Chapter 251
Wen Yu didn’t answer and got into the carriage directly.
“Let’s go to the shop!”
Laba saw that her expression wasn’t good, “Are you feeling unwell?”
“I should be feeling very comfortable, but I feel a bit stifled.”
When they arrived at the shop, Master Qing spoke with her about business on the second floor, and then he mentioned Concubine Xiu Yun.
“To be honest with you, this concubine really resembles an old friend of mine. As I mentioned before, my family suffered a great calamity, and as far as I know, only my nephew and I remain. But I had five elder sisters, and those who hadn’t married are all gone. Those who were married, who knows how much they were implicated… I was thinking, what if there are descendants? I want to confirm every possibility. So, I want to ask you a favor. When it’s convenient, could you inquire about this concubine? What do you think…”
“That’s easy to do! The first time I saw her, I was also captivated by her elegance. At that time, I even thought that she resembled you in some ways! I’ll arrange it when I get back.”
“This matter isn’t that urgent. She’s your great-grandmother’s relative and your father-in-law’s concubine. Madam Qi might also have some reservations. If she knew you were inquiring, it wouldn’t be good. Don’t make others uncomfortable.”
“Don’t worry, I know my limits!”
“I believe you!” Master Qing smiled.
“Ah Yu!” Yan Zhu arrived.
“Ah Yu, you know what? That day, when we sent Master Qing back…” She rattled off about their visit to the pastry shop.
“They have at least ten kinds of pastries that they learned from us! I brought back several kinds…” Yan Zhu shook her head, somewhat disdainful, “They don’t taste good. But they’re also cheaper than ours! That’s really annoying! And then, guess what! Who did Gu Yue see in the shop?”
Although she was asking, she didn’t intend to let Wen Yu answer and continued, “It was the cook who came to our shop looking for work when you were here last time. She used to work at that shop! For many years, and she was even the manager! Just think, she gave up being a manager to become a cook in our shop?! What’s she up to?”
Yan Zhu was both mysterious and excited.
Wen Yu played along, “She wants to steal our skills!”
“Exactly! Ah Yu, you’re so smart! And there’s something else you don’t know!”
“There’s more?”
“Yes! Guess who owns that shop?”
“I don’t know? Tell me quickly!”
“Eldest Madam Yuan! The Wen Xianggui who grabbed a lot of pastries when we visited the Cui family and caused everyone’s displeasure!”
“I remember… It’s her?”
Yan Zhu nodded vigorously, with a mischievous smile on her face, “She’s also Magistrate Wen’s daughter! His stepdaughter, no, adopted daughter? No… She’s the unwanted daughter!” She finished and burst into laughter!
Wen Yu also laughed, “Looking at her behavior, she really doesn’t deserve a father like Magistrate Wen.”
“That’s right! But Gu Yue said that Magistrate Wen might know about this. But I don’t think so!”
“He wouldn’t! I guess Magistrate Wen wouldn’t even acknowledge having this daughter.”
“Haha! When he comes, I’ll ask him if he has a daughter and see what he says!” Yan Zhu’s eyes darted around…
Wen Yu also laughed heartily, and the slight gloom in her heart from earlier had vanished without a trace.
“… Ah Yu, don’t underestimate Gu Yue. He found out everything within just half a day. I think he’s even more capable than Mu Bo! You can ask him to do things for you next time!”
Wen Yu wandered around for a while and then went home.
Meanwhile, Mu Bo and Zhang Yuan entered the shop.
Wen Yu had instructed him to investigate Qi Yue. He discovered that Qi Yue was always accompanied by two guards with exceptional skills! Moreover, he often went to some strange places, making it really inconvenient to follow. So, he looked at Zhang Yuan in front of him and chuckled inwardly.
However, Mu Bo was good at following and investigating, but he was not good at getting information from people. He didn’t even know what to say. So he decided to have a meal together first to get closer.
Most of Mu Bo’s silver was saved with Mu Ling. But he still had a lot in his hands… at least he thought so.
Because he usually didn’t need to spend money, he was actually afraid of being poor and reluctant to spend. When he was out on business, if he could come back hungry to eat, he would never spend money outside. Even if Qi Wu gave him some money for meals and shoes, he wouldn’t spend it!
He said to Zhang Yuan, “The communal meals here are not good! Let me treat you to a meal outside!”
Zhang Yuan was quite happy…
So, the two of them ate meat pies and noodles several times on the streets and alleys of the capital. That was the extent of Mu Bo’s spending power. Sometimes Zhang Yuan even fought with him to pay the bill. After all this effort, he hadn’t incurred any favors, and he still didn’t know how to bring up the topic.
Finally, he made up his mind: He would treat him to a good meal!
But he couldn’t afford it himself, so he went in and asked Wen Yu if he could have a meal at the shop, saying he had “business” to do.
Wen Yu casually agreed.
Today, he brought Zhang Yuan here.
✿✿✿
It was also Zhang Yuan’s first time eating at such a shop… He couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. “Mu Bo, are we paying for the meal ourselves?! This place is too expensive! Let’s go eat lamb leg instead…”
“Let me tell you a secret, this is our Fifth Madam’s shop, my sister…”
“Brother!” Before he could finish speaking, Mu Ling arrived.
The once malnourished little country bumpkin with yellow hair was now a young lady with bright eyes and rosy skin. Although her clothes were plain in color, the fabric looked extraordinary at first glance. Moreover, she had delicate features and a slender figure…
Zhang Yuan blushed and quickly stood up.
Mu Bo: “Brother, this is my sister, Mu Ling. Sister, call him Second Brother Zhang!”
“Second Brother Zhang!” Mu Ling was very generous.
Zhang Yuan stammered and mumbled a greeting.
“Brother and Second Brother Zhang are here for a meal. Please serve them some good dishes!”
“Okay! But no alcohol!”
“No, no alcohol. We might have something to do later!”
As Mu Ling went to arrange things, Zhang Yuan sat down and said enviously, “You can even eat in the shop?”
“Of course not! I did something that made Madam happy, so she agreed. Normally, we can at most come by to eat a bowl of noodles, steamed buns, or something like that. We can’t sit here and eat!”
Mu Bo was a bit talkative.
“Those steamed buns are really delicious. It’s great that you siblings are both working for Fifth Master and Fifth Madam. It’s stable!”
“There are only my sister and me left in the family. Fortunately, we met Fifth Master and his wife. Otherwise, with our skills, my sister and I might be starving!”
Zhang Yuan didn’t know what Mu Bo did, “But I think you must be quite capable! And Fifth Master trusts you very much! Are you his guard?”
“Not really! Fifth Master has his own guards, provided by the Cui family! I’ve only been with him for a little over a year! I just do some odd jobs, sometimes helping Fifth Master, sometimes helping Fifth Madam.”
“Oh.”
“Zhang Yuan, you seem quite idle!”
Zhang Yuan sighed, “You know my father, right?! He’s the accountant at the Marquis Residence. My mother is gone. This time I came back, I said I wanted to stay in the capital and not follow Third Master anymore, but my father scolded me!”
“It’s good to stay and take care of your father, why didn’t he agree?”
“My grandfather was Marquis’s guard. One year Marquis was injured, and my grandfather died. The Marquis Residence treated my father well, but he’s stubborn. He feels that he has a weak body and can’t be a guard by Eldest Master’s side, which he regrets very much! He also believes that whatever Marquis asks him to do, he should do it happily. But he doesn’t know that Third Master…”
Zhang Yuan had a worried look on his face. He sighed and didn’t say anything.
Mu Bo opened his mouth but didn’t know how to ask!
Mu Ling came over with a pot of tea, “Brother, Second Brother Zhang, have some tea first!”
“Thank you, Sister!” Zhang Yuan blushed again.
The waiter brought over several small dishes. The color, aroma, and taste made the two of them drool…
“Mu Bo, why are you here?” A pleasant voice rang out. It turned out to be Yan Zhu, followed by Gu Yue.
Mu Bo quickly stood up, “Miss Zhu Zhu, I brought a brother here for a meal!”
“Anyone you bring here for a meal must be a good brother!” Yan Zhu chuckled. She knew the prices of the dishes in the shop…
Mu Bo and Mu Ling also giggled foolishly. Zhang Yuan didn’t even dare to look: This Miss Zhu Zhu was so beautiful!
Yan Zhu said, “I made fermented bean curd pig’s trotters today. Ah Yu just took a box away. Ling Ling, bring them the rest! I guess Magistrate Wen won’t be coming today.”
“Who says I’m not coming?!” Magistrate Wen arrived, following the aroma…
