Long Er agreed, and Old Man Ju's eyes lit up with excitement: "Second Master, my daughter said she's marrying you."
He already knew!
Long Er sighed, glancing up at Ju Mu'er standing not far away. She was smiling in his direction, and perhaps sensing his gaze, she added, "Second Master, go back and get some rest!"
Ryuji felt a pang of tenderness in his heart again.
On his way back, he thought to himself that he would come to see her tomorrow.
18. Feelings gradually developed between them.
The next day, Long Er got up very early. He remembered that he had forgotten to bring the medicine back to Ju Mu'er the night before, so he ordered someone to prepare the prescription and medicine packet, and prepared a carriage. He would personally deliver the medicine to her.
Before leaving, Manager Tie reported all the things he needed to do that day. Long Er glanced at them, made his calculations, delivered the medicine, and visited her. He then took the opportunity to make another round of inspections of the shops. Manager Lü wasn't at the tea shop, so he needed to show his concern by appearing frequently to prevent the staff from becoming distracted and anxious. Business was booming before the New Year, so he couldn't afford to be complacent.
Next, he will have lunch with Mr. Liu from Yicheng. In the afternoon, he may have some time to go back to his residence to review the case files. In the evening, he will entertain several high-ranking officials from the court at Manxianglou, as they enjoy the girls there.
Of all the time slots available, this morning is truly the only time I can visit Ju Mu'er.
Long Er was very satisfied. He had taken time out of his busy schedule to see her. She should be very touched. Now she wouldn't worry about whether he would break off the engagement, right?
When Ryuji arrived at the pub, he realized he'd been dreaming. Because that lazy girl, Ju Mu'er, was still asleep!
Old Man Ju and his two men had all gotten up and eaten breakfast, and were busy with their own things, but that lazy girl hadn't gotten up yet!
Long Er's face turned pale.
What bothered him most wasn't that Ju Mu'er was sleeping in late, but that another young man was coming to see her with gifts at this time.
The young man seemed to be very familiar with Old Man Ju, and they talked as if they were brothers-in-law. He also brought fruits and snacks, and without asking any questions, he seemed to know that Ju Mu'er liked them. Old Man Ju did not refuse them at all and accepted them directly.
Finally, the young man smiled politely and took his leave, only saying that he would ask Old Man Ju to tell Mu'er to take good care of her injuries after she got up, and that he would come to see her again if he had time.
Old Man Ju hurriedly agreed and escorted the man to the entrance of the wine shop, saying, "Liangze, take care. Please give my regards to your family and Mu'er to your wife."
Liangze? Long Er felt the name sounded familiar, but couldn't quite place where he'd heard it before. He glanced at Li Ke, who looked distressed and was bracing himself to step forward to answer his master's question when Old Man Ju returned from the doorway.
He said to Long Er with a regretful look, "Alas, it's really not meant to be. Liangze and Mu'er grew up together, learning the zither and reading books together. Originally, both our families thought they were a good match and even arranged a marriage between them. But Mu'er's eyes went bad, and I don't know what she was thinking, she just refused to marry him. Alas, now he's married and about to have a baby."
Long Er's face was as black as charcoal, and his eyes were like blades, shooting straight at Li Ke.
Li Ke was utterly innocent. He hadn't said those words, he hadn't found Chen Liangze, and he hadn't arranged their engagement. It had absolutely nothing to do with him. Master, your ability to take your anger out on others is truly remarkable. He was a loyal and devoted guard!
Old Man Ju, oblivious to the subtle nuances of the situation, continued, "I see everyone else is doing quite well, but my daughter, she's gone blind and can't do many things anymore. She used to love reading, but now she can only touch the pages and listen to the rustling of the pages. She also plays the piano less often..."
As he spoke, he became increasingly saddened, rubbing his eyes: "Back then, none of the qin (a seven-stringed zither) teachers dared to teach her, saying she played better than them. They said if my Mu'er were a boy, she could truly compete for the title of the number one qin player. But in the end, she lost everything, she couldn't see anything, it was so pitiful. She even threw a tantrum and insisted on breaking off the engagement. Liangze said he didn't mind and wanted to marry her, but she didn't care, hurting the relationship between the two families. Fortunately, Liangze is kind-hearted and didn't hold a grudge. Now that he's doing well, when he heard Mu'er was injured, he still remembered to send her things and come to visit her. He's so thoughtful."
Li Ke kept giving Old Man Ju meaningful glances. Didn't you see Second Master's hands were clenched into fists? Didn't you see how tense Second Master's face was? Didn't you see the bluish tinge on Second Master's forehead?
Father, do you think Second Master is some distant relative visiting from the neighborhood? Stop talking about that engagement and broken-off engagement from ages ago! Second Master is, right now, the very fiancé of Miss Ju! Is it appropriate for you to keep nagging like this?
After talking for a while, Old Man Ju finally realized what was going on and asked, "Second Master, would you like some tea?"
Long Er held his breath and answered in a hard voice, "I won't drink."
"Would you like some drinks?" Old Man Ju continued to warmly invite them, since his family might not have much else, but they had plenty of alcohol!
"I won't drink." Ryuji's voice remained firm.
Li Ke continued to wink at her, "Father, isn't this the time to wake Miss Ju up, let her meet the master, and make him happy? Why are you drinking tea or wine? It's so early in the morning, Father, is this appropriate?"
Old Man Ju seemed to understand, and the topic finally circled back to Ju Mu'er. He said, "Mu'er hasn't gotten up yet; we have to wait until she's had enough sleep. Second Master, are you going to continue waiting, or stay for lunch?"
Li Ke choked and coughed a few times. What's the difference between continuing to wait and staying for lunch?
"I'm not waiting any longer, let her sleep!" Long Er got up and walked out, with Old Man Ju following behind, seeing him outside.
Li Ke followed, wondering if Old Man Ju could understand that Second Master was saying these words through gritted teeth.
Old Master Ju thanked her all the way, saying thank you for treating Mu'er and getting her medicine, and that he would tell Mu'er that his second master had come to see her when she got up.
Long Er looked frustrated and remained silent until he got into the car. Suddenly, he said, "Don't tell her I was here." He didn't want to end up like Chen Liangze. If Old Man Ju told Ju Mu'er that Liangze and Second Master had come to see her, putting them together, wouldn't he be disgusted?
Therefore, it's better not to mention it at all!
Old Man Ju didn't understand, but he still nodded. Li Ke sighed inwardly; this old man really didn't know how to make people happy. Just as he finished thinking this, Old Man Ju leaned closer to him and whispered, "Guard Li, are your eyes not feeling well? I've noticed them twitching."
Li Ke suddenly felt his face tighten, and for a moment he was speechless.
Old Man Ju said again, "If you're not feeling well, you must get proper treatment. Eye problems are not to be taken lightly. Doctor Qi Shi in the city is extremely famous for treating eyes. You can go and have a look at him. He treated Mu'er's eyes back then, but it's been two years now, and I don't know if he's moved. I'll write down his address for you later, and you can go and have a look."
Li Ke knew in her heart that the old man meant well. But was it really appropriate to introduce someone else to a doctor who hadn't cured her daughter's eyes, especially one she hadn't seen for two years and didn't even know if he was still alive?
Li Ke glanced at his master with a bitter face, only to find that his expression had improved. It seemed that embarrassing moments of being outdone by others were indeed a way to soothe his mood.
Finally, the master and servant set off with a farewell from Old Man Ju. After traveling for a while, Long Er suddenly lifted the carriage curtain and asked Li Ke, "Tell me, how could someone like Old Man Ju have such a clever daughter?"
Li Ke didn't reply, continuing to ride his horse in silence. That was his master's future father-in-law; he dared not comment on him. Look, his master had called him cunning before, but now he's called him clever. He used to hate him with a passion, but now he's eagerly coming to see him first thing in the morning.
The master's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea. What could he say? He should say nothing at all.
On this day, Long Er was busy with various official matters. He didn't see Ju Mu'er in the morning but saw Chen Liangze instead, which made him feel bad. He decided not to see her for the next few days as a form of punishment.
He sent Li Ke to keep an eye on the progress of the investigation at the government office and to urge the Long family's spies to find clues.
That evening, as arranged, he accompanied several high-ranking officials to Manxianglou for drinks. With the year-end approaching, these social engagements were necessary; relationships had to be maintained, and appropriate benefits couldn't be omitted—Long Er was well aware of all this.
After a few rounds of drinks, several wealthy and powerful men, accustomed to indulging in wine and women, revealed their true colors, indulging in unrestrained behavior with courtesans. Long Er also drank quite a bit, but he was in a bad mood and was a little dizzy. The courtesan beside him snuggled up to him and begged him to stay the night like the others, but Long Er really had no interest.
He pushed the maid away, went outside to clear his head, asked the servant outside what time it was, and then decided that he had stayed late enough and it was time to go back.
Long Er summoned the nanny in the building and instructed her to put the expenses of the people in the room on his account, and told her to take good care of them. The nanny happily agreed.
Long Er went back inside and made an excuse to leave first. The two courtesans who were with Long Er pouted unhappily, but the men who were embracing him didn't mind. After all, they weren't embracing Master Long Er, so it didn't matter whether he was there or not.
After making all the necessary arrangements, Long Er returned to his residence.
The carriage swayed and jolted, making him even more dizzy and his mood worse. He actually disliked socializing; some people's attitudes made him want to imitate Ju Mu'er's treatment of him—to throw a pot of tea at him. But he knew he couldn't.
At least it's not something he can just throw around whenever he wants; he has to consider the person, the situation, their background, and their relationships...
Long Er sighed and leaned wearily against the car wall. Everyone thought he was very successful, but he also got tired.
They wandered home like this, and just as they entered the house, Li Ke came to report that the government office had confirmed that the money in Zhu Fu's purse had indeed been stolen. It seemed the culprit had left behind a small piece of silver to conceal their thieving intentions. However, the waiters at Dasheng Restaurant and Fuyunlai Inn both confirmed that they had indeed seen two large silver ingots in Zhu Fu's purse.
Long Er nodded and asked if there were any other leads, or if a suspect had been identified. Li Ke replied no.
Upon hearing this, Long Er waved his hand, saying he understood and that they could discuss it again tomorrow. But Li Ke then reported, "Miss Ju has arrived tonight."
Long Er paused, "She's here?"
"She said she was looking for the Second Master, but after waiting for a long time and he didn't return, she went back."
Long Er immediately sobered up a bit: "Tell her where I went?"
Li Ke hurriedly waved his hand: "She didn't say anything, only that the Second Master had official business to attend to outside. Granny Yu talked to her for a long time, but I don't think she asked her much about the Second Master."
Long Er thought about it; they'd been arguing all day, morning and night, and hadn't even seen each other. He sighed, nodded, and prepared to return to his dormitory, casually asking, "How long has she been gone? Did you arrange a carriage to take her?"
"They arranged for a car to take them; they just left."
Long Er paused again: "Just left?"
"Yes, she just left and Second Master came back."
Long Er stood still. He thought and thought for a while, struggled for a moment, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "Prepare the horses."
Long Er mounted his horse and chased after Ju Mu'er. He was caught up with just outside the city gate. The horse and carriage stopped by the roadside, and he climbed into the carriage.
Ju Mu'er looked much more energetic than yesterday. As soon as he got into the car, she frowned and then her face scrunched up.
Long Er was clearly annoyed. He asked in a low voice, "Why do you frown as soon as you see me?"
Ju Mu'er replied, "I didn't see you, but I smelled you. Second Master, you stink even more than I do."
Long Er squeezed over and sat next to her: "Then let it stink."
Ju Mu'er pouted, too timid to move despite being squeezed. After a while, she nudged him, "Second Master, shall we go to the bamboo pavilion to talk?"
Long Er snorted, both displeased that she thought he smelled bad, yet somewhat pleased that she wanted to sit with him in the bamboo pavilion. He had the carriage drive forward to the pavilion, and then mounted his horse to go with her. When they arrived, he helped Ju Mu'er down and led her to sit in the pavilion.
A gentle evening breeze blew, and the moonlight was bright; the view from this bamboo pavilion at night was surprisingly pleasant. Long Er asked, "What brings you here?"
"I wanted to ask how the case is progressing, but since Second Master isn't here, I'll be leaving now."
Long Er squeezed her hand and felt that her fingertips were cold, so he simply put her bamboo cane aside and held both of her hands in his to warm them.
Long Er told Ju Mu'er about the case reported by Li Ke, and after thinking for a moment, he explained his whereabouts: "I have a lot of social engagements before the end of the year."
Ju Mu'er nodded and said, "I understand."
Long Er was pleased with her reaction; her small hands slowly warmed in his palms, and he felt satisfied as well. He was smiling when he heard Ju Mu'er ask, "Did you go to Manxianglou or Xichuntang?"
Ryuji's smile froze instantly.
19. Enjoying a casual chat on a moonlit night.
Is it Manxianglou or Xichuntang?
That's a really bad question...
Long Er coughed, then coughed again. Just as he was thinking about how to respond, a thought suddenly struck him, and he realized something was wrong.
He was out socializing at night, reeking of alcohol, and perhaps even the scent of cosmetics; it wouldn't be hard for her to guess he frequented brothels. But why did she know the names of Manxianglou and Xichuntang?
Ju Mu'er tilted her head slightly, waiting for his reply, but Long Er was thinking hard and finally couldn't help but ask, "How did you guess the name of the brothel?"
Ju Mu'er answered slowly, "The scent of perfume and rouge on Second Master's body is somewhat blurred due to the smell of alcohol, but I can still smell that these two families' daughters like to use it. If it were just the scent of face powder, I would be able to guess more accurately."
Long Er's face turned green. It was one thing for a man who frequented brothels to know what scents of perfume and rouge the girls liked to use, but how could his Mu'er know?
"Yixiang Courtyard prefers plum blossom scents, Rancui Tower prefers lily scents, Baihua Pavilion prefers jasmine scents, and Yaxian Courtyard prefers magnolia scents." Ju Mu'er could even name others.
Long Er's face turned truly green. "It seems Mu'er knows more about brothels than I do." His tone was incredibly sour.
Ju Mu'er said, "I don't have much experience, but I know more courtesans than you do, Second Master."
Long Er squeezed her hand, and Ju Mu'er cried out in pain. Long Er said angrily, "How do you, a young lady, know those women of the night?"
Ju Mu'er frowned and muttered in pain, then said, "They came to me to learn the piano."
Long Er was taken aback: "Learn to play the zither?"
Ju Mu'er nodded: "Second Master must know that the girls in brothels are also divided into different ranks. If you want more help from the matrons, you need to be beautiful, and you can't lack skills either. Playing the zither and reciting poetry are the simplest skills to appear cultured. Those courtesans don't need to be good at it; as long as they have a certain appearance, they can be used to fool people. But if you want to be the most beautiful and charming, you naturally have to learn to be quite skilled. Before I went blind, some courtesans secretly came to me. Other zither players were unwilling to teach me, and the zither players in the brothels were selective about who they taught, so some people wanted to try their luck with me."
Long Er frowned: "You taught him?"
“Hmm.” Ju Mu’er nodded. “Originally, I didn’t want to teach her. I asked her why she wanted to learn the zither, and she said it was because she liked it, but I saw no joy in her eyes, so I refused. Later, she came to me again, and I asked her again why she wanted to learn the zither. She cried, knelt down, and told me that she wanted to sell her art, not her body, but she didn’t have any skills. So I taught her.”