Chapter 28
Zheng Fa pushed open the door and picked up his wide-eyed little sister, who was speaking with great enthusiasm. He chuckled, “Don’t scold her, Mother. Young Master Qi praised her!”
“Exactly!” The little sister, Zheng Shan, lifted her chin proudly, clearly pleased with her own acting skills.
### Chapter 32: You’re Still Young
On the way to the Zhao family estate, the cheerful chatter of Zheng Shan filled the air.
Young Master Qi was still seated in the carriage on the high plateau, but Zheng Fa was with his mother and sister, riding in the ox cart that had always taken him to the Zhao residence.
He held Zheng Shan in his arms while Zheng Mu sat at the back of the cart, keeping an eye on their few belongings.
This was Zheng Shan’s first trip away from home, and she found the monotonous rice fields around them incredibly interesting, constantly asking questions:
“Brother, is the city really that lively?”
“I heard Wang Gui bragging that you can buy anything in the city. Will you take me to explore?”
“What’s our new home like? Will I have my own bed?”
Her questions seemed endless, and Zheng Fa answered her with half-hearted responses.
Though there was a smile on Zheng Mu’s face, Zheng Fa could sense a hint of worry beneath it.
“Mother?” he asked with concern.
“Going to the city… I’m a bit anxious,” Zheng Mu admitted shyly.
The old man driving the cart quickly reassured her, “Madam, your son has made something of himself. You should be looking forward to enjoying life, not worrying!”
Zheng Mu replied, “I know, I know.”
She looked at Zheng Fa with a touch of pride but sighed, “With my son doing so well, I just fear I’ll become a burden when we get there.”
Zheng Shan looked at her mother in confusion, and Zheng Fa wanted to tell her to relax.
Zheng Mu cut him off, “I haven’t been out of the village much, and I don’t have much experience. I’ve only heard that in the city, even a bowl of tea or a grain of rice costs money…”
The old man nodded in agreement, “Who can argue with that? The city is nice, but it’s all about the money!”
“Mother, you don’t need to worry about money. The city is peaceful, and once we’re settled, I plan to send Zheng Shan to school,” Zheng Fa said.
“Peaceful is good.” Hearing the word “peaceful,” the tension on Zheng Mu’s face eased considerably.
Zheng Fa understood her well; he knew that the death of their father had hit her hard. No matter how bad the city might be, it had walls to protect them from monsters, which was enough to reassure her.
“Isn’t sending her to school a bit extravagant for a girl?” Zheng Mu questioned.
“Zheng Shan is smart; it would be a shame for her not to go to school. Besides, didn’t I just say not to worry about money?” Zheng Fa was far more insistent about education than Zheng Mu, having experienced the modern world.
Seeing her son’s determined expression, Zheng Mu nodded in agreement.
Unbeknownst to them, Zheng Fa had already become the backbone of this family.
Zheng Mu held Zheng Shan’s small hand and glanced back at their belongings in the cart.
The largest item was a dismantled loom belonging to Zheng Mu.
“When we get to the city, I’ll go to the tailor shops and see if they have any odd jobs,” she said firmly.
“I don’t need my own bed anymore…” Zheng Shan realized her mother was trying to save up for her school fees, her little face scrunching up in concern. “If we go to the city, I won’t be able to gather pigweed anymore!”
The old man driving the cart laughed heartily, “Madam, with your spirit, your daughter’s filial piety, life is bound to get better!”
Zheng Mu smiled in thanks, her eyes glimmering with a hint of hope.
…
However, once they entered the city, Zheng Mu’s worries deepened.
The more bustling the city became, the more anxious she appeared.
When she saw the prices of rice and flour in the grain store, she looked increasingly restless.
Zheng Fa understood; she was overwhelmed by the cost of living.
The ox cart passed familiar streets and arrived at the back gate of the Zhao estate.
Compared to the first time Huang Yu came here, Zheng Mu and Zheng Shan seemed even more out of place. Even the usually lively Zheng Shan clung tightly to Zheng Fa’s arm, looking a bit frightened.
Gao Yuan was waiting at the back gate. When he saw the ox cart arrive, he said, “Young Master said you don’t need to get off; just go right in.”
Zheng Fa felt a warmth in his heart; normally, the ox cart wouldn’t be allowed into the Zhao estate.
Young Master Qi had clearly thought of this.
The old man driving the cart looked at Zheng Fa with a bit more respect.
The place Madam had arranged for Zheng Fa to stay was on the edge of the Zhao estate, far from the core area, quite secluded.
But… it was a small, independent courtyard!
The moment Zheng Shan saw the courtyard wall, her mouth dropped open in disbelief. “This courtyard, is it all ours?”
Zheng Fa nodded.
Zheng Shan leaned forward, so excited she seemed ready to leap from Zheng Fa’s arms.
As the ox cart approached the courtyard gate, a plump figure stood at the entrance, surrounded by several large bundles and a few male servants carrying them.
“Welcome!”
The man greeted Zheng Fa and the others warmly.
Zheng Fa looked at the somewhat unfamiliar man, and Gao Yuan, a bit shy, spoke up, “Zheng Fa, this is my father.”
Zheng Fa quickly jumped down from the cart and said, “Hello, Uncle Gao!”
Zheng Mu also got down with Zheng Shan, looking at Zheng Fa with a puzzled expression. Zheng Fa quietly explained to her, “Uncle Gao is Gao Yuan’s father, the steward of the second house.”
Zheng Mu’s expression was one of surprise.
In her understanding, a steward was a big deal—much more significant than the manager back in their village.
Zheng Mu bent slightly to show respect, but she saw Steward Gao beat her to it, bowing first. “You must be Madam Zheng. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”
Zheng Mu was taken aback.
When the old man driving the cart had called her “Madam,” she had felt a bit awkward.
Now, even Steward Gao was addressing her that way, and she seemed at a loss for how to respond.
Seeing her speechless, Steward Gao maintained a friendly smile. “My son has benefited from your son’s help. I heard today is a joyous occasion for your family, so I came uninvited with a few humble gifts.”
He gestured to the large boxes behind him.
Zheng Fa spoke up, “Uncle Gao, you’re being too kind. These gifts look anything but humble!”
“They may look like a lot, but they’re just some trivial items!” Steward Gao chuckled heartily. “I thought since you’ve just moved in, you might not have had time to buy furniture or food, so I prepared a few things for you.”
Zheng Fa’s gaze fell on a beautifully carved bed behind Steward Gao, and he fell into thought.
Noticing Zheng Fa’s silence, Steward Gao’s expression turned slightly anxious.
“Uncle, you’re very thoughtful!” Finally, Zheng Fa’s words brought a smile back to his face.
“You’re too polite, my dear nephew!”
“In the future, I’ll make sure to encourage Gao Yuan more,” Zheng Fa said sincerely.
Gao Yuan, standing nearby, exclaimed, “Huh?”
Steward Gao’s polite demeanor faded, revealing genuine surprise. “Great! Make sure to encourage him to the fullest!”
Meanwhile, Zheng Mu heard the old man driving the cart mutter, “These good days come easily.”
She turned to look at her cherished loom, which seemed a bit excessive in size.
…
Settling into the Zhao estate.
Gao Yuan followed Steward Gao as they walked away, a frown on his face.
“What’s wrong? Do you think your father is trying too hard to curry favor?”
Steward Gao could tell what his son was thinking just by looking at his expression.
“Dad, Zheng Fa and I are friends…”
“Do you think you can keep your position as a scholar without knowing how to play the game? How many people in the estate would want to take your place for a little gift?”
“Dad?”
“Remember, the longer you want to maintain a friendship, the less you can take others’ kindness for granted.”
Gao Yuan understood and nodded in agreement.
“Besides, who am I doing this for? Zheng Fa is clearly going to be Young Master Qi’s right-hand man. Being generous now will pay off later.”
“I understand, Dad!”
Gao Yuan felt both guilty and touched; his father was giving gifts to Zheng Fa for his own benefit.
How could he accuse him of trying to curry favor?
“Actually, there’s no need to wait for the future…” Steward Gao said with a sly smile. “I’ve heard that Zheng Fa might have a chance to enter the immortal sect. Just a few days ago, Young Master Qi and his wife had a quarrel over him, and as a result, the lady even rewarded him with a courtyard!”
“Are you saying…”
“I’m saying that even without Young Master Qi’s future support, the lady already has high hopes for Zheng Fa!” At this point, Steward Gao patted Gao Yuan on the shoulder. “You’re still young; you don’t grasp the situation yet.”
“Huh?”
“Let me hold onto this big leg for now.”
### Chapter 33: Brotherhood
“Brother! You mean this room is all mine from now on?”
Zheng Shan asked Zheng Fa, her eyes wide with disbelief, her mouth stretching into a grin that reached her ears.
“What? Are you scared to sleep alone?” Zheng Fa teased.
“Not at all!” the little sister quickly replied.
Table of Contents
