good season

Chapter 152 A Young Man as Beautiful as Jade (Two chapters combined)

Although Tong'an is less than a hundred miles from the capital, Zhen Wuduo was reluctant to let his beloved granddaughter go on an adventure alone. Despite Zhao Shiqing's repeated assurances that there would be no danger this time, Zhen Wuduo still insisted on going with her.

All the children had gone out. The old man didn't want to be alone in the mansion, feeling melancholy. Although Xiuxiu was left behind, she only liked to put on makeup in front of the mirror, unlike Zhao Shiqing, who could play with him.

Zhao Shiqing had no choice but to agree, and she took her cat, her eagle, her grandfather, and her whole family to Tong'an.

On this day, the usually bustling Zhen residence suddenly became quiet. Xiuxiu went to the street to buy materials for disguise. Da Pang was too fat for Xiuxiu to carry, so she left him at home.

Three days ago, Zhang Ye, the boy, was sent by Zhen Wuduo to a nearby private school.

Zhen Wu gave that private school an extra hundred taels of silver, which not only allowed Zhang Ye to attend school, but also Niqiu and all the children in the family. However, Niqiu didn't want to go to school and kept putting it off. Now that Zhao Shiqing had assigned him a task, he simply decided not to go.

Zhang Ye had no right not to go; he was the youngest, and children had to go to school.

Therefore, now, in this huge house, besides the gatekeeper, there is only Big Fatty and Little Night running around the yard.

Xiao Ye is already a half-grown dog, which is the most awkward time in a dog's life. She's thin and chews on everything in sight. The other day, while Da Pang was sleeping, she actually tried to chew on Da Pang's tail. She got a beating from Da Pang and behaved herself for half an hour. After half an hour, she wagged her tail and ran over to Da Pang, begging him to play with her. She was so shameless. I don't know who she got that from.

With the main group absent today, and looking at the empty courtyard, Xiao Ye suddenly realized the weight of its responsibility; it was its turn to guard the house today.

Xiao Ye got excited and ran around the yard shouting, then dug at the ground, rolled around, and peed, then dug at the ground again, rolled around again, and peed again.

As soon as it started digging, Big Fatty jumped onto the artificial hill and looked down at the silly dog ​​with disdain.

After a while of going crazy, Xiao Ye marked all the places it liked, and then, having accomplished its mission, it remembered Da Pang.

Looking up, Xiao Ye saw the fat cat on the artificial hill. She wanted to go up too, but after jumping from one rock to another, she couldn't go any higher. Helpless, Xiao Ye could only bark at the big fat cat.

Big Fatty is usually the best-tempered dog in the family, but even he's getting annoyed. When will this silly dog ​​ever grow up? He's so annoying.

Big Fatty changed his position, turning his rear end towards the silly dog, and was about to go to sleep when he heard a knock on the door.

Just as Da Pang was about to send Xiao Ye to check, Xiao Ye had already darted out.

Finally, I got to work on the doorman's night shift!

The real gatekeeper was named Old Fish. He wasn't actually old, not even forty yet, but he spent many years at sea, so he was dark-skinned, thin, and weathered, making him look like he was over fifty.

Old Yu opened the door a crack and peeked out. He saw a young man standing outside, around twenty years old, dressed in a blue robe, with a piece of jade tied in his hair, which made him look even more handsome, like a figure who had stepped out of a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Old Yu narrowed his eyes, about to speak, when a dog barked behind him. The gatekeeper rushed over, tripping and falling midway because he charged too fast.

The old fish ignored it, stretched out a foot, and blocked Xiao Ye, preventing it from rushing out.

Old Fish asked, "Young master, who are you looking for?"

Yang Shengqiu looked at the old, mottled gate and the old man with a bitter and resentful expression, and he wondered if he had come to the wrong place.

When Yang Shengqiu last saw Nannan, her clothes were not fancy, but they were not cheap either. In addition, she easily arranged a coffin and burial plot for Dr. Yang. Yang Shengqiu assumed that her maternal grandfather's family was well-off, if not extremely wealthy, then at least very well-off.

But now that I look at it, it looks like a run-down household.

He was puzzled, but his face remained impassive, and he asked in a gentle and refined manner, "May I ask if this is the Zhen residence?"

Old Fish nodded: "Yes."

Yang Shengqiu was about to say that he was looking for your cousin, but then he remembered the difference between men and women, and quickly said, "My surname is Yang. When I was young, I was helped by your esteemed father-in-law. I learned that your esteemed father and cousin had come to the capital, so I came to pay them a visit."

Old Yu was almost confused, and it took him a long time to sort things out in his mind.

"It's really unfortunate that my grandfather and Miss Cousin are not in the capital. They went out of the city to discuss business."

Yang Shengqiu sighed inwardly. As expected, Nannan's maternal family were merchants. Even at such a young age, Nannan had to go along to discuss business. However, the Shi family was also in business; Shi's father sold cloth.

However, Yang Shengqiu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Looking at the dilapidated courtyard wall, his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

What does it matter if Nannan knows the contents of that letter, or remembers that massacre? She is now just a merchant's daughter, and even if she tells the story, no one will believe her.

Yang Shengqiu left with light steps. In this capital city, Nannan was not even a pebble, unable to stir up the slightest ripple.

Even after walking a long way, Yang Shengqiu could still hear the barking of dogs. He shook his head, putting it all out of his mind.

As Yang Shengqiu was about to get into his sedan chair after leaving the alley, a sedan chair stopped in front of him. A young girl stepped out of the sedan chair and handed a few copper coins to the sedan chair bearers. The bearers, who clearly knew her, smiled and said, "Miss Xiuxiu, next time you need a sedan chair, just come to the big locust tree up ahead and find us."

Xiuxiu nodded and said crisply, "Okay."

She was carrying several bags in her hands. When she turned around, she accidentally bumped into Yang Shengqiu, and the things she was carrying fell to the ground.

There were several packets of something that looked like paint. The paper packets were opened, and the ginger-yellow powder splattered onto Yang Shengqiu's robe and boots, instantly staining them.

Xiuxiu was startled and hurriedly apologized, "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, it was my fault for getting your clothes dirty. I'll pay for it, I'll pay for it."

Yang Shengqiu always liked cleanliness. Looking down at her clothes and shoes that were stained with paint, she felt disgusted. But when she looked up, she met a pair of pure, clear eyes. The rebuke that was on the tip of her tongue turned into: "It's alright. The girl didn't do it on purpose. Besides, it's just dirty. She can wash it and wear it again. She doesn't need to pay for it."

Only then did Xiuxiu realize that the person she had bumped into was actually a young man who looked like a god.

So handsome, so refined, and so approachable.

Xiuxiu blushed and whispered, "Why don't you change your clothes and I'll wash them for you? This kind of paint is hard to wash off, but I have a way to remove it."

Yang Shengqiu wanted to say no, but he had just entered officialdom and his salary was not high. It was nothing to a wealthy family, but for him, he had to be careful with every tael of silver he earned. The clothes and shoes he wore were all recently purchased, and he only had two sets to alternate wearing. If this set of clothes was ruined, he would have to wait until he received his salary next month to buy a new one.

Another expense.

Thinking of this, I couldn't bring myself to politely decline.

"Then go back and try washing it first. If it doesn't wash off, then come back and ask the young lady for advice."

This was the first time someone had spoken to her in such a polite tone. Xiuxiu felt a little shy, but also excited.

She was young; when her parents were alive, she was the youngest in the family. Whether at home or in the inn, everyone treated her like a child, and children are naturally not treated with much courtesy. Later, when she lived in Zhaoting Town, all she heard was Chef Zhang's cursing and swearing. He showed no courtesy whatsoever, not even the most basic respect.

Later, she met Zhao Shiqing and became a member of her travel team that went south and north. They were about the same age, and when they got together, they would chat, laugh, and joke around. Politeness? Not at all; laughter was their daily routine.

Therefore, now a handsome young man, as elegant and refined as a poem or painting, spoke to her in a gentle tone. Xiuxiu blushed with nervousness: "It's not a question of asking for advice. I live in the house at the very end of this alley. Young master, just bring the clothes over. The responsibility is mine, and I will definitely take full responsibility."

Upon hearing this, Yang Shengqiu was taken aback. Wasn't the house at the very end of the alley the grandmother's maternal grandfather's house?

"Is the young lady surnamed Zhen?" Could this be Nannan's cousin?

Yang Shengqiu secretly observed the girl in front of him. Although she was dressed in simple clothes, her skin was fair and delicate, her features were pretty, and her smile was charming and innocent. She didn't seem like a maid or servant, but rather a girl who had been pampered in a poor family.

Surprisingly, Yang Shengqiu guessed half of it correctly.

For the first fourteen years of her life, Xiuxiu was loved by her parents and older sister. Her family was well-off and her life was stable. Just as Yang Shengqiu had guessed, she was a girl from a poor family who was pampered and raised in a comfortable environment.

But after she turned fourteen, she lost her family and home, and she and her cat traveled thousands of miles, enduring all kinds of hardships.

At this moment, Xiuxiu parted her lips slightly and said to Yang Shengqiu, "My surname is not Zhen. Are you here to see Old Master Zhen?"

Yang Shengqiu nodded: "Old Master Zhen has done me a great favor, and I have come to express my gratitude. I did not expect that I would come at such an inopportune time, as Old Master Zhen is not in the capital."

Whether facing the doorman Lao Yu just now, or the young girl in front of him now, Yang Shengqiu never mentioned the kindness that Old Master Zhen had shown him.

Let bygones be bygones; one can advance or retreat as needed.

Zhen Wuduo and his grandson buried his grandfather for him, which was a great kindness.

When Xiuxiu saw that this person was indeed looking for Old Master Zhen, she said, "Young master, what is your surname and how should I address you? I can pass on your message when Old Master Zhen returns."

"My surname is Yang, also known as Yang Shengqiu."

Xiuxiu was taken aback. Yang Shengqiu? She had heard of this name before, firstly because he was the top scholar in the imperial examination, and secondly because Zhao Shiqing had mentioned him.

"So it's Scholar Yang! Don't worry, I'll definitely pass on the message when the old master returns."

When Xiuxiu looked at Yang Shengqiu again, her eyes held a hint of admiration.

There was nothing she could do; everyone around her was a poor student. Shen Wangxing, the only one who had ever seriously studied, never picked up a book again after joining them.

So when Xiuxiu saw Yang Shengqiu, the top scholar, it was as if she had seen the God of Literature descended to earth. My God, she had made something of herself! She had met a real top scholar!

"My humble name is hardly worthy of your attention, young lady. Are you a relative of the Zhen family, living in their residence?"

Xiuxiu knew that Yang Shengqiu was an old friend of Zhao Shiqing; he was no stranger to her.

She smiled and said, "My surname is Su. I came with the Second Miss. By the way, the Second Miss is the granddaughter of Old Master Zhen."

Yang Shengqiu was taken aback: "Second Miss? There's an eldest Miss in the manor?"

Xiuxiu remembered that Zhao Shiqing had said that they could not tell anyone that they came from Liang, and that they could not reveal her surname Zhao without her permission.

If Liangdi cannot be mentioned, then Yang Shengqiu must not be told that there is no eldest daughter, but there is a princess.

She quickly replied, "The old master has many descendants, and the second young lady has an older sister."

Yang Shengqiu nodded, understanding. The so-called young lady was actually the young lady from the Zhen family.

Yang Shengqiu lost interest, chatted casually with Xiuxiu for a few words, then got into the sedan chair and drove away.

As the small blue sedan chair disappeared completely, Xiuxiu's heart pounded. Was this Xinyue's reaction?
She didn't know how she got back. It was just an alley, but it took her twice as long to get home.

Meanwhile, Zhao Shiqing had already arrived in Tong'an.

Just as they were about to find an inn to stay in, Zhen Wuduo waved his hand and said, "Why stay in an inn? No inn can compare to the comfort of home. Let's go home!"

Zhao Shiqing was stunned. There was a home in this small county town?
"Grandpa, you have a house here too?" Zhao Shiqing blinked her starry eyes. Grandpa is so rich.

Zhen Wuduo pointed to herself: "It's not that I have houses, it's that you have them. My grandfather had nothing to do, so he had houses built in several counties near the capital. They are all yours. Whether you marry into the family or get married in the future, they will all be yours."

Zhao Shiqing was deeply moved: "Grandpa, you are so kind. I want to be your little cotton-padded jacket for the rest of my life."

Zhen Wu nodded with satisfaction. It's good to have a daughter. It's just a few houses. If it were his sons, they would probably complain in their hearts about why they didn't buy houses in the capital. Houses in the county town can't compare to those in the capital.

But his little darling was overjoyed, because she didn't have to stay in inns wherever she went, which was wonderful.

Tong'an's house was a small two-courtyard house. It wasn't big, but it was very well-organized, and they even kept a big yellow dog to guard the house.

Zhao Shiqing whispered a few words in Ah Huang's ear, and Ah Huang wagged its tail, following her wherever she went, wishing it could quit its job and go back to the capital with her.

The little demon rolled her eyes in anger. She had finally managed to avoid facing that silly dog, Xiao Ye, but who would have thought that there would be another dog, Ah Huang, in Tong'an.

Ah Huang, following Zhao Shiqing, was never idle. He told Zhao Shiqing everything he heard, whether it was something he had seen with his own eyes or something he had heard from other dogs, whether it was true or not.

Zhao Shiqing was deeply moved and really wanted to grab all her own children and have Ah Huang train them.

Ah Huang was the gossipmonger in her mind.

Ah Huang had already told us about the family living in the alley ahead. Because of the tofu seller on East Street, their home was in turmoil. The couple fought every day, neglecting their children and their dog. Their dog took the children and ran away from home, and hadn't returned for three days.

Zhao Shiqing hurriedly asked, "Oh dear, could it have been kidnapped by a kidnapper?"

Ah Huang said he didn't know.

At this moment, one of Jiang Han's guards trotted in: "Second Miss, the steward surnamed Jin has entered the city and is now staying in this area."

Zhao Shiqing hurriedly asked, "Are you staying at an inn?"

The guard shook his head: "There's a tofu beauty on East Street, and Manager Jin lives in her house."