Farm Tough Girl

Chapter 73 - 73 074 The Prodigal Son_1

?Chapter 73: Chapter 074 The Prodigal Son_1 Chapter 73: Chapter 074 The Prodigal Son_1 The Wu Family’s mansion and Muniang’s home, though both were in the same village of Tupo, were separated by the entire village—one at the far western edge, the other at the far eastern end, both situated in sparsely populated areas. However, while the latter chose the location for its seclusion, Muniang’s place was merely isolated and desolate.

Considering the journey was somewhat long, Muniang decided to take a carriage. In reality, it was also to ensure she didn’t lower her own standing—it’s like going to a grand banquet; you couldn’t show up in a tractor, right? Muniang didn’t want to become the Cinderella at the party— if she were to be a princess, she had to be a real one!

With Dazhu at the reins, Muniang set off for the Wu Family in a light carriage. Along the way, she reminded Anan of some details, and the obedient Anan agreed, which put Muniang at ease.

Upon arriving at the Wu Mansion, Muniang was slightly taken aback by its grandeur. She had assumed that in such a remote and broken-down area, one would only find the poor. Yet here, there was a wealthy estate with a commanding presence, surpassing even the grandest homes in the town.

There were already quite a few carriages at the front gate; it seemed many guests had arrived beforehand. As soon as Muniang and company alighted from the carriage, a young servant promptly greeted them with a warm bow, “Please come inside, the both of you.”

Muniang thought to herself that indeed the servants of a grand household were different. Compared to them, she truly felt like a nouveau riche.

Anan led Muniang through the courtyard, which was quite elegant—small bridges over running streams, jade lakes with pavilions, the Nine-Turn Corridor. The design was indeed excellent. Muniang thought that if that wastrel young master were to squander the mansion one day, she might buy it to enjoy its refined taste, her lips curling involuntarily at the thought.

The likable young servant said, “Lady, you seem to be admiring the courtyard, aren’t you?”

Muniang nodded, “Indeed, it has a refined elegance, neither ostentatious nor luxurious, with nobility in its understated grace. It seems the master of your house has very good taste.”

But the servant replied, “It’s not our master’s doing. The entire mansion was designed by our young master.”

Muniang exclaimed, “Your young master? How many young masters do you have?” She had heard the Wu Family had only one son.

The servant smiled, “Who else but our young master, we currently have only one.”

Muniang was somewhat surprised. So that prodigal young master also had such talent? Indeed, a forest so large was bound to have all kinds of birds.

The servant brought them to the outside of the floral hall and then stepped back, leaving a maid to escort Anan and his wife inside. Many people were already waiting in the floral hall, most dressed in wealthy attire. The maid seated them at two spots at the lower end, then bowed and withdrew.

Those discussing matters outside were naturally men, so Muniang’s arrival still caused some commotion, especially as such a beautiful woman. Some lascivious men had been staring at her unabashedly since she entered, almost wishing they could glue their eyes to her body. Muniang gave one such man a look—a blob of fat with the face of a thief, over fifty and utterly repulsive.

Anan immediately stepped in front of Muniang and glared fiercely at the old man, a childish warning in his gaze, yet even the weathered old man felt a shiver in his heart and quickly averted his eyes.

With Anan’s imposing demeanor, those who harbored improper thoughts towards Muniang were forced to suppress them, as they’d come here on serious business after all.

“What’s going on? We’ve been here for ages, and your young master hasn’t even shown his face. Are you playing with us? We’re not idle people to just wait around all morning. Is there no sense of hospitality?”

An impatient wealthy lord blustered, prompting others to join in the clamor.

“Exactly! He said he’d come today, but the host hasn’t shown up yet. Even if you’re a playboy, you should at least have basic manners!”

The people in this room were not the good-natured villagers from Tupo Village, but the masters from wealthy families. Who had so much time to waste waiting for a young lad? Having waited for such a long time, they naturally grew impatient. Moreover, they already had a rather poor impression of this Mr. Wu; while polite on the surface, they actually scorned him in their hearts.

Seeing that the mood was turning sour, a maid hurried in to placate them, “Please be patient, everyone. Our young master went out last night and has not returned yet. I have already sent someone to find him. Please wait a little longer.”

This maid spoke very appropriately and wore clothes that were slightly finer than other maids, indicating she was likely a head maid in charge.

With these words, the tempers of the masters flared even more, “What? He hasn’t returned yet? Does he consider such a big deal a child’s play? Making us wait for so long, what on earth is he doing?”

“Please wait patiently, our young master is not someone who breaks his promises. He said he would discuss business with you all today, so it will be today. Perhaps he has just been delayed. Besides, this business deal involves thousands of acres of fertile land. Having traveled from far away, surely you would not like to return empty-handed.”

These words, both soft and stern, quieted the irate masters, and Muniang couldn’t help but take another look at the maid.

Muniang had only recently come into wealth and did not suffer from the rich man’s pride like the other masters. She quietly waited and found that the mansion’s pastries were not bad, so she and Dazhu started to pass the time by enjoying the treats.

After about the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, there was finally some noise from outside.

“Master, you’ve finally returned! If you didn’t come back soon, the guests would have become impatient. Liu’er is almost unable to cope,”
the voice of a manservant prattling away arose, and the masters in the parlor finally perked up, sitting up straight and adjusting their attire.

But what they saw was a leisurely figure strolling in, his clothes loose and untidy—as if he had spent the night gambling and hadn’t even had time to change. His deep blue robe only made his figure appear taller and his handsome face more striking. If not for his decadent and unrestrained demeanor, he would have been a person of startling talent and beauty.

Muniang sighed internally, such a waste of a handsome man. Hmm? Why did that phrase sound so familiar to her?

“Lady, this crab roe pastry is delicious, even better than the mung bean cake!” Dazhu was happily enjoying the pastries, and didn’t forget to occasionally recommend some to Muniang, his face full of satisfaction.

Muniang’s mouth twitched as she finally remembered these were the words she had once sighed to Dazhu. What oddities surrounded her?!

When the head maid Liu’er saw her master enter, she quickly went to greet him, “Master, you’ve finally returned! The masters have been waiting for a long time.”

Wu Haoli lifted his eyelids and glanced over everyone in the room before speaking with an air of frivolous indifference, “Oh, today was the day to talk business? I almost forgot.”

Liu’er hastily hinted with her eyes to Wu Haoli, “Master, how could you forget? Aren’t you always the most faithful to your promises?”

“Blame it on those guys who swindled me badly. I lost terribly last night and had to rush to recover my capital all night.”