Wine-scented Beauty

Chapter 234: Visiting the Jiang Family

Chapter 234: Visiting the Jiang Family

Seeing Ji Meiqing's excited eyes, Lu Yu knew this trip was worthwhile.

"Alright, alright, it's getting late, it'll be dark soon and we won't be able to go back. We need to hurry back." Lu Yu said, pulling Ji Meiqing's hand. "Mm," Ji Meiqing replied in a good mood, though she was interrupted.

It was quite late when they returned to the inn, and most of the guests were already asleep. Fortunately, the door was still open, so the two of them tiptoed in so as not to disturb others.

As soon as Ji Meiqing entered the room, she threw herself onto the bed and said to Lu Yu, "I'm not going to get up now. I didn't feel anything when we were out shopping, but now that I'm free, I'm exhausted."

Lu Yu helped her take off her shoes and clothes, and then took off his own shoes and clothes, saying, "It's only the first day, and you can't take it anymore?" He pushed Ji Meiqing a little closer before lying down on the bed.

"No, I just want to get some rest," Ji Meiqing said weakly.

Lu Yu explained his plans for tomorrow, saying he was going to buy some gifts to visit the Jiang family. However, after waiting for a long time without a reply from Ji Meiqing, he turned around and found that she had already fallen asleep. Lu Yu tucked her in, gazing at her sleeping face, feeling that nothing was enough, and wishing that they could stay like this forever.

Perhaps they were really too tired yesterday, because the two of them slept until the waiter came to wake them up.

"Have you two gentlemen gotten up yet? If you don't get up soon, you'll miss the mealtime."

When Lu Yu finished tidying everything up, Ji Meiqing reluctantly got up. Before going downstairs, she didn't forget to say goodbye to the bed, "I'm leaving, bed. I'll miss you."

Lu Yu couldn't stand it anymore and pulled her along, saying, "Let's go, or we really won't have any food later."

While drinking her porridge, Ji Meiqing asked, "What's the itinerary for today? Where are we going?" Ji Meiqing had actually become dependent on Lu Yu long ago.

"Hmm... I already told you yesterday, but you were asleep. We need to go to the Jiang family first today, since we'll be doing business there, and it's always good to solidify our connections." Seeing that she hadn't listened to a word she said yesterday, Lu Yu had to repeat himself.

"Okay, then should we bring some gifts? It wouldn't be right to go empty-handed." Ji Meiqing's intelligence finally came back online.

“Of course, but since the Jiang family is also in the wine business, I think we shouldn’t exchange wine gifts,” Lu Yu suggested.

"Not sending wine? Then what should we send? The Jiang family is on par with the Ji family, a large and powerful family, what could they possibly lack?"

“Yes, the Jiang family is indeed as large and powerful as the Ji family. But didn’t you notice that through cooperation, the Jiang family and the Ji family are fundamentally different? They place more emphasis on sincerity and quality,” Lu Yu analyzed.

"So, from what you're saying, you have a plan?" Ji Meiqing asked, seeing his confident demeanor.

"Yes, that's right. After we finish eating, we'll go to the temple."

The two quickly finished their meal and, after a short ride in a carriage, arrived at a temple called Jing'an Temple.

When they came out, Ji Meiqing looked at the very delicate little pendant in her hand with a puzzled expression. Lu Yu saw her look and explained, "This little pendant is a gift for the Jiang family's newest son. It's a peace pendant we obtained with sincere prayers."

Ji Meiqing said knowingly, "So you were prepared all along. I always thought I was the one in charge of external affairs, but now it seems you've been giving in to me all along."

Lu Yu shook his head. "No, no, my wife is the most important."

"Hmph, I always thought you were pretty honest, but I didn't expect you to be so glib." After saying that, she walked forward on her own, but unfortunately, she didn't have Lu Yu's long legs and was caught up in just a few steps.

"Alright, stop fooling around, we still have to get to the Jiang family." Ji Meiqing was just teasing him, and after hearing this, she quieted down and got into the carriage with Lu Yu.

The Jiang family's residence was located in a bustling and lively area, but it was also quite large and easy to spot. They had the gatekeeper enter and announce their arrival, and upon his return, he was led to the main hall.

After waiting a while, they saw Old Man Lin arrive. They exchanged pleasantries, saying it had been a long time. Old Man Lin then said, "The head of the Jiang family is unfortunately out at the moment. That's why I'm here to receive you two. Please forgive me if I haven't taken good care of you."

"Uncle Lin, what are you saying?" Lu Yu replied politely.

Old Man Lin asked, "What brings you two to Jiangnan?"

"Oh, it's Meiqing who wanted to come here for a visit. I felt my business was much more stable, so I came too. Since I'm in Hangzhou, how could I not pay her a visit? Oh, and we brought some small gifts with us. Hope you won't find them too much. Meiqing, take them out quickly," Lu Yu said to Meiqing.

"Uncle Lin, this is a peace pendant that Brother Lu and I went to the temple to get. It's for the young master, and we hope he will grow up safe, healthy, and safe throughout his life." Ji Meiqing took out the pendant and handed it to Uncle Lin.

Old Man Lin accepted the gift and said, "You two are very kind. I will definitely convey your good wishes to the master when he returns. It's almost time for dinner now, so please stay and let me treat you to a proper meal."

Lu Yu declined Old Man Lin's offer, saying, "No, we won't be out for long. We've already wasted a lot of time on the road. We need to hurry and see more of the beautiful scenery, otherwise, once business gets busy, we might not be able to come out again." Old Man Lin didn't insist on keeping them and saw them out.

The two returned to the inn and discussed what to do in the afternoon. "We're not going to Shaoxing until tomorrow, so what should we do this afternoon?" Ji Meiqing asked, eating the meat on her plate.

Lu Yu said, "I've already thought of that for you. Let's go for barbecue this afternoon."

Ji Meiqing, being a carnivore, was genuinely excited upon hearing this and asked, "Really?"

"real."

In fact, Ji Meiqing hated being told what to do by others, but unfortunately she knew nothing about the geography here, and she didn't dislike Lu Yu's arrangements. In fact, she looked forward to what he would take her to do every day.

Ji Meiqing and Lu Yu took a short nap after lunch, but they were still quite energetic when they woke up.

The two took a taxi to a place in the suburbs. Lu Yu set up the grill he had brought, placing a whole sheep and some fish on it to grill—this was probably the most primitive form of barbecue. Soon, the fish was cooked, and Ji Meiqing, undeterred by the heat, took a bite. Although it wasn't as delicious as modern barbecue, it was still quite good, so she smiled and said to Lu Yu, "Delicious." Then she held the fish to Lu Yu's mouth to feed him. Lu Yu was grilling something and couldn't reach it, so he just opened his mouth and took a bite.

Encouraged, Lu Yu worked even harder, and the fire burned even brighter. Before long, a whole roasted lamb was ready.