Chapter 61 - I Am Only Interested in Money
Nanny Liu commenced packing her belongings. She had finally grasped why San Ye had forbidden her from unpacking when they had embarked on the ship.
While San Ye remained the familiar figure she had known, she gradually perceived a transformation in him. He grew more astute and less daunted. She believed that San Ye's evolution went beyond mere surface changes.
In the days when Lady Ruan was alive, she had constantly praised her child's kindness and expressed concern about his well-being. If she were aware of how much San Ye had transformed, she would surely burst into laughter.
Upon Luo Xiaoliu's return, Zuo Shaoqing glanced at the two individuals accompanying him and broke into an immediate smile.
It appeared that Zuo Yunyang had reached this port a day ahead of them. Serendipitously, he had encountered Luo Xiaoliu while on his way to purchase medicine, and upon learning of his nephew's illness, he had promptly abandoned his business and rushed to his side.
It all made sense now. Zuo Shaoqing had declined the company of Senior Servant Qin and Cheng Gui because he had someone to care for him.
With Zuo Yunyang's arrival, Zuo Shaoyan's worries completely dissipated. There was no need for him to make further arrangements. Whatever happened to Zuo Shaoqing was no longer his concern.
Bid farewell, they did, in high spirits. Zuo Shaoqing, Zuo Shaoqing, and the other two trailed behind Zuo Yunyang as they disembarked. As they watched the boat depart, a sense of relief washed over them.
“Haha…” Second Uncle had arranged a lavish meal at the city's finest restaurant and eagerly anticipated his nephew's presence.
Zuo Shaoqing greeted him with a warm smile and expressed, “Thank you for looking out for me, Second Uncle.”
“Certainly, I am your second uncle!”
They exchanged knowing smiles before entering the waiting carriage by the roadside.
On the more distant ship, a maid suddenly cried out, “Ah… Someone, quick… He's passed away!”
As a crowd gathered, they discovered that the ship's crewman with some medical knowledge had met a dreadful fate. He lay lifeless, naked in a corner of the cabin, his entire body sporting a ghastly shade of purple.
“What has occurred?” Zuo Shaoyan inquired calmly.
The boat's captain, accustomed to rough weather, appeared much more composed than the servants and wives from Zuo's Mansion. Stepping forward, he examined the lifeless body. “It seems this person perished from the cold, no visible injuries.”
Frozen to death? It left everyone bewildered. Exposing oneself to the harsh elements in such frigid conditions seemed unthinkable for any ordinary individual.
Zuo Shaoyan, who had just relaxed, furrowed his brow. “I'm not concerned with how he met his end, and I'm not inclined to be delayed because of it. You decide what to do.”
“Well…” He reluctantly removed his coat and draped it over the deceased before calling for his brother's assistance. Together, they heaved the body off the boat, his thoughts weighing heavy: “I apologize, brother, but I'll make sure your family is looked after upon my return.”
The river was rumored to be a repository of lost souls, yet the locals believed that the river god would safeguard every child cradled in its waters, ensuring their safe journey into the afterlife.
Having savored a sumptuous meal, Zuo Shaoqing retired to an inn previously arranged by Zuo Yunyang. He was now luxuriating in a wooden bathtub.
In his room, Luo Xiaoliu packed his belongings, his ears attuned to the sound of water behind a partition. He inquired, “Master, are we truly planning to stay here for several days?”
Zuo Shaoqing replied nonchalantly, “Certainly, didn't you hear what the physician said? I'm unwell and need to rest.”
Luo Xiaoliu pursed his lips. The so-called “Old Doctor” had been hired by him, and it had taken a hefty sum of silver to coax such words out of him.
“Are we going to follow Second Master indefinitely?” It was an anomaly for a young master to favor his uncle over his own brother. This Third Master was undeniably eccentric.
“It depends.” Zuo Shaoqing rose, drying himself off. He donned a robe and exited, tossing a towel at Luo Xiaoliu, instructing him to dry his hair.
“Zuo Shaoyan has just left. If we don't postpone our departure for a few days, we'll inevitably cross paths with him. How do we explain that I'm not only free from seasickness but also in good health?”
Luo Xiaoliu nodded in comprehension.
“In any case, we have ample time during our journey. We can explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the Great Yang region. This life won't be in vain.”
“Master, don't forget you hurried to the capital for the examination!” He reminded Zuo Shaoqing that he wasn't some mystical hermit wandering the hills and dales!
Zuo Shaoqing paid no attention to him and remarked, “I've heard that this place is renowned for its Jiuquan [1]. If you don't savor it, how can you look at yourself in the mirror?”
Luo Xiaoliu's eyes sparkled at the mention of this. After drying Zuo Shaoqing's hair, he reached for a comb and ran it through the hair, saying with admiration, “Young master's hair is truly splendid!”
The following morning, Zuo Shaoqing indulged in the comfort of his bed, waking up naturally after a leisurely slumber. The absence of anyone rousing him from sleep felt remarkably delightful.
Nanny Liu entered the room bearing a basin of warm water just as they finished dressing. She playfully teased, “Young Master San is quite the sleepyhead. If the Master and Madam knew, they'd surely give him an earful.”
Zuo Shaoqing dried his face and handed back the handkerchief with a smile, quipping, “The next time we meet, they'll have to check my mood before launching into scoldings.”
He had no intention of being submissive to the Zuo Family forever. While this facade might be convenient and unquestionably good-natured, he didn't intend to live his entire life this way.
After nibbling on a few pastries to quell his hunger, Zuo Shaoqing knocked on Zuo Yunyang's chamber door.
“Shao Qing is up. Let's have a chat while we wait for Second Uncle.”
“It's a relief that Second Uncle is keeping busy with you.” Zuo Shaoqing ambled over and casually picked up an account book to peruse. Although he possessed a fair amount of knowledge and wealth, not everyone could decipher account books.
He could discern that the accounts were meticulously kept, with every coin spent meticulously recorded. After grasping the essentials, Zuo Yunyang finally concluded his work.
“Is Shao Qing interested in business?” Zuo Yunyang's heart skipped a beat. He had one son and one daughter, with his daughter destined for marriage and his sole son disinterested in business. Thus, the future of the family enterprise posed a significant challenge.
Zuo Shaoqing slyly winked at him. “I'm only interested in silver.”
“Haha… You mustn't let the capital's officials catch wind of that. Regardless of your examination performance, they won't dare to employ you if they think you're greedy,” a clear hint that he might become a corrupt official in the future.
“Having an interest in silver doesn't imply that your nephew will hoard it for personal gain or exploit the common people. I merely wish to savor its essence.”
“In that case, in the future, you can manage all the silver that Second Uncle earns.” After all, every coin touched by him would be well spent.
Zuo Shaoqing expressed his gratitude, thinking, “I should thank my Second Uncle for his generosity. It might help us save some money in the future.”
Unaware that his pocket money had already been noted, Zuo Yunyang said, “You mentioned getting some mutton soup yesterday, right? Let's go after lunch, and I'll treat you to Qingfu Restaurant's famous mutton soup.”
Zuo Shaoqing observed that aside from his uncle's generosity, another advantage of having Second Uncle was his love for good food. No matter where they went, he seemed to have an uncanny ability to find the most delicious dishes.
Zuo Shaoqing had no complaints about indulging in some good food. He greeted Nanny Liu and Luo Xiaoliu and followed Zuo Yunyang out.
Qingfu Restaurant wasn't a fancy establishment. It was an old, slightly run-down building with creaky stairs, but it was packed with customers. Both the upstairs and downstairs were bustling with patrons.
Zuo Yunyang had pre-booked a private room and promptly ordered when they were seated, “Our usual order, five dishes and one soup, and add extra spice to the lamb soup. It's delicious and warms the soul.”
He then realized he wasn't dining alone this time and asked Zuo Shaoqing with some embarrassment, “Can you handle spicy food, Shao Qing?”
Zuo Shaoqing nodded and replied, “A little bit.” People in Youuxi Town weren't accustomed to spicy food, and he had developed a taste for it during his time in the capital.
The server wiped the table and said, “Certainly, Master. Please be patient; your food will be ready shortly.”
Zuo Shaoqing waited patiently for about half an hour, eagerly anticipating the dishes. The aroma from the kitchen and the growling of his stomach made him eager to dig in.
Zuo Yunyang reassured him, “No need to rush; the best things in life take time to prepare.”
When the dishes finally arrived, Zuo Shaoqing served some soup to Wu Tie and took a sip himself.
The rich aroma of the mutton soup tantalized Zuo Shaoqing's taste buds. It was pleasantly spicy and lacked the usual gaminess of ordinary mutton soup. Zuo Shaoqing relished every spoonful.
Meanwhile, Zuo Yunyang had already downed two bowls and asked with a satisfied smile, “How's the taste?”
Zuo Shaoqing replied, “Even better than our home-cooked meals.” He rarely dined out, and at home, Nanny Liu usually prepared their meals. Most of the time, the food would be lukewarm or cold, like the mutton soup, which was best enjoyed piping hot.
As he continued savoring his meal, Zuo Shaoqing found himself not just relishing the flavors but also experiencing an uplift in his mood.
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