Chapter 560: Chapter 560: Settling Accounts
San Lang heard that Jinli wanted to make clothes for him and was delighted. However, recalling what Third Grandma had said about Xiao Yu’s poor embroidery skills, he feared she would be disheartened if she did not do well. He hesitated for a moment and then advised, "I have enough clothes to wear; you don’t have to make them. It’s too time-consuming, and you still have the pharmaceutical workshop to attend to."
Jinli looked at him and asked, "Do you think I rarely do needlework and fear that the clothes I make will look ugly, so you don’t want me to make them? Are you despising the clothes I make?"
San Lang quickly said: "Not at all. I’d be very happy to wear clothes made by you. It’s just that I heard from Third Grandma that you don’t like doing needlework, and sewing clothes takes a lot of time. I’m afraid you might get unhappy if it takes too long."
If making clothes would make her angry, then it’s better not to make them.
Jinli smiled and said, "Don’t worry, sewing a piece of clothing is no big deal for me. Just wait and receive the clothes."
After finishing, she took her leave.
San Lang followed with a lantern to light her path and escorted her back to the guesthouse, then turned back to rest.
The next day before dawn, Jinli and others got up, took the dry food prepared by Uncle Cheng, and set off to leave.
Master Qi, knowing that they were leaving, had already sent the tools they ordered yesterday. He also sent them ten mule carts so they could take the servants back home.
Today before dawn, the ten drivers responsible for driving the carts also arrived and waited with Master Qi at the entrance of the Jiang Residence.
Seeing Jinli and the others come out, Master Qi said, "Elder Gu, Gu Family’s daughter, these are my family’s drivers. Some of them often go to your workshop to fetch spices; you are familiar with them. This time they will drive you home."
The drivers of the Qi Family came up to greet them with a bowed fist.
Third Grandpa smiled and said, "Thank you for your hard works, masters."
He also said, "Thank you for the trouble, Master Qi."
Xiao Yu bought many servants, a total of forty-five, and with those bought by Daya’s family, eight more, and the items Xiao Yu purchased, ten mule carts were indeed necessary to accommodate everything.
Master Qi shook his head: "What Qi is giving, does not compare to half of what Gu Family has helped me with."
If it weren’t for Jinli’s reminder, he might have been blinded by Silver, leading the Qi Family into irreversible doom.
He then asked, "Elder Gu, when is Good Brother An returning home?"
Master Qi thought if Jin’an returned this month, he would take his two sons to Gu Family at the end of the month to stock up on goods. Having his sons discuss literature and poetry with Jin’an, once they get to know each other well, he could use Jin’an’s connections to meet the legitimate heirs of the Zheng and Shangguan families.
Jinli saw through Master Qi’s intentions, but understood that it was inevitable for people to help each other out in life. She could accept this kind of mutual acquaintance, but if the Qi Family dared to harm her family, they should not blame her for being impolite!
Third Grandpa replied: "When we came to the Prefecture, Good Brother An wrote back. He said he would return once Junior Minister Ming leaves, so I estimate it will be soon."
Master Qi was overjoyed when he heard that Junior Minister Ming had already returned to the capital; it was certain that Jin’an would be back this month, and he would surely meet him when he went with his sons at the end of the month.
Master Qi was happy and joyously saw the Gu Family People off.
Before leaving, Jinli reminded him, "Please remember, sir, I do not like troubles."
Therefore, you better keep a close watch on Old Madam, the people from the Li Family, and those trying to intercept your spice business; if not, you might as well not continue the business.
Master Qi hurriedly said: "Don’t worry, miss. This is just a one-time incident, and there won’t be any more trouble."
Jinli nodded, boarded her own mule cart driven by San Lang, and left the Prefecture.
The mule team sped along, staying overnight on the road, and continued their journey the next day. By the afternoon, they finally returned to Da Feng Village.
People at the end of the village got wind of their return and came to see the spectacle, astonished to see Gu Jinli bringing back so many servants.
Mrs. Chen’s eyes widened, pointing at the servants who got off the mule cart and lined up in four rows, her voice trembling as she asked, "Xiao Yu, did you buy all these servants? Oh my God, you’re too extravagant, you’ve become so lavish just from one trip to the Prefecture."
Third Grandma heard this and scolded, "What are you talking about? What lavish? Can’t you speak properly? These are workers Xiao Yu bought for the workshop, not to serve people."
Realizing that villagers were coming to watch the spectacle and hearing Mrs. Chen’s words, who knew how they would spread the word about Xiao Yu’s extravagance, perhaps even thinking their family had become wealthy.
After scolding Mrs. Chen, Third Grandma started worrying about the cost, so many servants, how much silver they must have cost.
In fact, Gu Jinli didn’t spend much silver on this trip to the Prefecture; most of it was compensation from Master Qi’s family. The overbearing old madam from the Qi Family had unwittingly let her earn hundreds of silver taels, plus a golden head ornament.
Mrs. Cui and Gu Jinxiu, upon hearing the news, rushed out immediately and pulled Gu Jinli over for a thorough look, asking, "Did you have a good time in the Prefecture? Were you mistreated?"
Mrs. Cui knew her own daughter was capable, but as a mother, she couldn’t help worrying.
Gu Jinli replied with a smile, "I’m so fierce, who would dare to mistreat me? I’m fine."
Gu Jinxiu laughed upon hearing this, "Knew you could handle it, have some water, rest a bit."
Gu Jinli was indeed thirsty, took the bowl from Gu Jinxiu, and drank all the water in it.
But Mrs. Cui reminded her, "Don’t talk about how fierce you are in the future. As a young lady, you should be gentle... even if you’re not truly gentle, at least pretend."
Being too fierce wasn’t good for matchmaking prospects.
"Alright, Mother," Gu Jinli nodded in agreement and then was pulled away by Luo Huiniang, "Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu, can these people you bought fight? I saw a girl, she almost tripped but then stabilized herself with a quick move, she looks like she knows how to fight."
Luo Huiniang’s face reddened with excitement; since childhood, she loved martial arts and favored girls who knew how to fight.
Gu Jinli laughed, "Yeah, lucky day, twenty-five of them are from the escort agency and know some moves."
"Escort agency! Just like my father." Luo Huiniang was overjoyed, pulling Gu Jinli to introduce her to Sister Li and the others.
Qin family.
Qin Er Lang watched Luo Huiniang with a sullen face, sneering, swearing in his mind: Fool, getting excited over what? Just seeing a few servants who know how to fight.
His gaze shifted to Qin San Lang, who was helping the Gu Family move things, his disdain deepening... San Lang had sabotaged his long-planned scheme by going behind his back; he didn’t care about him mingling with a farmer’s girl, but why interfere with his journey to Yangji Prefecture?!
Qin Er Lang’s anger was due to the transfer orders from the Military Office arriving a day early. He went joyfully to receive the orders, but the moment he saw them, he was murderous!
He had carefully calculated everything, it was supposed to be foolproof, yet something went awry.
Thinking that only the main general of the Prefecture garrison could alter the orders, and given San Lang’s visit to the Prefecture, it didn’t take much for Qin Er Lang to guess that Qin San Lang was behind this.
He couldn’t believe it; they had grown up together, shared life-and-death moments, yet San Lang plotted against him.
Qin San Lang, sensing Qin Er Lang’s gaze, turned his head to glance toward his own courtyard, seeing Qin Er Lang’s gloomy murderous look. He maintained an unmoved expression and turned his gaze back, continuing to help the Gu Family move things.
Qin Er Lang, seeing this, got even angrier, nearly unable to restrain himself from rushing over to beat him. But Qin Er Lang still had some reason left, suppressed his anger, and waited for Qin San Lang to return home to settle the score.