books44 Chapter 224: Ink Bamboo
Chapter 224: Ink Bamboo
Chapter 224: Ink Bamboo
Lu Yu's face had been sullen ever since the man started flirting with Ji Meiqing. "No problem, it's just that we're traveling light and don't have that much silver with us. We'll go back and get it now, so please don't go back on your word."
Although the man's lustful attempt failed, he was clearly still very happy to have swindled so much money. "Of course, then take care, I'll wait for you to return."
On the way, Ji Meiqing asked, "Brother Lu, are you really going to give him so much money? People like him should be beaten up and made to lose both their money and their dignity."
Lu Yu's lips curled up slightly; he had the same idea.
Back home, Ji Meiqing went straight to her room to sleep. The journey had been bumpy for half a day, followed by a day of sightseeing; she was naturally exhausted. Lu Yu went to her room to tuck her in, sitting beside her and gazing lovingly at her sleeping face. He softly said, "I know you're kind-hearted and want to save that child, but have you considered how many others are in his situation? Do you want to save them all? But don't worry, whatever you want to do, I will definitely help you achieve it." He gently kissed her, tucked her in, closed the door, and left.
Ji Meiqing slept very well that night, though she seemed to dream that someone was talking to her. She didn't think much of it and got up to wash up.
When she finished making breakfast, Lu Yu was still nowhere to be seen, so she asked the gatekeeper, "Have you seen Brother Lu?"
"My lady, the young master went out late last night and hasn't returned yet. He left a message telling you not to worry."
"He went out? Did he say where he went?"
"No."
"Okay, you go ahead and do your thing."
Unable to find any trace of Lu Yu from the gatekeepers, Ji Meiqing had no idea where to look, so she could only attend to her business and wait.
It was almost noon when Lu Yu returned. Ji Meiqing pulled him into the house and poured him a cup of tea. After he finished drinking it, she asked, "Brother Lu, where did you go? You didn't even tell me. You went out in the middle of the night. Do you know how worried I was?"
Lu Yu listened patiently before saying, "Mei Qing, I'm very tired right now. I'll rest for a while and then I'll talk to you later. Someone will bring a child over soon, and I'll leave it to you to handle."
Ji Meiqing couldn't bear to see him so tired, so she agreed and asked, "Would you like to eat something first?"
Lu Yu shook his head. "No need." Seeing that he didn't seem to want to eat, Ji Meiqing didn't bother him any longer, went out, and closed the door.
After coming out, Ji Meiqing lay on her homemade beanbag chair, basking in the sun. The weather was really nice today. Just as Ji Meiqing was about to fall asleep, someone knocked on the door. Ji Meiqing got up to open the door and saw a woman pushing a boy towards her, saying, "I was asked to bring him here." Then she left.
Ji Meiqing was stunned for a moment before she remembered what Lu Yu had just told her. This must have been his doing. Ji Meiqing led the child inside. She had a bad memory for people, but after looking closely, she recognized the child as the one she had tried to save yesterday. The money hadn't even been delivered yet, so why had that man released the child so easily? She could only wait for Lu Yu to wake up and ask him.
She returned to the beanbag chair, glanced at the timid child beside her, and asked, "What's your name?"
"I...I'm called...Zhuzi." This was the first thing Ji Meiqing heard him say.
"Pillar? That's such an awful name, who gave you that?"
"Yes...yes, Master!"
Ji Meiqing thought that the "master" he was talking about must be the man who had made such a big demand yesterday.
"Don't be afraid, we won't hurt you. Where are your parents?" Ji Meiqing inquired.
“They died when I was young. I also have a younger sister. We were both murdered and sold. I just don’t know where my sister was sold to.” Zhu Zi had a good impression of them and they were gradually able to communicate normally.
"What's your father's surname? 'Pillar' sounds awful, I'll give you a new one," Ji Meiqing said to him.
"I don't know, but I have a piece of jade on me. No matter how difficult the situation, I have never let anyone take it away." Zhu Zi handed the jade, which he regarded as his life, to Ji Meiqing with great trust.
Ji Meiqing took the jade, on which was engraved the character "墨" (Mo). "墨? Hmm... you can call yourself Mozhu, the 'bamboo' from plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo."
"Mo Zhu?" Mo Zhu repeated to herself, "What a lovely name, thank you, Master. Master, I want to stay. I know there are places here where I need to work. As long as you let me stay, I'll have food and clothing. I don't need wages."
"You don't need to call us masters, just call us Young Master and Lady Ji. I'll discuss what you said with Brother Lu. You look tired, so go find a room to rest. I'll call you if I need anything." Mo Zhu obediently left.
Ji Meiqing didn't rest anymore, but went to find Widow Li.
"Madam Ji," Widow Li greeted her first, "What brings you here now?"
“Yes, Aunt Li, I’m here to remind you to keep a close eye on our wine recently, and to increase manpower for some of the important ones. I have a feeling something’s going to happen. I taught Ji Tianzhuo and his gang a lesson last time. Although they don’t know it was me, they’re definitely not giving up and are up to some crooked ideas. It’s never a bad thing to be on the safe side,” Ji Meiqing instructed.
"Okay, don't worry, we'll be careful."
"Be sure to tell me immediately if anything happens." After giving these instructions, Ji Meiqing went home and first went to the kitchen to get some snacks. Then she went to Lu Yu's room, where Lu Yu had already woken up. "Brother Lu, you haven't eaten much all day, have you? Come and try some of the snacks I made."
"Did you sneak some food?" Lu Yu suddenly asked.
"Huh...? How did you know?" Ji Meiqing asked curiously.
Lu Yu walked to her side and raised his hand. Ji Meiqing didn't know what he was going to do and just stood there, stunned. Lu Yu wiped her mouth with his hand. "Look, there are still some bits of food stuck to your lips."
Ji Meiqing wiped away the crumbs with her hand. "Hehe, let me taste it for you to see if it's good! It was so delicious that I ate a lot more."
Lu Yu didn't reply, but picked up a piece of pastry and tasted it. "Hmm, it tastes really good."
"Brother Lu, aren't you going to tell me how you rescued Mozhu? Oh, you mean that pillar, Mozhu is the new name I gave him."
“I will definitely not let him try to save you, but since you insist on saving Mo Zhu, there is only one way left.” After Lu Yu finished speaking, he heard Ji Meiqing exclaim in shock, “You didn’t actually give that bastard a thousand taels, did you?”
"Yes, but don't worry. We didn't suffer any losses. You know my martial arts skills. I just returned his money to him."