The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

Young Master Mei, upon hearing his sister's voice, snapped out of his reverie and looked away from Liu Xu, though he was extremely unwilling. However, given the occasion, he couldn't be too presumptuous. He glanced at Mei Yingxue and said, "Yingxue, you silly girl, Ningxiang has been back in Jicheng for quite some time now. How long are you going to stay here?"

Mei Yingxue was taken aback, but glanced at Liu Zhan and said shyly, "Brother, soon I will be a member of the Liu family, so naturally I should stay here."

"Hmph, aren't you ashamed? The wedding is in a few days. Do you still want to leave the Liu family? Everything at home is ready. Shouldn't you, the bride, go back and wait for your future husband to come and fetch you?" The eldest son of the Mei family said loudly, glaring at his sister, and then turned to look at Master Liu and Madam Liu. "My dear in-laws, to be honest, I came to Rongjin City this time to take Yingxue back. We still need to follow the proper etiquette."

"Yes, yes, yes," Madam Liu echoed. "I like Yingxue living in the Liu residence. That way, I'll have more company. Yingxue is clever and quick-witted, and she and Zhan'er are a match made in heaven. However, Yingxue, your brother is right, we still need to follow the rules. I'm also thinking about when to send Yingxue back to Jicheng. Zhan'er will be able to welcome his bride on the 12th, won't he? From now on, this Liu residence will be Yingxue's home."

Mei Yingxue looked at Liu Zhan, took his hand, but was reluctant to let go, "But..."

“Yingxue, listen to your elder brother. Mother is right. Only when you go back can I welcome my bride.” Liu Zhan patted the back of her hand affectionately.

Mei Yingxue frowned, thinking that this was indeed the case, and looked at Young Master Mei, "I will go back with my elder brother."

Madam Liu was very satisfied to see that the eldest daughter of the Mei family finally listened to Liu Zhan. She glanced at the eldest son of the Mei family, whose gaze still occasionally drifted towards Liu Xu. As someone who had been through similar experiences, how could she not see the affection in his eyes?

He glanced indifferently at Liu Xu, whose face was flushed and she looked embarrassed. His eyes shifted slightly, and he smiled, saying, "Young Master Mei, it's getting late. Why don't we return to Jicheng tomorrow? Why don't you stay at my residence tonight? It would be good for us to enjoy our hospitality. Rongjin City has many unique dishes that even Jicheng can't replicate. I'll instruct the chef to prepare a feast for you to try later."

"Oh?" Young Master Mei became interested upon hearing this, but his interest wasn't in the delicious dishes, but rather in a particular dish that caught his eye!

"It would be wonderful if you could stay for the night," Young Master Mei said, rising to his feet and bowing to Madam Liu. "In that case, I shall gladly accept your offer."

Even as he spoke, his gaze kept drifting towards someone.

With such obvious scrutiny, how could Liu Xu not sense it? Ever since she entered the hall, she had been feeling extremely uneasy, wishing she could find a place to crawl into and hide. When she heard that the eldest young master of the Mei family wanted to stay, her heart skipped a beat, and a strong sense of unease surged through her.

"Xu'er, go and have someone prepare a side room for Young Master Mei to stay in," Madam Liu ordered loudly.

Liu Xu was taken aback, somewhat at a loss for what to do. Seeing her embarrassment, Madam Liu frowned and looked displeased. "Hurry up and go! Didn't you hear my orders?"

"Yes...yes, I'll go right away." Liu Xu curtsied and turned around uneasily. Even as she turned, she could feel the gaze fixed on her. Her unease grew stronger, and that gaze filled her with disgust.

I've heard that the eldest son of the Mei family is quite fond of beautiful women...

I've heard that the eldest son of the Mei family, relying on the family's wealth, has ruined the lives of many women...

I've heard...

In fact, when her eldest brother's marriage to the eldest daughter of the Mei family was finalized, she had already heard about various things concerning the Mei family from some of the stewards. The most notorious young master of the Mei family in Jicheng was the eldest son... and now...

Liu Xu bit her lip. No, the eldest young master of the Mei family is only staying at the mansion for one night. He will leave tomorrow. Once he leaves, she will no longer have to endure those disgusting stares.

Liu Xu told herself this, but she never expected that things would not go as she wished.

As night fell, a table of dishes ordered by Madam Liu was brought to the hall, where everyone was already waiting except for the eldest son of the Mei family. Seeing that it was almost time, Madam Liu sent someone to invite the eldest son of the Mei family to come out for dinner, but not long after, the servant returned alone.

"Where is Young Master Mei?" Liu Zhan frowned and asked anxiously.

"Reporting to Young Master, Young Master Mei said he's a bit tired. To get to the main hall for a meal, he has to walk quite a distance, and he's exhausted and doesn't want to walk anymore," the servant replied.

These words surprised everyone present. Liu Xuan frowned, thinking to himself that this young master was really difficult to please. However, considering the current situation of the Liu family, he didn't say anything more. Madam Liu was silent for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face. "Although Young Master Mei is tired, he still needs to eat. Otherwise, he'll be hungry in the middle of the night and his stomach won't be able to take it. Master, how about this, we send the dishes to Young Master Mei's room? What do you think?"

Liu Xuan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "That will do. Someone, take these dishes away and send them to Young Master Mei's room."

The eldest son of the Mei family does control many of the family's businesses, so they won't lose out by currying favor with him like this.

Sitting quietly to the side, Liu Xu felt a huge weight lifted from her heart. Just moments ago, she had thought that this meal would be unpleasant, and she would inevitably have to endure the gaze of the eldest young master of the Mei family. But now, she was relieved.

But just as she was thinking this, she heard Madam Liu's voice again...

“Young Master Mei is a guest, so naturally someone from our Liu family should take care of him. It would be improper for him to eat alone. How about this, Xu’er, you take some people and deliver the dishes over, and then dine with Young Master Mei on behalf of our Liu family.” Madam Liu’s voice was unusually calm, but her words were like a bolt from the blue for someone.

Liu Xu froze, looking up at Madam Liu, somewhat disbelieving her ears. What had she heard? Her mother was asking her to dine with Young Master Mei? This… Liu Xu wasn’t stupid. The way Young Master Mei looked at her was as if he wanted to devour her. She knew what it meant for her to dine with him alone. Her mother, being so shrewd, couldn’t possibly be unaware of that.

She's not offering herself as food, but rather offering herself up as food to the eldest son of the Mei family!

"Mother...daughter...daughter is feeling unwell..." Liu Xu bit her lip and said subconsciously. She absolutely could not go. If she went, she was afraid her life would be over.