Imperial Support; Royal Decree

Gu Lan raised an eyebrow as he looked over, noticing a slightly stooped old man with a few official attendants entering the grain store. When the old man sensed Gu Lan's gaze, the wrinkles on his face formed a smile, and he approached with hurried steps.

"Lord Dou?" Gu Lan smiled faintly. "Why are you here instead of at the yamen?"

Langzhou City was large, with the yamen located in the west and Gu Residence in the east. Casual strolls from one place to another were practically impossible.

Dou Fu cupped his hands and truthfully replied, "Master Gu's Grain Store is opening, how can I, as an official, not come and support? I heard the news and came over immediately."

In fact, Dou Fu had assigned a small yamen officer to watch over the east of the city since the day Gu Lan registered.

Though they couldn't enter the Gu family home, gathering information about Gu's Grain Store was still feasible. After explaining this, Dou Fu turned to the annoying women nearby and coldly said, "Do you ladies recognize me?"

"You are Lord Dou..."

Realizing that the old man in front of them was Langzhou's Prefect, the women fell silent instantly. They had never expected that the owner of a small grain store would know the prefectural governor, causing him to enthusiastically come and show support.

"As long as you recognize me," Dou Fu continued sternly, "you are disturbing Master Gu and obstructing the business of the grain store by blocking the entrance. This is a crime of disturbing public order. I will..."

Dou Fu's scolding continued, spitting out saliva.

"Never mind, Lord Dou." Gu Lan glanced at the scolding for a while, fearing that this old man might drag these women back to yamen for his sake later. Despite the women's unruly behavior, their offenses did not warrant such severe consequences.

"Since you ladies are not buying grain, please leave."

With these words, the women became unsure of what to do, looking timidly at Dou Fu.

Dou Fu glared, "What are you waiting for? Master Gu has said that you can leave. Why aren't you going?"

"Thank you, Lord, for your mercy. Thank you, Master Gu, for your forgiveness!"

The women finally understood the situation. Although they felt uneasy, they nodded repeatedly and hurriedly left. They feared that saying anything more would lead to accusations at the yamen.

After today, news of the connection between Gu's Grain Store and the yamen would surely spread in the city. There would be fewer troublemakers, and with the official support from Langzhou Prefect, more people would buy grain.

Gu Lan felt relieved, observing the flattering old man. He found the sight more pleasing now.

With the matter resolved, Dou Fu turned around and, after a moment of contemplation, began to state his purpose, "Master Gu, the reason I came today is also for these grains..."

The Imperial Announcements Bureau had just delivered an order that morning, assigning him full responsibility for the sale of grains at Gu's Grain Store. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to come promptly to show his support.

Regardless of the official rank, everyone feared the Imperial Announcements Bureau!

"You should go and talk to Old Yang; he’s the one in charge." Gu Lan pointed in the direction of the crowd in the store, assuming Dou Fu wanted to buy seeds. "But each person can only buy two taels at most; you're not an exception."

Dou Fu was taken aback for a moment and quickly smiled, "No, no, Master, you misunderstood. I don't want to buy grain. I want to help transport the grains from your manor..."

"Isn't that the job of a escort agency?" Gu Lan asked in confusion.

To expand their business, grain stores would usually spend money to hire escort agencies to transport seeds to other states and counties. This was a well-known rule.

"Yes, but Master, but there’s no need to trouble yourself to contact the escort agency. Langzhou yamen will help you transport them," Dou Fu nodded, raising his eyebrows in a somewhat amusing manner.

"You'll help me transport the grain for free... Is that your purpose in coming today?" Gu Lan's gaze was sharp as he asked slowly.

After receiving Dou Fu's affirmative answer, Gu Lan became increasingly aware that there must be officials in the court assisting him. Otherwise, with Dou Fu being a sixth-rank mediocre official, he wouldn't voluntarily contribute money.

And he hadn’t forgotten about the last time at the examination center...

Fortunately, this person has been helping me all along, not an enemy from the capital... Gu Lan sighed in relief, choosing not to inquire further.

Although he felt quite uncomfortable being noticed and taken extra care of, as long as they were not enemies, Gu Lan saw no need to risk investigating who it was.

After all, high-ranking officials were just ordinary people; they wouldn't threaten him. Only desperate people would...

"Understood, you can go back. Three days from now, I will have Old Yang pack the grains and deliver them to the yamen," Gu Lan said softly.

"No need to trouble your people." Dou Fu gestured to the yamen officer beside him. "When the time comes, Master Gu can send a letter, and we will personally pick them up from your residence."

"Okay." Gu Lan agreed.

After serving tea to the guest, Dou Fu walked towards the door but turned around as if he remembered something. In a low voice, he said, "By the way, Master Gu, there's one more thing I'd like to remind you. Since this grain store is a business, there will be competitors, especially with your excellent grain varieties. There might be some other merchants with ill intentions out of jealousy..."

Competitors in the same trade might sabotage each other in secret. Gu Lan, however, responded calmly, directly shifting the responsibility of handling such matters to the old man. "Then I’ll trouble you for this, Lord. In a small place like Langzhou, are there really merchants who won't listen to you?"

"You never know..."

Dou Fu smiled wryly. "Some merchants are hard to deal with... Anyway, Master Gu, be careful on your own. If you encounter trouble, come to the yamen and find me. I will try my best to help you resolve it."

"Alright." Gu Lan nodded in agreement, smiling brightly.

...

In the twilight, the three of them rode in a carriage back to the residence.

Although Old Yang and Liu Yexi had been busy all day and were tired, they were quite happy as they tallied the accounts.

The profits were not substantial, only equivalent to a month's revenue from the teahouse. However, knowing that these grains would save many suffering lives made the exhaustion worthwhile.

After getting off the carriage, Liu Yexi glanced at the lights in the residence and, noticing Gu Lan doing the same, teased, "Old Yang and I will go cook. Master has been out all day; I'm sure he's eager to see Madam!"

In the absence of the female Emperor, Liu Yexi didn't need to adhere to the formalities of court etiquette, and her youthful nature became much more lively.

Old Yang vigorously nodded in agreement.

Gu Lan laughed freely and admitted, "You both truly understand me. As the ancients said, 'When there is a beauty, one cannot forget her. A day without seeing her feels like madness... Longing for Madam is simply a common human sentiment.'"

Gu Lan walked briskly towards the study.

Outside the window, the shadow of the beauty was cast through the candlelight, graceful and enchanting.

Wow. Our young master is really capable of saying such sentimental words. No wonder he and Madam are inseparable every day...

Behind him, Liu Yexi and Old Yang stood still, looking up and shivering with goosebumps.

...

Gu Lan entered the study.

Mu Yuyan was holding a book, completely absorbed.

Her jade-like arm supported her fragrant cheek, and her phoenix eyes flickered like stars. Occasionally, her slender jade fingers turned a page, creating a serene and beautiful scene.

Approaching quietly, Gu Lan discovered that she wasn't reading her usual romantic novels but his recently written agricultural classic, Important Methods to Condition the People's Living.

"My lady, are you interested in this kind of books?"