After the favored concubine remarried, the aloof and powerful minister forcibly took her away.

Chapter 95 Seems like our young lady

Two days later, sunlight shone on the bluestone pavement of the water town, creating a faint halo.

Manager Lin brought Xiang Ning to this quiet and quaint little town.

They had only been in the water town for a short time when they received a message from Lu Jiang.

The letter said that Lu Jiang was held up by some things and would have to wait another day before he could arrive in Shuizhen.

After reading the letter, Manager Lin frowned slightly, a sense of worry rising in his heart.

After a short rest, Manager Lin decided to take Xiang Ning to take care of her urgent business.

They wandered through the narrow, winding alleys of the water town and finally arrived at a somewhat secluded courtyard.

The courtyard gate was tightly closed. Manager Lin gently knocked on the door knocker, and after a short while, the door creaked open.

A handsome man appeared at the door. He had distinct facial features and deep, sharp eyes, but his whole demeanor exuded a somewhat menacing aura.

The man's hair was neatly tied back, and he wore a dark robe, giving him a calm and reserved air.

Manager Lin smiled and introduced to Xiang Ning, "This is Xiao Ming, Miss Zhao. Brother Xiao Ming used to be on the battlefield, serving under General Li Shichang. He was an invincible general on the battlefield. Unfortunately, he was injured in the leg and had to retire, coming to this water town to do this kind of business."

Xiang Ning nodded slightly and bowed to Xiao Ming.

Xiao Ming quickly returned the greeting, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

He looked away and greeted Steward Lin: "Brother Lin, what a rare guest! What brings you here?"

Manager Lin said with a smile, "Brother, this is a friend of my young master. He wants a travel permit and identification. Take a look."

Both of them were sensible people; they didn't need to spell it out, they understood each other perfectly.

Xiao Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Since you are honored guests of the host family, I will definitely take care of this small matter for you."

Xiang Ning breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing Xiao Ming's promise.

"Here's the money, Brother Xiao, please take it."

She stepped forward and placed the prepared money into Xiao Ming's hand.

Xiao Ming smiled and didn't refuse, inviting them in.

"Now that you're in the water town, let me entertain you tonight. Come on in."

Manager Lin walked in with a smile: "Of course."

The courtyard was quiet, broken only by the occasional chirping of birds.

Xiao Ming went into the house to make tea. If you looked closely, you could almost see his uneven gait.

Manager Lin and Xiang Ning sat in the courtyard, waiting for Xiao Ming to bring out the tea. Manager Lin then asked a question.

"After all these years, how come you're still alone?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming sat down and replied, "Brother, you know my leg condition, so don't delay the young lady. Besides, the general only had one wish before he died."

"I just want to help him find his wife and..."

Xiao Ming paused, then waved his hand: "Never mind, I won't say anymore."

Steward Lin was obviously aware of this matter as well, and he nodded: "The general has been gone for so many years, it's kind of you to still remember him."

"I can never repay you for saving my life."

The two chatted casually, while Xiang Ning sat quietly listening.

As noon approached, Xiao Ming said he was going out to buy some groceries and to call two people to help Xiang Ning get her travel permit and identity, and to have them stay there.

After Xiao Ming left, Steward Lin looked at Xiang Ning and said, "Miss Zhao, there are no outsiders here."

Xiang Ning was wearing a veil, making it inconvenient for her to talk.

"From listening to Uncle Lin and Brother Xiao chatting, he seems to be a kind and righteous person."

Xiang Ning reached out and removed the veil. Upon hearing this, Steward Lin sighed, "Xiao Ming is a very loyal and righteous man." "General Li Shichang died unjustly. His only wish before his death was to find his wife and unborn child, so he has been inquiring about them for many years."

"It took more than ten years to find it. If it were anyone else, they would have given up long ago."

Manager Lin picked up his teacup and took a sip: "I almost always pass through Shuizhen when I go out to deliver goods, and over time I got to know him."

Xiang Ning listened to Manager Lin's words and nodded gently. It seemed that Xiao Ming was indeed a very loyal and righteous person.

"So don't worry, since he took your money, he will definitely handle the travel permit and identity properly for you."

Hearing this, Xiang Ning nodded: "Thank you for your help, Steward Lin. Without you, I really wouldn't know what to do."

These words made Manager Lin laugh: "To be honest, I always have a feeling of familiarity when I see you."

"It's like seeing our young lady."

The smile on Manager Lin's face faded considerably, and he spoke these words with a sense of loss.

"Is she Young Master Lu's aunt?"

Xiang Ning gripped her teacup tightly and asked a question. Manager Lin nodded, "Let's not talk about this anymore."

Manager Lin was a veteran who had worked at the Lu family business for decades, so he had naturally met Lu Hualan before.

Sometimes, when Manager Lin looked at Xiang Ning, he would think of that bright and carefree girl.

Lu Hualan always called him Father Lin. In Steward Lin's heart, Lu Hualan was his daughter.

Therefore, Manager Lin was much more patient with Xiang Ning and was willing to help her.

It wasn't because of Lu Jiang, but because of the sense of familiarity she gave him.

Not long after, Xiao Ming returned to the courtyard with two men.

The travel permit is easy to obtain, but the identity is a bit more troublesome, since money needs to be spent to bribe officials. However, Xiao Ming said that it would definitely be done by tomorrow.

"That's great, brother. Miss Zhao doesn't want people to know that she's in the water town."

Manager Lin said in a low voice, and Xiao Ming laughed heartily: "Don't worry, we only met with you today."

Having been in business for so many years, Xiao Ming knew that those who needed travel permits and identification were those whose original identities could no longer be used.

Therefore, he never said a word to outsiders.

"Brother, you didn't say that this Miss Zhao looks like a fairy."

A short man standing next to Xiao Ming said something, and Xiao Ming kicked him directly: "Show some respect for your mouth."

"Miss Zhao, please forgive me."

Xiao Ming looked at Xiang Ning with embarrassment.

"It doesn't matter."

Xiang Ning smiled and shook her head. Xiao Ming then said to the two of them, "Go and start cooking."

After the two men went to the stove, Xiao Ming looked at Steward Lin and said, "I have something I'd like to ask you to help me with. The portrait that the general left behind got damp and soaked in water a few days ago. Could you please help me repaint it?"

"As you know, I'm just a roughneck and can't read. I can't do this kind of delicate work."

“That’s easy. I didn’t know what was going on. Miss Zhao, please come in.”

Manager Lin got up, not forgetting to help Xiang Ning inside, afraid that she would feel uncomfortable being left alone there.

As Xiang Ning followed the two inside, she was immediately drawn to a painting hanging in the center.

"This painting got damp, so I hung it out to air it out."

"Is that a Phalaenopsis orchid in the painting?"

(End of this chapter)