Enraged
Hongdou presented a confidential report detailing the recent activities of medicinal herb merchants and various families in the central district, presented in a clear and detailed manner.
After quickly glancing through the text, Yu Mobai's eyes lit up with approval. He gently patted Hongdou's shoulder, his tone sincere.
“Well done, Red Bean, this information is crucial.”
Upon receiving the young master's approval, Hongdou's cheeks instantly flushed red, even his ears turning a happy pink. He nodded vigorously.
"It is Hongdou's duty to share the young master's burdens!"
Since the unpleasant ending of that party, Yu Mobai has never set foot in the Liu residence again.
He seemed to have completely forgotten Liu Jinhuai's displeasure and instead devoted all his energy to important matters.
He began to frequent the bustling trading market in the city center, where merchants from all over gathered.
Yu Mobai changed into more casual clothes that were easier to move in and lingered among the various herbal medicine stalls.
He was handsome and witty, yet he didn't act like a city lord, so he quickly became acquainted with several major medicinal herb merchants.
He could not only accurately describe the quality of medicinal herbs from different regions, but also chat about his experiences along the way, which made the merchants laugh heartily.
"Lord Yu, you are truly a remarkable person!"
A pharmaceutical merchant from the south patted him on the shoulder.
"Just because of you, the caravan will definitely make a detour to Yancheng next time!"
"Then it's a deal!"
Yu Mobo smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, his eyes bright.
"I can't speak for anything else in Yancheng, but we have plenty of good medicinal herbs and fine wine!"
After establishing initial contact with the herbal medicine merchants, Yu Mobai immediately visited several well-known herbalists in the central district.
These master craftsmen possess superb skills and are key to cultivating high-quality medicinal herbs.
He prepared generous gifts, offering large sums of money and a prestigious position, and spoke earnestly.
However, the remoteness and poverty of Yancheng were objective facts, and in the end only a few ambitious or opportunity-seeking apothecaries were willing to follow him to the border town.
This result was within Yu Mobai's expectations. He was not discouraged and sincerely thanked every experienced craftsman who was willing to go.
Watching her young master travel around day after day, dealing with all sorts of people and putting on a smiling face, Hongdou felt as if a lump of cotton was stuck in her heart, both suffocating and aching.
He thought of those arrogant, pleasure-seeking young noblemen at parties, and an indescribable sense of frustration welled up inside him.
"Young master."
Hongdou couldn't help but mutter under her breath, her tone filled with heartache and dissatisfaction.
"These trivial matters of running errands and negotiating can be handled by your subordinates. Why do you have to do everything yourself..."
Yu Mobai had just finished exchanging preferences for medicinal herbs from different regions with a burly man dressed as a merchant when he turned around and saw Hongdou with her head drooping, looking like a wronged little wife.
He couldn't help but chuckle, and lightly tapped Hongdou's forehead with his finger.
"Silly boy, what are you muttering about?"
Yu Mobai's eyes held a gentle reproach, but even deeper was a clear-headed understanding of the ways of the world.
"We came out to do serious business and make a living, not to act like city lords."
How can one discern the truth and the sincerity of these connections and information without personally experiencing them? Only through hands-on involvement can one gain a clear understanding.
— — — —
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Liu residence plummeted to freezing point.
Liu Jinhuai sat alone in his study, not turning a single page of the book in front of him for a long time.
His face was gloomy, and his fingertips unconsciously tapped the rosewood tabletop, making a dull sound.
It's been three whole days.
Yu Mobai didn't visit for three days, not even sending a message!
At first, he was just a little jealous—angry that Yu Mobai smiled so brightly at others at the party.
In particular, he showed that kind of expression to that good-for-nothing Song Chuwu.
He had been waiting, waiting for Yu Mobai to come and explain and apologize with his usual pleasing smile. He had even rehearsed countless ways to "make things difficult" for him in his mind.
You have to force him to promise that from now on, those bright eyes will only follow you.
But what about now?
Forget about apologizing; it was as if the man had vanished into thin air! According to reports from his subordinates, he spent his days loitering in the filthy, noisy market, befriending those money-grubbing merchants!
This feeling of being completely ignored, as if he were insignificant, was more unbearable to him than the jealousy he felt that day.
The jealousy had long since fermented into a burning anger that scorched his internal organs. His chest was so tight that he could hardly breathe. When had he, Liu Jinhuai, ever been treated so disrespectfully?
"Bang!"
He slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups clink.
Good, very good, Yu Mobai!
He gritted his teeth inwardly. Tomorrow… if you still haven't appeared by tomorrow, don't blame me…
All the servants in the Liu household held their breath, afraid of accidentally offending their unpredictable master.
— — — —
In the autumn of the central district, the wind already carried a distinct chill.
Outside the villa where Yu Mobai was staying, a richly decorated carriage had been parked for a long time in the bleak wind.
Liu Jin, wrapped in an expensive black fox fur cloak, had been suppressing his anxiety for days and a hint of anger forcibly held back between his brows.
It's the fourth day.
Yu Mobai remained completely out of contact. He recalled his cousin Song Guansui's recent near-madness due to Jiang Manyan, and felt a chill run down his spine.
He warned himself that Yu Mobai was, after all, the lord of a city, and he must have some official duties to attend to. He could not end up like Song Guansui, having such an unbearable situation with his mistress.
Liu Jinhuai should be more refined and know how to control himself better.
After such self-consolation, his pitiful patience finally ran out.
He finally swallowed his pride and decided to meet Yu Mobai in person.
He had even planned to invite him to visit the plum garden where the plum blossoms were just beginning to bloom, so as to lightly brush aside the past few days of neglect.
He straightened his robes and was about to condescend to get out of the carriage when, just as he lifted the curtain, his gaze was fixed on the scene in the pavilion not far away, and his blood seemed to freeze instantly.
Inside the pavilion, Yu Mobai was having a pleasant conversation with a man dressed in brocade robes.
Liu Jinhuai recognized the man; he was Xie Xiuyun, a well-known medicinal herb merchant in the central district, known for her gentle demeanor and substantial wealth.
At this moment, Xie Xiuyun's face was filled with undisguised admiration. He was taking off his priceless silver fox fur cloak and gently, almost with great care, draping it over Yu Mobai's slightly thin shoulders.
The concern in his voice was almost overflowing.
"Lord Yu, the weather is cold and the wind is strong, please take care of yourself."
Yu Mobai seemed momentarily stunned by the sudden intimacy, but then a happy smile appeared on his face, which always stirred Liu Jinhuai's emotions.
Yu Mobai didn't even refuse; instead, he readily bowed and thanked him.
The two stood in the pavilion, surrounded by an atmosphere of tacit understanding and harmony, oblivious to the presence of others. The silver-gray cloak of the two stood out starkly against the gloomy autumn scenery.
All of Liu Jinhuai's carefully constructed "demeanor" and "understanding" collapsed in the face of this scene.
A surge of anger mixed with being ignored, jealousy fueled by provocation, and a hint of indescribable panic suddenly rose in Liu Jinhuai's heart, more chilling than the autumn cold.
Consumed by jealousy, Liu Jinhuai could no longer restrain himself.
He strode over, ignoring Xie Xiuyun who was talking animatedly, grabbed Yu Mobai's wrist with surprising force, and his voice was as cold as ice.
"Come with me!"
Caught off guard, Yu Mobai stumbled as he was pulled, a look of surprise flashing across his face.
"Brother Huaijin?"
Xie Xiuyun, who was standing to the side, was interrupted. Seeing the person's rudeness, she immediately frowned and her tone became displeased.
"Young master? What is the meaning of this? I was discussing important matters with Lord Yu..."
"Important matter?"
Liu Jinhuai sneered, his eyes sweeping contemptuously over Xie Xiuyun, revealing the arrogance of a top-tier noble's son.
"What important matter could a mere merchant like you possibly have that would warrant Lord Yu's attention? Get out of my way!"
Yu Mobai's wrist was gripped so tightly it hurt. Seeing Liu Jinhuai's overbearing manner, he felt displeased and tried to ease the tension.
"Brother Huaijin, Boss Xie is sincerely discussing the trade of medicinal herbs with me, which will benefit the people of Yancheng..."
His attempt to defend her only made things worse.
Liu Jinhuai felt that Yu Mobai was refuting him for the sake of this "lowly" businessman, and he could no longer suppress the anger in his heart.
He abruptly shook off Yu Mobai's hand, and before Xie Xiuyun could speak again, he kicked her hard in the stomach!
"Hmm!"
Xie Xiuyun let out a painful groan, caught off guard and kicked to the ground. Her face instantly drained of color, and she glared at Liu Jinhuai with shock and anger.
"Brother Huaijin!"
Yu Mobai exclaimed in surprise and tried to help Xie Xiuyun, but Liu Jinhuai grabbed him more roughly and practically dragged him into the waiting carriage.
The Liu family servants, who had been standing silently to the side, immediately dragged Xie Xiuyun away. Xie Xiuyun initially wanted to resist, but upon seeing the Liu family insignia on the carriage, her face turned pale...
The carriage was spacious and covered with thick carpets.
Liu Jinhuai pressed Yu Mobai hard against the soft car wall, and then his shadow fell over him.
He used one arm to press down firmly on Yu Mobai's shoulder, trapping him firmly between the seat and his own body.
With his other hand, he gripped Yu Mobai's chin with irresistible force, forcing him to raise his head.
The two were so close that they could hear each other breathing.
Liu Jinhuai's face no longer held the composure he usually maintained; only a gloomy expression twisted by jealousy and anger remained.
He stared into Yu Mobai's eyes, which remained calm but concealed turmoil, and spoke harshly, enunciating each word clearly.
"Yu Mobai, what do you get out of all this scheming to curry favor with these worthless good-for-nothings? Hmm?"
He pressed his fingertips hard, almost leaving a mark on that smooth jawline.
"You'd be better off just trying to please me! As long as I'm happy, even a little bit of money slipping through my fingers will be enough for your wretched Goose City to enjoy endlessly!"
The air inside the carriage was still, with only Liu Jinhuai's heavy breathing and Yu Mobai's silent yet fierce struggle as he confined him to the small space.
This meticulously planned "cultivation of feelings" has finally revealed its hidden, dangerous, and real fangs of power at this moment.
Hongdou, who had followed, was already frantic. He wanted to get on the carriage and rescue his master.
However, Liu's servants held him tightly and even gagged him with a handkerchief.
The air inside the carriage seemed to freeze.
Liu Jinhuai's vicious words echoed in the small space. He held Yu Mobai's chin with undiminished force, his hot breath spraying onto the other's face.
Liu Jinhuai waited to see if he would be afraid, give in, or finally tear off that docile facade.
However, Yu Mobai's reaction was beyond his expectations.
Yu Mobo neither struggled nor cursed.
After the initial shock, the astonishment and anger in his eyes caused by the rough treatment quickly settled into a... almost desolate calm.
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