Chapter 786: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 786: A Troubled Marriage (3)
Looking at the smile on Mo Yan's face, Liu Tinglan couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. At least her dear friend had hope. As long as the person she loved was willing to wait a few years, their relationship could blossom into a happy union. Unlike herself—she didn’t even dare to dream.
Thinking of her engagement with the Du family and that gentle, breeze-like man, a fleeting sadness crossed Liu Tinglan’s face. She quickly masked it with a smile, continuing to chat and laugh with her friend.
Half an hour later, the group who had gone to inspect the vegetable fields returned. Chu Heng immediately sought out Mo Yan, requesting that fresh fruits and vegetables be delivered to the palace daily.
Although the imperial palace had a hot spring estate where vegetables could be grown during winter, the yield was limited and costly, with produce that didn’t compare to the greenhouse vegetables of Liuyang Village in either appearance or variety. The same few options—greens and radishes—were served repeatedly.
This was a lucrative business opportunity, and Mo Yan didn’t have the courage to decline. She agreed but added one condition: the palace staff responsible for procurement would have to harvest and transport the produce themselves each day.
Chu Heng agreed without hesitation. Even if Mo Yan hadn’t brought it up, he would have suggested it. This way, any issues arising from the vegetables wouldn’t implicate the Mo family or Liuyang Village.
After lunch, the group prepared to depart.
Knowing everyone had their own matters to attend to, the Mo family father and daughter didn’t insist on keeping them. Instead, they gifted each household a basket of vegetables and two jars of treasured grape wine as parting gifts.
Shen Ji had arrived at the Mo family home by hiring a carriage from the street, as he didn’t have one of his own. On the return trip to the city, he had to rely on either the Han family or the Liu family for a ride. The Liu family had only brought one carriage, which already carried their young ladies, making it inconvenient for a grown man to join. The Han family had two carriages, so Shen Ji ended up riding with Han Zhiyun and the Han boys, while Madam Han and her daughters took the other carriage.
Upon arriving in the city, Shen Ji excused himself, claiming he had errands to run, and got off the Han family’s carriage. After bidding them farewell, he approached the Liu family’s carriage. Through the open door, he immediately spotted Liu Tinglan sitting inside.
Their eyes met, and both were startled by the sorrow in each other’s gaze. They quickly looked away, yet their hearts seemed to have been pierced, leaving a void that no amount of effort could fill.
Standing on the street, Shen Ji watched the Liu family’s carriage as it rolled away, growing smaller and smaller until it disappeared entirely. Only then did he turn around, his face filled with desolation. He hailed another carriage, but instead of heading home, he instructed the driver to take him to a place in the northern district called Changchun Alley, where the Du family—linked to the Liu family through marriage—resided.
...
That evening, Li Zhong, who was supposed to be staying at the shop, returned home unexpectedly and called Mo Yan out of the kitchen.
“Yan girl, today the escort agency didn’t wait for me to visit—they came by themselves to return the deposit we’d given them earlier. They said Madam Du is missing and, since she left of her own accord, the agency won’t be held responsible. What do you think about this?”
Mo Yan was surprised. “Madam Du didn’t return to the escort agency? Then where did she go?”
After the unpleasant confrontation yesterday, Mo Yan had resolved to send Madam Du back to her hometown by force to prevent her from causing more trouble. She hadn’t expected that Madam Du wouldn’t return to the agency. A woman like her couldn’t possibly travel hundreds of miles alone. Could she have stayed in the capital, planning to find a way to help Chen Ji? Or worse, had she been abducted?
While it wasn’t impossible, such incidents were rare in the capital and its surroundings, as the area was under strict imperial rule. Moreover, Madam Du was no longer young or attractive, making it unlikely that someone would take such a risk.
Li Zhong shook his head and said, “I’ve asked around at the Ministry of Justice prison, and no one there has seen her. If she doesn’t show up, perhaps she truly left the capital on her own.”
Mo Yan thought for a moment before replying, “Let’s leave it for now. Grandpa Li, please keep checking with the Ministry of Justice from time to time. If she turns up, let me know.”
(End of Chapter)
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