Chapter 31: Picking Someone Up

Hearing Wang Gui call out "Young Master," the people on the estate knew a major figure from the mansion had arrived.

Almost all the tenant farmers gathered around the carriage, gazing at the Seventh Young Master with reverence and a hint of flattery.

Wang Guanshi stood out most visibly—he knelt at the front of the crowd, prostrate with perfect form, a posture he had specifically trained for; his reputation for loyalty among the Zhao family's high-ranking figures had been built from such small, meticulous gestures.

For a long while, no sound came from the Seventh Young Master.

Wang Guanshi cautiously lifted his head and saw that the Seventh Young Master wasn't looking at him at all—he was staring at the carriage door.

Zheng Fa emerged from the carriage and leapt to the ground—right… right in front of Wang Guanshi.

When their eyes met, both held a hint of confusion.

Perhaps because Wang Guanshi's posture was too reverent, Zheng Fa unconsciously made a gesture as if to tell him to rise.

Wang Guanshi instinctively stood up, then his face stiffened involuntarily, his cheeks flushing deep crimson; his gaze slowly shifted from Zheng Fa to the Seventh Young Master, who acted as if he saw nothing, smiling brightly.

Wang Gui watched from the side, his mind brimming with questions:

Did my father kneel to Zheng Fa?

No, how is Zheng Fa still standing? Not only can he walk—he can even jump?

Why is the Seventh Young Master standing with Zheng Fa, laughing and chatting so intimately?

A deeper, unbelievable jealousy stirred in him—he had been the Seventh Young Master's page, yet the Young Master had never once smiled at him.

"Young Master, why have you come to the estate?"

Unable to hold back his curiosity, Wang Gui asked.

"Oh, I'm here to pick someone up."

Wang Gui's heart surged with joy—sure enough, the Seventh Young Master still remembered Yan Yu Lou, no, remembered his unwavering loyalty!

Even though Zheng Fa had somehow won the Young Master's favor through despicable means, the Young Master's arrival confirmed that he still had lingering feelings for him!

Wang Gui had absolute confidence in his talent as a sycophant—one day, Wang Gui would become the number one sycophant under the Young Master's banner!

"Pick someone up?" Wang Guanshi heard those two words and glanced at his own Wang Gui—didn't the Seventh Young Master know only one person on this estate?

"Zheng Fa, where are your mother and sister? Have they arrived?" The Seventh Young Master tapped his head and turned to ask Zheng Fa.

"Brother!"

Seeing Zheng Fa's gaze turn toward her, Zheng Shan, who had held back for so long, finally burst out, jumping beside her mother and calling out.

The Seventh Young Master took Zheng Fa's arm and led him to Zheng Mother's side.

Zheng Mother carefully examined Zheng Fa's face and saw that he showed no signs of hardship—in fact, he had even gained weight.

A smile finally appeared on her face.

"Mother, Lady's grace has ordered me to bring you and my sister to live in the city."

Zheng Mother, who had been about to speak, suddenly froze, unsure what to say.

Wang Gui felt as if struck by lightning, unable to believe his ears.

Not here to pick me up?

To pick up Zheng Fa's family?

The tenant farmers nearby reacted more quickly and strongly.

"To the city? The whole family? The Zheng family is going to prosper—their ancestors are smoking incense!"

"Don't talk nonsense—it's because Zheng Fa has gained status in the mansion; look, even the Seventh Young Master came back with him."

"I always said this child Zheng Fa was extraordinary!"

"Bullshit, you just said Zheng Fa never spoke and was like a mute—he'd never amount to anything!"

Amid the surrounding murmurs of envy and regret, Zheng Mother finally snapped out of her daze, but looking from Zheng Fa to the Seventh Young Master, she opened her mouth yet found no words.

Zheng Fa gently took her hand: "Mother, we haven't eaten yet—we're all hungry. Can you make us something to eat?"

"Not eaten?" Hearing her son was hungry, Zheng Mother forgot everything else and turned toward home: "I'll cook for you right away!"

After taking two steps, she suddenly stopped, turned back to glance at the Seventh Young Master beside Zheng Fa, and whispered to Zheng Fa: "Has the Seventh Young Master eaten too?"

"Yes."

"This… we have no meat left, only coarse grains fit for tenant farmers—the Seventh Young Master, a nobleman like him, probably can't eat such food…"

Beside them, the Seventh Young Master frowned, as if about to speak.

But Wang Guanshi suddenly spoke up: "Young Master, my home has simple tea and plain meals—though nothing compared to the mansion, they're more respectable than the Zhengs'. Please, let me offer you a humble meal."

Zheng Fa felt his mother's grip tighten on his arm; he turned and saw her expression dimming.

He knew Zheng Mother was overly thoughtful—right now, she likely felt their family's circumstances and her own reaction had shamed Zheng Fa.

After Wang Guanshi spoke, the Seventh Young Master fell into brief thought.

He looked at Zheng Fa, then at Wang Guanshi.

Wang Guanshi offered a respectful yet warm smile.

"Do you have wine?"

"Yes!"

"Do you have meat?"

"Yes!"

"Do you have grain?"

"Yes!"

"Then your household is quite well-off."

"All thanks to the mansion's grace…"

The surrounding tenant farmers looked at Wang Guanshi with envy—truthfully, they had to admit that Wang Guanshi's household was the most respectable on the estate.

If the Seventh Young Master went to their homes, they guessed they'd be just as terrified as Zheng Mother.

Crack!

The Seventh Young Master clapped his hands and said, "Isn't that simple? I'm going to the Zheng household for a meal—your place has everything; just send some over to the Zhengs!"

"Huh?" Even Wang Guanshi, who prided himself on remaining unmoved by praise or blame, felt his smile freeze. He stared at the Seventh Young Master's utterly reasonable face, then turned to look at Wang Gui.

For the first time, Wang Gui saw not disdain but deep regret on his father's face—and in that moment, he understood the expression:

What kind of life did you lead when you were a page boy!

Zheng Fa and Gao Yuan exchanged a glance. This guy really does turn into a dog when it comes to others…

Perfect!

…

"Young Master, this…"

"What? You don't let me eat your family's food?" The Seventh Young Master's face darkened instantly.

"Of course you can! Wang Gui! Go bring all the wine, dishes, and cured meats from home to the Zheng household!" Wang Guanshi bit back his anger and slapped his son, who stood there dazed.

"Father! Send all the meat? Then we'll only have a few chickens left!" Wang Gui was naturally unwilling—his family was wealthier than Zheng Fa's, but even so, this wasn't how you squandered your fortune.

"You keep chickens?" The Seventh Young Master chimed in, sounding genuinely interested.

"Kill another chicken!" Wang Guanshi kicked Wang Gui, shooing him off, terrified he'd say another word and end up giving the Zhengs their newly built house too.

…

"The table's a bit small—Young Master, bear with it."

Even with Wang Guanshi's generous support, dining at the Zheng household was an unprecedentedly humble experience for the Seventh Young Master.

There were only three stools: the Seventh Young Master, Zheng Fa, and Gao Yuan sat down.

Zheng Mother and Zheng Shan had nowhere to sit.

Zheng Mother was content enough—she hid in the kitchen; she wouldn't dare sit beside the Seventh Young Master.

Zheng Shan didn't care about having a seat at all. She leaned against Zheng Fa, tiptoeing to gaze at the tiny table, piled high with dishes.

"The Wang family… eats so well!"

She stuffed her fingers in her mouth, saliva smeared all over her small hand, her voice dripping with envy.

Zheng Fa picked up a handkerchief and wiped her hands, yet he knew—Wang Guanshi probably didn't eat like this every day.

Serving the Seventh Young Master daily? Such a fortune? Wang Guanshi would hang himself from the Zhao family's front gate…

But the Seventh Young Master frowned and asked, "Do you and Wang Gui's family have a grudge?"

If he hadn't sensed this, he wouldn't have tormented the Wangs.

Before Zheng Fa could speak, Zheng Shan already scowled and complained: "It's always been them bullying our family!"

"Oh?" The Seventh Young Master looked intrigued.