The Chu Estate on Hexinzhou.
Zhao Jiaqi observed the grand mansion, realizing it belonged to one of the wealthiest, if not *the* wealthiest, families in Hexinzhou. Pavilions and towers, small bridges over flowing streams, and winding eaves adorned with exquisite carvings seemed to go unnoticed by the couple.
In contrast, the village elder, upon entering the estate, was like a country bumpkin in a grand garden, his eyes darting everywhere, his mouth agape in wonder, his gaze unable to keep up with the sights.
Chu Lian took in the expressions of all three, slightly surprised by the composed demeanor of the couple. However, seeing the elder's genuine amazement, she understood; those who grew up in the countryside hadn't seen such a large and magnificent house.
Soon, Chu Lian led them to her courtyard.
Incense, smelling of lilies, filled the study. Fan Zehao immediately extinguished it and opened the window, letting in a gust of cold wind that dispersed some of the fragrance.
Xiao Qing still harbored resentment for the slap Fan Zehao had given her. Now that she was on her own turf, she dared to speak loudly, her voice full of confidence.
"You bumpkin from the countryside, don't you know how much this golden charcoal costs? You've made the study, which was finally warm, cold and drafty. How is Madam supposed to stay here!"
Fan Zehao narrowed his eyes and took two steps forward. Xiao Qing instinctively retreated a couple of steps, hiding behind her young mistress. She couldn't resist poking her head out to yell, "Let me tell you, this is the Chu Estate! If you dare to cause trouble here, beware the master of the house!"
Zhao Jiaqi tugged at Fan Zehao. "Husband, let's discuss the main matter first. We can talk about other things later!"
"Mmm!"
Zhao Jiaqi lowered her head and wiped her nose with a handkerchief. She was somewhat allergic to lilies and would sneeze when she smelled them, which was why her husband had acted as he did.
Chu Lian couldn't discern the couple's true background. Were they merely village folk, or did they possess some knowledge? The man's fluid movements indicated he was aware of his wife's sensitivity to lilies. Lilies were, after all, a rare flower, not commonly known to ordinary families. Yet, they knew!
"Miss Chu, we have delivered the goods. Can we settle the account now?"
Chu Lian smiled, adjusted her cloak, and sat down on a stool. She glanced at them. "My estate is not lacking in money for you. I'm just curious, how did you come up with this idea?" She paused, then asked, "Whose design did you plagiarize for these items?"
Plagiarize?
Zhao Jiaqi inwardly sneered. "Miss, you should be careful with your words. These designs are my own. If you claim plagiarism, then please, Miss Chu, tell me where you have seen such exquisitely crafted cloth dolls before. Please produce them for comparison, otherwise, aren't you slandering me with your words?"
Chu Lian lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. So, she had designed them herself. Her astute mind spun, but she wasn't angered by her sharp retort.
"One hundred and fifty taels per set, twenty sets in total, that comes to three thousand taels. The smaller ones, of inferior quality, are ten taels per set, seventeen sets, which amounts to one hundred and seventy taels. The total is three thousand one hundred and seventy taels, is that correct?"
Zhao Jiaqi found the young lady's calculation quite accurate. "Not a single coin is amiss!"
Chu Lian gave Xiao Qing a look. "Go to the treasury and fetch the silver notes!"
Xiao Qing didn't quite understand why, but she dared not disobey. She obediently turned to get the silver notes.
Once the maid left, Chu Lian lowered her pretense and apologized to Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi. "My maid is young and inexperienced, please do not take her words to heart. If we have offended you in any way, I apologize to you all." Her words were an apology, but her smile remained undisguised, and she sat firmly on her chair, showing no sincerity at all.
Fan Zehao's face immediately fell. "Miss's apology is something I cannot accept, nor can I bear it."
Chu Lian slightly raised her willow-leaf eyebrows and carefully observed the man. He wore plain clothes and wasn't particularly handsome, but there was a certain tenacity about him, a stubbornness that made one want to tame him. She stood up with a delicate laugh and leaned closer. "Why should this young master be angry?"
Fan Zehao took two steps back, utterly annoyed by her disingenuous smile, which never held any goodwill. "Men and women should maintain a proper distance. Please, Miss, show respect!"
Chu Lian was utterly taken aback. Someone was actually indifferent to her beauty! Her face immediately turned ashen.
Xiao Qing entered the study and handed the silver notes to Chu Lian. "Miss, the silver notes!"
Chu Lian flipped through a few of them, verifying the amounts, and then presented them to Fan Zehao. "Three thousand one hundred and seventy taels. Please, take a look!"
Fan Zehao felt that this young lady harbored ill intentions, but these silver notes represented the hard work of his wife and several aunties. He couldn't refuse. He had to accept the money.
As he reached out to take them, the notes slipped from Chu Lian's grasp and fluttered to the ground. She feigned surprise, exclaiming, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry. I lost my grip for a moment!"
The village elder, though simple, could tell this woman was deliberately causing trouble. He knew Fan Zehao adored his wife and that the young man had a temper. He immediately stepped forward, grabbed Fan Zehao's hand, and gave him a meaningful look as he went to pick up the fallen notes. "It's no big deal, they just fell. Pick them up!"
The elder nimbly retrieved the notes and tucked them into his embrace. He then bowed to Chu Lian. "Thank you, Miss. We have settled our business. It's a cold day, and the three of us will not trouble you further in your estate. We shall take our leave now!" With that, he pulled Fan Zehao and Zhao Jiaqi, heading towards the door.
Chu Lian simply glanced at the three of them. She could clearly sense the resentment in the couple's eyes.
"Xiao Qing, escort them out!"
Under Xiao Qing's watchful eye, the three left the Chu Estate. Once outside, Fan Zehao turned back to gaze at the large signboard. Then, seeing the maid glaring at them provocatively, Fan Zehao clenched his fists, wishing he could smash his fist into her face.
"Alright, nephew, this is Hexinzhou. It's not like our little town. If you truly offend the powerful here, we won't be able to find a way to get you out of their prison!"
Fan Zehao looked back at the elder's timid expression and scoffed. "A way?" He continued, "Uncle, let me tell you today, if this Chu Estate conducts its business honestly, then so be it. Otherwise, I will make sure this Chu Estate disappears from the inner city!"
The elder stared at the young man, thinking he had lost his mind to speak such audacious words. He urged Fan Zehao, "Hurry, let's go, out of the city!"
Zhao Jiaqi was contemplating which inn to go to, but she hadn't expected the elder to insist on leaving the city immediately. "Uncle, aren't you going to your son's house?"
Go to hell! He was worried that this couple would stir up trouble, and if he wasn't there to watch them, who knew what kind of mess they would create! "Not going, not going. I saw him a few days ago. Let's go home quickly!" Without further ado, he pulled them into the carriage, deciding it was best to leave.
Xiao Qing saw the three of them leave with her own eyes before returning to the estate to report to her young mistress.
Chu Lian sipped her tea, appearing nonchalant. No one knew what she was thinking. After a while, she called for the steward. "Send someone to follow that carriage and find out where they are going. Investigate the identities of those three people!"
The steward bowed respectfully and acknowledged the order before leaving.
As soon as they left Hexinzhou, they were being followed. Fan Zehao and the elder drove the carriage, the elder visibly more excited than the couple. This wasn't just a profitable venture, it was immensely so.
"Originally, we were selling them for one hundred and twenty taels. I never expected that my niece-in-law would have such foresight to sell them for one hundred and fifty taels and sell them all at once! Although we suffered a bit from the cold this trip, we've earned a lot. We're going to have a prosperous New Year this year!"