northernbook Chapter 240: Another Incident
Chapter 240: Another Incident
Chapter 240: Another Incident
First, I wrote a letter to Ji Meiqing, telling her not to worry, that everything was fine here, and to focus on managing the business in the capital. Then I went to the shopkeeper's house to find out what was going on.
The shopkeeper had his wife prepare a few side dishes and served Lu Yu some expensive wine.
"Young master, I know this wine pales in comparison to yours, but these are the best wines I have here." Although the shopkeeper wasn't at the Mandarin Duck Pavilion, he still spoke respectfully.
"You're too kind. I didn't come here for a meal. I wanted to know what happened." Lu Yu never beat around the bush; he always spoke his mind directly.
"Alas, young master, you don't know this, but when you and the boss went to Jiangnan for your trip, the Ji family didn't make any moves. However, these past few days you went to the capital to expand our business, didn't you? Unexpectedly, they took the opportunity to strike. This matter is actually our fault, our fault for not paying attention." The shopkeeper blamed himself.
"Manager, don't blame yourself. I didn't tell Meiqing about this. First, I didn't want her to worry, and second, the business over there is just starting out and can't do without people. So I will handle this matter thoroughly. Now do you need to tell me what happened? Why was Yuanyang Tower sealed off? What exactly did the Ji family do?" Lu Yu's mind was still very clear.
"Oh, right, ever since Madam Ji's incident, Ji Tianzhuo has been plotting to bring down the boss. His wife has also been at odds with the boss, so the two of them conspired to start with Yuanyang Tower. Just the day before yesterday, while you were all out, Ji Tianzhuo went to see Young Master Tianci and used him to poison the wine in the restaurant. This time they were truly ruthless and reckless; the poison was extremely potent, and many people died. Actually, their actions were full of flaws. If someone insists on investigating, they will naturally find out the truth, which is why I know all this. However, as you know, the prefect also despises you and the boss, so he naturally sided with them. He ordered the arrest of Young Master Tianci that very day, sealed off Yuanyang Tower, and dispersed all of us workers. He even said that as soon as you return, you'll be thrown into jail. You'd better leave quickly." The manager explained the whole story and advised Lu Yu to leave immediately.
After learning the truth, Lu Yu decided not to linger any longer, fearing that being discovered might implicate his entire family. He said, "Shopkeeper, I understand. Thank you. Farewell."
"Take care, young master." Lu Yu left without letting the shopkeeper see him off. Fortunately, his martial arts skills were superb, and it was nighttime, so almost no one noticed him. When he returned home, as expected, his house was also sealed off. However, this did not deter him. He jumped onto the roof and went to his room, where he lit an oil lamp.
Sitting on the bed, staring blankly ahead, he pondered how to solve this thorny problem. He couldn't even appear on the street; what could he possibly do? As he thought, his stomach growled, and he realized he hadn't eaten for two meals. He couldn't afford to collapse, so he decided to eat something. But Granny Mei had been forced to go home, and without her, he had to cook for himself.
After dinner, unable to sleep due to his troubles, he went to the kitchen, grabbed a jar of wine, and went up to the roof. He tasted the wine he had taken, and to his surprise, it was Yuqing Brew. He couldn't help but drink more, and somewhat drunk, he gazed at the sky. The moon was round and large tonight, and the stars twinkled like eyes in the sky. As he looked at the bright moon, his mind was indeed on Ji Meiqing.
"Meiqing, I wonder what you're doing right now? I miss you so much, do you miss me too? I'm sorry, I was a bit selfish this time, not wanting you to share these burdens. But I'm at my wit's end. What would you do if you were in my shoes?" Lu Yu said to the moon before taking another big gulp of wine.
In the courtyard that Lu Yu bought in the capital, he placed a reclining chair according to Ji Meiqing's preferences. However, it couldn't be called a reclining chair, as it also resembled a swing. Lu Yu had found the blueprints among some of Ji Meiqing's paintings and thought she would like them, so he commissioned a craftsman to make one.
Perhaps it was a meeting of minds! At this moment, Ji Meiqing was lying on a recliner, also admiring the moonlit night.
"Brother Lu, I wonder how things are going on your end. Why do I feel so uneasy?" Ji Meiqing asked worriedly. "No, I have to go back." Although Lu Yu had told her that everything was fine there, she still felt that he was hiding something from her.
The next day, Ji Meiqing was still worried about handing the restaurant over to someone else. After some thought, she decided to close it for a while, even though everyone was unwilling, as it would definitely affect business. But since it was the boss's decision, they couldn't say anything.
Lu Yu slept on the roof last night. Fortunately, he was a martial artist and had a good physique, so he didn't catch a cold. He originally wanted to visit Ji Tianci when he woke up, but then he remembered that he was still under arrest, so he gave up the idea. He clenched his fists. This Ji Tianzhuo was really ruthless. He was even willing to kill his own younger brother and sister. He was probably trying to kill two birds with one stone this time.
Lu Yu had long guessed that Ji Meiqing would be worried and come back to check on things, so he arranged for someone to stay by her side and report her whereabouts at all times. He received the news early in the morning that Ji Meiqing had set off for this place, which made him feel even worse. He was worried that Ji Meiqing would be arrested by the soldiers, so he did not hesitate for a second and went to look for Ji Meiqing along the road. Finally, he saw a familiar carriage.
He didn't stop the carriage, but instead used his martial arts skills to leap onto it. Lifting the curtain, he saw the person he had been longing for.
Ji Meiqing was surprised to see Lu Yu here. She blurted out the question that had been on her mind, "Brother Lu? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the restaurant?"
Lu Yu didn't explain to her but said directly, "Mei Qing, you can't go back now."
Ji Meiqing asked, puzzled, "Why? Has something really happened?"
Seeing that he couldn't hide it from her any longer, Lu Yu stopped the carriage and said to her, "Yes, that's right, something happened, but I didn't want you to get involved, so I didn't tell you. You can't go back now. The authorities are arresting both of us. Our restaurant was framed by Ji Tianzhuo, and many people died. Tianci was also imprisoned because of the framing."
"Wh...what? What did you say? Are you kidding me? Even if Ji Tianzhuo wants to frame us, he won't target Tianci. After all, there's still Master Ji; he won't just stand by and do nothing! Tianci is still a child; going to jail will have a huge impact on his future!"