Chapter 449: Tea Garden

Gu Xixi choked on the tofu pudding, pounding her chest, unable to speak.

Lao Langzhong faced his inattentive disciple; though he couldn't see, it only added to his worries.

A moment later, Gu Xixi, having just caught her breath, hurriedly said, "No! It's not what you think!"

Lao Langzhong sighed, "Although the prescription isn't complete, you can't hide it from your master."

"This medicine only takes effect on women of suitable age, rendering them unable to conceive."

"Although everyone knows Xiao Mu is yours, even the authorities have long recognized it."

"How unfortunate that you never properly performed the great rites."

"If a young lady like you were to become pregnant now, it would certainly invite gossip."

"But you shouldn't devise a method that harms yourself."

Gu Xixi had fully regained her strength, she spoke righteously: "Master! I want to tell you, this prescription isn't for my own use; I prepared it for someone else."

Lao Langzhong stared, "Ah?"

Gu Xixi said, "Really, it's for someone else."

Lao Langzhong let out a big sigh, then sternly said, "Did you take on business from the brothel?"

In ancient times, ordinary families all believed that many children and grandchildren bring much blessing.

Only courtesans would spend money and effort to avoid pregnancy.

Before Gu Xixi could answer, Lao Langzhong himself overturned his earlier speculation.

"No, in brothels they often use strong drugs that permanently damage the womb, never caring about the woman's future health."

"They also wouldn't waste these precious medicinal ingredients; moreover, needing to use them daily, missing even one or two doses could ruin everything."

Gu Xixi pondered for a moment, unwilling to deceive Lao Langzhong, she could only tell half the truth:

"Someone doesn't want a woman to become pregnant after marriage, yet also doesn't want her to notice anything."

"Because if she were to bear a child, not only would mother and child perish, but it could also implicate countless others."

Lao Langzhong suddenly understood, murmuring, "Now I see."

"No wonder you used the medicine as gently as possible."

"Then that woman is indeed innocent."

Gu Xixi's eyes dimmed slightly, but she quickly regained her resolve.

"As things stand, she has no choice; she is indeed innocent."

"But one day, if she willingly enters the scheme, compared to her, I feel those outside the scheme are even more innocent."

The Princess of North Separation's marriage alliance is still for the benefit of her homeland.

"But if she causes instability in the Great Undertaking Dynasty, or if the two nations go to war again..."

"How many will go hungry, how many will bleed and be wounded, how many will flee..."

Gu Xixi bowed solemnly before Lao Langzhong, "Please, Master, help me! I must ensure absolute safety!"

A moment later, Lao Langzhong let out a long sigh.

He faintly sensed that this prescription would be used for a major affair.

But the sect's teaching says that medical arts must not be used for the imperial court's power struggles and profit.

Thus, Lao Langzhong solemnly said, "As your master, I do not know who, where, or for what purpose you will use this prescription."

"But since you have already weighed your options..."

"It is only natural for a master to correct the prescription for his disciple."

Gu Xixi was deeply grateful, bowing again in thanks, "Thank you, Master!"

The next day was still sunny.

Fortunately, before the sun rose in the morning, the weather was still cool.

The mule cart traveled on the official road, a gentle breeze blowing in from the front, very pleasant.

Lv Jing drove the cart, taking a moment to bite into two hot fried wheat cakes, saying, "In summer, if you're going out, you should leave early."

"Otherwise, you'd end up baked into human jerky on the road."

Gu Xixi and Shitou sat on the rear cart bed, also eating cakes.

To leave early, their breakfast was all taken out to eat.

On the cart there were two jars: one of lotus seed and mung bean soup, one of plain cool water, both placed by Aunt Zhang.

The mung bean soup must be finished before noon, lest it spoil.

Shitou felt a bit dry-mouthed, so he picked up the jar and took two sips.

"Wow, delicious!"

"Once Sister Xixi buys a horse and a carriage, we won't have to fear the sun."

"I like black horses! Black ones!"

Previously, Gu Xixi had brought back horses from the Northwest Army and kept them at home for a few days.

Shitou loved horses; ever since hearing Gu Xixi's plan to buy a horse, the little guy has been looking forward to it.

Who wouldn't love a tall, mighty steed?

Lv Jing also joined in, saying, "I like white ones, and patterned ones are nice too."

"Like that fully chestnut-colored one, hooves treading snow."

She concluded, "I think I still haven't learned horsemanship simply because I've never ridden a real horse."

Shitou nodded in agreement, "Sister Xixi learned to ride in just a few days back then—it was a real horse! So tall! So big!"

Faced with these two enthusiastic people, Gu Xixi could hardly hide her nervousness.

"Don't keep going on about horses; Lai Fu is still working hard pulling the cart."

Is Lai Fu not good? Our Lai Fu is also very tall and sturdy!

Shitou said, "But Lai Fu is a mule."

Gu Xixi said, "Lai Fu can pull a cart, can pull goods, is sensible and obedient."

With it around, there's no rush to buy a horse.

The point Gu Xixi wants to make is in this last sentence.

Shitou exclaimed, "Not buying a horse?"

Gu Xixi couldn't bear to look directly into Shitou's eyes, "Not for now."

Lv Jing, however, understood the reason, smiling, "There will be many places to spend money at the tea garden in the future."

I'm afraid we'll have to wait until the tea garden sees some profit before Gu Xixi will reconsider buying a horse.

Shitou understood.

Although he felt a bit disappointed inside, he didn't show it; instead he started worrying about Gu Xixi.

"I know, it just requires a lot of capital, I'm afraid the funds won't be enough."

"Back when our nursery was still open, I often heard my parents say that."

Lv Jing chuckled lightly, "No wonder you're the young master of the nursery, you know quite a bit."

Gu Xixi continued eating.

Shitou turned to her, earnestly, "Gu Xixi, if you're short on funds, we might as well sell my family's nursery."

Gu Xixi set down the pastry at her lips, her gaze both helpless and tender. "You..."

"How many times have I told you, family finances are an adult's matter, you don't need to worry."

Shitou's eyes flickered, "But I'm afraid..."

After his grandfather passed away, he watched his family's nursery deteriorate day by day.

Until his father's death, the nursery was actually already barely able to stay afloat.

Shitou was young and didn't understand management.

He simply thought his father's nursery was doing poorly because the funds ran out.

But he felt saying it out loud would be too inauspicious, so he didn't go on.

Gu Xixi could hardly miss the youngster's worries.

She said earnestly, "Since I've decided to start work on the tea garden, I naturally have the funds to support it."

"Shitou, do you believe me?"

Shitou looked at Gu Xixi, his spirits lifted instantly, "Yeah! I believe!"

The tea garden.

From afar, one could see many people busy.

Jiang Mingyuan stood on higher ground, saw Gu Xixi and Shitou waving at him, and showed a smile.

Although the message told Gu Xixi she didn't need to rush over.

But given Jiang Mingyuan's understanding of Gu Xixi, if there were nothing more urgent, she would surely come today.

So he deliberately stood in a conspicuous spot waiting for her.

However, a glance from the corner of Jiang Mingyuan's eye quickly made his smile fade.

Because he saw the Regent Prince, who should have been in the capital, walking up from the nearby slope.

Mu Nan Zhao looked at Jiang Mingyuan, obviously coming for him.

"Magistrate Jiang, you're here enjoying the scenery, quite the leisurely elegance."