Fortune Across the World

Chapter 95: Discussing Rice Sorting and Reuniting with the Moon Fairy

"The young lady?" Ding Qiyu asked with curiosity.

"Oh, the young lady is the owner of our Wang Sui shop," the manager explained. "Do you have time now? Shall we go meet her?" Eager to resolve the issue with the blighted rice, the manager was impatient to proceed.

"Sure, no problem. Please lead the way," Qiyu agreed, intrigued by the mention of the "young lady." Was the head of the renowned Fu family in Jiangnan a woman?

The manager gave instructions to the shop staff before stepping out, with Qiyu following under her umbrella. They passed through the lush willow-lined riverbanks, crossed several stone bridges, and even walked past the grand "Fu Mansion" in the city center without stopping. Qiyu couldn't help but ask, "Isn't your owner's residence back there?"

The manager chuckled, "The Fu Mansion is the family head's residence, but the young lady doesn't live there."

Qiyu nodded thoughtfully, yet her curiosity intensified. It seemed there was both a "family head" and a "young lady." Who truly led the Fu family?

The manager sighed as he continued, "Everyone knows about the Jiangnan Fu family, but not many realize there are actually two Fu families in Jiangnan..."

Qiyu refrained from prying further into family matters, even as her curiosity grew. They left the bustling city center behind, heading to the quieter eastern part of Yizhou. This area was serene and elegant, with fewer pedestrians and traditional black-tiled, white-walled houses that contrasted with the lavish pavilions of central Yizhou. Occasionally, a small boat drifted along the canals, capturing the misty essence of Jiangnan far more than the crowded city center did.

In the distance, a green hill rose, adorned with white towers and temples. At the foot of this hill stood a modest yet grand courtyard, nestled in the city's eastern corner. Surrounded by willow-lined dikes and a small river, the courtyard was shrouded in misty rain, exuding a tranquil and ethereal charm. It seemed like a graceful figure in the rain, whose mere silhouette could calm a chaotic mind, evoking timeless anticipation.

Crossing a stone bridge carved with intricate designs, they arrived at the entrance of the courtyard. The ebony gates bore the inscription "Qingliu Garden" in slender, elegant script. Female guards with long spears stood quietly at attention.

The manager led Qiyu past the guards, who recognized him and allowed them through. Inside, the garden lived up to its name, with pavilions and water features surrounded by lush willows, their verdant branches swaying gently in the rain. Only the distant sound of temple bells and the soft patter of rain broke the silence. Qiyu grew more curious about the lady residing in such a poetic and meditative setting.

They stopped at the entrance of "Ningxin Hall," presumably the young lady's office. The manager asked a maid to announce their presence, and soon another maid emerged to escort them inside.

Knocking softly on the carved wooden door of the pavilion, they heard a cool voice from within, "Come in."

The voice sounded familiar to Qiyu, momentarily catching her off guard. Before she could place it, the manager entered, and Qiyu followed, surprised to see the white-clad figure at the desk. "It's you!" she exclaimed, interrupting the manager's greeting.

The mysterious "young lady" of the Jiangnan Fu family was none other than the "fairy" Qiyu had encountered during the Jingyue Festival. Today, she wore a different style of white dress, her head slightly bowed as she wrote.