Chapter 618: Chapter 617 What Identity?
"No, Mother, you misunderstand. I just feel that my status..."
"Alright, stop there. I know what you want to say!" Lady Li waved her hand and said, "Whether you like it or not, I’ve already brought you to this family. So you are now the Second Young Master of the Liu Family, the master of this house. You have suffered these years; your mother is sorry!"
"Mother, what are you talking about?" Liu Wenjie said, "The luckiest thing in my life is to have a virtuous mother like you!"
"I will definitely be filial to you in the future!"
"Okay, okay, no more sweet talk, let’s hurry up!" Lady Li urged.
With that, the two left the cloth shop and headed straight for the restaurant in town.
The Liu Family Restaurant was the best in town.
Here, banquets were held every day, hosting all sorts of officials and dignitaries. In just one month, they could make quite a sum of money.
As they entered the restaurant, they were immediately caught up in the bustling atmosphere.
The decor here was luxurious; one could feel the opulence just by walking through the door, inspiring longing in the heart.
The two headed straight for a private room on the third floor and, under the guidance of a server, arrived at the door of the room.
"Madam, young master, please come in!"
"Hmm!" Lady Li responded and then entered the door with Liu Wenjie.
Upon opening the door, both Lady Li and Liu Wenjie were taken aback.
Because the room was filled with people, including a man with a tall and formidable figure, dressed in a green robe, a jade pendant hanging from his waist, a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, his countenance resolute.
On the other side sat a lady in a light blue dress, with a face like a peach blossom, skin white and smooth, her black hair combed into a simple fairy bun adorned with a golden phoenix and golden shimmery embellishments, her demeanor enchanting and seductive, each smile and frown exuding endless charm.
"Mother, this is my good brother Wang Tiezhu. This lady is his fiancée Su Mengyao. She is also known as the talented woman of our town. Together, they make a handsome couple!" Liu Wenjie introduced.
"Uncle, hello, my name is Su Mengyao!" Su Mengyao gracefully stood up, giving Lady Li a formal greeting.
"Hello, hello!" Lady Li smiled back in return.
"Father, please have a seat. I’ll go and pour the wine for you!"
"Okay!" Liu Wenjie agreed.
"Dad, you chat slowly. I have some things to do and won’t disturb you!" Su Mengyao said with a smile before leaving.
When only Lady Li and Liu Wenjie were left in the private room, Lady Li’s expression suddenly changed. She spoke sternly, "Second son, how have you gotten involved with the Wang Family’s girl again? Do you know how much this disappoints me?"
"Father, let me explain!"
"What’s there to explain? Am I wronging you? Now that your status has improved, you don’t need to find a rural girl to be your wife anymore!"
"Father, pelase, calm down. Can I finish speaking?"
"There’s nothing left to say. I’ve heard enough. You might as well go back to where you came from!" Lady Li snapped sharply.
"Father, I know you’re frustrated with me, but please, can you just listen to what I have to say?" Liu Wenjie pleaded, "The only reason I agreed to marry Su Mengyao is that I was forced into it!"
"Hmph, who forced you to marry her? Aren’t you afraid she might harm you or cause you to lose favor?" Lady Li asked coldly.
"Of course I understand that. But, Father, you also know I don’t like that arrogant and willful girl. But we have no choice. She is the legitimate granddaughter of General Wang. If we do not marry her, our Liu Family’s business may soon collapse, and our family will become the laughingstock of the whole town. How can I face anyone after that?"
Upon hearing this, Lady Li’s face stiffened, and a hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes.
Indeed, she opposed her son marrying Su Mengyao, not because Su Mengyao was arrogant and willful, but because the Su Family’s influence was too great. Moreover, the head of the Su Family was a martial general and the top authority in town. Although the County Magistrate was not a significant official, his network and resources were far greater, which was very important.
Thus, the Su Family was not one to be offended.
However, now her son was going to marry a difficult and willful woman just because of the Su Family, which naturally did not please her as a mother.
"Second son, since you are determined to marry her, I will reluctantly agree. I hope you will respect her in the future and not offend her, understood?" Lady Li advised.
"Don’t worry, Mother. I know what to do!"
"Alright, hurry up and eat. After you finish, you should quickly leave!" Lady Li urged.
"Alright!" Liu Wenjie replied with a voice full of eagerness as he began to dig into his food, famished as he was.
After the meal, Liu Wenjie had nearly cleaned out all the dishes on the table; he was really starving.
"Second Young Master, please enjoy your meal," the maid said as she carried away the empty plates.
Lady Li frowned and said displeasedly, "Second Young Master, what kind of way is that to eat your meal? You might as well have eaten your fill before coming so as not to waste time on the way!"
"Alright!" Liu Wenjie complied, then got up to take his leave.
Lady Li saw him to the door.
"Second Young Master, please take care, and remember to send someone to notify us when you want to come!" Lady Li reminded him.
"Okay!" Liu Wenjie nodded, then mounted his horse and rode away.
Liu Wenjie left the restaurant and headed straight for the bustling market streets of the city to better digest the information he had received that day.
He knew he had stumbled upon a treasure this time.
Firstly, his parents were in this small county town, which meant that his future was going to be even brighter.
Secondly, the Su Family was a prominent and influential clan in this small county town. If he were to marry into it, his future was assuredly bright!
Thirdly, Su Mengyao was no ordinary girl; she was the only legitimate granddaughter of General Wang. Marrying her would see him rise meteorically through the ranks!
"Hahaha..." Liu Wenjie couldn’t help but laugh heartily, feeling utterly smug inside.
"Liu Wenjie!" Suddenly, a voice called from behind him.
Liu Wenjie turned around and saw a little maidservant in goose-yellow clothes gasping for breath as she chased after him, "Young Master Liu, Young Master Liu, wait for me, I can’t run anymore!"
Seeing it was Su Mengyao, Liu Wenjie’s face immediately darkened as he said coldly, "Didn’t I tell you to go back to the estate first? Why have you come out again?"
"The maid... the maid..."
"Alright, alright, no need to say more, go back, I can make my own way!" Liu Wenjie waved her off, signaling her to leave.
"Young Master Liu, I wasn’t following you on purpose, I wanted to go to the town to buy something!" Su Mengyao explained.
"Buy what? I’ll give you money!" Liu Wenjie said.
"Young Master Liu, that’s not what I meant... I... I just wanted you to take me along, I... I want to buy some tonic herbs, you know my father is ill, and I wish to prepare a medicinal decoction for him," Su Mengyao explained timidly, head lowered.
Liu Wenjie paused for a moment, then laughed, "So that’s it, I was wondering why I happened to bump into you at the door of the restaurant. But it doesn’t matter, it’s fine for you to come with me!"
"Thank you, Young Master Liu!"
Having said this, Liu Wenjie rode his horse toward the southern part of the city, and Su Mengyao quickly mounted her own horse, keeping pace beside him.
This main street was the busiest in the county, lined with merchants and boasting an array of dazzling shops.
Here, the prices were extremely high, so people were very frugal. As long as you could afford to buy something, you generally could get anything, and there were plenty of specialty snacks as well.
The two strolled along leisurely, buying snacks to eat, but Su Mengyao seemed distracted and didn’t care what she bought. In contrast, Liu Wenjie was willing to spend money on anything, and what he bought was all quality merchandise.
"Hey, boss, how much for those steamed buns?" Liu Wenjie pointed to a stall selling steamed buns not far away and inquired.
"Eight coins each!" the stall owner replied.
Liu Wenjie nodded his head, then paid for a basket of steamed buns, a pot of sharp liquor, and a jar of wine.
"Young Master Liu, here are your steamed buns, please enjoy! I won’t bother you anymore," Su Mengyao said respectfully, taking her leave from Liu Wenjie.
Liu Wenjie waved his hand, smiling amiably at her, "Alright, you go back first!"
"I take my leave!" Su Mengyao said, then mounted her horse and quickly vanished from his sight.
Liu Wenjie shook his head and turned to enter the tavern.
By now, the tavern was filled with customers, most of whom had come for a drink, and some young, beautiful girls and family servants, who seemed to be there to talk business.
