Chapter 74: Master's Wife?

After returning to the county yamen, Jiang Jiang Mingyu remained staring blankly into space.

His mind was filled entirely with the image of the woman he had seen earlier at the Liu family residence.

That woman in purple robes was exquisitely beautiful; standing there in the snowing courtyard, she was like a burst of brilliance from the desert.

Her jet-black hair cascaded down like ink, her delicate face was charming and moving, her fine eyebrows resembled distant mountains, her eyes flowed with emotion, her nose was neat and upright, and her small, rosy lips curved slightly upward.

Her snow-white skin was more exquisite and fair than the snow in the sky; her slender waist paired with jade-like hands made her look like a willow branch swaying gently in the wind.

She stood there quietly, emitting an indescribable graceful charm, as if a fairy from the edge of the sky, or Chang'e drifting down from the Moon Palace.

Even though Jiang Jiang Mingyu had experienced two lifetimes of romance, he could not help but swallow his saliva again and again, nearly unable to tear his eyes away.

Although it was only a single, fleeting glance, he still learned the woman's name from Liu Ximen—Liu Liu Yifei.

However, at that time, Liu Liu Yifei was on her way to distribute grain to the common people; she merely nodded lightly to Jiang Jiang Mingyu and then disappeared into the falling snow.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was somewhat dazed, muttering to himself: "One glance topples a city, a second glance topples a nation; truly a peerless beauty."

That night, Jiang Jiang Mingyu saw Liu Liu Yifei again in his dream. The two strolled through a sunny spring field, with a gentle breeze brushing their faces and the scent of flowers overwhelming them. Liu Liu Yifei's smile was like a blooming flower; she chatted and laughed with Jiang Jiang Mingyu, walking through a thicket of wildflowers. They walked farther and farther until they vanished completely.

Waking up the next day, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt the entire world had become beautiful; except for quietly changing his trousers, everything was so intoxicating and full of hope. Liu Liu Yifei's smile still lingered in his mind, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be to see her again in this life.

In the following days, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was busy supervising the house-repair work. To Lord Lord Murong Tu Tu Kesiluo's delight, after three days of repairs, the originally dilapidated and drafty county yamen was finally restored.

Cartloads of coal were continuously transported to Tenglong County and the prefectural city; Prince Qi also seemed to have settled down, and everything was developing in a positive direction.

That day, Jiang Jiang Mingyu sent Lord Lord Murong Tu Tu Kesiluo to Green Dragon Stronghold to train the thirty selected laborers in martial arts. While Jiang Jiang Mingyu was supervising the house-repair work on the street, Liu Liu Yifei, whom he hadn't seen in many days, suddenly appeared.

She was still dressed as before in purple robes, a purple long skirt, and a purple sable fur coat, with a slight blush on her delicate small face.

Perhaps because of Liu Ximen's connection, the laborers repairing the houses were very enthusiastic upon seeing Liu Liu Yifei, greeting her one after another.

After a while, Liu Liu Yifei gracefully walked over to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's side, and a clear, pleasant voice rang out: "My lord works so hard for the people; it is truly not easy." Her voice was like a golden oriole from a valley, melodious and delightful.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu forcibly suppressed the flutter in his heart and struggled to maintain his usual faint smile: "Miss Liu flatters me; this is merely what this official ought to do."

"By the way, Miss, since you came here specially, is there any special matter?"

Before Liu Liu Yifei could answer, a man's voice suddenly came from afar: "Master, you are here!"

Sure enough, when Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned around, he saw Zhu Ge Yu's face, white as jade. Zhu Ge Yu was still the same: wide robe sleeves, wearing a tall white jade crown, but with an excitement that he could not hide on his face.

Seeing his beautiful moment interrupted, Jiang Jiang Mingyu couldn't help but frown slightly: "Why have you come?"

But at this moment, Zhu Ge Yu's gaze was already completely stuck on Liu Liu Yifei,

lost in infatuation and unable to extricate himself.

Seeing him so shamelessly embarrassing himself, Liu Liu Yifei also looked awkward. Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly coughed very displeasedly.

Zhu Ge Yu then suddenly snapped out of it, grinning cheekily: "Master, this must be the Master's Wife, right? Indeed, this, this..."

Seeing that Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression was not very friendly, Zhu Ge Yu keenly took the initiative to acknowledge this "wife" for his master.

Then, he pretended to ponder deeply: "Clouds think of clothes, flowers think of beauty; the spring breeze brushes the railing, the dew is thick with glory; if not..."

The two words "Master's Wife" instantly made Liu Liu Yifei's already frost-bitten red face redder, and she became entirely embarrassed.

Seeing him go further and further off the rails, Jiang Jiang Mingyu rolled his eyes at him: "Enough, enough, stop talking nonsense."

"It is winter now; where is this spring breeze coming from? You are comparing apples to oranges."

"I really don't know how you managed to gain your reputation as a talented scholar. Miss Liu is this official's friend; watch your words."

Zhu Ge Yu quickly shrunk his neck: "The master's reprimand is correct; this inferior acknowledges his mistake." Ever since successfully showing off in the prefectural city using Jiang Jiang Mingyu's poems, he had already revered Jiang Jiang Mingyu to the point of prostration.

Seeing the two talking so passionately, Liu Liu Yifei, with a red face, said gracefully: "Since my lord has guests visiting, this humble woman will not disturb you further."

How could Jiang Jiang Mingyu let it end like this: "Don't go, Miss Liu; the important matter hasn't been discussed yet."

Liu Liu Yifei forced a smile: "Actually, there was no matter; I just felt bored and came out for a walk, and happened to meet my lord, so I shall take my leave."

Watching her graceful figure depart, Jiang Jiang Mingyu glared fiercely at Zhu Ge Yu; you ruined everything!

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed lightly, turned around to gaze at Zhu Ge Yu, and then slowly asked: "Didn't you stay in the prefectural city all along? What are you doing running here now?"

Facing Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who knew his background inside out, Zhu Ge Yu no longer put on airs or played the role of a profound scholar. He bowed respectfully to Jiang Jiang Mingyu and, with a face full of smiles, opened his mouth: "Greetings, Master; this disciple has come this time to report good news to the master."

Having finished speaking, he blinked his eyes, looking like someone presenting a treasure, and asked tentatively: "Master, guess what the good news is?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu rolled his eyes helplessly at him, his tone somewhat impatient: "Guess what, guess what? Seeing this official busy with public affairs, if you have urgent matters, just say them directly; don't beat around the bush."

Zhu Ge Yu, having received a soft rebuff, was not discouraged; he smiled cheerfully, took out several silver notes from his sleeve, and said with animated eyebrows: "Master, take a look at this!"

"Ever since using the master's poems to attract business, the guests coming to seek instruction at my door have never ceased; they have almost worn the threshold down."

Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression becoming increasingly impatient, Zhu Ge Yu hurriedly continued: "The guests coming and going discovered the master's coal mine at Shangmu, and subsequently inquired about the various benefits of coal."

"Nowadays, the scholars and literati in the prefectural city regard heating with coal and brewing tea with coal as elegant life interests. This has already become their indispensable hobby."

"A few days ago, many guests entrusted this inferior to order more coal from the master, totaling two hundred and fifty thousand jin." Zhu Ge Yu, speaking here, wore an expression waiting for praise.

"These one hundred and twenty thousand taels of shining silver notes shall first serve as the deposit for the coal order, accounting for half of the total order amount; the remaining balance will be paid after all the coal is delivered." Zhu Ge Yu said cheerfully, wearing the triumphant air of a seller.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately frowned and asked keenly: "The total price for two hundred and fifty thousand jin of coal; why would it require such a high deposit? This calculation seems unclear?"

"Last time, ten thousand jin of coal, plus the ten thousand taels of silver you sent as a tribute, totaled only eighty thousand taels. This time, why did you raise the deposit directly to one hundred and twenty thousand taels, with such a huge increase?"

Zhu Ge Yu chuckled knowingly and said frankly: "This disciple knows that the master is currently short of funds and needs money to get things done. So I helped you inflate the price of the coal quite a bit to obtain a higher deposit."

"Anyway, those guests are wealthy with ten thousand treasures; they have so much silver that it could swim out. Keeping it is useless; it is better to use it to help the master and do something meaningful."

When he said this, he did not feel at all that his behavior was in any way improper.

Seeing him say this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was no longer polite and directly accepted the silver notes: "Is there anything else to report? Say it all and let me hear."

Zhu Ge Yu showed a flattering "hehe" smile again: "The master indeed has eyes like lightning and deep foresight; nothing can be hidden from you."

"Last time, after receiving the ten golden sentences bestowed by the master, this disciple, in a moment of excitement, used them all to make a living. Now the poems on hand are exhausted, with no new stock. And I have already become somewhat famous in the prefectural city; if I do not produce a few more exquisite poems, I will have no face to show myself."

Zhu Ge Yu wore a simple, innocent expression, but his words revealed a hint of tactful pleading.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly: "It seems you ran all this way just to ask me for stock to replenish your inventory. This official is very busy now; you may wait for a while."

Seeing his attitude was not enthusiastic, Zhu Ge Yu immediately brought out the trump card he had prepared long ago: "Master, please do not rush to refuse; you may not know that your poems are now incredibly popular in the prefectural city!"

"If you bestow a few more new poems, this disciple can compile them into a poetry collection for publication, which will surely earn a huge profit." Zhu Ge Yu looked extremely excited.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu chuckled lightly: "You, a young master from a noble family, could you possibly lack money?"

Zhu Ge Yu wore an expression of "How can you not understand": "Disciple does not lack money, but Master, you still lack money, don't you?"

"Think about it: once the poetry collection sells and becomes a huge hit, fame and fortune will follow, and all the profits will be yours. Isn't this a profitable deal?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes lit up. Yes, using Zhu Ge Yu's name, he himself would not be exposed as lacking. Moreover, if he truly soared to the heavens on his own merit, it would benefit his future networking.

At this very moment, besides money, what Jiang Jiang Mingyu needed even more were connections and potential allies.

Thus, his mind cleared instantly. He waved his wide sleeve and said, "Why are you still standing there? Come with me to the county yamen."