Chang Shan responded incoherently to the matter, looking at Gu Chengyang with great respect.
"Then shall we go back? We can't work for these two days. I ate a hurried lunch in the carriage and felt uncomfortable. I'm a bit hungry now," Gu Chengyang said without politeness.
Qi Zhenzhen led the way, with Chang Shan accompanying her, and the two returned to the Qi family's residence.
There was quite a bit of wine at home, which Qian Yuanbao had people deliver along with the New Year's goods when he sent them. It was all stored in the cellar. Qi Zhenzhen moved a few jars out and found a set of wine pots to prepare.
She enjoyed a little wine and was somewhat picky about food. Qi Zhenzhen pondered for a moment and had an idea.
For snacks, fried peanuts were the first choice, followed by卤味儿 (lu wei'er - preserved meats). The lu wei'er was ready-made, and the peanuts were simple. Besides these, Qi Zhenzhen also made spicy stir-fried chicken pieces. When steaming the rice, she specifically made crispy rice crust and sprinkled it with five-spice and chili powder, which also served as a snack. She added a pork rib soup and a vinegar-sautéed cabbage.
After heating the wine, Uncle Qian, along with Da Jiang and Xiao He, also returned.
Qi Zhenzhen called Gu Chengyang and Chang Shan out, then called Yun Shi over. She introduced them to each other, and everyone sat around a table to eat.
Normally, Yun Shi would have eaten in her room. She was not accustomed to eating with outsiders, especially all men. With her son not at home, it was even more improper for her daughter, a young lady, to accompany them. Yun Shi could only persist.
Looking at the snacks placed before him and the specially heated wine, Gu Chengyang's expression remained unchanged, but his heart was in turmoil.
Although he had only met Yun Shi once before, his memory had always been astonishing. He remembered everyone he had met. Their family also claimed to be the Qi family. Gu Chengyang did not believe this was just a coincidence.
After finishing the meal without showing any change, Gu Chengyang praised Qi Zhenzhen a couple of times, acting as if he had drunk too much, and swayed back to his room.
Gu Chengyang spent two days redrawing the blueprints and showed them to Qi Zhenzhen. Only then did Qi Zhenzhen understand why Gu Chengyang had said that houses couldn't be built according to her drawings. Gu Chengyang's drawings were linear, three-dimensional diagrams, while hers were beautified flat plans, more like fully decorated houses. How could houses be built according to her drawings?
As expected, professionals were indeed professionals.
Chang Shan was responsible for the materials. After Gu Chengyang inspected them, he stated that the materials met the requirements. In addition, some specific tools were needed, which Chang Shan and the others did not have. Gu Chengyang said he had them in the capital and would have someone send them.
Qi Zhenzhen originally wanted to ask Da Jiang to drive Gu Chengyang, but Gu Chengyang said he was a skilled driver and could manage alone.
This person was a bit stubborn, so Qi Zhenzhen did not argue with him. She let him do as he pleased.
After Gu Chengyang entered the capital, he went directly to the Duke's mansion. He announced Gu Qing's name, and after the gatekeeper reported him, Gu Qing quickly came out to greet him.
"Big brother, after a few days, you've even bought a carriage?" Gu Qing instructed someone to look after Gu Chengyang's carriage and teased him.
"I have important matters to discuss with the Young Lord," Gu Chengyang ignored Gu Qing's teasing and stated his purpose directly.
Gu Qing led the way and brought Gu Chengyang to Gu Sinian's study.
Upon seeing Gu Chengyang, Gu Sinian was somewhat surprised. "Didn't you go to Xinghua Village?"
"I did. The blueprints have been drawn, and now some specialized tools are needed. I came back to get them. Additionally, there is a very important matter to discuss with the Young Lord," Gu Chengyang said.
Gu Sinian nodded. "Tell me."
Gu Chengyang glanced at Gu Qing. Gu Sinian understood Gu Chengyang's meaning; he didn't want Gu Qing to know. They were brothers, yet he still wanted to hide something? What could be such a major event? He had only instructed Gu Chengyang to pay special attention to Qi Zhenzhen's affairs. Could there be serious problems with Qi Zhenzhen? Da Feng Novel Network.
Gu Qing tactfully withdrew. After the door was closed, Gu Chengyang spoke, "I met Miss Qi's mother before. I met her at the Changping Marquis Mansion. She was Concubine Yun of the Changping Marquis Mansion."
Gu Sinian, who had been sitting at his desk, stood up abruptly upon hearing this. "Are you telling the truth?"
Gu Chengyang nodded with certainty. "My memory is very good. I never forget anyone I've met. I went to the Changping Marquis Mansion when it was being renovated. The Ministry of Works sent people, and I happened to be one of them. I was renovating the courtyard where Concubine Yun lived at the time, so I saw her. At that time, she had a little girl with her. Although her appearance couldn't tell, judging by her age, it was undoubtedly Miss Qi."
Gu Sinian's expression was blank, but his heart was in turmoil. If what Gu Chengyang said was true, then when they first met, was she returning to the Changping Marquis Mansion? However, there were also inconsistencies. If they were from the Changping Marquis Mansion, why would they be living in the countryside? Why would a young lady from the Marquis Mansion be openly doing business, and with such capable skills? These things made people suspicious. Not to mention Concubine Yun and her daughter, as far as he knew, the Changping Marquis had no sons and had been wanting one for years but had not succeeded. How could Qi Yi, the only male heir of the Changping Marquis, be living in a place like Xinghua Village?
"Young Lord?" Gu Chengyang called out to him when Gu Sinian remained silent.
"You should proceed with the work at the Qi family as you were instructed. This matter, without my permission, cannot be known by anyone other than you and me. Even with Miss Qi, you cannot reveal anything unusual. I will investigate this matter first," Gu Sinian said.
Gu Chengyang nodded. With Gu Sinian's words, he knew what to do.
"Young Lord, Miss Qi is very intelligent and has a deep understanding of things, unlike ordinary women," Gu Chengyang cupped his hands and said very seriously.
Gu Sinian glanced at Gu Chengyang and saw a hint of teasing on his usually stoic face.
"Of course, I know she is intelligent. Ordinary women cannot compare to her," Gu Sinian replied as if to say, "Do I need you to tell me?" "Alright, hurry up and get your tools ready, and build the house properly for me."
I will be living there in the future, Gu Sinian added in his mind.
Gu Chengyang then recounted the matter of the Qian family's craftsmen he had seen. Gu Sinian nodded. "I will speak to the Qian family about it later, so those craftsmen don't tarnish the Qi family's reputation. Although the Qi family's kimchi business is not much to the Qian family, it has been a considerable profit over the years. It would be bad if the relationship between the two families were ruined because of these craftsmen."
Gu Chengyang muttered inwardly, "Are you worried about the Qian family's profits? You're clearly worried about the Qi family."
However, it was enough to know some things in one's heart; it was better to pretend not to know on the surface.
After Gu Chengyang left, Gu Sinian summoned Gu Qing and asked him to secretly investigate the matter of the Qi family's Concubine Yun.