Hearing Ah Jiu take the initiative to inquire about Wufu, Yuan Ye glanced at his master from the corner of his eye and thought to himself, was the master’s interest in that girl not a bit too great?
But whatever the master thought, as a servant, he couldn’t meddle, nor was he like Hoo Die, always eager for gossip. He would simply follow the master’s orders, asking nothing about what he wasn’t supposed to know.
"If the master doesn’t ask, this servant was just about to report. After investigation, that girl..." Yuan Ye respectfully began to speak, but turned the phrase into a gentle curve and said, "Miss Wufu has lived in Wozi Village since her birth, depending solely on Madam Zhou, and has never left the bounds of Maofeng Town. Her maternal grandfather provided much care for the mother and daughter when he was alive, leading to dissatisfaction from the Old Zhou family..."
Ah Jiu looked at the dripping raindrops while listening to Yuan Ye’s report on the investigation into Wufu, which matched the information he already had and revealed no discrepancies.
"... There has been no mention of Wufu ever having a mentor, but that does not rule out the possibility that she has kept it to herself. After all, the place where the mother and daughter live is near a mountain and in a secluded location, so it would be normal for outsiders not to know if they were hiding something." Yuan Ye objectively analyzed, thinking that they, too, would probably get lost entering that mountain forest.
Yuan Ye thought for a moment and said, "It was also in May when this young lady had a fierce argument with her cousins which led to an injury. After waking up, her temperament changed somewhat."
Upon hearing this, Ah Jiu’s gaze flickered a few times and said, "So you mean to say, after awakening, she suddenly knew Kung Fu?"
Yuan Ye was taken aback and said, "After waking up, her speech and behavior indeed became sharper than before, and she knew how to fight with fists and kicks."
Ah Jiu smiled, "That’s quite interesting."
"My lord?" Yuan Ye couldn’t understand this smile.
"This young lady is very assertive, but her mother is very weak. Now, it is Miss Wufu who is in charge of the household." Yuan Ye added, "By the way, she recently completed a jade carving commission, which is said to be extremely exquisite, rivaling the skill of masters who have been immersed in the craft for decades."
"Is that really so?" Ah Jiu looked at him in surprise.
Yuan Ye nodded and said, "This Chicken Blood Seal has already been sent by Merchant Liu to Prefect Li’s family, and it is said to be very much to Li Guangyuan’s liking."
"Li Guangyuan is deeply obsessed with jade carving, so if it caught his eye, it surely can’t be bad," Ah Jiu quickly reviewed what he knew about Li Guangyuan.
Yuan Ye said nothing, for he had not seen that seal. However, Li Guangyuan’s obsession with jade carving was well known, and his collection featured very precious pieces, not just any common item would catch his eye.
For Wufu to carve a seal at such a young age that garnered such admiration, she must have something exceptional about her.
He wondered just how exquisite that Pixiu seal truly was?
These thoughts found their way into Ah Jiu’s mouth, "I’d quite like to see it for myself."
"In two days it will be Li Guangyuan’s mother’s birthday celebration, my lord, would you need an invitation?" Yuan Ye was very adept at sensing his master’s desires.
Obtaining an invitation to a birthday celebration was not beyond their means.
"With nothing else pressing, it might be good to pay a visit," Ah Jiu nodded, "Send over the Mutton Fat White Jade we obtained last time."
Yuan Ye did not know what he would use it for but didn’t ask, simply agreeing as he always did.
Just then, a guard walked in, presenting an envelope, "My lord, a letter brought by the wind."
Ah Jiu opened it, scanning the entire letter at a rapid pace, and after a long pause, said, "The fourth of the Wen Family has finally taken office, becoming the magistrate of Huayang County."
Wen Congrui, the Prodigy, what astonishing brilliance might he display?