Chapter 240: Housekeeper Wu

Opening the door early, Gu Fei left Lan Zhi to mind the counter and headed toward the Prince Qi Mansion.

’This matter can’t be delayed,’ she thought. ’Once Er Laizi meets Housekeeper Wu, the housekeeper will realize he’s useless. Who knows what new trouble he’ll cook up then.’

Everyone in Ping’an City knew of the Prince Qi Mansion.

The Prince Qi Mansion occupied an entire street, with the back street mostly housing its servants.

Gu Fei went to the back street, found an old man sweeping, and after a brief inquiry, learned the location of Housekeeper Wu’s residence.

Housekeeper Wu lived in a residence with three courtyards. Its two large, black-lacquered gates were shut tight.

A short distance past the main gates, a small side door was open.

Gu Fei approached, curtsied to the yawning gatekeeper, and offered a piece of broken silver. "Greetings," she said with a smile. "I have some business with Housekeeper Wu. I was hoping you could announce me."

The servant deftly tucked the silver into his sleeve. "First, tell me who you’re with. Plenty of people want to see the housekeeper all day long."

"I’m the tenant renting Old Huang’s shop on Furong Street. If you tell him that, Housekeeper Wu will understand."

The servant was puzzled. ’Since when does Housekeeper Wu associate with a mere tenant?’ The visitors here were usually officials or wealthy merchants.

Still, judging by the look on her face, she seemed certain he would see her.

The servant nodded. He’d taken the silver, so it was no trouble to pass on the message. "Wait here. I’ll go inform him."

The servant returned after about the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea and waved dismissively at Gu Fei. "Go on, shoo. The housekeeper said he won’t see you."

Gu Fei frowned. "Did you tell him exactly what I said?"

The servant scoffed. "Of course I did. ’The tenant from Old Huang’s place on Furong Street.’ And the master said, he won’t see you!"

Gu Fei nodded. "Thank you, then." She gave a curtsy and turned to leave.

Once out of the servant’s line of sight, Gu Fei stopped. ’I have to see Housekeeper Wu today, no matter what. He has to go to the Prince Mansion for his duties eventually. I’ll just wait here. There’s no way I’ll miss him!’

She didn’t have to wait long before she saw several people emerge from the gate in the distance.

A middle-aged man led the group. He was slender and wore a dark-blue brocade robe with a cloud pattern. His gaze was sharp.

The instant Gu Fei looked his way, the man’s sharp gaze swept over to meet hers.

Gu Fei walked straight toward him with confidence and gave a curtsy. "Housekeeper Wu?"

Seeing she was a pretty young woman, Housekeeper Wu paused. "You are—"

"I’m the tenant of Old Huang’s shop on Furong Street," Gu Fei said, offering a friendly smile.

Housekeeper Wu’s expression changed instantly. He stared at Gu Fei, his eyes turning dark. "So it was you asking for me earlier? Who gave you the nerve to track me down here?"

Gu Fei lowered her head, her expression humble. "Housekeeper Wu, I had no other choice but to come find you. I’m begging you to give my little shop a chance to survive."

"I fled a famine to get to Ping’an City. I managed to open a small inn, and I’m just trying to make a living. I beg you, Housekeeper Wu, please have mercy and leave my shop alone."

Housekeeper Wu sneered. "Who told you to be foolish enough to rent that storefront? Since you’re here, you’ve saved me some trouble. I’ll give you half a day. Get your rent money back, shut down, and get out."

"Or else..." He shot Gu Fei a look one might give a dead dog, then turned and walked away.

"Housekeeper Wu—" Gu Fei cried out, trying to follow, but she had only taken two steps when a servant behind him blocked her path. "Get lost! Our Chief Steward has countless matters to attend to every day and a long line of people waiting to see him. What makes you think he has time to waste on a little wench like you!" As he spoke, the servant shoved her hard. Caught off guard, Gu Fei fell to the ground, her palm scraping against the rough surface, a sharp, stinging pain flaring up.