Chapter 174
174 Set Off Again
In the Zhou family’s old residence, Master Zhou looked at Zhou Yu, who had returned home drunk, with disgust. He scolded, “Do you know that the person from the Ten Families Alley is already on the Golden Ranking List? You still don’t know how to improve. Look at how drunk you are. You entered the school at the same time as him, and he is now a scholar. You’re still a student, so what are you still studying for?! From today onwards, you don’t have to go to the academy. Your father doesn’t have the money to pay for your expenses any more.”
Zhou Yu staggered drunkenly and looked at Master Zhou with sleepy eyes. He burped and the scent of alcohol was pungent. Master Zhou hurriedly took a few steps back. “You’re a good person? Yes!” Zhou Yu pointed at Old Master Zhou unsteadily. “Do you know that my father raised a mistress… Mother hired someone to harm people. Burp, the family is scattered. Boohoo…” Zhou Yu cried and fell to the ground. A moment later, his snores were like thunder.
“What a useless thing.” Old Master Zhou glanced at Zhou Yu, who had fallen to the ground and was sleeping soundly. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned around and went to Old Madam Zhou’s courtyard. When he saw that Old Madam Zhou had fallen from the bed and was lying on the ground, he was instantly furious and shouted, “Where did she go? Didn’t you see that Old Madam Zhou fell from the bed?”
Granny Ma came in from outside with the bucket. When she heard Old Master Zhou’s scolding, she lowered her eyes and said to Master Zhou, “Master, I went to wash the bucket just now. You sold Qiuxiang and Qiu Yue. I’m the only one in the courtyard. I can’t take care of them! Master, send one of Aunt Liu’s girls over to take care of the old lady with me!”
With a bang, Master Zhou kicked Granny Ma until she fell to the ground with the bucket. Master Zhou pointed at Granny Ma and shouted, “Old woman, since when is it your turn to make decisions in this house? You can’t even serve a paralyzed old woman. What use do I have for you? Serve her well, or I’ll sell you too.” With that, he walked away.
Granny Ma fell to the ground and looked at Old Madam Zhou, who was lying on the ground with tears in her eyes. She cried, “Old Madam, you’ve been competitive your entire life and fought to the death with Old Master, who has always been tolerant of you. Did you think that you would live such a life when you’re old?”
Old Madam Zhou’s mouth twitched as she cried out. She tried her best but could not say a word. She hated him in her heart. He had always thought about his dead fiancée and had never taken her seriously. She hated everyone he cared about. It would be good if they were all dead!
“You’re already in such a state, but you still can’t let go.” Old Madam Ma looked at Old Madam Zhou’s fierce gaze and sighed inwardly. She silently got up from the ground and moved Old Madam Zhou back to the bed with great effort.
A few days later, the emperor indeed issued an order for Zhou Jia to set off for Qingchuan in mid-April to take up his post. He gave him a sixth-grade subordinate and even asked Shen Zhong to bring Zhou Jia a legal assistant named Qian Liang.
Qian Liang went forward and bowed to Zhou Jia. “Greetings, Senior Zhou.”
“No need for formalities, sir.” Zhou Jia saw that although Qian Liang was wearing old clothes and had a thin figure, his eyes were clear when he looked at people. He should be a person with good character.
Shen Zhong called Zhou Jia to the side and said to him, “Mr. Zhou, Mr. Qian is a scholar who has tried and failed every time. He’s good at sentencing, money, and food. In the past, he especially helped people write lawsuits in the capital. In the early years, he offended the people of the Imperial Consort. Now, he writes dramas for the opera garden for a living. Because of this, he knows Young Master. Young Master thought that you still lack a private advisor, so he asked me to get Mr. Qian to help you.”
“His Maj…” Before Zhou Jia could finish speaking, Shen Zhong stopped him and said, “Mr. Zhou, there’s no need to be so polite. Qian Liang doesn’t know Young Master’s identity. I’ll bring him here. You can spend a few days with him and see if your personalities are compatible.”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and thanked him. “Alright, thank you, Brother Shen.”
Shen Zhong left Qian Liang behind and Zhou Jia and Qian Liang sat down to chat for a while. He realized that Qian Liang was quick-witted and cheerful. He was satisfied and said to Qian Liang, “What do you think about going to Qingchuan?”
Qian Liang stood up and bowed. “Sir, I’m poor and alone. I’m willing to serve you.”
Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “Alright, thank you for your trouble in the future.”
In late March, Li Yu brought Ruyi and Xiaoyu to the Imperial Plantation and taught the farmers how to choose and soak seeds.
When she went home to rest, she asked Zhou Jia to copy her insights from cultivating the rice seeds and handed them to the printing workshop to print some. She brought them back to the farm and handed them to Chu Fu, asking him to distribute them to the tenants on the farm.
Chu Fu blushed in shame and bowed to Li Yu to thank her. “Madam, when I first saw you, I suspected that you didn’t know how to farm and must have taken credit for someone. I was petty.”
Li Yu smiled indifferently and said, “It’s fine. That’s because we don’t know each other well. It’s inevitable that there will be misunderstandings. If you have any questions in the future, you can get Shopkeeper Chu to bring a letter to me. I’ll return to the city.”
Chu Fu bowed again and said, “Yes, Madam. Have a safe trip.” Chu Fu carried the things he had given Li Yu into the cart and watched He Tiezhu drive away.
Zhou Jia brought Zhao Cai to the capital and discussed with Shopkeeper Chu Qing of the Four Seas Bank. After Zhao Cai and Shopkeeper Chu opened the workshop in the capital, they would go to Qingchuan to meet Li Yu.
When Li Yu returned to the city, it was already mid-April. Ruyi brought Tiezhu and loaded the luggage into the car.
Li Yu stored some valuable things in the space. After packing her luggage, everyone began to set off for Qingchuan.
Shopkeeper Chu brought two honest-looking young men over to send them off. He pointed at the two of them and said to Zhou Jia, “Mr. Zhou, these two are the guards raised in the bank. The tall one is called Xu Chun, and the shorter one is called Xu Dong. They’re going to the Four Seas Bank in Qingzhou, so let them go with you and Madam. They can also help you drive the cart and do odd jobs.”
Zhou Jia knew that Shopkeeper Chu had asked them to help because he was afraid that he wouldn’t have enough manpower when he saw that Zhao Cai was staying in the capital. He smiled and bowed. “Thank you for your consideration, Shopkeeper Chu. Thank you for your help.”
“You’re too polite.” Shopkeeper Chu said to the two of them, “The two of you, quickly come and meet Lord Zhou and Madam Protector.”
Xu Chun and Xu Dong hurriedly bowed and said, “Greetings, Senior Zhou and Madam Protector.”
Zhao Cai reluctantly instructed Ruyi, “It’s a long way. Be more careful on the way. When I finish opening the workshop, I’ll go to Qingchuan.”
Ruyi replied reluctantly, “Yes! Don’t worry. I know. You have to be careful in the capital.”
Zhao Cai, Chu Qing, Shen Zhong, and Lin Yuxuan sent Zhou Jia and the others out of the north city gate. After following the cart for a while, Zhou Jia cupped his hands and said, “Please go back after sending him off! Let’s meet again next time.”
“Okay, let’s get together again.” Everyone waved goodbye and watched the car slowly drive away.
With the help of the guards Chu Qing sent over, Zhou Jia was freed from his position as the coachman. In the carriage, Zhou Jia held the dossier and read it carefully. Li Yu leaned against the window and smiled at the scenery outside.
Under the warm spring sun, the mountains along the way were filled with flowers. Farmers worked hard in the fields, and there was lush vitality everywhere. Unknowingly, five years had passed in this world. Li Yu silently thanked the heavens for their gift, allowing her to have family in this world that she missed dearly, a lover whom she liked, and a home of her own.