ang took the opportunity to gently push her hand away, got up and left the bed. "Alright, you must be tired after massaging me for so long. It's getting late, go to sleep."
After saying that, he left the room.
Still warm from her hands, Madam Su looked at the empty bed, then at the wide-open door, and couldn't help but call out, "Master..."
Didn't we say we were going to stay in her room tonight?
Fu Ang's strange behavior naturally reached Fu Yunxiu's ears without missing a word. Although the guards didn't hear what the two talked about behind closed doors, this alone was enough to show that Fu Ang was suspicious.
Next, he just had to wait for Fu Ang to slip up.
In order to force Fu Ang to take action quickly, Fu Yunxiu made several high-profile visits to people who were on good terms with Fu Ang, and even specifically mentioned the Chen family during the banquets, asking them how much they knew about the Chen family.
However, for several days in a row, Fu Ang did not make any move. He went out to the store to check the accounts and socialize as usual. The only time he went on a long trip was because there was a problem with the supply of goods and he had to go there in person.
The waiting time is the most agonizing, and even Fu Yunxiu would inevitably become impatient and restless after a long time.
"Young Master, Young Master?" After Fu Yunxiu lost focus again while she was speaking, Aman couldn't help but call out to him softly.
"Hmm, what's wrong?" Fu Yunxiu snapped out of his daze and turned to look at Aman.
"I was saying that I've looked at a few shops these past few days, and two of them seem pretty good. I'd like you to help me decide," Aman said, then added with some concern, "You look so worried. Is something bothering you?"
Fu Yunxiu didn't answer Aman's question, but just shook his head, "It's nothing. But you, what's the matter with you, why did you suddenly decide to open a shop?"
"It's not that the weather is getting hotter every day. Nowadays, we make a lot of floral water, and it's easy for it to spoil if it's exposed to the scorching sun for a long time. Besides, I've saved up enough money. Having a shop would be more convenient for customers, and I wouldn't have to run around every day."
The shops she looked at all had a backyard, which could be tidied up and made habitable, so she wouldn't have to run back and forth between the two places and would have more time to develop new cosmetics.
Anyway, she's the only one living in Wutong Garden now, so it doesn't matter where she lives.
After hearing his words, Fu Yunxiu frowned. "You want to move out of Wutong Garden?"
For some reason, this gave him a sense of crisis. "No, Wutong Garden is at least backed by the Marquis's mansion, so I feel more at ease having it with me around."
He wouldn't allow Aman to leave his sight.
Aman didn't care about that. She knew Fu Yunxiu was worried about her safety, so she went along with her and said, "Okay, it's not far anyway, it's just on Sifang Street up ahead."
Sifang Street is just one alley away from Changqing Street, with a large flow of people, and most importantly, the prices are relatively cheap and reasonable. The shop that Aman had his eye on was originally a restaurant, but it was put up for sale because the owner moved to another place with his son.
Buying a shop requires money, and decorating the shop also requires money. Although Aman has enough money to cover his expenses, he still needs to be careful with his money.
"Young master, when do you have time to come with me and give me your advice?" Aman trusted his aesthetic sense; if she could get his guidance, her shop would surely shine.
Aman was full of confidence, but Fu Yunxiu looked troubled. "Aman, can we not open this shop for now?"
"..." As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, Aman's smile vanished instantly. "Why?"
“The Marquis’s mansion is in turmoil right now, and I really don’t have the energy to take care of you,” Fu Yunxiu said. “How about we wait a little longer? Once the Marquis’s mansion is settled, I’ll help you find a bigger and better shop.”
“But I…” Aman wanted to say that she didn’t want to.
It seems that ever since the young master's leg healed, he has been making her wait. Waiting for him to take over as head of the family, waiting for things to calm down, waiting for everything to pass.
Aman can wait for everything else, but opening a shop is Aman's dream. She has been planning for a long time, and she doesn't want to wait.
“Young master,” Aman calmed down and said patiently, “I have already spoken with the broker and paid the deposit.”
The deposit covers both shops; Aman only needs to make the final decision on which one he wants, and that will be considered as rent. If Aman decides not to want either shop, the deposit will be considered as a service fee for the broker and will not be refunded.
What Aman was trying to say was that there was no room for maneuver in this matter.
But Fu Yunxiu said, "It's just a few deposits, I can just take it. Aman, the Marquis's mansion is in grave danger right now, I really..."
“Young master,” Aman interrupted him, “the Marquis’s mansion is fraught with danger, what does it have to do with me? I’ll just run my shop and won’t bother anyone.”
“But you are the person I love,” Fu Yunxiu said. “You are the person I want to marry, Aman. My second uncle is ruthless. If I push him to the brink, I don’t know what extreme things he might do. I can only protect you, Aman, within the scope of my authority. So, don’t distract me, don’t hold me back, okay, Aman?”
Fu Yunxiu's face showed a hint of fatigue.
It was weariness of the treacherous nature of the Marquis's mansion, hatred of one's own powerlessness, and the agony of being trapped in a quagmire from which there is no escape.
Seeing all this, Aman felt sorry for him and was also somewhat puzzled. "Young master, can't we go back to our old life?"
Although life was tough before, at least it was carefree and unrestrained.
“There’s no going back, Aman.” The Marquis’s mansion is a huge quagmire; once you step in, there’s no turning back. Besides, his father’s revenge hasn’t been taken, and the culprit hasn’t been brought to justice. How can he turn back?
The three of them parted on bad terms at dinner.
That night, Aman didn't sleep a wink.
She didn't want to give up her dream of opening a shop, but she also didn't want to put Fu Yunxiu in a difficult position. These two thoughts kept Aman in turmoil, keeping her awake until dawn.
The next day, Aman went out with dark circles under her eyes. She had just set up her stall when the broker who had previously asked her to look at his house came knocking on her door.
Upon seeing him, Aman felt a sudden panic, because she hadn't yet decided whether or not to buy the shop.
"Madam Lin, you're opening your shop so early?" the brothel owner said with a smile.
"I couldn't sleep, so I decided to come over early," Aman said, struggling with how to start the conversation. "Mr. Wang, about that house..."
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, Madam Chen, I've already sold those two shops you were looking at," the broker said.
"Sold out?" Aman couldn't help but frown. "Didn't we agree to keep it for me? I've already paid the deposit."
"That makes sense, but the other party is quite powerful and offered a lot of money, so I can't..." The clerk was a little embarrassed, "I'm really sorry, but don't worry, I'll refund your deposit in full. Next time you ask me to view a house, I won't charge you. Consider it compensation. How does that sound?"
Whether it's good or bad, the house has already been sold, so what can Aman do now?
"That person just happened to buy the two properties I had my eye on?" Aman asked, somewhat doubtful. How could it be such a coincidence?
"No, that person bought two more places, four in total, saying he wanted to open a general store, all with goods from foreign countries."
This dispelled Aman's doubts; perhaps it really was just a coincidence.
Since she was already struggling with whether or not to open a shop, she decided to take it as fate making the choice for her. Aman took back her deposit, and the dentist was extremely grateful to her, saying that if Aman asked him to look at properties next time, he would definitely help her find the best shop.
Aman didn't say anything, just smiled and nodded.
That night, Fu Yunxiu came to Wutong Garden for a short rest. When Aman told him about this, he wasn't surprised at all.
"With the new emperor's ascension to the throne, neighboring foreign kingdoms have come to offer tribute and congratulations. Many foreign merchants have also taken this opportunity to come, hoping to trade and make a fortune. Yongzhou is rich in resources and not far from the capital, so it is indeed a good choice. Haven't you noticed that there are more and more people wearing foreign clothing on the streets lately?"
Aman thought about it and realized that it really was true.
There was also a woman from another ethnic group who spoke in a broken Mandarin, saying that her floral dew wasn't as strong as their perfume.
"So that's how it is. I thought you didn't want me to open a shop, so you deliberately bought those two shops." Aman spoke the truth.
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Fu Yunxiu's face, but it only lasted for a moment, so fast it was almost imperceptible.
He hugged Aman tighter, "How could that be? I'll buy you a bigger shop later to make it up to you."
A large, bony hand groped around Aman's waist, making Aman so embarrassed that she reached out to stop him, thus failing to notice the loophole in Fu Yunxiu's words.
He didn't do anything to wrong her, so there's no question of compensation.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
