Chapter 641 - 643: A Good Place

Chapter 641: Chapter 643: A Good Place

Ancient Wen Heng thought this was for the best. It would be awkward to suddenly change out staff they were accustomed to.

Jin Qianqian asked more about the travel arrangements, jotted down some notes, and handed them to Housekeeper Fu to organize properly.

"Are we still taking Housekeeper Fu with us this time?" Jin Qianqian asked directly after Jiang Zhongfu left.

"No," Ancient Wen Heng replied. "He’s getting a bit old. It’s better to let him stay and watch over things here in Shangjing. Xu Dawang will go with us instead."

"You should let Housekeeper Fu know, then. He was so excited about going that he’s already handed over all his duties at home."

"I already spoke with him a few days ago. He knows that the conditions in Yi Province will be even more difficult than they were in Lu City. He’s also aware that he’s getting older and his body isn’t what it used to be. He was afraid he’d be more of a hindrance than a help, so he was the one who recommended Xu Dawang to go in his place."

Jin Qianqian hadn’t expected this turn of events. "In that case, let’s draw up a list of everyone who’s going. That way, everyone will know what they need to do and what to prepare."

’Even though everyone has already been notified individually, listing out all the arrangements and responsibilities will prevent any chaos during the journey.’

She immediately summoned Lichun and a few others and assigned them their tasks.

While everything was being organized in perfect order on one end, someone else was completely on edge, unable to calm down.

Ancient Wen Heng never imagined he would actually be waylaid on the road. Seeing Ning Yuchen standing directly in front of his carriage, his expression immediately turned cold.

"Mr. Ning, what is the meaning of this?"

"Brother Gu, I truly have urgent business with you. Could we speak in private? It will only take a moment."

Seeing him standing there stock-still, and with a crowd of onlookers gathering by the roadside, Ancient Wen Heng knew he had no choice in the matter.

"I’ve already booked a private room in the teahouse over here. Please, Brother Gu, right this way."

"Mr. Ning, I’d prefer if you addressed me as Mr. Gu," Ancient Wen Heng said.

Their relationship was nowhere near close enough to be calling each other ’brother’.

Ning Yuchen’s smile froze, but he quickly forced another. "Mr. Gu, this way, please."

Ming Feng and Jiang Shiniu stayed close by his side, with four more guards following behind them.

When they reached the front of the teahouse, Ning Yuchen stopped and said, "I have some private matters to discuss with Mr. Gu. If you all wouldn’t mind waiting outside."

Ming Feng and the others didn’t even look at him, simply continuing to follow silently behind Ancient Wen Heng.

Knowing he had no authority over these men, he turned to Ancient Wen Heng. "Mr. Gu, you see..."

"It’s no matter. These are all my most trusted men. You can speak freely. Besides, I’m accustomed to their service and can’t do without them."

’By now, Ancient Wen Heng had already guessed that Ning Yuchen was laying a trap. He just didn’t know what it was for, so he certainly wasn’t about to walk into it blindly.’

"This concerns your future, Mr. Gu," Ning Yuchen said, leaning in to whisper in Ancient Wen Heng’s ear. "It wouldn’t be good for others to hear."

"If that’s the case, then I won’t impose, Mr. Ning," Ancient Wen Heng replied. "A secret that can’t be spoken is better left unsaid."

With that, he turned to leave. Ning Yuchen, disregarding appearances, grabbed him by the sleeve. "Wait, wait...

At worst, we can have them wait outside the door in a moment. I was just afraid it would reflect poorly on you, Mr. Gu, if they were to overhear."

Ancient Wen Heng suddenly asked, "Which private room did you book, Mr. Ning?"

"Heaven Room Two," Ning Yuchen blurted out. "It won’t take much of your time, Mr. Gu."

Ancient Wen Heng turned to glance at Jiang Shiniu. Having been trained for a long time by Qi and Ba, Jiang Shiniu had long since learned how to read people and situations.

Now, with a single look from his master, he immediately grasped the meaning.

He walked right past them and went up to a waiter. "Where is Heaven Room Two? Our master is accustomed to drinking tea from his own estate, so I’ll go and prepare it first."

Ning Yuchen’s expression changed in an instant. He shouted, "Your master hasn’t even spoken! What gives a mere guard the right to make decisions on his own?"

"This is what they are supposed to do," Ancient Wen Heng said. "Mr. Ning, how about I send someone out for some pastries as well?"

Ancient Wen Heng’s pretense of being unable to stomach tea and pastries from outside establishments made Ning Yuchen’s entire face sour.

"Since Mr. Gu finds my hospitality so lacking, then let’s just forget about tea. Please, feel free to leave," Ning Yuchen said and turned to storm off.

But to his surprise, Ming Feng stepped in front of him. "Mr. Ning, please wait a moment. Guard Jiang has already gone to make the arrangements."

Ning Yuchen was speechless.

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t look at him, instead surveying the unremarkable teahouse. "Business at this teahouse seems to be quite good. How have I never heard of it before?"

The main hall, though not large, was already filled with customers. However, everyone was engrossed in their own conversations and paid little attention to the group of newcomers.

Ming Feng didn’t know either. Instead, one of the retainers from behind spoke up. "My lord, I know a little about this place. They have a storyteller here. Judging by the hour, he should be starting his performance soon."

The words were hardly out of his mouth when an old man in a long gown walked to the center of the teahouse. From his demeanor, he was clearly the storyteller.

"It seems this storyteller must be quite skilled," Ancient Wen Heng remarked. "I’m surprised to find that Mr. Ning has such hobbies."

Ning Yuchen’s expression stiffened. He wanted to leave, but now he couldn’t.

Just then, Jiang Shiniu appeared at the top of the stairs, walking briskly toward them.

"My man is certainly efficient. He’s already got everything arranged. After you, Mr. Ning!"

"I just remembered I have some urgent matters at home," Ning Yuchen said. "Perhaps we could reschedule for another day, Mr. Gu?"

Jiang Shiniu had now reached Ancient Wen Heng’s side and was whispering something in his ear.

Ancient Wen Heng glanced at Ning Yuchen with a smirk. "Since we’re already here, and it won’t take long anyway, let’s go up together. It’ll save you the trouble of blocking my path again next time, Mr. Ning."

Ning Yuchen wanted to refuse, but two of Ancient Wen Heng’s retainers had already moved to his side. He had no choice but to follow Ancient Wen Heng up to the private room on the second floor.

Seeing the door to the private room already open, cold sweat began to bead on Ning Yuchen’s forehead.

Jiang Shiniu entered the room first with two retainers, and only then did Ancient Wen Heng step inside.

The sight of the empty private room finally allowed Ning Yuchen to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Next time you book a private room, Mr. Ning, you’d best make things clear with the Shopkeeper beforehand. A moment ago, if my guard hadn’t decided to come and prepare a pot of hot tea for me, he might have had a run-in with a certain lady who ’wandered into the wrong room.’"

"Is that so..." Ning Yuchen forced a stiff laugh. "Perhaps the private rooms up here all look the same, and someone simply wandered in by mistake. Next time, I’ll be sure to give the Shopkeeper a heads-up in advance to avoid any such disturbances."

Ancient Wen Heng was now standing by the open window, watching the storyteller below who had begun his tale. "This really is a fine spot."