Chapter 127 News of an Old Acquaintance

  After returning from Dujiangyan, Lu Xuan bid farewell to everyone and locked herself in her room.

  After a while, Lu Yun heard her sister say in the room: "Ayun, what business do you think we should do?"

  Lu Yun was taken aback, he was a thorough bookworm and had never cared about this before, shaking his head: "I don't know."

  After a moment of silence, he heard his sister say: "We now have some capital, although not much, but we can join forces with Ah Feng and Ah Yan to do business together."

  She used to be misled, always thinking of doing a small business like in Hanyang. In fact, she didn't think that with the support of these wealthy families, she could make a big name for herself in Chengdu and truly do business.

  In this world, only what is truly in one's own hands is one's own. Lu Yue thought that now was also the time to build real strength for her siblings.

  Sensing her sister's thoughts, Lu Yun called out: "But sis, we don't have anyone to use it on."

  Lu Xuan sighed and said, "Yes, no one uses it."

  She lost because she helped that young man that day, and even left the bucket for carrying fish here, and seemed to have casually mentioned her family's approximate residence. What was the point of doing so? Wasn't it just to give that young man an opportunity to repay her kindness, letting him find an excuse to come and thank her? Now after all this time, not a single word has been heard from that young man, Lu Yueba finally realized she had been expecting in vain.

  "Ayun, I'll be out and about for the next few days, taking a look at what kind of business is good to do. You just relax."

  Lu Yun nodded. He knew that his sister was so concerned because from tomorrow on, Lu Yun would be staying at Mr. Huo's place for a short while, and might not return home for ten days or half a month.

  Luo Ying added, "Xiao Hui also has a small gang you can get close to. Remember, at any time, be neither arrogant nor humble, true friends are not made by being overly polite and considerate, just show your true nature."

  "Got it, sis."

  "When you're with Wen Qing and the others, try to relax a bit and don't think about how to please them. Just treat them as ordinary people. Always remember that you are on an equal footing with them, and you are not inferior to anyone."

  She now has the jade pendant of a noble person in her hand, which means that as long as she operates properly, one day, her brother will stand on the cloud and walk side by side with those excellent family children. So, she can't let him lose momentum at the beginning and weaken his confidence.

  "Got it, sis."

  The next day, Lu Yue helped her brother pack his luggage and saw him off at the door.

  After Lu Yun left, the small courtyard suddenly became quiet. Sitting in the courtyard, Lu Xuan looked up at the dense camphor tree leaves above her head and thought: If one day we make a lot of money, I'll disguise myself as a man with several skilled and loyal servants, and travel the world like this.

  Nowadays, Lu Xuan can't imagine herself getting married, being confined to the backyard, year after year, day after day, guarding a man, and fighting with several women for a piece of jewelry and some benefits.

  This world has opened a window for her, letting her heart soar in the sky. Although flying alone is inevitably lonely and frightening, if she can't even fly, she feels suffocated just thinking about it.

  As Lu Xuan searched everywhere for a business opportunity, the weather became increasingly hot and Chengdu entered the dog days of summer.

  Chengdu's summer is sweltering, cicadas keep calling non-stop, the wind blowing over is sultry, making it impossible for the sweat on one's forehead to dry.

  Luoyue's body temperature is naturally low, even in the sweltering heat, she still looks cool and refreshing.

  Luyu had thoroughly moved into Hog's mansion, while Luyun, who had been strolling around the streets of Chengdu for half a month, still knew nothing.

  Doing business is really too far-fetched for her. Moreover, such speculative business matters are not taught much in books either.

  Lü Yuè was very busy, not only did she have to think about making money, but also having read half of the books at home, she felt that she should also dabble in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. It's worth noting that although her family's collection of books had only been read halfway through, Lü Yuè's memory and comprehension were already on par with those who had spent decades studying diligently.

  As for the rest of the books, they are to be savored throughout one's lifetime, and Lu Xuan doesn't need to rush through them all at once.

  After finishing reading books, Lu Xuan thought about improving himself in all aspects.

  It was really an unavoidable thing, when with Shang Ti and Xiao Yan, they would inevitably talk about this kind of topic, and at this time, Lu Yue from the countryside felt a bit awkward.

  She didn't want to show weakness, and from the bottom of her heart, Luoyue felt that she shouldn't show weakness in front of anyone. Although she was an orphan, who was more humble than her in the world? Moreover, she was now close friends with Shang Tiyu and Xiao Yanba, so she hoped that she wouldn't lose to them anywhere. Besides, Luoyue thought that she seemed to pick up all kinds of knowledge and skills extremely quickly, so she could definitely give it a try.

  It wasn't difficult for Lu Xuan to learn this skill, she found a female guqin teacher with a great reputation in Huajie who was somewhat detached from the world. After telling her that she was the one who first played "Zhuo Wenjun", Lu Xuan easily became her honored guest.

  Every day, she followed the female zither teacher to learn for an hour, and on the recommendation of the female zither teacher, she learned painting from a white-haired old man for an hour. When she had time, she practiced calligraphy with a brush pen, then read books, and wandered around Chengdu City looking for business opportunities that she could handle. Lu Xue was busy but happy.

  On this day, the scorching sun hung in the sky, making people sweat all over with just one move. Lu Xue, who had returned from studying zither, painting and calligraphy, walked in the shaded part of the street, thinking to herself: The business of inns and restaurants is indeed good and stable, but I don't know anything about it, nor do I have any talent or connections that can be used. I must think of a business that I can control entirely.

  Just then, a surprised voice suddenly came from behind, "Are you, A Xuan?"

  The voice sounds somewhat familiar.

  Lu Xuan turned back.

  It turned out to be Yang Shu, who was short and stout.

  Yang Shu wiped the sweat from her forehead and ran over excitedly. Looking up at Lu Yue, Yang Shu exclaimed: "Ah Yue is really you? Great!" With a sigh of admiration, Yang Shu said: "Ah Yue has become even more handsome, this demeanor, at first glance I thought it was a young master from a wealthy family."

  Lu Xuan smiled and said: "Auntie, when did you come to Chengdu?"

  "Alas, you've been gone for less than a month, and that good-for-nothing son of mine is already making a fuss about coming over. He's sold all the houses in our family and forced me to come here." As she spoke, Yang Shu was filled with bitter resentment, and she muttered: "Ah Yuan, why don't I have children as sensible as your siblings? That little beast really won't let up until he's driven me, his mother, to death!"

  Lu Xuan said: "Luo Zi seems like a man with his own ideas."

  "What's the big idea! Alas, Auntie, I'm worried to death. In a place as big as Chengdu, it's not easy to make a living. Now even if Auntie wants to pick some wild vegetables, there's none left for me to pick." Lu Yue looked at Yang Auntie and indeed, her clothes were already visibly worn out, with several stains that couldn't be washed off still on her body, and she looked older than when they were in Hanyang.

  Lu Xuan furrowed her brow, and just after Old Lady Yang whispered to her for a while, Lu Xuan heard her say: "It's really sinful that good-for-nothing son of mine is always thinking about who-knows-what. That day when he insisted on coming to Chengdu, he said he wanted to follow you and said something about getting rich... What a joke! You're just a young girl..."

  Upon hearing this, Lu Xuan suddenly understood.

  At this time, she bowed her head and said: "Auntie, where is Luo Zi? Let him come find me." She told Yang Shu the address of her home in detail, so that she would remember it. Then she said: "Auntie, when you go back, tell Luo Zi that his choice will not be wrong!" Lu Yue's words were firm and decisive, though soft-spoken, they carried a strong force.

  Yang Shu looked at her dazedly, still not understanding Lu Yue's meaning. But Lu Yue was clear-headed at this moment.

  She also has the power and qualifications to make people follow her.

  It's not just because of her relationship with the nobles and people like Ati, but also because of the calm and wise way she handles things. Just by looking at her, you can tell that she's not a mediocre person. If she were a man, she would have already had followers.

  This Lu Zhi, although from a humble background, can also let go and make tough decisions. If used well, he might just become her trusted right-hand man!

  In Yang Shu's repeated thanks, Lu Xuan waved his hand and walked back home with big strides.

  Back home, Lu Xuan had just washed her face when she heard a knock at the door.

  Lu Xuan walked closer and asked in a clear voice: "Who is it?"

  "A loud voice asked: 'Is this the Lu family's residence? Is there someone inside named Lu Xue?'"

  Lu Xuan was taken aback and replied, "That's right."

  "I brought a letter from Luoyang for Miss Lushi Anyue."

  With a creak, Lu Xuan opened the door.

  Standing outside was a dusty and exhausted businessman in his thirties, who saw the youthfully dressed Lu Yue. At first, he was taken aback, then suddenly had an understanding expression.

  He pulled out a letter from his bosom and said, "I came to Luoyang with Dan Cai. This letter was given by my family's benefactor to be handed over to Lu Shi Ayu." After a pause, he wiped the sweat on his forehead and sighed, "To find this place, I've had a hard time."

  Luoyue became more and more confused as she listened, and took the letter from the merchant's hand.

  As soon as she opened it, a line of elegant and airy words appeared before her eyes: "Lu Shi Ayue personally opens. Yin Shi Chenglang seals."

  It's a sincere letter!

  It turned out to be a letter from Yin Zhen!

  Lu Xuan was taken aback, inexplicably, she only felt a sourness in her eyes.

  The merchant also noticed Lu Xuan's anxiety and sighed with a mouthful of white teeth: "This letter from the benefactor is indeed not easy to come by."

  Upon hearing this, Lu Xiang hastily invited him in, "Sir, please come inside and have a cup of tea."

  Since the last time she was taken away from home by that Feng, Lu Yue would not easily let anyone in. At this moment, she thought of this person coming thousands of miles to deliver a message, no matter what, it's not proper for a lonely man and woman to be together, but should at least offer him a glass of water.

  The merchant was extremely clever. He took a glance at the situation in the courtyard, shook his head and said: "I won't go in, whatever you have to say can be said standing here."

  "Please wait for a moment, I'll go get some water."

  He took the tea cup handed over by Lu Xuan, and after drinking it all in one gulp, he said: "The parents of En Gong have passed away for many years. That time was a hasty departure, also because his uncle's only son was assassinated, and now he is succeeding under his uncle's knee, which is quite inconvenient. However, when I came to Chengdu before, En Gong said a sentence, 'Next year, the bright moon hangs high in the sky, willing to be the green gentleman who cuts off the spring wind!'"

  Next year, under the bright moonlight, I wish to be a green bamboo, broken by the spring breeze!

  All right, that evening, she said to him, "The bright moon is fine, but the spring breeze does not allow it." He replied with this sentence.

  He told her that next year, as long as he waited until next year, he would become a high-ranking official, and perhaps the bright moon or the spring breeze could not control his decisions.

  He wanted her to wait for him, he was telling her that he would soon have the power to control his own destiny!