Chapter 85

"To Zheng Fa, personally"

Zheng Fa sat in his study, staring at the envelope in his hand, hesitated, then opened it.

Since returning from the Immortal-Grade Gathering, he had not seen Gao Yuan again.

Last night, the Seventh Young Master suddenly gave him a letter, saying it was left by Gao Yuan.

"By the time you read this letter, I've probably already set out for Jingyang Academy—you, so clever, never guessed it would be me who left first among the three of us."

Zheng Fa froze—he hadn't expected Gao Yuan had already left the Zhao household. He'd heard of Jingyang Academy: famous, but very far away.

"I asked the Young Master to help me. I didn't think he'd not only get Lady to return my indenture, but also persuade Mr. Shen to write me a recommendation letter to the academy's head."

Zheng Fa smiled and kept reading.

"It was I who asked the Young Master to keep it secret from you."

"I didn't want you and the Young Master to return one day and find me gray-haired while you still have black hair. I didn't want to kneel before someone I once called a close friend, bow my spine, and call him 'Immortal Master.' I once would have accepted it—but after meeting you, I couldn't."

"I once thought I was the most unworthy of the three: the Young Master is pure-hearted, you are clear-minded, but I've always been scheming, obsessed with comparison. Now you've entered the Immortal Sects, and I'm left alone in this mortal world."

Zheng Fa tightened his grip slightly, then continued reading after a moment.

"Zheng Fa, if I were you, I'd be proud and happy. But you're not—you seem to always believe the world shouldn't be this way."

"So I want to go to the academy, keep studying, become a minor official, and see what I can do to change this world."

"If you truly become a great figure in the Immortal Sects and still can't change this world, then when we meet again, I'll laugh at you."

Gently setting down the letter, Zheng Fa walked to the window and gazed into the distance, unsure himself what he felt.

Suddenly, noise erupted outside, breaking his thoughts.

Huang Yu in the outer courtyard also heard it. He glanced at Zheng Fa; seeing Zheng Fa nod, he curiosity-driven stepped out.

Outside, chaos reigned: the entire street was lined with red-clothed pavilions, dozens of wooden tables crammed along the road, and at the street's head, several large pots steamed as three burly chefs swung their spatulas fiercely.

Huang Yu understood: this must be some neighbor throwing a banquet—massive, blocking the whole street.

Several young men, dressed like restaurant attendants, darted between tables and chairs, finishing final preparations.

Huang Yu grabbed a man and asked: "Are you hosting a banquet?"

"Yes! A continuous banquet! Three days straight—come anytime and eat your fill!"

The man was quite enthusiastic.

Huang Yu scratched his head: "Whose house? So generous?"

"The Zheng family!"

"... Which Zheng family?" Huang Yu blinked.

"You have no worldly knowledge, do you? Besides the household of Zheng Fa, the True Person of Zheng, which other Zheng family on this street is this lavish?"

Huang Yu, hearing this, glanced back at the small Zheng courtyard behind him, then pointed at himself: "But I... I'm from the Zheng family!"

They stared at each other, both confused. Huang Yu bolted into the Zheng courtyard.

Zheng Fa was also bewildered; stepping outside, he finally understood—it must be Lady's doing.

Because Wu the Steward, Lady's attendant, stood at the gate, instructing the attendants.

"Wu Steward? What's this?"

Wu Steward turned, saw Zheng Fa calling him, hurried over, shoulders hunched, head bowed lower than ever before.

"Zheng True Person."

"Don't call me True Person," Zheng Fa waved his hand.

"It's inevitable—better to start early," Wu Steward smiled. "You need something?"

"What's this..."

"Ah, Lady ordered it—she said it's to celebrate your admission to the Immortal Sect."

Zheng Fa frowned slightly.

This neither matched his own wishes nor Lady's nature.

Wu Steward lowered his voice: "Actually, it was the Seventh Young Master's idea."

That made sense—it was exactly the kind of thing he'd do.

"Didn't Lady stop him?"

"The Seventh Young Master said you came from humble origins; after entering the Immortal Sect, you might struggle financially. He wanted to give you gold and silver."

Zheng Fa nodded slightly.

"Lady stopped him, saying we needn't spend our own money—others will give it."

Zheng Fa grew more puzzled.

"Lady instructed me to host this banquet. True Person, rest assured—it won't harm your reputation in the slightest. Whoever comes, rich or poor, beggar or pauper, just say 'congratulations' and you'll eat your fill!"

"..."

"There—that's who's bringing you money."

Wu Steward seemed to sense his confusion, pointing toward the street's head, where a small table stood, behind it sat a man dressed as an accountant.

Anyone who gave a gift would have their contribution recorded in the ledger before him.

Several vaguely familiar men were stepping forward, handing over silver notes.

Weren't those the Chen family's young masters?

Behind them stood others, dressed in extreme luxury—clearly from wealthy households.

Now Zheng Fa understood: "So this is... letting me use the banquet to collect money?"

"Collect money? This is giving the people of Jingzhou a chance to show their reverence for True Person!"

Wu Steward spoke with solemn righteousness.

Zheng Fa frowned—he inherently disliked such ostentation.

Steward Wu seemed to sense his displeasure, yet actually complained bitterly: "True Person, you don't know; after the Immortal-Grade Assembly, countless great clans have set their sights on you... With no way to reach your door, they've all gone to the Lady!"

"..." Zheng Fa hadn't expected this complication.

"If the Lady continues blocking them, they'll think our Zhao family is hogging everything alone and unwilling to let you, True Person, associate with them." The bitterness on Steward Wu's face did not seem feigned: "So the Lady thought it better to host one gathering, allowing them to visit once; thereafter, you will gain some peace."

Zheng Fa nodded, understanding in his heart that this was the only recourse.

"The Lady has another consideration: after you depart, True Person, Lady Zheng and the Young Lady will remain in Jingzhou City; we fear some blind-eyed fools might provoke trouble. This event also lets powers great and small recognize our household..."

Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment, then walked toward the street, cupping his fists to thank those who had come to offer gift money.

Those people likewise had not expected Zheng Fa to come personally to thank them, and were somewhat terrified and apprehensive.

Looking at these uninvited guests, he again thought of Gao Yuan, who had departed without farewell.

In his heart, he still preferred the latter a bit more.

Seeing Zheng Fa go to attend to those guests, Steward Wu suddenly tugged Huang Yu's sleeve.

"Hmm?"

Huang Yu lowered his head and saw Steward Wu stuff an exquisite jade pendant into his hand.

"This is..." Huang Yu asked, puzzled: "Steward Wu's gift money?"

"Do I deserve to give that?" Steward Wu choked slightly: "It's for you!"

"For me?" Huang Yu looked down at the jade pendant; its quality was superior—at the very least, his father did not possess one.

"What do you intend to do?"

"Nothing at all; simply forge a favorable connection." Seeing Huang Yu treat the jade pendant as if it were scalding hot, Steward Wu smiled and said: "Their young master curries favor with your Young Master; naturally, I, a steward, can only curry favor with you, a steward... Take it; you may tell your Young Master later if you wish."

Huang Yu carefully tucked the jade pendant into his robe, while hearing Steward Wu add: "This is merely the beginning; your father truly found you an excellent position."

Touching the jade pendant in his robe, he for the first time felt the joy of being a chicken or dog riding on another's success.