In the following period, Lu Zheng mainly handled Leng Jian's century-old collection, and his own businesses in Tonglin County.
Tonglin County is too small, making it hard to sell, so Lu Zheng made a special trip to Yizhou Prefecture to sell all the gold, silver and jade he had collected, exchanging it for thousands of treasure notes.
After returning to Tonglin County, he first built a sugar workshop, hired a shopkeeper, opened up channels, purchased honey and grains, produced honey syrup candies, and even made small-scale purchases of sugar frost, completing the process from procurement and production to sales, ensuring everything operated steadily even without Lu Zheng, covering all his daily expenses.
Additionally, to facilitate future convenience, Lu Zheng bought the two courtyard sets on the other side, connected their walls, renovated them to add a stable, equipped a coachman, a carriage, and two horses.
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"So, these items were actually provided by Leng Jian?"
Lu Zheng pulled Liu Qingyan along to tour their new home here, and Liu Qingyan asked in surprise.
"Exactly! Speaking of which, he truly is a good person... a good demon..." Lu Zheng nodded matter-of-factly, "Not only did he give me that personal curved saber, but also his century-old collection, truly generous!"
"Lu Lang~" Liu Qingyan cast Lu Zheng a glance, but couldn't help laughing, covering her mouth to stifle her amusement.
Seeing Liu Qingyan didn't react much to hearing Leng Jian's name again, Lu Zheng nodded, debts settle with death, it seems Liu Qingyan's childhood shadow has disappeared.
Just then, Old Li came jogging over, "Young Master! There's a couple outside looking for you; the young man claims his surname is Zhu."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng's eyes brightened, and he turned to Liu Qingyan with a smile, "Come on, I'll introduce you to a friend."
Liu Qingyan lightly chuckled, "Is it that ill-fated Zhu Yushan?"
Lu Zheng nodded and smiled, "Indeed!"
Earlier, when he went to Yizhou Prefecture to deal with Leng Jian's collection, he also visited the Lu River God's Mansion on his way back. Although he couldn't reap any gains from Zhu Yushan, he invited the couple to visit Tonglin County.
Now, it's been about ten days, looks like they've arrived as agreed.
After telling Liu Qingyan about it, the two personally went out to welcome them. Stepping out the door, they saw Zhu Yushan and his wife Li Hanyu from the River God's Mansion waiting at the entrance.
Zhu Yushan wore a plain blue scholar robe, appearing unremarkable but with a glint in his eyes and an upright posture.
Li Hanyu donned a silver-patterned colorful silk skirt, adorned with a white jade carved flower and turquoise hairpin, leaning against Zhu Yushan, her gaze smiling, features lively.
"Brother Zhu, Madam!" Lu Zheng clasped his hands, "Please come in!"
"Sorry to trouble Brother Lu!" Zhu Yushan politely clasped his hands and then entered the Lu Family with his wife.
Upon entering the courtyard, Lu Zheng introduced, "This is my fiancée, Liu Qingyan."
Liu Qingyan slightly bowed, "Greetings, Young Master Zhu, Sister Li."
"Greetings, Miss Liu."
"Hello, sister." Li Hanyu pulled Liu Qingyan, looking her up and down, her eyes gleaming.
Liu Qingyan couldn't help but giggle, nodding with a smile, "Sister has good eyes."
Knowing Zhu Yushan and Li Hanyu aren't ordinary people either, Liu Qingyan didn't intentionally hide her identity in front of them, allowing Li Hanyu to instantly sense something amiss.
Li Hanyu looked at Lu Zheng, her eyes showing a hint of admiration.
To acknowledge a fox spirit as a fiancée with the identity of a cultivator shows Lu Zheng has no prejudice against demons, a trait highly appreciated by Li Hanyu, who is a carp spirit herself, indicating Lu Zheng's respect for the Lu River God's Mansion isn't solely based on their deity status.
Lu Zheng invited them to the backyard, Uncle Li followed up quickly with tea and snacks.
"Uncle Li, please ask Aunt Liu to bring out her best skills." Lu Zheng said.
"Alright!" Uncle Li nodded in agreement and hurried off to assist Aunt Liu.
As they chatted casually in the backyard, Li Hanyu whispered to Liu Qingyan, and Lu Zheng took Zhu Yushan to see his study, showcasing his calligraphy.
"Lu Zheng writes beautifully!" Zhu Yushan exclaimed in admiration, then suddenly remembered something, "By the way, Brother Lu, what title do you currently hold? Are you an Advanced Scholar now?"
"No." Lu Zheng shook his head indifferently, "Not even a Scholar."
"Hmm?" Zhu Yushan looked at Lu Zheng incredulously.
Lu Zheng nodded and said, "I haven't participated in the county exam, naturally, I have no title."
"Hmm?" Zhu Yushan blinked, "You haven't taken an exam either?"
Given Lu Zheng's exceptional demeanor and cultivation status, Zhu Yushan assumed he must be at least an Advanced Scholar, did Lu Zheng really not even take a local exam?
He never doubted whether Lu Zheng could pass the exam, anyone who writes so well is likely to easily achieve a Scholar title if not an Advanced Scholar!
Yet without even a Scholar title...
Suddenly feeling touched, as if finding a kindred spirit, Zhu Yushan grasped Lu Zheng's hand with sympathy, "Brother Lu, are you also so ill-fated?"
No, you're the unlucky one! Your whole family's unlucky!
"Brother Zhu misunderstands, I simply don't want to take exams." Lu Zheng stated seriously.
"I am wholeheartedly focused on Qi Refining cultivation, uninterested in bureaucratic affairs, studying solely to broaden knowledge, without any ulterior goals." Lu Zheng earnestly replied.
Zhu Yushan looked puzzled, "Studying for exams, entering local administration, serving the people, alleviating their distress, is the duty of us scholars; where's the ulterior motive?"
For heaven's sake, how should I respond? Waiting here, urgent!
"Respect! Brother Zhu has grand aspirations, I'm not a match." Lu Zheng swiftly changed the topic, "So, Brother Zhu plans to continue participating in this year's state exam?"
"Indeed!" Zhu Yushan nodded, "Once I return, I'll prepare for a month of secluded study, then head to Yizhou Prefecture for this year's state exam."
Lu Zheng blinked, gripping Zhu Yushan's hand, "Wish you safe travels, Brother Zhu."
"It'll go smoothly this time!" Zhu Yushan nodded, "Brother Lu should visit the state capital too, even if not taking the exam, you can converse with various candidates, gaining more knowledge from books."
Lu Zheng blinked, replied perfunctorily, "Alright, if I have time, I'll pay a visit."
"Young Master, lunch is ready and can be served." Uncle Li's voice came from the side door.
So, Lu Zheng quickly ended his awkward chat with Zhu Yushan, "Come, I have plenty of fresh ingredients here, Brother Zhu, do try!"
"Great, last time at the River God's Mansion you mentioned it, I'll definitely taste well."
Zhu Yushan replied with a smile, as they both walked out, they saw Li Hanyu and Liu Qingyan waiting hand in hand in the courtyard.