Chapter 168 Bodyguard
After the eldest master and the second master agreed on the date to go to the south, they reported back to the old lady. The old lady originally thought that it was too hasty. Before going on a long journey, one should always check the almanac and pick a good day to make some preparations. She stopped the father and son and tried to persuade them for a while, saying that tomorrow was the sixth day of September and it would be easy to travel. She also explained the current situation again. The old lady was a decisive person after all. She felt that since it was related to the honor and disgrace of the Xiao family, it was better to do it sooner rather than later, so she agreed.
Seeing that the matter was settled, Xiao Jun was about to say goodbye, but the old lady suddenly remembered that the Second Master would be away for a long time, and was afraid that it would affect the plans for his descendants. She didn't have a great-grandson yet, so she temporarily suggested that the Second Master take a wife or concubine with him to take care of his daily life.
Of course, it would be great if we could also give birth to a great-grandson and bring him back home.
After hearing what his grandmother said, Xiao Jun frowned. He knew exactly what his grandmother was thinking. He opened his mouth to refuse, but Mengxi's figure flashed before his eyes. He thought to himself that she didn't like the Xiao Mansion, and if she left here, Xier might feel more open-minded.
Why not take her to the south? Without her mother and Xiu'er, after a year, she will be able to open her heart to him, right?
Thinking of this, Xiao Jun nodded quickly and agreed, and hurried back to Xiaoxiangyuan.
…
Mengxi's four maids were selecting her newly-made perfume. They were holding small bottles and sniffing them. Zhichun said as she sniffed:
"Second Madam is amazing. She actually thought of dissolving this spice in water and making it into perfume. This way it is much more convenient to use. You don't have to fumigate your clothes after washing them. It's really convenient."
Zhixia Interface said:
"This bottle has a faint fragrance, almost imperceptible, refreshing and giving me a sense of peace. Is it made with soothing incense? It doesn't smell like it. I like it very much. Give it to me as a reward."
Mengxi listened and gave a brief introduction:
"These are all extracted from fresh flowers with special drugs. Different flowers and herbs produce different flavors. Zhixia's bottle uses lavender and jasmine. Lavender has a calming effect and is most suitable for sprinkling in the bed curtains at night. Zhiqiu's bottle mainly uses roses. I tried them all. You can pick the ones you like. Remember, we don't have this kind of thing in our house. Be careful not to let others ask about it."
"Thank you, Second Madam."
The four maids chattered happily as they picked the bottles. For a moment, they thought every bottle was good and started to fight over them.
"Oh, Second Madam, this perfume has a unique scent and is so easy to use. The nobles, young masters and young ladies will definitely like it. Second Madam, why don't you take it to Yichun Hall and try to sell it?"
As he was picking, Zhiqiu's eyes lit up, as if he saw the huge amount of silver rolling in again, and he hurriedly discussed business tips with his second wife.
"Yes, I think Zhiqiu is right," Zhixia and Zhidong also agreed.
"I don't like the smell of incense, it's too strong. And seeing that you picked a lot of flowers, I tried to mix some for my own use. Yichuntang's medicine is already very profitable, there's no need to sell these things. It's not good to let people worry about them. Anyway, it's enough to have enough money to spend."
After Mengxi finished speaking, she saw that the maids had fallen silent, so she asked casually:
"By the way, Zhiqiu, have you found a solution for the branch store?"
When Zhiqiu heard about the pharmacy, he became excited:
"Look at my memory. I have been learning etiquette these past two days and even forgot about the important things. The day before yesterday, my elder brother sent someone to deliver a letter to me, saying that he had found a place in Jinyang City. It used to be a restaurant, but the business was not good and he wanted to sell it out. I heard from my elder brother that the location was very good and it was twice the size of Yichun Hall. He liked it at first sight and wanted to buy it. He hurriedly asked me to ask the Second Madam for her opinion. It happened that you went to Shouxi Hall that day, and after you came back, I went to learn the etiquette and forgot about this matter."
"Let Li Du handle this matter. Just ask him to be more cautious and not to rush into anything. How are things going in the outer house?"
"The matter of the outer house has not been settled yet. Brother wants you to not worry. You should find a more appropriate place to live. By the way, Second Madam, brother went to Jingyun Temple the day before yesterday and wanted to buy the Liuyun Baifu jade pendant. However, when brother went there, the store had been closed."
"It's closed, but I didn't hear why."
"My brother asked around and learned that the shopkeeper had offended someone and was forcibly bought out. He has now temporarily sealed the property and is waiting for an inventory."
When Zhichun heard this, his eyes lit up and he interrupted and asked:
"Did the Second Master take them in to vent his anger on the Second Mistress?"
Zhiqiu shook his head, looked at the Second Grandma and said:
"I originally thought that it was the Second Master who did it, and I was very excited for a long time. Later, I asked my brother about it, and he said that the buyer's surname was Li, not the Xiao family."
"Your brother didn't ask the buyer whether the jade pendant and topaz bracelet are still there. It would be the same if we bought them from them," Zhichun asked unwillingly.
"Later, my brother went there again and asked someone to check, and they said that the two things we mentioned did not exist at all."
After hearing Zhiqiu's words, Mengxi felt lost and sat there in a daze.
Zhiqiu was at a loss as to how to persuade her, when he suddenly remembered something and said to the Second Mistress:
"Second Madam, do you remember that you saved a young man a month and a half ago?"
Mengxi heard this and asked in confusion:
"What young master? I really can't remember it when you suddenly mention it."
"Second Madam is really a forgetful person. Last time, we secretly went out of the house to check on the business and met the young man who had fainted at the door of the pharmacy and was rescued by my brother. My brother and father couldn't find out what disease he had and were at a loss when you happened to arrive and said that he had been poisoned and cured him, saving his life."
"Now that you mention it, I remember that the young man was poisoned by Crane Ambergris, which is also a strange poison that ordinary people really can't cure. Fortunately, he met me. He is lucky. Didn't you say that he left after he woke up? Why are you mentioning him again?"
"That young man came back a few days ago. My brother was annoyed that he left without saying goodbye, so he chased him out. But he was still standing at the door of Yichun Hall, saying that you saved him and his life would belong to you from now on, and he had to see you. My brother was afraid that it would affect the business, so he had to let him into the back hall. Upon asking, I found out that this young man's surname was Ouyang, and his single-character name was 'Di'. He was actually a man of the world, and was said to be a swordsman. He was being hunted by his enemies, and he was poisoned and fainted at the door of the medicine hall. By some strange coincidence, he was saved by Second Madam. After he woke up, he left without saying goodbye to avoid his enemies. A few days ago, he killed his enemies with his own hands, and then came back to repay you. Haha, Second Madam doesn't know that he is working as a bodyguard in the medicine hall."
"Haha, it sounds like a story. With the Crown Prince protecting us, is there any need for him?"
Mengxi said with a smile, a light bulb went off in her head, as if she had grasped something, and she suddenly stopped talking. This swordsman Ouyang who appeared out of nowhere reminded her of the martial arts novels she had read in her previous life, the Beggars' Sect, the Green Gang, and other gangs and factions. Of course, she couldn't set up a gang, but in the future, when her business expanded and she had to open branches, she couldn't always rely on the prince for everything. Not to mention that she needed independence, the royal family had been the most unreliable since ancient times.
As the business grows bigger, I should have my own security guards. Thinking of this, I looked up and said to Zhiqiu:
"When you mentioned bodyguards, I suddenly remembered that we are going to open a branch in the future. When the business grows, there will be a lot of things to do. Just transporting medicines back and forth will require a good person. I can't rely on the prince for everything. I should have my own team of bodyguards."
"Second Grandma is right, but..."
"How about this, tell Li Du to keep Master Ouyang for now and observe him for a while. If he is indeed an upright person, we will use him. If he has other intentions, get rid of him as soon as possible. For the time being, we will open the branch in Jinyang first and put the others aside. That place is big, so let Li Du recruit more strong people. Don't worry about my money, and concentrate on training a group of capable and loyal bodyguards."
"Second Auntie's idea is good, but my brother and father are businessmen, how can they train bodyguards? How about we hire some martial artists?"
"Yeah, that's true. How is Ouyang? We can't use him for the time being, so let's hire some martial artists first."
After hearing what the two said, Zhixia on the side interrupted and said:
"Second Madam, I heard that the martial artists on the market are just show-offs, they only know how to perform fancy moves and are useless. If you want to train a bodyguard, you have to find someone who really knows the business."
Zhidong Interface said:
"Where can I find him? Not only do I not know him, but even if I do, I can't ask him for help!"
Several people fell silent for a moment, and no one could think of a good solution. Meng Xi slapped his forehead and said:
"We have people ready but we don't need them, yet we are still worrying about it. It's like looking for a donkey while we still have one."
"who?"
"Prince, come and get some writing materials. I will write a letter. Zhiqiu will send someone to deliver it tomorrow and have Li Du pass it to the prince."
Qiuchun hurriedly agreed, put down the perfume bottle in his hand, and went to prepare paper and ink.
As they were talking, there was a knock on the door. Zhidong hurried out. After a while, Hongzhu followed her in, greeted the Second Mistress, and said:
"Second Madam, Second Master wants you to go to the upper room for something."
"Didn't the Second Master say anything?"
After hearing this, Zhiqiu asked.
"The Second Master didn't say anything, but he looked very anxious."
"Go and tell the Second Master that I'll be there soon."
"Yes, I'll go over first," Hongzhu responded and hurried out.
When the four maids heard the Second Master calling Second Madam, they became nervous again, not knowing what was going on. Zhiqiu helped Second Madam to get ready. Zhichun had already found the wedding dress, Mengxi looked at it and said:
"In your own courtyard, this casual uniform will do. Don't change. The Second Master has been moody lately. If you delay for too long, you'll get into trouble again."
As he spoke, he helped Zhiqiu stand up and walked out.
"Second Grandma" When Zhixia saw Second Grandma and Zhiqiu walking out, she called out.
"What's the matter?" Mengxi asked, turning around.
"I think the Second Master has been in a bad mood these days, so don't let Sister Zhiqiu go there, lest, lest..."
Mengxi understood what Zhixia meant when she heard it. The Second Master was in a bad mood recently and had driven out a group of maids and servants. Zhiqiu had the biggest prejudice against the Second Master and had a quick temper. She was afraid that she would offend the Second Master and be driven out. Mengxi thought about it and turned to Zhiqiu and said:
"You stay in the house, and let Zhichun accompany me."
Zhiqiu glanced at Zhixia and said:
"Second Madam, let me accompany you. I will be careful."
"It's okay. The Second Master has been cracking down on the maids in the courtyard these days. Even some of the maids in Concubine Cui and Hongyu's rooms have been driven out. The Second Master has a deep prejudice against you, so you should just stay away from him. If he really drives you out, I will suffer a great loss."
Mengxi said this half-jokingly as she helped Zhichun out. After hearing this, Zhiqiu had no choice but to nod and stay in the room.
