After dismissing Xiao Cui and the Eighteen Heavenly Maidens, Lu Zheng and Shen Ying naturally retired to their room to rest.
“For the time being, that Peach Mother Sacred Mountain can’t do anything to us,” Shen Ying said.
“With all four Divine Envoys dead here, by the time it trains new disciples, I’ll likely no longer fear it,” Lu Zheng replied.
“But having a thousand-year-old demon constantly watching us isn’t ideal,” Lu Zheng said, frowning. “What if it enlists some powerful figures to come here?”
From the Western Envoy’s memories, Lu Zheng knew the Peach Mother Sacred Tree had influential friends. If it realized the four Divine Envoys weren’t returning and deduced their failure, would it…
“Lu Lang, don’t be impulsive,” Shen Ying hurriedly cautioned. “This thousand-year-old peach tree spirit can’t leave its thousand-mile territory, but within the Peach Mother Sacred Mountain, even those with higher cultivation might not defeat it.”
Lu Zheng nodded. According to the Western Envoy’s memories, the Peach Mother’s friends were mostly casual acquaintances, not close confidants. They likely wouldn’t come to the Central Plains at its request. After all, being of similar strength, would they stand by and watch the Peach Mother ascend to a higher level?
Lu Zheng smiled. “So, this matter is essentially settled.”
“Naturally,” Shen Ying said with a smile, her eyes twinkling as her jade hand gently slid downward. “Lu Lang, you’ve worked hard today. Stay still, and let me take good care of you.”
“Hiss—”
One battle followed another, and battles were aplenty.
…
Lu Zheng stayed the night at Peach Blossom Manor, had breakfast there the next morning, and then returned to Tonglin County.
…
“Young Master Lu?”
“Constable Liu.”
Upon entering the city, Lu Zheng spotted Constable Liu patrolling.
Lu Zheng blinked, noticing something off in Constable Liu’s gaze. Previously, it held respect mixed with familiarity, but today, there was an added layer of shock and inscrutability.
“Does Constable Liu have something to say?” Lu Zheng asked with a smile.
“No, no! Nothing at all!” Constable Liu waved his hands repeatedly but, unable to hold back, dismissed his subordinates and whispered to Lu Zheng, “Some days ago, the new governor of Yizhou sent someone to instruct the county office to keep an eye on you, Young Master. They were to notify the prefecture the moment you returned home.”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, finally understanding how Du Yuru knew so quickly of his return and arrived so promptly. As the highest official in Yizhou, it made sense that the Tonglin County office would serve his needs.
Though unaware of the full context, Constable Liu was uneasy and hurriedly informed Lu Zheng upon seeing him.
Lu Zheng laughed, patting Constable Liu’s arm. “No worries, no worries. I know Mr. Du’s family. He said he was visiting me but didn’t know when I’d return, so he had people keep watch.”
“Oh, I see!” Constable Liu breathed a sigh of relief, then jolted, even more shocked.
Mr. Du? You’re calling Governor Du “Mr. Du”?
And you knew him before?
Governor Du personally came to visit you?
Even Master Mingzhang of Shaotong Mountain’s White Cloud Temple doesn’t have that kind of influence, does he?
Swallowing hard, Constable Liu recalled Lu Zheng’s arrival in Tonglin County, seemingly a fallen noble with no connections. He realized he had never truly understood Lu Zheng. Each time he thought he had placed Lu Zheng higher, Lu Zheng would redefine his perception.
Bidding farewell to Constable Liu, Lu Zheng leisurely returned home.
“Young Master!”
As soon as Lu Zheng stepped inside, Uncle Li greeted him. “Young Master, someone came looking for you yesterday, saying they had business to discuss.”
“Oh?” Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
Speaking of business, how long had it been since he dealt with such matters?
A year, perhaps?
Last year, after the New Year, he had gone to Yizhou Prefecture, sold a crafted item, and used the proceeds to buy the Sweet Shop and a sugar refinery. Apart from occasionally supplying bulk rock sugar, he hadn’t managed the shop or refinery since. Uncle Li regularly sent him account books and money, and with Lu Zheng’s mathematical skills, a quick glance was enough to confirm everything was in order.
Since the shop and refinery ran smoothly, supporting both themselves and Lu Zheng’s household, he had no need to micromanage.
“Do you know what it’s about?” Lu Zheng asked.
“No idea. They said they needed to speak with you directly,” Uncle Li replied, shaking his head.
Lu Zheng shrugged, about to respond, when a knock came at the door, followed by a middle-aged man’s voice. “Steward Li, is Young Master Lu at home today?”
“Quite the timing,” Lu Zheng said with a shrug. Seeing Uncle Li’s questioning glance, he nodded. “Let him in.”
Uncle Li opened the door, and Lu Zheng settled in the front hall. He watched as Uncle Li led in a slightly plump middle-aged man accompanied by a young servant.
Lu Zheng could tell the middle-aged man was surprised by the grand and refined decor of his courtyard, which exuded an air of elegance. The man’s initial arrogance and condescending demeanor noticeably softened, replaced by caution and deference.
“Please, sir!” Uncle Li ushered the two into the front hall and turned to serve tea.
The tea set and leaves were kept in the hall, with a kettle simmering on a low flame for instant brewing. Purple clay teacups, adorned with plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum motifs, were filled with pre-rain Longjing tea, its fragrance wafting through the air.
Lu Zheng picked up a teacup, took a gentle sip, and turned to the middle-aged man seated to his right. “May I have your name, sir? And what brings you here?”
The man, still marveling at the exquisite teacup and the opulent furniture and vases, hurriedly set down his cup upon hearing Lu Zheng’s question. Standing, he clasped his hands and said, “I am Zhou Mingsheng, a steward of the Zhao family from Yizhou.”
“The Zhao family of Yizhou?” Lu Zheng blinked, then nodded. “And?”
Lu Zheng’s reaction made it clear he hadn’t heard of the Zhao family.
In the past, Zhou Mingsheng might have proudly lectured this “country bumpkin” holed up in a county town. But now, facing a room full of priceless furnishings and a host exuding an imposing presence, Zhou Mingsheng faltered. The servant behind him, no fool either, kept his head lowered and stayed silent.
“It’s like this,” Zhou Mingsheng said. “Our Zhao family has recently expanded some business into Tonglin County.”
“Mm,” Lu Zheng nodded, then blinked. “Sugar business?”
“Not quite,” Zhou Mingsheng replied.
“Then why seek me out?” Lu Zheng was puzzled. He only owned a sugar shop and a refinery, so he assumed the Zhao family wanted to acquire his business.
“We wish to purchase your shopfront in Cong’an Lane,” Zhou Mingsheng said, steeling himself to state his purpose. “The price is negotiable.”
