Chapter 286: Coming Up with a Plan
Gu Fei waved her hand. "You two can go. Don’t worry, I’ll figure something out."
Lan Zhi wiped her tears dry. Since Gu Fei had said so, she believed she had a way to solve it. After all, Gu Fei had managed to do the seemingly impossible—even getting her out of the Imperial Music Bureau.
As she started to leave, she suddenly realized one of her hands was still clutching Gu Erlang’s clothes. She quickly let go and ran toward the backyard.
Gu Erlang stood there in a daze for a moment, not knowing what he should do, or what he even could do.
After a long moment, he trudged dejectedly into the kitchen.
Gu Fei sat behind the counter for a while before beckoning Xiao Lu over. "Go to the government office," she said in a low voice. "You remember the Chief of the Government Office who came to make trouble the other day, right? The one with the mole by his nose?"
Xiao Lu nodded. "I do."
Gu Fei said, "Go find him at the government office. When you do, tell him that some people might come to the shop to cause trouble tomorrow. See if he can send some patrolling Government Officials to pass by here a few extra times."
Gu Fei handed Xiao Lu a fifty-tael ingot of patterned silver. "Slip this to him quietly."
Xiao Lu took the silver and nodded. "Alright, Shopkeeper. I’ll head out now."
Gu Fei watched as Xiao Lu left.
Xiao Lu was quick-witted and articulate, so Gu Fei was confident he could handle it.
Gu Fei’s plan was to first stop the troublemakers tomorrow.
Then, she would immediately write a letter and have it sent to Su Chen at Qinglian Academy, asking him to step in and mediate with Mr. Xu.
After all, Su Chen and Mr. Xu were good friends. Only he would be able to get through to him.
Gu Fei then sent Lian’er to buy some letter paper and sat down behind the counter to write.
Her handwriting was quite good, a skill she’d developed thanks to Lan Zhi.
Whenever Lan Zhi slacked off and couldn’t turn in her assignments, Gu Fei would do them for her.
This included copying Buddhist Scriptures for the Old Madam, which Gu Fei also penned. It was one of the main reasons Lan Zhi was so fond of her.
Gu Fei didn’t write much. She explained the situation briefly, sealed the letter, and had Lian’er take it to the post station to see if it could be sent express.
A short while later, Lian’er returned. "It cost one tael of silver for express delivery. They said they’re leaving now and it should reach the academy by dinnertime."
Gu Fei nodded, feeling slightly more at ease.
In the kitchen, Gu Erlang was cutting and marinating meat, a gloomy expression on his face.
For him, Mr. Xu’s appearance was a rude awakening.
The son of a marquis had taken a fancy to Lan Zhi.
’Yes, Lan Zhi is so beautiful and delicate. Who wouldn’t be captivated by her?’
That young master had said he wasn’t worthy of Lan Zhi. Gu Erlang grit his teeth. Before today, he had never even considered it. ’Looking at Mr. Xu, then looking at myself... I can’t even lie to myself and say I’m better than him.’
’But Lan Zhi said she was willing to marry me.’
Gu Erlang didn’t know what to feel. There was joy, yes, but it was overshadowed by a deep sense of apprehension.
’Why would she be willing to marry me, but not Mr. Xu?’
’What is she really thinking?’
Gu Erlang continued to work, his mind wrestling with these questions.
Before long, Gu Fei entered the kitchen. Seeing that Gu Erlang had finished cutting the meat, she began to show him how to salt it. People who’ve never cooked have no concept of how much salt to use.
Gu Fei watched as Gu Erlang salted the meat, and then watched as he roasted a few lamb skewers. She tasted one. "It still needs a little work, Second Brother. From now on, you should taste your own cooking first. That’s how you’ll figure things out and keep improving your skills."
Gu Erlang nodded sullenly.