CHAPTER 64: CHAPTER 64: LADY LI’S PILLOW TALK

Li Xiaolan still wanted to show off, but Chun Nuan didn’t give her a chance at all, and turned around to get on the carriage of Qingsheng.

"Whose carriage is it?"

Li Xiaolan asked unrelentingly.

"Madam, it’s the carriage of Zhao San Gongzi of the Hundred Herbs Hall." The maid beside her quickly explained, "Zhao San Gongzi’s mother, Mrs. Zhao, is the cousin of the Seventh Young Master."

"..."

"Madam Li, about this rouge, do you want it..."

"No, someone else has looked at it and you’re giving it to me, do you take me for a ragpicker?"

Having swallowed her anger and with nowhere to vent it, she took it out on the shop assistant.

Watching her figure as she turned and left, the assistant couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

"I say, why did you have to provoke her? She’s the favorite concubine of Master Zhou Qi," the bookkeeper beside him said with a smile.

"Heaven knows, when did I provoke her?" The assistant was truly wronged: "Clearly that young lady came first, and when she got the item in her hands, Li Xiaolan went and snatched it, causing all sorts of trouble."

"I know, she just can’t stand people being prettier than her." The assistant said disdainfully, "It’s said she’s the most beautiful among all of Master Zhou Qi’s concubines, brought back from Jiangnan. Seeing that girl today probably made her feel inferior, and so she made trouble."

"That’s true to some extent, but she is indeed our shop’s most generous customer."

Whenever she came by, she would always spend a large sum, but today, she didn’t buy a single penny’s worth of goods.

"But don’t offend her for a person who won’t spend a penny?"

"In business, we must uphold credibility, and maintain a first-come, first-served basis."

"You, why have you been just a shop assistant for so many years? You’re just too stubborn, slow of speech, and not quick-witted."

The assistant... fine, fine, say whatever you want!

Anyway, just don’t bully people.

On the carriage, Qingsheng also told Chun Nuan who the person bullying her today was.

"Seventh Young Master Zhou is well-known in Changzhou. He has several trade caravans that travel across the country, going to the Capital in summer and heading south in winter," Qingsheng said. "There’s another famous aspect about Master Zhou Qi..."

Qingsheng suddenly stopped, realizing it was not something to tell a young lady.

Aye, hanging out with the young masters and that bunch of rascals for too long has made him careless with words.

"Qingsheng, do tell, what is this other famous aspect?"

Chun Nuan, knowing about Seventh Young Master Zhou’s trade caravans journeying back and forth, had an idea in her mind. However, Zhao Minghua was unwilling to introduce her to him, so she hoped to grasp some useful information from Qingsheng.

"Well..." Qingsheng hesitated.

"Come on, tell me, and I’ll pack some pastries for you to take back to your mother."

Qingsheng had tasted the pastries, saying they were delicious. His mother had never had such fragrant pastries, so Chun Nuan knew he was a filial child.

To gain hold over a filial child, one mother is enough.

Alright, it’s not like he can’t say it.

"Master Zhou Qi is indulgent with women, having many wives and concubines at home. He has officially married nineteen concubines," Qingsheng bluntly revealed. "Given his wealth, he doesn’t need to go on journeys with the caravans personally, but he still does, because he likes finding beauties on the way."

Every time he brings back a beauty, that’s just typical of Master Zhou Qi.

Chun Nuan... art imitates life, one really shouldn’t underestimate the wealthy families from remote regions.

Even among the big families of the Capital, those playboy young masters and lords who indulge in beauty aren’t as carefree as him. After all, they must abide by family rules and be mindful of reputations, avoiding tarnishing their noble family names.

This Seventh Young Master really lives recklessly!

In that instant, Chun Nuan suddenly realized the reason why Zhao Minghua was unwilling to introduce her to Master Zhou Qi.

It turns out it was a form of protection for herself.

This person, though not young, really does consider things thoroughly.

She felt a sense of admiration.’,

"Miss, since you have a conflict with Madam Li, be cautious traveling alone in the future, especially when going to Changzhou."

"Does she have a lot of influence?" Chun Nuan didn’t feel she had offended anyone but understood that rabid dogs don’t bite needing a reason.

"She’s from Jiangnan, not so much influence, but she is adept at pillow talk." Qingsheng chuckled, "The power of pillow talk is tremendous, capable of stirring a ten-level wave."

Indeed, it is better to offend a gentleman than a scoundrel.

Particularly when the scoundrel is a woman, extra caution is necessary.

Chun Nuan... Qingsheng has truly hit the mark with his reasoning.

If she were to sow discord in front of Master Zhou Qi, Chun Nuan might not be able to get out unscathed.

"I understand. Thank you."

"You’re welcome," Qingsheng replied. "But it was fortunate that you used our young master’s carriage today, which is relatively safer."

"Why?"

"Because my madam is a lady of the Zhou family, in terms of seniority, madam is Master Zhou Qi’s cousin. My young master calls Master Zhou Qi uncle," Qingsheng explained on his own accord. "Since you got on the carriage and it was me driving, Madam Li would only think of you as someone our young master values, and won’t do anything. But if you are alone one day, then it might become troublesome."

Chun Nuan sighed heavily!

"Truly left the house without consulting the almanac, to encounter her today."

During unfortunate times, even drinking cold water seems unlucky.

However, she is not afraid.

Fear does not solve problems.

Only by becoming strong enough can others be deterred.

Returning to the town, the family asked Chun Nuan how it went.

"Why didn’t you have Chun Ning accompany you?" Mother Xu was a bit worried, "Going alone to such a far place, what if something were to happen?"

"Mother, it’s alright, what could happen in broad daylight? Besides, wasn’t Qingsheng driving the carriage for me, there won’t be any problems."

"Do you know much about that Zhao Gongzi?"

There should be some vigilance between men and women, her own daughter doesn’t seem to have any defenses against Zhao Minghua.

Thinking about Zhao Minghua... forget it, forget it, the young man is too frivolous, not suitable for Chun Nuan.

Aye, after three years of mourning, Chun Nuan will be eighteen. What kind of family would be suitable for discussion then?

Truly worrisome!

"Mother, where are Chun Ning and the others?"

Having been home for almost half an hour, the house felt quiet.

"Chun Qiang and Chunxin are still asleep, not yet awake," Mrs. Xu said, "Chun Ning, Chun An, and Chun Yan had gone back to the village."

"Why go back to the village?"

"Probably went to play with Luo Xiaogang and Luo San Ya."

Mrs. Xu was not sure either.

The children in the village may play, but Chun Ning and the others won’t.

It must be said, Chun Nuan understands them well.

At that moment, Chun Ning was leading his younger siblings working hard while sweating in the paddy fields.

Chun Yan and Chun Shu were cutting rice stalks, Chun Ning digging up soil, while Chun An was piling the stalks into the corner with all his might.

"Brother Ning, will elder sister praise us?" Chun An had run a few rounds, and his face was flushed red: "If elder sister asks about a reward, I want to eat pastries."

Chun Yan and Chun Shu exchanged smiles: No one could resist the temptation of elder sister’s pastries.