Chapter 703: The Father of the Girl Found a Son-in-Law (4)

Mo Qingze was also writing invitations in his study, including one for Xiao Ruiyuan, as well as for the future “son-in-law” he had in mind. As an open-minded father, he hoped his daughter could see the candidate for herself, knowing that if she didn’t approve, he wouldn’t force the matter.

Mo Yan, of course, was unaware of this and thus didn’t know that her father’s well-meaning plans might go to waste.

Both Mo Yan and Mo Qingze went door to door to inform the villagers personally. They weren’t ones to put on airs, and every invited neighbor accepted the invitation with gratitude. A few, like Cai Shi and  Zhou shi, even offered to come early on the 28th to help.

The 28th arrived quickly. Villagers began setting up tables and chairs in Mo’s yard early in the morning. Men gathered in groups, chatting and snacking on melon seeds while keeping an eye on their rambunctious children, warning them not to misbehave or they’d call the Five Beasts to nibble their bottoms.

The children weren’t afraid at all and continued their play, running around with sticks and making a commotion that filled the yard.

Some parents, annoyed by the noise and worried their children might damage Mo’s belongings, decided to let them run wild outside.

The women were busy in the back yard washing and preparing food. This time, more people attended than when they were preparing for the winter room, requiring more than double the ingredients. Thankfully, there were plenty of helpers, leaving Xin’er and the other girls to sweep up vegetable scraps that had fallen to the ground to keep the area clean.

By mid-morning, carriages from the Liu and Han families arrived together. Mo Yan and Mo Qingze welcomed them at the door.

Master Liu had specifically taken leave to come with his wife and daughter. As they disembarked, they approached Mo Yan and bowed, “Greetings, Lady Hejia!”

Mo Yan was taken aback and hurriedly helped them up, pretending to be upset, “How can Yan’er, as a junior, accept such grand courtesy from Uncle Liu and Aunt Liu!”

Master Liu smiled and remained silent, while Madam Liu stepped forward to hold Mo Yan’s hand and gently said, “Even though the Lady is younger, she has been officially bestowed the title of County Princess by the emperor. The courtesy is due.”

Before Mo Yan could say more, Liu Tinglan, smiling, took her arm and said, “My parents are old-fashioned and fixated on manners. Just let them be. We’re still good friends.”

Madam Liu gave her daughter a reproachful look and said, “You’re the most unruly here, even daring to play tricks on your parents!”

Liu Tinglan stuck out her tongue, made a face at Mo Yan, and hid behind her.

Madam Liu, unable to deal with her daughter’s behavior, shot her a few more glares and decided to deal with her later, feeling reassured that Mo Yan treated their family as usual.

As the only daughter, the Lius couldn’t take care of her forever. They hoped that having a friend like Mo Yan, who was now a county princess, would mean that Tinglan would have someone to support her in the future. They just wished the friendship between the two girls wouldn't last.

Mo Yan pulled Liu Tinglan to the front, holding her hand and seriously said, “Of course we’re good friends. We’ve even said we’d be lifelong friends. Even if you want to leave me, I’ll stick to you.”

The words moved Liu Tinglan so much that she momentarily forgot where they were and, in front of her strict parents, kissed Mo Yan on the cheek and said, “Yes, we’ll be lifelong friends. It would be best if we never had to find husbands and just stay together!”

Master and Madam Liu were stunned by their daughter’s bold behavior and comments. Seeing Madam Liu’s forehead twitching as if she was about to scold her in public, Mo Qingze quickly stepped in to smooth things over, joking, “We adults are not as open-minded as children. No matter how our status changes, the friendship between our families remains unchanged.”

His words touched Master and Madam Liu. Madam Liu shot her daughter a few more disapproving glances and decided to wait until they got home to “educate” her properly.

Master Liu, after asking about Mo Qingze’s ranking, patted him on the shoulder and laughed, “I knew I hadn’t misjudged you. Zi Yu achieving success on his first attempt is indeed impressive!”

Mo Qingze humbly cupped his hands and expressed his gratitude, “It’s thanks to Brother Jianan’s recommendation. Without it, Zi Yu would have had no chance of entering Changshan Academy, let alone passing the exams!”

Mo Qingze spoke from the heart. He was indeed grateful for Master Liu’s recommendation, which had provided him with a good learning environment and allowed him to excel in his studies within a year.

“Brother Jianan merely pointed the way. If you were lacking in talent or ambition, even if I had three heads and six arms, I couldn’t have helped you. However…” Master Liu paused and continued hesitantly, “Given Zi Yu’s solid foundation and recent impressive essays, I predict he could easily make it into the top twenty!”

Mo Qingze’s smile faded slightly as he replied, “Perhaps it was nerves that affected his performance.”

Master Liu was surprised, not expecting his friend to offer such an explanation. He could believe that Han Zhiyun might underperform due to nerves, but he found it hard to believe Mo Qingze would be affected in the same way.

Since his friend had given such an explanation, it seemed there was something more that couldn’t be said, so Master Liu chose not to press further.

Mo Yan, overhearing this conversation, was almost certain that her father was hiding something significant from her. She decided she must clarify things with him that night.

At that moment, Han Zhiyun arrived with his little daughter. Shivering from the cold wind, he hurriedly called out to the others chatting at the door, “Let’s go inside and talk! Don’t let my daughter freeze out here!”

(The End of this Chapter)

 Chapter 702: The Father of the Girl Found a Son-in-Law (3)

After laughing for a while, Xin’er thought better of it and murmured, “Father has a thin skin. This matter would hurt his pride as a father too much, so it’s best not to mention it. Sister, what are you thinking about?”

Seeing her sister lost in thought, Xin’er nudged her arm, concerned. 

Mo Yan snapped out of it and forced a smile, saying, “It’s nothing. I was just thinking about the banquet on the 28th and the guest list.”

Hearing this, Xin’er didn’t suspect anything and hesitated before asking, “Sister, will we be inviting Brother Xiao?”

Mo Yan’s eyelids twitched, and she feigned curiosity, “Why do you ask about Lord Xiao? Do you hope he’ll come?”

Xin’er nodded vigorously, “Brother Xiao is really nice. Father likes him a lot, as does Zhen’er. Even you seem to prefer Brother Xiao over Brother Yan. Isn’t it great to invite him?”

Mo Yan was taken aback. How did this girl notice that she liked Xiao more than Yan Junyu? 

Seemingly reading her confusion, Xin’er earnestly explained, “First, you call him ‘Brother Xiao’ while referring to Brother Yan as ‘Young Master.’ Second, you’ve said that people act more casually around those they’re familiar with. You’re much more polite to Brother Yan than to Brother Xiao. All this shows that you’re closer to Brother Xiao.”

Mo Yan was sweating internally. When did this girl become so perceptive? She had to be more careful when Xiao Dage visited in the future to avoid giving away any clues.

But then Xin’er said something that nearly made Mo Yan stumble and fall.

“Sigh, although Brother Xiao is nice, he’s too cold and older. He doesn’t suit you at all! Otherwise, when you turn sixteen, Father could consider him as a suitor.” Xin’er sighed, her pretty face showing a look of melancholy.

Mo Yan’s heart raced. Fearing that the little girl might say something even more shocking, she pretended to be angry and interrupted, “Is this something a young girl should say? What if others hear you?”

Xin’er, feeling reluctant, shut her mouth but muttered quietly, “I’m not wrong. You’re turning sixteen next year. I accidentally overheard Father talking to Uncle Han, saying he’s looking for a good match for you at the academy and plans to reveal it after the autumn exams. You don’t seem to be worried about it, but I am!”

Mo Yan was alarmed. Her father hadn’t mentioned this to her. “Why didn’t you tell me about this sooner?”

Xin’er, looking a bit embarrassed, said, “I was caught eavesdropping by Father. He forbade me from telling you. If I hadn’t let it slip today, I wouldn’t have told you at all!”

Mo Yan, feeling helpless, had been planning to find a good time to discuss her feelings for Xiao Dage with her father. Now, it seemed her father had already found a match for her. How was she supposed to bring this up?

Xin’er assumed her sister was unwilling and, noticing her sister’s sour expression, stuck out her tongue and kept quiet.

...

Mo Yan spent the entire night troubled by what her father might be hiding and her own concealed feelings, tossing and turning. The next day, she ended up with dark circles under her eyes and had to rest her head on the table as she wrote out invitations. In her own name, she sent invitations to Yan Junyu, the Liu family, the Han family, Manager Tong, and Manager Mu. After much deliberation, she also wrote one for Xiao Ruiyuan.

(The End of this Chapter)

  Chapter 701: The Father of the Girl Found a Son-in-Law (2)

Mo Qingze nodded with a smile, his eyes full of indulgence toward his daughter. The father  and daughter selected an auspicious date from the calendar, finding that only the 22nd, 26th, and 28th of the month were considered lucky. After discussion, they settled on October 28th, which coincided with Zhen’er and Yun Zhao’s vacation.

During dinner that night, Mo Yan brought out a jar of wine, not too old, and poured a glass for everyone, even filling a small cup for the youngest, Sheng’er. The family gathered around the table, enjoying a lively meal together.

Perhaps due to the fulfillment of long-held wishes, Mo Qingze was in high spirits. After finishing his first glass of wine, he found it insufficient and poured several more for himself, although he hardly ate any of the dishes.

“Father, you can’t drink anymore; you’ll feel unwell!” Mo Yan said firmly as Mo Qingze finished his eighth glass and reached for the ninth. She refused to let him drink more and took the wine jar away.

The wine produced in their space wasn’t harmful to the body, but drinking too much could cause prolonged drowsiness and discomfort. Mo Yan wasn’t about to let her father suffer from that!

Mo Qingze still tried to reach for the jar but was feeling increasingly dizzy and uncomfortable. Frowning, he eventually gave up and picked up his chopsticks to eat some steamed meatballs.

However, despite several attempts, his trembling chopsticks failed to pick up a single meatball. Frustrated, he slapped the chopsticks on the table and grumbled, “I’m not eating anymore; it’s too difficult!”

His childish behavior left everyone at the table stunned, and they soon couldn’t help but stifle their laughter.

Mo Yan, observing her father’s sudden regression to a much younger state, helplessly stood up and went to his side. She took up the chopsticks and began feeding him his favorite dishes, spoonful by spoonful.

He needed something in his stomach to ease the effects of the alcohol! 

Mo Qingze, clearly intoxicated, was oblivious to his surroundings. Like a child, he obediently opened his mouth for the food. Fortunately, his intoxication wasn’t severe; he wouldn’t remember the events of the night when he woke up the next morning, or he’d be quite embarrassed.

After feeding him quite a bit, Mo Yan made a bowl of nourishing crispy rice porridge and fed him slowly. Mo Qingze, overwhelmed by the drowsiness, fell asleep at the table before finishing the porridge.

Mo Yan had no choice but to put down the bowl and, with Xin’er’s help, support her father back to his room.

The two sisters worked hard to remove his outer garments to make him more comfortable, and Mo Yan fetched warm water to wipe his face. Just as she was applying the wet cloth, Mo Qingze suddenly opened his eyes, grasped her wrist tightly, and said with a startling clarity, “Yan’er, don’t be afraid. Father will protect you and won’t let anyone harm you!”

Mo Yan was startled and suddenly recalled the words her father had spoken in his sleep the day she brought him home, causing a wave of unease to rise in her heart.

She composed herself and asked cautiously, “Father, are you hiding something from me?”

Mo Qingze looked at his eldest daughter, seemingly not understanding her question.

Just as Mo Yan was about to ask again, his grip on her wrist loosened, and his previously clear eyes became glazed again. His head fell to one side, and he fell asleep once more.

Mo Yan, despite her many concerns, couldn’t help but be both amused and exasperated by the situation. She shook her head, covered her father with a blanket, and, burdened with worries, walked with Xin’er back to the front courtyard.

On the way, Xin’er, unaware of her sister’s thoughts, cheerfully said, “I didn’t expect Father to have such a childish side. I’ll definitely tell him about it when he wakes up. Haha!”

 Chapter 1570: Shopping and Lottery

After everything was ready, Shu Yu checked the time and it was almost Mao hour (5-7 a.m.). Though it was still early, the streets were already bustling with people.

Many passersby were curious about the vertical propaganda posters, which were undoubtedly the most eye-catching.

Some even asked who drew the cute cartoon characters on the posters and if they could get one drawn for them.

Smiling, Shu Yu explained and also introduced the situation inside the shop. She invited them to come in and take a look when it officially opened.

Everyone became interested, especially in the lottery activity, which was quite appealing.

As Chenshi (7-9 a.m.) approached, a group of children ran over and looked up at Shu Yu, saying, "Sister Xiangjun, we're here!"

Shu Yu smiled, "You came so early? Thank you for coming. Here, each of you gets a bag of sunflower seeds. I'll rely on you all later."

These children ranged from eleven to twelve years old and some were as young as six or seven. There were about a dozen of them, all lively and articulate.

Shu Yu had found them a couple of days ago to help attract customers. Although they had a catchy rhyme to draw people in, the opening day still required some strong promotion.

The oldest boy stepped forward and, after putting the sunflower seeds in his pocket, earnestly said, "Sister Xiangjun, don't worry. We will work hard. We've all cleaned our faces and hands, and look, we even styled our hair and trimmed our nails."

"You've done well."

"Then, we'll go now." The praised boy's joyful expression became even more evident.

Shu Yu waved her hand, "Go ahead, remember to start when it's Chenshi."

"Understood."

The children, each with a bag of sunflower seeds, some even eating a couple on the spot, looked satisfied. When Shu Yu gave them the signal, they dispersed in groups of three or two, running in different directions.

As Chenshi arrived, these children started shouting, "Fengtao Lane's Luji store is opening! Selling sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, and you can even participate in a lottery. If you buy items worth more than two hundred wen, you get a chance to draw a prize. Everyone can win something!"

"Luji store grand opening! Come and join the lottery! The first prize is valuable!"

At this time, most people who needed to go out had already left, and even those from outside the city came in for shopping.

With their enthusiastic calls, even people on the other side of a lane could hear them.

Soon, passersby who were intrigued by the lottery stopped the children and asked, "Is it true there's a lottery? What's the first prize?"

"You'll know when you come and see. There are three first prizes."

Some muttered in a low voice, "Only three? With so many people, we probably won't have a chance."

The clever kids quickly retorted, "That's because the first prize is valuable. If everyone could win it, it would be a mess, right? Besides, even if you don't get the first prize, there are second, third, fourth, and fifth prizes, and at worst, there's a consolation prize."

"Wow!" This remark made everyone, even those farther away, gather around and ask, "So many prizes? Are they for groups of three?"

"Of course not! There are prizes for groups of three, ten, fifty, and even a consolation prize for each individual."

A prize for each individual?

This statement was like a signal, and everyone's interest was piqued.

Someone asked, "What's the consolation prize?"

 Chapter 1569: The Opening of Luji Store

Early the next day, Meng Yunzheng set off to the city to find Shu Yu.

Although he left early, Store on the other side of the prefectural city opened even earlier.

Just as the day was breaking, the wooden boards of the store were lifted, and the eight open rooms' main gate was opened, attracting curious passersby.

With few people around, Shu Yu walked out of the main gate, took a deep breath of fresh and cool air, and instantly felt invigorated.

Ying Xi quickly put a coat over her shoulders and said, "Miss, it's a bit cold at this hour, be careful not to catch a cold."

"It's okay, I'll be careful." She turned around, looked at the people inside the store, clapped her hands, and said, "Alright, everyone, get to work. Today will be tiring, but we'll work hard together."

"Yes, Miss." Da Niu and Wei Ronghua took the lead and immediately started working.

Shu Yu went into the backyard and carefully picked up the banner that Meng Yunzheng had drawn, set up the wooden frame and poles, and placed it at the door.

Just as she did so, a passerby who was in a hurry stopped in surprise, unable to help but stare at the banner. "This thing is really interesting, looks like a real painting, especially the dolls on it."

Shu Yu took the opportunity to introduce, "If you have time, you can come into the store to take a look. We have a lucky draw event today."

At first, the person didn't react much, but when he heard the words "have time," he shook his head repeatedly, patting his forehead, "Oh, I'm really busy, I almost forgot. I have to hurry to work, can I make it in time?"

Shu Yu smiled and said, "You'll make it in time, don't worry. When you come back, our store will still be open, and you can join the lucky draw then."

"That's good, then it's settled. I have to go, I'm pressed for time."

Shu Yu nodded with a smile, and the person hurriedly ran forward, but after a few steps, he seemed to remember something and turned back, hesitating for a moment.

He remembered someone saying that the owner of this store was Lord Lu Xiangjun. Could the girl who spoke to him just now, with such a pleasant temperament, be her?

He couldn't help but turn his head to take another look, wondering if Lu Xiangjun was always so approachable.

Shu Yu was very satisfied with the effect of the painting drawn by Meng Yunzheng. Look, as soon as it was displayed, even the rushing passerby couldn't help but stop and take a look. He truly lived up to his title as the "Mountain Dwelling Gentleman."

Shu Yu nodded in approval, then fixed the banner before entering the inn.

Da Niu placed a string of firecrackers at the entrance and, after looking at the vertical painting for a moment, decided to move the firecrackers a bit further away to avoid accidentally hitting it.

Ying Xi, accompanied by Wei Fangfang and several others, placed flower baskets by the door. The most conspicuous ones were two large sunflower pots, brightening up the whole entrance.

Wei Ronghua and a few others arranged the prizes for the lucky draw and wiped the counter clean. They laid a red carpet on the floor, making the whole shop look festive.

The shelves were filled with merchandise, and there were three or four small scales placed on the side to meet the needs of the customers.

 Chapter 1568: Putting on a Show

To confirm the situation, Hao Dingshan decided to head to Liufang Lane to further validate things. He and another person went straight to the lane without waiting for Zhao Xi and Xia Yan to come out.

When they reached the entrance of the lane, they indeed saw a horse parked outside the Meng family's door. It was not an ordinary horse, clearly indicating that someone important was visiting the Meng family.

Hao Dingshan didn't rush forward and chose to wait nearby.

After a while, Zhao Xi and Xia Yan hurriedly returned and went inside the house. Only then did Hao Dingshan pretend to pass by and gradually approach the Meng family's residence.

Listening to what was being said inside was more challenging here compared to the medical clinic.

Just when Hao Dingshan was pondering with a frown, a loud shout came from inside, "... If they're gone, go after them! Don't you know..."

The rest of the words were obviously suppressed; the speaker was probably an official from the government, right?

After that, Hao Dingshan couldn't hear anything more from inside.

He felt somewhat restless, but he had to stay composed, especially at times like this.

Fortunately, before long, the Meng family's door opened, and a man with a cold and displeased expression came out.

Hao Dingshan narrowed his eyes, "That person seems to be one of Prefect Magistrate Fei's entourage."

Prefect Magistrate Fei used to be in the capital, and Hao Dingshan was somewhat familiar with the people he often brought along.

The man untied the horse at the door and led it out of the lane.

As he approached, Hao Dingshan quickly lowered his head, but he could still sense the strong anger emanating from the man as he passed by.

It seemed that the man didn't get the result he wanted here.

After the man left, Hao Dingshan discreetly observed the Meng family. Meng Yunzheng and Zhao Xi were standing at the door, their expressions somewhat solemn and worried.

After a while, Meng Yunzheng patted Zhao Xi on the shoulder, and the two of them turned back into the house.

One of Hao Dingshan's companions asked him, "What do we do now?"

"You go find out if Doctor Zhao has really left Jiangyuan County. As for me," Hao Dingshan paused, squinted his eyes, and said, "I'll go to the prefectural city to assess the situation. If it's true, we'll hurry back to the capital on fast horses. This time, we might achieve great success."

"Alright." The companion got excited. "I'll go inquire right away."

The two split ways, and Hao Dingshan quickly headed to the city.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Meng Yunzheng and Zhao Xi were already inside the house, sipping tea without the tension they showed before.

"Do you think our plan will succeed?" Zhao Xi asked.

Meng Yunzheng replied, "It involves the Emperor. Even if Hao Dingshan suspects something, he will definitely report back to the capital. If it's true, given his personality, he won't let go of such a significant achievement."

"Now, it all depends on the situation in the capital."

The situation in the capital was undoubtedly much more severe than theirs, as the Emperor had to deal with the Second Prince, Third Prince, and the Xiao family. Hopefully, there won't be any mistakes.

If all goes well, this time they might really capture all their enemies in one fell swoop.

"What should we do now?" Zhao Xi asked.

Meng Yunzheng shook his head. "There's nothing left for us to do. Prefect Magistrate Fei will probably send someone to the southwest, 'searching' for Doctor Zhao. Tomorrow, Ah Yu's shop is opening, and I'll go to the city to tell her the news from the capital. I don't want her to worry. I'll leave things here to you."

 Chapter 1567: Hao Dingshan Falls for the Trap

Zhao Xi rubbed his forehead, "It's no use waiting. You know my master left a few days ago for Southwest and Taifu. We won't see him until it's dark."

He seemed agitated, pacing back and forth in the corridor, and even kicked the wall in frustration.

This kick startled both Hao Dingshan and the other person, making them hold their breath.

However, their eyes widened in disbelief. They never expected that just by following Meng Yunzheng's servant, they would stumble upon such a big secret.

The conversation outside continued, and Xia Yan sighed, "Master Zhao, we all know about this matter, but the officials at the government office might not believe it."

"What can we do if they don't believe it? If there's no one, there's no one. Can I conjure someone up? My master's departure is not a secret, many people know about it."

"What if they want you to contact him?"

Zhao Xi sneered, "How do I contact him? My master is on the road now, and I don't even know where to send a letter. Not to mention chasing after him; he likes to wander into remote mountains and forests, searching for medicinal herbs. No one can predict which path he'll take. Finding him? It's impossible."

He snorted, "Originally, he said he would wait until my wife gave birth before leaving, but when news came from Taifu about a rare medicinal herb, he immediately left without a second thought."

As he spoke, he angrily wiped his face, "Now, I'm worried that if they can't find my master, they might make me go to the capital instead. I really don't want to get involved in all this; it could cost me my life."

Hearing this, Xia Yan hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but held back.

Zhao Xi frowned, "If you have something to say, say it."

Xia Yan hurriedly replied, "It's not me; it's what my young master said. He said you don't need to worry about this matter, master Zhao. Although your medical skills are remarkable, you might not be as skilled as the chief physician of the Imperial Hospital in the capital. The person they are interested in is probably old Doctor Zhao, not his disciple..."

As Zhao Xi's face grew darker, Xia Yan quickly changed the subject, "Anyway, our young master just asked me to inform you of the situation and be prepared. When you meet the officials, be honest and don't get involved in any tasks they might offer after promising rewards. Let's just lead a peaceful life and avoid meddling in the affairs of the capital."

Zhao Xi glared at him, "Do you need to tell me this? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"Well... master Zhao, let's go back now. Otherwise, if the officials wait for us and come here, it won't be good."

Zhao Xi took a deep breath, "I'll wash my face, and then we'll go back."

After saying that, he took a couple more deep breaths before walking towards the front shop with a tense expression.

Once they left, Hao Dingshan and the other person quickly came out and left through the back door without saying a word.

Only after they had walked a considerable distance away from the medical clinic did they exchange a glance, still shocked by what they had heard.

"Do you think what they said is true?"

Hao Dingshan had doubts, but he felt it was highly likely.

Who was Meng Yunzheng? He was the person who had deceived Gong Qiu and made him turn in circles. His analysis and speculations were quite accurate.

He speculated that someone in the palace must have been poisoned, and that seemed to be the case.

 Chapter 1566: Officials Arrive at the Manor

After the two stood in the corridor, Zhao Xi wiped the sweat off his forehead and said, "Alright, what's the matter? You seem anxious, as if something serious has happened."

"Master Zhao, it really is a serious matter. Officials from the government have arrived at the manor."

Zhao Xi's actions paused, "Government officials have come, but what does it have to do with me?"

Xia Yan could only say, "The other party is a confidant of Prefect Magistrate Fei. They have come to invite old Master Zhao to the capital to treat someone's illness."

Zhao Xi chuckled, "What's the big deal about that? Maybe some high-ranking official in the capital has fallen seriously ill and needs my master's expertise. So, they asked Magistrate Fei to find my master."

However, Xia Yan shook his head with a more serious expression, "I thought that at first too, but the officials from the government this time are very forceful and secretive. Master Zhao, even though our young master is just a scholar now, he knows quite a few people in the capital, especially good friends with Lord Xiang. Besides, our future young mistress also has a prominent background, which is closely related to Prime Minister Qi, who was recently promoted to Grand Tutor."

"Those officials seem determined to take Master Zhao away forcibly, as if our young master has committed some serious crime just by saying 'no'."

He lowered his voice, "Master Zhao, let me ask you this, if it were just an ordinary official in the capital with a severe illness, would they use such a strong attitude to request help? They must be aware of old Doctor Zhao exceptional medical skills. Who would want to offend a highly skilled doctor without showing some respect first? It's not common to be so aggressive from the start."

Zhao Xi frowned, "Are you suggesting..."

"I don't know; I'm just a servant. But our young master speculates that the person who needs treatment may not be an ordinary individual."

Zhao Xi was shocked, and even the two people hiding behind the wall, Hao Dingshan, felt a shiver in their hearts.

The trembling in Xia Yan's voice increased, "Our young master thinks that Magistrate Fei is someone's person. The one who can command Magistrate Fei and make him act like this must not only be a high-ranking official in the capital but possibly also someone influential in the palace. Even if it's not that person, their identity is undoubtedly extraordinary."

Zhao Xi took in a deep breath, "Are you saying...," he pointed upward, "that person may be seriously ill?"

"It's not my words; it's our young master's speculation. But he believes that the person might be poisoned. And it's not just an ordinary poison; it's a poison that even the Chief Physician of the Imperial medical Hall cannot cure, which is why they sought old Doctor Zhao's help."

Zhao Xi's breath stopped, "If this is true, it would be a catastrophic event. No, we can't get involved in this. Whether the treatment is successful or not, if anything goes wrong, not only my master but our entire family will be in grave danger. We mustn't meddle in these troubled waters."

Xia Yan nodded firmly, "That's what our young master said. He is currently dealing with the officials from the government, and he asked me to sneak out to inform you. Fortunately, they think you are living with our young master, so they directly went to the Meng family. Luckily, our young master was able to detect their arrival in advance. But, Master Zhao, they will surely wait there until Master Zhao arrives."

 hapter 1565: Xia Yan's Performance

Although Xia Yan seemed to be in a hurry, he didn't walk very fast. Especially when there were pedestrians blocking his way, he would slow down, but once he reached an open area, he would speed up. So, he appeared to be in a rush, but his actual speed remained consistent.

Only after confirming that Hao Dingshan and the other person could keep up did Xia Yan stop controlling his pace and even started running towards the back.

Seeing this, Hao Dingshan exchanged a glance with the person beside him, "Do you think he noticed us?"

"It doesn't seem like it."

"Let's follow him."

Thankfully, Xia Yan didn't run for long before stopping. He looked ahead and saw the medical clinic.

Hao Dingshan also saw the clinic and furrowed his brows, "Isn't that clinic being prepared for opening by Zhao Xi?"

While speaking, Xia Yan had already entered the clinic. He looked around and saw Zhao Xi at the counter, sorting out medicinal herbs. The clinic had been renovated and was nearly ready for business. After Shu You gave birth to the child, they could start operating.

Seeing Xia Yan hurrying in, Zhao Xi was slightly surprised and asked, "What's going on? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Just..." Xia Yan wanted to speak but stopped when he saw the people inside the store.

Zhao Xi noticed the people inside the store as well and signaled to Doctor Xu, who was counting the abacus, "Uncle Xu, you watch over here; I'll go to the backyard to talk about something."

Doctor Xu waved his hand without looking up, "Go ahead."

Pretending to pass by the clinic's entrance, Hao Dingshan heard this and quickly pulled the other person with him to sneak into the backyard.

The back door was half-open, and they entered the yard, hiding themselves.

By the time Zhao Xi wiped his hands and led Xia Yan to the backyard, Hao Dingshan had already found a hiding spot.

In the backyard, there were still two apprentices moving things around. They had just brought two baskets of herbs into the warehouse, so they hadn't noticed Hao Dingshan and the other person entering.

Zhao Xi asked them, "Did you finish moving all the herbs from the cart?"

They nodded, "Yes, we're done."

"Then go and help in the front. I'll take care of things here. If there's anything, I'll call for you."

"Alright." They leaned the carrying poles against the door and tidied up a bit before leaving.

Before they left, one of the apprentices gave a signal to Zhao Xi, looking towards the room next to the warehouse with an open door.

Zhao Xi nodded in understanding.

The courtyard was a mess, filled with herbs and some freshly picked ones waiting to be processed, almost filling up the entire space.

Zhao Xi closed the back door and said to Xia Yan, "Let's go inside to talk."

"I can't. Once we close the door inside, we won't know if anyone comes into the yard. Let's talk here; we can still see if someone moves around."

Zhao Xi furrowed his brows, "Is it that serious? You're being so cautious."

Xia Yan nodded seriously.

Zhao Xi pursed his lips, "Alright, I understand. It's just that talking in the courtyard on such a hot day is a bit strange."

He looked around, and there was barely any space to stand in the courtyard. The only relatively open area was the corridor in front of the warehouse. It was in the shade and had some space.

He pointed in that direction, "Let's go over there. From the front yard, people coming through the back door can be seen."

 Chapter 1564: Meng Yunzheng Takes Action!

After discussing with his family, Da Zhuang decided that his parents would live with his younger brother, Da Qiang, from now on.

Da Qiang worked in the village, cultivating sunflowers, while Da Zhuang worked outside, often traveling around, making it difficult for him to take care of the family.

He didn't return home often, and staying at the workshop was more convenient for him, so it made sense for him to buy a house here.

Moreover, when he married Zhou Ermei, she would have company here, as her older sister Zhou Qiao would be nearby, and they could take care of each other.

However, he didn't have much money in his hands, and he might need to borrow money to buy the land. Building the house would have to wait even longer.

So, they planned to get married in two years, giving him more time to prepare.

Shu Yu thought that if these three people bought land nearby, the land prices in that area might rise again.

But there was nothing she could do; it was just a matter of time.

Fortunately, Meng Yunzheng had already bought all the land from the black market hill to the sunflower field in the middle.

Otherwise, they might have missed the chance.

Speaking of which, their shops were about to open, but has Meng Yunzheng taken any action yet?

Unknown to Shu Yu, at this moment, Meng Yunzheng was already preparing to cast his net.

He finally welcomed the reappearance of Hao Dingshan after more than ten days.

After returning to Jiangyuan County, Hao Dingshan was still a bit worried. He never expected that Chen Ji would be sabotaged. That guy was too useless; he couldn't even handle a woman and was killed by her instead. To make matters worse, he was implicated during the trial.

Fortunately, except for Chen Ji, no one here had seen him. Even if Magistrate Xie looked for him everywhere, he couldn't find him.

Hao Dingshan had been bored at Dongqing Temple since that day. He stayed at the foot of the mountain and visited the temple every day. The person he pushed to the front was named Gu Zhi, who acted openly, while Hao Dingshan investigated the entire Dongqing Temple in secret.

But until now, there was no sign of the master of Dongqing Temple.

He started to believe that the master of Dongqing Temple really didn't come back. However, he couldn't just return to the capital like this; he couldn't explain it. After thinking about it, he could only grit his teeth and continue to wait.

While there was no progress at Dongqing Temple, there was a problem on Meng Yunzheng's side, which made him hesitant to appear in Jiangyuan County for so long.

But judging from the current situation in the county, there shouldn't be a big problem. Magistrate Xie had been looking for him for so many days, and he probably gave up by now.

"Master Hao, what should we do now that we've lost Chen Ji? Who should we have watch Meng Yunzheng?" Hao Dingshan wasn't alone; there was another person accompanying him, just in case. They were currently having lunch in a restaurant by the window, with few people around, so they dared to talk.

Hearing the question from the person beside him, Hao Dingshan frowned slightly and replied in a low voice, "I remember Chen Ji had a son, right? I heard he looks a lot like his father and is also somewhat ambitious."

"But this Chen Xiucai doesn't have his father's scheming. Besides, he just lost his father; I'm afraid he's not in the mood, not to mention he has a wife, who is from the Kong family. I..."

Before he could finish his words, he suddenly widened his eyes. "Master Hao, it seems like the servant by Meng Yunzheng's side just passed by."

Hao Dingshan quickly looked in the direction indicated, and sure enough, he saw Xia Yan hurrying ahead.

"Why is he in such a hurry? Did something happen?" Hao Dingshan squinted and left money for the meal as he stood up and said, "Let's follow him and see."

 Chapter 1563: Everyone Plans to Buy a Land Foundation

Actually, the best date would be on the seventh day of September, but that day was Lan Hua's wedding day.

As Lan Hua's sister-in-law, Zhou Qiao was definitely busy that day, and the Zhou family would also attend the wedding. So, proposing on that day was not a good opportunity.

However, it didn't matter. This time was just the proposal; they could pick a suitable wedding date later.

Da Zhuang thought about how he would soon have a fiancee, and he felt extremely happy.

Ruan Dalai teased him, "You're getting married in two years, why are you so happy? It's like you already have a wife."

"Better than you. I'll be engaged soon. What about you? You don't even have a potential wife yet."

Ruan Dalai snorted, "I'll find one soon. You keep showing off every day. If I had a tail, you'd be lifting it to the sky."

Shu Yu glanced at him. Young people, indeed. If it weren't for a twist of fate, your sister-in-law would have been interested in you from the beginning.(she's referring to Zhou Qiao liking Ruan Dalai for her sister)

"Dalai is planning to find someone soon? How about arranging a match for him?"

As the owner of the workshop, Shu Yu felt it was necessary to care for the single men in her workshop.

Unexpectedly, Ruan Dalai sighed and lost the momentum he had when bantering with Da Zhuang. He said with a headache, "Forget it. Ever since I became the manager of the workshop, the villagers from Ruan Village have been coming to my house all the time, trying to introduce their relatives to me. I told my parents that I won't marry any of those girls from their village."

Ruan Dalai's parents had never had a good impression of the villagers from Ruan Village. They had even had conflicts in the past, but now they pretended as if nothing had happened and came to their house every day.

They were really annoyed, but fortunately, they rejected all the proposals.

But once rejected, those people started saying that they didn't know what was good for them. Ruan Dalai's parents were constantly being troubled by the villagers, making their lives more difficult than before.

So...

"I've thought about it. After this busy period, I'll rent out the land in my house and bring my parents over. There's a village near the workshop, and I'll rent a courtyard for them to live in, which is also closer to me. I also plan to buy a land nearby. Later, when I earn enough money, I'll build a house there."

He knew that the area near the workshop was now thriving, and the development in that area was amazing.

The price of land had already increased, but with the money he had earned recently and his previous savings, buying a land wouldn't be difficult.

Shu Yu didn't expect that he would be the first one to think of buying a land. She agreed with a nod, "It's a good idea."

As soon as she finished speaking, both Da Niu and Da Zhuang also had the same idea, "I plan to buy a land too."

Shu Yu turned to look at the two of them, "Are you serious?"

Da Niu's idea was easy to understand, "I had thought about buying a courtyard in the county town earlier, but since I don't live in the county town, I felt it wasn't necessary. Now I live near the farm and workshop, so it's time to have my own house. I'm thinking of buying a land first; I don't have to rush to build a house. If I don't need it in the future, I can sell it."

Shu Yu didn't say much about this. Although Da Niu lived in the farmhouse, it wasn't his property. He had enough money now and wanted to have his own home, so he could decorate and furnish it as he pleased, which would be more comfortable.

Therefore, she didn't persuade him, just told him to carefully consider the location and choose a good one.

As for Da Zhuang, he wanted to buy a land to prepare for his marriage.

If he were still single and living in the workshop's dormitory, it would be fine. But after getting married, he would prefer to have his own small home.

 Chapter 1562: Gathering Together

Shu Yu sat in the carriage and waited for a while until Lu Tong discreetly came over and told her that Xiao Shi had already met with Zheng Biao's couple and settled them down. Only then did she feel relieved and left.

When she returned to the shop backyard, it was already late.

Wei Ronghua bought half of the items on Shu Yu's list, planning to purchase the rest tomorrow.

Since that day, Shu Yu had been living in the inn, and the promotion for the shop had intensified. Almost everyone in Dong'an Prefecture knew that the Lu Family's store in Feng Tao Lane was about to open.

However, in her spare time, Shu Yu still thought about Meng Yunzheng's side, but it seemed that nothing significant had happened.

Two days later, Fu Xiangdi and Ruan Shi came over.

They came to the city's cloth market to take a look around and brought the finished clothes to Shu Yu.

When An Letian received his clothes, his face turned slightly red with excitement.

Fu Xiangdi pushed him to change into the new clothes, and he returned with a puzzled look, not knowing where to put his hands and feet.

The clothes were too good. The top was in beige, with special patterns decorating the cuff and collar. The bottom was in dark blue, with no special features in the color, but it was suitable for wearing outside.

Unlike the other store assistants, these clothes were not loosely tied with a coarse cloth belt. The clothes were tailored with a slight fold at the neckline, and the sleeves were cuffed with some elastic material, making them comfortable to wear.

With these clothes on, they not only stood tall and straight, but their legs also seemed to have grown longer. Coupled with the waist binding, it displayed their figures clearly.

Both Ren Yiping and An Letian had a slender and tall physique, and after wearing the new clothes, they exuded more charm.

Shu Yu looked at An Letian's upper body effect and nodded, "It looks good, just right."

An Letian felt a bit embarrassed, "These clothes are just too good."

Actually, after knowing that the store would provide clothes, he had been curious and asked Ren Yiping to show him his set. At that time, he thought it looked good, but wearing it was a completely different feeling from seeing someone else wear it.

Shu Yu smiled, "If you like it, work hard and earn more money in the future. You can go to the Yiren Pavilion for custom-made clothes. You can use whatever fabric you want and wear whatever style you like."

An Letian replied with an "Mm" and cherished the clothes as he changed back into his original attire, carefully placing the new clothes in his room, planning to wear them on the day of the store opening.

he had already sublet the house he originally rented and was now living in the store backyard.

Time passed quickly, and it was soon the day before the store opening.

On this day, not only Shu Yu's group, but even Da Niu, Da Zhuang, and Ruan Dalai came over.

Usually, the store two assistants and shopkeeper should be enough, but on the day of the opening, there would definitely be a lot of chaos, so they needed to bring in some extra help.

Seeing Da Zhuang's joyous expression, Shu Yu couldn't help but ask, "I heard that you and Second Miss Zhou's have a marriage agreement? Have you set a date?"

Talking about this, Da Zhuang appeared a bit embarrassed, but he was exuding happiness, and his eyes were filled with pink bubbles.

He smiled foolishly and said, "Yes, we've set it. In three days, on the third day of September, we'll go to Miss Zhou's house to propose, and we'll also set the wedding date then."

 Chapter 1561: The Couple from the Past

  Xiao Shi had no issues, and Lu Tong and the others were already accustomed to hiding and following in the shadows. Previously, at Dongqing Temple, only Lu Tong disguised herself as Xiao Shi's personal maid while others remained unseen.

  Seeing that they all agreed, Shu Yu asked Xiao Shi to pack her belongings and get ready to leave.

  The farmhouse outside the city that Shu Yu mentioned was the background prepared for her by Meng Yunzheng when she was exiled.

  At the time of her exile, when Shu Yu passed by the farmhouse, the middle-aged couple living there came over and sent her off. They even gave some silver to the officials escorting her to put up a show, ensuring she wouldn't arouse suspicion.

  The couple were not locals and had no relatives around. They were childless and had both fallen ill in their earlier years, rumors spreading that their diseases were incurable and contagious.

  Thus, the main family assigned them to work at the farmhouse, saying they were "working," but in reality, they were left to fend for themselves.

  The farmhouse wasn't very large, and the main family nearly forgot about this property.

  Later, the couple encountered old Doctor Zhao passing by and asked for some water to drink and a place to rest, and he cured their illnesses.

  The couple was very grateful to old Doctor Zhao, and when he decided to rest in Dong'an Prefecture at the time, they let him stay at their farmhouse. The few of them got along well and gradually became friends.

  After old Doctor Zhao left, the couple felt reluctant and hoped to meet him again.

  However, old Doctor Zhao traveled all around, and he never returned.

  Two years ago, Zhao Xi came to Dong'an Prefecture with Meng Yunzheng, and they sought help from the couple.

  Without hesitation, the couple agreed. Although the case they helped with was presided over by Judge Jing from Shu's family, they had no idea about that. Helping with such a big case posed great risks for them.

  But the couple didn't mind. They had almost experienced death, and it was old Doctor Zhao who brought them back from the brink, allowing them to live for many more years.

  Being able to help Shu Yu was more than enough satisfaction for them.

  Later, when Shu Yu returned from exile and became the village lord, she confessed everything to the late emperor.

  With everything settled, she visited the couple, intending to see if she could repay their kindness. Unexpectedly, Meng Yunzheng had already made arrangements.

  Meng Yunzheng bought the farmhouse, including the couple.

  Then, he gave them the sale contract and the property deed for the farmhouse.

  So now, the farmhouse belonged to the couple, and they were no longer servants. Though they had no children of their own, the couple lived together and led a fulfilling life.

  Last year, when old Doctor Zhao came to Dong'an Prefecture, he visited them too. Whenever he visited the prefecture, he would drop by.

  This time, when Shu Yu had to find a new place for Xiao Shi, old Doctor Zhao suggested the farmhouse.

  Shu Yu consulted the couple, and they were very willing.

  Both parties had already agreed on the cover story, so they could take Xiao Shi there directly.

  The carriage stopped about a mile away from the farmhouse, and Shu Yu didn't proceed any further.

  Since they were seeking refuge, they had to appear like refugees.

 Chapter 1560: Re-arranging Xiao Shi's Lodging

  Upon seeing Shu Yu, Xiao Shi let out a long sigh and eagerly grabbed her hand. "Ah Yu, you finally came."

  "Sorry, I arrived late."

  Xiao Shi shook her head. "I know you did it to avoid drawing attention."

  They sat down on the side, and Xiao Shi said, "These past few days, I had people keeping an eye on the surroundings but didn't find anyone suspicious. It seems you were right; Hao Dingshan indeed didn't come for me. That's good; otherwise, I'd be worried if something happened in the capital."

  Pausing for a moment, she hesitated and asked, "Is there still no news from the capital?"

  Shu Yu shook her head, "None."

  But she knew that Meng Yunzheng had sent another letter to the capital.

  Originally, Meng Yunzheng had a separate way of contacting the new emperor when he was still the Fifth Prince. After Gong Qiu's execution, their cooperation stopped, and there was no need for further contact. Until Gong Qi arrived in Jiangyuan County, Shu Yu began doing business with the palace.

  Since then, they contacted the capital through Gong Qi.

  Who would have thought that when they discovered something wrong with Changjin Prefecture last time and sent a letter to Gong Qi, they never received a response. Not only that, the "greeting letter" Meng Yunzheng sent to Xiang Weinan also received no reply.

  They could only speculate that these two contacts might not be convenient or something had happened.

  So, Meng Yunzheng resumed using the previous contact channels, directly contacting the emperor.

  Xiao Shi seemed somewhat disappointed. "Ah Yu, if there's any news from the capital, please let me know as soon as possible."

  "Alright." Shu Yu nodded, "I know you're worried about your parents and Xiang Weinan. If there's a reply, I won't hide it from you."

  "Thank you."

  Shu Yu took a sip of water, "Let's wait a bit more for news from the capital. I came today for something else. I've arranged a new place for you to stay, but it might not be as free as Dongqing Temple."

  Xiao Shi smiled, "I don't have many requirements now. Avoiding exposure is all that matters. No matter where it is, I'm fine."

  She thought that Shu Yu had found a place inside the city, but Shu Yu said, "This place is still outside the city, but it's a bit far from Dongqing Temple. It's a farmhouse."

  "A farmhouse?"

  Shu Yu explained, "There's an old couple living in the farmhouse, they're our people. The farmhouse is now theirs, but you have to pretend to be their distant niece who's going through a hard time after losing all her family and has come to seek refuge with them. So, you might need to make some changes to your appearance."

  After all, someone seeking refuge after going through hardships with no money and nowhere to go couldn't dress like someone living in Dongqing Temple with a hat.

  Shu Yu examined Xiao Shi's features, "I'll teach you some concealment methods later. It doesn't need to be too complicated—thicken your eyebrows a bit, darken your skin tone, add a couple of moles, wear coarse linen clothing, tie a cloth around your head, and change your hairstyle. That should be enough. Since you just arrived here to seek refuge with your aunt and uncle, you'll be unfamiliar with the place and have psychological trauma, so you might prefer to stay in the room and not have many chances to meet others. But you can't completely hide yourself; occasionally, walk a few steps at the farmhouse's entrance while looking like that."

  Don't make it too mysterious; others are busy, and they'll stop caring after a day or two. Moreover, there aren't many people near the farmhouse.

  Xiao Shi's people can only stay in the shadows.

 Chapter 1559: Looking for the Xiao shi Again

Shu Yu saw that he understood the situation, so there was nothing more to say. She let them continue their work.

Just as she was about to leave, it seemed like something crossed her mind. She said to An LeTian, "By the way, our shop provides two sets of clothes every season. Shopkeeper Wei has already confirmed your measurements. They are currently being made and should be delivered before the opening."

Although he had been recruited the day before yesterday, Wei Ronghua wasted no time and sent An LeTian's measurements to the Yiren Pavilion in Jiangyuan County. Fu Xiangdi had already started making the clothes.

Upon hearing this, An LeTian's eyes lit up. If there was something he was troubled about the most, it would be clothing.

While he quickly learned other things, he had no talent for making clothes.

His parents used to make his clothes. Later, when his father fell ill, An LeTian had to figure things out on his own. Thankfully, the clothes didn't worn out easily after hunting in the mountains, so he could wear them for a long time.

However, even so, it was still laborious. Sometimes, when his father felt a bit better, he would sit on the bed and help sew.

As a result, his clothes were full of patches.

There were ready-made clothes shops in the city, but they were quite expensive. An LeTian had used up most of their savings to treat his father's illness, so he couldn't afford to buy clothes from those shops. He had to buy fabric, ask the neighbor for help in sewing, and pay her some wages.

But it was still troublesome and inconvenient.

Now that the shop provided clothes, it was like a blessing from the heavens for him. When he saw this clause written in the contract, he thought he might be hallucinating.

Upon hearing Shu Yu's confirmation, An LeTian couldn't help but smile.

Seeing his smile, Shu Yu raised an eyebrow. Surprisingly, he did look good when he smiled.

He had a cheerful and open personality, and his smile while serving customers in the shop would surely make people feel comfortable and friendly.

Shu Yu thought Wei Ronghua had indeed made a good choice.

Unable to hold back her own amusement, she laughed and then went to the backyard with Wei Ronghua.

The storeroom was filled with sunflower seeds and sunflower oil. After checking, Shu Yu said to Wei Ronghua, "Regarding the prizes for the lucky draw, I'll make a list later, and you can go buy them. I have something to do and need to go out."

Originally, she was supposed to buy the prizes a few days ago, but she got busy with Xiao Shi and then with the matters concerning Hao Dingshan, so it got postponed.

Fortunately, it wasn't urgent. They still had seven to eight days left, which was enough time.

Wei Rong Hua took the list and said, "Rest assured, boss. I'll take care of this."

With Wei Ronghua around, Shu Yu could truly relax. She could entrust all the matters in the shop to him.

She felt fortunate that the effort she put into traveling to Donggu County had resulted in such peace of mind.

With the shop is in capable hands, Shu Yu left the shop and headed straight for the inn where the Xiao Family was staying.

Xiao Shi had been staying there for about four to five days and needed to find a new place. The inn had a constant flow of people, and while staying there for a few days was fine, staying for longer would raise suspicions.

Especially since Xiao Shi's members hadn't been seen outside. They claimed they weren't feeling well and needed a few days of rest. If they stayed hidden for too long, the innkeeper would start suspecting something was amiss.

When Shu Yu arrived, it was the afternoon. The inn's lobby was relatively empty at this time.

They went directly to the second floor. It was Lu Tong who opened the door for them.

This time, there were no other guards inside the room