You are unlucky and I am tough

As the sky gradually darkened, flocks of returning birds flew overhead, chirping. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the river, the sunset glowed half the sky red, and the mountains in the distance gradually disappeared into the twilight.

There was another larger merchant ship heading in the opposite direction ahead, its bow splitting the calm water, leaving a long trail of water that crossed them on the sparkling water.

Cheng Shuang leaned out of the window and watched the scene. After the boat had gone far away, she turned back and said to Wei Qinglang, "Let's go and find the person in charge here."

Two more tables of guests had arrived and started ordering food as soon as they sat down. There were also people dressed as maids and servants standing by the counter, waiting for the food boxes to be brought out from the kitchen and then taking them away. They were obviously servants of the rich people on the third floor.

The two found the counter clerk. After paying the bill, Wei Qinglang asked how much it would cost to book a table for the whole night, which left the clerk confused.

Cheng Shuang explained, "There are too many people in the cabin and we can't rest well. We want to stay here with you tonight. Don't worry, we only take up one table and won't disturb other guests."

The waiter was hesitant as it was the first time he had encountered such a request, but since the two guests had just ordered a table full of dishes, he couldn't refuse outright. He said he would ask the manager, and the two returned to their previous seats to wait.

About a quarter of an hour later, the waiter came over with a well-dressed middle-aged man.

Wei Qinglang stood up and repeated what he had just said, but the middle-aged man kept staring at Cheng Shuang.

"Aren't you the little girl from that day?" The man suddenly showed an expression of great surprise to Cheng Shuang.

Cheng Shuang raised her head and looked at the man in confusion. Then she felt that he looked familiar. After thinking for a while, she stood up and said, "Oh, the child who was choking, you are the uncle who ran to the clinic with the child that day."

The man bowed and said, "My benefactor, my surname is Tong, and I am the steward of Mr. Lu's family. You can just call me Steward Tong."

"My name is Cheng Shuang. I told your master before that you don't have to call me benefactor all the time." Cheng Shuang was very happy to meet someone she knew and asked, "Butler Tong, are you going to the capital city too?"

Shopkeeper Tong nodded with a smile, "This is our Lu family's merchant ship, and my master is on board too."

Cheng Shuang was startled, "Ah, is this your boat?"

Then he looked at Wei Qinglang, his eyes seemed to say that we have a place to stay tonight.

Butler Tong nodded and followed Cheng Shuang's gaze to look at Wei Qinglang, "Who is this?"

"My husband, my husband's surname is Wei." Cheng Shuang introduced generously, and Wei Qinglang nodded to the housekeeper Tong with a smile.

"So you're already married? Young Master Wei is truly a handsome man." Butler Tong was surprised for a moment before quickly bowing to the two of them. "Madam Wei and Young Master Wei, please sit down for a moment. I'll be right back."

After saying that, he turned around and left in a hurry.

Cheng Shuang knew that he must have gone to see Mr. Lu to pass on the message, so she said to Wei Qinglang, "This boat belongs to the Lu family. We shouldn't have to squeeze into the cabin tonight."

"Is that the person who gave you ten taels of silver when you first went to the county town?"

Cheng Shuang nodded and recounted in detail the incident of rescuing Mr. Lu's son.

Just as she finished speaking, Butler Tong came back. Cheng Shuang saw the fat man in silk and satin clothes following behind her, looking rich and impressive. She raised her hand and waved, "Uncle Lu."

Mr. Lu laughed heartily, his fat belly protruding, "It's really you, little girl."

Cheng Shuang saw that he seemed to be fatter than before and said with a smile, "Uncle Lu, what a coincidence."

"Haha, yes, I couldn't believe it when the housekeeper told me that. Last time, I was scared by my son and left in a hurry, so I didn't thank you properly. You said where you were from, but I didn't remember. Then I thought, if we meet again, I must thank you very much."

Mr. Lu sat down as he spoke, "You don't know, my son is the lifeblood of our family. If anything happens to him, my wife, as well as my parents at home, will all jump into the well."

Cheng Shuang waved her hand. "It's just a small favor. Uncle Lu, you've already thanked me before."

"Little girl... Oh, that's not right." Mr. Lu glanced at Wei Qinglang on his left and changed his words, "You're already married, so I should call you Madam Wei."

Wei Qinglang stood up and bowed, "Hello Mr. Lu, my name is Wei Qinglang, and I'm from Chengjia Village."

"Okay, okay, Brother Wei is really a handsome man. Come on, sit down."

Mr. Lu pulled Wei Qinglang to sit down, and then enthusiastically told him how Cheng Shuang saved his son that day, and was full of praise for Cheng Shuang.

Cheng Shuang was not shy with Mr. Lu and started joking around. The three of them chatted as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years.

Shopkeeper Tong had tea served, and after some conversation, Cheng Shuang and the others learned that Mr. Lu was from Luohe Prefecture, but because his wife was from Qushan County, he had also purchased a lot of properties in the county.

In recent years, due to the heavy business affairs in Qushan County, Mr. Lu lived in the county town most of the time, so his wife and son followed him, while his daughter and grandparents stayed in the provincial capital.

Mr. Lu's family assets are mainly in the provincial capital. His family is mainly engaged in the planting and sales of tea and grain. Because the business is large and the demand for transportation is huge, the family has its own merchant fleet, part of which is responsible for its own business and part of which also undertakes ordinary freight.

Cheng Shuang felt that she was very lucky. The first person she helped was a real rich man. Moreover, this rich man had good character. It was obvious that he was not the kind of profit-seeking profiteer.

It is easier to get things done when you know someone, so she no longer hides her needs and directly tells Mr. Lu the situation, saying that she wants to borrow this place to rest tonight.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Lu turned around and looked at Shopkeeper Tong. Shopkeeper Tong walked up to him and whispered a few words in his ear.

After the two of them finished muttering, Mr. Lu said to Cheng Shuang, "How can we rest here? There's a vacant room on the third floor. I'll have someone take you up there later."

"Third floor?" Cheng Shuang glanced at Wei Qinglang across from her. "We asked before, and they said the second and third floors were full."

"That's right, Madam Wei."

Butler Tong bowed his head and explained, "There aren't many rooms on the third floor. They're usually reserved for our master's business partners or friends. Bookings for other people are subject to certain conditions."

The two understood. This was a membership system. It was only for rich people to live in. Even if there were vacant rooms, they would rather leave them empty than let ordinary people live in them.

They can also understand that no matter what dynasty it is, rich people are particular.

"Uncle Lu." Cheng Shuang thought of Zhao Xiuwen, who was traveling with her, and asked, "Do you have any vacancies on the second floor? We have a friend in the cabin. Can you arrange a room for him as well? Don't worry, we'll pay for it."

Others helped to bring them on board, so they couldn't just go to the guest room and leave Zhao Xiuwen alone in the cabin.

Wei Qinglang also said, "Yes, we will pay for the room. We will pay for both rooms according to your external price."

"What are you talking about? Can I still take your money?"

Mr. Lu reached out to stop Wei Qinglang from paying, "The second floor is indeed full, but since he is your friend, there is a room on the third floor, so let him stay there."

The two men accepted Mr. Lu's kindness, but still insisted on paying the rent. Mr. Lu refused to accept it. Finally, after much pushing and shoving, Mr. Lu took out a tael of silver as a token of appreciation.

Wei Qinglang went back and called Zhao Xiuwen up, and the three of them followed Butler Tong up to the third floor.

As soon as they went up, they knew why when they asked, there were vacancies on the third floor but those people said they were sold out. This place was indeed not something that ordinary people could afford to live in.

The three of them were led to two adjacent rooms. The doors of the rooms were made of golden nanmu wood and were carved with exquisite and intricate patterns.

Cheng Shuang pushed the door open and walked in. There was a soft Persian carpet under her feet. Exquisite satin curtains were hung on the walls of the room, fluttering gently in the wind, and a fresh fragrance wafted in her face.

The bedding on the carved sandalwood bed was made of fine silk. A pair of exquisite jade pillows, emitting a warm luster, were placed at the head of the bed. Not far from the bed was a bronze incense burner, with white smoke rising from it.

Near the window is a rosewood desk, on which are placed the four treasures of the study, rice paper as white as snow, and the fragrance of ink. The bookshelf next to it is filled with ancient classics, exuding a faint fragrance of books.

On one side of the room, separated by a screen, there is a couch for resting, covered with a layer of brocade and placed with several pillows.

There is also a small coffee table next to the couch, on which are placed fresh fruits and exquisite snacks.

After looking at the room, the three of them said goodbye to Butler Tong with some politeness and went back to their rooms and closed the door.

Cheng Shuang sat down on the sandalwood chair and sighed, "This is really rich. The lives of rich people are too comfortable. I also want to do business and make money to become a nouveau riche."

Wei Qinglang put the backpack against the wall and smiled as he listened to her bold words.

"Let's be content with a small fortune first, and consider where the imperial court will relocate us to in the future. Once we're officially settled, we can consider doing business."

Cheng Shuang thought about it and murmured, "Then I have to quickly treat the villagers' headaches. Let's first get the county magistrate's attention.

Then we will implement our plan and strive to relocate by the end of the year, away from that poison gas den."