Chapter 1: The Lady Jennie Deans

  The "Jenny Lady" steamboat puffed out black smoke and slowly drew a white line on the azure sea.

  Ye Zha stood at the ship's rail, puffing on a cigar. It had been a long time since he'd smoked, and he hadn't intended to pick up the habit again in this world. But when he passed through Shanghai, he couldn't resist the temptation of Mr. Holler's cigars, taking several boxes of Flor de Oro brand from him.

  Going to Guangzhou, it's better to take the sea route. On land, the Taiping Northern Expedition Army is fighting with Senggelinqin in the Tianjin area, and further north, there are bandits everywhere, so it's not safe for Ye Zhao to travel with his family.

  This time, Rui Si brought several slaves and bodyguards such as Bakshi, all of whom were accompanied by their families. Ye Zhaoye also brought the four maidservants, Jixiang Ruyi, Zhao Cai Jin Bao, whose names were changed by Ye Zhaoye. Although Rong'er felt it was not elegant, she could only yield to her husband. As for the two charming maidservants, Zhao Cai and Jin Bao, they didn't dare have any opinions either.

  The sand ship arrived in Shanghai, rested for a few days, and then took the steamer to Guangzhou. The Jenny Lady was originally a regular passenger and cargo ship between Hong Kong and Shanghai, but after taking on some dignified Chinese passengers who paid extra silver, it happily made an intermediate stop at Guangzhou.

  During his stay in Shanghai, Ye Zhao met with Huo, Huang Wenxiu and Su Lao Da separately, informing them that he would be going to Guangzhou. He told them that once he had settled down, he would send someone to deliver a letter to keep in touch. Ye Zhao also inquired about Hong Niang's news from Su Lao Da, and it turned out that Hong Niang had written a letter reporting her safety, and both she and the firearms had arrived in Gui Xi.

  In Guangxi, however, there was no news of mobs breaking into the city, and Ye Zhao felt slightly relieved. After all, with Su Hongniang's current armed forces, as long as they were given some time to familiarize themselves with the wonders of firearms, it would be easy to capture several state capitals in Guangxi. But the consequences that came with it were also significant. The Qing army would definitely regard them as a major threat and eliminate them with all their might. So what was Su Hongniang doing now? Was she quietly developing rural revolutionary bases? Ye Zhao thought about it and couldn't help but laugh.

  Turning her head, Ye Zhaocai suddenly found that Rong'er was standing beside her. She was wearing a moon-white cheongsam with silver-embroidered peonies, the embroidery was extremely delicate, and the two peonies on the front were half-hidden and half-revealed, looking beautiful. Paired with those adorable little flower shoes, the little girl looked lovely to the point of being stunning.

  "Are you tired from the boat ride?" Seeing her adorable appearance, Ye Zhao couldn't help but rub her little head, and the little one felt depressed, but didn't dare say anything to her husband.

  Currently, the passenger and cargo ships traveling between Shanghai and Hong Kong are mainly for cargo, with very simple cabins. The Jenny Lady is relatively well-conditioned, while some steamships simply set up a canopy on the deck to carry passengers.

  Although so, Ye Zhaoye also knew that this little guy must have had a hard time, tossing on the sea, the cabin was stuffy and humid, fortunately, it would only take seven or eight days to reach Guangzhou.

  Dada, just as the "husband and wife" were admiring the distant sea view, footsteps sounded, and a Western young woman wearing a white gauze skirt approached. Her golden hair and green eyes were still passable, but upon closer inspection, her face was covered in freckles. If it were just one or two freckles, they could be described as cute, but with a whole face full of them, it was somewhat nauseating.

  Ye Zhaodu recognized her, and when boarding the ship, he chatted with her husband Mr. William for a few words. Although Mr. William was not very clear in his speech, Ye Zhao understood him anyway. This newlywed couple probably couldn't make a living in their hometown of England, so they came to the Qing Dynasty by taking advantage of the Oriental gold rush craze, hoping to turn over a new leaf in the East.

  Mrs. Jennings' cabin layout was quite neat, Ye Zhaohad a conversation with Captain Smith, and booked the area near the east ship's side, all sailors and passengers on board were not allowed to approach, Smith knew the oriental etiquette, women did not easily meet people, and took many silver coins, naturally agreed.

  Miss Robin, originally intended to come over with her husband William to sunbathe, but halfway through, William was stopped, and it was only after she pleaded that Mr. Smith arranged for the sailors who were clearing the way for the "distinguished guests of the Qing Empire" to let her pass.

  "Yè, hello." Miss Ross stretched out her hand, as if expecting Yè Zhāo to kiss it.

  Actually, when they first met on the ship, Miss Ross was very proud and didn't even bother to give a glance at this man from a country with queues. But later, Ye Zhaolong chatted fluently in English with William, and Miss Ross's eyes almost popped out in surprise. Later, seeing Ye Zhaolong's entourage showing him respect, Miss Ross knew that Mr. Ye must be an oriental nobleman, and her attitude suddenly changed by 180 degrees.

  She stretched out her small hand more actively now, waiting for Ye Zhaos kiss on the hand.

  Although Miss Ross is not very good-looking and her character is also not great, she stretched out her hand as a lady, so Ye Zhao would respond to her for the sake of being a gentleman. However, Rong'er was right next to him, if he kissed her, in Rong'er's eyes, he would definitely be flirting with the Western woman, which would damage his reputation and make Rong'er think he is lecherous and shameless, completely different from having three wives and four concubines.

  Ye Zhaoyang just smiled and said "hi", saying: "Miss Luo is also in a good mood."

  Miss Ross stretched out her hand awkwardly, seeing that Ye Zhaohad no intention of holding hands with her. She couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, but quickly smiled and pretended to smooth out her curly golden hair, which had been blown messy by the wind. "Ye, isn't the sea beautiful?"

  Although she is even more of this kind of person, showing her inferior quality, because just the other day when I saw Ye Zhaowei, that face was so arrogant, and now after being knocked down a peg, she's still acting as if nothing happened, intimately calling Ye Zhaowei "Ye".

  Ke Ye Zhao, these trivial matters of good or bad character and attitude towards oneself are not worth paying attention to. If one were to take such things to heart, they would truly become a commoner. To put it bluntly, Ye Zhao was already outstanding and successful in his past life. As an orphan, relying on his own efforts, he received a full scholarship to Cambridge University, diligently studying and gradually gaining fame in his field, earning the appreciation of his professors. If not for his untimely death, who knows what achievements Ye Zhao would have accomplished?

  Although this life has changed its way of living, it is no longer the tight string of pursuing dreams in the previous life, but rather a lazy and casual attitude of getting by, yet the pride deep down will not change.

  Miss Luo's character is how she treats herself, and it's strange that Ye Zhaoluo puts her in his heart.

  Ye Zhaoye was chatting with her in a somewhat distracted manner, but Miss Luo's next action made Ye Zhaoye furrow his brow. She squeezed between Ye Zhaoye and Rong'er, causing Rong'er, who had been quietly watching the sea view, to stumble slightly.

  Rong'er looked up and stared at the woman in surprise, but she was a barbarian woman who didn't understand etiquette, so it would be petty to argue with her. If Master likes chatting with her, then let him chat with her.

  Rong'er was just thinking of saying goodbye to Xiang Gong and returning to her room, but unexpectedly saw Xiang Gong frowning and stretching out his arm, blocking the barbarian woman, grabbing Rong'er's small arm and pulling her to his side.

  Although her husband's actions still treated himself as a child, Rong'er was somewhat happy, because her husband was still spoiled by herself.

  "Miss Ross, it's windy, please go back!" Ye Zhao gave the order to drive the guest away. Although Rong'er didn't know what her husband was saying, she saw the barbarian woman leave with a huff and knew that her husband had driven her away. Her heart couldn't help but feel a little sweet.

  Ke Ye Zhao's next move of pinching her little face made Rong Er feel another wave of depression and frustration, why did he always treat people like children?