Archives: FS

When the guests saw the ferocious officials, they no longer dared to stay and eat. They rushed towards the door one after another.

Gu Fei’s heart bleed as she watched them. None of these people paid their bills yet!

With this number, she lost at least ten or twenty taels of silver.

However, these people didn’t leave the area and gathered outside the door to watch the excitement.

Gu Fei looked at the several yamen runners and understood that these people must have been sent by the Housekeeper Wu. The so-called harboring of criminals was just an excuse. In short, they wanted to drive her away.

Housekeeper Wu said he would give her half a day, but it seemed he couldn’t wait for a moment.

After several yamen runners drove the people away, they began to overturn the tables and chairs. The plates and bowls on the tables were broken all over the floor.

After overturning the tables and chairs in the lobby, the yamen runners went upstairs with their swords in hand.

Gu Fei was furious and wanted to go forward to stop them. As soon as she took a step, Lian’er and Aunt Liu held her back.

Aunt Liu whispered: “Miss, these are officials. No matter what, you can’t fight them.”

Gu Fei knew this well, but seeing her hard work being destroyed before her eyes was unbearable.

In the blink of an eye, the officials were upstairs. There were only the sounds of chaotic footsteps and furniture overturning upstairs. Soon, many guests were driven down.

They looked terrified, unsure of what was happening.

A guest with disheveled hair came down from upstairs and found Gu Fei. He yelled: “Boss, what’s wrong with your store? Can’t we even stay here in peace? Damn it, I was sleeping soundly, and the officers kicked the door open and dragged me off the bed.”

“They said they were searching for fugitives, but is this how they search?”

Gu Fei was full of bitterness and bowed to the man: “Sir, I apologize. It seems you can no longer stay here. Once the officers leave, I’ll refund your payment for the room.”

The man shook his head as he said: “Damn it, I wouldn’t have stayed in your store if I had known.”

As he was talking, Young Master Zhou and Sister Dan from next door came over after receiving the news.

Young Master Zhou pulled Gu Fei aside, his face heavy: “What’s wrong? I heard that the yamen runners came to search. Was it the people from Prince Qi Mansion who did it?”

Gu Fei smiled bitterly: “Yes, I went to see him this morning, and he asked me to close the store and leave. I hadn’t decided whether to close the store, but he couldn’t wait to drive me away.”

Old Man Huang was also driven out from the backyard at this time. Looking at the tables and chairs in the store, and the plates and bowls were broken all over the floor, his brows were twisted into a ball.

He looked at Gu Fei and wanted to say something. He opened his mouth a few times and closed it again.

There was a lot of commotion upstairs, and several yamen runners came downstairs. The head of the yamen runners pointed at Gu Fei and said: “We didn’t find the fugitive. I now suspect that you hid the fugitive somewhere else. Come with us to the yamen.”

Seeing this, Young Master Zhou was secretly anxious. If Gu Fei went into the yamen, she would be skinned alive. He quickly put a silver ingot into his sleeve and walked forward with a smile: “Brother, look, did you misunderstand? This Shopkeeper Gu is just a little girl. How could she harbor a fugitive?”

The head of the yamen runners glanced at Young Master Zhou and pushed him away: “Get out of here – don’t disturb me while I’m investigating the case.”

Young Master Zhou staggered and almost fell, and Sister Dan quickly stepped forward to support him.

Gu Fei looked at Young Master Zhou with an apologetic look on her face: “Thank you, Brother Zhou. There’s no need to reason with them. It seems I can’t keep my shop open.”

“I’ll go with them.”

 

---

Thanks for reading, likes, and comments. ^.^

No spoilers, please!

Please support the author by reading the original version on their official site, or buying the book. ^.^

Qin Ying smiled: “I wonder if Young Master Xu has heard that Madam Hu will hold a poetry meeting in the newly built garden next month and asked me to invite some talented women to attend.”

Young Master Xu raised an eyebrow: “I see.”

“But Miss Gu is just a daughter from a common family. Her status is too low, and I’m afraid she is not suitable.”

Qin Ying said lightly: “Madam Hu has long said that as long as you have talent or beauty, you can enter the garden regardless of your status. Since Miss Gu can be praised by Young Master Su, she must have something outstanding. Please tell me, Mr. Xu.”

At this point, Young Master Xu couldn’t say anything more: “Miss Gu opened an inn, not far east of this street.”

Qin Ying bowed to him: “Thank you, Young Master Xu.”

After saying that, she walked out slowly.

A maid standing in the corner hurriedly followed.

Young Master Xu looked at her back and curled his lips slightly. Who doesn’t know what was going on? He heard that the headmaster admired Su Chen very much and intended to marry his granddaughter to him.

Of course, this was a rumor, but looking at Miss Qin, this rumor was probably about 70% true.

Qin Ying left the bookstore and didn’t get on the carriage. She walked slowly eastward.

She paid attention to the signs of the shops on both sides of the street. Not long after, she saw a shop with a large front. There was a sign with a black background and gold letters on the door, ‘Inn’.

Qin Ying walked closer, slowed down, and turned to look into the inn.

She saw that the furnishings of the inn were novel and exquisite, which was not the same as the inns she had seen before. There were even rockery and pools in the store.

Looking again, she saw a girl sitting at the counter.

She only saw half of her face. Her skin was as white as snow, her flesh was smooth, and her black hair was crowed. The girl was embroidering with her head down.
At this time, someone came to talk to her. The girl raised her head and saw a pair of bright eyes under her willow eyebrows.

Qin Ying couldn’t help but sigh in her heart, what a beautiful woman.

She hesitated for a moment, stopped at the door for a few seconds, and went straight forward.

Lanzhi was sitting at the counter, talking to Lian’er: “Where did Xiao Fei go again? This girl, her hand is injured, but she is not at peace.”

It was noon soon, and more guests were eating in the inn.

Gu Fei injured her hand today, so she didn’t go to the kitchen to help. She sent Lian’er to watch the back, fearing that someone would put something in the dishes in the chaos.

After Housekeeper Wu, said that she was always a little nervous, wondering what means he was going to use to deal with her.

The business in the store was particularly good today, and the lobby was full.

The store was bustling with customers leaving and coming back. Five or six yamen runners came in and took a look around the store. One of them shouted: “Who is the shopkeeper?”

Gu Fei hurriedly came out from the counter and said: “I am the shopkeeper. I wonder what you want to do for me, brothers.”

One of the yamen runners had a mole next to his nose and looked like the leader of the group. He raised the sign in his hand to Gu Fei and said: “We are from the government office. Someone reported that your store is harboring criminals from the imperial court. We are going to search it now.”

Gu Fei was startled, and quickly apologized with a smile, secretly handing the man a silver ingot of ten taels: “Brothers, it’s not true. For all the guests staying in the hotel, the inn has checked the pass and carefully registered them. You can look at the registration book.”

The man waved his hand, did not take the silver, and sneered: “I’ll look at the logbook later, search first!”

He waved his hand, and the several yamen runners following him shouted to the guests who were still eating: “The government is doing business, please move aside!”

 

---

Thanks for reading, likes, and comments. ^.^

No spoilers, please!

Please support the author by reading the original version on their official site, or buying the book. ^.^

Gu Fei bowed: “Goodbye, young master.”

Su Chen then pulled Young Master Xu: “Brother Xu, let’s go!”

Young Master Xu put away his fan: “Hey, why are we leaving? I haven’t even finished my cup of tea yet.”

Su Chen didn’t say much, smiled apologetically to Gu Fei, and pulled him out.

Not long after the two got on the carriage, they arrived at the bookstore.

Su Chen was looking for books on the bookshelves. Young Master Xu didn’t know what he was thinking and suddenly smiled: “Brother Su is excellent. I didn’t expect that you could find a pair of stunning sisters hidden in this market.”

Su Chen’s face changed: “Brother Xu, be careful with your words.”

“Miss Gu and I are old acquaintances, and it’s not what you think.”

He thought for a while and added: “Besides, Miss Gu and her cousin are both girls from good families. How can you tease them behind their backs!”

Young Master Xu choked slightly and smiled: “It’s a slip of the tongue. I wonder if Brother Su knows where is Miss Gu’s cousin’s home. Is she engaged?”

Su Chen regretted bringing Young Master Xu to Gu Fei’s shop at this time, and said coldly: “I don’t know, why are you asking these questions?”

Young Master Xu looked at him: “Why am I asking this question? I am not a playboy. Naturally, I will ask clearly and go to her house to pay the betrothal gift.”

“I saw the young lady during the Lantern Festival. The young lady is beautiful and is exactly the woman I dream of. I should respect her.”

Su Chen frowned. It seems that Young Master Xu is planning to marry Lanzhi.

After saying this, Young Master Xu glanced at Su Chen and poked him with his fan: “Brother Su, what about you? Are you interested in Miss Gu? Are you planning to let Miss Gu open an inn outside and show her face all year round?”

“I think it’s better to marry Miss Gu to the room as soon as possible so that she can accompany you to read at night.”

Su Chen’s face suddenly flushed: “What nonsense are you talking about!”

“How can you be so contemptuous of Miss Gu!”

Young Master Xu looked at him strangely: “Why is Brother Su angry?”

“Am I wrong? If you like a girl from a common family, isn’t it common to take her back as a concubine?”

Su Chen said angrily: “Miss Gu is different from ordinary girls. Although she is a peasant girl, her talent is no worse than that of girls from wealthy families.”

“Besides, how can you say such things behind a girl who is innocent!”

After saying this, Su Chen flicked his sleeves and left Young Master Xu angrily and walked out.

Young Master Xu looked at his back and muttered: “This guy is really–”

Just then, a woman came out from behind the bookshelf and bowed to Young Master Xu: “Mr. Xu.”

Young Master Xu was startled and turned around to see that it was the granddaughter of the headmaster of the academy, Qin Ying.

He bowed hurriedly.

Qin Ying smiled faintly: “Just now, I heard Young Master Xu and Young Master Su talking about some girls’ things.”

Young Master Xu smiled awkwardly: “No, the young lady heard it wrong.”

He thought that there was only him and Su Chen in this bookstore, but he didn’t expect Qin Ying to stand behind the bookshelf. It’s not appropriate for such a thing to be heard by others. How can a man who reads sage books pay attention to women?

Qin Ying said: “I just heard you two say that Miss Gu is talented, which aroused my curiosity. I wonder who this Miss Gu is?”

Young Master Xu hesitated for a moment: “This, Miss Gu is an old acquaintance of Young Master Su, as for her talent, I don’t know.”

Qin Ying nodded: “Then can you tell me which inn, Miss Gu is in?”

Young Master Xu’s eyes flashed, and he remembered that Su Chen had just left in a huff.

Seeing Miss Qin seemed to be pressing him step by step, he hesitated for a moment, not knowing whether he should say it or not.

 

---

Thanks for reading, likes, and comments. ^.^

No spoilers, please!

Please support the author by reading the original version on their official site, or buying the book. ^.^

Young Master Xu suddenly realized something and turned his head, apologetically: “Excuse me, excuse me…”

“For some reason, I feel this young lady is very familiar as if I’ve seen her somewhere before.”

Gu Fei curled her lips slightly. Isn’t this a common trick used by scumbags in her previous lives?

Young Master Xu asked Gu Fei with a smile: “Is this young lady Miss Gu’s sister? She doesn’t look like one.”

Gu Fei’s facial features were bright, and her appearance was more gorgeous.

While Lanzhi has soft eyebrows and looks quiet and beautiful.

Gu Fei said lightly: “She is a distant cousin.”

Although Lanzhi was embroidering with her head down at the counter, several people were sitting in the lobby, Lanzhi heard their words clearly, and her face became redder and redder.

Gu Fei turned to Su Chen: “By the way, I haven’t thanked Young Master Su for the gift you sent the other day. It’s too expensive.”

Su Chen waved his hand: “It’s nothing.”

He leaned forward slightly: “Miss Gu is managing this inn, all by yourself?”

Gu Fei nodded: “I heard from Brother Zhang that Young Master Su is studying in the academy now?”

Su Chen smiled: “I am studying at Qinglian Academy.”

Gu Fei raised an eyebrow. Qinglian Academy was very famous even in later generations.

This academy has experienced ups and downs for thousands of years and has produced many great scholars, great Confucians, and high-ranking officials.

Gu Fei smiled and said: “Then the Young Master Su must be very knowledgeable.”

Young Master Xu waved his fan and glanced at Su Chen with a smile: “Of course, Zixiu can write beautiful articles. He is the first in the academy in this monthly exam.”

“The teacher said that Zixiu must have a place in the exam this autumn.”

Gu Fei thought to herself that the autumn exam was the provincial exam, which was also the exam for the candidates of Juren. It seems that Young Master Su has already won the title of a scholar.

Su Chen blushed slightly and waved his hand: “It’s just luck.”

Gu Fei smiled and said: “Then congratulate Young Master Su in advance. If Young Master Su passes, send someone to send a letter so that I can give you a gift.”

It’s also a way to repay the favor of the green jade cabbage.

She stood up: “The two gentlemen, please sit down for a while. I’m going to change my clothes.”

Gu Fei got up and went to the backyard.

After Gu Fei left, Young Master Xu also stood up and walked to the counter. He smiled at Lanzhi who was embroidering with her head down: “What’s your name, young lady?”

Lanzhi was already tense when she saw him coming over. When she heard his question, her face turned redder. She didn’t say anything but just lowered her head to embroider.

Young Master Xu said again: “Young lady, you have such a skillful pair of hands. I have never seen such delicate embroidery.”

Lanzhi vaguely understood what the master meant. She bit her lip put down the embroidery frame and went to the backyard without caring that no one was watching over the counter.

Young Master Xu looked at Lanzhi’s back and disappeared at the back door, feeling lost.

Su Chen frowned slightly as he looked at Young Master Xu. He used to look at Young Master Xu in the academy, but who knew that he was acting quite frivolously today?

The Qinglian Academy where he was studying now was a day’s drive from Ping’an City. He finally had three days off and just got home last night. He wanted to see Gu Fei this morning.

Who knew that Young Master Xu came to the door early in the morning? Su Chen had no choice but to bring him along.

Who knew that he would stare at the young lady without any scruples?

Not long after, Gu Fei came out. She was still wearing a moon-white fine cotton skirt, but she had changed into a clean one.

Su Chen saw that Young Master Xu was still craning his neck to look at the back door. He was worried that he would cause trouble.

He stood up and bowed to Gu Fei: “Miss Gu, Brother Xu and I have to go to the bookstore, so we won’t bother you.”

 

---

Thanks for reading, likes, and comments. ^.^

No spoilers, please!

Please support the author by reading the original version on their official site, or buying the book. ^.^

Gu Fei fell to the ground and watched Housekeeper Wu being surrounded by several servants and entering a small door in the backyard of Prince Qi’s mansion.

She got up from the ground and looked at her left palm. Her skin was scratched and the sand and dust were all over her hand, black and red.

She walked back with a gloomy face. She didn’t expect that Housekeeper Wu was so difficult to deal with.

According to him, if she doesn’t close her business this morning, he will take action in the afternoon.

What does he want to do?

Gu Fei quickened her pace and walked for half an hour before returning to the inn.

When she reached the door, a carriage stopped.

A handsome young man came out of the car. Gu Fei was slightly startled. It was Su Chen!

Su Chen also saw Gu Fei. His eyes were full of surprise that he could not hide: “Miss Xiao Gu–”

Gu Fei smiled and bowed to him: “Young Master Su.”

At this time, another young man got out of the carriage.

The man’s eyes lit up when he looked at Gu Fei: “So the girl’s surname is Gu.”

Gu Fei glanced at the man and felt that he looked familiar. After thinking carefully, wasn’t this the young man who picked up Lanzhi’s handkerchief on the night of the Lantern Festival?

Young Master Su pointed at the man and said: “This is my classmate in the academy, Young Master Xu.”

“Have you met?”

Young Master Xu held a folding fan in his hand, patted it lightly, and said with a smile: “I am lucky to meet Miss Gu on the street on the Lantern Festival.”

As he was talking, Lian’er came out and was surprised to see Gu Fei: “Miss, where did you fall?”

As she spoke, she patted the dust off Gu Fei’s skirt.

While patting her, Lian’er cried out, “Oh, Miss, your hand is broken!”

Su Chen then saw that Gu Fei’s left hand was covered with dust and blood. His heart couldn’t help but twitch, and he hurriedly called Lian’er: “Help your Miss in quickly.”

Lian’er really reached out to help, and Gu Fei smiled: “No need to help, just go get a basin of water for me to wash my hands.”

Then she walked into the house, and Lian’er ran to get water.

Lanzhi was originally craning her neck behind the counter to look outside the door.

When she heard that Gu Fei had hurt her hand, she quickly put down her embroidery frame, ran out, grabbed Gu Fei’s hand, and pulled her to sit down: “Oh, how did you fall like this, where have you been so early in the morning!”

Young Master Xu saw Lanzhi nearby, and a surprised smile suddenly appeared on his face: “So the girl is here too.”

Lanzhi looked at him inexplicably.

Seeing that Lanzhi didn’t recognize him at all, Young Master Xu threw away the folding fan in his hand: “Miss, don’t you remember? I picked up your handkerchief on the Lantern Festival.”

Lanzhi then remembered, bowed to Young Master Xu, and turned away slightly without saying anything.

Lian’er fetched water, Gu Fei washed her hands, and Lanzhi took a needle from her lapel to pick out the sand embedded in her skin.

Su Chen watched from the side, and his heart trembled every time Lanzhi’s needle picked it up.

When the sand was picked out, he couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief.

Lian’er brought the ointment and a clean cloth strip, and Lanzhi carefully helped Gu Fei wrap it.

Young Master Xu seemed to be crazy, his eyes glued to Lanzhi’s face.

Lanzhi wrapped Gu Fei’s hand and raised her head, suddenly meeting Young Master Xu’s gaze. Her face turned slightly red, and she thought of something, looking a little angry. She stood up and went to the counter to embroider the handkerchief.

Young Master Xu did not hide his gaze, and his gaze continued to follow Lanzhi.

Gu Fei wanted to pretend that she didn’t see it, but it was no use. Young Master Xu’s gaze was too explicit. She frowned slightly and coughed lightly: “Young Master Xu!”

 

---

Thanks for reading, likes, and comments. ^.^

No spoilers, please!

Please support the author by reading the original version on their official site, or buying the book. ^.^

After getting up early and opening the door, Gu Fei asked Lanzhi to guard the counter, and she went in the direction of Prince Qi Mansion.

This matter cannot be delayed. When Er Laizi meets Housekeeper Wu, he will know that Er Laizi is useless, and who knows what new things will happen.

As long as people live in Ping’an City, they know Prince Qi’s Mansion.

The mansion occupies a whole street, and their servants live in the backstreet.

Gu Fei walked to the backstreet, found an old man sweeping the street, and asked about Housekeeper Wu’s residence.

Housekeeper Wu lived in a three-story house with two black lacquered doors closed.

After passing the gate and walking a short distance, a small door next to it was open.

Gu Fei went over, bowed to the yawning doorman, handed him a piece of silver, and said with a smile: “Hello, little brother. I want to see Housekeeper Wu for something. I wonder if you can pass it on.”

The servant skillfully put the silver into his sleeve: “Tell me where you are from first. So many people who want to see our housekeeper all day long.”

“I am the tenant of Old Man Huang’s store on Furong Street. When you say this, Housekeeper Wu will understand.”

The servant was a little puzzled. When did Housekeeper Wu recognize a tenant? The people who usually came and went here were either officials or wealthy merchants.

But looking at the girl’s appearance, it seems that she was sure that Housekeeper Wu would meet her.

The servant nodded. After receiving the money, it would not be a problem to pass the message: “You wait here, I’ll go in and pass the message.”

The servant went out for half a cup of tea, came out, and waved to Gu Fei: “Go, go, the housekeeper said that he would not see you.”

Gu Fei frowned and asked: “Brother, did you understand what I said just now?”

The servant sneered: “Why didn’t you explain it clearly? The tenant of Old Man Huang’s store in Furong Street, the master, said that he would not see you!”

Gu Fei nodded: “Thank you very much, brother.”

She bowed and turned to leave.

After walking out of the servant’s sight, Gu Fei stood still. She had to see housekeeper Wu today anyway. He had to work in the palace. She would wait here. She didn’t believe she couldn’t wait for him!

Not long after waiting, Gu Fei saw several people coming out of the door from a distance.

The first one was a middle-aged man, wearing a dark blue cloud pattern brocade robe, with a thin figure and sharp eyes.

Almost the moment Gu Fei looked over, the middle-aged man’s eyes swept over.

Gu Fei walked towards him with confidence and bowed to him: “Housekeeper Wu?”

Housekeeper Wu saw that it was a pretty young lady and paused: “You are——”

“I am a tenant of Old Man Huang’s store on Furong Street.” Gu Fei showed a friendly smile.

Housekeeper Wu’s expression suddenly changed, and his eyes stared at Gu Fei gloomily: “It was you who asked for an audience just now? Who gave you the courage to come here?”

Gu Fei lowered her head, with a humble look: “Housekeeper Wu, I came to you helplessly, and I want to ask you to give my shop a way out.”

“I fled to Ping’an City and finally opened an inn. I just want to make a living. I beg you to spare my shop.”

Housekeeper Wu snorted coldly: “Who told you to rent that shop without long eyes? Since you are here, it saves me the effort. I will give you half a day to get the rent back close the door and leave.”

“Otherwise–” He looked at Gu Fei with a look of looking at a dead dog and walked away.

“Housekeeper Wu——” Gu Fei was anxious to catch up.

However, after following him for two steps, a servant behind Housekeeper Wu stopped her and said: “Get away from here. Our housekeeper has so many things to do every day, and so many people are waiting to see him. How can he have time to talk to you, a young lady!”

As the servant said this, he suddenly stretched out his hand and pushed Gu Fei. Gu Fei didn’t notice it for a moment and was pushed to the ground by him. Her palm rubbed on the ground, burning with pain.

 

---

Thanks for reading, likes, and comments. ^.^

No spoilers, please!

Please support the author by reading the original version on their official site, or buying the book. ^.^