Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 63 Family Happiness
Zhang Gu nodded quickly upon hearing this question and sighed, "After all, it is a gift from the Emperor. Although it is inconvenient for us to continue our relationship, who would dare to make arbitrary decisions about the fate of my family without my lord's permission? So I have been idling away in the streets ever since."

After hearing Zhang Gu's answer, Zhang Shuo was silent for a while, then he said again: "In that case, then arrange for someone to repair it and find a time to let the child move in."

"Although the villa is unused, it's been repaired and cleaned every few months, so it's not run-down. You can move in anytime."

Zhang Gu hurriedly said in a respectful voice that since the lord was mainly in the court in Chang'an and rarely returned to his hometown, he did not know as much about the affairs of the Luoyang family as he, the steward of the Eastern Capital.

Zhang Shuo didn't say anything more after hearing this, but just nodded slightly to show his agreement. Zhang Gu paused and then asked, "I heard that the nobleman has been feeling increasingly uneasy recently. Should we choose a time to pay him a visit?"

After hearing this, Zhang Shuo fell into a long silence. His expression changed several times, as if he was thinking, as if reminiscing. Finally, he slowly shook his head and said in a deep voice, "No need. I can't go out these days, and I don't entertain guests at home. If we are destined to meet again next year, if so... we will meet again. There is no need to offend the venerable mortal."

Zhang Gu said nothing more after hearing this. Seeing that it was already bright outside, he asked for permission to report this to Zhang Dai. However, after taking a few steps, he turned back and asked Zhang Shuo for permission again. "Although the villa is not big, it has more than a dozen rooms in front and back. Liu Lang's affairs in the villa also need loyal servants to take care of it.

Although Ding Cang, the Kunlun slave beside him, is diligent and reliable, he is not very good at dealing with people. Should he arrange for a few people to serve him?"

After hearing this, Zhang Shuo remembered seeing Zhou's son in the Henan Mansion who had sworn to be with him through thick and thin. He smiled and waved his hand, saying, "That kid has his own ideas about recruiting servants. He might even think it's a restriction if he forces servants on him. Let him be."

After saying this, he saw that Zhang Gu seemed to be hesitant to speak, so he asked with a smile, "What are your plans?"

"It's a bit selfish. My lord knows that I have two sons in my household, and he wants to give one to Liu Lang."

Zhang Gu quickly bowed and said, not hiding his intention.

"I remember that one of your sons is managing the farm in the southern suburbs, and the other is working as a clerk in the Luoyang County Office. Isn't it a waste of talent to give it to your son?"

Zhang Shuo was a little curious after hearing this. Zhang Gu and his sons had been slaves for generations and had a close relationship with their masters like family members, so their children and grandchildren had long been freed from slavery and some had even become officials.

Zhang Gu quickly shook his head upon hearing this and said, "What great talent! He's simply earned his master's appreciation and trust, and has enjoyed some of the master's glory. Liu Lang is quiet, studious, and responsible. Even the master admires him greatly. Of course, I also hope that my son will follow the master and serve him!"

Before, when he went to the humble house to invite Zhang Dai to live in Jicui Tower, he had a good impression of Liu Lang, who was different from other young men in the mansion. After experiencing the family change and hearing about Zhang Dai's deeds and the lord's appreciation of him, he naturally admired him even more and hoped to give his son a good future.

"If that's the case, then go ask him, and also ask your son if he's willing to follow you. Don't force him."

After experiencing a setback, Zhang Shuo's personality is no longer as strong as before, and he no longer thinks he can arrange anything according to his will.

"There is such a virtuous young man in the palace to follow. If you dare to object, I will break your legs!"

Zhang Gu said with joy after hearing this, and after taking his leave, he hurried to Jicui Tower.

In the living room of Jicui Building, Zhang Dai, who had woken up late, had just put on his clothes and was rinsing his mouth and washing his face in the room.

After finishing making the bed, Ah Ying walked over to Zhang Dai with the folded quilt in her arms, her pretty face flushed. She lowered her head and said nervously, her voice as soft as a mosquito's: "Ah Lang, I was wrong. Mother taught me not to seduce a man, lest I hurt my essence... I really deserve to die, I shouldn't have done that. Ah Lang punished me in private, please don't tell Mother, okay?"

Zhang Dai glanced at the young woman's folded quilt and couldn't help but blush. This kind of thing was more or less embarrassing. But when he saw Ah Ying's uneasy face, as if she had made a serious mistake, he couldn't help but laugh. Especially when he heard her soft and private pleading for punishment, his heart was even more shaken.

But Yingniang came in again and saw the bedding in Aying's arms, so she wanted to take it and help wash it. However, Aying jumped aside like a frightened deer, gave Zhang Dai a pitiful and pleading look, then hurriedly lowered her head and ran out.

"What's wrong with this maid? She's so jumpy and unsteady!"

When Yingniang saw this, she gave a low scolding and went to the bedroom to help make the bed, but Zhang Dai waved his hand to dissuade her, and a look of suspicion appeared on her face.

Zhang Dai asked Ying Niang to leave the room somewhat awkwardly, thinking that it was time to move to another place. There was no partition between the inside and outside of the hall in Jicui Building, so the privacy was really poor.

Although Yingniang was a servant, she was like a foster mother to him. A son's mother always looks after him. He hadn't had the luxury of avoiding her before, but now that his situation had eased, he no longer needed Yingniang's constant presence. He began to think about finding a large house to live in separately, hiring a few servants to look after Yingniang, and leaving Ah Ying alone with him.

He was just thinking about finding an opportunity to recover the money withheld by Henan Prefecture and use it to buy a house when Zhang Gu, the head of the prefecture, came to the door with a smile on his face and stood there, calling out, "Is Liulang up yet? I have the lord's order to tell you something!" Zhang Dai quickly responded and walked quickly to the outer room, inviting Zhang Gu in to sit down. Then he heard Zhang Gu say, "This morning, the lord summoned me and told me to choose a villa for Liulang to use as a place to socialize and stay in his spare time. It just so happens that there is one in Huixunfang. When Liulang is free, I will take him there to see it."

"Really? This is truly heartbreaking! I'm truly flattered by your kindness, Grandfather!"

Zhang Dai was very surprised when he heard this. He mentioned this to his grandfather last night. He thought that living outside would make it more convenient for him to do things, so that he wouldn't have to see his father's family every day at home. He could just come back to the mansion from time to time to annoy them. He would feel disgusted if they stayed with them for a long time.

He was still thinking about it this morning, but he didn't expect that his grandfather had already arranged it for him. It turns out that once a person stands up, the whole world is full of kindness!
"I don't have anything else to do. I'll go to the back hall to thank you, Grandpa. I can come back anytime later. I'll just have to trouble the manager."

Zhang Dai was very excited at the thought of having a house of his own in Luoyang, and he quickly stood up and said.

The more he looked at Zhang Gu, the more he felt that this old man had a kind face. Every time he took the initiative to see him, it meant that his situation in the family would be greatly improved. He was simply his lucky star.

"What are you talking about, Liu Lang? The reason we are able to stay in this family is to ensure that our master and his gentlemen live a smooth life!"

Zhang Gu smiled upon hearing this and said, "It is a great honor for us to be able to listen to your orders. If Liu Lang continues to be so polite, how can I cope with it?"

Zhang Dai didn't say anything more. He walked out of the room and went straight to the back house. When he arrived at the back hall, his grandparents were having dinner.

Madam Zheng, who had been severely reprimanded last night, stood aside with red eyes and bent over, personally placing the meals served by the servants on the table one by one, hoping to dispel the anger of her parents-in-law with this humble gesture.

Seeing Zhang Dai walk in, Zheng's eyes flashed with anger again, but she quickly restrained it, trying to make her expression kind. She smiled at Zhang Dai and said, "Liu Lang looks very good. Did you sleep well last night?"

"It's not too bad. Last night I wanted to meet with my father-in-law to discuss the name-giving and thank-you letter, but he just sighed with melancholy, which made me feel uneasy.

I dare not ask about my elders' worries, so I can only come to tell my wife. I hope my wife can alleviate my father's worries and let us, the younger generation, see my father's smile again."

Zhang Dai answered casually to speak up for his father.

There's nothing wrong with loving someone, but you can't ignore him just because I love you! You came here early in the morning to lick your parents-in-law and show your affection. Have you ever cared about whether my father is sleeping well in the study and whether he is happy?
Zheng hadn't expected this kid to have such a strong attack power, and he could strike back at any opportunity without any cooldown at all. He was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to respond.

Mrs. Yuan, the wife of the State of Yan, whose expression had softened slightly due to Zheng's behavior, turned cold again after hearing her grandson's words. She raised her hand and said to Zheng, "There are servants here to serve you. The bride does not need to stay here to serve you. You can return home and do your own things."

When Zheng heard this, her face fell again and she almost shed tears of grievance. She had been groveling and compromising all morning in an attempt to save her image, but was exposed again by a few strange words from this kid.

But after the training last night, she didn't dare to be presumptuous again. She could only bow and then leave.

"Alas, even the little kids know who's in charge of the family affairs. This..."

After Zheng left, Yuan couldn't help but sigh. She felt that Zheng was indeed a little bit ignorant. The couple were still living separately. No matter how attentive she was, she could not make her parents-in-law happy.

When her eyes fell on Zhang Dai, she immediately smiled again, raised her hand to signal Zhang Dai to come in and sit, and said in a friendly manner: "My grandson is not an ordinary child. I heard that your grandfather said he wanted to go out to study and travel?
This isn't a bad thing. Although our family home is spacious, it's always difficult for you young people to socialize because of the elders watching over you. You can still have fun together in a place outside, but remember to stay close to the virtuous and stay away from the evil!"

Zhang Dai quickly bowed and replied, "Don't worry, Grandma. Even if I can't tell right from wrong, I have my parents at home who can tell the difference. As for anyone Grandma doesn't like, I won't meet him in heaven or hell!"

"Good tongue, deserves a reward!"

Yuan Shi was so happy that she was very generous. She raised her hand and asked a maid to bring a square wooden box. She opened it with her own hands and said to Zhang Dai with a smile: "My grandson is going to the human world, and he can't be shabby and be laughed at! Although your grandmother didn't give away as many houses and lands as your grandfather, she has a portion for her filial grandson!"

Zhang Luo took a look inside and saw that the box was filled with gold, silver, and jewelry. Based on his sharp eyes, which he had honed in the South Market, he estimated that the box was worth at least one or two thousand strings of cash. He hurriedly waved his hand to refuse, but Yuan Shi said unhappily, "Your sincere love for your filial grandson is too real to refuse!"

Zhang Shuo also chuckled, "Money isn't a precious thing, but it can help people avoid feeling cramped. It's a common thing in the world, but if you don't use it wisely, it won't become anything useful. Your grandmother gave you a true heart, but also a test. The art of accumulation and dispersal is something you'll learn for yourself."

After hearing this, Zhang Dai no longer refused. Looking at his grandmother's loving smile, he secretly vowed in his heart that after his grandmother passed away, he would write a heartfelt epitaph for her!
(End of this chapter)