Chapter 57: Tenant

Sister-in-law Chunxiang was a servant of the Hou Fu, but she married an outsider. When she married, the Hou Fu was generous and released her deed of sale. Because of her, the whole family lived in the back alley of the Hou Fu, which was also a good support, so they didn't have to worry about being extorted and beaten by government officials.

No matter how awesome the government officials were, they didn't dare to run wild in the territory of the Hou Fu.

Sister-in-law Chunxiang's husband was a martial artist and worked in a dart agency. Recently, he followed a batch of goods to another place and hadn't returned yet. Their house structure was the same as the Chen family's, but there was an extra side room and an ear room, which could just be used for rent to subsidize the family.

Before, it was mostly rented to small and medium-sized merchants coming to the capital to do business. This was the first time it was rented to a scholar, which was quite rare. Sister-in-law Chunxiang, who had a loud voice, lowered her voice by eight degrees, and even carried a bit of a clip tone; it was really rare.

Chen Guanlou cut three taels of braised meat and sent it to Sister-in-law Chunxiang's house. Her three children, three taels of braised meat were enough to satisfy their cravings. By the way, look at the rarity and weigh the weight of the new scholar. Don't be a scholar with a Wu Mai, which would affect his Wu Gong practice.

Knocked on the door and entered Sister-in-law Chunxiang's house.

Sister-in-law Chunxiang greeted him enthusiastically. "You came, you came, why bring braised meat? Have you eaten? If not, eat together."

"Ate, ate. I already ate on the way back."

The two families were very familiar and didn't see outsiders at all. Sister-in-law Chunxiang didn't treat him with much courtesy, served tea, and chatted while doing housework.

At this time, the door of the east side room opened, and the scholar tenant opened the door and came out, dressed properly, but there was eye mucus in the corners of his eyes, and there were red blood streaks in his eyes.

"Master Zhao, why did you get up so early today? Is breakfast eaten outside or should I make it for you? There is still millet at home, which can be used to boil millet porridge."

"Then trouble the landlord to boil a bowl of millet porridge for me, and another cage of steamed buns." After saying that, Master Zhao gave money to Sister-in-law Chunxiang.

Sister-in-law Chunxiang ordered the eldest in the family to go out to buy steamed buns, and specifically ordered to buy them at Zhang Ji. Zhang Ji's steamed buns were full of materials, the buns were big, and they were very affordable. By the way, she whispered to the eldest to buy another cage for Chen Guanlou to eat. Even boiling millet porridge was prepared for two people.

"This brother?" Master Zhao clearly noticed the strange Chen Guanlou and asked curiously.

Chen Guanlou greeted with a smile. "My surname is Chen, Chen Guanlou, living next door."

"Ah!" Master Zhao realized suddenly. "You are the little Chen brother who is on duty in the Heavenly Prison."

"Exactly!"

"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you." Master Zhao didn't have the bad habit of looking down on prison guards, but he wasn't very close either, maintaining a normal social distance.

"Where is Master Zhao from?" Chen Guanlou asked about the other party's household registration book.

Master Zhao didn't hide it, and was even less vigilant. "My home is in Fuzhou."

"Fuzhou is a good place; are you accustomed to coming to the capital? The diet in the capital is very different from Fuzhou."

"It's okay! It's not the first time I've gone out; my adaptability is good." Master Zhao was quite proud. A young man in his twenties, still in the stage of loving to show off.

Chen Guanlou saw that the other party didn't have a Wu Mai and hadn't practiced Wu Gong, so he put his heart down early.

"Master Zhao, if you encounter trouble in the capital in the future, if you don't mind, tell me. I can still help with things on the street."

He didn't take everything on himself, only saying he could help with things on the street. The implication was that he couldn't help with things in the officialdom.

Master Zhao heard this and felt a sense of favor, saying he wanted to be the host to treat Chen Guanlou to drink.

Chen Guanlou agreed, only saying that another day when he was free, everyone would drink together and introduce him to the scenery of the capital.

Rushing to noon, Chen Guanlou went to Master Du's house.

Master Du's wife was in his hometown, and his children were also in his hometown. There was only an old servant taking care of him by his side. Every time Chen Guanlou came, he was very happy. Not only because Chen Guanlou brought wine and food every time, but also because the old and young could talk together.

Master Du taught in the Hou Fu and often felt lonely. There was no one by his side who could talk. Chen Guanlou's arrival filled the vacancy, and life became colorful.

Upon seeing him, Master Du greeted him enthusiastically, letting the old servant take the braised beef to the kitchen, slice it, and serve it. Then prepare two more small dishes; he was happy today.

"Thanks to your help in giving ideas last time. A few days ago, I went to see the Great Master." Master Du took the initiative to talk about the matter.

Chen Guanlou was also quite curious and asked: "What did the Great Master say? Was there an attitude?"

Master Du was very moved. "After the Great Master learned about my situation, he told me to teach with peace of mind and not worry about the Second Master. The Great Master also said that he trusts my character and learning, and if there is anything in the private school in the future, I can report directly to him."

"Congratulations, Master Du. From now on, you don't have to worry about the Second Master catching your mistakes, and you don't have to worry about losing the job of the Hou Fu's private school." Chen Guanlou was happy for Master Du, and also happy for himself. Master Du's learning was quite good, and he didn't want to change someone to ask for advice for the time being.

Master Du laughed happily, also quite proud, picked up the wine glass, and the old and young drank.

The two drank until they were drunk and hot, and Master Du talked about another thing. "Last time, the words you said really scared the old man. When I met the Great Master, according to your suggestion, I boldly mentioned two sentences. The Great Master's face was not good, and I didn't dare to say much. However, I estimate that the Great Master should have listened to those words."

After speaking, Master Du looked around and suddenly lowered his voice, continuing: "A few days ago, I heard that the Hou Fu changed a doctor to take the pulse for the Great Madam and the Great Young Madam, and I heard that even the prescription was changed."

Chen Guanlou picked up a piece of braised beef and smiled. "The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are both sick, so I determined that there is something strange here. Sure enough! The Great Master changed the doctor, and the old lady of the Hou Fu didn't say anything?"

"I heard that the old lady of the Hou Fu took the excuse to attack several old women, and also beat the Second Young Lady of the mansion, saying that the rules were not learned well. By the way, the Second Young Lady is from the Great House. Although she was born of a concubine, she has been raised under the Great Madam's name since childhood and has always been raised as a legitimate daughter."

Chen Guanlou sneered upon hearing this. "The old lady is in a hurry. People can't be in a hurry; once they are in a hurry, they are easy to make mistakes. Look, the old lady is beating the old women and beating the Second Young Lady; these actions fall into the eyes of the Great Master, and it is inevitable that he will think more. However, the old lady has a strong body and occupies the high point of filial piety; the Hou Fu still has a fight."

Master Du clicked his tongue twice. "The old man thinks so too. It's a pity that you are young and can think of so much. Where did you learn it?"

"Master forgot, I lived in the Su family for a few years with my eldest sister, and I learned how to guess people's hearts. Now I am on duty in the Heavenly Prison. The Heavenly Prison, there are all kinds of ghosts and gods inside; without a hundred and eight hearts, I would have been sold long ago."

"How can the Heavenly Prison be so dangerous?" Master Du didn't quite understand. In the understanding of ordinary people, prison guards in the Heavenly Prison are just watching prisoners; where do they need to fight hearts? Fighting hearts is something that official masters need to worry about. ===== CHAPTER 58 =====