Chapter 41: Daughter, ran into Zheng Liwan

  Qin Hu saw Fang Yi Ai come out and immediately ran over, "Young Master, how's the situation? Did you get the medicine?"

  "Ah, got it!" Fang Yi'ai nodded expressionlessly.

  "Great job, young master! You're really amazing, to have actually obtained the medicinal herbs from His Majesty's hands!" Qin Hu exclaimed in admiration.

  "Uncle Tiger, don't be too happy yet, these medicines aren't free, the Emperor has conditions!" Fang Yiai looked at this big lout with disdain, as if to say "where in the world is there a free lunch?"

  "What conditions?"

  "A monthly salary of 10,000 taels of white silver!"

  "Ah, young master, where are we going to get so much money? Even if you sell me, you won't be able to get that much money!" Qin Hu said with his mouth agape and a weak tone.

  Fang Yu Ai glanced at this big-bearded uncle, who was also very talented. Even if you wanted to sell him, someone would have to want him, right? Do you think you're a courtesan or something?

  "Uncle Tiger, don't worry, I've already figured it out!"

  "Young master, what can you do? One million two silver a month, I've never seen so much money in my life!" Qin Hu shook his head without confidence. Qin Hu admitted that the young master's brain was quite useful, but no matter how smart he was, he couldn't get that much money.

  "Uncle Tiger, unfortunately, I have to tell you that from today on, I'm going to give up martial arts and become a businessman!" Fang Yi'ai shook his head and muttered to himself before striding forward.

  Qin Hu rubbed his forehead and whispered, "Give up martial arts to do business?" After a moment's thought, Qin Hu shouted loudly, "Young master, no way! If the general finds out, he'll break your legs!"

  Back at the Fang residence, Fang Yiai lay on her bed with a big headache, thinking only of ways to make money. These were indeed profitable ventures - brewing wine and making paper - but who could she entrust to manage them? The people in her household were definitely not up to the task; they might be able to handle small matters, but if they got involved in something like this, they would surely end up getting impeached by the imperial censors. After thinking for a while, Fang Yiai's head began to ache even more - all the people she had met since arriving in the Tang Dynasty were either officials or nobles' sons, and there was no one suitable for the task. And as for her own group of friends who spent their days idling away in brothels, letting them manage a business would surely lead to bankruptcy.

  The next day, after Fang Yi finished his homework, he secretly snuck out with Qin Qiang and Jia Shi, and also asked Qin Hu to deceive the two elders and run to the Shangshu Academy to ask for a leave of absence on his behalf, saying that Young Master Fang had hemorrhoids and couldn't attend school.

  Fang Yiai was riding a horse, swaying back and forth, without knowing what to do, when he arrived at Plum Blossom Valley. When Fang Yiai came to his senses, the horse had already reached the teahouse. Fang Yiai patted the horse's head and smiled sincerely: "Brother Horse, it turns out we're kindred spirits!"

  The white horse gave a snort and the teahouse attendant immediately noticed Fang Yu'e. When they arrived, the attendant said with a smile: "Young master, you're back again?"

  "Yes, help me lead the horse away first, I'll go for a walk alone!"

  Plum Blossom Valley hasn't changed, only the peaches have turned a bit red. The same scenery, different feelings. Linglong didn't come, and Lier is also avoiding him. Thinking about it, this transmigrator is quite a failure. Isn't it said that transmigrated souls have a kind of domineering aura? How did it become that everything changed when he fell in love?

  "Miss, isn't that Second Master Fang over there?" Xiaohuan said in surprise.

  "Alright, you little girl, why are you shouting so loudly? I've already seen it, do you need to say anything?" Zheng Liwan playfully knocked on Xiaohuan's head. This little girl had always been like this, whenever something happened, she would be startled and flustered. Zheng Liwan couldn't understand how she ended up with such a personal maid either.

  Fang Yi Ai walked slowly with his head down, still thinking about making money in his mind. Suddenly, he heard a soft and gentle voice, "Second Master, it's rare to have such a pleasant encounter, why not chat together?"

  "Ah!" Fang Yi'ai raised his head in surprise, looking at the beautiful woman who was speaking. The woman's beauty was stunning, with a mature charm that seemed to emanate from every smile and every movement of her eyebrows. Her slender figure was draped in a light green gauze, which fluttered in the wind as she moved through the peach orchard, like a peach blossom fairy descended into the mortal world. Fang Yi'ai felt curious, wondering if he knew this woman. He bowed respectfully and said: "Greetings, madam! Fang Yi'ai at your service!"

  "You scoundrel, who are you calling 'madam'?" Upon hearing Fang Yi Ai's words, Zheng Li Wan's smile disappeared and Xiao Huan also started scolding angrily.

  Fang Yi Ai was suddenly scolded, had she said something wrong?

  "Second Master, don't you recognize who I am?"

  Fang Yi couldn't help but shake his head in wonder, thinking it strange that he wouldn't remember a beautiful woman like her if they had met before.

  "Second Master, do you still remember the incident at the entrance of Xianmeng Building on South Street in the eighth year of Zhenguan?" Zheng Lixiu smiled lightly, suppressing the bitterness in her heart. The young master from back then didn't even recognize her now. Was she, Zheng Lixiu, really going to be slowly forgotten like this? Zheng Lixiu was bitter and helpless, with a face that could topple cities and a mind full of talent, yet having to endure this detestable loneliness.

  "To be honest with you, I've forgotten everything that happened before I fell off the roof!" Fang Yi Ai said with a embarrassed smile.

  "Oh? So that's how it is. It seems I was wrong to suspect the second young master after all. I was also wondering why the second young master seemed like a completely different person from before?" Zheng Liwan smiled thoughtfully and stretched out her hand, saying: "Second Young Master, please sit down. You should know that this pavilion doesn't belong to anyone!"

  "Thanks, but may I ask for the young lady's name?" Fang Yiai had also learned from his previous mistake. This time he called her "young lady", which should be safe enough.

  "Listen up, my missus's name is Zheng Liwan!" Xiaohuan said proudly with her chin held high.

  "Ah!" Fang Yi'ai was taken aback, good guy, it turned out to be Zheng Liwan. Fang Yi'ai hastily bowed and said: "It's Miss Zheng, I'm sorry for being rude just now!"

  "Hehe, Second Master, are you also afraid of me?" Zheng Liyuan was smiling, but Fang Yiai could see that her smile was tinged with bitterness and sadness. This beautiful woman had always been helpless, as if everything in her life had been predetermined, leaving no room for choice.

  The breeze blew gently, and Zheng Liwan was still smiling, with a hint of infinite sorrow in her smile. This woman lived such an extraordinary life, but was it good or bad?