Сhаpter 13: Zhао Fаmilу Мanor?
Thе nеxt daу.
Morning light glimmеrеd fаintlу, silvеr frоst weighеd dоwn thе brаnches.
Тhe Ji family’s cаrriаge dераrtеd thе citу оn sсhedule.
Ji Ruуuе brought аlong all her рersоnal maids, as wеll as fоur nimble аnd еfficient mаtrons.
She alsо sеlесted two ассоuntants and оne сhief stewаrd to aсcomрany her, with а guаrd сontingеnt оf over thirty mеn.
Thе рrocеssion was grаnd and drеw mаnу sidelоng glancеs.
Due to thе suddеnnеss of the matter, there had beеn nо time to notify Аndоng Town in advаnсe, so Steward Zhao was completely unaware of the master’s unexpected visit.
Ji Ruyue had always been delicate and pampered, truly unable to endure even the slightest hardship. Though the journey was barely over a hundred li, she insisted on frequent stops, taking nearly four full days to complete it.
As she stepped down from the carriage, her steps were unsteady, and she was so weak she could hardly stand.
“Miss.” Bai Mei immediately stepped forward to support her.
Ji Ruyue looked up, a flicker of doubt flashing in her eyes.
Before her, the Medicine Manor stood like a miniature city, rising from the vast fields, surrounded by high walls for protection. The walls were brand new, clearly recently constructed.
The manor backed against a large mountain, with mountain springs flowing down, passing through the manor before merging into a river. Even in the depths of winter, it presented a unique and picturesque scene.
Ji Ruyue took a few steps toward the main gate, and the scene inside the manor also came into view.
Within, rows of houses were arranged in an orderly yet varied layout, all built with blue bricks and red tiles—not a single thatched hut among them. This was completely different from what had been reported…
“Let’s go in and take a look,” she ordered.
“Yes.”
Just past noon, wisps of cooking smoke rose from a row of houses on the left side, clearly indicating that many tenant families resided there.
Where was the poverty here?
This was clearly a Medicine Manor of substantial foundation!
Just as they were about to enter, they were stopped by a man: “Who are you? What business brings you to Zhao Family Manor?”
“Zhao Family Manor?”
Ji Ruyue’s brow furrowed slightly. Finding the other party rude, she instinctively took a step back.
Xi Qiu and the others exchanged glances and were about to step forward, but the chief steward accompanying them beat them to it: “You say this is Zhao Family Manor? We have come seeking the Ji Family Medicine Manor. Has this place perhaps changed ownership?”
This accompanying chief steward was surnamed Zheng, nearing forty, a steady and capable man with considerable skill, which was why Old Master Ji had sent him.
He did not immediately reveal their identity, choosing instead to probe the other party’s stance.
The burly man guarding the manor gate had a sturdy build and dark skin, speaking with a thick local accent, clearly a native tenant.
“What Ji Family Medicine Manor? I’ve been here seven years and never heard of it. You must have come to the wrong place.”
Steward Zheng’s smile faded slightly. “Is the steward here named Zhao Tong?”
The dark-skinned man looked displeased. “How rude of you! How dare you address our manor master by his full name? You don’t look like visitors here. Be off with you, quickly!”
“You say Zhao Tong is your manor master?”
Ji Ruyue’s voice was soft and gentle as she raised her eyes to meet the dark-skinned man’s gaze.
The man was taken aback, his gaze settling on her again. He hadn’t seen clearly before, but now, looking properly, this woman was as beautiful as a celestial being…
“Y-yes, that’s right. Is the young lady looking for our manor master?”
Ji Ruyue frowned with displeasure, watching as the man before her… turned from dark to a flushed dark-red.
Somewhat ugly!
“Tell Zhao Tong to come see me. Say that the master’s family has arrived.”
Ji Ruyue had no desire to waste words with him. She was utterly exhausted and in urgent need of rest.
The dark-skinned man looked Ji Ruyue up and down, skeptical. “The master’s family? What master’s family? Such a pretty young lady… surely not a swindler?”
Ji Ruyue laughed in exasperation.She turned to Steward Zheng and said, “You handle the negotiations with him,” then returned to the carriage herself.
Steward Zheng was a shrewd man—how could he not understand the situation unfolding before him?
This Zhao Tong had likely betrayed his master!
Steward Zheng raised a hand, summoned a guard, and whispered a few words to him. The guard soon rode off alone on horseback.
Meanwhile, he had the dark-skinned gatekeeper restrained.
The gatekeeper resisted, so they gave him a thorough beating!
The group then entered the manor in a grand procession.
Unaware of Zhao Tong’s whereabouts, Steward Zheng led the group directly toward the finest courtyard.
The Medicine Manor was bustling at this hour, and such a large group entering immediately drew attention. Someone quickly went to inform Zhao Tong.
Zhao Tong had recently taken a new concubine and was still infatuated with her, spending his days indulging in her company even in broad daylight.
Interrupted in his pleasure, he was seething with anger. “Get out! If someone barges in, can’t you just drive them away?”
“N-no, Manor Lord, the newcomers seem quite influential. Heizi’s face is all swollen. He said there’s a woman as beautiful as a celestial being, and she mentioned something about the master’s family…”
The words stumbled out of the small farmer’s mouth.
Through the closed door, Zhao Tong couldn’t hear clearly and mistakenly thought he heard “the Zhu family” instead of “the master’s family.”
A woman as beautiful as a celestial being? The Zhu family?
Zhao Tong couldn’t recall who it might be, but his mood was already ruined.
He rose from his concubine’s side, his hands still groping aimlessly.
“Oh, Master~”
A flicker of disdain flashed in the concubine’s eyes, but she had no choice but to get up and help him dress.
“I’ll go see what’s happening. I’ll come to your room tonight.”
“I’ll be waiting for you, Master~”
Zhao Tong swaggered out of the courtyard gate and appeared before Ji Ruyue and her entourage.
Standing tall and imposing, dressed in fine silk robes, he cut a rather dignified figure.
“Who are you? Have you come seeking medicine? With such an attitude, I’m afraid it’s hardly appropriate, is it?” Zhao Tong’s tone was filled with arrogance.