Chapter 1306: Going to Ruan Family Village

Ren Huai pondered for a moment, "Let's go to Ruan Village and see if these rumors are true."

He found the rumors about Lu Xiangjun carrying an axe to chop her maternal grandmother too exaggerated. It would be an extremely unfilial act, and if she had really done it, she would be heavily criticized.

So, he decided to visit the place where the incident supposedly happened.

Manager Xu had no objections. Both of them changed into inconspicuous clothes and took a horse carriage to Ruan Family Village.

The road to Ruan Family Village was rough and bumpy, making it difficult to traverse.

Once Ren Huai and his companion arrived at the village entrance, they got off the carriage and asked someone for directions. They didn't say they were looking for Ruan's old lady; instead, they claimed that a wild dog had snatched Ren Huai's purse and ran into the village. They wanted the villager to guide them in and promised five coins as a reward.

The villager readily agreed and wholeheartedly led Ren Huai and his companion around the village. While walking, Ren Huai unknowingly brought up Lu Xiangjun in the conversation.

However, most of the villagers in Ruan Village disliked Shu Yu, believing that the village had declined due to her actions.

Ruan Village used to be relatively prosperous in the area, but in just two short years, it had nearly become one of the poorest. Ultimately, it was because of the dispute between her and Ruan's old lady.

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Although Shu Yu didn't publicize the matter widely, the fact was that Lord Yu's people came and smashed Ruan's old lady's house.

At that time, Lord Yu was under the guidance of a "senior" and wanted to perform good deeds to accumulate virtue for the sake of having healthy children in the future. Naturally, he wanted everyone to know that the one who was wrong wasn't him but the ruthless and heartless Ruan's old lady.

He didn't even consider Ruan Village Head and spread the news far and wide.

The neighboring villages and even the town's people knew about the cold-blooded woman from Ruan Family Village who didn't care about her daughter's life and sold her grandchildren.

The problem was that Ruan Village Head not only failed to discipline or supervise her properly, but he even tried to protect her when she had second thoughts. Eventually, Ruan Village Head covered up for her.

With the village behaving like this, who would dare to marry into Ruan Village? Their children would end up being sold. In fact, even those who had married into the village started suspecting their in-laws when their children were taken away, and there were even instances of two families causing a big scene in Ruan Village.

The matter caused quite a commotion for several months before eventually calming down.

However, since Shu Yu returned, Ruan Village had been uneventful in terms of marriages for the past two years, and quite a few marriages were called off.

But these people, aside from occasionally blaming Ruan's old lady, mostly shifted the blame onto Shu Yu.

If she hadn't returned suddenly, where would there be so many problems? It would have been fine if she had stayed in exile. Why did she reappear so grandly? Since Shu Yu return to Jiangyuan County, she had put Ruan Village on the spot.

The villager leading the way had such thoughts.

So, when talking about Shu Yu, almost all of them gave negative comments. They were much more exaggerated than the rumors in the county.

Ren Huai felt that this person's emotions were getting in the way and didn't entirely believe him.

However, everything changed when they arrived at the collapsed half-house outside Ruan's old lady's place.

The villager spoke in a hushed voice, "This is the home of Lu Xiangjun maternal grandmother."

 Chapter 1310: Shu You's Pregnancy

Shu Yu hurriedly walked over to the two of them, supporting Shu You as he asked, "How is she?"

Zhao Xi's expression was quite complicated. He seemed somewhat excited yet also somewhat incredulous. After finishing the pulse check, he withdrew his hand and wiped it on his clothes before placing it on Shu You's wrist again.

Shu Yu: "..." Say something, won't you?

Zhao Xi remained silent for a while this time before slowly raising his head to look at Shu You. Swallowing hard, he said, "It seems... it seems to be the pregnancy pulse."

Everyone present was stunned. Pregnancy pulse?

Shu Yu exclaimed with joy, "Sister, you're pregnant!"

Shu You looked shocked, gazing down at her flat belly and asked, "I have a baby in my stomach?"

Zhao Xi finally reacted and grinned, "Yes, we have a child, Ah You. It's been almost a month."

Shu You's menstrual cycle was never very regular, especially after her health declined several years ago, particularly during the two years at the Zhang family's place when sometimes she wouldn't have her period for two months.

At that time, Shu You didn't understand and once thought that her missed periods might be due to pregnancy, which earned her ridicule from the matriarch, old lady Zhang.

After returning home, she began to eat and sleep well, and her body gradually recovered and became normal again.

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After marrying Zhao Xi, he often massaged her acupuncture points to regulate her qi and blood. Now, her health had greatly improved, though occasionally there were still some delays.

When her period was a few days late this time, Shu You didn't think much of it.

Who would have thought that she was pregnant?

She didn't know why, but her eyes suddenly became teary, and tears began to flow uncontrollably.

Zhao Xi became extremely nervous, "What's wrong? Is there something uncomfortable?"

Shu Yu, however, understood that her tears were from happiness. Even though Shu You was no longer concerned about her past, the label of being unable to conceive weighed heavily on her for many years, leading her to the brink of despair.

Now, everything was clear skies after the rain.

Shu You shook her head, sniffed, and after adjusting her emotions, asked a bit nervously, "I felt a bit of discomfort in my chest just now. Is the baby okay?"

"It's fine, the pulse is normal. But during the early stages of pregnancy, many women experience strong reactions. Morning sickness, back pain, and fatigue are all common. Don't worry too much. However, for these next few months, you might have a hard time."

"I don't mind the hardship." What was a bit of hardship? The thought of having a little life in her belly filled her heart with joy.

Shu Yu couldn't help but shake her head, "Alright, stop standing around here. Let's go back to the town first."

"Yes, yes, let's go back to the town."

Zhao Xi directly lifted Shu You into his arms and carried her to the carriage. He nervously instructed the coachman to drive slowly, watch the road, and avoid any stones, making sure not to jostle her.

His incessant chatter made Shu Yu and Shu You both unable to help but feel speechless.

Once the carriage entered the city gates, they went directly back to the Lu family's residence.

Although the Zhao family's home was closer, they didn't have any female elders there. Despite having two doctors and buying servants, it still lacked the comfort of the Lu family's home.

During the early stages of a woman's pregnancy, it was a time of great emotional volatility, sensitivity, and vulnerability. Having close family members looking after her, Zhao Xi felt more at ease.

So, the two of them had already discussed it on their way back. During the early stages of Shu You's pregnancy, they would both live at the Lu family's home.

Shu Yu: "..." Have you considered how this will affect old Doctor Zhao? Even if he's away from home every few days, you can't just pretend he doesn't exist.

 Chapter 1309: Meng Yunzheng Participates in the County Exam

However, Ren Huai smiled, "Meng Yunzheng? Don't forget the information we learned, he is about to participate in the county exam."

Manager Xu's eyes brightened, "Then shall we wait for him to leave Jiangyuan County before approaching Lu Xiangjun?"

He frowned again after speaking, "But he will come back sooner or later, and when he returns..."

"What's the matter if he comes back? We only need Lu Xiangjun to be a bit more accommodating, and we won't harm her or make her suffer any losses."

That made sense.

After deciding, the two of them waited quietly.

Shu Yu didn't expect that while they were still trying to find people from the capital, Meng Yunzheng was already preparing to leave.

The county exam was in February, and it was already the end of January. He had to rush there and couldn't afford to delay any longer.

Shu Yu prepared some things for him to use in the exam, "I won't give you anything else for now, you can buy them in your hometown. This thing is called instant noodles. I tried making them these past two days. It's just a small piece of noodle, you can soak it in water and eat it, very simple and convenient. You can also eat it dry. It's only the county exam, not like the provincial exam where you have to stay in the examination hall for several days. Food won't be a big issue."

Meng Yunzheng was surprised as he looked at the small noodle cake in his hand and sniffed it. It had a faint fragrance.

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He broke off a small piece and put it in his mouth. It was crisp and unexpectedly delicious?

He put away the noodle cake and smiled, "You know a lot about the exam."

"Of course, you have to be prepared in advance." Shu Yu put away the remaining noodles and said, "Zhao Xi is not with you this time. You have to take good care of yourself."

"Rest assured, I will come back immediately after the exam, wait for me at home. If you encounter any problems, look for Zhao Xi. Xiang Weinan is still here, you can take this opportunity to ask him for help."

Not far away, Zhao Xi was speechless. He said to Shu You next to him, "They are both capable individuals, yet they sound like they can't take care of themselves. Do they have a problem with their brains?"

Shu You opened her mouth to reply, but suddenly felt a little uncomfortable in her chest.

After suppressing the discomfort, Shu You found that Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng had finished talking, and the latter was ready to leave.

This trip only involved Meng Yunzheng and Xia Yan, as Meng Pei was away on a delivery mission.

He returned after the New Year and continued working at the delivery station. A few days ago, the delivery station had a long-distance delivery that required someone, so they assigned it to Meng Pei.

Meng Pei believed that Meng Yunzheng was already an adult and had visited his family in their hometown. Plus, it was just the county exam, a small event. He could handle it alone, so he happily went on the delivery.

Meng Yun Zheng also didn't want to make a big fuss. He believed that Meng Pei was doing well. He used to worry that after avenging his mother and killing Gong Qiu, his father who lose his wife and no longer have someone to rely on, and he would become despondent. But now, Meng Pei seemed to be even busier than him, so Meng Yunzheng was relieved.

After leaving Xiao Songle, Meng Yunzheng and Xia Yan set off.

Shu Yu saw them off and exhaled a breath before turning back home.

Who knew that after taking just a few steps, she heard Zhao Xi's exclamation from behind, "wife..."

Shu Yu quickly turned around and saw Shu You's face turning pale as she covered her mouth and retched uncontrollably.

She was shocked, "Sister, what's wrong?"

Zhao Xi half-supported Shu You and anxiously checked her pulse.

 Chapter 1308: Is Lu Xiang Jun a Simple Person?

Upon arriving at Shishi Village, Ren Huai used a similar excuse to inquire about Shu Yu's situation.

Unlike Ruan Village, the villagers of Shishi Village praised Shu Yu without reservation.

Not to mention other things, just the conditions in Shishi Village were much better than in Ruan Village.

Although Shu Yu didn't often appear in Shishi Village, she indeed brought benefits to the village.

However, when she hired workers, she didn't prioritize her own village. Recently, she promoted a villager from Ruan Village to a managerial position, and some people in Shishi Village didn't get any benefits from that. This made some people a little envious.

But that was all. They certainly wouldn't say such things in front of outsiders.

After all, Lu Xiangjun workshop would continue to expand and hire more people. If they spoke carelessly, they might lose such an opportunity in the future.

So when Anyi and Manager Xu asked about Shu Yu, the villagers of Shishi Village praised her endlessly.

Due to the fairness, openness, and justice of her workshop, a large portion of the workers came from other villages. But what about Lu Erbai? Half of his construction team members were from Shishi Village.

Therefore, they said that the Lu family father and daughter treated the villagers well and prioritized them in hiring.

The villagers were grateful and would repay the village.

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Last year, thanks to them, the people of Shishi Village had a good year, and their lives became more prosperous.

Ren Huai stayed here for a while and hardly heard anyone speaking ill of Lu Xiangjun.

After leaving Shishi Village, Ren Huai couldn't help but sigh.

Manager Xu said, "The evaluations of these two villages regarding Lu Xiangjun are completely opposite."

"What does that mean?"

Manager Xu thought for a moment, "It means that Lu Xiangjun is a very emotional person. She will repay those who treat her well tenfold. But those who treat her poorly, she will seek revenge without hesitation. Young Master, such a person has simple thoughts and lacks consideration for the overall situation and reputation. She is destined to not succeed in big business."

Ren Huai smiled and leaned back in the carriage. He actually didn't agree with Shu Yu promoting her relatives to work in her business.

Letting her cousin be in charge of the workshop was not a wise move.

A person who grew up in the countryside without much experience should not bear such a heavy responsibility. The future outcome of Lu's workshop could be easily predicted.

Seeing that Ren Huai remained silent, Manager Xu continued, "Young Master, what do we do next? Lu Xiangjun temperament is not suitable for collaboration."

Ren Huai straightened up, "Who said that? The more simple-minded a person is, the more advantageous it is for us. The benefits we gain from the collaboration will be greater. This deal is worth doing."

"Is Young Master planning..." He paused and lowered his voice, "But don't forget, Lu Xiangjun has a fiance, Meng Yunzheng, who caused a storm in the capital last year. This person endured humiliation for more than ten years and even brought down his foster father. He is not a simple person. It won't be easy to gain an advantage with him around."

Actually, these past few days, when they were investigating the news, the news that Lu Xiangjun was engaged to Meng Yunzheng shocked them the most.

At that time, they even suspected that there were two people with the same name and surname.

In Manager Xu's opinion, Lu Xiangjun was really lucky. She had someone like Minister Qi, a person of high status, supporting her, and then there was Meng Yunzheng, a person who was deep and cunning, providing advice and strategy.

Manager Xu shook his head, "Perhaps all the suffering she endured in her early years is being compensated for now."

 Chapter 1307: Ruan's old lady Current Situation

Ren Huai looked at the collapsed ruins, which seemed untouched for repairs, and couldn't find words to say.

Half of Ruan Family's courtyard wall, including the kitchen, was smashed by Lord Yu.

Now that the kitchen was unusable, Ruan Family had set up a makeshift stove on the side of the wall that was still intact, with a small shed above it, making the place look very shabby.

At that moment, old lady Ruan was cooking at the makeshift stove.

Ren Huai couldn't help but take a few steps forward and looked at old lady Ruan hunched back and emaciated appearance, slightly furrowing his brows.

Before long, a limping man came out of the house, using a crutch to reach Ruan Granny's side, and asked, "Mother, hurry up with the food!"

Ren Huai was surprised; this man should be Lu Xiangjun's maternal uncle, and he had indeed suffered a broken leg.

Old lady Ruan obediently replied and started putting firewood into the stove.

The man seemed to have a quick temper; when he saw old lady Ruan not saying anything, he turned around and went back inside.

As he passed by a shelf, he stood on one leg and struck the crutch on the ground, muttering, "Always drying these wild vegetables, eating them every day, and turning green like them."

Old lady Ruan hurriedly stood up, "Don't get angry, don't get angry. Today, I'll cook eggs for you. Mother will eat the wild vegetables herself. Please go back to your room and rest."

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"Go cook the food."

The man walked back inside, not even sparing a glance at old lady Ruan.

Old lady Ruan sighed, wiped her tears, and crouched down to pick up the scattered vegetables, putting them back on the shelf. Then, she continued cooking.

Not long after, a woman came in with a basket and scolded old lady Ruan, "Mother, from now on, wash your clothes yourself. You only change them once a month, and they get so dirty that they can't be cleaned. Can you change them more often next time?"

Old lady Ruan pinched her clothes, "My dear daughter-in-law, Mother only has this thick cotton jacket. It was too cold recently, and I could only wear this one. I had no other choice."

"What's that got to do with me? Blame me for using your other cotton jacket to make clothes for the child? You have no way, but I do? The child is growing up every day, and the pants are already squeezing their ankles. What can I do? If it weren't for you offending that Second Miss of the Lu family, would our family be like this?"

Old lady Ruan started crying, "I know, I know, it's all my fault. I will kneel and kowtow to that Miss to beg her. Let her take all her grievances and hatred out on me, spare you all. If she is unwilling, I will stab myself with two knives."

The eldest daughter-in-law rolled her eyes, "First, let's see if you can even meet her."

An impatient voice came from inside the house, "Why are you making a fuss? Is the food ready? If you don't cooked, get lost."

Old lady Ruan immediately dared not make a sound. The eldest daughter-in-law coldly snorted and went to hang up the clothes.

When the food was ready, old lady Ruan served everyone a bowl.

The others were sitting in the main hall, eating, while she took a bowl of rice soup and half a bowl of wild vegetables, shrinking behind the stove. She struggled to swallow her food while tears streamed down her face.

Ren Huai couldn't bear to watch any longer. He turned around and left Ruan Village.

Once they were back in the carriage, Manager Xu shook his head and said, "It's too miserable. In the end, old lady Ruan didn't take anyone's life. After Lu Xiangjun returned, the fate of her siblings was exposed before they were sold. Smashing someone's house and breaking her maternal uncle's leg should be enough, right?"

Ren Huai glanced at him but didn't say anything. He simply instructed the coachman, "Go to Shishi Village."

 Chapter 1305: The Rumored Shu Yu

Shu Yu smiled and said, "That's normal. If I were in their shoes, I'd take the opportunity to wander around the workshop area too. Don't worry, since they've come, they'll eventually come to find me. We'll just wait for them."

"Alright, then I'll go back to the workshop."

"Sure... When you go back, ask Old Yang to keep an eye on the gate. If anyone inquires, just handle it like he did today, steer the conversation away from the workshop. Also, inform the two managers to be cautious as usual."

"Understood, I got it."

After Da Niu nodded and left, Shu Yu instructed the two apprentices in the shop to pay attention as there might be people coming to inquire about her in the next few days.

Shu Yu speculated that they would hide their identities and make a trip to the workshop first, probably also inquiring about her in the county.

As expected, the next day, two strangers indeed visited the shop.

However, Shu Yu wasn't there at the time, but the description matched those two visitors.

She thought they would probably find her within a few days.

Little did she know, while waiting, three days passed, and there was no sign of the two strangers.

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Shu Yu began to doubt if she had guessed wrong, and these people might not have come from the capital at all.

At the same time, Ren Huai also harbored suspicions about the information he had gathered.

"She carried an axe and went to her maternal uncle's house, cutting off his leg?"

Following behind him, Manager Xu entered the lodging house, closed the door, poured them both a cup of tea, and sighed, "This Lu Xiangjun, turned out to be such a reckless and impulsive person."

Ren Huai rubbed his forehead, "Indeed, I thought she was a clever and intelligent person, having developed the heating packs and possessing sunflower seeds that others have never seen before. I assumed she was a talented individual. However, I didn't expect her to act so recklessly, only resorting to brute force to solve problems."

"Perhaps it's because of her youthful exuberance. I heard she only came of age last year. For a girl her age, it's normal to be enraged at those who have harmed her and caused her separation from her parents."

"Even if she's angry, she should consider her reputation," Ren Huai disapproved of Shu Yu's actions. Having come from a prominent family, he was well aware of the dark side of the inner courtyard.

Speaking of which, even his cousin, born as a girl, was considered a calamity to the family according to a fortune-teller. When she was born, his grandmother threw her into the mountains. However, she survived and was taken in by a nunnery.

His grandmother didn't like her, and the life she led was probably difficult to imagine. Despite that, she still tried to maintain a good reputation for the sake of her family. After marrying someone, she continued to interact frequently with her natal family because she still needed their support.

However, Lu Shu Yu was now the village Lord. Even though it was just a small county, such an unfilial reputation would be detrimental to her.

Manager Xu sighed, "Speaking of which, Lu Xiangjun is truly lucky. After being exiled to the southwest, she encountered Lord Qi. With a fortuitous turn of events, she developed the heating packs, and Lord Qi was willing to help her present them. With Lord Qi's protection along the way, she can indeed act arrogantly in this small county. The young lady County princess Zhang wanted to trouble her, but Lord Qi conveniently presented the coming-of-age gift, scaring County princess Zhang away. Even the County Magistrate of Jiangyuan County now regards her highly."

"But this protective card from Lord Qi will eventually be used up."

"Master, what should we do now?"

 Chapter 1304: Da Niu's Speculation

Da Niu knew about the treatment that Shu Yu had given to Old Yang. Seeing Old Yang's admiring gaze and energetic spirit, he couldn't help but admire Shu Yu's capabilities.

He had encountered many workshop owners and stewards, some with good temperaments, but he had never seen anyone value the gatekeeper as much as Shu Yu did.

In many workshops, the gatekeeper was not only a decoration but could even be the source of trouble.

Shu Yu was well aware of this, so she was particularly cautious when selecting a gatekeeper.

"By the way, Manager Lu, that young gentleman didn't seem like someone from this area or in Dong'an Prefecture. They looked wealthier than anyone I've seen before," Old Yang spoke up, and Da Niu furrowed his brow, even though the carriage had already disappeared completely.

Old Yang asked, "Manager Lu, is there a problem?"

Da Niu pondered for a moment and then checked the time. Although he thought it was unlikely, he became vigilant.

He inquired about the detailed appearance and conversation of the two people from Old Yang, as well as the appearance of their carriage.

The time they spent together was short, and he couldn't stare at them the whole time, so his impression was only a rough one.

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Big Niu had a hunch, "Old Yang, you watch over the workshop. If Manager Lou or Manager Ruan asks, tell them I went back to the county town to meet the owner. If it's not urgent, wait for me to come back tomorrow."

"Alright."

As Da Niu left, Old Yang blinked behind him, "I wonder if something is really going on?"

Unaware that they were being discussed by Old Yang and Da Niu, Ren Huai sat in the carriage, furrowing his brows. The smile he had maintained in front of Old Yang had disappeared once he turned away.

The man beside him asked, "Young Master, are we really leaving without finding out more?"

Ren Huai sneered, "What more is there to ask? That old man was obviously wary of us, and we won't get anything out of him."

"Then should we go directly to Lu Xiangjun?"

Ren Huai shook his head, "Manager Xu, you're too impatient. We won't find much information at the workshop, but there should be news about Lu Xiangjun in the county town. Let's gather more information first. When we negotiate, we'll have more leverage and initiative."

Manager Xu didn't say anything further. For this trip, they were following Young Master's instructions in everything.

After arriving at the county town, the two of them found a inn to stay temporarily, planning to gather information before meeting with Shu Yu.

However, what they didn't know was that Da Niu had arrived in the county town just before or after them.

As soon as he entered the town, he went directly to find Shu Yu.

At this moment, Shu Yu was in her shop counting the goods. After the New Year, there were fewer customers buying sunflower seeds.

This was normal as her shop only had sunflower seeds, and the price was not low. Ordinary people couldn't afford to eat them.

Shu Yu didn't plan to lower the price, at least not for now. The people from the capital were about to arrive, and if the price was too low, it would be difficult for her to negotiate.

Da Niu arrived at this moment and found Shu Yu. He told her about his speculation.

"You said they would arrive in about half a month, but it's been more than ten days now. I find it strange that they came quietly. Could they be from the capital? Are they here to buy sunflower seeds or sunflower oil?" he asked.

Shu Yu was surprised, "Sunflower oil is procured by the palace. They wouldn't come with just two carriages. I guess they're from that dried fruit shop in the capital and are here to purchase sunflower seeds."

"But why did they come to the workshop and inquire from Old Yang? Do they have other intentions?" Big Niu wondered.

 Chapter 1303: The Importance of the Gatekeeper

Ren Huai felt puzzled, "So, what exactly do you do?"

Old Yang seemed in high spirits and, seeing their keen interest, he brought out two chairs for them to sit.

"You said our workshop is quite big, right? Speaking of which, I am particularly proud of it. At my age, this is the largest workshop I've ever seen, and our master is the owner," he said, giving a thumbs up.

Then, he continued with emotion, "In the past, I used to work in other workshops too. Let me tell you, the last workshop I worked at was so small, it was difficult to turn around. And the owner was especially stingy, if we couldn't make enough money, he would blame it on our looks. Can you believe that? What does our appearance have to do with it? He's not a physiognomist. If he really believes in face reading, he should go to Dongqing Temple and ask the master there to calculate his fortune. Have you heard of Dongqing Temple? You've come from outside, so maybe you haven't heard of it. Let me tell you, Dongqing Temple is..."

Before Old Yang could finish his story, Ren Huai politely interrupted, "Old sir, we are in a bit of a hurry, so we'll have to take our leave. Thank you for your hospitality."

"Oh? Leaving already? I haven't finished speaking yet. By the way, since you asked for directions, where are you headed?"

Ren Huai continued to smile, "We're going to Jiangyuan County. Is this the right road?"

Old Yang slapped his thigh, "You're going the wrong way. You should head down that road."

"Thank you."

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After saying their goodbyes, Ren Huai and his companions turned around and got back into the carriage.

As the carriage leisurely moved away, Old Yang clicked his tongue and looked at the two tea cups with only a little tea left in them, shaking his head.

While he was shaking his head, he noticed Da Niu coming out of the workshop.

Da Niu must have seen the two figures and walked to the gate, furrowing his brows as he looked at the departing carriage. "Visitors?"

"Exactly. They came to inquire about our workshop. They even tried to fish for information from me, but I managed to send them away," Old Yang said proudly.

Da Niu chuckled, "Well done."

"Of course! Master trusts me so much, giving me this important position. I can't afford to make any mistakes," Old Yang said.

Old Yang was already in his fifties, and at this age, he never thought he could do anything other than farming. Who would have thought that Master would value him so much, making him the gatekeeper and saying that this was the first line of defense for the workshop, a position that required someone with a sharp mind and rich experience?

Just look at that, Master was praising his sharp mind. Even at this age, to receive such praise made Old Yang extremely motivated.

Every day, he put in twelve points of effort and attentively watched the people coming in and out.

Others might think being a gatekeeper had no prospects, but Old Yang didn't feel that way. His gatekeeping job was different from others. His salary was not low at all, and the owner often came to ask him questions. He had to report the situation to the steward every two days.

Since the workshop opened, many people from the capital, county, and other places came to inquire about it. There were even two people with ulterior motives, but he discovered them and immediately informed the master.

Not only did master praise him, but she also gave him a bonus.

Old Yang no longer drank alcohol because it affected his work. He had developed a fondness for tea. Although he could only afford cheap tea leaves and the bitter tea picked by his wife, it could still sustain him.

When Master found out, she even gave him a pack of tea leaves, and Old Yang treasured it greatly.

 Chapter 1302: Visitors from the Capital

Ruan Dalai's face flushed with excitement, and he nodded repeatedly, "Master, rest assured, I will do my best. I will definitely live up to your expectations."

Shu Yu nodded, giving him some instructions and asking him to plan the direction after becoming the manager.

She also hoped that Ruan Dalai would take advantage of his free time to read more and improve his literacy. As the workshop grew, he would inevitably have to deal with accounts, contracts, and even negotiate with outsiders. Having good literacy skills would be essential.

Ruan Dalai could read, and when they built the workshop themselves before, he helped with recording the accounts of those who took credit from their family in Ruan Family Village.

However, his literacy skills were limited to recognizing some common and simple characters; he struggled with more complex ones.

Now, his role had changed, and his responsibilities had increased.

Fortunately, Ruan Dalai was a person who knew how to plan ahead, and he understood that he needed to study harder now. Otherwise, even if he became the manager, no one would respect him.

Shu Yu was satisfied with his determination, and after encouraging him a bit more, she got up and took him and Da Niu to the oil extraction workshop.

Then, in front of everyone, she officially announced Ruan Dalai's promotion as the manager.

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"…Based on Ruan Dalai's performance these days, both Manager Lu and I have observed it. From now on, he will be in charge of the oil extraction workshop. If any of you have any issues, you can find him or Manager Lu. I mentioned it before, everyone here has an equal chance to rise if they have the ability. We will notice those who perform well, and I hope all of you, like Manager Ruan, will work diligently. There will be many opportunities in the future."

The crowd was surprised for a moment, then congratulated Ruan Dalai.

After Shu Yu finished speaking, she left the workshop with Da Niu.

She thought that the visitors from the capital would arrive in at least half a month, but they came earlier than she expected.

Ten days later, a carriage slowly stopped not far from Lu Family Workshop.

A man in his thirties got off the carriage, glanced at the workshop in front of him, and then turned to the person still inside the carriage, "Young Master, we have arrived."

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Ren Huai casually looked around before getting off the carriage, "Let's go and take a look."

The two of them walked to the entrance of the workshop, and Old Yang, the gatekeeper, greeted them with a smile, "Who are you looking for, young master?"

"Oh, I'm not looking for anyone." Ren Huai smiled amiably, his attitude courteous, "Old sir, we traveled from afar and saw houses and people here. We wanted to get a cup of water and ask for directions."

Old Yang turned to fetch a kettle of hot water from the stove and poured two warm cups, "It's normal to encounter difficulties when you're away from home. I understand. Water is something we never run out of. Here, on such a cold day, it will warm you up."

Ren Huai thanked him and blew on the hot water as he casually chatted, "Old sir, your workshop seems quite large. What do you do here?"

Old Yang grinned, "You guys are really from out of town; you don't even know what we do here. See the sign up there? This is Lu Family Workshop. We do business for the Lu Family, and everyone in Jiangyuan County knows about us."

Chapter 1301: Ruan Dalai of Ruan Family Village

Ruan Dalai was a resident of Ruan Family Village. After his father made some money outside, he opened a small workshop in the village. It was a really tiny one, just a small courtyard built in the backyard of their house.

Once the workshop started, he began buying rapeseed and worked there with his younger brother. At first, everything went well. People from nearby villages preferred not to travel far to buy oil, so they came directly to his place since his prices were fair and the quality was good.

However, as time passed, the villagers saw that Ruan's family was making money, and they started coming to him to buy things on credit. The leading figure in this was the wife of the village chief, and Ruan's father couldn't bring himself to ask her for the money.

Ruan Dalai's mother went to talk to her once, and even though the village chief scolded his wife on the surface, they continued taking advantage from Ruan Dalai's family in secret.

Later, others followed suit, saying that they were all from the same village, and their ancestors were one family, so they shouldn't be reluctant to lend money to each other.

In this way, not only did Ruan's family fail to collect the money owed to them, but they also had to put more money into it. Despite this, the people of Ruan Family Village remained dissatisfied.

As the situation worsened, the workshop couldn't sustain itself, and Ruan Dalai's younger uncle fell sick. Ruan Dalai's father needed money, so he went to collect the debts from those who owed them.

However, not only did he fail to get the money back, but it escalated into a fight, and Ruan Dalai's father ended up with his face covered in blood after being hit by a stone.

The village chief intervened but only played it down, scolding the person who started the fight while blaming Ruan Dalai's father for pushing too hard.

This whole ordeal left Ruan Dalai's family deeply disappointed with Ruan Village. Even though Ruan Dalai's younger uncle recovered later, Ruan Dalai's father had to go out to work, and their interactions with the villagers diminished.

At that time, Ruan Dalai was already thirteen or fourteen years old, and his youthful spirit made him resentful of the situation. He was skilled in oil extraction, but even the people of Ruan Family Village turned against him.

After carefully considering him and consulting Ah Xiang and Fu Xiangdi's mother-daughter, Shu Yu decided to keep him. Even though they didn't have much interaction with Ruan Dalai, they knew about his family's circumstances.

Shu Yu appreciated his skills and found him to be a decent person after getting to know him better. Even if Da Niu didn't mention it, Shu Yu had the same idea.

Since they both agreed on him, the first candidate was chosen.

....

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....

With Da Niu managing the sunflower Seed Workshop and Ruan Dalai handling the oil extraction, there weren't many workers at the workshops for now. Having both of them manage the work was not a problem.

Once the candidate was decided, Da Niu went to call Ruan Dalai over.

Initially, Ruan Dalai was nervous because he knew his disadvantages very well. Being from Ruan Family Village, he was influenced by the village's reputation, and he knew the boss would be wary of him.

So, he worked extra hard, not expecting the boss to take an interest in him, just hoping to keep the job.

But when he entered the office, Shu Yu asked him to sit down and have some tea before revealing that she wanted him to be in charge of the workshop.

Ruan Dalai's hand holding the teacup froze, and he asked in disbelief, "Master, are you serious?"

"Of course, I am serious. As the manager, I will also raise your salary. In the future, if you encounter anything you don't understand, ask Da Niu. You can also share your opinions with us, and we'll discuss them together. As the workshop grows, your responsibilities will increase, and I hope you won't let my expectations down."

Chapter 1300: Candidate for Management

"What?!"

Da Niu widened his eyes and stood up abruptly from his chair, looking at her in shock.

Shu Yu nodded, "You heard right. I just received the news."

Not only the sunflower oil but also the sunflower seeds were about to have a market in the palace.

Da Niu swallowed hard, feeling a bit dazed. Their small workshop, with less than fifty workers, was now doing business with the imperial palace? This was a huge leap for them.

Just yesterday, he was secretly thinking about when he could sell their products to the capital, and he couldn't sleep for half the night because of it. Now, he woke up, and Shu Yu told him that their oil had caught the attention of the most esteemed people in the world.

"Ah Yu, I'm not dreaming, am I?"

"Of course not." Shu Yu chuckled as she watched him squeeze his own thigh hard and took a sip of tea. She said, "But don't spread the word yet. I'm only telling you, and don't tell anyone in the workshop. I got this information from Master Xiang, and until the people from the capital arrive and the deal is finalized, everything is subject to change. It won't be good for us if it becomes a big deal before that."

Da Niu, still feeling somewhat dazed, immediately nodded solemnly, "I understand. Don't worry, I won't say a word."

"But during their usual work, you should keep an eye on them. Especially for the portion supplied to the palace, we need to select the best."

"Yes, I understand."

Seeing that he was digesting the information, Shu Yu continued, "You don't have to personally handle everything. Now that we have fewer workers, you can manage it all. If we have more workers in the future, you'll be exhausted. Take this time to observe and find people with good management skills and character. Appoint them to be in charge of different sections. If there's any problem, they should report to you."

Da Niu thought for a moment, "I do have a candidate, but..."

"But what?"

Da Niu scratched his head, "He works hard and is willing to endure hardships. He speaks with logic and is responsible. However, he is..."

"He's from Ruan Village?" Shu Yu raised an eyebrow.

Da Niu was surprised, "How did you know I was talking about him?"

"Because I also have a favorable impression of Ruan Dalai. Besides, you were so evasive, so I naturally guessed it."

Da Niu smiled sheepishly, "Do you think Dalai can be in charge?"

Shu Yu actually had a positive impression of Ruan Dalai. When they were recruiting workers, news also reached Ruan Village.

And surprisingly, five or six people came from there.

Because of Ruan's family and the village chief's actions, Shu Yu had no good feelings toward Ruan Village at all. She practically excluded them without much thought. Although it was somewhat impulsive, there was no other way. Ruan Village's reputation was terrible in her eyes. If it was just the people from Ruan Village, she could let it slide, but considering the village chief's behavior, she had to suspect the village's overall atmosphere.

Naturally, Ruan Dalai was also on the rejection list, but the other people left grumbling, and only Ruan Dalai remained outside the workshop.

After the recruitment was over, he caught up to her and asked for some time to explain the situation.

Shu Yu agreed and listened to Ruan Dalai hastily explain the situation as they walked.

What caught her interest was that Ruan Dalai's family used to own an oil mill.

 Chapter 1316: Exclusive Sale, Impossible!

  After pondering for a moment, Ren Huai looked up and smiled at Shu Yu, "Lu Xiangjun, this matter indeed came up a bit suddenly. We still need to consider it because the current situation with the main family is a bit different. Can you give me some time, how about that?"

  "Of course, no problem. I'm very sincere about cooperating with the Candied Fruit Shop."

  Shu Yu stood up, "Then, master Ren, you consider it first. We will take our leave now?"

  "Wait." Ren Huai also got up, "Although it's a bit abrupt, we want to visit Lu Xiangjun's workshop tomorrow. I don't know if it's convenient for you."

  "Of course, early tomorrow morning, I'll come to pick you up, master Ren."

  "Thank you, Lu Xiangjun." Ren Huai said to manager Xu, "Escort Lu Xiangjun."

manager Xu saw Shu Yu off from the teahouse and watched as both master and servant got on the carriage before returning with a frown.

  Back in the private room, manager Xu asked anxiously, "Young Master, is what Lu Xiangjun said true? Are we really just two days behind?"

  Ren Huai glanced at him, "Whether it's true or not, Lu Xiangjun's words have already reached this point. In any case, it's impossible for us to have exclusive sales."

manager Xu sat down and took a sip of tea sullenly, "So what do we do now?"

  This business opportunity couldn't be wasted.

....

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....

  "Since we can't agree on this condition, then we can try to negotiate the price. Tomorrow, when we visit the workshop, let's cooperate and try to find their shortcomings, and negotiate for the lowest price possible."

manager Xu nodded, "I understand."

  Meanwhile, in the carriage, Shu Yu and Ying Xi were chatting. Ying Xi had been present during their previous conversation, listening to the whole process.

  She was a bit puzzled, "Miss, what if they refuse to cooperate because of the condition?"

  Shu Yu leaned against the carriage door, lowering her head to peel the melon seeds, "They won't. They came all the way here. If they were to leave just because of this small obstacle, the Candied Fruit Shop wouldn't have become so big. Besides, the Candied Fruit Shop came to Jiangyuan County, and word reached Lord Wei Nan. Can other shops in the capital not know? It's just that the Candied Fruit Shop is a large business, and they're observing for now. Believe it or not, as soon as our cooperation with the Liao family falls through, another shop will immediately approach us."

  Ying Xi nodded, "That makes sense."

  "And besides, why would they propose visiting the workshop tomorrow if they had no intention of cooperating? It's just a tactic to delay and pressure us to lower the price. These are common tricks. You'll understand once you encounter them more often."

  Ying Xi smiled, "Do they think that Miss is just starting a business and doesn't know anything?"

  "Yes, they even wanted me to supply all my goods to them." How could that be possible?

  Indeed, if the Candied Fruit Shop were to take all her melon seeds, she would save the trouble of selling them herself and face fewer difficulties. She could focus solely on production.

  However, at the same time, the initiative would be in the hands of the Candied Fruit Shop.

  She was the only one with sunflower seeds now, but it might not be the case in the future.

  When one or two years passed and sunflower seeds were sold everywhere, she would lose her advantage. The Candied Fruit Shop would inevitably lower the price, and if she disagreed, the cooperation would fall through.

  By that time, she would have to find a place to open a shop or look for other merchants to cooperate with.

  However, would there still be a place for her sunflower Seeds?

  Exclusive sale, impossible!!

  Chapter 135: Just Ask Him Directly

Lu Xun handed the contract to Yan Zhixu along with a pen. "Ah Xu, I had a professional lawyer look over the contract, and there’s no problem with it. Please take a final look, and if everything is fine, you can sign it."

His face was full of eagerness, hoping she would sign the contract.

This was a chance for her to make a comeback, a complete turnaround!

Yan Zhixu took the pen and opened the contract, signing her name decisively at the end of the last page. 

It was quick and clean, without hesitation, so straightforward it was almost refreshing.

After signing, she handed the contract and pen back to him. "It’s done."

Lu Xun gripped the pen tightly, his eyes filled with emotion. He sniffled, his fair face glowing with both joy and guilt.

Ah Xu trusted his work ability so much, and he was determined to work even harder. 

If he had been more competent before, Ah Xu wouldn’t have been so heavily criticized.

Lu Xun nodded firmly. "Ah Xu, don’t worry, I’ll do my best!"

Yan Zhixu smiled softly. "Mm."

After hearing Lu Xun’s words, Yan Jinxiu’s earlier displeasure faded a little.

His work ability might not be top-notch, but at least he wasn’t completely hopeless.

Although his uncle wouldn't cause trouble for his sister, hiring a professional lawyer to check the contract without knowing the relationship between the two was still something that could be salvaged.

Yan Zheng nodded and gave a soft compliment. "You did well."

This manager, though flamboyant, didn’t seem the type to spark rumors with Ah Xu. He was more like Ah Xu’s male confidant.

"Thank you."

Lu Xun felt a bit embarrassed but was mostly excited—he had just been praised by the big boss!

Yan Zhixu casually asked, "By the way, do you know who else is participating in the variety show?"

Lu Xun shook his head, indicating that he didn’t know.

His brows furrowed, and after pausing for a moment, he lifted his head.

"Ah Xu, if you really want to know, I can ask around?"

But Director Nan had done a good job with this, so there might not be any useful information to uncover.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com

....

Yan Zhixu gently pressed her tongue against her teeth. "No need."

Seeing her interested for once, Nan Wenshu immediately patted the sofa she was sitting on.

"What’s there to ask around for? Don’t worry! If you want to know, I’ll just call him directly."

She said this with complete confidence, and somehow, it felt convincing, as though no task was beyond her reach.

Realizing Nan Wenshu’s identity, Lu Xun’s eyes widened in shock, as if a whole new world had opened up before him.

It was true—money could really make anything possible. What would be a difficult task for others was as easy as a single phone call for Mrs. Yan.

"No need." Yan Zhixu gently refused, then turned to Lu Xun. "Is there anything else, Brother Lu?"

"Ah Xu, you’re about to start working. You can’t be without an assistant to take care of you. Do you think we can start considering hiring an assistant?"

When he mentioned it, Yan Zhixu remembered that it had been quite a while since the last assistant was dismissed by the otherworldly woman.

"Mm."

"By the way, when we hire the assistant, I need to go to the studio to check it out."

There were some truly malicious and devious people that should not be hired.

Lu Xun had no objections and nodded repeatedly. "Of course, that’s a must."

The assistant was hired to take care of Ah Xu, so the choice of candidate had to meet her satisfaction.

---

After finalizing everything, Lu Xun hurriedly left the Yan family mansion with the briefcase.

He needed to send the contract to Director Nan soon. Only once the formalities were complete could he stop worrying about the resources being snatched away.

(End of chapter) 

Next Chapter ►►

  Chapter 134: Seeing Through But Not Speaking Out

The tension melted away, and Lu Xun stood up with excitement, a clear joy on his face. "Ah Xu, baby..."

Just as he turned his head, the sight of the Yan family—Mr. Yan, Mrs. Yan, and their son—walking in together met his eyes.

Mr. and Mrs. Yan were strikingly good-looking, exuding an understated aura that only comes with time and cannot be obtained in a day.

Especially Mr. Yan, who looked gentle and harmless, but there was something inexplicably intimidating about him.

Lu Xun felt that hidden behind his gaze was a beast, one that, when angered, could tear its enemies to shreds.

"Mr. Yan, Mrs. Yan, Young Master Yan... I sincerely apologize for not notifying you in advance and disturbing you like this."

Lu Xun’s body tensed up, standing and greeting each of them, resembling a student caught in the act by a strict teacher.

Yan Zhixu sat on the sofa, her hand resting on the side cushion. "Brother Lu, relax, no need to be nervous."

She then straightened her back.

Pouring a glass of water, she handed it to him. "Here, drink. It’ll quench your thirst."

Lu Xun took the cup from her and drank it all in one go, looking as if he were drinking poison, making anyone unaware think it was something lethal.

Lu Xun was touched. "Thank you, Ah Xu."

Ah Xu was truly a kind little angel, so considerate of him, sob sob sob.

"..."

Yan Jinxiu sat down, casting a glance at Lu Xun with an obvious look of disdain in his eyes.

No matter how he looked at him, he found the manager to be both foolish and overly flamboyant, the kind whose IQ could be contagious.

Seeing Yan Zhixu's concern for Lu Xun, he held back, barely stopping a sarcastic remark from escaping his mouth.

Yan Zheng sat down and raised his hand to his mouth. "Cough, cough, cough..."

Nan Wenshu, looking anxious, believed it and innocently asked, "Honey, do you have a cold? Should I ask the butler to prepare some medicine for you?"

How strange, how could he catch a cold on such a hot day? He was fine when they left home, but suddenly ill after coming out of the hospital? The air conditioning there wasn’t even that cold.

Lu Xun didn’t think much of it and asked out of concern, "Mr. Yan, are you feeling unwell?"

Yan Zhixu raised an eyebrow, poured another glass of water, and handed it to him.

....

This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com

....

Her eyes were full of understanding. "Dad, drink this. It’ll soothe your throat, you’ll feel better."

Yan Zheng took the cup and sipped, feeling the plain water somehow tasted sweet.

His daughter was so thoughtful, even finding a way to help him out of an awkward situation. He didn’t have to feel embarrassed.

He put the cup down. "After soothing my throat, I do feel much better."

Nan Wenshu looked suspicious. Could plain water really be that effective?

Yan Jinxiu scoffed with a hint of meaning.

The old man’s jealousy was truly immense. First, he was jealous of his wife’s celebrity crush, and now he was even jealous of a flamboyant manager hanging around his daughter.

Hopeless.

Rolling his eyes, he hugged a cushion and took out his phone, starting a game.

He knew that his father had double standards, so this time, he was smart enough not to call him out.

After seeing Lu Xun relax a little, Yan Zhixu propped her head up with one hand. "Brother Lu, is there something you need?"

Her prompt made Lu Xun remember what he had come for.

He grabbed the briefcase sitting on the sofa, pulled out a contract from inside, and his face lit up with excitement. "Ah Xu, Ah Xu, Director Nan sent you an invitation! He wants you to join the variety show 'Starting from Zero' he’s planning to shoot!"

Director Nan's shows were highly sought after in the industry, with many celebrities eager to appear on them.

He never expected Director Nan would invite Ah Xu, let alone send the contract over directly.

(End of chapter) 

Next Chapter ►►

  Chapter 133: The Doctor and the Patient’s Family

After Fu Shimo finished his examination, he took off his stethoscope and pulled a pen from the pocket of his white coat. He wrote down a list of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients on a piece of paper.

Once done, he capped the pen and returned it to his pocket.

He took the prescription and handed it to Yan Zhixu. "Have these medicines prepared and make sure your grandfather takes them daily. Long-term use will help with his recovery."

She nodded, reached out, and took the prescription. "Alright."

The moment they exchanged the note, their fingertips lightly brushed against each other.

His fingers were cold, but in the scorching summer heat, they felt like the perfect antidote to the heat.

Yan Zhixu looked at the list of herbs, casually stuffed it into her pocket.

Yan Zheng: "..."

He was the head of the family, so why did Director Fu bypass him and give the prescription directly to Ah Xu?

His thoughts were unclear, and he looked at Fu Shimo, subtly and carefully observing him.

No matter how he looked at it, he couldn’t find any clues.

Fu Shimo’s expression was calm and natural, as if he had simply handed the prescription to whoever was nearby.

Yan Zheng's eyes showed a hint of concern. "Ah Xu, give me the prescription. You’re busy, and you can't keep track of things at the hospital."

Yan Zhixu ignored him and looked at Fu Shimo, her lips slightly parted. "Do you have any more notes?"

Seemingly knowing what she wanted, he didn’t ask and immediately pulled out a pen and a stack of sticky notes, handing them to her.

"Thanks."

Taking the items, Yan Zhixu took out the prescription from her pocket and copied the herbs onto several pieces of paper.

After finishing, she capped the pen and distributed the notes to everyone present.

Her expression was calm and composed. "Everyone has a copy now, it will be more convenient."

Her explanation was flawless, and Yan Zheng didn’t find anything wrong. He put the prescription back in his pocket.

He smiled with approval. "Not bad, not bad. Ah Xu is always thoughtful."

Having a daughter was truly great—she was practically a little padded jacket, always looking out for others.

....

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....

Yan Zhixu returned the remaining sticky notes and pen to Fu Shimo, who naturally took them and placed them back in his pocket.

The two maintained calm expressions, embodying the professional relationship between a doctor and the family of a patient, with no trace of ambiguity.

Yan Jinxiu looked at the sticky notes with the prescription handed to him and raised an eyebrow.

With a lazy tone, he said, "I’m busy with school, this prescription is of no use to me."

Nan Wenshu covered her face, feeling like her son might be in trouble with her husband again.

Her instincts proved correct.

Yan Zheng stuffed the sticky note into his trousers pocket. "Busy? Are you busier than your sister? Or your older brother? Or your mom and I?"

Yan Jinxiu: "Damn, I shouldn’t have said anything. Whatever I say, it’s always wrong."

"Well, you’re all very busy."

So, does that mean he’s the only one with free time? Didn’t they know he was a high school sophomore?

And his mom is busy? Busy with chasing stars? His dad said that without feeling guilty.

Fu Shimo’s gaze landed on the pocket of Yan Zhixu’s pants. A faint smile flickered in his deep eyes, so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

...

After spending the morning at the hospital, they finally returned to the Mansion.

As soon as they entered the house, they saw Lu Xun sitting in the living room, waiting.

Perhaps due to the absence of any real host, he looked somewhat stiff, sitting up straight and not daring to move casually.

Yan Zhixu walked toward the sofa. "Brother Lu."

The familiar voice sounded, and to Lu Xun’s ears, it was like a melody from the heavens.

(End of chapter) 

Next Chapter ►►