Chapter 149: Handsome Young Man

The old residence was gloomy, while the courtyard of the Second Branch was filled with laughter.

After Du Ruo and Jiang Zhan returned, they told Zheng Shi and the others about the ugly incident that happened in the morning.

Of course, they didn't say they were the instigators and had watched the whole thing.

They only said that the two of them were guarding Yan Pozi at the First Branch, but when the news came, Yan Pozi was stimulated, and her illness miraculously improved.

So they went to join the fun and then came back.

"I told you to go and see, but Little Aunt insisted on not letting me go, causing me to see nothing." Zheng Qinghe regretted it so much he beat his chest and stamped his feet.

Such a good scene, rarely seen in a hundred years; it was really a pity.

Zheng Shi rolled her eyes at him and said unhappily, "Alright, I know. Tomorrow I will go back to Xinglin Village and tell your father and mother that you are lovesick and want to marry a wife, and let them find a matchmaker to ask for you as soon as possible."

Zheng Qinghe wilted instantly, begging with a bitter face, "Don't, Aunt, I was just speaking without thinking..."

Amidst the laughter, it was almost noon.

They had originally planned to let Jiang Zhan return to the academy today, but who knew this would happen? Naturally, he couldn't go back.

Du Ruo sent Jiang Zhan to sleep and returned to her room to catch up on some sleep.

Having been busy all night, she naturally needed a rest.

When she woke up, it was already dinner time. Just after eating, Yao Yulan from next door came over.

"Hahahaha, sister-in-law, I'm here to bring you good news!" Good heavens, the schadenfreude on her face could hardly be hidden.

"What good news?" Du Ruo was suspicious, and Zheng Shi also leaned over to listen.

Yao Yulan giggled and nudged her chin toward the old residence. "Well, isn't it your cousin Jiang Zongbao? He's going to remarry. Wouldn't you say that's good news?"

Du Ruo's eyes lit up. "Who is he marrying?"

"Are you stupid? Who else could it be? Naturally, it's your Cousin Hao!"

Yao Yulan leaned closer. "You don't know yet, do you? This afternoon, Hao Jinzhi's parents came, along with her clan head, and they brought Hao Jinzhi tied up."

"The clan head said there are two paths: either Jiang Zongbao marries Hao Jinzhi, and this matter ends here; or they will drown this woman who was unchaste before marriage and go to the Ya Men to sue Jiang Zongbao for raping a woman from a good family!"

Oh ho, it's blown up.

However, Du Ruo couldn't sympathize with those two. Who told them to set up Jiang Zhan first?

Zheng Shi was frightened and hurriedly asked, "What did Jiang Zongbao say?"

"That coward Jiang Zongbao, he refused at first, complaining that Hao Jinzhi was ugly, sturdy, and had a bad temper."

Yao Yulan sneered, "But a small arm can't twist a thigh, so he was forced to agree, and they agreed to get married in three days."

Du Ruo was secretly happy; that was really great.

In this way, the task issued by the system was successfully completed, and it was 30 points.

She also took the opportunity to teach the First Branch a lesson, making them lose more than they gained.

Hao Jinzhi didn't have Qin Shi's good temper; she probably wouldn't be submissive, and her strength was great. If Jiang Zongbao dared to disobey, he would probably be beaten every day.

Enjoy your wonderful life, you scumbag!

To avoid long nights and many dreams, Du Ruo sent Jiang Zhan away the next day.

When they reached the town, the sister-in-law and brother-in-law parted ways.

Jiang Zhan returned to Xiushan Academy, while Du Ruo went directly to Zui Meng Ju to find Qiu Zhanggui.

She was lucky; Qiu Zhanggui happened to be there.

"Du, Du Niang Zi?" Qiu Zhanggui circled Du Ruo several times, not daring to recognize her.

If you say they look alike, they are clearly two different people; if you say they don't, you can vaguely recognize her.

Du Ruo smiled. "What's wrong, Qiu Zhanggui? I just changed my skin, and you don't recognize me?"

Hearing her voice, Qiu Zhanggui finally confirmed it and hurriedly invited her inside, teasing, "Du Niang Zi, this isn't just changing your skin; it's clearly changing your head and bones. Otherwise, with my sharp eyes, how could I not recognize you?"

After joking for a few words, the two found a seat in the lobby.

Qiu Zhanggui asked, "Du Niang Zi, you came to see me today, is there something wrong?"

"Indeed, there is something I would like to ask Qiu Zhanggui for help with."

Du Ruo told him about the family wanting to build a house and looking for a reliable foreman.

After listening, Qiu Zhanggui slapped his palm. "Is that it? Isn't this a coincidence?"

He greeted Du Ruo to go outside and pointed to the three-story restaurant in front of him, saying proudly, "See that? This was built by the best craftsman in our Xiushan Town. It's been over ten years, and apart from occasionally needing to pick up a tile to prevent rain leaks, there's nothing wrong with it. It's even sturdier than a new house."

Du Ruo was overjoyed. "I wonder who that craftsman is? Can you introduce me?"

"His surname is Lu; you can call him Foreman Lu," Qiu Zhanggui smiled. "Speaking of which, it's not an outsider; Foreman Lu is our boss's brother-in-law, which is Young Master Tianyou's uncle."

So there was this layer of identity; counting it around, there was indeed some connection.

Qiu Zhanggui immediately sent someone to invite him.

Today happened to be the birthday of the merchant's wife, and Foreman Lu was a guest at his brother-in-law's house. After eating the feast, he came quickly.

He was in his fifties, neither tall nor short, with nearly half his hair white, but he looked quite sturdy. The most conspicuous thing was a long scar on his left cheek, running from his temple to his jawbone.

"Foreman Lu." Du Ruo hurriedly stood up to greet him.

Foreman Lu looked frightening, but his personality was extremely kind. "I heard Du Niang Zi is from the family of the county's top scholar, Jiang?"

Du Ruo nodded. "Yes, I am Jiang Zhan's sister-in-law."

Having received confirmation, the smile on Foreman Lu's face became even more cordial. "Tianyou often mentions Young Master Jiang to me, saying that Young Master Jiang looks good, has good character, and even better academic performance. He has received much guidance from him in the academy and has made great progress. I have always wanted to find an opportunity to thank Young Master Jiang in person."

"Foreman Lu is too polite." Since he praised Jiang Zhan so much, Du Ruo naturally knew the principle of reciprocity. "Actually, if I want to thank someone, I should thank Young Master Shang. Although my second brother is good at everything, he lacks one thing: his personality is too soft, and he doesn't understand worldly wisdom. It is thanks to Young Master Shang for always protecting him that he has avoided many troubles. I will definitely come to thank you another day."

Hearing this, Foreman Lu felt very warm inside.

As expected of the family of the county's top scholar, they were indeed knowledgeable and polite.

Seeing the two talking happily, Qiu Zhanggui immediately added fuel to the fire, laughing, "Since we are all our own people, Foreman Lu, you must give Du Niang Zi a solid price; don't report it too high."

"That's natural." Foreman Lu thought for a while. "How about this: I will bring my tools tomorrow morning to measure the foundation size, and then we can discuss the layout of the house and the bricks, tiles, wood, and stone needed in detail. How about we talk about the price then?"

That would naturally be the best.

Du Ruo immediately left the family address and agreed to wait for his arrival the next day.

Having settled this matter, she prepared to go home.

Walking out of the Zui Meng Ju gate, Du Ruo paused, thinking about whether to buy something on the way back.

The house was not short of chicken, duck, fish, and meat; anyway, with Tie Dan around, she could catch them whenever she wanted to eat.

She could buy more coarse grains; last time she made hundreds of pumpkin cakes and mung bean cakes, using up all the stock in the house.

And buy a few bolts of cloth; Jiang Zhan made so many clothes this time, and the other children couldn't be left out. The weather would turn cold soon, so she had to prepare in advance...

Just as she was counting on her fingers, someone was standing at the entrance of Qunfang Pavilion opposite, looking her up and down.

Du Ruo smiled and called out, "Mother Ying."

Ying Jiuniang flicked her handkerchief and immediately walked over quickly. "Oh my, I said you looked a bit like you, but I didn't dare to recognize you!"

She asked with bright eyes, "Du Niang Zi, what kind of divine medicine did you take? The change is too big. Give me a pill, won't you?"

Du Ruo laughed and had to bring out the previous explanation again, which finally cleared up Ying Jiuniang's confusion.

After exchanging pleasantries, Ying Jiuniang looked left and right and pulled Du Ruo into a corner of the street.

Then she lowered her voice and asked, "Du Niang Zi, do you still remember the handsome young man who was chased to our Qunfang Pavilion by a girl that day? The one who left with you from the back door later?"

Xiao Liangchen?

Du Ruo was suspicious. "Mother Ying, why are you asking about him?"

"Alas, it's not like I want to ask him." Ying Jiuniang's expression became more serious. "If Du Niang Zi knows the whereabouts of that young master, it's best to remind him that someone is afraid of being unfavorable to him." ===== CHAPTER 150 =====