Chapter 251: Thrown a Pile of Coffins
Chapter 251: Chapter 251: Thrown a Pile of Coffins
Shen Ningning was startled. "What? Mrs. Meng has already left the Capital City?"
Her little face fell, and she looked utterly dejected.
The little one had forgotten all about that.
Even though Mrs. Meng had married into the Lu family, people still called her Mrs. Meng because the Meng family’s businesses were spread all across the land.
She ran a massive business and was a strong-willed, capable woman who didn’t rely on her husband’s family.
Therefore, she would accompany Mr. Meng Sr. back to their ancestral home every year to pay respects to their ancestors and celebrate the New Year.
The Lu family was quite understanding of this, so Lu Shaoyuan was free to choose whether to spend the New Year at his paternal grandfather’s home or go with his mother to his maternal grandfather’s.
Seeing her expression, Lu Shaoyuan couldn’t help but laugh. "What are you so worried about? I’m not finished talking."
"My mother may have gone back with my maternal grandfather, but I’m still here, aren’t I?"
Lu Shaoyuan puffed out his chest. "Or are you saying you look down on me, the Young Master of the Meng family?"
Shen Ningning’s bright, dark eyes widened. "Mrs. Meng is the head of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce, that’s why she can keep prices down. Do you... even have that kind of authority?"
Lu Shaoyuan shot to his feet. "Underestimating me? All those old geezers at the Chamber of Commerce need to see is the Meng family’s seal, right?"
"Keeping the prices down is just a matter of me stamping a document. I can take care of your request tonight."
Shen Ningning was overjoyed, her sweet voice full of surprise. "Lu Shaoyuan, you’re more impressive than I thought."
A smug look immediately appeared on Lu Shaoyuan’s face.
He glanced meaningfully at the box of oranges. "So, now you know who you should be giving these oranges to, don’t you?"
Shen Ningning pushed the box in front of him. "They’re for you, go on."
Lu Shaoyuan smiled subtly.
He said, "I’m leaving tomorrow morning. I promised my mom I’d go back with my maternal grandfather for the New Year this year. My older brother is staying in the Capital City to keep our grandfather company."
"So, is there anything else you want to give me? If so, you’d better give it to me now. Otherwise, after I leave today, you won’t see me again until after the Lantern Festival!"
Shen Ningning blinked in confusion.
’But... I don’t have anything else to give Lu Shaoyuan!’
Lu Shaoyuan slanted a glance at her, peeling his orange distractedly.
’Does Shen Ningning really have nothing else for me?’
Just then, the little one’s eyes lit up, and she shot to her feet.
"Lu Shaoyuan, wait here! I just remembered what I wanted to give you."
Lu Shaoyuan immediately smiled. "Alright, go on. I’ll wait right here."
He waited with great anticipation.
A moment later, Shen Ningning’s small, chubby figure came running back with a PITTER-PATTER of footsteps.
Lu Shaoyuan stood up. "Slow down! What’s so precious that you had to run to bring it to me?"
Panting, Shen Ningning reached him and held out a small pouch.
"HUFF... Good thing I had it with me. Count it. It’s a silver note for one thousand taels."
Lu Shaoyuan clutched the pouch, the smile on his face freezing. "A silver note?"
Shen Ningning blinked her big eyes. "That’s right. Didn’t we agree to open a shop together? As the junior partner, you’re entitled to a share of the profits."
"I made some money selling a batch of fruit to a merchant from Jiangnan earlier. Uncle Zhong did the calculations. This is your share of the silver. I added a little extra to round it up to an even one thousand taels."
Lu Shaoyuan’s fingers gradually tightened. He leaned on the table and lowered his head.
"Lu Shaoyuan! What’s wrong?" The little one was startled.
Lu Shaoyuan’s voice was sullen. "Leave me alone. I’m just... heartbroken and breathless."
’This girl is infuriating! Why does she have to be so businesslike with me?’
That day after school, Shen Ningning didn’t hurry home.
Instead, she had the Xie Mansion’s driver take her to Guangyang County to visit the County Magistrate, Fu Yuansong.
Having heard that Shen Ningning was coming, Fu Yuansong had been waiting at the entrance for some time before she arrived.
When he saw the two magnificent horses pulling the Xie Mansion carriage, his expression immediately grew respectful.
"Grandpa Fu!" The carriage came to a halt, and the little one climbed down.
Fu Yuansong rushed to bow. "This humble official greets the Commandery Princess."
Now, upon meeting again, there was a clear distinction in rank between them.
Shen Ningning quickly helped him up. "Grandpa Fu, you don’t need to bow. If you do, you’ll be creating a distance between us."
"I came especially to see you. Ningning is only where she is today because of Grandpa Fu’s care in the past."
Fu Yuansong’s heart warmed, knowing she was a good, grateful child.
He nodded with a touch of emotion. "Commandery Princess, it is windy out here. Please, let’s speak inside."
Shen Ningning then led Muchun and Wanchun inside.
The Fu Mansion was not large. It was a residence with two main courtyards, housing Fu Yuansong, his family, and about thirty servants.
Perhaps because they knew Shen Ningning was coming, the front courtyard was quiet and had been swept spotlessly clean.
Once they were seated in the main hall and a servant had served hot tea, Shen Ningning had Muchun and Wanchun bring the gifts forward.
There were four boxes of ginseng, four boxes of Purple Ganoderma, and various other herbs for nourishing one’s health and energy.
She had consulted the Divine Doctor, Sima Han, to specially select these medicinal herbs, choosing the ones that were most beneficial for the elderly.
It was impossible to find herbs of such high quality on the open market.
As soon as Fu Yuansong saw them, he immediately said, "Commandery Princess, how can this humble official possibly accept your gifts?"
Shen Ningning feigned annoyance, crossing her arms and puffing out her cheeks. "Grandpa Fu, if you keep being so formal, I’ll just leave the gifts here and run off."
Fu Yuansong was taken aback for a moment, then could only smile helplessly. "Alright, alright, Ningning. Grandpa won’t call you that anymore."
Only then did Shen Ningning’s face break into a wide smile.
She pushed the boxes of herbs toward him. "It’s almost the New Year, so I’ve come to pay my respects to you early, Grandpa Fu. I wish you a long and fortunate life."
Fu Yuansong grinned from ear to ear. "Thank you, Ningning. Grandpa also wishes for you to grow up safe, sound, and happy."
The two chatted for a while longer before Shen Ningning brought up the main topic.
"Grandpa Fu, the weather has been unusually cold recently. I’ve been leading the people of Xiangyun Village in stocking up on supplies, and I think it would be best if you also prepared in advance."
Fu Yuansong was silent for a moment before saying, "Ningning, I’ve heard about what you’ve been doing."
The prices in Guangyang County had just been brought down a couple of days ago.
Fu Yuansong sighed. "I understand your concerns. And since you’re known as a ’blessed girl,’ I imagine you are more sensitive to the signs of the heavens."
"But I am the County Magistrate, and I must lead by example. If I am the first to panic, the entirety of Guangyang County will descend into chaos."
"So, thank you for your kind reminder, Ningning. For now, I will not be stockpiling supplies. As long as we have enough to get by, that will suffice."
Hearing this, Shen Ningning knew she couldn’t press the matter further.
Before she took her leave, however, she said, "Grandpa Fu, if you run into any trouble, just send someone to Xiangyun Village to find me."
Back when Aunt Qin had been relentlessly pressuring her, Fu Yuansong had appeared and saved her in her time of need.
Shen Ningning was the type to repay even the smallest kindness a hundredfold, so no matter when Fu Yuansong came to her for help, she would do everything in her power to assist him.
New Year’s Eve was just four days away.
Shen Ningning bought some festive paper-cuts and small lanterns from the market.
As soon as she returned to Xiangyun Village, she saw a huge, noisy crowd gathered at the entrance.
The shrewish shouts of Wang Qiao’er carried from a distance.
"You pack of lowly mountain peasants! My husband deigned to do business with you, and that was him showing you favor."
"And you dared to hit him? You really have a death wish! I hear you’ve been collecting wood, is that right? Well here, these coffins are a gift for you!"