Notes on Longevity

Chapter 218 Huang Zichao did not recognize Cheng Han, let alone the implications.

In the sixteenth year of Wen Shang's reign, in the second month of spring.

In the Zhao family mansion located in the eastern part of Huangzhou, all the servants and maids were busy carrying various items towards a room that had been empty for a long time but was regularly cleaned.

"Be careful, these are all items prepared for Young Master Cheng Han. If you bump or damage them, the master will not forgive you."

Standing outside the room, addressing the busy servants, was a middle-aged man. His greasy face, slightly bloated body, and exceptionally luxurious clothing, which stood out among the servants, all proclaimed his status in the mansion.

"Butler Huang, according to the servants at the four city gates, Young Master Yang's carriage is about to arrive at the manor."

At this moment, a young servant rushed out of the mansion and strode up to the man, bowing and greeting him.

Huang Zichao, the chief steward of Zhao Wuyong's Zhao family, the richest merchant in Huangzhou City, learned from Zhao Wuyong two months ago that Yang Chenghan, the son of Yang Tianqian, the former troublemaker, the number one person in the martial arts world, and also a good friend of his master, had set off from Fuyang City to Huangzhou and was going to stay there for a long time.

Upon receiving this news, he began making preparations to welcome Yang Chenghan as soon as he left Zhao Wuyong's study.

First, the first thing he did was to renovate the room where Yang Tianqian had lived, leaving no stone unturned, even down to every single floorboard. With the room new, the furniture naturally had to be replaced as well. When Yang Tianqian lived there, everything was simple, and every piece of furniture was made of the finest porcelain. But Yang Chenghan was different. After all, he was the son of the number one figure in the martial arts world. Although they had retired from the martial arts world, their son was certainly pampered and absolutely could not be subjected to any hardship. Therefore, furniture made of various kinds of top-grade agate, and playthings and ornaments made of glass were moved into the house. Even the entire mansion was redecorated and renovated.

Several thousand-year-old sycamore trees in the front and back courtyards were covered with festive red lanterns, and colorful silk lanterns with flower baskets were hung on each door to symbolize joy. Not only that, even the lanterns used to light the corridors were replaced with lanterns with famous actors. The doors and windows were covered with square knot patterns that symbolized mutual affection, to show that although they were not related by blood, they were closer than family.

He was involved in all the arrangements over the past two months, and he would order rectification for any slight impropriety. After all, this was Yang Chenghan's first time visiting Huangzhou's "home," and the first impression had to be good, even though they always valued frugality.

And now, he is coming.

Upon receiving the news, his greasy face broke into a wide grin. Amidst the astonished looks of the young servants, he vanished in the blink of an eye, dragging his slightly bloated body along. But his wild laughter and shouts echoed throughout the entire mansion: "Young Master Cheng Han, this old servant has come to fetch you."

The servants and maids were startled by Huang Zichao's voice. They stopped in their tracks, looked at each other in astonishment, but the next moment their expressions turned panicked. The brief pause made them quicken their pace, and they carried all the prepared items into the room as fast as arrows.

Huang Zichao arrived at the gate of the mansion. The guards at the gate could see that he was very nervous, but his expectant look around was also very obvious.

But after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he paced anxiously back and forth at the door, at a loss for what to do, but still couldn't wait for Yang Chenghan to arrive.

He turned around and asked the servant at the door with a serious expression, "Wasn't it said that Young Master Cheng Han would be arriving soon? Why hasn't he shown up yet?"

The two servants stared at Huang Zichao, exchanging bewildered glances. They were speechless and could only say, "According to the report, Young Master Yang entered the city an incense stick ago. If he were traveling by carriage, he should have arrived by now."

"Where is Young Master Cheng Han?"

Huang Zichao's confusion also puzzled the servant, who stammered, "Could it be that Young Master Yang got lost on his first trip to Huangzhou?"

"Lost?" Huang Zichao found it unbelievable: "There are people from the residences at all four city gates to greet us, how could we possibly get lost?"

Upon hearing this, the servant shook his head, unable to provide an answer.

Huang Zichao sighed and said, "If it weren't for the need to replenish some items for Young Master Cheng Han's room, I would really like to stand guard at the city gate so that I could see Young Master Cheng Han as soon as possible."

"Excuse me, is this the Zhao family residence?"

Just as Huang Zichao was feeling down, a ragged, unkempt young man carrying a tattered bundle appeared at the bottom of the mansion steps. He bowed to Huang Zichao and asked with a grim expression.

Huang Zichao was already annoyed, and upon seeing the ragged young man, he replied impatiently, "What are you going to do if this is the Zhao family mansion?"

The boy was overjoyed upon hearing this. He quickly walked up the steps and bowed to Huang Zichao again. Just as he was about to speak, Huang Zichao stopped him: "Stop! How dare you be so rude, you brat? Even if you're begging for money, you shouldn't come up here."

The boy was stunned by what he heard, a hint of confusion in his eyes, and asked, "Why?"

“Your status is far below mine, and this is the Zhao family’s residence. You should not be begging here. If you want to, you can come back on the day my master distributes porridge.”

"Furthermore, my young master Cheng Han is returning to his residence today. How dare you, covered in grease, soil the steps of my Zhao family? Get out of here now! Otherwise, I won't be so polite!"

As soon as Huang Zichao finished speaking, the two servants at the door rolled up their sleeves, ready to attack. The young man, also scolded by Huang Zichao, tried to back away, but was stopped by a voice: "Young Master Chenghan! Why are you walking so fast? We can hardly catch up with you."

Upon hearing this, the boy turned his head and saw an old man hurrying towards him in a carriage made of old horses.

The carriage stopped at the bottom of the steps in front of the Zhao residence. The old man jumped down in his haste and almost fell. The young man saw this and quickly went to help him up.

The old man was extremely frightened by the young man's help. He hurriedly waved his hand and said breathlessly, "Young Master Chenghan, this old servant is fine, but... but why did you come riding an old horse?"

As the old man spoke, he glanced incredulously at the emaciated old horse behind him and asked.

The boy looked embarrassed and explained, "My father said an old horse knows the way."

Upon hearing this, the old man gave an incredulous "hmm," then sighed helplessly, "That can't be the case! If Young Master Chenghan were to have an accident on the way, how would we explain it to my master and Master Yang!"

"and many more!"

Huang Zichao stared nervously at the old man and the boy, and asked in a flustered manner, "Old man Jiang, what did you call him?"

Huang Zichao had actually guessed it, but he dared not admit it! Just now he had been sternly lecturing the boy, but now Old Man Jiang's words filled him with terror.

"Butler Huang, this is Young Master Cheng Han. Don't you recognize him?"

Old Man Jiang's words struck Huang Zichao like a thunderbolt, leaving him utterly ashamed. He repeatedly questioned himself in his mind, "What was I doing just now? I actually scolded Young Master Cheng Han?! God, are you trying to kill me?!"

However, the self-reproach in his heart did not affect his outward "joy." He quickly walked to the young man, knelt down with a "plop," and cried out, "Young Master Chenghan! You've finally come! This old servant, Huang Zichao, has been waiting for you for so long!"

Old Man Jiang was frightened by Huang Zichao's behavior. Even the servants who had rolled up their sleeves at the door quickly put them down, knelt down, kowtowed, and said, "This servant greets Young Master Cheng Han."

Yang Chenghan was stunned by Huang Zichao's action. He turned to look at Old Master Jiang helplessly. The old man understood Yang Chenghan's embarrassment and coughed twice before saying, "Butler Huang, Young Master Chenghan has been traveling for more than two months. Why don't you take him into the mansion to rest? I can also stop the carriage."

Upon hearing this, Huang Zichao quickly agreed, then stood up and led the bewildered Yang Chenghan through the gate of the Zhao residence. A paulownia tree stood tall within the mansion, its saplings, about waist-high, bursting with vibrant green leaves. As Huang Zichao led Yang Chenghan towards the main hall in the empty residence, he asked a question that puzzled Yang Chenghan: "What does Butler Huang mean by this?"

"No, this old servant is just curious, did Young Master Cheng Han not bring any change of clothes with him on this trip?"

Huang Zichao quickly explained, "Master Yang only has you as his son, so he must have spoiled you rotten. Why are there no servants with you? Even your clothes are the same."

Huang Zichao didn't want to say it outright, but Yang Chenghan understood what he was talking about. He replied, "I'm just a country bumpkin, what kind of followers do I have? Besides, Chenghan's family is poor, and I spend my days practicing martial arts and doing farm work. How could I be pampered? As for you, I thought the business friend my father mentioned was a peddler. I inquired all the way here, but who knew it was actually the Zhao family of Huangzhou."

"Abundant possessions?"

Huang Zichao was shocked by Yang Chenghan's words. He said incredulously, "How is that possible? Master Yang was once the number one person in the martial arts world. Even if he retired from the martial arts world, he shouldn't be destitute!"

Yang Chenghan said with a self-deprecating smile, "Although I don't know much about my father's past, I do know a bit. He offended so many people, and it's already a stroke of luck that he was able to get away unscathed. How could I dare to hope for a magnificent mansion?"

Huang Zichao was still incredulous. He said, "Back then, Master Yang fought alone across the martial world, causing a bloodbath and changing the very color of the sky. How could he have fallen to this state?"

"What do you mean?"

Yang Chenghan was somewhat puzzled.

"Young Master Cheng Han, you don't know?"

Huang Zichao understood. He said, "No wonder. Back then, there was no one in the martial arts world who didn't want to kill Master Yang as soon as possible."

"Does Butler Huang know something? Can you tell me?"

Yang Chenghan has always been very curious about his father's past. Once, he overheard a conversation between his father and mother. He wanted to ask them the reason, but his father brushed him off. Now that someone knows, he naturally wants to ask them clearly.

Huang Zichao shook his head and said, "Since Master Yang didn't mention it to Cheng Han, this old servant shouldn't overstep his bounds. Please forgive me, young master."

Yang Chenghan frowned, stopped and looked at Huang Zichao with a smirk. Huang Zichao, puzzled, asked, "What's wrong, Young Master Chenghan?"

"I don't think Steward Huang is old, but you've been calling me 'old servant' ever since just now. Why is that?"

Huang Zichao thought he had said something wrong, but he didn't expect that this was what Yang Chenghan cared about. So he explained, "This old servant has served the master and mistress in the mansion since childhood. It is because of the master and mistress's consideration and trust that this old servant became a steward when he was about the same age as the young man. It has been thirty-two years now."

"Thirty-two years?" Yang Chenghan muttered to himself, "The same age as me? Then he should be forty-eight years old."

"Yes, Young Master Cheng Han."

Huang Zichao smiled and said, "Let's go, Young Master Chenghan. Master and Madam are waiting for you in the main hall."

Yang Chenghan nodded and said, "Thank you for your help, Butler Huang."

"Don't dare, don't dare!"

In the main hall of the Zhao residence, Zhao Wuyong paced back and forth. His white hair, like snow, slowly covered his life as he approached fifty. His slightly hunched figure made the beautiful woman sitting next to him anxious. She quickly stepped forward to stop him and said with concern, "Master, you've only been well for a few days. Don't fall ill again before you even see Cheng Han."

Faced with the beautiful woman's concern, Zhao Wuyong nodded wearily and comforted her: "I'm fine, Zhilan, but it's Chenghan who's a problem. He's lived in the capital since he was a child, and I'm afraid he'll suffer from acclimatization issues in this poor and remote place of Huangzhou. If he gets sick, I don't know how I'll explain it to Brother Yang."

"Butler Huang has already renovated the mansion, so don't worry, everything will be fine."

The beautiful woman's surname was An, and her given name was Zhilan. Sixteen years ago, she sold herself into servitude to bury her father and entered the Zhao family, becoming Zhao Wuyong's first wife. She gave birth to a daughter named Zhao Yunchu.

Zhao Wuyong shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that if someone finds out that Cheng Han is Brother Yang's child, someone will come to cause trouble for him. After all, what happened decades ago was earth-shattering. Although so much time has passed, some people still remember it. They might be in Huangzhou."

“If that’s the case, then you shouldn’t have brought Chenghan to Huangzhou. We have so many shops; he can learn anywhere.”

An Zhilan wasn't complaining, but worried. She had heard Zhao Wuyong talk about what happened back then. Rather than letting Yang Chenghan live in Huangzhou in constant fear, it would be better to keep him far away. She could arrange for more servants to take care of him. He wanted to learn business, and the shopkeepers in those shops could teach him a lot.

But Zhao Wuyong clearly didn't think that way: "Brother Yang sent Cheng Han to learn the ways of business from me. I understand his good intentions. He wants to stay away from the troubles of the business world and live a more carefree life as a wealthy merchant. However, what I want is for him to stay away from the business world."

An Zhilan frowned, puzzled, and asked, "Why?"

“Being a wealthy merchant is good, but merchants value profit over parting. I don’t want Brother Yang’s children to become like me, like my father, like my grandfather. A moment of greed has ruined the lives of several generations.”

An Zhilan knew what he was talking about, so she asked, "Then what do you want to teach him?"

“Poor or rich, official or merchant, no matter what we do, we are all human. Whether we are good or bad, we will be remembered for good or bad. I just want him to live a good life. Even if he does nothing, I can support him for the rest of his life. As long as the Zhao family does not fall, I can support his descendants.”

"Does the master mean to teach him a lesson?" An Zhilan asked.

Zhao Wuyong shook his head again and said, "What am I, Zhao Wuyong? How am I worthy of teaching people how to be human? I just want him to understand the pros and cons, so that even if he has the same stubborn temper as Brother Yang, he won't end up in his footsteps."

An Zhilan nodded and said, "I understand."

Just then, a servant entered the hall. He bowed to the two men and said, "Master, Madam, Steward Huang is outside the hall with Young Master Cheng Han."

"Quickly, let them in!" Zhao Wuyong said excitedly.

"Yes."

Huang Zichao was the first to enter the main hall. He smiled at Zhao Wuyong and An Zhilan and said, "Master, Madam, Young Master Chenghan has arrived."

Under the watchful eyes of the three men, Yang Chenghan, dressed in rags, walked into the main hall. When he saw Zhao Wuyong, he took off the bundle from his shoulder and bowed, saying, "Junior Yang Chenghan greets Uncle Zhao."

(End of this chapter)