Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After making up his mind, Han San looked up at Ji Xiang. âMaster, Iâm willing to help. I only have one request. Can I work for the master in the residence in the future?â
Ji Xiang thought for a moment and said, âAs long as you do this well, Iâll introduce you to Master. Whether he uses you or not will depend on Master.â
Seeing that Ji Xiang did not agree immediately, Han San felt that Ji Xiangâs words were reliable. He cupped his fists and said, âI know the rules.â
âAlright.â Ji Xiang took out two banknotes from his pocket and handed them to Han San. âTake them and do your job well. Donât think about double-dealing. Be careful that neither side will give you a good time.â
âI know the rules.â Han San bowed and took a few steps back with a smile. He turned around and disappeared into the night.
Ji Xiang turned around and went into Zhou Jiaâs study to report Han Sanâs words to Zhou Jia. Zhou Jia thought for a moment and said, âGo out and investigate tomorrow and observe him carefully for a few days. If Han San is useful, he can stay after this matter is done!â
âYes, my Lord.â Ji Xiang withdrew.
After Zhou Jia finished his work, he went to Yangyangâs room to take a look. Only then did his son, whose face was red from sleep, return to his bed. When
Li Yu heard the commotion, she smiled at him. âYouâre done!â
Zhou Jia changed into his sleeping robe and walked to the bed. He lifted the blanket and lay beside Li Yu. He said gently, âI woke you up again! Iâll come back early next time.â
Li Yu turned to look at him and smiled gently. âItâs fine. I can still sleep during the day. Hurry up and sleep! Can you take care of the matters in the government office?â
âWeâve connected. Some accounts still have to be sorted out.â Zhou Jia turned around and kissed her with a smile. âDonât worry, your husband is very capable!â
Li Yu narrowed her eyes and smiled. âYes! I know.â
The next day, shortly after dawn, Ji Xiang went out to ask for news. Old Master Zhou also got up. After washing up, he stood at the corner of the alley and waited. After waiting for more than an hour, he saw Zhou Jia holding
Yangyangâs hand. The boy was carrying a school bag. Behind the two of them were a few children and an old woman. The few of them chatted and laughed as they went to the government office and school.
Old Master Zhou lowered his head and went back to eat the side dishes and porridge buns that Old Madam Liu had sent over. Zhao Cai came.
Old Master Zhou glanced at Zhao Cai. âBring the silver. I have nothing left.â With that, he stood up and walked out.
Zhao Cai smiled and bowed. âOld Master, donât worry. Master instructed me. You can leave first. Iâll go get the carriage.â
Old Master Zhou snorted and walked out. Zhao Cai drove the carriage to pick him up.
Old Master Zhou got into the carriage and glanced at Zhao Cai before sitting down beside him. âWhatâs wrong with those children? Your master lives in such a big house and is a fifth-grade official. Why canât you even bear to hire a few more coachmen? You even rode a horse to the government office yourself? You grew up with your master. No matter what, youâre a steward. Why are you still driving the carriage?â
Zhao Cai glanced at Old Master Zhou and said with a bitter expression, âOld Master, how can my masterâs salary afford to support the coachman? Look, Uncle Liu is already so old. He has to guard the second door and feed the horses with a limp. Those children used to be beggars. Madam saw that they were pitiful, so she brought them home. Now, theyâre running errands with Young Master. When Young Master comes back from school, he teaches them how to
read. â
âHaha! My grandson can even teach others how to read! Heâs smart.â He smiled and patted Zhao Cai. âBrat, donât make such a bitter expression. I wonât buy expensive things. Your master only gives me three taels of silver a month. The buyers will deduct my monthly money.â
Zhao Cai said in his heart, âYour silver. Have you ever spent a copper coin at your age? Youâve lost a lot of silver.â
Zhao Cai and Old Master Zhou went to the wood shop to buy tables, chairs, mosquito nets, and bedding. They also went to the brokerage shop to buy an old woman to buy groceries and cook. They brought her to the Zhou familyâs old residence.
After dinner, Li Yu slipped around and went back to sit in the courtyard to bask in the sun. She was sewing childrenâs clothes when Xing Hua walked in with Madam Gong and Lin Jia.
Li Yu saw that Madam Gong was wearing a dark purple dress and Lin Jia was wearing a pink dress. She looked pink and tender, making one happy to see her.
Li Yu looked at the mother and daughter and smiled. âAunt, Cousin, why are you free to come and play with me today?â
Madam Gong smiled and pointed at Lin Jia. âThereâs an empty space under the embankment of East Lake. This girl said that she wanted to fly a kite there and have a picnic. I wanted to see you at home, so I called you over to play. Lin Yi also went to invite her aunt.â
Li Yu smiled and said, âSure! Itâs not bad to fly a kite in this weather today. Iâm about to rust at home. Itâs good to go out and listen to Aunt tell me something new.â
âThatâs right! Go and change into fresh clothes. The carriage is waiting outside!â Madam Gong said with a smile.
Lin Jia picked up a small dress and looked at it in surprise. âMother, this dress is only so big. Can the baby wear it? Why is it made using old fabric?â
Madam Gong took it and looked at it. She smiled and said, âIt can be worn. A newborn baby is only so big. The babyâs skin is tender and soft, using old material will ensure there is no abrasion of the babyâs skin.â
Lin Jia touched the soft clothes. âOh! Youâre so particular!â
Madam Gong rolled her eyes at her daughter. âDo you think itâs easy to raise a child? For example, you and your sister were pampered in your motherâs house. Once you go out, your parentsâ hearts will be shattered. Itâs better to have a son so he can bring back a daughter-in-law.â
Lin Jia hugged Madam Gong and acted cute. âMother, your daughter is your considerate little cotton jacket. â
Li Yu changed into a sky-blue dress and walked out. When she saw how intimate Madam Gong and her daughter were, she smiled and said, âAunt, itâs better to raise a daughter. She even knows how to wheedle with you. That brat of mine wonât do that anymore when he grows up.â
Madam Gong smiled and nodded. âThatâs true. Ah Yu looks really good today.â Lin Jia also nodded in agreement. âYes! This sky blue is beautiful.â
Li Yu smiled and narrowed her eyes. âYou and Cousin are also good-looking. Do you need anything else?â
Lin Jia held Li Yuâs hand. âCousin, thereâs no need. Everythingâs all ready. Letâs go out!â
Li Yu said to Granny Yang, âGranny Yang, Zhao Cai and Ji Xiang have gone out. You decide on the small matters. If itâs big, report it to Old Master and let him decide.â
Granny Yang smiled and agreed. âGot it. Go and have fun.â n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Li Yu brought Xing Hua and Madam Gong out and got into the carriage to travel towards the East Lake.
The East Lake was actuallv an artificial lake that drew water to the Dalace. The sides of the lake embankment were planted with weeping willows. The emerald and slender willow branches swayed gently with the breeze. The water rippled on the lake, and white and gray water birds swept across it.
Lin Jia saw Li Yu looking out of the window with a smile and sat beside Li Yu with a smile. âCousin, do you feel especially good when you come out for a walk?â
Li Yu looked at her delicate and cute appearance and smiled happily. âYes! Thank you, Jiaâer, for inviting Cousin out to play.â
Lin Jia looked at Madam Gong proudly. âMother, look, even Cousin said that my idea is good. Donât always say that Iâm playful in the future.â
Madam Gong looked at Lin Jia and teased, âAlright, Iâll praise you for knowing how to play in the future. You like to play, okay?â
âMother.â Lin Jia hugged Madam Gongâs arm and shook it. Madam Gong smiled and patted her hand. âYouâre already so old. Cousin will laugh at you.â
Li Yu smiled and shook her head. The carriage stopped and the old woman led them out..
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