"Who? Who wants to kill you? Tell your grandfather, and he’ll make it right for you!"
Cao Yin’s hair stood on end once he heard. Soone had the audacity to target his precious granddaughter? If he finds that person, they’ll be torn to pieces!
Long Yue saw her grandfather’s anxious look, and her heart ward, but she just shook her head, "We are not sure either, perhaps..."
"I know, it’s that villain Pang Wenzheng! I never thought much of him back then, and he’s held a grudge about it ever since, often coming to disgust over the years! Yes, it must be him! Damn it, when I return to the Capital City this ti, I’ll deal with him properly!"
"Grandfather, you’re older now, take it easy. Pang Wenzheng... regarding my mother’s death, he bears half the responsibility, so I want to seek this revenge myself!"
"Ah, no, Little Yue’er, Wan Jun was my daughter, and as her father, I should be the one avenging her..."
"Grandfather, you are a Great General and not suited for such matters; you don’t know how many eyes are watching you in the Capital City! So, if you want to help, why not give a squad of guards? When my husband and I settle in the Capital City, we need trustworthy people at our side."
Cao Yin found reason in her words and agreed quite readily.
"Grandfather, this ti your visit to the Capital City might be short before you head back to the Xinan Battlefield, so I must seek mother’s revenge! But rest assured, Grandfather, I’ll handle your share of the revenge as well!"
Long Yue spoke with utmost seriousness and determination, which moved Cao Yin deeply. He gently patted his granddaughter’s shoulder and sighed, "Good, good, my dear, you’re so sensible, Grandfather is very pleased... When you get to the Capital City, if you face any hardships in the future, co find Grandfather, even if it costs my life, I’ll protect you!"
"Don’t worry, Grandfather, Yue’er will not let herself be wronged!"
...
Three days later, Long Yue and her husband parted ways with Cao Yin’s army. Cao Yin wanted to send so guards with her, but Long Yue refused because it would attract too much attention. She didn’t want to cause trouble for her husband—having a military escort, who do you think you are?
If this were caught by soone, it would be a handle and could cause endless troubles.
From Xinan to the Capital City, both Qingtian County and Ling’an City were on the way. Long Yue and her party went to Qingtian County first to find Xiang Yin.
Unexpectedly, since Long Yue had introduced them last ti, they really hit it off, and even got engaged last month, waiting to marry in the spring of next year.
So, when Long Yue saw Qiao’er, the first thing she said was, "Congratulations."
"Sister Yue, you... you have returned?"
Qiao’er had been busy with embroidery lately because the Qin Family Embroidery Workshop was doing so well; they could hardly keep up. But knowing that Long Yue was here, she imdiately put down her work to receive her.
Long Yue nodded, "Yes, we’re back, are you surprised?"
"Surprised, very surprised, I thought you..."
"We couldn’t co back? Ha, how’s that possible!"
Long Yue spun Qiao’er around, examining her with a light smile, "Not bad, you’ve gained a bit of weight and look fairer, clearly doing well in the Xiang Family. When you get married next year, you must invite to your wedding!"
"Ah, you’re so annoying, Sister Yue, you’re so bad!"
Like close girlfriends, the two chatted for a while, and then Long Yue went to see Father Xiang. Father Xiang was very satisfied with his soon-to-be daughter-in-law and very grateful to Long Yue, the matchmaker.
He didn’t bother with the congratulations for their safe return from Xinan; instead, he directly took out a wooden box.
"This is your share of the profits! Mrs. Li, your dicinal herbs business has great potential. I’ve just matured so herbs on my side, and already many pharmacies have their eyes on us! I’m planning to expand next year, buying the wasteland around Qingtian County to cultivate dicinal herbs!"
Father Xiang was wealthy, so he was bold with money.
"Also, about what you ntioned last ti, several dozen households have signed contracts with , agreeing to buy seeds from us, and they’ll pay an annual fee as tuition. Tsk tsk, Mrs. Li, your thods are impressive!"
"It’s just a small matter!"
Long Yue chuckled lightly, accepting the profits with peace of mind. Upon opening it, inside was one thousand taels of silver!
One thousand taels was indeed a lot, and Long Yue even felt Father Xiang had given her a bit more, but considering they were heading to the Capital City, this wasn’t nearly enough.
"Hey, what’s wrong?"
Father Xiang, seeing Long Yue’s slight frown, worried she might be dissatisfied. But he had added two hundred taels as an extra thanks, hadn’t he?
Long Yue put down the box and sighed gently, "To be honest, my husband and I are heading to the Capital City, possibly to settle there, and one thousand taels might not suffice."
"Oh... the Capital City... hmm? You’re going to the Capital City?"
"Yes, due to the great victory at Xinan, the Emperor wants to reward the troops. Everyone with rit will be rewarded, and the Emperor specifically wants to see my husband, who will probably be appointed in the Capital City... Mr. Xiang, you know, expenses are high there, and we need silver for paving my husband’s path. We can’t do without it!"
"Appointed in the Capital..."
Father Xiang staggered, almost losing his balance, his breathing quickened with excitent.
Appointed in the Capital, isn’t that becoming an Official from capital? That’s a teoric rise!
His Xiang Family, a business family for many years, has long wanted to change their status. If Li Qingmu could secure a position in the Capital City, wouldn’t his son’s future official career be smooth sailing?
"Soone!" Mr. Xiang, showing great determination, imdiately called for the steward, "Go, go to the accounting room and bring five thousand silv... ah, never mind, bring five hundred taels of Gold!"
Gold is an exceptionally valuable commodity, and in Dazhou, one tael of gold can be exchanged for ten taels of silver. Five hundred taels of gold represents five thousand taels of silver.
This Mr. Xiang is truly extravagant!
"Mr. Xiang, this might be inappropriate!"
Long Yue blushed with embarrassnt. In truth, she just wanted to borrow an additional thousand taels from Father Xiang, not expecting he would be so generous to give five thousand taels directly?
Could he be a wealthy friend?
Perhaps noticing Long Yue’s embarrassnt, Father Xiang laughed heartily, "Mrs. Li, no need to feel uncomfortable. Consider this... as advanced sharing of profits; I won’t ask for returns in the next few years!"
"Alright, many thanks to Mr. Xiang!"
After taking five hundred taels of gold and five hundred taels of silver, Long Yue went to find Li Qingmu, who was talking with Xiang Yin.
Li Qingmu briefly ntioned the Xinan Battlefield event, leaving Xiang Yin astonished, "You made such remarkable achievents this ti? A Mu, your future is bright!"
"Thank you for the kind words, Brother Xiang! My wife has arrived, Brother Xiang, I must take my leave!"
"Hey, are you not staying a few more days? I have so academic matters I’d like to consult with you about..."
"No, we must hurry on our journey to reach the Capital City before General Cao arrives, otherwise, it would be troubleso to miss the audience with the Emperor!"
As soon as Cao Yin enters the Capital City, by rule, he must imdiately et the Emperor, so Li Qingmu must be at the city gates before the army arrives; if late, he won’t be able to join them to see the Emperor.
Xiang Yin, seeing their urgency, didn’t insist on keeping them any longer and escorted them to the door.
"Farewell!"
The two exchanged bows and, afterward, headed straight to Gaoyang County.
User Comments
0 comments from readers