Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 396 The stage

When Yingzi delivered the information she had gathered to Lu Ying, Lu Ying was also pacing around in the room, not touching the dinner that had been brought to her.

“Our people in the outer courtyard said that the eldest young master did go to his private residence in the west of the city, and then they sent Mr. Shi from the manor with guards to intercept him.”

Lu Ying gripped the corner of the table, her nails digging into the cracks: "What on earth is he up to? Go check the front yard again, and try to find someone who followed you to the private residence!"

Ying Zi accepted the order and left.

Granny Li advised, "Grandma, don't be too anxious. No matter what, the eldest young master wouldn't dare to harm the master. The master is resourceful and has found a way to deal with it."

"But I'm afraid that my father might change his mind about what he promised! Yan Liang cares about the Yan family. He must have met with my father to alleviate the Yan family's crisis. He must have been very confident to say those things to me!"

"I don't know what he's planning to do, but once my father gives in, I'll definitely be stuck here!"

Lu Ying retracted her five fingers, and the two long fingernails that were stuck in the crack of the table broke off.

Granny Li was shocked, but she knew that she was not exaggerating. After gritting her teeth and thinking for a moment, she cleaned up the cold food on the table, took it out, and walked towards the kitchen.

Most of the people in the mansion were at the mourning hall. There were few guests at night, and not many people were on duty in the front yard.

Yingzi stood inside the hanging flower gate, looking around. A servant sweeping the floor with his left hand came over and asked, "Miss Zi, are you looking for someone?"

She suppressed her anxiety and forced a smile: "Our grandmother has some accounts she wants to settle with the eldest young master, but I heard he went to the private residence. I wonder if anyone is going there now?"

The servant swept the ground twice with a broom: "The young master also brought two cooks with him, presumably to entertain guests there. The kitchen staff will probably also be sending some dishes. Miss Zi, why don't you go and check on them?"

Yingzi nodded, stepped back to the doorway, looked around, and didn't see any of their own people.

When Lu Ying married into the family, in addition to her and Granny Li, Lu Jia also arranged for two servants from the outer courtyard to come along. However, Lu Ying had already sent people to keep an eye on them, and they probably haven't returned yet.

Yingzi then walked towards the kitchen courtyard.

We ran into Granny Li, who was rushing towards us, halfway there!

"The kitchen needs to deliver vegetables to the private residence. You need to hurry over there, find an excuse to go, and quickly gather some information to tell Grandma!"

Yingzi had no hope, but upon hearing this, she was greatly encouraged and hurriedly went into the kitchen.

The woman in charge of the kitchen was busy running back and forth, having just ordered two baskets of vegetables to be brought out while also overseeing the cooking on a stove.

Yingzi went up to them and asked, "Are these dishes going to the eldest young master's private residence?"

The stewardess came over and called out to Miss Zi, who quickly replied, "That's right."

“That’s perfect timing. I was just about to go see the eldest young master. I’ll take some people to deliver these dishes.”

"That's daring!"

The stewardess slapped her thigh: "The young master is said to be hosting a banquet for distinguished guests tonight, and there's no room for error. I'm just worried about not finding a reliable person! It would be best if you could help with this, young lady!"

"However, once you go, you can only return with the carriage. The returning carriage may not be able to leave on time. Miss Zi, are you worried about being delayed?"

Yingzi thought for a moment and nodded to her: "No problem. Let's load the things into the car first, and I'll go tell Grandma and come out."

Granny Li was still waiting outside when Yingzi ran out of breath: "They agreed, but they can't come back immediately. They have to go with their carriage. I have to go and inform Grandma!" The two then quickly returned to Qiyu Pavilion.

After hearing what had happened, Lu Ying paused for a moment and said, "This opportunity came at just the right time."

Granny Li hurriedly said, "Could it be a trap?"

Lu Ying remained silent for a moment, then turned around and said, "His trip wasn't secret. He went under the guise of delivering vegetables. Even if someone saw him, there would be a reason to explain, and he wouldn't be punished for anything serious."

"Just be extra careful. Remember not to overexert yourself. Don't risk your life for information you can't get; it's good that the person is back."

Ying Zi nodded emphatically.

……

Lu Jie alighted from the sedan chair, where Yan Liang was already waiting at the gate. Upon seeing him, Yan Liang greeted him loudly as "Uncle Lu" and made way for him to enter.

Lu Jie looked him up and down: "Nephew, you've been working hard lately."

Yan Liang cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

This house has four courtyards and was originally used by Yan Shu for special tasks. On the surface, it looks no different from an ordinary house, complete with pavilions and towers. However, upon closer inspection, one can see that many of the courtyard walls are much thicker than usual.

The banquet hall was located in a small building on the east side. At night, the surrounding scenery was not clearly visible, but the winding corridors were deep, with houses on both sides.

"The banquet is still being prepared, Uncle Lu, please sit down and have some tea."

Yan Liang took his seat at the head of the table and reached out to the guest seat on his left.

Lu Jie said, "I heard that your mother has passed away suddenly, which is truly regrettable. How could such a thing happen so suddenly?"

"Unexpected events can happen at any time." Yan Liang poured him a cup of tea. "Indeed, things happened suddenly, and in the chaos, I forgot to inform Uncle Lu of the death. It was my rudeness, and I hope Uncle Lu will forgive me."

Lu Jie accepted the tea: "Given the friendship between our two families, there's no need to be so formal. Once I've finished my business, I will definitely make a special trip to pay my respects."

“We’ll talk about the future later. Tonight, let’s have a good get-together, uncle and nephew,” Yan Liang said, gesturing for someone to set up a large eight-immortal table in front of them, so that they could sit on the same side of the table. But in front of them was a wall.

Lu Jie looked at him with a puzzled expression.

Yan Liang raised the corners of his lips: "Tonight, besides inviting Uncle Lu for tea and to catch up, I'll also invite him to see a play."

Lu Jie stared intently: "Watching the show?"

Yan Liang clapped his hands, and then a dull rustling sound was heard. The wall in front of them suddenly split in two and opened to the left and right, revealing another wall with a horizontal window, about the length of an eight-immortal table and about two feet wide. Light was shining through the window.

Sitting on the steps, you can see through this window that a lantern hangs high in each of the four corners, illuminating the central area.

The site is surrounded by two-story buildings on all four sides. Originally, the central area was just a courtyard enclosed by these buildings!

A pillar stands tall in the courtyard, reaching the eaves, but its lower part is not visible due to the obstruction of half a wall. Its purpose remains unknown.

“The stage is right below,” Yan Liang said, picking up his tea and glancing across the courtyard. “Let’s have some tea first, and then a good show will begin.”

Lu Jie composed himself and looked in the direction the man pointed. He saw that a door across the street was half-open.