Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 291 Hard to Leave

In the evening, they returned to Gao's house. On the way to Gao Jingming's courtyard, Chen Xuan asked, "Rou Jia, where did you live some time ago?"

"My lord, Madam Gao arranged for me to live in her courtyard. I could go in and out through the side door, which made it convenient for me to learn things," Su Roujia replied.

When she came to Gao's house, she became very well-behaved. She was not as relaxed as before when she was with Chen Xuan. She also changed the way she addressed him. After all, she was already Chen Xuan's person, and there was a clear hierarchy. There was a layer of distance between them when she left Gao's house.

Nodding, Chen Xuan thought to himself that it was no wonder he hadn't seen her for a while. Now that he had grown up, it was no longer convenient for him to go to where Madam Gao and the others were staying. He immediately said, "Is that so? I'll ask Xiao Ye and the others to take you there to stay for one more night. We'll go back to our own home tomorrow."

As Chen Xuan was speaking, he realized his sleeve was being pulled. Turning around, he saw Su Roujia looking up at him pitifully and saying, "Master, please don't chase me away. I'll go wherever you go."

It's only been half a day, and she can't leave? Is it because of my charm, or is it my attitude that makes her fall in love with me after just half a day of getting along?

Seeing her pitiful look, as if she was worried about being abandoned at any time, Chen Xuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry and said, "It's just one night, it's not like we won't see each other anymore. Besides, I don't have a place for you to sleep where I live now."

"It's different, sir. We are all guests now. We should avoid causing trouble in other people's homes. It's okay for me. I can just sit here for one night," Su Roujia said timidly.

That little look made Chen Xuan's heart soften. After thinking for a while, he said, "How about this, you can sleep on the floor in the middle hall of my room later."

"Yeah," she smiled happily.

Shaking his head, Chen Xuan continued walking forward and said, "If you continue like this, I will be completely controlled by you in the future."

"No, I'm very obedient," Su Roujia said excitedly as she followed.

"If you are obedient, why don't you follow my arrangements?"

"If I can't see the master, I'm worried that he won't want me anymore."

"There's really nothing I can do about you..."

When they returned to the courtyard, Gao Jingming and the others were not there, so Chen Xuan went back to his room to get out pen and ink to write the invitations. Su Roujia took the initiative to help grind the ink, but she was not skilled, so Chen Xuan let her do it.

Although he has been a servant in the Gao family for more than ten years, he will leave the Gao family tomorrow to start his own business. Naturally, he needs to invite some close friends to the housewarming party, so it is necessary to write invitations. Whether they will come or not is another matter. There is still time, and almost everyone invited is within the scope of Yang County.

While writing the invitations, Chen Xuan noticed Su Roujia was feeling uncomfortable beside him, clearly restless, so he said, "I've lived in this house for many years, and all of this stuff is mine. Let's move out tomorrow too."

"Then I'll help the master pack it up, and we can move directly tomorrow." Su Roujia understood immediately, rolled up her sleeves and started to work.

It wasn't urgent, but she had already started working, so Chen Xuan didn't stop her. He said, "By the way, Roujia, there's an account book in the cabinet, and those silver notes. Bring them over and put them next to me. They'll be useful later."

"Yes, sir..."

The two of them were busy with their own things. When the lights in Gao's house were brightly lit, Gao Jingming and his men also returned. Chen Xuan handed the written invitations to Su Roujia, who was still busy, and said, "Roujia, please stop for a moment and take these to the gatehouse. Tell them that I asked someone to help deliver the invitations."

"Master, I'll go right away. Actually, there's no need to trouble me. I can also help you deliver it," Su Roujia took over and said.

Waving his hand, Chen Xuan said: "Forget it, you will have to run around everywhere for a long time. I am worried that you will get lost in the middle of the night. Where can I find such a caring maid? It will be a big loss."

"Master, you are too kind. Roujia is not that good. I will be back soon to continue cleaning." She hesitated for a moment and left happily. She thought to herself that she must eat well and look good in the future so that she would not embarrass the master by following him.

After she left temporarily, Chen Xuan took the account books and money he had prepared in advance and walked towards the small building where Gao Jingming was. They were about to leave the Gao family and had to make a handover. In the past, Gao Jingming had a lot of small treasury with him.

They had greeted each other before returning. Gao Jingming was reading in the living room on the first floor. Chen Xuan knocked on the door and said, "Young Master is busy. I hope I didn't disturb you."

"A Xuan, what are you talking about? Come and sit down, Xiaoye will make some tea," Gao Jingming said, putting down his book.

Gao Jingming was busy preparing for the exam, so Chen Xuan didn't intend to waste any more time on him. He went straight to the point and said, "Master, this is the account book for all these years. There's still over a thousand taels of money left. It's all here. I won't be in charge of it anymore."

At this point, Gao Jingming felt sad, and without even looking at the account book or the money, he pretended to be carefree and said, "Why should we separate so clearly? What will I do when you are not around, Xuan?"

"Of course not. It's not easy to find a follower like me who is handsome, dashing and skilled in martial arts," Chen Xuan said complacently.

In fact, when the Gao family learned about Chen Xuan's cultivation level of the 'Innate Realm', they had already started looking for someone for Gao Jingming to replace Chen Xuan. Now the candidate has been decided, but there is no need to tell Chen Xuan about this kind of thing, so as to avoid him thinking too much and leaving the impression that the tea has gone cold before the person even leaves.

After so many years of relationship, separation is the hardest part. Gao Jingming simply changed the subject and asked, "After spending so much time here, how is the little maid that mother found for you?"

"Madam, your taste is impeccable. The girl is quite good."

"I'm glad you're satisfied. One is a bit too few. How about I arrange a few more maids and servants to protect you?" Gao Jingming said with a smile.

Chen Xuan immediately shook his head and said, "Forget it. I can't afford it, and I can't accommodate many people. This is fine. Besides, do I need guards?"

"Ah Xuan, although you are very capable, you still have to go out sometimes, and someone has to look after the house. Forget it, it's up to you. If you have any problems in the future, just come and tell me, and the people below can give you any instructions. This is also your home, and there is no difference between your words and mine."

"Of course I have to. The young master promised me that he would let me eat and drink well. I can't go back on my word..." After chatting for a while, Gao Jingming still had to prepare for the exam, so Chen Xuan said goodbye and left.

After he left, Gao Jingming said to Xiao Cai and Xiao Ye, "Xiao Ye, send some bedding to A Xuan's room, otherwise his little maid will have to sleep on the table. From what I know about A Xuan, his maid won't be able to get into his bed until she's eighteen years old. And then, Xiao Cai, go and tell someone to move A Xuan out early tomorrow morning."

"Okay, young master..."

Gao Jingming then continued reading, but he just couldn't concentrate and didn't force himself. He put the book down and looked towards Chen Xuan's hut, thinking to himself that the hut would be reserved for him in the future, and the person who would replace A Xuan would be arranged somewhere else, and no one except A Xuan could live in that hut.

On the last night at Gao's house, Chen Xuan couldn't sleep. After all, it had been so many years and he was reluctant to leave. But he had to go eventually. It wasn't far, so it would be convenient for him to visit in the future.

Su Roujia, sleeping on the floor in the outer room, was also tossing and turning, waking up from time to time to look towards Chen Xuan's room, as if she was afraid that he would abandon her and run away...

The next morning, Chen Xuan woke up early as usual to practice his Qigong exercises in the courtyard. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Su Roujia waiting at the door with toiletries. She said, "Master, are you awake? Let me help you wash and comb your hair. The water is still warm."

The sky outside was just beginning to turn pale. When did the little girl get up and start preparing? To be honest, Chen Xuan was really not used to it. He reached out to take it and said, "I'll do it myself."

"No, I'm the master's maid, and it's my duty to serve the master," Su Roujia shrank back and said stubbornly, as if she would cry if you dare to refuse her.

Seeing this, Chen Xuan let her go and said, "Okay, okay, it's time for me to enjoy myself too."

"Well, please sit down, sir," Su Roujia said with a smile.

Su Roujia, who had been trained by Madam Gao, was quite professional. She helped Chen Xuan wash his face and comb his hair quickly, which was much better than his previous casual routine. After finishing, Su Roujia couldn't help but praise the master for being so handsome. She didn't know which young lady would have the honor to be favored by the master in the future.

Afterwards, Chen Xuan went to the yard to practice calming and health-preserving exercises before the sun rose. When he was done, the little girl had brought him breakfast and was going to feed him herself. Chen Xuan said, "Master, although I am lazy, I am not paralyzed. If I need someone to feed me, I will become a useless person."

He had just finished eating and cleaned up when a large group of people came to the gate of the yard. They were there to help him move. Mrs. Gao even came in person. Chen Xuan quickly stood up and saluted.

However, Mrs. Gao scolded her right away, "Why are you so anxious, child? If someone hadn't mentioned it to me, I wouldn't have known you were moving there today. Now that you've grown up and become independent, you're starting to dislike your family?"

"Please forgive me, madam. Now that I live on my own, I feel embarrassed to stay here any longer, and it will give people a chance to talk about me. I was planning to say goodbye to you later, but I haven't had the chance yet," Chen Xuan apologized.

Shaking her head, Madam Gao smiled and said, "You will be the one in charge from now on. You can't be so impulsive anymore. I'll forgive you this time."

Chen Xuan always made arrangements in advance when doing things for others, but he was very casual when it came to his own work. He didn't think too much about it at all and just acted on impulse. He told Gao Jingming yesterday that he wanted to move, which was a spur of the moment decision. Since he was at Gao's house, he didn't write an invitation to Mrs. Gao and planned to go and say goodbye in person.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan quickly assured: "Madam is right, I will pay attention next time."

"That's right." Mrs. Gao didn't have the ability to read minds, so she naturally didn't hear Chen Xuanxin say that he would dare to do it again next time.

At this time, Gao Jingming had also finished washing up and came over. While they were chatting, the Gao family servants were already busy packing and moving Chen Xuan's things, and Su Roujia was busy giving instructions.

In fact, Chen Xuan didn’t have much stuff, not enough for a group of people.

When preparing to leave, Chen Xuan said, "Madam, Master, I'll go and pack up first and invite the chef from Deweilou. You can come over later to get acquainted and have a simple meal."

"No problem, my mother and I will go there later," Gao Jingming said with a smile.

Mrs. Gao said, "Of course I have to go and see you. I have watched you grow up since you were little. Now you live alone. I will be worried if I don't go and see you."

Nodding, he looked around at the place where he had lived for many years. No matter how reluctant he was, he had to leave. Before leaving, Chen Xuan knelt respectfully in front of Madam Gao and said, "Thank you very much, Madam, for your nurturing and cultivation over the years. I will never forget this. I have no way of repaying your kindness. In the future, if you need anything, just let me know."

"Xiao Xuan, what are you doing? Get up quickly. This is your home. Come back often," Mrs. Gao said with emotion, and stepped forward to personally support Chen Xuan.

But Chen Xuan still insisted on kowtowed to her three times before standing up and saying, "Madam, Master, I will go first. You must come later."

"Well, Xiao Xuan, drive slowly on the road and live a good life in the future. Just come and get if you need anything, okay?" Mrs. Gao patted his shoulder and said reluctantly.

"I'll have to come to the young master's place to eat and drink for free in the future."

“That’s how it should be”

Afterwards, Madam Gao and Gao Jingming escorted Chen Xuan to the main gate of the Gao family and opened the main gate wide for Chen Xuan to leave. This was a treatment that no servant of the Gao family had ever received before. Even Madam Gao's personal maid Qinghe and others had to go through the back door when they got married.

After saying goodbye again and again, until Chen Xuan and the others were far away, Madam Gao withdrew her gaze and looked at Gao Jingming with emotion: "Now that Xiao Xuan has gone far away, you grew up together and are as close as brothers. Cry if you want to. Xiao Xuan can't see it and won't laugh at you."

Gao Jingming's eyes were already red, and thousands of words were stuck in his throat, unable to be uttered. In the end, he choked out a sentence: "Mom, A Xuan will come back often in the future, right?"

"Of course, this is his home too..."

　I deleted the last paragraph in the previous chapter. It was really unnecessary.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)