Chapter 171: A Beauty Arrives from the South

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

As Zhang Yunxiu's wedding date drew closer, Zhang Juzheng's condition also gradually improved.

From being unable to move at all to now being able to wiggle a few fingers, this brief recovery made the Zhang Family brothers ecstatic.

At the same time, as Zhang Yunxiu responded to all changes with constancy, Zhang Siwei's side remained on edge.

That feeling was likely the same as when a teacher does a spot check on homework in class, and you haven't done yours. You are terrified of being called on, silently praying in your heart: "Please don't call on me, please don't call on me."

These days, those who held important posts in the yamen didn't dare to act cocky anymore.

They stopped going to brothels, and they pushed away banquets whenever they could.

In the past, whenever these officials saw anyone, they would hold their necks high like roosters. Now it was different; these prominent officials would accompany everyone with a smiling face, just like Maitreya Buddhas.

Just as the officials in the capital were as silent as cicadas in winter.

A carriage procession slowly drove from Jiangnan into Beijing.

The carriage at the very front was extremely opulent.

It was pulled by four fine horses, standing one zhang two chi high, one zhang five chi long, and one zhang wide, made entirely of extremely precious camphor wood.

Fences were built around the carriage, adorned with top-quality Shu Brocade.

Behind the carriage, there were over a hundred servants and more than fifty carriages following one after another.

The people of the capital saw this and gathered on both sides, pointing and gesturing at the procession.

"Whose procession is this, so opulent?"

"Indeed, even the clothes worn by the servants are extraordinary."

"Sigh, you don't know this, do you? This is the procession of the Xu Family from Songjiang Prefecture." An old scholar with some learning in the crowd stroked his beard and said quite self-importantly, "You all know the Xu Family, right? The nephews of the old Grand Secretary Xu Jie."

"Ah, I know now, this is the Xu Family sending their eldest young lady to marry the young master of the Zhang Family."

Hearing this, one person slapped their forehead and shouted excitedly.

At this, everyone reacted.

The marriage between these two families was a grand event in the capital. Especially now that the Senior Grand Secretary was critically ill and the Secondary Assistant was acting in his stead, the Emperor granting a marriage at such a critical juncture.

The significance was self-evident.

Favored by the Emperor! In an instant, sour voices rose from the crowd.

"Sigh, why didn't I have a good father?"

"Hahaha, with that sharp-mouthed, monkey-cheeked look of yours, why don't you go find a puddle to look at your reflection? Do you have that kind of fate?"

"I like to think about it, is that any of your business?"

The people on both sides were noisy and restless, almost blocking the road. Fortunately, Han San had led the Embroidered Uniform Guard early on, along with men from the Five Cities Military Commission, to maintain order.

Only then was the procession able to pass normally.

Inside the leading carriage, Xu Ruoxi sat obediently on a soft embroidered couch in a plain dress. Beside her, the bean-green-clad little bean sprout Lvluo was full of excitement.

She looked here and there.

This was Lvluo's first time coming to Beijing.

In the past, let alone the capital, she had rarely even been to Nanjing, and thinking about living in this big city with her young lady in the future.

Lvluo was naturally overjoyed, her mouth chattering non-stop.

"Young Lady, Young Lady, look at that building, it's so tall, and this street is so wide, and over there, over there." Watching Lvluo chirping like a sparrow, Xu Ruoxi frowned and muttered: "Lvluo, this is Beijing, not Huating, and the Grand Secretary Mansion is not our home. If you continue to be so unruly..."

"If you cause trouble, I will not be able to spare you."

Hearing this, Lvluo stuck her tongue out at Xu Ruoxi and made a face.

Then she moved with lotus steps to sit beside Xu Ruoxi, hugging her young lady's arm and acting spoiled: "I know Young Lady loves me the most, how could you punish me, right, Young Lady?"

"You." Xu Ruoxi stretched out her finger and poked Lvluo's forehead hard, laughing and scolding, "You only know how to bully me for being kind-hearted. Besides, this huge mansion is not something I can decide on my own."

"If you fall into the hands of that person, humph, you will have a hard time."

The person Xu Ruoxi spoke of was naturally Zhang Yunxiu's first woman, Zheng Xi'er. She had known of this woman's methods back in Songjiang; she was proficient in arithmetic and quite capable.

Most of the businesses under Zhang Yunxiu's command were managed by her.

In just two short years, not only had she brought the subordinates under her control, but the business was also thriving.

Among the merchants in the entire capital, who didn't call her "Mistress Zheng"? If it weren't for this woman's low status and the fact that she had only given birth to a daughter, she would truly have a sense of crisis.

Hearing her young lady mention Zheng Xi'er, Lvluo pouted her little mouth enough to hang a soy sauce bottle and complained: "The son-in-law is really something, why let a concubine manage so many businesses."

After finishing, she changed the subject and instigated: "But now that we have Young Lady, these businesses should be managed by Young Lady."

Xu Ruoxi covered her mouth and smiled, waving her hand in refusal: "I am not proficient in this, if I were to forcibly seize it and fail to manage it well, not only would I be exhausted, but I would also offend my husband."

"It is better to be magnanimous and just let Xi'er manage these assets."

"Young Lady..."

"For a woman, the most important thing is to capture a man's heart. I will not fight or scramble; if I bear him children, he naturally will not treat me poorly." As Xu Ruoxi spoke, she lowered her head, a beautiful flush appearing on her fair cheeks.

The group swayed along.

Finally, they arrived at the Xu Family mansion at the end of Wealthy Street.

The Xu Family was extremely wealthy and naturally had a residence in the capital.

As soon as the procession stopped, Han San immediately walked quickly to the carriage and respectfully called out: "Madam, we have arrived. Please stay here for a few days. If Madam has anything to do, just send someone to notify me."

Xu Ruoxi replied softly through the carriage curtain: "Thank you for your hard work, Thousand-Household Han."

"It is only my duty."

Han San cupped his hands again.

For this future mistress, Han San naturally did not dare to be the least bit negligent. He said a few more auspicious words, walked to the front, and personally took on the heavy responsibility of directing traffic.

What is the most important thing for a subordinate? To let those above see that you have work in your hands.

Following Han San's direction, the carriages slowly drove into the Xu Family mansion. It was not until the last carriage entered that Han San, standing at the gate, let out a long sigh, his forehead already covered in sweat.

"Boss, for such a small matter, just leave it to me." A Small Banner Officer immediately handed over a towel and tea with a grin.

Han San took them, went to a small table nearby to sit down, and while wiping his neck, looked at him and said, "You brat know how to act, so I'll leave this task of guarding the Xu Family mansion to you."

"Many thanks, Boss." The Small Banner Officer cupped his fists and smiled.

Looking at his subordinate's appearance, Han San changed from his previous fawning manner, slapped the man hard on the shoulder, and threatened viciously, "Remember, don't mess up, and don't let anyone disturb our new mistress. Otherwise, I'll make you pay."

"Understood, understood."

(End of this chapter)