Chapter 957 - 951: Business
Mr. Lin was truly tired.
But before resting at the inn, he first went to Doctor Wei’s residence to inform him about the events at Wei Mansion.
Doctor Wei was unaware that after his arrival in the Capital City, so many things happened in Su State. His esteemed student suddenly became his adopted son, was forced into marriage, and jailed.
Although Su Jin managed to temporarily delay things with her wit, Doctor Wei was still quite worried.
Doctor Wei wanted to keep Mr. Lin at the Wei Mansion, but Mr. Lin politely refused.
In Tongzhou, if the inns weren’t in short supply, he wouldn’t have stayed at the Qian Family for a night.
It’s always inappropriate to inconvenience people, traveling is much easier when staying at an inn.
He also had several classmates in the Capital City. This hurried trip to the Capital, and once back to Su State, who knows when he’ll return again, so he decided to visit them.
But this visit made Mr. Lin experience the warmth and coldness of human relationships.
Previously, as the son of the magistrate, everyone used to be friendly with him.
Since Lord Lin was demoted and had not been reinstated for three years, people were now indifferent towards Mr. Lin.
Mr. Lin’s servant was quite angry and wanted to mention the reinstatement of Lord Lin.
Mr. Lin stopped him and didn’t get angry. After exchanging a few polite words, he took his leave.
After leaving, the servant said, "Why didn’t you let me speak, sir?"
"There’s nothing to say. Friendships based on being the magistrate’s son are not worth having," Mr. Lin replied.
The servant understood this reasoning, he just wanted to annoy them.
When they find out the Young Master is again the magistrate’s son, they will regret being indifferent today.
Visiting friends and family took a day, and Mr. Lin spent another day shopping for things to bring back to his parents and sister.
The journey to the Capital was quick, but the return trip was not as fast.
Even though the Emperor issued a decree reinstating his father’s position, the commission papers would take at least ten days to a half-month to reach his father.
Returning slowly was still timely.
Hmm.
Mr. Lin underestimated the weight of the recommendation from Su Jin in the eyes of the eunuch.
Plus, Doctor Wei sent a letter with him.
The eunuch rushed all the way to Su State.
Knowing the news of reinstatement a day earlier, Lord Lin was bound to be delighted.
Such a promising future minister, wouldn’t the eunuch want to curry favor and be on good terms?
If only he could grow wings and fly to Su State.
By the time Mr. Lin returned, Lord Lin had already solved two cases.
Not to mention rejoicing, returning too slowly even earned Mr. Lin a couple of glares from Lord Lin.
Mr. Lin, "...."
The servant was gloating at the side.
He had suggested hurrying, but the Young Master wasn’t in a rush. Not listening to the servant led to immediate consequences.
This is a matter for later discussion, and won’t be mentioned for now.
Speaking of Su Jin, although she knew the burning of grain and grass was a conspiracy, no one could guarantee that continuing by boat would be safe.
Housekeeper Zhou dared not joke with Su Jin’s life, and Su Jin dared even less.
She herself was fine, but she was pregnant too.
After a roundabout journey, she was finally back in the carriage.
The carriage was bumpy, less stable than on the boat, and Su Jin’s morning sickness worsened.
Even Steward Zhou who was not entirely smart could see Su Jin was pregnant.
Such hardship during pregnancy, what was the need?
Steward Zhou was privy to the information, whereas the Zhou Family’s servant was clueless, wondering how someone prone to motion sickness could manage a position as Second Steward at Beauty Pavilion.
Not only did he become Second Steward, but was also sent to the border to handle business with Beimo.
At his leisurely pace, by the time he reached the border, a whole batch of cauliflowers would have wilted.
The Beauty Pavilion’s cauliflowers didn’t matter, but the Zhou Family’s business couldn’t wait on him.
The servant complained to Housekeeper Zhou several times, Housekeeper Zhou said, "Managing her is more important than managing the Zhou Family business."
"Do we need to curry favor with just a Second Steward like him?" the servant wondered.
"Our Seventh Son-in-law has a good relationship with the Heir of Prince Zhenbei."
Precisely because of that good relationship, it’s even more crucial to take care of Princess Consort Zhenbei.
These things couldn’t be spoken aloud, Steward Zhou said, "Just follow my instructions, don’t bring this up again."
Su Jin felt embarrassed, she never had the mindset that being a princess gave her the right to demand anything from others.
She was sorry for delaying Steward Zhou.
She suggested Steward Zhou leave first, to avoid delaying Zhou Family’s business.
Su Jin was understanding, but could Steward Zhou really leave?
If anything happened, not only would he as a minor steward be in trouble, but the entire Zhou Family wouldn’t escape the Emperor’s wrath.
Steward Zhou smiled, "Princess Consort need not be so polite, protecting you is far more important than Zhou Family’s business."
Steward Zhou called her Princess Consort, Su Jin wasn’t surprised.
Steward Zhou was a smart man, how could he have not guessed her identity by now?
Just from his attitude towards her, Su Jin knew he had figured it out, he simply didn’t state it outright.
This favor owed to the Zhou Family would surely be repaid in the future when given the chance.
Xingxing was astonished, quite impressed with Steward Zhou.
Steward Zhou smiled, "Another day ahead, we’ll reach Yu State. I have business there, and we can rest for two days."
Su Jin nodded.
Upon arriving in Yu State, Su Jin felt as if she never wanted to ride in a carriage again in her life.
No.
She felt as if she never wanted to have a second child again.
The feeling of morning sickness was truly unbearable.
Su Jin couldn’t endure it, fetched some medicine for herself. Even though medicine is inherently harmful to some degree, Su Jin preferred not to take it unless necessary, but now, she truly couldn’t bear it.
Xingxing fetched the medicine, Su Jin prepared it at the inn.
Xingxing poured the medicine into a bowl and handed it to Su Jin.
The room’s soundproofing was mediocre, outside there were voices, including Steward Zhou’s surprised voice, "Fourth Son-in-law is also in Yu State?"
"Not only is he in Yu State, but he also snatched Zhou Family’s business," said another steward.
"I was waiting for your arrival to discuss what to do. Why are you so late, staying at an inn?"
Housekeeper Zhou frowned and said, "Family, how could he snatch Zhou Family’s business?"
"Fourth Son-in-law said even among brothers accounts must be clear, I had no words," the other steward replied.
"There’s no comfort of a private courtyard, staying at the inn only wastes silver, move soon, let’s have a drink together as we haven’t met for a long time."
Steward Zhou said, "This time, let’s not move to the courtyard. Let’s discuss Fourth Son-in-law’s poaching of the business more thoroughly, but at least the profits stay within the family."
The voices faded away.
Su Jin noticed the smell of medicine and felt reluctant to drink it.
Xingxing handed over candied fruits, "Miss, drink it hot while you can."
Looking at the ash on Xingxing’s nose tip, Su Jin suppressed her discomfort and drank the medicine in one gulp.
Although the candied fruits could subdue the bitterness, they couldn’t entirely cover it.
After rinsing her mouth, she ate four or five pieces to feel better.
Xingxing handed the bowl to a young attendant, pushed the door open, and looked outside, "It’s lively outside."
Su Jin moved to the window, seeing the bustling street, pedestrians coming and going, vendors shouting continuously.
Xingxing, while fetching the medicine, had already learned what delicacies Yu State offered.
Despite the trip being about finding Xie Jingchen, knowing that Xie Jingchen was alive meant Xingxing wasn’t worried about the husband.
Her task was to take good care of Miss and the Little Master in her abdomen.
Su Jin was too exhausted to stroll around, but Xingxing was brimming with energy.
Eating well and sleeping soundly, she consumed less energy.
Xingxing had put on a little weight since leaving the Capital.
Xingxing disliked waste.
Every time ordering a bunch of dishes for Su Jin, Su Jin could barely eat two bites, and the rest ended up in her stomach.
Xingxing stood by the window, looking around, Su Jin said, "If you want to play, go play for a bit, just don’t go too far."
Xingxing shook her head, "I’ll just take a look, tomorrow I’ll accompany Miss on a stroll."