“I even said it was less, a hundred thousand or so is possible. Think about it, big brother, with that much silver, you come to the county to buy a big mansion, and buy countless servants, and marry a beautiful woman, how comfortable your life will be.”
Song Ming imagined that scenario and once again drained his drink, placing the glass heavily on the table, “As you wish.”
Huang Si showed a calculating smile, as long as he got the secret recipe, not only could he sell it for a lot of silver, he could also cut off that girl’s money. It was painful to think about!
Song Lian lifted the curtain and entered.
“Quickly, quickly, quickly, take one tael of silver to give to big brother, big brother is having such a hard time, you as a sister don’t know to subsidize big brother some.”
Song Lian froze in surprise.
“What are you still standing there for, go and get it.”
……
After eating and drinking to his heart’s content, and having received a tael of silver, Song Ming was so happy that he went to the carriage rental place and rented a carriage for fifteen wen, and went back to the village in deceit.
When he arrived at the entrance of the village, he raised the curtain of the carriage, hoping to surprise the village people, but he didn’t meet anyone.
When Song Gua heard the sound of the carriage, she thought Song Lian had returned and came out of the house.
Song Ming hiccuped and wandered into his house, where he threw himself on the bed and quickly let out a snore.
……
Chapter House.
Zhang Huai knelt in front of the hearth of Madam Zhang, his eyes red, his hands hanging at his side clenched tightly, the veins in his hands bulging high.
“Young master.”
The butler respectfully handed the burnt paper to him.
Only then did Zhang Huai let go of his hand and put them one by one into the fire bowl, the firelight reflecting his gloomy and violent face.
Zhang Zhuan knelt outside the hearth, not daring to breathe out. He slightly inclined his head and gave a hint to Zhang Lan, who cried louder and louder, his hoarse voice making people unable to help but follow the sadness.
Zhang Huai, however, was not moved in the slightest.
Nightfall.
The chapter house was once again quiet.
In the flower hall of the main courtyard, Master Zhang and Zhang Huai sat in silence.
“What did my mother say before she died?”
Zhang Huai opened his mouth to ask.
Master Zhang shook his head in pain, “When I came back, your mother was already out of breath.”
Bang!
Zhang Huai slammed heavily on the table, “All of Yuan’s family deserved to die!”
“Huai’er, you must not be impulsive, if your mother were in heaven, she wouldn’t want ……”
“I don’t have a mother!”
Zhang Huai shouted angrily, copied the tealight on the table and slammed it on the ground fiercely, the tealight split into pieces and the hot tea splashed on his feet, but he didn’t even notice.
Master Zhang gave a pause and sighed, “Your mother and your sister passed away like this, my father is also very sad in his heart. You are the hope of the Zhang family, your mother is gone and she would not want you to cut off your future for her sake.”
Zhang Huai closed his eyes.
When he and Master Zhang had agreed to let Zhang Yao do it, they were very sure that no one would find out.
……
The black shadow reappeared outside the Zhang family’s courtyard wall.
He leapt up the wall of the backyard in a familiar way and followed the same route as last night all the way to the study.
The study was locked today, so he went to the door as he had done yesterday and listened, but heard no movement.
“Bam!”
“Who is it?”
A bellow came from a voice.
The black shadow leapt onto the roof, but did not stay as it did yesterday, but quickly exited the Zhang House after a few rising leaps.
The houseboy rushed into the courtyard and, alarmed at the sight of the lock thrown on the ground, darted off to report it.
Master Zhang and Zhang Huai came over with gloomy faces, looking at the courtyard of house guards and cursing in anger, “All of you are trash, so many people can’t even catch anyone! And don’t even get out!”
The houseboys retreated.
The housekeeper was still guarding the door, and when Master Zhang and Zhang Huai entered, they saw that the furnishings in the study had not moved, so they knew that no one had entered the study.
“It’s alright.”
Master Zhang knew what Zhang Huai was talking about and told him, “Someone had come last night and messed up the study and didn’t find anything.”
Zhang Huai was startled, “Father is saying that ……”
Master Zhang nodded slowly, “We have been watched, that’s why father asked you not to be impetuous. After we bury your mother and your sister, we will ……”
The housekeeper stood in the doorway with long ears, but he couldn’t hear what Master Zhang said.
……
The following day was the day when Song Simu was off.
“Song Xieyuan.”
Song Si was walking out with his book basket on his back when he heard someone call out to him from behind and stopped to turn back.
He was two years older than Song Si and had come to the academy a year ago. He was not very good at learning, but he was very easy-going and was the kind of person who would answer any request, and he knew all the students in the academy very well.
Song Si, however, did not know him very well and asked indifferently, “Something wrong?”
Qin Qian had a coquettish smile on his face, “I have a carriage at home, I can give you a ride.”
“No need.”
Song Si refused, turning around and continuing on his way.
Qin Qian did not chase after him, scratching his head before slowly walking behind him.
……
“Big brother!”
Song Wangyue stood by the carriage and waved towards Song Si.
Song Si walked over and unloaded the book basket onto the carriage, “Why are you two free to come over?”
The hotpot was something Yue’er had worked out, she should be busy making the hotpot base at home at this time of year.
“Second Uncle, Second Aunt and Third Uncle have come to set up their stall again, Second Brother is at home working on the workshop, only the two of us are free.”
“The workshop?”
“Yes, get in and I’ll give you the details.”
The three of them got into the carriage and after they sat down, Song Wangyue told him everything about the workshop.
Hearing that the village women were allowed to sign the deed of sale, Song Si nodded, “Yes, that’s how it should be, or you guys have thought it through.”
“How good it would be if big brother didn’t study, he would definitely be good for business.”
Song Wan Yue lamented.
Song Si was amused by her words and couldn’t help but rub her head, “If big brother didn’t study, how would he be able to pass the first prize? How can you honor your ancestors? How can I support you in the future?”
When talking about backing up, she even gave Gu Yi a special glance.
Gu Yi had an innocent look on his face.
“I was just lamenting, if only second brother was half as good as you, I wouldn’t have to work hard all day to teach him.”
Song Si once again laughed at her old-fashioned words, “Let’s go to the market and see my parents before we go home.”
After watching them go, Qin Qian also got on the carriage, which turned a few corners before stopping at the entrance of the dart board, he got off the carriage, walked into the board and went straight to the martial arts training ground.
The people in the dart board were practising feverishly.
“Auntie, cousin!”
Qi Wu heard the shout and threw a long sword over, and when Qin Qian had just caught it, Qi Ying attacked.
After Qin Qian unhurriedly blocked her move, he backhanded and attacked back, Qi Ying blocked it with her sword and attacked back.
Everyone in the martial arts arena stopped and watched as the two went back and forth, and in a matter of moments, a dozen moves had been exchanged.
