Upon hearing that she wanted to buy five hundred acres all at once, Li Zheng was taken aback, but after careful consideration, he ultimately took her to see the land.
Five hundred acres was no small amount and required a soil survey and price negotiation before the purchase. Besides, the matter of buying the hilltop and managing the busy affairs in these two days had Ji Xinhe running from village to village non-stop, leaving her no time to make a single visit to the shop.
Duan Lan had visited Change, The Little Shop, several times in the past two days, but never saw her. The shop was watched only by Ji Dong, and he hesitated to ask, fearing it would appear offensive. In his heart, he was somewhat disappointed, wondering what she had been busy with recently.
"Young master, you’ve come here several times without buying any wine, what on earth are you doing?" Qingyun, the accompanying servant boy, was utterly perplexed.
Duan Lan shook his head: "It’s okay."
Qingyun could not help but ask: "Young master, the capital has been urging you to return as soon as possible. We have been in Lian’an Town for three days. When do you plan to leave?"
Hearing this, Duan Lan felt a hollowness in his heart.
Leave?
If he left now, would they have the opportunity to meet again in this life? He would return to the capital and accept an incomprehensible marriage, and henceforth, she would no longer be connected to him.
Did he want such an ending?
Duan Lan’s face turned serious: "I won’t return for the time being. You should send a letter to the capital, saying that I intend to stay in Lian’an Town."
Qingyun’s eyes widened: "Ah? Young master, have you forgotten? This time, madam urged you to return precisely for the sake of the marriage. This..."
"You are to send the letter only." Duan said decisively: "I didn’t want the marriage in the first place."
He wanted it even less now!
Qingyun scratched his head: "But the young master had previously said that marriages within the aristocracy have always been beyond one’s control, and that you didn’t mind."
Duan Lan gave him a glance, and Qingyun immediately shut his mouth: "Yes, yes, yes, I’m going to write the letter." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
Duan Lan once again glanced into Change, The Little Shop. The shop was bustling with customers, but her figure was conspicuously missing. He sighed lightly and turned away.
As he was about to leave, he saw a horse carriage parked at the entrance of the shop. Instinctively, Duan Lan looked up and saw Ji Xinhe lifting the carriage curtain.
Duan Lan exclaimed in surprise: "Xin He!"
Ji Xinhe looked up in surprise, seeing Duan Lan startled her, but then she paid the coachman and jumped down from the carriage, smiling: "Brother Duan, what brings you here?"
Duan Lan could hardly hide his delight: "I just happened to be passing by and didn’t expect to run into you."
Qingyun looked strangely at his master who rarely lied, You have been waiting anxiously and making three trips here today, and now you happen to be just passing by?
Ji Xinhe, however, suspected nothing and smiled, inviting him in: "Please, Brother Duan, come in. This is my shop, Change. You rarely visit, so come in and have some tea first."
Of course, Duan Lan followed her in, smiling: "What have you been so busy with these days? I haven’t seen you."
"Hmm?" The question sounded strange.
Duan Lan quickly added: "You mentioned before that you would show me around Lian’an Town when you had time, but I haven’t seen you these days."
Only then did Ji Xinhe laugh embarrassingly: "I have indeed been rather busy these past few days."
She had completely forgotten about it.
As they both entered the shop, Ji Dong greeted them: "Xin He, you’re here? Have you sorted out the issue with the farmland?"
Ji Xinhe smiled: "Yes, big brother, rest assured, I personally visited several villages these past few days and finally chose the best large piece of farmland, about over five hundred acres, including a hilltop near our village. I’ve already gotten the deeds. You should have an idea about what kinds of fruits and vegetables we’re going to plant. This farmland and the hilltop will all be planned and arranged by my big brother."
Ji Dong nodded: "Good."
He then turned to Duan Lan, somewhat puzzled: "Who is this?"
Ji Xin He quickly answered: "His name is Duan Lan, a new friend I’ve met, who did me a big favor a few days ago."
Looking at Duan Lan, she continued: "This is my big brother, the one I told you about."
Upon hearing this, Ji Dong smiled: "I see, Young Master Duan."
Duan Lan also bowed in return, smiling: "Young Master Ji."
Ji Dong waved his hand with a laugh: "I’m not much of a Young Master. You two go chat inside while I watch the shop."
Xin He nodded: "Okay."
She then led Duan Lan to the inner chamber of the shop. This area of the shop was a small tea room. On ordinary days, precious or significant guests would be invited to this tea room for in-depth business discussions.
Ji Xinhe personally poured tea for him, then laughed: "This is just ordinary tea, I hope you don’t mind."
Duan Lan had a sip and laughed: "I never fuss about such matters. By the way, I heard you talking about buying land just now. Have you been busy with this for the past few days?" No wonder there were no people in the shop for several days.
Ji Xinhe nodded: "Yes, it’s better to produce our own materials for the business as it grows, otherwise, it will be uneconomical in the long run."
She paused before continuing: "I’m afraid I won’t be able to accompany Brother Duan to tour around Lian’an Town. I’m about to set off for the capital."
Duan Lan was taken aback: "To the capital?"
Ji Xinhe nodded: "There are some matters concerning business, and besides, I want to investigate that handkerchief."
Duan Lan’s eyes lit up, and he quickly replied: "Coincidentally, I’m also going to the capital. We can travel together!"
Ji Xinhe chuckled: "I thought Brother Duan said he would stay in Lian’an Town a while longer? I’m afraid you haven’t had enough time here. I’m leaving tomorrow, it’s a bit rushed."
"That’s fine, it’s nice to have some company on the road. It makes no difference if I leave a few days early. I’ll go home and pack as soon as I leave here. You, being a girl and unfamiliar with the capital, I can take care of you on the way." Duan Lan was both surprised and delighted.
Ji Xinhe laughed: "In that case, good."
Having finalized their plans, Duan Lan hurriedly went back to the Wang family. Qingyun had been waiting at the door for a while, and when he saw Duan Lan, he said: "I have already written the letter, ready to be sent out by the messenger. How many more days does the young master intend to stay in Lian’an Town? This way, I can clearly express it in the letter."
Duan Lan smiled, as radiant as the spring sun in March: "I’m leaving tomorrow."
"Ah?!" Qingyun widened his eyes. Young master, are you teasing me?
Duan Lan couldn’t help laughing: "What are you still standing there for? Go pack, I have to say goodbye to Master Wang. We’ll set off first thing tomorrow morning!"
Qingyun, with a crestfallen expression, swallowed, and managed to say: "Yes..."
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