From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 662: Chapter 664: Mu Xianglan

Liang Shi’s expression was complicated. "You’re all mistaken. This Ancient Wen Heng is not as simple as he seems. Otherwise, he couldn’t have transformed the turbulent Lu City into a major tax contributor in such a short time.

"I hear his wife has shops all over the place and no shortage of capable people at her disposal.

"Some time ago, the Holy Emperor took notice of his rapid calculation skills and even had him train a batch of personnel. I didn’t think much of it at the time, assuming it was all just outside exaggeration.

"Now, it seems those rumors must be true.

"I’m starting to understand why the Holy Emperor stationed him here.

"He might just be the hope of Yi Province."

Chen Wen Shu was somewhat shocked by what Liang Shi said.

They were far from Shangjing here, so their access to information was limited.

But Governor Liang was different. His family was based in Shangjing, so even after so many years here, he was much better informed than they were.

"But I heard that even his carriage driver is helping with the audit. It seems like a waste to have such a skilled accountant driving a carriage. Xiao Le also heard that the driver not only knows his numbers but is quite skilled in martial arts as well."

After speaking, Chen Wen Shu carefully glanced at Liang Shi.

Liang Shi said, "What? Do you have something in mind?"

Chen Wen Shu rubbed his hands together. "My lord, if we could recruit a talent like that, it would be like gaining a powerful asset..."

Liang Shi raised a hand, cutting him off. "No matter how outstanding his abilities are, he is Mr. Gu’s man.

"If I truly have need of him, I will ask Mr. Gu to loan him out myself.

"Mr. Gu is newly arrived and surely has many matters for his own people to handle.

"I am not one to use my authority to pressure others. Do not bring this matter up again."

He understood what Chen Wen Shu was getting at—he wanted him to demand the man be handed over.

To avoid offending his superior officer, Ancient Wen Heng would have to send the man over, no matter how wronged he felt.

Liang Shi had no desire to offend the man over a mere carriage driver. He was counting on Ancient Wen Heng to achieve something significant, which would reflect well on him as his superior and perhaps even allow him to advance his career.

According to news from the Capital, everyone who had been with Ancient Wen Heng before was promoted along with him.

"Have his guards not arrived yet?" Having just mentioned the issue of personnel, this new thought occurred to Liang Shi.

"I’ve already made inquiries. Due to frequent incidents on the road, Mr. Gu chose to travel light, leaving his guards behind to protect his wife and children."

Liang Shi mused, "It seems Liu Xuan really picked the wrong person to mess with this time. He planned to frame someone else, but ended up tripping himself."

He didn’t need an investigation to guess the inside story. Liu Xuan had clearly tried to delay his arrival until after the handover period.

That way, even if problems were later found in the ledgers, Ancient Wen Heng would have to bear most of the responsibility.

Had it been anyone else, they might have actually been framed. ’This Ancient Wen Heng is certainly a capable man.’

He sat up straighter. "Go and pass down my orders. Tell our people to cooperate fully with Ancient Wen Heng. Don’t give him any trouble over trivial matters.

"If I find out anyone has, they’ll have to bear the consequences themselves."

Chen Wen Shu didn’t understand the reason for this sudden, drastic change. The man hadn’t even come to pay his respects yet, and here Lord Liang was, already proactively extending his support.

However, he had one good quality: he never contradicted his superior’s opinions. "I will go and pass on the orders right away. But what should be done with Mr. Liu in the cells?"

"Keep him locked up for now. We’ll wait for the Holy Decree to arrive before deciding anything." With a matter this significant, the higher-ups might even send someone down to investigate thoroughly. "And make sure everyone guards him closely. If any mistakes are made, it will be their heads."

"Yes, my lord."

* * *

After a busy day, Cen Gaosong finally returned to his newly purchased residence. The doorman hurried to greet him. "Master, the Madam and the Second Miss have arrived."

Cen Gaosong stopped in his tracks. "Which Madam and Second Miss?"

"...The Madam and the Second Miss of the household, Master."

Only then did Cen Gaosong remember. ’Why are they here?’

Cen Gaosong didn’t think there was anything wrong with momentarily forgetting about his official wife and legitimate daughter. He hadn’t seen them in years; it was only natural that he was slow to react to their sudden appearance.

The doorman said, "...I wouldn’t know about that, Master. The steward just told me to wait here for you and let you know."

Inwardly, however, the doorman was sneering. ’Aunt Lan is probably getting a headache right about now.

’She’s been passing herself off as Lady Cen outside for years and even made us call her Madam in the residence.

’Well, the real one’s here now. I wonder how sour her expression is in the rear courtyard. I’ll have to ask one of the maids about it later. I bet it was quite a show.’

Cen Gaosong strode into the residence with a cold expression. The moment he entered the second courtyard, he saw a mother and daughter in fine clothes standing there waiting. In the distance, his beloved concubine, Mu Xianglan, watched with an aggrieved look on her face.

"My lord!"

"Father!"

As he watched the mother and daughter curtsy to him in unison, Cen Gaosong cleared his throat before speaking. "Why are you here? You didn’t even send a letter ahead. I could have sent people to receive you."

Zhang Guihong replied, "My lord, you are a busy man and haven’t returned home in many years. The elders were missing you terribly and worried that you weren’t being well looked after out here on your own, so I brought Yue Qin with me.

"I had intended to write to you beforehand, but the elders said that over such a long journey, we would arrive faster than any letter. It was likely the message wouldn’t have even reached you by the time we got here."

She covered her mouth as her eyes scanned Cen Gaosong from head to toe. "It seems the elders’ worries were justified. I haven’t seen you in so many years, and you’ve grown thinner. Is it because of your demanding duties? Look, you even have gray hairs now."

Standing beside her, Cen Yueqin secretly tugged on her hand. She had reminded her mother repeatedly before their arrival, but she was still just as blunt as ever.

She could see that Cen Gaosong was already looking quite displeased.

She could only take a small step forward and say gently, "Father, it’s a bit cold in the courtyard. Shall we go into the main hall to talk?"

Facing his daughter, Cen Gaosong’s expression softened. He looked her up and down a couple of times. "It’s been some years. Yue Qin, you’ve really grown up.

"The journey must have been difficult, wasn’t it? You shouldn’t have indulged your mother’s whim to travel all this way, dragging you along to suffer with her."

Zhang Guihong did not like the sound of that at all. ’His tone makes it clear he doesn’t welcome us here.’

She gritted her teeth. ’If we had sent a letter in advance, he would have found a way to stop this trip from happening, just like before.’

"Xianglan, hurry and give the order to have a meal prepared."

Only then did Mu Xianglan give a graceful bow from afar before turning to leave and instruct the servants.

Zhang Guihong shot a sideways glance at her daughter, who was still tugging at her sleeve. "See? Your father doesn’t take us seriously at all. A mere concubine is running this household. How improper is that?"

"Mother, have you forgotten what I told you? You promised Older Sister you would listen to me on this journey." Cen Yueqin knew she couldn’t persuade her mother alone, so she brought up her sister, who was far from home.