Before Gu Wu Chen arrived at Dongyang Prefecture, he was still traveling lightly with only three people following him, including his family members, two maidservants, a female servant, and an old woman, as well as Yang Pus wife and daughter. They had hired a boat to visit their relatives and ancestors in Shiliang County beforehand. After encountering assassins in Shiliang County, even if Gu Wu Chen still wanted to travel lightly, Shen Zong, the prefect of Dongyang Prefecture, would not agree. If something were to happen again on Gu Wu Chens last 200-mile journey from Dongyang to Jiangning, Shen Zong would be devastated.

  Apart from Yun Qis deputy, Liu Xilin, leading a team of elite cavalry to escort, this large official ship was also prepared by Dongyang Prefecture, with the chef and boatmen all being officials sent by Dongyang Prefecture. Additionally, Liang Zuoren, the county magistrate of Shiliang County, said that Gu Wuhen lacked attendants to run errands, so he dispatched two more people to follow him to Jiangning to await orders. These two men were like the cook, Xiao Shi, with their expenses paid by Shiliang County, and Shiliang County had even prepaid their food allowance for these three people.

  From ancient times to the present, even after a thousand years, those who hold power will always come up with unexpected tricks.

  Lin tied the wooden bucket full of steaming hot meat soup from the hands of the kitchen maid Xiao Shi, and called out to Liu Xilin on the shore: "General Liu, Lord Gu has taken care of the military officers all the way, and we have prepared a steaming hot meat soup for them to enjoy..."

  A small, quick-witted boatman under Liu Xilins command shouted loudly from the cabin of the ship: "Thank you, Lord Gu!" He took the two people down to the riverbank and handed over the soup bucket and a stack of bowls. Liu Xilin instructed him on the shore and then jumped onto the boat, saying in a low voice to Lin Fu: "This meat soup was privately paid for by you, how can you give it to Lord Gu as a favor?"

  Lin Xie smiled and said: "I was able to get acquainted with General Liu, wasnt it thanks to Lord Gus kindness?"

  Liu Xilin, a general, thought that the other day when Lin Xie and his master were being pursued by assassins in Gus Village, he not only stood by but also blocked their way to avoid the enemy. Anyone else would have held a grudge against him for this, but unexpectedly, Lin Xie didnt hold anything against him. Moreover, he didnt show any disdain towards these rough soldiers either. Liu felt deeply grateful in his heart.

  Gu Wu Chen was having dinner with his family in the cabin, and there were ladies present. Lin Fu, Liu Xi Lin, as well as Gu Wu Chens two nephews Gu Si Ming and Gu Tian Qiao all stayed outside the cabin to have dinner with Yang Pu, Yang Shi and another attendant Ma Chao.

  Even the servants were divided into three, six and nine grades. When Gu Wu Dun was exiled to the border, Yang Pu followed him with his family to take care of him. Yang Pus loyalty to the Gu family for over 20 years is not worth mentioning. His son, Yang Shi, was both a bodyguard and a book boy for Gu Wu Dun. Ma Chao Ben was originally a soldier in the Yanbei military camp, but during Gu Wu Duns exile, he saved his life several times. When Gu Wu Dun returned to the capital after being pardoned, he helped Ma Chao Ben leave the army and stayed by his side.

  It is said that the prime ministers family slaves are seventh-grade officials, and Yang Pu, Yang Shi, father and son, as well as Ma Chao, three people, are also Stone Bridge County Magistrate Liang Zuoren who wants to fawn on - Lin Fu can only admit his bad luck, offending these three people when they first met, now sitting together for dinner, these three people are also taciturn and silent.

  In the cramped cabin, Zhou Pu, Zhao Hu, and Chen Enze were squeezed at another table with the servants sent by Liang Zuoren and the officers on the official boat. The dishes were slightly inferior, and the maidservants and old women who did not need to attend to their duties in the inner cabin were at another table. The cooks, sailors, and other miscellaneous workers were all at the stern of the boat, and without being summoned, they could not easily come forward. Although the official boat was small and had many inconveniences, everything was still in order, with everyone strictly adhering to their own rules.

  He would rather drink vegetable soup and eat baked cakes with Liu Xilin, Zhou Pu and those rough soldiers on the shore than drink wine in a cramped cabin with Yang Pu and others. However, Gu Xuemin, a cousin of Gu Wudu, was somewhat excited and kept boasting about his past experiences in Jiangning Prefecture: "Lin Juren, you have also been to Jiangning before, you should know that the wine towers there are four or five stories high, and those who have money and love to drink go upstairs, they dont call it going upstairs, but ascending the mountain; most of those who ascend the mountain are not willing to drink dull wine, can order flower cards to invite song girls to help with the excitement, speaking of song girls, one has to mention Su Mei from Bianjiao Alley, her little songs sing only to break peoples hearts, if you have heard them, you will know whether what I say is true or false..."

  Lin Xian thought that Su Mei and Xiao Man probably still didnt know that they would arrive in Jiangning tonight.

  "Lin Juren..." Xiaos daughter came out of the inner cabin and shouted at Lin Juren.

  Xiaos daughter-in-law wore a simple dress and skirt, her attire was not as elegant as the maid who served the meal beside her. She tied a blue printed apron around her waist, which slightly accentuated her slender figure, giving off an ethereal charm. Her skin was as white as freshly fallen snow, and her raven-black hair was styled in a loose bun, framing her delicate face with an added air of allure, making her a lovely and captivating young woman.

  The cabin was originally stuffy, but when Xiao Jias daughter pushed open the cabin door, it made people feel refreshed and their hearts suddenly opened up. Many people really thought that Liang Zhixian had good intentions in hiring Xiao Jias daughter as a cook for the Gu family, so they didnt have too many scruples and all turned their heads to look over. Gu Shiming was even more energetic, seeing Xiao Jias daughter calling out to Lin Xuan, he joked: "Why is Xiao Jias daughter only looking for Lin Xuan, could it be that she secretly cooked some delicious dishes just for him to eat, making us drool with envy?"

  "...The Xiao familys daughter stared at everyone with a faintly pale face, her autumn water eyes gazing towards Lin Xuan."

  "What instructions does Master Gu have?" Lin Mou asked Xiao Jias daughter, he could understand the intention of Liang Zuoren hiring Xiao Jias daughter as a cook for the Gu family, and wouldnt be so casual with his words.

  "Madam asked me to invite you in." The young lady of the Xiao family took a step back towards the door and waited for Lin Xie to come out.

  Lin Xuan was taken aback, unsure what Madam Gu wanted with her. She glanced at the Xiao familys daughter-in-law, who seemed to be indicating that she should enter the flower hall now? Lin Xuan stood up, ignoring the curious gazes of the others, and followed the Xiao familys daughter-in-law into the inner chambers flower hall. As she walked, she caught a whiff of the faint fragrance emanating from the daughter-in-laws body, and wondered what kind of perfume or scented powder women in this era used to smell so pleasant? The Seventh Lady also smelled like that.

  Lin Xian walked into the flower hall, and the Gu family of four was also having a meal. Madame Gu looked at him as he entered and instructed the maid beside her: "Add another bowl and chopsticks for Lin Xian..."

  "Thank you, madam," Lin Xuan said, "I just finished eating with Master Yang and the others." Although the etiquette of this era was not as strict as he understood it to be, it was still necessary to avoid the inner quarters during banquets. He glanced at Miss Gus Junxiu, who was lowering her head in embarrassment, constantly using her ivory chopsticks to pick at the rice grains in her bowl. His gaze fell on the table in front of Madame Gu, and he asked, "Madam has called me over, what instructions do you have for me?" He also looked at Gu Wudeng with a puzzled expression, as if he too did not know what his wife was planning.

  "Theres nothing else urgent," said Mr. Gu, "were almost at Jiangning City, I just want to ask Lin if he has any plans after entering the city - does he have a place to settle down? Is there anyone taking care of his daily life? Those three servants of yours look clumsy and dont seem capable of taking care of him."

  "Thank you for your concern, Madam. Lin Xie has two friends in Jiangning and a temporary place to stay is not a problem - first, well enter the city and find a residence to settle down before discussing our future plans. We still need to rely on your and Masters support. Lin Xie is used to simple clothes and plain food since childhood, and his three attendants are also a bit rough-handed, but they wont have any difficulties adapting."

  "In the past, it was in the past. Now that I have a reputation to uphold, how can I still be as shabby as before? Moreover, your family has been kind to mine for two generations, if you live roughly, wouldnt others say that my family is ungrateful?" Madam Gu said slowly and deliberately, "The maids and servants we brought from the capital this time are enough, I think its better to let Mrs. Xiao take care of you."

  "Ah!" Lin Xians subconscious gaze shifted to Gu Wu Chen, who also looked puzzled.

  "Old master, do you think this arrangement is proper?" Madam Gu smiled brightly at Gu Wu Chen, "We cant let others say that the Gu family doesnt remember kindness, right?"

  No matter how bitter Gu Wudus heart was, Lin Fu thought that in the future, many things would have to rely on Gu Wudu and the Gu family. The Xiao familys daughter, this hot potato, absolutely could not be accepted. Moreover, he had brought back the beautiful kitchen maid to Jiangning, wasnt it just to make Su Mei and Xiao Man laugh? He said: "Lin Fu thanks Madame for her concern, but Lin Fu is also a wandering vagabond in Jiangning, I dont know how to make a living, and under me are three rough and unrefined men. Where would I dare to trouble the Xiao familys daughter to serve?"

  "Whats with the drifting duckweed, you dont have to make yourself sound so pitiful. Cant I just watch you continue being pitiful?" Madam Gu said with a smile, "And dont be in a hurry to refuse, listen to what I mean."

  Lin Xuan thought that this old lady with the surname Tang might have been a spoiled young lady from an official family when she was young, but after following Gu Wu Chen for nearly ten years of wandering life, its impossible for her to still be that naive and ignorant young lady. How could she easily tolerate her status being threatened by a rural woman who had exposed herself? Lin Xuan sighed in his heart, thinking that although Gus family seemed gentle and kind on the surface, offending them would likely bring no good consequences.

  “Cough...” Gu Wu Chen coughed twice, his cough very dry. It was probably bitter for him to persuade Lin Fu in his heart, “Lin Fu, Madam is also considering you, don’t refuse Madam’s kindness… this… this, after all, still depends on Miss Xiaos own thoughts…”

  Finally, this sentence revealed Gu Wu Chens true intention, but before he could finish speaking, his eyebrows furrowed. Lin Fu thought to himself that probably someone had stepped on the back of his foot under the table. In his heart, Lin Fu was almost begging Xiao Jias daughter not to take herself as a hot potato and get into his arms again. He was also afraid that Xiao Jias daughter would be momentarily confused and lose her mind, so he quickly added: "Lin Fu also thanks Gu Gongzi for his kindness, but Lin Fu cant even support himself, how could he possibly invite Xiao Jias daughter to be a cook?"

  "Dont worry about this, even if Shiliang County doesnt give Xiao Jias daughter a monthly allowance, Ill take care of it for you." Gu Shi didnt let Lin Fu finish speaking and blocked his retreat.

  "If Lin, the imperial censor, eats our familys meals and becomes a high-ranking official, I can still increase my price as a cook in another household," said Xiaos wife. As she spoke, she bowed to Lin Xian with her body bent at an angle, saying softly, "I only hope that Master Lin wont think our familys cooking is too plain."

  Lin was entangled in his heart, and this calamity still splashed on his head. He heard Mrs. Gu muttering to herself: "Its settled then. Anyway, we havent boarded the ship yet, and our luggage hasnt been scattered. Since Lin has friends in Jiang City who can find a place to stay, I dont need to worry about this anymore..."

  ***************************

  P.S: Red ticket! Asking for red tickets, in the middle of the book page, just a casual click will do.

  No collection of brothers, then please bother to register and collect in Zongheng.

  Writing 180,000 words, it wont be until Jiangning Fengyuejuan that the magnificent world of Xiangchen will truly unfold.

  Is there a beautiful young woman? Of course there is.

  Is there a whip queen? You say there is and there is.

  Is there a loli with a soft and gentle voice who is easy to push down? This is too beastly.