Chapter 255
255 Zhang Zhan Appears Again
Murong Run could be said to have come to Wanning City in a daze and returned in a daze.
However, it was not without gains. He had inexplicably obtained the friendship of some of the noble youths in Wanning City. Of course, there was also a portion that he had moved with money.
Murong Run’s family background could not compare to the aristocrats, but their family had nothing except endless silver.
After he gave away some top-notch jade pendants as a greeting gift, not long after, a few people called him brother, including Hua Rou’s elder brother, Hua Sheng.
Hua Sheng originally did not like Murong Run very much until Murong Run invited them to Fortune Restaurant in Wanning City for a meal and even gave them a VIP token. In the future, when they went to Fortune Restaurant for a meal, they would pay 20% less than others.
Having received a favor from Murong Run, Hua Sheng also got along well with him.
Later on, Murong Run stayed in Wanning City for another half a month. Hua Sheng realized that Murong Run was an extremely generous person. Not only was he generous in terms of money, but his personality was also especially carefree.
Unlike other merchants’ family descendants who when they saw aristocratic descendants, they always felt like they were bowing and scraping.
However, Murong Run had a youthful aura. Although he was rich, he did not like to gamble, nor did he like to play around. He was not proficient in poetry and songs, and he was not someone who liked to seek ostentatious things.
Later on, when Hua Sheng returned to the Hua Manor, he always praised Murong Run in front of his family.
When General Hua heard this, he said, “According to you, that young man called Murong Run is not a bad person?”
Madam Hua also muttered at the side, “Why don’t we invite Murong Run home and we’ll take a look too?”
“Mother, don’t tell me you want Brother Murong to be our family’s son-in-law?” Hua Sheng immediately understood his parents’ plans. When he saw his sister who was dressed as a man beside him, he felt a headache. “Aren’t you harming him?”
When Hua Rou heard this, she immediately slapped the table. “Brother, what do you mean? Do you look down on me so much? I’m the Young Lady of the General’s Mansion after all. Am I not worthy of a merchant’s son? What a joke!”
“If you’re really a proper young lady, that’s naturally good. But look at yourself.” Hua Sheng rolled his eyes, not wanting to talk to his sister at all.
“I really don’t believe it!” Hua Rou lost her temper and was about to rush out the door. She shouted, “I’ll let you see if I’m not worthy of him or if he’s not worthy of me!”
With that, Hua Rou rushed out.
“Sheng’er, looks like you still know how to control that lass the most. Your sister has been nagging for the past few days that she won’t get married in the future. You’ve only said two sentences and she’s already taken the initiative to go out and find a husband. As expected of someone who knows her best.” General Hua stroked his long beard and laughed.
Madam Hua was still a little worried. “In the end, we still have to call Murong Run over to our house to take a look at him. Let’s see if he’s a good person. It’s even better if he’s not ambitious.”
Imperial merchant families were different from ordinary merchant families. There was no rule that three generations of merchants could not take the Imperial Examination. If their family could nurture a scholar, it would naturally be good. If not, their Hua family could also help nurture a scholar.
“?”
Are you already so casual about my sister’s marriage?
Hua Sheng was dumbfounded.
Ever since the last Flower Appreciation Banquet, Qin Huai had been in seclusion in the Duke Yong Manor and did not see anyone.
Duke Yong beat around the bush and asked Chi Jia, “What has the Little Master been doing recently?”
Chi Jia: “Young Master is studying and practicing martial arts.”
“Oh? Can his energy keep up? Tell him not to force himself too much. It won’t be too late to start studying in two years after he recovers.” Duke Yong was still very concerned about Qin Huai. Although there were many Young Masters and Young Ladies in the family, and they were all his grandchildren, he still liked Qin Huai the most.
That child was very smart.
Chi Jia: “I can’t control the Young Master.”
Duke Yong smiled. “That’s true. None of us have managed to control him all these years, so let him be. Just watch his condition. If there’s anything bad, you have to report it in time.”
Chi Jia: “Yes!”
After Chi Jia turned around and left, Duke Yong stood outside the courtyard and took a look before slowly moving back to his courtyard.
Duchess Yong welcomed him with a frown. “Is Huai’er still unwilling to see her?”
“Let’s not push him too hard. The children have their own thoughts. Let them figure it out themselves.” Duke Yong was open-minded about this. “Moreover, now is not a good time to resolve the knot in the mother and son’s hearts. It’s a good thing to maintain the current situation.”
“Huai’er has been buying various houses and shops recently and has spent most of his money over the years. What plans does he have?” Duchess Yong was worried that Qin Huai had been deceived.
After all, the child was still young.
“I heard from Chi Jia. It seems that when he grows up in the future, he plans to travel around and have a place to stay in each city.” Duke Yong sighed when he thought of this.
They had never hidden it from Qin Huai and told him that his life would end before the age of eight.
Even the divine doctor they had invited home asserted that he would not live for more than three months.
Now, more than half a year had passed, and Qin Huai had become healthy.
However, the child did not feel safe. He did not know when he would fall seriously ill again. Spending all the money he had could be considered a way to vent.
Fortunately, although the Duke Yong Manor was not too rich, the person his daughter had married had managed to do well over the years and was quite wealthy. They could still afford this small sum of money.
“Sigh, let him be.” Duchess Yong also felt pity for him.
Ever since that child knew that he was an illegitimate child, his personality had become especially gloomy, and he was especially extreme in handling matters. After going to that village, he actually became gentle.
“Speaking of which, that Hu Family Village is really a strange place. Do you still remember that kid from the Zhang Family?” Duke Yong mentioned something else. “Before the new year, he once volunteered to go to perform disaster relief. I think something happened on the way. Later on, for some reason, he turned the situation around and stayed in a remote county city for a long time.”
Duchess Yong nodded. “I’ve heard of it. At that time, Madam Zhang was frowning all day and came to my residence to complain every day. Later on, didn’t the Zhang family’s kid come back?”
“He did come back, but he left two days ago. He seemed to be returning to that county city. He said that he wanted to be the county magistrate. Old Zhang was so angry.”
“Why did that child suddenly want to become a county magistrate? With their family’s contributions, it’s still possible for them to push him to become a fourth-grade capital official.”
“Perhaps that place is really special.” Thinking of Qin Huai, Duke Yong’s eyes were thoughtful.
At this moment, Zhang Zhan, who Duke Yong and his wife were discussing, was on the way to Yongding County.
Just as he was about 50 li away from Yongding County, the carriage he was riding on suddenly stopped. The carriage sank into the mud and could not move.
“What’s going on?” Zhang Zhan asked from the carriage.
The coachman outside replied, “My Lord, the carriage has sunk into the mud. We have to get some people to carry the wheels out first.”
At this moment, he suddenly heard a shout outside.
“My Lord, please stand up for this commoner!”