Casting Nets to Catch a Husband

Chapter 131: Hit a Wall

The group of five set off for Yuanzhou in high spirits, but their enthusiasm only lasted for the two days they were on the boat. They hit a snag as soon as they arrived in Yuanzhou.

Lu Xun and the others arrived on the second evening, and since it wasn’t appropriate to visit anyone late at night, they found an inn to settle in first.

Due to Li Cunyi acknowledging Lu Chengxiao as his adopted son, Lu Xun asked Liu Yu if she wanted to visit the Li family as well, so that Mrs. Qian could meet her.

Lu Xun was not aware of the situation with Li Yunbi, but Liu Yu knew it wasn’t appropriate to visit the Li family. Realizing that Lu Chengxiao hadn’t mentioned the Li family’s matters to Lu Xun and Mrs. Chen, she politely declined, stating that she wanted to visit Jinxiu Zhuang first. She explained that they were only engaged, not married, so it wouldn’t be proper to visit the Li family unexpectedly.

Lu Xun agreed and, since visiting Jinxiu Zhuang was also important, they split into two groups: one group headed to the Li family and the other to Jinxiu Zhuang.

Liu Yu’s visit to Jinxiu Zhuang was brief and uneventful, but Lu Xun and his sons brought the festival gifts to the Li family’s door. They introduced themselves at the gate as delivering gifts for the holiday.

Lu Xun, who made annual trips to Yuanzhou to purchase cloth, was a frequent guest of Li Cunyi. In Li Cunyi’s view, they had a close familial relationship, so the gatekeeper naturally recognized Lu Xun. However, since Mr. Li had gone to Yangzhou and not yet returned, the gatekeeper politely informed them that both Mrs. Li and the young master were not at home.

Lu Xun was taken aback. “Is that really so? Hasn’t your master returned yet either?”

The gatekeeper smiled but didn’t respond to the first question. He did answer the second one, without any hesitation, saying, “He left in April and hasn’t returned yet.”

Lu Xun knew that Li Cunyi often traveled. After thinking for a moment, he asked when Mrs. Li and her son would be back, so he could reschedule his visit.

The gatekeeper shook his head. “I don’t know. The madam didn’t say where she was going or when she’d return.”

This left Lu Xun speechless. He had come to Yuanzhou to bring Qian Hong along to Hongdu Prefecture, having sent a message to Qian’s Longxing Cloth Shop days ago, though he hadn’t received a reply yet. Since he wouldn’t stay long in Yuanzhou, he decided to leave the gifts for Mrs. Li with the gatekeeper, “Then leave the festival gift and I will ask you to pass it on to your mistress.”

The gatekeeper readily agreed, his tone lifting slightly. “Sure, I’ll report to the madam as soon as she returns.”

The Lu family men moved the gifts inside. When they were about to leave, the gatekeeper politely offered, “Would you like to sit and have a cup of tea?”

Lu Xun paused, feeling something odd. The offer didn’t sound like an invitation to sit inside the Li residence but rather to rest and have tea at the gate.

Feeling a strange sense of unease he couldn’t quite identify, Lu Xun thought it might just be the gatekeeper’s awkward phrasing. He declined, saying, “No, thank you. I have some other matters to attend to. I’ll come back another day.”

He shook his head, thanked the gatekeeper, and then boarded the mule cart with Lu Chengzong and Lu Chengzhang, heading to Longxing Cloth Shop.

As they got on the cart, Lu Chengzhang lifted the curtain and looked back at the Li residence, speaking with envy, “The Li family is really impressive, even keeping a gatekeeper. I saw last time that Zhongjue and Yunbi brought their own driver. Dad, how many servants do they have?”

Lu Xun didn’t know the exact number, but he had seen six or seven before and said, “There are at least six or seven. I heard they also have a manor with its own steward.”

Lu Chengzong listened enviously, “Then they must have about ten servants?”

For a family of five to have ten servants, their life must be quite comfortable.

Lu Xun was feeling distracted so he didn’t say much. However, Lu Chengzhang, who was very interested, asked, “Big brother, houses in Anyi County are already so expensive. A three-entry house in Yuanzhou must be even more expensive, right?”

“Definitely.”

“How much does it cost to buy such an expensive house and maintain so many servants? Is running a business really that profitable?”

“Probably.”

The two brothers were busy looking out at the bustling streets of Yuanzhou from the cart, their eyes practically glued to the sights. When the mule cart finally stopped, Lu Chengzhang realized they had arrived at Longxing Cloth Shop.

For the past two years, the owner of Longxing Cloth Shop, Qian Hong, had been doing business with them, sharing in their procurement. The Lu brothers had long heard of Qian Hong but had never met him. They were both quite excited.

As they got off the cart and looked at the three-bay cloth shop, Lu Chengzhang noticed that it was much more valuable than a three-bay shop in Anyi County. Seeing Longxing’s storefront, he subconsciously straightened his clothes but then remembered they were supposed to keep a low profile. Wearing his simple cloth robe, he suddenly felt a bit underdressed.

Lu Xun, however, was composed. He greeted the shop attendant and led Lu Chengzong and Lu Chengzhang into Longxing Cloth Shop.

The shop attendant recognized Lu Xun. Even though he only came twice a year, he was always accompanied by the owner, Qian Hong, for procurement. How could the attendant not recognize him?

Usually, when Lu Xun visited, the attendant greeted him with utmost politeness, smiling so broadly it was like a blooming flower. But today, his expression was somewhat nuanced, though it quickly returned to the usual friendly demeanor. Bowing with a smile, he warmly welcomed, “Ah, Mr. Lu is here.”

Lu Xun also bowed and smiled, “Xiao Qian, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

This “Xiao Qian” was actually a relative of Qian Hong, young but highly regarded in the shop. Whenever Qian Hong wasn’t around, he managed things.

Xiao Qian, always diplomatic, smiled, “Thanks for asking. Everything is well. What brings you here today?”

This question puzzled Lu Xun. For the past few years, he had always come around this time to travel to Hongdu Prefecture with Qian Hong. Xiao Qian knew this, so why was he asking today?

Feeling a bit uneasy but maintaining his composure, Lu Xun said, “Xiao Qian, you’re kidding. It’s almost Mid-Autumn Festival, so I’ve come to deliver festival gifts to your owner and to arrange to travel to Hongdu Prefecture together.”

“Oh!” Xiao Qian seemed genuinely surprised. “Our owner left a while ago. He sent you a letter, didn’t you receive it?”

Lu Xun’s heart tightened. “What letter? When did your owner leave for Hongdu Prefecture?”

Xiao Qian, looking concerned, replied, “Our owner had some matters to attend to and left for Hongdu Prefecture at the end of July. He sent you a letter inviting you to meet him there on the fifth of August. It’s already the twelfth. I thought you had already procured your goods and returned. I was even wondering if our owner should be back by now. Why haven’t you gone yet?”

“Why haven’t you gone yet?”

The words echoed in Lu Xun’s ears, laden with emphasis.

Holding gifts in both hands, Lu Chengzong and Lu Chengzhang were also dumbfounded, looking to Lu Xun for guidance. For a moment, Lu Xun was at a loss.

Xiao Qian, still eager to help, suggested, “Why don’t you head to Hongdu Prefecture now? You might still catch him.”

Lu Chengzhang nodded repeatedly, “Yes, Dad, let’s go to Hongdu Prefecture immediately. Maybe Uncle Qian is waiting for you there.”

Xiao Qian smiled faintly.

Lu Xun had no other choice. He hadn’t received any letter at all, but now wasn’t the time to question that. He didn’t entertain thoughts that Qian Hong might have intentionally misled him. He nodded and said, “Yes, we should leave immediately.”

Turning to Xiao Qian, he continued, “We’ll head to Hongdu Prefecture now. These are the festival gifts I brought for your owner. Since he’s not here, I don’t want to disturb him at home. Please convey my regards to Mrs. Qian on behalf of me.”

Xiao Qian’s expression was somewhat subtle, but he still nodded, “Alright, I’ll convey your message and thanks to Mrs. Qian on behalf of you. Since you’re in a hurry, we won’t detain you.”

“No need, no need,” Lu Xun bowed slightly and hurriedly left with Lu Chengzong and Lu Chengzhang.

Xiao Qian watched the three of them get on the mule cart at the shop’s entrance. As the cart moved away, he withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the holiday gifts on the counter, clicking his tongue twice.

A junior assistant who had a good relationship with him approached and asked, “Why did you deceive them? Didn’t our owner leave just three days ago?”

Xiao Qian waved his hand dismissively, “Go, don’t ask so much.”

Meanwhile, at the Li residence, the gatekeeper had informed Madam Li’s attendant about the Lu family’s visit to deliver holiday gifts. The attendant reported to Madam Li who was accompanied by her maid, saying, “As per your instructions, I informed them that both Madam and Young Master have left. We’ve sent them away.”

While speaking, she handed over the list of gifts from the Lu family.

Sansukini: Mrs Li/Madam Qian is so petty.

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