Chapter 85: Another Female Flower-Picker

Inside the room, there was silence.

The gazes of everyone were fixed on the young man in the center of the hall, their expressions varied.

Oh?

After others have said so much, you only have one word?

Li Zhengshan felt somewhat awkward, and just as he was about to speak, Luo Zijun said calmly, "Uncle Sun, you speak too seriously. Actually, whether it was the matter from before or the matter of saving people now, this junior has not taken it to heart. Uncle Sun need not feel ashamed in his heart, and even less need to feel that a life-saving grace requires some form of repayment. If we eat a meal and drink a cup of wine together today, let us consider the matter settled. How does Uncle Sun feel about that?"

Sun Jintang looked at him, silent and speechless.

Luo Jiaorong's lips moved, as if she wanted to say something, but she held back.

Chen Shi stood to the side, her expression shifting.

At this moment, Sun Yan'er suddenly raised her head, bit her lip, and with red-rimmed eyes, said with a face full of stubbornness, "Father, let us follow what Young Master Luo said."

Sun Jintang glanced at her, nodded slowly, and then looked at the young man before him, a smile appearing on his face: "Fine, since Zijun has said so, then this old man will not continue to be pretentious. We are all our own people; to continue being so polite would be to act like strangers."

Li Zhengshan hurriedly laughed: "Yes, yes, yes, we are all our own people, no need for courtesy."

Sun Jintang smiled and said: "Zijun, sit down and drink some tea."

Luo Zijun thanked him.

Just as he was about to sit down, he discovered his seat had been occupied by his senior sister, so he had no choice but to stand to the side.

Seeing this scene, Sun Yan'er, for some reason, suddenly had tears well up in her eyes.

"Master, Madam, the evening banquet is prepared."

At this moment, the steward came to report.

Sun Jintang set down his teacup, stood up, and laughed: "Zhengshan, Jiaorong, Zijun, come, let us go eat and chat while we eat."

"Fine."

Li Zhengshan was all smiles.

Luo Jiaorong hurriedly stood up and grabbed the small hand of Su Qingling beside her.

Sun Yan'er turned away, trying her best to hold back the tears in her eyes.

The group followed behind Sun Jintang into the room next door, where a very large round table was placed, with bowls, chopsticks, and tableware already set out.

"Sit, everyone sit. Yan'er, you come over and sit too."

Sun Jintang sat down first, then smilingly beckoned for everyone to sit.

Li Zhengshan followed and sat down.

Luo Jiaorong pulled Su Qingling to sit down together and whispered: "Ling'er, what do you like to eat? I will pick some for you in a moment."

Su Qingling said coldly and aloofly: "Luo Zijun will pick it."

Luo Zijun, who had just sat down nearby, immediately turned his head to look at her: "Why? Do you not have hands yourself?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was met with a slap that landed directly on his arm.

Luo Jiaorong glared: "Say that again, you brat?"

Luo Zijun had no choice but to say: "I'll pick it, I'll pick it. Anyway, I won't change my chopsticks; I'll just let her eat my saliva."

"You try it."

This sentence was spoken by Luo Jiaorong and Su Qingling in unison.

But the tone seemed quite different.

Luo Jiaorong's tone carried blades, clubs, and threats.

Su Qingling's tone was just like the person herself, cold and aloof, calm and without ripples.

Luo Zijun looked at the two of them in surprise.

Luo Jiaorong was also stunned; she glanced at the young girl beside her and immediately beamed with joy: "Don't worry, Ling'er, this brat wouldn't dare try it."

As if he wouldn't dare!

Luo Zijun muttered to himself in his heart.

It was just that he was not at his own home now, and he did not want to act wildly with this girl.

At this time, the maidservants began to serve the dishes.

Chen Shi brought over a wine pot and came over personally to pour the wine.

Li Zhengshan hurriedly stood up: "How can we let Aunt Chen pour the wine herself?"

Chen Shi laughed: "We are one family, no need to speak as if we are two. Why be so polite? Zhengshan, sit down. It is only right for your aunt to pour wine for you all. You and Jiaorong worked hard to raise Zijun, taught him how to be a person, and provided for his schooling. Now that Zijun has grown up and become a success, that is all to the credit of you two. Aunt truly admires your character."

It was the first time Luo Jiaorong had seen her be this polite, so she also stood up embarrassedly and laughed: "Aunt Chen is too polite."

Chen Shi helped her pour the wine and laughed: "Jiaorong, from now on we are all our own family. Come visit the manor often when you are free; don't be strangers."

Upon hearing this, Luo Jiaorong narrowed her eyes.

From now on? Our own family?

She glanced at her husband.

Li Zhengshan understood, raised his wine cup, toasted Sun Jintang first, and asked: "Uncle Sun just mentioned the first matter; I wonder if there are other matters?"

The couple had actually already vaguely guessed something.

However, for this kind of thing, if others do not take the initiative to speak it out, they naturally find it hard to bring it up.

Actually, Sun Jintang had already said it just now.

But that sentence was only half-spoken before it came to an abrupt halt.

Although everyone had guessed it, such a matter cannot rely solely on guessing; it must be stated clearly before one dares to be certain.

If they guessed wrong, wouldn't that be awkward?

Upon hearing this, Sun Jintang gave a bitter smile, set down his wine cup, and said: "As for this second matter..."

He glanced at his daughter.

Sun Yan'er bit her lip, her face full of stubbornness, and shook her head at him.

"Let's not mention it today; we can talk about it later."

Sun Jintang raised his wine cup and said to Luo Zijun, "Zijun, come, Uncle Sun offers you a cup. Thank you for disregarding the danger to save Yan'er."

Luo Zijun raised his wine and stood up, saying, "Uncle Sun, there is no need for such courtesy."

Having said this, the two drank the wine together.

Sun Jintang then raised his freshly refilled wine cup to toast Luo Jiaorong: "Jiaorong, you have worked hard. That Zijun has such prospects today is largely due to your contribution."

Luo Jiaorong's eyes suddenly turned a bit red; she stood up with her wine and smiled, "What contribution could I have? It is all because my Zhengshan works tirelessly to support this family. If we are talking about contributions, they are all his."

Li Zhengshan glanced at his wife, a smile appearing on his face.

Sun Jintang smiled, finished his drink in one gulp, and looked at Luo Zijun again, saying, "Zijun, your family is truly one where the elder sister is like a mother and the elder brother is like a father. Your sister and brother-in-law are like your second parents; you must be sure to treat them with filial piety in the future."

Luo Zijun said, "Zijun understands."

Seeing that the atmosphere was a bit heavy, Sun Jintang immediately began talking about other matters.

"Zhengshan, I hear it hasn't been peaceful in the city lately."

Li Zhengshan sighed and said, "It's not just the city; it's not peaceful outside the city either. A while ago, Hanshan Temple was burned and the monks were beaten, a man-eating tiger appeared on Jingyang Ridge, and thieves have been spotted in nearby small towns. There hasn't been a single peaceful day."

Sun Jintang said, "I heard that a few days ago, a murderous criminal who had been caught in the city escaped?"

Chen Shi also said, "During this time, the government has been sending people to check house by house. Sigh, I don't know where that criminal is hiding; I haven't dared to go out these past few days."

Li Zhengshan ate a bite of food and smiled faintly, "Aunt Chen, don't worry. That murderous criminal was killed by me last night; I chopped his head off with one axe."

Luo Jiaorong, who was beside him: "..."

Once these words were spoken, Sun Jintang, Chen Shi, and the maids and servants were all startled.

Sun Jintang hurriedly asked, "Zhengshan, is that true?"

Li Zhengshan laughed, "How could it be fake? In a matter like this, even if Uncle Sun gave me a hundred times the courage, I wouldn't dare to lie."

Chen Shi hurriedly said, "Zhengshan, you really are capable."

Sun Jintang also nodded and said, "Zhengshan has practiced martial arts since he was young; he truly has real skill. By the way, since Zhengshan performed such a great service this time, the yamen should have rewarded you quite a bit, right?"

The smile on Li Zhengshan's face faded slightly. He glanced at his wife and couldn't help but sigh, "There is indeed a reward, but... to tell you the truth, Uncle Sun, I have already decided to resign from this position as Head Constable. I already went to the yamen today to say so, though it will take some time before I can officially leave."

Sun Jintang was stunned, his face full of surprise: "Why resign so suddenly?"

Chen Shi was also shocked: "Zhengshan, you have been doing this job for many years; why are you suddenly resigning?"

Li Zhengshan gave a bitter smile and said, "It's too tiring and too dangerous. I go out early and return late every day, yet I don't earn much silver. It's better to resign."

Sun Jintang nodded: "Indeed, this job is thankless. You run around every day facing nothing but villains or criminals, and you don't get much money. If a task isn't completed, you get scolded for all sorts of things. It's good to resign, it's quite good." He then asked, "Then what do you plan to do in the future? Have you thought about it?"

Li Zhengshan said, "I'll go be a guard, or watch over a venue for someone. If that doesn't work, I'll go to a security firm; there will always be work to do."

Sun Jintang nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "I have a cargo ship, that..."

"Master, let's not talk about these dull things tonight; let's talk about something else."

Chen Shi suddenly smiled and interrupted him.

Sun Jintang looked at her, pondered for a moment, and smiled, "With Zhengshan's martial arts, he naturally won't be afraid of not finding work. If it really doesn't work out, just come work here for Uncle Sun."

Li Zhengshan hurriedly thanked him.

Chen Shi hurriedly changed the subject, saying, "Have you all heard? It seems our Liang King is ill; I heard he hasn't attended court for many days."

Li Zhengshan said, "I've heard that too. But the Prince is so young, it should be nothing serious."

Chen Shi whispered, "The key is that the Prince has no heir yet; if he were to suddenly..."

!

"Clap!"

At this moment, Sun Jintang slammed the table and scolded angrily, "A woman, how dare you babble and gossip about state affairs? If you dare to speak nonsense again, I'll smash your mouth!"

Chen Shi trembled in fear and immediately shut her mouth.

"Liang King?"

Luo Zijun knew a little about state affairs and had even specifically looked them up in a bookstore.

Lin'an City is the capital of the Liang Kingdom.

That Liang King is the biological brother of the current Emperor; he was very favored since childhood and was enfeoffed here.

Great Yan implements an enfeoffment system; besides the central government, there are seven other kingdoms.

The Liang Kingdom is one of them, and it is also the wealthiest and most prosperous of them all.

Each kingdom governs itself and pays tribute to Great Yan annually.

The ruler of a kingdom is called the King, the mother of the kingdom is called the Queen, and below them are the Consort, Crown Prince, Princess, County Princess, and so on.

The court has various departments, court officials, armies, and so on; everything is available.

"I heard that a noblewoman from the Jia Family was recently promoted to Imperial Concubine. That Jia Family was already one of the Inner City Four Great Families and held a noble status; now, I fear their influence will only grow."

Seeing that his previous scolding had made the atmosphere somewhat oppressive, Sun Jintang could only smile and talk about court matters.

However, when he mentioned the Jia Family, Luo Zijun clearly felt the chopsticks in his sister's hand, who was sitting next to him, suddenly tremble.

He turned to look, and the smile his sister had been maintaining suddenly disappeared.

And his brother-in-law's expression also changed immediately.

However, both of them covered it up well.

Li Zhengshan nodded and said, "I've heard that too. That Jia Family already had overwhelming power that no one dared to provoke; now, I fear they are even more capable of covering the sky with one hand."

Sun Jintang found his tone a bit strange, but didn't think much of it, assuming that after working in the government for many years, he had grown accustomed to the infighting and darkness of officialdom and felt disdain for it. He smiled, "Covering the sky with one hand is unlikely, but it is true that no one dares to provoke them. Those Four Great Families are of one mind, and here in our Liang, they are indeed among the most powerful."

They chatted for a long time more.

The meal was almost finished.

Li Zhengshan looked at the sky outside and stood up to take his leave: "It's getting late. Zhengshan still has to report for duty at the yamen tomorrow, so I must return early and won't disturb Uncle Sun and Aunt Chen any longer. Thank you, Uncle Sun and Aunt Chen, for your hospitality at tonight's banquet."

Luo Jiaorong also hurriedly stood up to express her thanks.

Sun Jintang stood up and said with a smile, "Since Zhengshan has things to do tomorrow, Uncle Sun won't keep you any longer. Come, Uncle Sun will see you all out."

Both families stood up and walked them all the way to the main gate.

The two parties exchanged pleasantries at the entrance for a while longer, and only then did Li Zhengshan and the others bid farewell and leave.

Once they had walked far away.

Chen Shi walked to Sun Jintang's side and whispered, "Master, why didn't you say anything?"

Sun Jintang ignored her, turned his head, and looked at his own daughter.

Sun Yan'er watched the alleyway where the group had departed, her expression dazed for a moment, before she whispered, "Father, Mother, you don't need to worry about this matter."

After saying this, she turned and entered the manor.

Chen Shi frowned, not daring to say anything more.

In the night sky, a light rain was still falling.

The Li Zhengshan family walked along the street, all of them silent for a time, not speaking.

When they were almost at Willow Leaf Alley.

Luo Jiaorong spoke up, "Zijun, go and see Ling'er home."

Luo Zijun agreed with a sound.

She suddenly remembered something, and immediately glared, saying, "Luo Zijun, if you dare to leave Ling'er behind again like that night and go to the Brothel yourself, hmph, I will uphold justice and destroy my own kin tonight by beating you to death!"

Li Zhengshan laughed from the side.

Luo Zijun hurriedly left with his senior sister, and once they had walked a distance away, he looked at the young girl beside him and said, "Senior sister, although you have big sister backing you up, don't get cocky; there are always places big sister can't see. For example, right now."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Su Qingling's fingernails pinched directly into his buttocks.

Luo Zijun hissed, and immediately pinched back.

Su Qingling shivered.

Neither of them spoke again.

Then, pinching each other's buttocks, they huddled together, sharing an umbrella, and walked forward with a strange gait through the drizzling night rain.

Finally, they arrived at Bao'an Hall.

Su Dafang was standing at the entrance, looking out with a worried expression; only after seeing the two return did he let out a long sigh of relief.

The two tacitly let go of their hands.

"Senior sister, see you tomorrow."

Luo Zijun saw her to the eaves and waved goodbye.

Su Dafang asked deliberately, "Zijun, what's wrong with your buttocks? Were you plucked by a female flower-thief again?"

Luo Zijun's mouth twitched, and he said, "That's right, another female flower-thief plucked me, but she was also plucked by me."

Su Qingling ignored them, looking cold and aloof as she limped into the shop.

Luo Zijun held his umbrella and walked home alone.

Upon returning to Willow Leaf Alley, he suddenly stopped and looked at the street ahead.

Ahead were a Brothel and an inn.

Those two snake demons were staying there tonight; he wondered what they were doing right now.

After thinking for a moment, he walked forward.

He prepared to go over and check on them, hoping the other party was still staying honestly in the inn and wouldn't suddenly go out and encounter the real Xu Xian.

Although the other party didn't seem to know yet who the real Xu Xian was.

But after all, they were thousand-year-old monsters, and they had come to repay a debt of gratitude; he was just afraid that, in the dark, fate might guide her.

Thinking of this, he pondered secretly in his heart.

This matter definitely could not be dragged out for too long, otherwise, long delays would lead to more trouble, and the other party might discover the truth sooner or later.

Once the other party discovered they had been deceived, he would be finished.

Therefore, he had to be decisive, cut the Gordian knot, and get the matter done as soon as possible.

"Marry her!"

He secretly made the decision in his heart.

Walking quickly through the rain, pitter-patter, he soon arrived at that inn.

A lantern hung at the inn entrance, looking cold and desolate.

Behind the counter, the innkeeper was dozing off, and a waiter was carrying two steaming baskets of buns, preparing to go upstairs.

Luo Zijun entered the shop and followed him up.

(End of chapter)