Page 1134

The two were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, now stuck without a way to drill their way out, calling out but finding no trace of Xiao Linshuang.

After murmuring to each other for a while, they finally braved themselves to go to Lady Liu, naturally not daring to say they were out looking for Xiao Linshuang, they made the excuse of needing to pass a message to Doctor Wang on behalf of the young lady.

Since it involved delivering a message for someone else, it would have been too obvious if both of them went out together, and besides, someone needed to stay at home to take care of Xiao Linshuang, didn’t they?

After discussing for a long time, in the end, it was the more quick-witted Lian Qiao who stepped up to the task.

Lady Liu knew that breaking one’s word was not acceptable, so she readily allowed Lian Qiao to leave the house.

As soon as she stepped out of the main door, Lian Qiao hurriedly directed the carriage to take the usual route towards the southern part of the city, her eyes tightly scanning the people on both sides of the street, but despite the entire journey, not once did she catch a glimpse of Xiao Linshuang.

Although Xiao Linshuang had left before them and was on foot, Lian Qiao was in a carriage, and they should have crossed paths on the road.

Besides, even though she was unfamiliar with the roads in the Capital City, the route to the Hall of Salvation was straight and had few turns.

Xiao Linshuang was already seven years old and very clever, so the chances of her getting lost were slim.

With the Hall of Salvation right ahead, Lian Qiao’s face turned pale, and in the bone-chilling cold of winter, her back was surprisingly damp.

"Heavenly blessings, heavenly blessings, please let Miss be at the Hall of Salvation, please let her be there!"

Lian Qiao silently bowed in prayer to the Immortals and made her way toward her last hope, but as soon as she approached the entrance of the Hall of Salvation and heard the conversation inside, her entire body stiffened.

Lady Wang was leaning on the door, looking outside worriedly, she shook her head and muttered, "Why is it so late today, and Linlin hasn’t come yet? Could she be tired from brewing the medicine yesterday? That doesn’t seem right, could something have happened to her?"

Lin Yuan was still not very familiar with the Capital City, but fortunately, she had Xia Zheng, who knew the Capital City like the back of his hand.

However, today, no matter how much Lin Yuan inquired, he refused to disclose where he was taking her to buy wine.

It wasn’t until the carriage stopped by the roadside and Lin Yuan lifted the carriage curtain to see the sign above the storefront that she finally understood the mysterious smile on Xia Zheng’s face earlier.

"An Family Winehouse?" Lin Yuan turned back in surprise, "Has the An Family actually opened a shop in the Capital City?"

Thinking it over a moment, she then felt relieved.

Last year, the An Family had taken part in the annual Imperial Merchant competition in the Capital City, and although they didn’t win the top prize, the An Family’s fine wine left a deep impression, at least opening up their market in the Capital City.

It was no surprise that they had opened up a shop there.

Xia Zheng helped Lin Yuan down from the carriage, chuckling, "An Family Winehouse has a history of over a hundred years in Yecheng. Although it hasn’t made a large mark in the Capital City, they still have their shop.

Furthermore, with the spotlight on An Family’s new wine at last year’s Imperial Merchant competition, the An Family gradually expanded their winehouse. "

In reality, compared to Yecheng, there were very few people in the Capital City who liked strong spirits; they mostly favored sweet, soft, and mellow wines, which is why the An Family had not been very conspicuous in the Capital City before.

But ever since An Yixiang took over An’s House, she harbored the ambition to bring glory to An Family Winehouse. After establishing a firm foothold in Yecheng, she began working on producing wine with lower alcohol content. Unexpectedly, it became popular in the Capital city this year.

"Let’s go in and take a look. We might run into someone we know," Xia Zheng said as he took Lin Yuan’s hand and led her inside.

An Family Winehouse’s shop was clearly expanded from a smaller one.

Although wine shelves were used as decorations, one could easily notice the traces of knocked-through walls on both sides.

Despite combining three shops, the main hall still seemed crowded with shop assistants and customers walking back and forth, the air filled with a faint aroma of wine and the bustling sounds of assistants pitching and customers either praising or haggling.

Yet, the most eye-catching thing in the shop was undoubtedly the young man in the center. He exuded a calm demeanor, his smile genuine and not the least bit perfunctory, even toward customers he had never met before.

Seeing An Jie’s familiar smile made Lin Yuan feel very warm inside. In just a few months since their last encounter, he looked nothing like the under-the-weather young man he was then. Now, he had a rosy complexion, a clear gaze, and moved effortlessly among the diverse clientele.

Indeed, like mother, like son—as An Jie inherited An Yixiang’s shrewdness in doing business.

Seeing An Jie was busy, Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng didn’t interrupt. As they were about to find a place to sit down, An Jie, with a keen eye, had already spotted them and came over warmly.

"Miss Lin, Young Master Xia!"

Upon meeting his life-saving benefactors, An Jie’s eyes sparkled even brighter, and his expression was jubilant, "It’s really unexpected to meet you in the Capital city.

Over the New Year, my wife mentioned you more than once, and it’s been so long since we’ve seen you in Yecheng.

We were planning to visit Zhuma Town after the rush, but I never thought I’d run into you here, which is wonderful! "

Perhaps influenced by his emotions, Lin Yuan felt a bit excited and said with a smile, "To be honest, we’ve only just arrived in the Capital city a few days ago. If it weren’t for the thought of buying some wine, we wouldn’t have known that An’s House has opened a wine shop here."

"This winehouse has been around for quite some time, but it never really took off until last year when it slowly gained popularity thanks to the Imperial Merchant competition."

Hearing that Lin Yuan was looking to buy wine made An Jie less hurried.

He led the two through the hall to the back courtyard, "Don’t rush to buy wine just yet.

Since you’re here, you must not leave— you have to stay for a simple meal.

My wife is in the backyard, and we’re strangers in the Capital city without many friends.

It’s great to see you, she will definitely be delighted. "

As they were speaking, they saw Luomeiyan coming out of the house, having heard the noise. Lin Yuan smiled happily, "Madam An, long time no see."

Luomeiyan had been listlessly embroidering in the house, feeling as if the voices outside were familiar. Initially thinking she had misheard, but when she came out, she indeed saw Lin Yuan.

"Miss... Miss Lin?" Luomeiyan’s eyes widened in disbelief, "Is it really you? Am I dreaming?"

It was hard to believe for her, not having met in such a small place as Yecheng but bumping into each other in the vast Capital city.

In truth, the relationship between Luomeiyan and Lin Yuan wasn’t particularly close.

However, it was Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng who secured Luomeiyan and An Jie’s marriage, even saving Luomeiyan’s life.

If it hadn’t been for their magnanimity, Luomeiyan’s poisoning incident would have been impossible to conceal.

"Wife, won’t you invite our guests inside to sit? It’s cold out here; we wouldn’t want them to catch a chill," An Jie said with a smile as he ushered Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng into the house.