For the next period, Lu Zheng mainly dealt with Leng Jian’s century-old collection and his own properties in Tonglin County.
Tonglin County was too small to make deals easily, so Lu Zheng made a special trip to Yizhou Prefecture, selling off all the gold, silver, and jade artifacts he had gathered, exchanging them for several thousand guan in banknotes.
Upon returning to Tonglin County, he first established a sugar refinery, hired a manager, secured supply channels, and began purchasing honey and grains to produce candied sugar and molasses. He also bought small amounts of icing sugar, creating a complete operation from procurement to production to sales. Even without Lu Zheng’s direct involvement, the business could run smoothly, covering all his daily expenses.
Additionally, for future convenience, Lu Zheng purchased two adjacent courtyard houses, knocked down the dividing walls, and renovated them to include a stable. He hired a groom and acquired a carriage with two horses.
…
“So, all these things were actually provided by Leng Jian?” Lu Zheng was showing Liu Qingyan around their new home when she asked in astonishment.
“Yes. Speaking of which, he was truly a good man… or rather, a good demon…” Lu Zheng nodded matter-of-factly. “Not only did he give me his personal curved blade, but also his century-old collection. I must say, that was truly generous!”
“Lu Lang~” Liu Qingyan shot him a playful glance, unable to suppress a giggle behind her hand.
Seeing that Liu Qingyan showed no reaction to Leng Jian’s name, Lu Zheng nodded. It seemed her childhood trauma had finally faded.
At that moment, Old Li came running over. “Young Master! There’s a young couple at the gate looking for you. The gentleman says his surname is Zhu.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes lit up. Turning to Liu Qingyan, he smiled. “Come, let me introduce you to a friend.”
Liu Qingyan covered her mouth and chuckled. “Is it that unlucky Zhu Yushan?”
Lu Zheng nodded with a smile. “Exactly!”
When he had gone to Yizhou Prefecture to deal with Leng Jian’s collection, he stopped by the Lushui River God Mansion on his way back. Failing to get anything useful from Zhu Yushan, he invited the couple to visit Tonglin County.
Now, about ten days later, it seemed they had come as promised.
Lu Zheng shared this with Liu Qingyan, and they went to greet the guests. Stepping outside, they saw Zhu Yushan and his wife, Li Hanyu, the daughter of the River God Mansion, waiting at the gate.
Zhu Yushan wore a simple blue scholar’s robe, his appearance plain but his eyes bright and his posture upright.
Li Hanyu was dressed in a silver-patterned, multicoloured silk skirt, adorned with a white jade hairpin carved with flowers and green beads. She leaned close to Zhu Yushan, her eyes smiling and her face delicate.
“Brother Zhu, Lady Zhu!” Lu Zheng stepped forward, clasping his hands. “Please, come in!”
“Thank you for having us, Brother Lu!” Zhu Yushan returned the gesture politely before entering the Lu household with his wife.
Once inside the courtyard, Lu Zheng introduced, “This is my fiancée, Liu Qingyan.”
Liu Qingyan gave a slight curtsy. “Pleased to meet Master Zhu and Sister Li.”
“Pleased to meet Miss Liu,” Zhu Yushan said.
“Hello, dear sister,” Li Hanyu said warmly, taking Liu Qingyan’s hand and looking her over with sparkling eyes.
“Sister, you are…”
Liu Qingyan covered her mouth and laughed softly, nodding. “You have a keen eye, Sister.”
Knowing that Zhu Yushan and Li Hanyu were no ordinary people, Liu Qingyan did not hide her identity, and Li Hanyu immediately saw through her.
Li Hanyu glanced at Lu Zheng, her eyes showing a trace of admiration.
For a cultivator to openly acknowledge a fox spirit as his fiancée showed that Lu Zheng held no prejudice against demons. This impressed Li Hanyu, a carp spirit, as it demonstrated that Lu Zheng’s respect for the Lushui River God Mansion was not merely due to their divine status.
Lu Zheng led the couple to the back courtyard, where Old Li followed, serving tea and snacks.
“Old Li, tell Aunt Liu to bring out her best dishes,” Lu Zheng said.
“Right away!” Old Li nodded and hurried off to assist Aunt Liu.
The group chatted casually in the back courtyard. Li Hanyu and Liu Qingyan whispered to each other, while Lu Zheng took Zhu Yushan to see his study, showing off his calligraphy.
“Your handwriting is impressive, Lu Zheng!” Zhu Yushan exclaimed. Then, as if recalling something, he asked, “By the way, Brother Lu, what scholarly rank do you hold? Are you a Juren?”
“No,” Lu Zheng shook his head calmly. “I’m not even a Xiucai.”
“What?” Zhu Yushan looked at him in disbelief.
Lu Zheng nodded. “I’ve never taken the county exams, so I have no scholarly rank.”
“What?” Zhu Yushan blinked. “You’ve never taken any exams?”
With Lu Zheng’s refined demeanor and cultivation, Zhu Yushan had assumed he was at least a Juren. To think he hadn’t even taken the local exams?
He never considered whether Lu Zheng could pass. With such fine calligraphy, becoming a Xiucai should be effortless.
To not even have a Xiucai rank…
Suddenly feeling a strange kinship, as if finding a fellow unfortunate, Zhu Yushan grabbed Lu Zheng’s hand, his face full of sympathy. “Brother Lu, are you that unlucky too?”
Lu Zheng, “…”
Unlucky? Your whole family is unlucky!
“You’re mistaken, Brother Zhu. I have no interest in taking the exams,” Lu Zheng said seriously.
“I focus on cultivating my qi and have no interest in officialdom. I read to broaden my knowledge, not for personal gain,” Lu Zheng said earnestly.
Zhu Yushan looked puzzled. “Taking exams, serving as a local official, and helping the people is the duty of us scholars. How is that about personal gain?”
Lu Zheng, “…”
Damn it, how do I respond? Help, urgent!
“Admirable! Your aspirations are lofty, Brother Zhu. I cannot compare,” Lu Zheng quickly changed the subject. “So, are you still planning to take this year’s provincial exam?”
“Indeed!” Zhu Yushan nodded. “I’m going to seclude myself for a month to study, then head to Yizhou Prefecture for the exam.”
Lu Zheng blinked, grasping Zhu Yushan’s hand. “Safe travels, Brother Zhu.”
“This time, it’ll go smoothly!” Zhu Yushan nodded. “You should visit the prefecture too, Brother Lu. Even if you don’t take the exam, talking with other candidates will deepen your understanding of the texts.”
Lu Zheng blinked, brushing it off. “Sure, if I have time, I’ll go take a look.”
“Young Master, lunch is ready,” Old Li’s voice called from the side door.
Lu Zheng quickly ended the awkward chat with Zhu Yushan. “Come, I have some fresh ingredients here. Try them, Brother Zhu!”
“Good. I heard you mention them at the River God Mansion. I’m looking forward to tasting them,” Zhu Yushan said with a smile, following Lu Zheng out. They saw Li Hanyu and Liu Qingyan waiting arm-in-arm in the courtyard.
