Chapter 85: Hosting a Banquet

"To Zheng Fa, personally"

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

Since returning from the Immortal Product Assembly, 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 likely already set foot on the road to 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 to have already left the Zhao household. Jingyang Academy—he’d heard of it, famous but far away.

"I asked the Young Master to help me. I never thought he’d not only get my indenture papers from Lady Zhao but also persuade Master Shen to write a recommendation letter to the academy’s dean."

Zheng Fa smiled and continued 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, me with white hair, you still with black locks. I didn’t want to kneel before someone I once called a close friend, bowing my back, calling him 'Immortal Sir.' I once would have done so—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-eyed, 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 after a moment.

"Zheng Fa, if I were you, I’d be proud and delighted. But you’re not—you’ve always felt this world shouldn’t be this way."

"So I went to the academy, I want to keep studying, to become a minor official, to see what I can do for 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, gazing into the distance, unsure himself what he felt.

Suddenly, noise came from outside, breaking his thoughts.

Huang Yu in the outer courtyard also heard it. He glanced at Zheng Fa, saw Zheng Fa nod, then curiosity drove him outside.

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

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

Several young men, dressed like restaurant staff, 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 you want to eat!"

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 sense of perspective! On this street, besides the households of Zheng Fa and Zheng True Person, which other Zheng family could be this extravagant?"

Hearing this, Huang Yu glanced back at the Zheng family courtyard behind him, then pointed to himself: "But I… I’m from the Zheng family!"

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

Zheng Fa was also stunned. Only when he stepped outside did he begin to understand—it was probably Lady Zhao’s doing.

Because Wu the steward stood at the gate, instructing the staff.

"Wu steward? What’s this?"

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

"Zheng True Person."

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

"It’s only a matter of time. Calling you now won’t hurt." Wu smiled. "You have something to ask?"

"This…"

"Ah, Lady Zhao ordered it. To celebrate your admission to the immortal sect."

Zheng Fa frowned slightly.

It didn’t suit his nature, nor Lady Zhao’s usual style.

Wu’s voice lowered. "Actually, it was the Seventh Young Master’s idea."

That made sense. Only he could pull this off.

"Didn’t Lady Zhao stop him?"

"The Seventh Young Master said you came from humble origins, and after joining the immortal sect, you might struggle financially. He wanted to give you gold and silver."

Zheng Fa nodded slightly.

"Lady Zhao stopped him, saying we needn’t spend our own money—others will send gifts."

Zheng Fa grew more puzzled.

"Lady Zhao ordered me to host this banquet. True Person, rest assured—it won’t harm your reputation. Whoever comes, rich or poor, beggar or pauper, just say 'congratulations' and you’ll get a full meal!"

"…"

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

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

Anyone who gave a gift, he’d jot down two entries in the ledger before him.

Several familiar faces were stepping forward to hand over silver notes.

Weren’t these the young masters of the Chen family?

Behind them stood others, dressed extravagantly, clearly from wealthy households.

Now Zheng Fa understood: "So this is… using the banquet to collect wealth?"

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

Wu spoke with solemn righteousness.

Zheng Fa frowned—he disliked such showiness.

Wu seemed to sense his discomfort and even complained: "True Person, you don’t know—since the Immortal Product Assembly, countless great clans have been eyeing you… They couldn’t reach your door, so they all came to Lady Zhao!"

"…" Zheng Fa hadn’t expected this.

"If Lady Zhao kept refusing them, they’d think Zhao family is hoarding you, unwilling to let you associate with them." Wu’s distress seemed genuine: "So Lady Zhao thought—better to host this banquet, let them pay their respects once, then you’ll have peace afterward."

Zheng Fa nodded. He understood—it was the only way.

"Lady Zhao has another thought: after you leave, Lady Zheng and Miss Zheng remain in Jingzhou City. She fears some foolish people might trouble them. This banquet also lets every faction, big or small, recognize your household…"

Zheng Fa fell silent a moment, then walked toward the street, bowing to those who came to offer gifts.

They were taken aback that Zheng Fa himself came to thank them, some visibly flustered.

Looking at these uninvited guests, he thought again of Gao Yuan’s silent departure.

He still preferred the latter.

…

Seeing Zheng Fa greet the guests, Wu suddenly tugged Huang Yu’s sleeve.

"Hm?"

Huang Yu looked down and saw Wu slipping a delicate jade pendant into his hand.

"This…?" Huang Yu frowned. "Your gift?"

"Me?" Wu choked. "It’s for you!"

"For me?" Huang Yu stared at the pendant—fine quality, certainly beyond what his father owned.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Nothing. Just make a good connection." Wu smiled as Huang Yu treated the jade like it was hot: "Their young masters are fawning over your master. I, as a steward, can only fawn over you, the steward… Take it. You can tell your master later."

Huang Yu carefully tucked the jade into his robe, hearing Wu add: "This is nothing. Your father really got you a good position."

Touching the jade in his chest, he felt, for the first time, the joy of being a dog or chicken.