Baozi Xishi's Struggle

Chapter 499 Oh, Miss Shen? What kind of girl is she?

Everyone was wondering what the fourth young master was thinking. Other families would hold a big banquet when they found someone who passed the imperial examination, but why was he unhappy when he got the second place?

Old Master Lu knew that Lu Lang was after Miss Shen from Anping County, but he pretended not to know and did not bring it up.

The lady felt sorry for her grandson, so she persuaded the old man to agree to the marriage.

She felt that her grandson was already so outstanding, and he could do just as well even without the support of his wife's family, so why not fulfill his wish.

When Mr. Lu saw that his grandson did so well in the exam, he was actually relieved.

But he was also afraid that Lu Lang was just a lover who saw beauty in everything and would naturally think that Miss Shen was perfect in every way.

He was afraid that maybe Miss Shen was not as good as his grandson said, and if he rashly agreed to it, he would be harming himself.

He had been cautious and prudent all his life, and after much thought, he decided to dress up in casual clothes with his wife and take two or three people with him. They set out from the capital and arrived in Anping County after six or seven days' journey.

One is to see how the youngest son is doing, and the other is to see with my own eyes what kind of person Miss Shen is.

Therefore, after arriving in Anping County, without disturbing anyone, he asked for directions and went straight to Fengnian Restaurant.

After having a delicious meal in a cool and comfortable manner, he inquired about Shen Yu's reputation, met Shen Yu as he wished, and then left quietly.

Although he didn't get to talk to Shen Yu, Old Master Lu felt that there was nothing wrong with this Miss Shen, except that she came from a merchant family and her family background was relatively low.

His initial impression of Shen Yu was actually better than what Lu Lang said.

After seeing Shen Yu, he rushed to Anping County Government Office.

Old Master Lu was ready to give his youngest son a reprimand as usual, but he didn't expect that this time his youngest son was more confident than before and dared to refute him.

After being persuaded by his wife, Mr. Lu was about to let his youngest son off this time, but he heard his youngest son say, "Father, wait. I'll show you something."

Then, without calling anyone, he quickly walked out of the study and went to get it himself.

The old couple were left sitting there in bewilderment, staring at each other.

I wonder what treasure this youngest son, who usually only knows how to play, has found this time and wants to use it to please his parents.

As I was muttering to myself, I saw my youngest son coming back holding a big wooden box like a treasure.

He placed the wooden box on the desk, opened it and took out a colorful object, his face showing a smug look.

"Umbrella of the People!?"

After all, Mr. Lu has been an official for many years and is a connoisseur of good things.

As soon as Lu Zheng opened it, he recognized it. It was actually the canopy of an umbrella made by the people using pieces of cloth of various colors to sew together.

Seeing the surprise and joy on his father's face, Lu Zheng knew that he had made the right decision by taking out the Wanmin Umbrella. He smiled and said, "Father, now you believe me, I am doing a good job as a county magistrate, right?"

Mr. Lu reached out and took the Wanmin Umbrella, looking at it carefully.

The pieces of cloth above are big and small, new and old, and are undoubtedly the cloth commonly used by ordinary people.

Some pieces of cloth had the names of the people to whom they were presented written in different handwritings.

Old Master Lu pondered for a while, carefully folded the umbrella cover of the People's Umbrella, and put it into the wooden box himself. Then he asked half-doubtfully: "How did you coax the people to sew this for you?"

"You didn't buy it with silver?"

"You can't forge this. If it's discovered, your father won't be able to protect you."

Lu Zheng was choked with anger for a moment. It turned out that this was how he was viewed by his father.

He said somewhat dejectedly: "Look at what my father said. Is my son really that useless?"

Having said that, he sat down and told Mr. Lu in detail about his patrols on the river and embankment, and setting up porridge stalls and distributing porridge in recent days.

Finally, he smiled and said, "This Wanmin Umbrella was made by the people of the neighboring counties and Anping County and sent to us."

"The people in the neighboring counties were grateful to me for setting up tents and providing porridge, taking them in, and saving them from the suffering of starvation and displacement."

"As for the people of this county, of course they come here for me to patrol the river and protect the embankment, so that they can live in peace."

"I heard from Master Qian that the umbrella made by the people of the two counties is more valuable than the one made by the people of only one county."

"He said that my performance evaluation at the end of the year would undoubtedly be excellent."

As Lu Zheng spoke, he couldn't help but reveal that childlike innocent joy again.

Old Master Lu looked at his youngest son in front of him, without a false expression on his face. This time he completely believed what he said and nodded.

He paused, then asked, "This idea of ​​the people working together to patrol the river and protect the embankment and crowdfunding donations is a good one. You definitely couldn't have come up with this idea yourself. Was it Master Qian who gave you the idea?"

"Since he followed you to Anping County, he has made more progress than when he followed me."

As Mr. Lu spoke, he couldn't help but praise him, feeling lucky that he had chosen two reliable advisors for his youngest son.

Lu Zheng shook his head honestly and said, "No, it has been raining for a few days. Master Qian is very worried about this matter. He keeps complaining to me that there is no money to protect the river bank."

"But the money allocated from above is limited. Where can I get the money?"

"It was Miss Shen who runs a restaurant in the county town who came over and gave us a good idea."

"It gave me both manpower and money, so I could send people to patrol the river and buy sandbags, rocks and other things for protection."

"It hasn't rained these days, so I sent people to repair the river bank, and I still have a lot of money left."

"I plan to raise and widen the riverbank in Anping County after the water level drops in autumn and winter, so that we can rest assured next spring and summer."

Old Master Lu had no time to listen to his youngest son's plan to protect the river. His attention was all focused on Miss Shen's words that she had offered a good idea.

He said with interest: "Oh, you offered a good idea? Miss Shen who runs a restaurant?"

"Is it Miss Shen from the Fengnian Restaurant in the east of the city?"

Seeing that his father didn't listen to his river protection plan at all and instead changed the subject, Lu Zheng couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.

But then he turned around and said with great interest: "It was Miss Shen. How did father know that restaurant?"

"The food at her house is indeed delicious. I guess Xiao Si must have told me about it when he went back."

"How about I go to that restaurant with my father and mother to have dinner tomorrow."

"She recently got some new iced meals. In this weather, they are cool and appetizing. They are delicious."

Mr. Lu and the lady looked at each other and asked with a smile, "Oh, it sounds like Miss Shen is not only a good cook, but also very smart."

"Tell us what clever idea did this little girl give you?"

"It sounds like you often go to Fengnian Restaurant for dinner. What kind of girl is she?"