Chapter 135: The Return

In the Willow Mansion of Wucheng, Liu Qin and Jiang Li counted the days on their fingers, anxiously awaiting the return of Fang Nuo and the others.

October passed, then November, and more than half of December had gone by. Just a few more days would mark the New Year, yet there was still no word from Fang Nuo’s group.

In this ancient era without telephones or cell phones, communication was truly inconvenient. Once someone left, it was as if their lifeline was severed, like a kite cut loose—getting any news was nearly impossible.

If only there were a few carrier pigeons; at least then they would know where the others were, whether their journey was smooth, or if they had encountered any trouble.

Because Fang Nuo and his companions had not returned for so long, everyone’s hearts were heavy with worry. The Mo Xiang Courtyard lacked its usual lively and joyful atmosphere, instead feeling as somber and oppressive as the overcast sky outside, pressing down on everyone.

“Brother Ali, where do you think A Nuo and the others are now?” Liu Qin furrowed her brow. She knew Jiang Li didn’t know either, but she wanted to say something—to break the tension. Keeping their worries bottled up only made the burden heavier.

She had also resolved that if they still hadn’t returned after the New Year, and once the Lantern Festival passed, they would send more people to search. As long as they were safe, they could surely be found.

Though Jiang Li was anxious himself, he didn’t want to worry his sister. He offered a comforting smile, just as hurried footsteps sounded rushing into the courtyard. The door curtain was lifted, and the young steward guarding the mansion appeared, beaming with joy as he announced, “Young Master, Miss, A Nuo Young Master has returned!”

“Really?” Jiang Li and Liu Qin stood up simultaneously. One knocked a chair askew onto the floor, the other hurriedly climbed down from the couch, fumbling to put on her shoes.

Changxing and Changkang had already rushed outside.

Before they had even left the courtyard, Fang Nuo came running swiftly inside.

“Brother, Young Master,” Fang Nuo’s eyes were a little red. Returning here felt like coming home, because there were people waiting for him, thinking of him. Though not bound by blood, they were closer than kin.

Jiang Li was also deeply moved, though he maintained his youthful composure, hands clasped behind his back, nodding solemnly, “Good to have you back, good to have you back.”

Liu Qin rolled her eyes at his fatherly manner.

She, on the other hand, disregarded all decorum and threw herself into Fang Nuo’s arms in a big embrace. “Ah, A Nuo, I’ve missed you so much!”

Fang Nuo was caught off guard by Liu Qin’s enthusiastic hug. For a moment, he was stunned. He dared not return the embrace and felt stiff all over, but inside, a small, secret joy erupted like a volcano deep within the earth, melting away all the sadness, bitterness, and anger that had welled up in his chest, evaporating into nothingness.

His face flushed red, his ears burning so fiercely they seemed ready to bleed. Thankfully, the high collar of his thick scarf concealed this.

No one found Liu Qin’s unrestrained hug inappropriate or strange; instead, everyone laughed heartily. Even the jealous Jiang Li and the younger servant Xiao Wu showed no reaction.

“Alright, let go now, A Nuo would be embarrassed. You’re not a child of the same age anymore,” Jiang Li laughed as he pulled Liu Qin away from Fang Nuo. “Come inside, we’ll talk there.”

Fang Nuo’s cheeks reddened further as his arms suddenly felt empty, and his heart sank.

The strange feeling passed quickly, and he didn’t dwell on it.

Just as they prepared to enter the house, Changsheng and Changan, followed by a line of servants, came carrying goods into the courtyard. They had brought back quite a lot on this trip, mainly silks and satin fabrics, along with local specialties.

After the unloading, Changsheng and Changan came to greet their young masters. This had been their longest separation, so the reunion was naturally lively.

Sitting down to drink hot tea, Fang Nuo and the others recounted the journey in detail.

When they spoke of not finding his father, everyone grew somber. They wanted to offer comfort but didn’t know what to say.

Fang Nuo then smiled and shifted the topic to the Xu family.

He only briefly mentioned the prodigal son who had tried to scheme against the Xu family, merely telling Liu Qin that they had not returned alone but had brought back two family groups: the Lins and the Zhous. These two families were the core craftsmen of the Xu family’s dyeing workshop.

The Xu family’s dyeing workshop had once stood alone in excellence because of their unique technique. Normally, fabrics from other dye houses were not bright enough and faded easily, so high-quality silks and brocades were mostly dyed in pale colors and then embroidered for decoration. But the Xu family workshop guaranteed fabrics that were both bright and colorfast.

Changsheng quickly brought over a bolt of bright red fabric for Liu Qin and the others to examine.

This was silk produced in the south—light and thin, notoriously difficult to dye. Yet this red silk was evenly colored, vivid and true. After rubbing it for a long time, not a bit of dye came off on the hand—a truly masterful craft.

Everyone clicked their tongues in admiration.

Liu Qin felt deeply moved. Though Fang Nuo said taking over the Xu family dyeing workshop was to avenge Xu Wen’s cold-heartedness, she believed more that Fang Nuo was repaying the kindness of those who had taken him in. It was clear he truly regarded this place as home and wanted to bring back all the good things he could find.

How fortunate she was to be born into such a family, surrounded by such people. This life was enough.

Fang Nuo and Changsheng were the heroes of the trip and naturally received abundant praise and admiration from everyone in Mo Xiang Courtyard. Surprisingly, despite his youth, Fang Nuo’s sharp mind was not clouded by flattery. After freshening up, he distributed the gifts brought back throughout the mansion and personally delivered one to the matriarch.

Their thoughtfulness extended beyond close family to include the head maids, senior housemaids, and personal servants in every courtyard.

Perhaps Fang Nuo’s status as a young master by relation had once been somewhat unofficial, but because he was always likable and personable, he was well regarded within the mansion.

The matriarch was very pleased to see Fang Nuo. He was clever, handsome, and sweet-tongued, and she genuinely loved him as much as Jiang Li.

Taking his hand tenderly, she said, “You child, gone for two or three months, we worried terribly. It’s good you’re back, and with all these things—what can your aunt say? Come, sit here, let me see if you’ve lost weight.”

Since he was Jiang Li’s sworn younger brother, he naturally called the matriarch “Aunt.”

She looked him over carefully, sometimes saying he had lost weight, other times that his complexion had darkened, filled with concern.

Liu Qin felt a little jealous. Mother, mother, with Ali and A Nuo in your eyes, does your daughter have to take a back seat?

As the year’s end approached, the Lin and Zhou families who returned with Fang Nuo could only be temporarily housed at Qingquan Manor. But Liu Qin did not want to build the dyeing workshop there. First, the dyes could pollute the water and spoil the quality of the wine produced. Second, she wanted to have a manor of her own.

She arranged to meet Ning Zhiyuan to discuss building the dyeing workshop and her plan to buy a manor.

Liu Qin was very clear-headed. Ning Zhiyuan had background, connections, and sales channels. Partnering with him might earn her less, but it would be more convenient. Many matters she could not handle personally could be entrusted to him.

Ning Zhiyuan had gained much from their cooperation in the distillery and was confident in working with Liu Qin. Upon hearing about the dyeing workshop, his eyes brightened, and seeing the samples Liu Qin brought, he was ecstatic.

However, he was unwilling to take advantage of his little sister and clearly stated that if the dyeing workshop was not built on his manor, and he only handled sales, he would only take a two percent commission.

He also promised to keep an eye out nearby for suitable manors for sale. (To be continued.)