Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 157: The Origin of Zhangzhou Prefecture (6)
The next morning, after the three of them had finished breakfast, Zhang Junyi came to their door.
"Brother, I’ve come to invite you to my house for a visit." Seeing his brother waiting for him, he excitedly ran up and hugged Feng Xuxu’s arm, cooing.
"...Let go first, I’m not going to run away." Feng Xuxu struggled to pull his arm out of Zhang Junyi’s embrace, looking speechlessly at the person in front of him.
"Let’s go, brother." Zhang Junyi led the way, and the trio of master and servants followed behind, descended from the building and got into a carriage, which took about half an hour before stopping at the gate of the Zhang Residence.
Once the carriage came to a steady halt, a servant stepped forward to lower the stirrups and said to those inside the carriage, "Young master, we’ve arrived."
Sitting drowsy in the carriage, Feng Xuxu finally perked up at the sound and lifted the curtain. Zhang Junyi got out first, followed by Feng Xuxu and his servants.
Standing in front of the main gate and looking at the glittering golden characters "Zhang Residence," Feng Xuxu then realized the youth’s family name was Zhang.
"Let’s go, my grandma and my older brother are waiting inside the residence." As they ascended the steps and saw that Feng Xuxu was still standing in the same spot, Zhang Junyi hurried back down the steps, took his arm, and led him inside.
Only upon entering the Zhang Residence did they realize how surprisingly large it was; it took navigating through a winding series of corridors before they reached the dwelling of the Zhang family’s matriarch.
"Madam Zhang, is grandma in?" Seeing Madam Zhang at the second gateway, Zhang Junyi approached and asked eagerly.
"Yes, yes, she is. The lady knew early this morning that you’d gone out to invite someone, so she had me wait here for the three of you!" Madam Zhang said warmly to Zhang Junyi and Feng Xuxu’s entourage.
"Thank you, Madam Zhang." Feng Xuxu came forward and politely spoke to Madam Zhang.
"Oh, don’t mention it, please follow me." Madam Zhang led the way, and soon they arrived at the old lady’s residence. After Madam Zhang announced them, Zhang Junyi and Feng Xuxu entered the room, while Baihe and Yingsu were taken to another room to rest.
"Grandma, I’ve brought the guest." As soon as Zhang Junyi saw the elderly person in the seat of honor, he ran over and hugged her arm, playfully shaking it.
"Ha ha ha, you, being such a grown-up and still not shy, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?" Madame Zhang gently tapped her grandson’s forehead with her finger, but her gaze was profound as she looked at Feng Xuxu.
"He he he, Young Master Junyi is so sunny and cheerful, he is much loved by people, who would laugh at him?" Feng Xuxu confidently stepped forward and performed a fist-and-palm salute to the grandmother.
"Sit, have someone bring tea." At the old lady’s command, it didn’t take long for tea and snacks to be brought to the table.
Smiling at Feng Xuxu, the old lady said, "I still need to thank you for helping my grandson out last time, what is your esteemed surname, young master?"
"To reply to the elder madam, my unremarkable surname is Feng, styled Xu, Feng Xu." Sitting in the chair, seeing the grandmother and grandson happy and chatting merrily, broke his preconception that matrons in big mansions should be stern and unapproachable. Today’s encounter with the Zhang family matriarch showed that not all large households are full of intrigue and scheming.
"Hmm, a good name. Are you from around here?"
"No, I am new to this place, and it just so happened that I met your esteemed grandson."
"When one is old, talking becomes tedious. Let my grandson give you a good tour of the garden. It’s rare for us to have young men your age visit, and you must stay for lunch before leaving."
"He he he, then I shall respectfully comply."
"Very good, go on." Seeing her grandson finally not pouting any longer, she happily pulled Feng Xuxu along to meet his older brother.
After passing several Moon Gates, they arrived at a courtyard called Zhuqing Pavilion.
"Big brother, big brother, I’ve brought our guest back," he called out jubilantly as he entered, eager to share his inner joy with his brother.
Zhang Junyao came out of the house, smiling as he nodded towards Feng Xuxu, "I have been hearing about you from my younger brother since yesterday, and today I finally get to meet you in person."
Feng Xuxu thought to herself that the two brothers were entirely different types; the younger brother had a baby face with big eyes that could speak, whereas the elder brother
"Hehehe, that is truly an honor for me."
"Big brother, it’s hot outside, let’s talk inside!"
"Please come in." Zhang Junyao gestured for her to enter, and they proceeded into the house, one after the other.
"We’ve talked for quite a while without proper introductions. My surname is Zhang, and my name is Junyao. This is my younger brother, Junyi. May I ask for your esteemed surname, Young Master?" He sat in the Taishi Chair, looking down at Feng Xuxu who was below him.
"Hmm, my surname is Feng Xu, just call me Xuxu."
"Xuxu, could you go to the kitchen and see how the lunch preparations are coming along, then bring back some tea and fruit," Junyao spoke softly to his younger brother.
Junyi pouted, unwilling to leave the hall, and ran off to the kitchen.
"I didn’t expect that the renowned Miss Feng would come to this place, and appear in male attire no less. What a surprise." Zhang Junyao sent his brother away and directly addressed Feng Xuxu’s true identity.
"Hehehe, I didn’t expect that Young Master Zhang had such discerning eyes, to recognize me as Feng Xuxu at a glance." She raised her eyebrows, looking towards Zhang Junyao.
"I should at least know who it was that helped my younger brother out of a pinch, so I could thank them properly."
"Hmm, so how do you plan to thank me then?" Feng Xuxu didn’t believe he sent his brother away just to thank her.
"I have several estates and shops; I wonder if Miss Feng may be interested?"
"Hehehe, my interest has always been strong from the beginning."
"Hahaha, Miss Feng is indeed forthright. Tomorrow at noon at Yaxuan Pavilion, I shall host a banquet to welcome you."
"Wouldn’t miss it for the world!"
The group of three servants didn’t return to the inn until Wei Time; after a quick wash, they sat down and had a cup of cold tea.
"Miss, that Zhang family’s eldest son went too far, how could he put you in such a position?" Yingsu huffed indignantly.
"Yes, miss, in just a short day he knew of your origins, this man is no simple character." Baihe sat beside the young lady, fanning herself, suspecting that his intentions were complex. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"If I’m not mistaken, the Zhang Residence must be the same Zhang Family that helped the former emperor a hundred years ago, standing unshaken for a century, there must be a reason behind it."
Sitting down in confusion, Yingsu spoke, "Does the young lady want to cooperate with him?"
"No, it’s him who wants to cooperate with me."
"What’s the difference? Isn’t it all cooperation?" Baihe asked in a bemused tone.
"There is a difference. It comes down to who takes the initiative, and with that, the amount of problems that arise. Yet, it’s mutual, I have the technology, and he has the land, it’s just a matter of who will get a bigger share." Feng Xuxu sighed, knowing she still had to think about how to get a larger share tomorrow.
