Chang Yan once said that the Fengjing noble families had extraordinary means.
Searching the entire city overnight had already shocked the siblings. Over the past two or three months they were still investigating and knew the exact number of people in each household accurately, which made people fully appreciate the capabilities of the noble families.
But the most ruthless thing was what was happening now. Behind the two cold-faced servants, there were suddenly several painters that could be vaguely seen. It was clear they intended to paint portraits of the two missing people, then take them for the Zhu servants to identify.
Jiang Sheng, who had rushed to open the door, broke out in a cold sweat behind her back.
Although Gao Yan's stern features were nondescript and would not stand out in a crowd at all.
But drawn on paper it was different. With repeated and meticulous examination, some clues would always be found.
The more Jiang Sheng thought about it, the more afraid she became. Her plump body trembled in response, and her upper and lower teeth chattered.
Fortunately she was young. The servants thought she was just a frightened child and did not suspect anything. With a cold face he asked, "Are they back or not? If they're back let them come out."
"What should I do, what should I do, what should I do?"
"Save me, save me, save me."
But with the two shops about to open, even the most idle Fifth Brother was wholeheartedly helping out and gone. The only one left in the small courtyard was the sleeping Jiang Sheng.
Usually protected behind her brothers, now suddenly facing an inspection alone, it was impossible for her not to feel panic, especially since Gao Yan and Jiang San were in the back yard collecting goods and about to come out to meet these people face to face. Her palms were continuously dripping sweat.
But Eldest Brother had said that panic was useless when facing things.
Keeping calm could find the quickest solution.
Ah, right, stay calm.
The little girl's ears twitched as she faintly heard the footsteps of Jiang San, Jiang Si and Gao Yan. She had a flash of inspiration and shouted towards the back yard, "Little Bamboo Sis, go get Jiang San and Gao Yan to come out. There's a lot of brothers at the door looking for them."
The footsteps stopped.
They must be alert now, but this was not enough. Gao Yan had to change his appearance.
Jiang Sheng shouted again at the top of her lungs, "They're all honored guests, you must tidy up and not be slovenly."
With such obvious hints, they should understand.
In Jiang Sheng's imagination, it would be best if Gao Yan changed into Second Brother's gaudy clothes and made his face up prettier, losing the servant's air and becoming infinitely close to a young master's appearance.
When they came out, Jiang San and Jiang Si looked normal of course. But when it was Gao Yan's turn, Jiang Sheng's jaw almost dislocated.
Originally Gao Yan had a light and plain appearance, with no outstanding features. Together they made him hard to remember.
But now, he had a large mole on his eyebrow, three or four moles at the corner of his mouth, and many small spots even on his chin.
At first glance, it looked like a face growing on top of moles.
Although his features were still light and plain, the appearance of the moles made him go from easily forgotten to unforgettable.
The Zhu servant was also surprised for a moment, but their main tasks were to check, record, and draw portraits, not caring whether people were beautiful or ugly. After the painter finished the sketch, they politely took their leave.
Leaving Jiang Sheng circling around Gao Yan, as if looking at some rare object.
"Miss... Miss... Miss..." Gao Yan stuttered. "Don't look, don't look at me, have to thank, thank Little Bamboo Miss."
It turned out that Wang Xiaozhu had been in the back yard picking medicinal herbs when she heard the commotion, and had rushed out specially to help.
Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives.
Wang Xiaozhu walked out carrying a basket of dry medicinal plants. Receiving everyone's gazes, she softly explained, "It was just lending a hand... I have to hurry and deliver these medicinal materials to the clinic now."
But she was still a young lady after all, and carrying so much was quite strenuous for her.
Jiang San was about to help next to her, but was firmly pulled back by Jiang Si.
Leaving Gao Yan to rush behind her and support the weight of the medicine basket.
"Little Bamboo, Miss... you help me, I help you," he explained with difficulty, his face faintly flushed with embarrassment.
Wang Xiaozhu did not refuse. The two carried the medicine basket together to the carriage, bringing some other things as well, and headed to the new shop.
Jiang San and Jiang Si also quickly cleaned up, but did not immediately leave either. Instead they started practicing martial arts in the yard.
Jiang Sheng knew this was because the brothers were worried about her and had deliberately stayed to protect and accompany her.
But this was hampering manpower.
She flapped her still damp back, climbed onto the shaft with hands and feet, "Jiang San Brother, Jiang Si Brother, let's go see the new shop too."
The new shop was located at Tian Street Corner. To say it took up half the street was a bit exaggerated, but the scale of the four adjoining shops was quite large. Especially the bustle of setting up together had attracted the curiosity of passersby, wondering what such a big shop was going to sell.
To add to the mystery, both finished shop signs were covered with red cloth without revealing anything.
Zheng Ruqian was wearing the luxurious brocade robe he had spent a fortune on. Even in the November cold he still waved a fan, taking "gaudy" to the extreme.
If White Shopkeeper and Hao Shopkeeper saw him now, who could recognize this was the timid little lad who had come to sell goods before.
"Second Brother, do you really have to dress like this?" Wen Zhiyun couldn't help asking.
Compared to Zheng Ruqian's brocade robe, the brothers still wore the thin cotton clothes bought by their sister and the lined cloth shoes personally sewn by Auntie Zhang.
"You don't understand." He waved his hands again and again. "I'm the shop's facade now, the signboard. Only if I dress well will others feel reassured to come buy things."
The reasoning made sense, but seeing his Second Brother preening like a peacock at the door was still somewhat unbearable to watch.
Wen Zhiyun helplessly looked away, continuing to practice acupuncture points on the wooden mannequin.
Chang Yan checked the stability of each piece of wooden furniture.
Soon they heard the sounds of a carriage stopping. Everyone looked up to see Wang Xiaozhu carrying the medicine basket, and the mole-faced Gao Yan.
Zheng Ruqian was most shocked, blurting out, "Gao Yan, did a bird peck your face?"
Even if he had really been pecked, it should be pitted and uneven, not protruding moles.
Gao Yan wanted to explain but couldn't get the words out clearly because of his stutter.
Fortunately Little Bamboo was there to explain the cause and effect.
The two carried in the medicine basket to the clinic next door, leaving only a puzzled Zheng Ruqian rubbing the back of his head, "What did you use to rub out those moles?"
Well, probably only the person involved would know.
Not long after, Jiang Sheng arrived too.
Having just woken up from her nap, the recent shock still had the little girl feeling a bit listless. But the moment she saw Second Brother, she perked back up.
"Hahaha, Little Jiang Sheng." Zheng Ruqian pranced up to her baring his teeth, "How is it, does Second Brother look good?"
Jiang Sheng forced herself to nod slightly, a little sad inside hoping Heaven would not punish her for lying.
"As long as it looks good, it was worth me spending fifty taels on this outfit." Zheng Ruqian let slip by accident.
Jiang Sheng, who had just been sad, instantly widened her eyes.
Fifty taels!
That was a full fifty taels!
"Second Brother!" The milk voice started howling again, "You actually spent fifty taels on clothes. Do you know, all the brothers' clothes together don't even cost five taels of silver..."
The new shop was being set up in a flurry of activity.
Outside the shop, brother and sister chased each other.
So much that not far away, Jiang Chengyuan halted for a long time before still frowning in confusion.
