"Lu Zheng from Tonglin County, nice to meet you, Brother Lin." Lu Zheng casually cupped his hands.

"Qingyan, I remember now, I recall hearing some days ago about some mishap with the Huangfu Family. The whole family went out and only recently returned."

Xiao Yuzhen blinked and leaned slightly against Lin Zhidong, asking softly, "If there are any difficulties, perhaps Lin Lang can help."

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhidong nodded repeatedly, looking around with a somewhat proud expression, "Indeed, indeed, my Lin Family has a modest reputation in Wanfu County, with businesses spread over a hundred miles around, there's some capability."

Liu Qingyan shook her head and said, "No need, the matter has been resolved, there's nothing difficult now, thank you."

"Really?" Xiao Yuzhen nodded, feeling relieved, but immediately added, "Qingyan, we've known each other since childhood, if you have any difficulties, don't hesitate with me."

Lu Zheng glanced at Liu Qingyan, who seemed a bit helpless.

Liu Qingyan waved her hand, instantly changing the subject, "I won't stand on ceremony with you, it's just unexpected that you're already engaged."

Xiao Yuzhen raised her eyebrows and smiled proudly, leaning a bit closer to Lin Zhidong, "I met Lin Lang at the autumn poetry meeting on the Garden Hill last year, now the betrothal has been sent, and the wedding is in winter."

"Congratulations, congratulations," Liu Qingyan said.

"Hee hee, thank you, congratulations to you too," Xiao Yuzhen replied joyfully, then turned to Lu Zheng, asking in a delicate voice, "I believe Qingyan has also found someone good, but who exactly is this gentleman, to earn Qingyan's favor?"

"You're flattering me, merely a commoner," Lu Zheng replied indifferently.

Lu Zheng could see that Xiao Yuzhen and Liu Qingyan should be childhood neighbors, perhaps with some long-known friendship, but they mostly didn't get along.

Clearly, Liu Qingyan overshadowed Xiao Yuzhen.

Now that Liu Qingyan has moved away, Xiao Yuzhen has found a wealthy and talented fiancé. It's an attempt to assert herself in front of Liu Qingyan.

A typical thought process of a nobody turning rich.

Liu Qingyan naturally paid no mind, and Lu Zheng had no intention to show off or embarrass, offhandedly brushed it aside, sending them away, as the two continued to stroll hand in hand.

So Lu Zheng casually dismissed, nodded towards them, and pulled Liu Qingyan as they prepared to leave.

However, after only a couple of steps, Lin Zhidong and Xiao Yuzhen caught up to them.

"Since Miss Liu is Yuzhen's friend, naturally she's also my friend."

Lin Zhidong smiled, "Coincidentally, we have nothing to do, how about having lunch together?

The chef at Huifeng Building only prepares four tables a day; I'm fortunate to have some modest connections, and might persuade the chef to make an exception."

"Qingyan, the Huifeng Building chef's cooking is superb, the top-floor private room overlooks the county, the view is good too, how about joining us?"

"No need, we're just exploring the county, instead of Huifeng Building, I'd rather taste the snacks I frequently bought before."

Liu Qingyan replied lightly as she arrived at a roadside old marinated shop.

"Aunt Fu, please give me a marinated chicken."

The stout aunt watching the shop looked up, eyes bright with surprise, "Oh, isn't this Qingyan? I heard your family moved last year, have you come back now?"

"No, just back for a family visit." Liu Qingyan smiled, handed over a handful of Copper Coins, "Still fifty cents, right?"

"Yes, yes, Aunt Fu always conducts business honestly, never raises prices." Aunt Fu didn't count the money, just put the handful of Copper Coins into the drawer, then picked the fattest marinated chicken, wrapped it in parchment, and handed it to Liu Qingyan.

"Thank you, Aunt Fu."

"You're welcome, you're welcome, oh, this young man is really handsome, congratulations!"

Liu Qingyan blushed, Lu Zheng smiled and cupped his hands in return.

As they turned away, Lin Zhidong and Xiao Yuzhen followed again.

"Miss Liu doesn't forget old matters, I'm greatly impressed," Lin Zhidong cupped his hands in praise, "But this marinated chicken hardly suffices for lunch, let me host a dish, and we can reminisce, you and Yuzhen haven't seen each other for over a year."

Lin Zhidong praised Liu Qingyan again, Xiao Yuzhen noticed something was amiss, cautiously glanced at Lin Zhidong, seeing he looked at Lu Zheng, she felt relieved, smiled at Liu Qingyan, "Yes, yes, I was going to ask where you've been."

Lin Zhidong looked at Lu Zheng, "I wonder what title Brother Lu currently holds?"

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow.

Lin Zhidong laughed, "I've passed the county exam, preparing for next year's fall examination, what about you, Brother Lu? We could exchange ideas frequently."

Lu Zheng replied indifferently, "I don't hold any title."

Lin Zhidong's eyes flashed, Xiao Yuzhen was also somewhat surprised, glancing at Lu Zheng, then at Liu Qingyan.

Liu Qingyan's family is scholarly; although they're a physician's family, her literary talents were renowned in the neighborhood. How did she end up with a scholar who can't even pass the exams?

Could it be...

Lin Zhidong "oh"-ed, feeling quite proud, continued asking, "Then what does Brother Lu's family do?

My Lin Family holds modest fame around, with a thousand acres of good land, operating fabric mills, wineries, and grain stores, maybe we could help each other's families?"

If not achieved in academics, then rich at home?

"No need, we only have a small sugar shop, producing and selling ourselves."

"Oh—" Lin Zhidong nodded, finally understood, glanced at Lu Zheng with a hint of disdain, and at Liu Qingyan with a warmer gaze.

Turns out a small workshop owner, for such a person to marry such a beauty, seems I've overestimated you.

Xiao Yuzhen was even happier, she finally outdid Liu Qingyan.

"Speaking of sugar shops, though my family doesn't run any, we're acquainted with the Shopkeeper at Liu's Fine Sugar in town."

Lin Zhidong smiled broadly and said, "Why don't I introduce you? Liu's has its own secret recipe, with a shop in the State Capital.

Let me host, allow Liu's to provide you with low-cost goods, you might expand the shop to Yizhou Prefecture."

"No need, thank you."

Lu Zheng shook his head, walking with Liu Qingyan ahead, feeling a bit impatient.

"Miss Liu, Brother Lu..." Lin Zhidong still wanted to continue.

Lu Zheng suddenly turned back, "Young Master Lin."

"Hm?" Lin Zhidong frowned.

"Please stay, we just want to stroll freely ourselves, without troubling you two," Lu Zheng said indifferently.

Xiao Yuzhen pouted, thinking perhaps Lin Zhidong's excellence was pressuring him.

But having boasted enough, Xiao Yuzhen didn't want Lin Zhidong to have more contact with Liu Qingyan, so she tugged at Lin Zhidong's sleeve.

However, Lin Zhidong clearly didn't want to bid farewell.

"Why must Brother Lu refuse people a thousand miles away? You should know, whether studying or doing business, one must..."

"Stop!"

Lu Zheng made a casual gesture, and Lin Zhidong instantly froze in place.