klisemfg Chapter 157: Internal Strife
Chapter 157: Internal Strife
Chapter 157: Internal Strife
Ji Tianzhuo was naturally satisfied; with these account books, his mother could return. He excitedly put away the two account books, then looked at the shy Yan Zhi and kissed her without thinking.
"When Mother returns, I will definitely talk to her about making you her wife."
He made such a promise, but Rouge didn't take it seriously. However, she still smiled tactfully and remained silent.
Ji Tianzhuo was preoccupied with sorting out matters concerning his mother, and after spending some time with her, he left.
After tidying her clothes, Rouge changed, and a maid came in. Rouge took out a string of bracelets from a box and placed them on the table.
"This was given to me by the young master. If you do something for me, it will belong to you."
The jade bracelet is of very high purity, looking as if it was just taken out of the ice crystal. Its color is a vibrant, translucent emerald green.
The maid became fascinated after watching for a while, but Rouge gently tapped the table to bring her back to her senses. "Well? Will you or won't you?"
"I am willing. What does Madam require of me?"
"Put this in her food, and make sure that the people around her see it." She then took out a paper package from her sleeve and placed it in front of her. Seeing her hesitant and trembling appearance, Rouge said softly, "If you don't want to, then forget it. But this jade bracelet is no ordinary item. After you pawn it, it will be enough for your family of four... uh, no, it should be a family of three to live a good life."
The maid looked at her helplessly, but Rouge acted as if she didn't see her at all and continued doing her own thing.
The maid bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, and then agreed. Rouge was finally satisfied. "Oh, right, I have an account book here. Could you bring it to me while you're at it? My status isn't quite right for it, so could you bring it to me as well? Otherwise, if that account book is discovered, I'm finished. If something happens to me, you're finished too. Please don't say anything about this."
She smiled, a sinister smile that sent chills down your spine.
"Yes." She gritted her teeth, not daring to make a sound. Yan Zhi looked at her fingernails, which were red and somewhat eerie. Seeing that the bracelet next to her hadn't been touched, she took it and handed it to her herself.
"You should keep this bracelet safe, after all, I don't have many valuable items here."
After giving her some instructions, she let her leave, and it was already getting dark outside. The food from the kitchen had already been brought over, and she hummed a song as she tasted the newly prepared dishes.
Ji Meiqing finally managed to contact a Taoist priest who had quite a few good items to sell, including an alchemy furnace and other unidentifiable utensils. After carefully counting the silver in her hand, she took Lu Yu with her.
He was wrapped in a thick cloak, wore a hat, and had a fox fur around his neck; it was one of the thank-you gifts sent by the Jiang family last time.
Lu Yu was worried about her; the winters in this small town were exceptionally cold. Going out required wearing three or four layers of clothing. This was no exaggeration; even walking was difficult for him.
Fortunately, Lu Yu had booked a carriage in advance, and once he stepped out the door, he went upstairs. Inside, there was a heater, and as soon as the curtain was lifted, the warm air that rushed out swept away the chill on his face.
The heater was taken away after we sat down.
The two sat side by side, she holding a hand warmer and sitting upright with a serious expression. Lu Yu followed, and the small workshop immediately became crowded.
She moved to the side and then calmly looked ahead.
"The place we're going to is probably quite far, and the journey will be bumpy, so please be careful."
As soon as Ji Meiqing finished speaking, she immediately turned her head away, her ears burning unnaturally.
"That's alright." He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him, explaining when she looked puzzled, "The road was bumpy."
As soon as he finished speaking, the car jolted, as if in response to his words.
In her haste, Ji Meiqing grabbed his sleeve, only letting go once the car had come to a stop. Lu Yu, however, followed him.
A horse-drawn carriage is not like an oxcart, and this wasn't my first time riding in one. However, the ride was bumpy, and it felt like my internal organs were about to be shaken out.
Ji Meiqing leaned against Lu Yu, her eyes closed, seemingly about to fall asleep.
Lu Yu let her lean against his chest, and then watched her fall asleep peacefully.
Upon arriving at their destination, he carried her downstairs without waking her. The coachman tried to speak but was stopped by Lu Yu's gesture.
"The mountain road ahead is rugged, young master and madam, please be careful," he whispered.
The mountain road ahead was dark and winding, so much so that the road ahead was completely obscured.
The person on top of him was fast asleep and didn't notice anything amiss. The mountain road was, as the driver had described, extremely rugged.
He carried her on his back, making the ascent up the mountain path with considerable difficulty. The Taoist temple was at the summit; after walking for a while, they saw the mountain gate. Lu Yu glanced at Ji Meiqing on his back and continued walking.
When they arrived at the entrance of the Taoist temple, he woke Ji Meiqing. She looked at the mountain gate, paused, and then looked back at the winding steps, unsure of what to say.
"Why didn't you wake me up? It's been so long." She gave him a reproachful look, then asked, "Do you want to rest for a while?"
"You're not feeling well, you shouldn't overwork yourself." He smiled, unconcerned by her reproach.
Ji Meiqing was somewhat unwilling, "Even if I'm weak, I can still make it up this mountain path. Don't tire yourself out."
"it is good."
The door behind them opened, and Ji Meiqing looked over with him.
"You two must be Young Master Lu and Madam Lu," the young Taoist asked, which surprised Lu Yu, who looked at Ji Meiqing beside him. He hadn't expected her to give her name so readily.
Ji Meiqing coughed lightly, then looked at the young Taoist boy with a serious expression and said, "Indeed, I wonder if Master Kunhua is still here?"
"The Taoist priest has been waiting for you two. This way, please." He made way for them, and after they entered, he closed the door. Then he walked up to them and led the way.
The Taoist temple was decorated with exceptional elegance, but the strong sandalwood incense in the air made it feel somewhat stuffy. It took several turns before we reached the central hall.
"Master, Young Master Lu and Madam Lu have arrived." The doorman said this from outside the door without entering.
The Taoist priest rose from the prayer mat, looked at them, and then stood up shakily. "You've come."
They glanced at each other, and then he said, "Everything is ready. Please come with me."
After walking a while longer, they arrived at a courtyard. No one knew what had happened in the courtyard before, but judging from its appearance, it seemed to have been abandoned for a long time.
The locks on the door were rusty, and they made a dull thud when picked up.