Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Zhou Rongxian walked to the door and said arrogantly to the doorman, âGo and tell your master that his father is here. Tell him to come out and welcome his father. â
The doorman was stunned for a moment when he heard that. He thought to himself, Iâve been in the Zhou family for a while, but I didnât hear that Master has a father! He doesnât look like heâs talking nonsense. I should go in and ask first!
The doorman smiled and said, âMaster, wait a moment. Iâll go in and report.â
Zhou Rongxian looked at the door arrogantly and waved his hand. âGo! Let him come out quickly to welcome his father.â
The doorman ran in and told Ji Xiang about someone claiming to be Old
Master. Ji Xiang said to him, âBring him in first. Iâll report to Madam.â
After the doorman agreed, he went out. Ji Xiang went to the backyard and told Li Yu about Old Master Zhouâs visit.
Li Yu was not surprised that Zhou Rongxian came looking for them, but he came earlier than she had expected. She thought for a moment and said, âBring him in and settle him in the outer courtyard for the time being. See if anyone is poking their heads out?â
âYes, Madam.â Ji Xiang went out and saw that it was indeed Master Zhou. He went forward and bowed. âOld Master, Master is not at home. Follow me in and rest for a while until Master comes back.â
Zhou Rongxian looked at Ji Xiang for a while and pointed at him. âAre you the youngest beggar I picked up back then?â
Ji Xiang smiled and nodded. âYes, Old Master. Iâm the youngest little beggar.â
Zhou Rongxian nodded in satisfaction. âYes! Youâre a good person. Go get some
good wine and dishes. I havenât eaten good food and wine in a long time.â âYes, please wait a moment. Iâll get the stove to make it for you.â
Zhou Rongxian leaned back in his chair and instructed Ji Xiang, âAlright, remember to cook the food well.â
Ji Xiang smiled and nodded in agreement. He called Uncle Liu over and said to him, âUncle Liu, go outside and take a look. See if there are any shady people wandering outside. â
âI understand.â Uncle Liu nodded and turned to go out the side door to walk around outside. He saw a few idlers wandering around and went back to tell Ji Xiang.
Ji Xiang nodded and turned to see Old Master Zhou wolfing down his food. How long had it been since he had eaten his fill?
Ji Xiang was a little surprised. He walked to the table and filled Zhou Rongxianâs cup with wine. He smiled and asked, âOld Master, my master has only returned to the capital for a few days, but you already know. Youâre really well-informed.â
Zhou Rong took a sip of wine and glanced at Ji Xiang. âKid, youâre coaxing me! That person said that your master arrived last month. Itâs already mid-April, but he didnât go to pay his respects to his father. Does he not want to be filial to his father?â
Ji Xiang criticized silently, âDo you know that youâre his father? Have you ever looked after my master all these years? Now that youâve lost the family business, youâre remembering that you still have a son. Unfortunately, heâs been long been adopted by someone else.â
However, Ji Xiang still bowed without changing his expression. âHow can that be? Although my Master has already adopted into Third Old Masterâs family, youâre also his uncle. My master is the most filial. He wonât ignore you.â
Zhou Rong glanced at Ji Xiang and sneered. âKid, you donât have to remind me. I know that he was adopted by the old lady into Third Uncleâs family. Donât treat me as a muddle-headed worm. I was born into a family after all. Iâm not afraid to tell you that that person came running to tell me the news of this bratâs return. I know what he wants to do. I also understand the principle of not siding with outsiders.â
Ji Xiang muttered under his breath, âYouâve never done anything good to my Young Master in the past. Who knows whom you will side with?â
Ji Xiang served him dishes respectfully. âOf course, youâre also the successor carefully nurtured by the late patriarch!â
Zhou Rong took a sip of wine and looked at Ji Xiang proudly. âTell that brat that as long as he can be filial to me and support me in my old age, I wonât cause trouble for him. Iâll even help him block those two unfilial dogs. Look, I didnât look for him when the old lady passed away! I still understand the principle of leaving a way out so that we can meet in the future.â
âThe old lady passed away? When did that happen?â Ji Xiang looked at Old Master Zhou in surprise.
Old Master Zhou said indifferently, âAfter you left the capital, Old Madam left in half a month. I used the excuse that we couldnât contact him on the way and didnât inform that brat.â
Ji Xiang glanced at Old Master Zhou and bowed. âIâll report your intentions to Master. After you eat and drink, you may want to rest for a while. Just instruct me.â
Zhou Rongxian waved his hand. âYou can leave! Donât delay my drinking.â Ji Xiang glanced at Old Master Zhou and felt that he had to get to know this old man again.
Ji Xiang returned to the backyard and reported Old Master Zhouâs intentions to Li Yu. âMadam, Old Master said that Old Madam has been gone for several years. Old Master also said that someone specially came to tell him that you and Master had returned to the capital. Uncle Liu also saw two idlers outside the residence just now. What do you think we should do?â
When she suddenly heard that Old Madam Zhou had left, Li Yu was also a little surprised. She couldnât figure out Old Master Zhou. As for the person who wanted to find trouble with the Zhou family, Li Yu thought to herself that there was only one person she offended when she came to the capital. Other than Madam Yang, who else would be so free to find trouble with the Zhou family?
âGo and think of a way to follow them and see if Madam Yang of the Feng family found someone to do it. I think she might be thinking that if we have an argument with Old Master, itâs best if she can join Old Master. If not, he can also disgust us. Let her wait!
Old Master will serve you well. Weâll decide on the rest when Master comes back.â
âYes! Iâll arrange for Old Master to stay in the guest room first.â Ji Xiang smiled.
âMadam, they might still be waiting for us to make a fuss outside!â Li Yu smiled faintly and said, âShe thinks that everyone is as sarcastic as her!â
After Ji Xiang left, he went to the front courtyard to ask Uncle Liu to arrange for Old Master Zhou to rest in the guest room. He went to change his clothes and went outside the residence. He did not see the few idlers Uncle Liu had mentioned. After walking around, he saw two idlers strolling outside the residence.
Ji Xiang went took two strings of money to give Little Loach a few. âKeep an eye on the idlers outside the house. When you see them leave, follow them quietly and see who they meet. Follow the person who meets him and note down the address. If you canât find a way home, hire a carriage.â
When Little Loach and the others heard this, they smiled proudly and said, âUncle Xiang, donât worry. We did this when we were beggars.â
Ji Xiang instructed, âI know youâve done it before, but this is the capital. Remember not to get lost.â
âGot it. Weâll go now.â
After the three of them went out, they strolled around. When they returned, they saw the two people Ji Xiang had mentioned. They strolled around and went to the end of West End Lane. They spoke to a middle-aged man with a goatee and cupped their hands before leaving.
Little Loach saw the man thoughtfully touch the goatee on his mouth and said to Little Stutterer, âGo back and tell Uncle Xiang that Maizi and I will follow him.â
Little Stutterer nodded and gestured at the two of them, indicating that they should be careful.
Little Loach nodded. âGot it. Go back!â
After saying that, Little Loach turned around and saw that the goateed man had already left. He hurriedly followed. Maizi waved at the little stutterer and hurriedly followed Little Loach..
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