Jackie Chan's Son-in-Law

Chapter 74 Hejian Poplar

At this moment, Chen Qing was replying to the chubby boy in Yingtian.

This morning, the chubby guy sent someone to deliver a message saying that he would be heading to the capital next month and asked Chen Qing if he was ready. Whether out of politeness or the need to travel to the capital together, Chen Qing naturally had to reply to that nobleman.

After hearing Xiaoyue's words, Chen Qing pressed his hand to her, indicating that she should wait a while. Xiaoyue was not in a hurry. She walked to the desk and very sensibly helped Chen Qing grind the ink.

A moment later, Young Master Chen finished writing the letter, blew on the ink to dry it, put it in the envelope, and looked up at Xiaoyue.

"What did Uncle Gu say in his letter?"

Xiaoyue helped tidy up the table and shook her head, saying, "I don't know. Miss asked me to come find the young master."

She thought for a moment and continued, "Miss was just talking to the people at the bookstore when she received the master's letter. She immediately put down what she was doing and sent me to find you, young master."

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, I'll send this letter out and then go to the Gu family compound."

Xiaoyue glanced at the letter in Chen Qing's hand.

“Young master, you can go directly to the young lady. I will deliver this letter to you.”

Chen Qing shook his head: "It was a letter delivered by someone from Yingtian. That person is still waiting for a reply. I'll just hand it to him directly. We'll go to the Gu family in a bit."

After saying that, Chen Qing left Mud Snail Alley with Xiao Yue. When they arrived at the alley entrance, they saw a man dressed in black waiting for them. Chen Qing handed him the letter and said thank you for your trouble.

The man took the letter, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Chen Qing, and then strode away.

Xiaoyue watched the man's departing figure, then turned to look at Chen Qing: "That man didn't say a word, he has no manners at all."

Chen Qing said solemnly, "They should be guards from the Prince of Zhou's residence."

"It's normal for such martial artists to be poor at speaking."

The two chatted all the way and soon arrived at the Gu family compound. By then, the weather had turned cold. Miss Gu was waiting for Chen Qing in the warm pavilion of the Gu family. After entering the warm pavilion, Chen Qing naturally took off his robe and sat down opposite Miss Gu.

What did Uncle Gu say?

Miss Gu handed the letter to Chen Qing, then sighed: "My father said that Xia Ji is selling very well in the capital, and he has established himself in the capital, but he has no connections and cannot get in touch with the people in the Zhenfu Division."

"There's no way to bribe high-ranking officials. Occasionally, you might meet some ministers, but as soon as you mention the imperial prison, they know it's an imperial case, and they'll return any money they've already received, not daring to accept a single penny more."

Chen Qing was not surprised at all upon hearing this.

It's perfectly normal for a businessman to come to the capital.

He looked down at the letter that Master Gu had sent back. In the latter half of the letter, Master Gu specifically wrote that things had taken a turn for the better.

The gist of it is that because the novel "Xia Ji" has become a huge hit in the capital, he, as the publisher who "first published" "Xia Ji" in the capital, has actually met several influential people during this period because of "Xia Ji". Many people come to him to ask for the titles of subsequent chapters.

Upon seeing this, Chen Qing closed the letter, handed it back to Miss Gu, and shook his head slightly, saying, "It seems that we haven't even made contact with the family of that Lord Zhao yet."

Gu Pan nodded and said quietly, "The family members of the criminal are probably also under the watch of the Zhenfu Division, but they haven't been imprisoned in the imperial prison."

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then looked at Gu Pan and asked, "Pan'er, the situation in the capital is still unclear. Do you want to stay in Huzhou or come to the capital with me?"

Gu Pan gritted her teeth slightly: "If you're going, my father is also in the capital, so naturally I want to go with him."

Chen Qing said quietly, "Then who will manage Anrentang?"

"Manager Lu can manage it."

Gu Pan looked at Chen Qing, thought for a moment, and continued, "When my father went to the capital, he actually took most of the cash with him. Anrentang only has enough money left to barely keep it running. Entrusting it to Uncle Lu won't cause any major problems."

"If all else fails, take the money sent by the Chen family with you. That way, the Gu family will only be an empty shell. No matter who manages it, they can't just sell the shop while we're away."

Chen Qing said with a smile, "Selling the shop is not the way to go. Manager Lu is a trustworthy person. I'm just afraid that Pan'er's two cousins ​​still harbor resentment and are contacting the Gu family in Huzhou to cause trouble in secret."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "I'm not trying to stir up trouble, but there have been quite a few more strangers around Niluo Lane lately."

Miss Gu frowned at first, then said in a low voice, "Compared to Anrentang's business, I am more worried about Deqing Bookstore's business. The bookstore's business is booming right now, and sometimes it makes more money than Anrentang."

“If Dalang and I both leave, I’m afraid Deqing Bookstore will be left unattended.” “Pan’er, don’t worry about that.”

Chen Qing said calmly, "The manuscripts are all here with me. Without the manuscripts, no matter who comes to this bookstore, they won't be able to make any waves. Besides, Magistrate Hong is on our side. Since we are in Deqing, there shouldn't be any major problems."

The two of them talked back and forth, sorting out all the problems they would face. In the end, it was Chen Qing who made the decision.

"It's November now. Let's make preparations and set off for the capital together at the beginning of the twelfth lunar month."

Miss Gu lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then nodded silently and said "okay".

She looked at Chen Qing, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "There are still many things to discuss. Da Lang, don't go back to Nilu Lane these next few days."

Chen Qing did not refuse. He stood up, said "okay," and said with a smile, "Then I'll stay at my old place. I'll go and tidy up."

Gu Pan also stood up and glanced at Chen Qing.

"That yard...is always being tidied up."

…………

"Is the young master going to the capital?"

In Niluo Alley, Chen Qing, who had been away from home for several days, returned to his residence. He invited the Yang family father and daughter to his home for a drink.

It was getting cold, and Chen Qing and Mr. Yang clinked glasses and soon started talking about their impending departure.

Chen Qing glanced at Mr. Yang and nodded silently, saying, "Yes, I had a fight with my family earlier, and you probably know that, sir. In addition, I have some things to do in the capital, so I have no choice but to go."

He chuckled self-deprecatingly: "Let's see if I can find a way to make a living in the capital."

Mr. Yang looked at Chen Qing and sighed softly: "I am from Zhili. I have been to the capital many times. It is not a good place."

"It is the greatest place of right and wrong in the world."

Chen Qing clinked glasses with him and said with a smile, "There's no other way. I have to go into this quagmire and try my luck, otherwise I won't be satisfied."

"Young master's talent is exceptional."

Mr. Yang looked at Chen Qing and said, "I believe in you, young master. Even in the capital, you can make a name for yourself."

At this point, he sighed and said, "However, my daughter and I are afraid of such dangerous places, so we won't go with you, young master."

At this point, he thought for a moment and asked, "Young master, don't forget the boxing routine I taught you last month. Practicing it often can strengthen your body."

Chen Qing clinked glasses with him.

"This month, I feel much better than before."

He said with a smile, "Speaking of which, you are already my mentor."

Mr. Yang shook his head: "Some superficial things are not enough for you to be a teacher, young master."

After exchanging toasts and several rounds of drinks, Mr. Yang took out a jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Chen Qing.

“Our Yang family has quite a few people in Hejian and Zhili. Although my daughter and I cannot go back, we are still members of the Yang family.”

Chen Qing took the jade pendant and saw that the back was carved with patterns and the front was engraved with the character "Yang".

It looks ordinary and indeed seems to be something from within the clan.

"Young master, if you encounter any trouble in Zhili or Hejian with this token, you can seek help from the Yang family in Hejian."

He looked at Chen Qing, paused, and then said with a smile.

"Hejian is too close to the capital, while the Yang family is in the capital."

"There are quite a few people available."

(End of this chapter)