Chapter 8, Means

These courtesans, regardless of how glamorous they appear in public, are ultimately insecure at heart. Upon seeing Ji Si's noble and imposing demeanor, how could she still dare to hesitate? She hurriedly lowered her head and bent her waist to retreat.

Zhuang Shisan's brow twitched, and he squinted his eyes, confirming that he could not see a trace of joy on Ji Si's face arising from his rare promise, which made his expression turn unpleasant.

As the saying goes, when an expert makes a move, one can discern the quality of their skill. In this world, young people who play the guqin often tend to focus on the dazzling techniques, losing the profound emotions behind the music. However, this jade-like young man before us has skillfully integrated both aspects. Once the sound of the guqin emerges, it transports everyone into a magnificent illusion of boundless brilliance and the passage of time. Yet, amidst the blooming and withering of flowers, the cycles of spring and autumn, and the utmost beauty of it all, there is an undeniable aura of decadence that hints at impending death, a subtle sadness hidden deeply and faintly in the silence. The sound of the guqin draws everyone into a magnificent illusion of boundless brilliance and the passage of time. Yet, amidst the blooming and withering of flowers, the cycles of spring and autumn, and the utmost beauty of it all, there is an undeniable aura of decadence that hints at impending death, a subtle sadness hidden deeply and faintly in the silence. This is indeed a remarkable level of guqin skill!

Zhuang Shisan was originally a very intelligent person. He suddenly stood up and urgently asked in a low voice, "Did you hear this with your own ears?"

As the crowd listened in rapt attention, some individuals with profound skills even had tears glistening in their eyes. Ji Si elegantly swept her fingers and pushed the guqin forward with grace

The words of these young men were quite impolite, and although several scions of noble families wished to befriend Ji Si, they could not speak up in such an occasion

After a while, he coughed once and sat down opposite Ji Si

Ji Si looked up at him and said earnestly: "The descendants of the Xie family from Chenjun."

During this period, my mother unexpectedly exchanged all the family's money for grain

The qin is favored by the gentlemen in music, and it is particularly appreciated by the scholars and officials. Consequently, the general public has a high level of appreciation for qin music

Zhuang Mu had delicate features, but she had a pair of raised eyebrows and very thin lips, which made her appear quite shrewd and harsh. Upon seeing her son's aggrieved expression, she suddenly stood up and said coldly: "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you actually returned with just this little profit. Shisanlang, your mother is very disappointed in you!"

Zhuang Shisan is merely one of the legitimate sons of the Zhuang family, and this time he has achieved great merit, truly brimming with ambition and vigor

Ji Si understood that, given her current status, if she emphasized that she had once received the personal assistance of the legitimate son of the Xie family from Chenjun, Zhuang Shisan would certainly not believe her. Such matters were better left for him to investigate personally. Thus, she skipped this topic and continued, "We have traveled together for a while, and inadvertently, I heard that gentleman named Xie Lang mention that there have been unusual movements in Northern Wei, with cavalry appearing outside the city of Qu Shui..."

After closing the door, Zhuang Shisan turned to look at Ji Si. In that moment, he met the gaze of Ji Si, who had already taken a seat on the couch, her expression calm and her demeanor relaxed.

Uncle Li, while driving the donkey cart, listened to the cheerful humming of his daughter in the cart and said with a smile, "Is my daughter so happy because something good has happened?"

In the donkey cart, Ji Si's cheerful voice came through, "Yes, a greedy and shameless old hag that I despise is about to be so enraged that she might spit blood, and I find it quite delightful"

Seeing the sparkle in her son's eyes, the matriarch's expression softened. She continued, "That orphan with the surname Ji seems to be quite fortunate. When you return from Qu County, I will send her to you as a concubine... This news, after all, was revealed by her, so consider your concubine's position as a reward for her."

Zhuang Shisan was both surprised and delighted; he had always held great faith in his mother, and at this moment, he had no doubt about her decision

Zhuang Shisan was overjoyed, thinking that Ji Si truly loved him and could assist him. On the spot, he ordered the bulk sale of grain to the grain merchants of Qu County, and then returned overnight

Ji Si returned to her residence for less than an hour when the shopkeepers from the two rice shops sent their assistants to her with joyful news. They reported that the landlord had revoked the order, and the shopkeepers from the three rice merchants even came personally to apologize. Furthermore, when the assistants arrived, the landlord's young servant had also sent three carts of grain, stating that it was compensation for their master

They had just descended the stairs when Zhuang Shisan had already grasped Ji Si's hand and said in a commanding tone: "Follow me." He pulled Ji Si into a private room.

Zhuang Shisan paced a few steps in the side room, then turned to Ji Si and said, "Alright, you can go back first." As soon as the words left his mouth, he hurriedly left.

Ji Si did not look at them; she clasped her hands behind her back and walked slowly to a musician playing the guqin. Raising an eyebrow, she slightly lifted her fingers, signaling the musician to step aside

"Why has it stopped playing?" exclaimed a young scion of a prestigious family, captivated by the performance. As soon as the words left his mouth, he was met with the mocking smiles of Zhuang Shisan and others, and he quickly regained his composure.

He said he would take her to meet his mother, which means he wants to give her a proper status, doesn't it? This person before her, no matter how much he likes her, in his heart, Ji Si, who has no father or mother, is ultimately unworthy of becoming his legitimate wife. Even knowing that she is exceptionally talented, he has always held this belief.

As expected, on the third day after Zhuang Shisan dispatched the supplies for the two boats to Qu County, smoke signals rose throughout Qu County, as someone discovered the vanguard camp of Northern Wei

Zhuang Shisan was thinking that once the news of the Northern Wei invading the city was confirmed, the price of rice in Qu County would definitely rise, and he could take the opportunity to make a fortune from the war. As for the danger, he would manage the situation from the center, and once the price of rice increased to a certain level, he would immediately sell off his stock outside the county, which should pose no problem

"Old Li Po?" Uncle Li pondered for a long time and said, "My lady, when did you have a falling out with someone? This old servant is completely unaware of it"

Zhuang Shisan's smile froze

The place where Ji Si was seated was right by the window. At that moment, a ray of sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating her delicate face, making her exquisite features appear as if they could glow. Even the fine down on her cheeks radiated a kind of brightness in the sunlight

Ji Si raised her head, and she seriously met Zhuang Shisan's gaze, replying: "Yes"

As soon as the young man stepped out, Zheng Kuang immediately stood up with a start, while Zhuang Shisan, who was beside him, remained quite composed, though his hand holding the wine cup froze for a moment

Ji Si cradled the qin in her lap, pressing down with her left hand while her right hand glided and plucked the strings. In an instant, a melody of unparalleled elegance floated through the air.

Zhuang Shisan interrupted her, asking, "Which member of the Xie family?" When mentioning the word "Xie," his tone slightly rose, carrying a hint of frivolity and mockery.

Ji Si had been waiting for his figure to appear on the street outside, and only then did she slowly smile. She tilted her head back and drank the wine in the cup in one go, then walked out of the tavern at a leisurely pace

Madam Zhuang said: "Throughout history, matters of war have always been prolonged. From the moment rumors begin to circulate until the actual siege is launched, it often takes six months to a year. Go to Qu County once more and earn a million taels of silver for our Zhuang family!"

Zhuang Shisan lowered his head

Zhuang Shisan let out a laugh with a "ha"

Another scion of a prominent family also stood up, and he respectfully saluted Ji Si, expressing with emotion: "It is our narrow vision that has led us to be unaware of the hidden talents in Jing County. Young sir, despite your tender age, you are already so learned and talented, truly deserving of our admiration." Several other scions also stood up and addressed Ji Si, saying: "The young sir is exceptionally gifted; we feel ashamed." "We are not as capable as the young sir."

Zhuang Shisan was left in a daze.

At this moment, Mother Zhuang waved her hand, signaling the maid to bring over a wooden box. From it, she took out a set of keys and said, "These are the keys to the storeroom, where the wealth accumulated by the Zhuang family over one hundred and thirty years is kept." When Zhuang Shisan looked up in surprise, Mother Zhuang continued, "You are my biological son, and this is a great opportunity to elevate you to the position of heir to the family head. Shisan, during your absence, I have converted all the silver in the household into grain. You should take this grain and make another trip to Qu County." Mother Zhuang said, "You are my biological son, and this is a great opportunity to elevate you to the position of heir to the family head. Shisan, during your absence, I have converted all the silver in the household into grain. You should take this grain and make another trip to Qu County."

The landlord has developed in Jing County for so many years that it has reached a point where expansion is necessary. However, the grain business has always been closely related to people's livelihoods, and for the landlord to expand the business is not an easy task. Now, after receiving this news from Ji Si, Zhang Shisan immediately returned to his residence and issued an order for all the grain of the Zhang family to be sent to Qu Shui County and hidden away in a secure location

Suppressing the affection surging within his heart, Zhuang Shisan maintained a handsome face and said seriously: "You performed well today and helped me a bit." At this point, he could no longer help but soften his voice, gently saying: "Let me know when you are free, and I will take you to meet my mother and the librarian."

Smiling, he suddenly stiffened his expression, furrowing his brow as he asked, "Is what you said true? Are you really a descendant of the Xie family from Chenjun?" Seeing Ji Si nod, he continued, "You are quite fortunate. That being said, have you had a chance to speak with the servants around that Xie family descendant?"

The Zhuang Mansion in Jing County primarily engages in the grain business, accounting for eighty percent of the grain transactions in Jing County. It is precisely for this reason that when Zhuang Shisan made a statement, no grain merchants dared to conduct business with Ji Si's shop.

In the donkey cart, Ji Si merely smiled mysteriously and did not respond

Ji Si suppressed the sudden thoughts, lifted her long eyelashes, and said slowly: "I would like to make a deal with you"

Seeing that they finally admitted defeat, Zheng Kuang stood up and said proudly: "At least you have some self-awareness." The other Jing County youths, who had long been seething with anger, shouted even more: "Since you know you can't do it, then get lost!"

Upon leaving the dock, Zhuang Shisan proceeded towards the government office, and amidst the flurry of courtesies, he encountered his mother

While toasting himself and Ji Zi, Zhuang Shisan said lightly, "I really didn't expect you to be quite knowledgeable and talented." At this point, he looked up and, upon meeting Ji Zi's sparkling eyes, reminiscent of shimmering waves, his heart began to race once more

In a single evening, the grain prices in Quxian County doubled

With a bang, the compartment door closed, cutting off the gazes of those outside directed towards this place

Zhuang Mu saw Zhuang Shisan approaching with a beaming smile. After placing the teacup heavily on the table, she coldly remarked: "Timid as a mouse!"

At this moment, Ji Si said to herself: "On my return from Qingshan County this time, I encountered a young man from the Xie family..."