Volume 1 Chapter 102 Heading South (Three)

  "Yes, in two or three days you'll be leaving. You should urge her to pack up and check if there's anything to bring for Jia'er. Also, don't forget to prepare the gifts for the Xie family. As for who will accompany her, apart from her personal maid, I've already arranged it, so you don't need to worry." Mr. Yao instructed lightly, as if his daughter was just going to visit her sister.

  Ma's face slightly sank, and she couldn't help but feel a little displeased: things had to be prepared by her, yet people were not allowed to follow her!

  She also wants to know about Yao Cun Jia's living situation in Xie's family!

  "Hui'er is a young girl, going out for the first time to such a far place, it's not good to go alone. Why don't we let Fang'er accompany her instead? Fang'er is two years older and more steady, if they encounter anything on the road, the two cousins can discuss it together." Madam Ma changed her mind in an instant and smiled at Old Master Yao.

  Yao Cunmei and Yao Cunhui had never gotten along, and Yao Cunmei also didn't see eye to eye with Yao Cunjia. According to Madam Ma's idea, it would be best if Yao Cunmei went, but she knew that Old Master Yao wouldn't agree, so she suggested Ma Qunfang instead.

  Ke Yan Lao Ye didn't simply let his second daughter go to visit his eldest daughter, he had other secret matters to attend to. How could he possibly let Ma Qun Fang accompany her? However, what Ma said was reasonable and he had previously stated that the people accompanying him would be arranged by him so Ma shouldn't worry about it. If he were to suddenly refuse now, it might arouse suspicion.

  "This, let me consider it!" Old Master Yao still made a "dragging" decision.

  Madam Ma's spirits lifted slightly, thinking that Old Master Yao had agreed, and she smiled: "Don't worry, sir. In the next two days, I will make sure to take care of everything that needs to be taken care of. I won't delay Hui'er's trip!"

  Ma thought to herself, she would call Ma Qunfang over and instruct her. Wasn't Yao Cunjia pregnant? If she could gain the favor of the young master of the Xie family this time, relying on the relationship between the Yao and Ma families, Ma Qunfang was not just a ordinary servant girl. A respectable aunt was already a sure thing! In the future, even if it was just for the sake of their relatives' faces, Yao Cunjia would still have to take care of Ma Qunfang. If she were to become pregnant in the future, that would be even better! Since things with the Yun family had not made any progress, she couldn't let a beautiful and talented niece like her die on the vine!

  The Fan siblings arrived at the Yao residence as scheduled. Old Master Yao hastily met with them, asked a few questions, and then said nothing more, which was equivalent to agreeing to let them stay. He ordered someone to settle Fan Lian in his own courtyard, and Fan Shuangshuang went to Luomei Courtyard that same day.

  Yao Cunhui's heart moved, and he exchanged a few words with Old Man Yao, indicating that he wanted to take the two siblings south. After some thought, Old Man Yao agreed, and asked Uncle Hong to teach Fan Li more during these two days.

  Yao Cunhui put away her things and thought of Yao Shizan, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

  This time leaving the Yao residence, at least two months are needed. She is not in the mansion, what should Zan'er do? Originally thought of sending him to the Yun residence for temporary stay, but this action is too obvious, and besides, the Yun residence is not completely safe either! The second aunt and third aunt are also not easy-going people! The grandmother is old, and the eldest aunt will be busy with the second cousin's wedding at the end of the year. The eldest uncle has his own business to attend to. Rather than going to trouble them, it's better to stay in the mansion!

  Yao Cunhui first brought Rong Ma to Mingfeng Xuan, carefully instructing Li Xiang and Qing Xiang, using both kindness and authority. In front of everyone, she asked Rong Ma to take extra care and pay close attention when she was not around.

  Lihua and Qingxia had long been intimidated by her, and had also witnessed her almost abnormal meticulousness. The two of them could only lower their heads in response with a "yes".

  Yao Cunhui met Wu Jin and Wu Guang again, and solemnly instructed Wu Jin that after the young master had finished his breakfast in the morning, he would let Wu Jin take him to Fei You Ju to read books or practice martial arts, using any excuse to keep him there until dinner time before sending him back to be handed over to Rong Ma, without letting unrelated people intervene.

  Wu Jin nodded slightly and glanced at Yao Cunhui, unable to help but say: "Second Miss, rest assured, Young Master's body has recovered very well, he has also learned some martial arts, and with the old master in the mansion, no one can easily bully Young Master!"

  "Be careful in everything, there's no regret medicine to take for this kind of thing. One wrong step and everything goes wrong, with no chance to correct it! I trust your loyalty and ability, when I'm not around, Zan'er is entrusted to you! If someone insists on making things difficult for him, promise me that even if it means offending others, you'll protect him. If he's being harassed, send him to my father or the Yun family, and when I return, we'll take charge together!"

  "Yes, Second Miss!" Wu Jin moved his lips and finally couldn't help but say: "Second Miss, let me follow you south! Such a long journey, having me by your side can also provide some protection."

  Yao Cunhui was taken aback, and smiled: "In a peaceful and prosperous world, traveling on the Grand Canal is safe! I'm just visiting relatives, not taking risks, what's there to protect? Zan'er needs protection the most, so you should be the one staying behind!"

  Wu Jin glanced deeply at Yao Cun Hui, and when he saw that there was no one around, he said lightly: "I'm afraid the second missus didn't just go to visit relatives, did she?"

  Yao Cun's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained unchanged. He chuckled and asked with a smile, "Really? Then tell me, what else do I need to do?"

  "I don't know." Wu Jin shook his head seriously and said, "It's just a feeling." The Xuan You residence was adjacent to the study of Old Master Yao, and Wu Jin would meet with Old Master Yao and the people in the study every day. Old Master Yao's expression was unchanged, but Wu Jin used to be a member of the Imperial Guard, his mind was more sensitive than others, and he had already vaguely sensed something. Thinking of Yao Cun Hui suddenly wanting to leave Beijing for the south, he thought a little more in his heart.

  "Then I can tell you that your feeling is wrong." Yao Cunhui did not want to say more to him, and solemnly said: "Promise me, no matter what, you must protect Zaner completely!"

  Wu Jin was about to speak but stopped, finally giving up. He furrowed his brow and nodded solemnly, his deep black eyes staring at Yao Cun Hui: "Don't worry, Second Miss, I will definitely protect the young master! Take care on your journey, Second Miss!"

  Yao Cunhui nodded and smiled, then turned around and left.

  Two days later, Old Master Yao called for Yao Cunhui to talk and explained his plan in detail.

  The silver for purchasing grain every year is always set aside, this year the money can't be used in Shandong, Henan and Hebei, so it's brought here to buy rice from Nanyang, which is readily available. The extra cost is only the shipping fee, which is limited and won't cause any fundamental damage. The first payment is considered a deposit, Mr. Yao lets Yao Cunhui bring 200,000 taels of silver to Nanyang, the remaining payment will be settled after the first batch of grain arrives.

  In Huxiang, on the other side of the lake, Old Master Yao paid 100,000 yuan in advance. He asked Yao Cunhui to buy about 30,000 to 40,000 mu of land first, and use the remaining money for building drainage works, making tools, hiring workers, etc. Three months later, if there are results, he will pay another sum of money to build roads, gardens, buy cattle, etc., and start formal preparations.

  Mr. Yao solemnly entrusted Yao Cunhui with this matter, which concerns the life and death of the Yao family's rice business, asking her to be extremely careful!

  Yao Cunhui took the money order from her father, and her heart felt heavy again. She said seriously: "Father, rest assured, I will not disappoint you! As a member of the Yao family, I will do my best to ensure the safety of the Yao grain shop!"

  "May everything go smoothly!" Old Master Yao's eyes were heavy, and he let out a light sigh. He patted his daughter's frail shoulders twice with great force. From the next moment on, these weak shoulders would bear the weight of the entire Yao family. In fact, he himself had no confidence either!

  "Ah! Take care, Father!" Yao Cunhui pursed her lips, and a pair of eyes as bright as cold stars shone with a million rays of light.

  Yao Cunhui set off from the capital with Lin Zhanggui, two loyal and capable assistants, Fan siblings, Xiao Xing, Xiao Li, and five or six servants responsible for handling luggage and running errands along the way. The group's departure was unremarkable, not much different from a ordinary family visit, and they did not draw attention to themselves.

  As for Ma Qunfang, although Mr. Ma wanted her to follow him, unfortunately, she fell ill and had to stay behind. Mr. Ma secretly sighed that Ma Qunfang was unlucky, although he was not pleased, he could only sigh and give up.

  As for how Ma Qunfang got sick, only she herself knew clearly. She inadvertently learned that Yao Cunhui mentioned that Yun Jinzhong would go to Pu Jing Temple to fulfill his vows in two days and would stay in the temple for half a month. Her heart was greatly moved, where could she bear to leave the capital? However, as for Ma's words, she couldn't openly refuse, so after thinking carefully, she came up with this perfect plan!

  As for the eldest son of the Xie family mentioned by Ma, that is false. It would be better to say that Yun Jin Zhong is indeed a good person she has met. In her eyes, there is no man in the world who can compare to Yun Jin Zhong. When Ma told her to seduce the Xie family's heir, she felt a strong sense of revulsion at first.

  After leaving Beijing and boarding the ship, Yao Cunhui ordered the sailors to speed up their journey, arriving three days ahead of schedule.

  Among the followers, they should have been carefully selected, and no one had symptoms of seasickness. Only Xiao Xing and Xiao Li beside Yao Cunhui were a little uncomfortable, but it was clear that this traditional Chinese medicine practitioner was fine, and Xiao Xing and Xiao Li didn't suffer much either.

  Upon arriving in Jinling, the group stayed at an inn. As planned on the way, Lin Zhanggui and others set out for Lake Township the next day to take a look at the situation there, gather information about all aspects, and then when Yao Cunhui went again, it would be much more convenient.

  Yao Cunhui left behind Xiao Xing, Xiao Li and the four siblings of the Fan family, who also went to the Xie family on the second day after parting with Lin Zhanggu.

  That afternoon, Yao Cunhui took Fan's siblings and Xiao Xing, Xiao Li to stroll around Jinling City, taking a leisurely walk around the local scenery.

  It was said that Xuanwu Lake had a beautiful and secluded scenery, so several masters and servants specially rented a boat to go there.

  The southern scenery is vastly different from the north, and even Fan Lei had never been this far out before. The few of them were all in high spirits.

  "This Xuanwu Lake is even more beautiful than Houhai in Beijing! The willow trees are really well-grown! The branches are long and soft, the leaves are dense and numerous, completely different from those at Houhai!" Fan Shuangshuang couldn't help but laugh. Along the way, Fan Shuangshuang had also become familiar with Yao Cunhui, Xiao Xing, and Xiao Li, and their conversations were no longer as stiff and cautious as they had been initially.