Yan Qingzheng, meticulously wiping his beloved abacus with a damp cloth, stepped out and was momentarily taken aback to see the couple. The young lady was a familiar sight, but her husband, perpetually busy battling the pirates, was as elusive as a dragon's head and a serpent's tail.
Was he here for lunch today?
He bowed, "Greetings to the young lady and the master. Would you two prefer a private room upstairs?"
It wasn't yet mealtime. Lu Nianfu waved her hand, "Find somewhere conducive to conversation. I have something to discuss with Steward Yan."
Yan Qing's eyes lit up, "Does the young lady wish to expand the distillery? That's easily arranged. A few days ago, I had a drink with the village head of Qingxi Village. Their village is looking to sell a piece of wasteland to build a ancestral hall. I've already inspected the land; it's truly excellent and the price is reasonable. Since the young lady is here today, perhaps you'd like to see it together?"
The ambitious head steward, driven by the desire to expand his business, never saw a small distillery as his ultimate goal.
Lu Nianfu felt a headache coming on, "Upstairs, let's discuss it upstairs."
Unexpected events always arrived without warning. Upon hearing she intended to go to the capital, Yan Qing became flustered. "Young lady, Master Lu had instructed that you were not to go to the capital. Have you forgotten?"
He hadn't mentioned it, and Lu Nianfu had indeed forgotten.
At that time, her father had likely sensed his approaching end. Therefore, he had transferred the businesses left to her by the mysterious individual under the guise of her stepmother's dowry. He had also revealed the truth of why he brought her back to Xiangshui County.
And he had advised her against going to the capital.
But she had lived in the capital in her previous life, albeit unhappily. Apart from Situ Jue, no one else had wished her harm. How could it be that she couldn't even set foot in the capital? She cast a suspicious glance at Yan Qing, "Steward Yan, do you also know about this?"
Yan Qing replied, "Master Lu told me before his passing."
"But I recall you were out of town when my father passed away, you didn't even make it to the funeral. How could you have heard his dying words?"
Yan Qing, exasperated, blew on his short mustache. "Young lady, please don't nitpick the details. What I meant was, a period before Master Lu's passing."
Lu Nianfu nodded. "Come to think of it, I've always found this matter perplexing. Steward Yan, do you know why my father didn't want me to go to the capital?"
"I'm not entirely clear, but since it was your father's dying wish, it would be best for the young lady to abide by it." Yan Qing was getting anxious, sweat already breaking out on his back. Fortunately, it was winter and he was wearing thick clothes, otherwise, it would have been obvious.
Lu Nianfu didn't know how to respond. Gu Yanchen also frowned, "Did father-in-law say such a thing? Did he not consider that Fu'er might marry someone from the capital?"
Only then did Yan Qing consider this point. He said awkwardly, "Who knew things would turn out this way? Fortunately, the master serves as an official in Yangzhou; otherwise, this matter would indeed be difficult to handle."
Gu Yanchen's expression remained impassive. "But just yesterday, the Emperor issued an imperial decree, appointing new officials to our positions and summoning me back to the capital to be rewarded for my merits."
Yan Qing's face instantly turned pale, so pale that Lu Nianfu was startled.
After a long moment, Yan Qing finally asked, "And after the reward?"
"If all goes as expected, I will remain in the capital to serve as an official. So, Steward Yan, if there is truly an indispensable reason, you should state it quickly. Otherwise, I will certainly take Fu'er back to the capital."
Marital separation was naturally not a good thing. Even a poor scholar traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations would not be without dalliances outside, and many would abandon their wives after achieving success. Let alone her husband, who had already achieved fame and was to be rewarded for his merits. His official rank would only increase.
How old was her husband? Not yet twenty-three, and already a high-ranking official of the third rank.
Many people at his age hadn't even passed the provincial examination.
Even with a wife, there would be no shortage of people wanting to curry favor with such a talented young man. The young lady was from a merchant family and was fatherless. In the eyes of outsiders, such a status would be considered fortunate even as a concubine. Yet, the two of them had lived harmoniously for these past two years, with no room for outsiders to interfere. The reason, was it not their deep affection?
But what kind of affection could withstand the erosion of separation?
Steward Yan was greatly troubled. Even if she were here, she couldn't possibly say that the young lady shouldn't follow her husband to the capital, could she?
But she couldn't have the master defy the imperial decree either.
The three remained in a stalemate in the private room until noon. Yan Qing ultimately did not admit to knowing the reason, only resolutely stating, "Since the young lady must return to the capital, I can only accompany you, even at the risk of my life. I will go with the young lady."
Accompany her at the risk of his life?
Was it that tragic?
Lu Nianfu was somewhat speechless. "There's no need to be so dramatic, is there? And, if you accompany me to the capital, who will you entrust these businesses in Yangzhou to?"