lcionline Chapter 214 Returning to Beijing
Chapter 214 Returning to Beijing
Chapter 214
The renovations at the commercial building in the capital were nearly complete. Every three days, when someone came to pick up the malt sugar, Fang Yueniang would send a letter to inform her of the capital's affairs. Luo Shuiyao would then take care of the relevant matters after the person left and then bring the reply letter back. These matters became increasingly troublesome as time went on. She spent the entire day juggling numerous tasks, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. Only when she paused for a meal or caught sight of the pony would Ye Yunzhou's image involuntarily enter her mind.
At first, she felt a little bitter and melancholy because Ye Yunzhou left without saying goodbye. Fortunately, the busy days were like a good medicine, gradually diluting the discomfort and leaving her no time to care about these disturbing emotions.
Time flies, and in a flash, Luo Shuiyao has been staying in this villa for more than a month. Now, many affairs are on track and everything is in order.
Coincidentally, yesterday, Luo Shuiyao received a letter from Fang Yueniang, saying that the shop in Beijing had been decorated and asking her to return to oversee it. Although Luo Shuiyao longed for the busy and comfortable life in the villa, she knew that staying here for long was not a good idea. So, early this morning, she asked Chun Xing to help her pack her luggage, intending to join the delivery team returning to Beijing.
"Miss, you really don't want me to go back with you?" Zhuangzi asked reluctantly as he helped pack the items to be taken back.
Hearing this, Luo Shuiyao paused her movements, looked up at Zhuangzi, and said with a slightly comforting tone: "You have already taught everyone in my courtyard some boxing and kicking skills. The rest will not be learned overnight. It would be a waste of your skills if you stayed with me. The villa needs people now. If you leave like this, I will not be very reassured. Keeping you here, on the one hand, you can help manage the villa together with Manager Liu and others, and on the other hand, the villa needs to have someone of our own. You can supervise everyone here. If anyone takes advantage of the situation and bullies others, you can report to me in time, right?"
"Oh, I see."
Zhuangzi scratched his head, a look of sudden realization on his face, and soon he looked happy again, "So, young lady, you consider me one of your own?"
Luo Shuiyao laughed and reached out to pat Zhuangzi on the head, but Zhuangzi had grown quite a bit taller recently, so she had to settle for the next best thing and patted his shoulder. "Of course, you and Chun Xing are both family. I'm most relieved to leave these things to you. I believe you can do a good job, right?"
Zhuangzi nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, young lady. I will supervise them closely and will never let them do anything that breaks the rules of the villa."
Chun Xing curled her lips, watching Zhuangzi being completely bewildered by the young lady's words. She felt it was too much to bear. But then, she heard the young lady say that she was also "one of us." Although she knew in her heart that the young lady was probably just saying this to appease Zhuangzi, the words still made her mouth curl up.
After comforting Zhuangzi, Luo Shuiyao instructed him on some matters and sent him off to do them.
Zhuangzi was filled with reluctance to leave, looking back every few steps, his reluctance evident. Fortunately, Luo Shuiyao's earnest words had helped him understand the importance of the matter. Moreover, he would be able to travel frequently between the villa and Kyoto, so he wouldn't be cut off from seeing the young lady forever. Knowing that the young lady was doing this for his own good, Zhuangzi, though still somewhat disappointed, gave up, suppressed his reluctance, and quickly left to get to work.
Watching Zhuangzi's departing figure, Luo Shuiyao shook her head helplessly, then turned to look at Chunxing. Perhaps because life at the villa had been so comfortable, Chunxing had grown taller and gained weight. A few days ago, she experimented with making some moisturizing products and asked Chunxing to use them with her. Now, Chunxing's skin was no longer as rough and sallow as before, but had become much whiter and tenderer. Now, in her emerald green maid's attire, Chunxing looked like a delicate young lady.
Chun Xing naturally noticed the change in herself, and as a result, she gained some confidence, no longer as timid as before, and she was no longer shy when speaking. When she looked up at Luo Shuiyao, her face was faintly heroic, and she asked, "Miss, everything is packed, shall we leave now?"
Luo Shuiyao nodded: "Let's go. Although it's still early, the weather is getting hotter. By the time we get back to the capital, it will probably be past noon. We can still have a good rest in the afternoon. If we set off later, I'm afraid our bodies won't be able to bear it."
Chun Xing called the servant over and had the things they were going to take back to the capital brought to the door. The carriage that would take them back was already ready and loaded with goods.
Seeing Luo Shuiyao approaching, several big men standing beside the carriage immediately saluted her. Luo Shuiyao quickly reached out to stop them and said softly, "There's no need for you to do this. We've troubled you all to wait for us for a moment. It's getting late now, so let's get going."
The crowd didn't care about these empty formalities, so after being stopped by Luo Shuiyao, they didn't insist. The leader heard this and bowed, saying, "Young lady, please wait a moment. We'll harness the horses now." With that, he and the others turned around and harnessed the horses to the carriage.
Luo Shuiyao looked at the steward Liu beside her and bowed slightly. "Now that I'm gone, I'll have to trouble you, Steward Liu, with all the affairs of the villa. Although your son Liu Yu is still young, he has quite a bit of your style. If you're really tired, you can delegate some of the work. You're not young anymore, and your body isn't as strong as that of a young person. Don't tire yourself out."
Steward Liu bowed quickly and said, "Don't worry, young lady. These old servants are all awake."
Manager Liu hadn't expected the young lady to still care about him, and hearing such caring words warmed his heart. He then said, "I'll take care of everything at the villa. If you're unsure about anything, I'll have the Zhuangzi brothers send you a letter as quickly as possible. Everything is on track here, so please feel free to return."
Luo Shuiyao nodded, bid him farewell again, and then got into the carriage with Chun Xing's help.
After a while, Luo Shuiyao lifted the curtain and looked out the window, marveling once again at the pristine, ancient scenery. It was truly beautiful, with beautiful mountains and rivers. It was almost May now, with flowers in full bloom and green hills and trees, the mere sight of them was truly uplifting. Chun Xing also leaned over, and the master and servant gazed out the window together, absorbed in the beauty of the road.
The two of them sat quietly by the window, leisurely looking out at the scenery. No one spoke for a while. Only the faint voices of the people driving horses ahead could be heard.
"Hey, old con man, have you heard about what happened in Kyoto recently?" someone asked.