Chapter 205: Waiting for the Chili Harvest

Gu Zhang was silent for a long moment. "You should privately ask Lan Zhi what she thinks. If they’re both willing, then let’s go ahead with it."

Mrs. Chen’s brow furrowed even more. "But that’s not my biggest worry. I’m afraid that if Er Lang marries Lan Zhi, he won’t be able to hold on to such a beautiful wife!"

"Lan Zhi is the Miss of the Marquis Mansion. Even if she marries Er Lang out of desperation, will she be content?"

"A marriage between unequal families is never a good match! If Lan Zhi ever has a change of heart, I don’t think Er Lang would be able to go on living!"

Gu Zhang waved his hand dismissively. "You’re worrying for nothing!"

"Just go and sound Lan Zhi out. If she’s willing, the family will pick a date and hold the wedding for them."

"How they live their lives afterward, whether Er Lang can hold on to his wife—that’s Er Lang’s business. He’s the one who wants this, so he has to bear the consequences. What’s the use of you worrying yourself sick over it!"

Mrs. Chen sighed. "I know I’m worrying unnecessarily, but what mother doesn’t want to consider everything for her children?"

"I just want my son to have a good life."

"I’ll think about it some more. We can talk about this again after the chili peppers are harvested and the family has more silver to spare. We don’t have the silver to arrange it now anyway."

Gu Zhang nodded. "Alright, then. We’ll wait until after the chili harvest. It’s only a few months away, in any case."

Just then, Gu Qing knocked on the door from outside. "Dad, Liu Zhuangtou has brought someone over. He says he’s looking for you."

"Coming, coming." Gu Zhang opened the door and came out. He walked to the front courtyard and led Liu Zhuangtou and the middle-aged man he had brought with him to sit in the main hall.

Gu Qing sent Lian’er to brew a few cups of tea and serve them.

After they were all seated, Liu Zhuangtou finally made the introduction. "This is Manager Liu from the Drunken Immortal Tower in the city. He sought me out specifically to ask me to introduce him to Mr. Gu."

Gu Zhang quickly cupped his fists in a salute. "It’s an honor. So you’re the manager of the Drunken Immortal Tower. I’ve long heard that the Drunken Immortal Tower is one of the top restaurants in the city."

Manager Liu also cupped his fists. "You flatter me. I’m just trying to make a living."

"I came to find Mr. Gu today because I have a business matter to discuss with you."

Gu Zhang gestured with his hand. "Manager Liu, please speak."

Manager Liu smiled. "Recently, the First-class Pavilion in the city has launched several spicy dishes. I was fortunate enough to try them once. The flavor is unique. These chili peppers are a strange thing—some people can’t take a single bite, but others eat them and just want more."

"Lately, the First-class Pavilion has been relying on just two spicy dishes a day to keep their customers hooked. Business is booming."

"I won’t beat around the bush; I’ll be frank. It took me a great deal of effort to find out that the First-class Pavilion buys its chili peppers from you. Word is, your family is the only one in the entire Da Ying Dynasty that has them. I’ve come today to ask if I, too, could buy some chili peppers from you, Mr. Gu."

When Gu Zhang heard he was the manager of the Drunken Immortal Tower, he had already guessed his purpose for coming. He smiled. "Manager Liu, I’m afraid I can’t agree to that."

Manager Liu’s brows knitted together. Then he heard Gu Zhang continue, "It’s not that I don’t want the business, it’s just that I’m completely out of dried chili peppers. I sold the last of them to the First-class Pavilion."

"If you want some, Manager Liu, you’ll have to wait until mid-April when the fresh chili peppers are harvested."

Manager Liu’s eyes lit up. "So you’re saying there are both fresh and dried chili peppers? And the fresh ones can be used as a spice as well?"

Gu Zhang nodded. "Of course. There are many more things you can do with fresh chili peppers. My daughter figured all this out herself."

Manager Liu’s eyes darted around rapidly. ’Mid-April... that’s not too far off.’

"Then, could I place an order with you in advance?"

Gu Zhang smiled. "There’s no need to rush, Manager Liu. My family has planted quite a lot. Once the peppers are harvested, you can come see them for yourself. It won’t be too late to do business then."

"Getting fresh or dried chili peppers will be easy."