Chapter Fourteen: Internal Worries (Seeking Collections)

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  Yesterday's recommendation was very powerful, asking for power!

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  Xianglian still had tears on her face, and with a dazed expression, she followed Wei Zhao from behind, her small face looking pitiful.

  Wei Xiao pulled her all the way to the entrance of the Wei Manor, where Xiao Yu finally looked slightly stunned, and then suddenly rushed in like a gust of wind. Before Wei Xiao could even shout, two house servants saw him and hurried forward, saying in unison: "Young Master, Young Master is back!" The two were extremely respectful, not daring to be slow in the slightest. After all, Wei Xiao was the only male heir of the Wei family, and although it was now Mrs. Wei who was in charge, the Wei family would still belong to Wei Xiao in the future.

  Wei Zhao nodded, looking at Xiangqian who had disappeared into thin air, and then looked around the empty courtyard with a puzzled expression, asking: "Is something going on in the mansion?" Usually at this time, his sister-in-law wouldn't be home, and the courtyard should have been lively.

  A servant hastily stepped forward and lowered his voice: "Young master, the young mistress is in the hall gathering all the shopkeepers to discuss something."

  Wei Xiao nodded slightly and headed towards his room. The two servants behind him hesitated for a moment, but didn't dare to speak up. Outside, the news had already spread like wildfire - Young Master had composed two excellent poems in one breath, and was even invited by Master Yin Kong to play chess in the meditation room. The two servants were somewhat sharp-eyed, if Wei Xiao or Xiang Qian were in high spirits, they would definitely be rewarded. But now, looking at them, it seemed a bit off. They exchanged a glance, then retreated back.

  As soon as Wei Zhao entered the door, Wan'er came up to greet him, her small face puzzled and asked: "Young master, what's wrong with Xiangqiang? As soon as she returned, she rummaged through boxes and cabinets, didn't answer any questions, and seemed like she had lost her soul."

  Wei Zhao also shook his head with a bitter smile, walked to the desk, spread out the rice paper, and on the other side, Yuanniang, although confused, carefully ground the ink with her sleeves rolled up.

  Wei Zhao picked up the brush and wrote a poem with great force, exactly the same as the one he gave to Xiangqiang. He then sealed it with ink, blew dry the ink, and handed it to Yuanner, smiling: "Take it to Xiangqiang, that little crybaby."

  Recalling the phrase 'A good maid doesn't cry, a crying maid isn't a good maid', Yuanner couldn't help but giggle and nodded her head. She rolled up the rice paper lightly and seemed to have thought of something else, leaning in close and lowering her voice: "Young Master, are the rumors outside true?"

  Wei Zuo rolled up his sleeves, reached out and took a book from the bookshelf, saying casually: "What rumors?"

  Wan'er's small face was slightly red, and she stretched out her small head with some tension, her bright eyes shining as she said, "It was the young master who wrote poetry at Yunfo Temple, and he was even invited by Master Yin Kong to enter the Chan room..."

  Wei Zuo unexpectedly raised his head and looked at Wanyu with some surprise, saying: "It's spread back so quickly?"

  "So rumors are true?" Yuanyu's big eyes suddenly lit up, and her small face turned red with excitement.

  Wei Xiao nodded slightly, still seemingly unaware as he turned his head to open the book. He had some understanding of the thoughts of the people in the Wei household, who all hoped that the future master of the Wei family would turn out somewhat capable. The lowest servants might be a bit indifferent, but Yuwen's level, no matter what the reason was, were much more anxious than others.

  Wan'er had always been gentle and elegant, but at this moment she was also excited, her hands trembling as she held the rice paper, wanting to rush to Mrs. Li Xilian's room, but then remembered Mrs. Li's instructions "don't come over here", her small face flushed red, her budding breasts quivering with enticing curves.

  Wei Zhao saw her silly and cute appearance, patted her head with a book, and laughed: "Don't go find Xiangqiang yet, I'm afraid she's crying again!"

  Wan'er was like waking up from a big dream, hastily "ah", "oh" twice, and ran out of the door.

  Wei Xiao smiled and shook his head, lying on the bed, thinking about the recent days, couldn't help but shake his head again, sighed, and muttered to himself: "After all, can't stand the loneliness..."

  The evening wind blows gently, and the slanting sun shines on the grass and trees.

  Three people walked along the bluestone path of the Wei Mansion, heading towards the main gate in the distance.

  "Third Master, what do you think the young mistress is planning?" asked a young man of about twenty-five or six, dressed in a long gown, with a jade-like complexion and furrowed brow, looking at the white-haired old man in the middle.

  The young man is called Wei Fa, the ninth child in his family. This year, due to his outstanding performance, he was promoted by Li Xiuluan as the shopkeeper. The old man with white hair is called Wei Lou, the third child of Wei's uncle, and has the longest generation in the Wei family. The middle-aged man on the left is called Wei Xie, the seventh child, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, doing things steadily.

  Today, Li Xilian suddenly summoned the three of them. The meaning between the lines was that there were hints of transferring industries. What's even more astonishing is that Mrs. Da Shaobo, who has always been in a strong position, actually expressed her intention to give up competing for the Chamber of Commerce president in exchange for the Chen and Chu families' compromise.

  Wei Lou's expression was weathered, but a resolute glint flashed in his eyes as he glanced at the young woman and said in a deep voice, "Regardless of the reason why the mistress has come here, we must support her. At this time when the Wei family is facing turmoil, if our internal affairs are also unstable, then the Wei family will truly be in danger."

  "Ah, Third Uncle is right. I think something must have happened, or else the young master and mistress wouldn't have resorted to such a move." The middle-aged man Wei Huan furrowed his brow and said thoughtfully.

  Wei Fa's eyebrows furrowed slightly in displeasure for a moment, then his eyes sparkled as he said, "What's the matter after all? At this critical juncture for the Wei family, we absolutely can't afford to have any major incidents. Ah yes, I heard that Young Master Qiao went out to play today?"

  Weilou and Weihuo both changed color slightly at the same time, without mentioning that the Weilou family is now in a precarious situation, let alone the big exam three months later, which is also a time for sightseeing!

  "All right, let's not interfere with the internal affairs of the Dong family." Wei Lou said in a low voice, frowning.

  The other two nodded repeatedly, and the three of them turned to discuss the recent movements of Chen Chu's family again, causing another wave of distress. The three walked to the door, where their servants had already led over their respective horse-drawn carriages. After speaking for a while longer, they parted ways and boarded their own carriages.

  Wei Lou turned his head and glanced at the main gate of the Wei family, let out a faint sigh, and then turned to walk towards his own carriage. Just as he lifted the curtain, a follower who was following behind him whispered a few words in his ear.

  Before the attendant could finish speaking, he shuddered and his face changed drastically. He suddenly turned his head, only to find that Wei Fa and Wei Xie had both turned pale at the same time, looking at each other in disbelief.

  The scene was eerily quiet, and after a long time, the three of them almost simultaneously turned around and got out of the car, gathering at the door, looking at each other, taking a deep breath. Wei Lou said in a low voice: "Let's go, to see Madame Zhao again, and also Xiao Shao."

  The two nodded repeatedly "right, right, right", and rushed to the inner courtyard together. The three of them had never asked to see Wei Zhao before, let alone called him "Young Master Zhao".

  Just as the three of them had walked halfway, Mrs. Li Xiluan's personal maid, Yu'er, was dispatched to greet them. Yu'er curtsied lightly and said with a smile: "The mistress says, 'Please return, Third Master will definitely be fine, please take care of your business at hand'."

  Three people listened, all with hearts filled with excitement. At a time when the Wei family was facing numerous crises, the young master of the Wei family's sole descendant could display such talent and was even invited by the Emperor to meet with the great Master Yin Kong in the Chan room for a private conversation. This was a huge encouragement for them, a strong stimulant for the Wei family which had been battered by wind and rain, and they couldn't help but feel excited.

  Listening to Yu Er's account, the three of them exchanged a glance and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. According to Mrs. Dai's words, Qiao Shao Ye was going to devote himself to officialdom. Let them not worry about being officials one day and subjects the next, and focus on their business instead.

  The three of them politely declined the fisherman's offer and walked back with excitement.