Chapter 1047: Chapter 883: Together in the Golden Autumn

Gu Chengyu did have some impressions of Li’s Rice Shop, having heard from Ming Mo that the Li’s reputation in the Prefecture was excellent, considered a virtuous family.

Judging from the past few days of their porridge distribution to disaster victims and occasional rice sales, this certainly seemed to be the truth.

As Ming Mo just turned, they saw a carriage next to them heading towards Li’s Rice Shop.

"Look quickly! The Young Master has arrived!"

A sharp-eyed shop assistant inside the rice shop turned and immediately saw the Young Master stepping out of the carriage.

The people gathered inside the rice shop heard this and turned to look, "It’s truly the Young Master of the Li’s here, quick! Let’s go and ask for his help..."

Gu Chengyu had the carriage stopped outside the rice shop and saw a man dressed in a greenish-blue robe stepping off the carriage, hearing the crowd call him Young Master, he understood this was indeed the Young Master of the Li’s.

With a long face and fair skin, he looked like a scholar. His brows and eyes were also very kind, making him appear amiable.

As the man got off the carriage, the gathered people spontaneously made way. Gu Chengyu saw the relief in the people’s faces, followed by hopeful expressions.

He raised an eyebrow involuntarily, it seemed that this Young Master, although young, was quite well-known in the area.

Gu Chengyu listened attentively, hearing the man’s profound voice, "Everyone! You all know what kind of family we Li’s are. We’ve been passed down for over a hundred years. Although not a prominent aristocracy, we’ve always adhered to honest principles. Today’s rice is not easily acquired, we’ve done our utmost, even stopped the porridge stall outside the city gate, we hope you all understand."

Li Yu Huan repeatedly bowed and apologized to the crowd, his words sincere and expression earnest. It made those present very disappointed, yet they felt embarrassed to trouble this Young Master further.

"As long as we can get more grain, we will certainly reopen the rice shop. Truly sorry! Sorry, everyone!" These people are from nearby families, some have been long-time patrons of the Li’s.

Turning down so many people, he felt discomfort in his heart, but this was out of helplessness.

"Young Master needn’t apologize, it was us putting you in a difficult position. Both the Li’s and the Zhang Family are good people, alas!"

The sigh expressed the bitterness and helplessness of those present.

"Actually, instead of waiting here, you might venture outside the city. Farmers near the Prefecture might still have grain. But you must travel in groups and gather more personnel, bringing suitable iron tools. So many disaster victims gathered outside the city, they suffer even more than you. The quality of the refugees varies, and there’s no lack of ruffians, everyone must be careful of safety. Mr. Li speaks as much, please return!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu nodded, this Young Master had indeed been most considerate.

Ever since the gathering of so many refugees outside the city gate, the city folks dared not exit the city easily, fearing being robbed. These incidents weren’t unheard of before, going out alone was extremely dangerous.

After all, what wouldn’t a starving person do?

Previously, Gu Chengyu had ordered the government officials to go to the countryside, informing each village to organize young and strong men to patrol day and night, fearing any acts of theft or robbery.

If unprepared, who knows if these refugees might lose basic human nature?

Gu Chengyu lowered the curtain, "Let’s go! To outside the city!"

...

In the northern part of the city, a delicately crafted three-section courtyard lay, its shades brushing against the roadside azaleas blooming brightly, without a trace of sentiment.

With swift steps, a steward hurriedly headed towards the outer library.

"Sir!" The steward paused at the library door, calling out in a deep voice.

"What is it?" A moment later, a sound emerged from inside.

"Lord Imperial Envoy sent an invitation, inviting you to celebrate the Golden Autumn two days later!"

"Celebrate the Golden Autumn? Bring the invitation in." The tone inside grew much more urgent than before, the shopkeeper understood that the master was now very attentive.

As the steward entered the room, he saw an elderly man with graying temples sitting on a round chair, about to set down the brush in his hand.

A maid inside assisted the man in cleaning his hands, after which he returned to the desk.

The man received the invitation handed over by the steward, scrutinizing it, noticing a private seal signed below, Gu Jinyu!

The man frowned, the writing above was simple, only stating an invitation to celebrate the Golden Autumn.

Gu Jinyu was indeed the court official who had just been promoted thrice consecutively and had come to Jiangnan for disaster relief. Why was he reaching out to him now?

Could it be their recent large-scale grain purchases had caught his attention and he’s preparing to warn the Xia Family?

Or does this Imperial Envoy have other intentions?

Several days ago, the Clan Leader received a secret letter from the Prime Minister, asking them to take extra care of a young disciple.

The Clan Leader had mentioned, although this individual was a disciple of the Prime Minister, he was ultimately an outsider, not as reliable as one’s own clan members.

If beneficial, why not consider one’s kin, and even choose a poor scholar as a disciple, what a waste.

Therefore, when Min Feng arrived in Jiangnan, the Xia’s never took the initiative to reach out to him.

He also heard of Min Feng’s actions in Yingnan Mansion and felt this person was beyond help. Previously, the Prime Minister sent reports requesting them to specifically caution Min Feng, informing him that Gu Jinyu had also arrived in Jiangnan, but the Clan Leader did not comply.

Since the Clan Leader did not have high regard for this Assistant Reader, why would he seek to flatter him?

And as for this Lord Imperial Envoy, who knows what his intentions are, is it to flatter the Xia’s due to their aristocratic family status, and being relatives of the Prime Minister? Is this a gesture of goodwill?

Wasn’t it spoken of this person previously that he enjoyed rivalry with the Prime Minister? Xia Hongji felt Gu Chengyu possibly intended to curry favor with the Xia’s to ease relations with the Prime Minister. Otherwise, the act of Gu Chengyu sending an invitation the moment he stepped into Jiangnan is hard to explain.

Hmph! Xia Hongji sneered, now knowing fear?

He tossed the invitation onto the desk, picking up the brush again, filling colors into the lotus pond scene before him.

"Sir?" The steward bent forward, unclear of the master’s intentions, does he plan not to attend?

But this is after all the Emperor’s appointed Imperial Envoy. If not attending, wouldn’t that mean disrespecting the Imperial Envoy? Although there’s nothing to fear, with the Prime Minister as support, the Xia’s aren’t concerned.

However, standing behind the Imperial Envoy is the Emperor, and disrespecting the Emperor is unthinkable!

"Remember to remind me on the day!" Not attending even with an invitation would mean the Xia’s had not reached such arrogance.

Furthermore, not attending means losing the chance for Gu Chengyu to ingratiate himself with the Xia’s.

Actually, it couldn’t be said that Xia Hongji was overthinking, because similar invitations were received by many families throughout the Hangtian City.

Among them were the Zhang Family in the western city and Li’s Trading House, any prominent family in the Prefecture received the note.

"Young Master! I didn’t expect Lord Imperial Envoy would send an invitation to us Li’s, what could the intention be?"