Chapter 1469: Chapter 1469: Traveling with Madam Ruan
On the second day, Yu planned to visit the Tan family.
Unexpectedly, just as she was about to leave, she learned that Madam Ruan was also going to the prefecture.
She wasnât in a hurry, so she waited to go together with Madam Ruan.
Madam Ruan was going to purchase goods; nowadays, Yiren Pavilionâs fabrics are sourced from the prefecture, and most are bought from the cloth shop owned by the Tan family.
Maybe Old Master Tan learned about this; in the past two months, Yiren Pavilion received not only discounts on fabric purchases but also a noticeably more courteous attitude from the shopkeepers and staff at the shop.
Itâs important to note that Yiren Pavilion isnât large, with few staff, making its orders relatively small compared to others. The Tan family is influential with numerous business orders; how could they pay attention to Yiren Pavilion, a small shop in the county town?
Itâs likely that the Tan family is grateful that Old Doctor Zhao healed Young Master Tan and gave special instructions because of it.
"Letâs go, weâll pick up your Mrs. Xiang."
Madam Ruan tidied up and got on Yuâs carriage.
When they arrived at Liufang Alley, just as Madam Ruan was about to knock on the door of the sewing room, the courtyard gate opened ahead of her.
"Xiang." Madam Ruan called to her, "Letâs go, itâs a good time as Yu is heading to the prefecture too, so we donât need Xiao Guo to come with us."
Xiao Guo is Guo Bing, a staff member hired by Yiren Pavilion.
Yiren Pavilion is comprised almost entirely of women, but some labor-intensive tasks are unavoidable. Like moving and transporting goods, climbing, a strong person makes things easier.
Guo Bing is nineteen, young, but very strong; he is also remarkably meticulous, being especially careful when transporting clothes and fabrics.
Occasionally, when Madam Ruan and the others go to the prefecture, Guo Bing accompanies them as the driver.
Like today, the plan was for him to drive and send them to the prefecture; now with Yu accompanying them, it saves Guo Bing a trip.
Hearing Madam Ruanâs words, Xiang nodded, and barely squeezed a smile.
Madam Ruan paused upon seeing this and softly asked, "Whatâs wrong? You donât look well."
"Itâs nothing, letâs go." Xiang waved her hand and went out the door first.
When she reached the carriage, she greeted Yu.
Although she was smiling, Yu could see that she looked heavily burdened.
When Madam Ruan came over, Yu winked at her, and Madam Ruan shook her head, pulling Xiang into the carriage.
Until the carriage left Liufang Alley and exited through the city gate, the inside of the carriage was very quiet; no one spoke.
Yu felt slightly uncomfortable; the atmosphere inside the carriage was too tense, so she pulled the curtain aside and looked outside.
After a while, she unexpectedly heard Mrs. Xiang sniffing.
Yu turned back in surprise, seeing her trying hard to hold back but unable to control herself. She hurriedly asked, "Mrs. Xiang, whatâs wrong? Are you facing any difficulties?"
This question made Xiangâs tears fall immediately.
But she still waved her hand, accepted the handkerchief Madam Ruan handed her, and wiped her eyes, "No, no, weâre doing quite well now, no difficulties at all, Yu, donât worry."
"Then..." What could be so distressing without difficulty? Even when they lived in the Ruan Family Village relying upon each other as mother and daughter, she hadnât seen them like this.
Finally, Madam Ruan sighed, "Sister Xiang, is it about Xiangdi?"
"What happened to Xiangdi?" Yu asked puzzled.
Xiang heavily patted her thighs twice, "She canât think straight, sheâs stubbornly fixated, I, I really am..."