Traveling through troubled times to escape famine and cultivate crops as a grain merchant

Chapter 646 Meeting with the Zhao Family

Zhou Guo raised his eyebrows, "Didn't they say that their family has only one son for three generations? They don't take concubines for three generations? Didn't they give him a concubine?"

Wu Jiang shook his head. "No, I found their doorman and invited him to have a drink and a meal. After a few drinks, he told me everything I wanted to know. I was worried and gave him some money to find a handyman outside the courtyard. He said the same thing. It's true that they don't even have a concubine. It's such a big manor, with only a few masters, there aren't many messy people."

Zhou Guo washed his hands and asked, "Is there any news from Hu Zi?"

Wu Jiang said, "Yes, but there is no good news. Two families have concubines. One of them has a child, but the other has a bad mother-in-law. The eldest son's wife is the daughter of a grocery store owner, but the mother-in-law still despises her. She is just a poor scholar's family, and she has servants but doesn't use them. She tortures her daughter-in-law in the middle of winter, making her squat by the well to wash clothes, and not allowing her to use hot water. She often gets sick, and makes her daughter-in-law serve her day and night. The eldest daughter-in-law has only been married for three years, but now she has no energy and spirit, as if she had been married for thirty years."

He shook his head and smacked his lips. "This is not good. A princess would have to suffer a lot if she married into this family. I don't know how the owner of the grocery store married his daughter into this family. Didn't he find out more about it before marrying her in? That's fine. Seeing his own daughter living that kind of life, shouldn't he have gone to her house to support her? If it doesn't work, take her back and let them divorce."

Seeing his indignation, Zhou Guo said, "Not everyone in this world loves their children unconditionally. Are there any families that don't? I remember there was a food store. How is the grandson of that family?"

Wu Jiang said, "There's nothing wrong with this family. They're pretty decent, except that the grandson looks... a little ugly. He's shorter than you, three times as strong as you, with a big face, and his eyes are almost invisible. He trembles when he walks."

Zhou Guo sighed, wondering why there weren't any normal families in the county. "Then let's go take a look at the Zhao landlord's family first. Let's find a chance to meet with Zhao landlord and test his background."

Wu Jiang was stunned. "Master, are you meeting with old landlord Zhao?"

Zhou Guo asked: "What?"

Wu Jiang said, "I just think that if, I mean if, in the future, the two families become one, then Old Landlord Zhao will be your elder, right? Isn't that a bit bad?"

Zhou Guo smiled and said, "He is not an elder yet. There is nothing to be determined. His family will become my elders only after I have seen them. How can I know if they are suitable if I don't find out? Besides, can't you invite them on the pretext of discussing business?"

Wu Jiang perked up, "Yes, then I'll arrange it?"

Zhou Guo nodded and left happily.

Looking at his slightly cheerful back, she smiled.

Just when Li and others were still looking forward to the two of them meeting as soon as possible, Zhou Guo met Mr. Zhao first.

In a private room on the second floor of the largest restaurant in the county, Zhou Guo, dressed in a moon-white gown and a jade hairpin on his head, was eating melon seeds and looking out the window at the street.

The tea on the table had already gone cold. She had been sitting here for more than an hour, and the agreed time had long passed.

Wu Jiang said dissatisfiedly: "Master, he won't come at this time, right?"

Zhou Guo took a sip of the tea. He had eaten too many melon seeds, so his mouth was a little dry. Hearing this, he said, "It doesn't matter. I'll wait for him. He is so much older than me that he can be my grandfather. It's only right for us to give in to him in these matters."

After that, he started to eat melon seeds again, and did not forget to greet him, "Eat quickly, why not eat melon seeds when no one is here? Eat these snacks too, their food is pretty good."

After they had finished a plate of melon seeds, drank a pot of tea, and ate two plates of snacks, they asked someone to bring another portion before they finally arrived.

Wu Jiang tilted his head, stood up quickly, and said, "Master, look, the Zhao family's carriage is coming."

Zhou Guo looked over, then sat up straight, straightened his clothes, and wiped his mouth. "Take a quick look, is there anything wrong with me?"

Wu Jiang quickly glanced up and down, "No, the master is very good-looking."

Soon, footsteps were heard outside the private room.

Then there was a knock on the door.

Zhou Guo stood up and said loudly, "Come in."

Then the door opened and a vigorous man in his fifties walked in. He had a dark beard and was wearing silk and jade.

Zhou Guo smiled and said, "It's true that hearing about you is worse than meeting you in person. Old man, I have heard of your great name for a long time. I am so lucky that you are willing to take the time out to honor a junior like me today. Come, please take a seat."

Old Master Zhao looked at her with a smile and sat down as he was told. Wu Jiang was very tactful and poured her a cup of steaming hot tea without waiting for the other servants to take action.

Zhou Guo picked up the teacup and said, "Grandpa, please try it. To be honest, I have never been to this restaurant before. The tea here is just average. Let's try the food in this restaurant later and see how it goes."

Mr. Zhao smiled and said, "Should I call you Mr. Zhou or Ms. Zhou Er?"

Zhou Guo smiled and said, "Outside everyone calls me Master Zhou, and at home everyone calls me Guo Guo."

Mr. Zhao paused and said with a smile: "No wonder you can expand your business so much, there is a reason for that."

There was more sincerity in his smile, and he got straight to the point: "I think you also know that our two children are seeing each other. You called me out at this time. What's the old saying? It's not about how much you drink that makes you drunk?"

Zhou Guo almost laughed out loud, "The drunkard's real intention is not to drink."

Old Master Zhao waved his hand and said, "Yes, yes, that's what I meant. Girl, why did you ask me out? Do you really want to do business with me? If not, just ask me if you have anything to ask. I promise I won't tell lies."

After saying this, he drank the tea in the cup in one gulp. Without waiting for the servant behind him to make a move, he poured himself a full cup. He was as rough as a country boy, and the demeanor he had when he first entered the door was gone.

Zhou Guo twitched her lips. This seemed very different from the old man Zhao she had imagined. She couldn't help but glance at the servant behind him. The servant was already numb, and when he saw Zhou Guo looking at him, he nodded at her.

She looked at Mr. Zhao again, only to see him finish his tea and eat two snacks. He said to her while eating, "I told you I came early, but I ended up waiting at the city gate for more than an hour. I'm so hungry that my mouth is watering. And I didn't bring anything to eat in order to have dinner with you. Aren't you going to treat me to a meal? When is it?"

Well, as soon as she glanced, she put all the cakes on the plate into his arms.

She couldn't help but look at Wu Jiang. They stared at each other, both wondering, could this be the old man that the Zhao family found from some countryside? Is he also a landlord?