Chapter 85 - Is Not the Same
The next morning, Zuo Shaoqing reluctantly got out of bed to greet them. While washing his face, he sighed with emotion: “It's still a comfortable and free day.”
It was a three-way house. Zuo Shaoqing had only walked a few steps when he arrived at the Tinlan Garden where Mrs. Xue was. At this moment, it was deserted except for two older aunts.
Mrs. Xue was still indifferent towards him. Occasionally, she would say a few harsh words, but Zuo Shaoqing didn't care at all.
When everyone was done with their greetings, he found out that Mrs. Xue had exempted her son's daughter from morning consciousness, saying that her master's Conference Test was at hand and that he needed to study properly. Second Master's body was not well, so as to avoid the wind, the eldest miss would have to sleep until she was full.
As for Lady Yue, the master doted on her because she was pregnant, so he had long since forgiven her.
How could Zuo Shaoqing not understand? Facing the pitying gazes of the other aunts, he smiled without a care: “Mother is very considerate, this is the fortune of elder brothers and sisters, it's just that filial piety comes first, how can you miss out on something to pay respects to your parents?”
It was clear that Zuo Shaoyan and his siblings were unfilial.
The servants looked at Zuo Shaoqing in shock. They never thought that the previously obedient San Ye would become so ambitious and dare to talk back!
However, they all thought: Lord Third is not even in high school yet and is already challenging his mother's temper. If he doesn't hit the mark, then let's see how he will die!
Mrs. Xue's face changed several times, but thinking that today was an important day, she forcefully suppressed her anger, and only coldly said: “filial piety and unfilial piety are not based on etiquette alone, if you are going to the Wu Steel Manor for a banquet today, normally, you, a bastard, will not have the qualifications to go, but Master Duke will give you face for Master, so don't embarrass your Zuo Family!”
Zuo Shaoqing repeatedly nodded his head. “Madam is right. We should definitely pay more attention.” After all, he couldn't write a single left word. Zuo Shaoqing didn't want Zuo Family to lose face even when he came for the first time.
Zuo Shaoqing didn't have the mood to waste time with Mrs. Xue once he thought of meeting her again today, so he bowed and left.
Not long after he finished eating, a new set of clothes was sent by his wife, and she arrogantly said: “Master San, this is the clothes that the mistress has bestowed upon us. We will be wearing it today at the banquet, don't let anyone else know that our Zuo Family is poor.”
Zuo Shaoqing rummaged through the dark blue robe. The material was good, but the style and color weren't something a teenager should wear.
Tsk tsk, don't think that he doesn't know Mrs. Xue's intentions. She just didn't want a bastard like him to show off.
It wasn't that Zuo Shaoqing didn't have anything else to wear, he just didn't know why. He felt that if he wore this outfit, he would gain more sympathy from the madame. After all, most women were soft-hearted.
Thus, when he arrived in the antechamber wearing this obviously aged and well-dressed outfit, everyone looked at him a few more times, but he said openly: “Should we leave now?”
Mrs. Xue's face darkened. It was not that she did not notice that this bastard's attitude towards her had changed after she went to the capital. He was no longer as respectful and fearful as she was before.
Hmph, don't think that just because you're a Top Scorer you can go to heaven! After she finished dealing with her daughter's marriage, she would then have the free time to teach this vile spawn who didn't know the limits of heaven!
Also! The corner of Mrs. Xue's eyes fell on Lady Yue, who was flirting with Zuo Yunwen. He glanced at Lady Yue's belly and thought angrily, “Those bitches want to climb on her head. They really don't know how to write the word ‘die'!”
“Master...” Lady Yue pouted her cherry lips and pleaded, “I also want to go. I also want to see the might of Duke Zhen Manor.”
Zuo Shaoqing frowned. This woman was too ungrateful.
Fortunately, Zuo Yunwen still hadn't lost his mind from his beauty and comforted his, “You're not on the list for the banquet, how can I take you there? We'll go next time when we get the chance.”
Zuo Shuhui, who was waiting impatiently, tidied up the hairpin on her head and said tenderly, “Dad, do you know the family rules of Duke Zhen's house? For a woman to be able to take in concubines at forty years of age, I've heard that Old Wife of State Duke hates concubines the most.”
Zuo Yunwen's heart tightened. He immediately pushed Lady Yue away and sternly berated her, “Go back to your room. You're pregnant right now. Don't walk around everywhere!”
Lady Yue had no choice but to grit her teeth and retreat.
The group of people sat in three carriages and headed towards Duke Zhen Manor with nervousness and anticipation.
After he got off the car at the main entrance, attendant immediately went forward to receive him. When he saw Zuo Yunwen hand over the post, attendant's eyebrows twitched and with a smile that was more sincere than usual, he said, “So it's Master Zuo Family, please come in!”
Zuo Yunwen, who was originally worried, now felt that the chances of the two families marrying each other were much higher due to attendant's attitude.
Having Zuo Shaoyan hand over the gift, the family walked into the manor cautiously.
Zuo Shaoqing looked around and indeed, it was as others had expected. There were a lot of people who came. Since the Wu Steel Manor rarely hosted a banquet, all those who received the post probably brought their families with them.
As a rule, the Zuo Family family would first go to the main hall to pay their respects to their masters, before separating for men and women.
He followed a manager to the entrance of the hall. There were already people inside, Zuo Family and his family were waiting for them.
Only when the door was opened did the steward enter the room and receive the report. He then heard a loud voice from inside shouting, “Quick, invite them in!”
Zuo Shaoqing walked in with a bitter face and a nervous feeling.
He followed at the back and bowed politely. When he stood up, he opened his eyes and secretly looked for Lu Zheng.
Unfortunately, when he looked around, he still couldn't find Lu Zheng, so he became even more nervous.
Madame Luxu raised her hand, “Get up quickly. Back when Tutor Zuo was here, the two families also had some friendship.”
Zuo Yunwen quickly said “I won't,” then kneeled down and bowed deeply, “It was due to the madame's love, Master Duke's care that allowed our Zuo Family to enter the capital and our Zuo Family's descendants to pass the examination. We owe you a great debt of gratitude!”
“Alright, alright. It's just a small matter. I believe that Zheng'er doesn't want to bury her talent. I heard that there were two High Scholars from Zuo Family. It's worth celebrating.”
“The madame is too kind!”
After exchanging a few pleasantries, the old lady suddenly waved at Zuo Shuhui. “This must be Young Miss Zuo Family, quickly come and show her to my old woman.”
Zuo Shuhui was so surprised that she almost shed tears. She gracefully walked forward, bowed, and lowered her head while blushing.
Today, she was wearing a light purple polar dress with blue silk tied around her waist to form a light and elegant bow. Her ink-black hair was gently tied up with a set of white jade hairpins.
The madame smiled and asked, “How old are you? Are you engaged? “
Zuo Shuhui couldn't hide her embarrassment as she replied in a tender voice, “I've just turned 15, and I haven't set a marriage date yet.”
“Yo, that's exactly Madam Zuo's fault. Why haven't we found a wife yet with such an outstanding daughter?” I wonder which young master will be able to marry such a beautiful and virtuous lady in the future.”
Zuo Shuhui's face was flushed red, but she didn't dare to reply. Mrs. Xue immediately beat him up and said with a smile, “Madam, you're too kind. It's just that I can't bear to let her go so early. I want to stay for another two years.”
“I can understand your feelings. Back then, I wanted to have a daughter, but unfortunately, there was only one, Zheng'er, in my life.”
“Master Lu is a man of both skill and martial arts. One of them is comparable to more than a dozen other families.”
Mrs. Xue's words pleased the madame. “Haha... That's true. I, Zheng'er, can't say anything about it. It's a pity that I'm still missing a daughter-in-law!”
Zuo Shaoqing's heart skipped a beat. He felt that someone was looking at him from above. Just as he wanted to raise his head, he heard Mrs. Xue praising Lu Zheng with all her might, praising him to the point where there was nothing on the ground.
Zuo Shaoqing twitched his mouth. Mrs. Xue's fawning expression was too obvious. She even mentioned her daughter. It seemed like she had taken the madame's praise to heart.
The madame looked at Zuo Shuhui affectionately. “If only my family had such a beautiful daughter. Come, give her a reward!”
Zuo Shuhui immediately knelt down and bowed, then took the reward from the butler with both hands.
The old mistress chatted with her for a while longer before turning to Mrs. Xue. “There are quite a few young masters of appropriate age here today. Madam Zuo can open her eyes later to see if there's anything suitable.”
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured on Zuo Family's head, from head to toe, except for Zuo Shaoqing.
“This...” Mrs. Xue did not know how to react. Even Zuo Shuhui's face turned from red to white for a moment. She looked unspeakably disappointed.
Zuo Shaoyan was still the calmest. He went up and pulled Mrs. Xue and her daughter, thanking the madame, “Madam, you are absolutely right. I am afraid that my sister is not as good as you are.”
The old lady's eyes lit up and she immediately changed targets, “This must be the great Young Master Zuo Family, right? He truly was a talented person with an elegant demeanor! Unlike my son, a cultured person is different!”
Zuo Shaoyan did not dare to be praised like that and quickly said: “I don't dare! Master Lu is a dragon and a phoenix among men.”
The madame then asked him about his studies and told him to take the exam properly.
Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on free(w)ebnov(e)l.𝒄𝒐𝙢