nucmednet Chapter 169 Visit
Chapter 169 Visit
In this life, Zisu was his great benefactor and his lucky star.
Without Zisu, he would have died on the way to Yi County, and there would have been no chance for him to achieve any merit or be recalled to the capital by the emperor ahead of schedule. Although his trip to Yi County was orchestrated by Shangguan Chengfeng and was related to Zisu's family, even without Shangguan Chengfeng, there would still be other political enemies in the court.
Therefore, perilla is still his lucky star and his savior.
He felt extremely ashamed, yet even now, he still had to accept the money from Zisu. Not to mention him, the daily expenses of the Protector General's Mansion were probably all sustained by the money Zisu earned. Although there weren't many maids, servants, and boys in the Protector General's Mansion, the monthly salary of one guard was equivalent to that of five maids!
My brother-in-law, Shangguan Mufeng, only earns thirty taels of silver a month, which isn't even enough for social obligations. The higher one's rank, the more money is spent on social obligations. Besides, Zisu is already fifteen years old, and the cost of her clothes and jewelry is a considerable sum.
If it weren't for Zisu's ability to earn money, her brother-in-law's family would likely be living in dire straits. Shangguan Chengfeng had squandered all the wealth accumulated by the Marquis of Changning's household. When her brother-in-law returned from the Northwest, he had almost nothing except for the gifts bestowed upon him by the Emperor. And the treasures bestowed by the Emperor couldn't be sold or pawned.
To be honest, both the Yu and Shangguan families owe their decent living and comfortable life to Zisu. Otherwise, they would be stingy and petty in their interactions with others, becoming the laughingstock of the capital.
Yu Zhe was very grateful to his niece, but also felt very sorry for her.
At such a young age, she has to take care of the living expenses of two families; it's really tough on her!
When Old Madam Yu learned that Zisu had given Yu Zhe five thousand taels of silver, she was deeply moved and said to her son, "Zhe'er, you must remember how kind Zisu has been to you! You must repay her properly when you have the chance in the future. Also, since Zisu has given you five thousand taels of silver, why don't you find another good girl and get married?"
Yu Zhe: "I'm not in a hurry. Let's wait until Han'er turns ten!"
Grandma Yu said, "Han'er is currently in Wuliping, and Zisu is personally taking care of her, so you don't need to worry. Zisu is now the Princess of Yulin, and even if your new wife is ruthless, she shouldn't dare to set her sights on Wuliping!"
Yu Zhe: "That's true, but during holidays like Chinese New Year, winter vacation, and summer vacation, Han'er can't possibly not come home, can she? Also, if she wants to visit Han'er in Wuliping, we can't keep stopping her from going, can we?"
The term "winter vacation" and "summer vacation" originated from Zisu, and were unique to Wuliping Academy. Winter vacation lasted one and a half months, and summer vacation also lasted one and a half months. Winters here are very cold and long, hence the extra half-month for winter vacation. Other academies did not have winter or summer vacations. They only had a half-month break during the Lunar New Year and a half-month break for the summer harvest.
Upon hearing this, Old Mrs. Yu was at a loss and couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, you are right. As long as she is vicious, she will always find an opportunity to harm Han'er."
Having no other choice, Old Mrs. Yu wrote a letter to Zisu, telling her all her worries and concerns.
After reading the letter, Zisu was both amused and annoyed, so she replied directly to her uncle: "Uncle, your worries are not unfounded; that possibility certainly exists. However, we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater. You should still get a wife soon. Uncle, things can't go on like this; you should marry a wife soon!"
The Yu family is so small, with only one child, Han'er, which is far too few! Whether it's a younger brother or sister, there should at least be two! If Uncle is worried that Han'er will be harmed by Aunt, he can simply let Han'er stay at the General's Mansion during her holidays! When she goes to the Yu Mansion, she can treat it as a visit, going and leaving on the same day. As long as she is careful, she shouldn't be harmed by her stepmother in such a short time!
Besides, I know that marrying your aunt will cost a lot of money, and I'm sure you don't have that much. How about this, I'll pay for it myself, and please don't refuse. This money will be the last I give you, Uncle. After you get married, I will no longer concern myself with your affairs!
"I won't give you any more money, Uncle. Unless you encounter some difficulty and ask me for help, I won't give you any more. So, this is the last time. Let me do my part for you one last time! Please don't refuse, Uncle. Only when you get married and find a good life partner can I be at ease! Otherwise, I won't be able to live a happy life!"
Yu Zhe was deeply moved and replied to Zisu: "Good child, please don't worry about the money your uncle needs for his wedding. I shamelessly accepted the five thousand taels of silver you gave me before, but this is the last time I will ask you for money. As your uncle, how could I possibly ask you for money again and again?"
My uncle recently stumbled upon an antique worth tens of thousands of taels of silver, but only spent five taels. Yesterday, I sold the antique and just received twenty thousand taels. He'll use ten thousand taels as a betrothal gift, and with the remaining ten thousand, he plans to buy a farm and a shop. The farm and shop should be enough to support the family in the future, so please don't worry about him, Zisu.
"When the opportunity arises in the future, your uncle will acquire more land and shops, striving to accumulate more money. Zisu, this is a matter of helping in an emergency, not supporting a life of poverty. Please don't give your uncle any more money in the future. However, please rest assured, even if your uncle becomes poor, he will never embezzle or accept bribes! Consider that five thousand taels of silver a loan from your uncle to Zisu. If your uncle becomes capable in the future, he will definitely repay you. If he is unable to repay, please don't worry too much, Zisu; it's all your uncle's fault!"
Upon receiving her uncle's reply, Zisu couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
My uncle isn't a corrupt official; how could he possibly become wealthy on his salary? Hopefully, his future wife will be a capable homemaker, able to acquire land and shops, and gradually build their fortune. Otherwise, when Han'er and his stepmother's children grow up, where will they find the means to prepare betrothal gifts and dowries?
Of course, she raised Han'er herself, so she could provide Han'er with some financial assistance. However, this probably wouldn't be what Han'er would want, right? After all, no one owes anyone too many favors or money.
Zisu thought for a moment and then wrote a letter to her uncle, hoping he could marry a woman who could manage a household. That way, they wouldn't be in financial straits. If the family wasn't so short of money, and if her aunt wasn't a cruel person, she wouldn't find Yu Han so objectionable and want to get rid of her as soon as possible.
Poverty-stricken couples face endless sorrows. In fact, many family disputes arise from poverty. Nowadays, if a family is wealthy, few normal women would kill their stepsons for inheritance.
Of course, a vicious woman is an abnormal woman.
At the same time, he wrote another letter to Madam Yu, asking her to help his uncle find a woman. Madam Yu was now very close to the Princess and often attended various banquets and flower parties, so she knew many ladies and young women.
Zisu further instructed Madam Yu not to marry someone too young; the other party should be at least eighteen years old. In particular, anyone under fifteen was out of the question. After all, her uncle was almost twenty-eight, and Yu Han was almost eight. Yu Han's stepmother would have to be at least ten years older than him, right?
Otherwise, how could Yu Han possibly open her mouth and call her stepmother "Mother"? Also, if her uncle's stepmother is too young, he might spoil her a bit, which could easily make her become arrogant and do something detrimental to Yu Han.
******
Zisu was assassinated, and Prince Duan was seriously injured while protecting her. Upon learning this, Fang Heng sighed deeply: now, there was probably even less hope left for him and Zisu!
Prince Duan risked his life for Zisu; how could Zisu not be moved? Once Zisu is moved, she can't help but treat Prince Duan better and show him more affection. This means they'll spend more and more time alone together. Furthermore, Prince Duan was injured for Zisu's sake; how could Zisu not take care of him? Given Zisu's personality, she'll likely take care of him herself!
That's it! Now, all hope has dwindled even further.
As the local official of Zhangshu County, Fang Heng took advantage of Prince Duan's injury recuperation at Xiaoshitan to visit him.
At first, he went directly to the pomegranate garden, but to his surprise, the gatekeeper there said that Prince Duan was recuperating at the Little Stone Pool.
Entering the small stone pool and arriving at the thatched cottage, Zisu was feeding Prince Duan his medicine. Prince Duan looked blissfully happy, his brows furrowed with joy.
Upon seeing this scene, Fang Heng couldn't help but feel saddened.
Xiangli coughed and said, "Miss, Lord Fang has arrived!"
Zisu held the medicine bowl and fed Prince Duan the last sip of medicine before standing up and turning around to look.
Fang Heng stood at the door, looking completely stunned.
Zisu sighed inwardly, placed the bowl on the table, and smiled at Fang Heng, saying, "Lord Fang, you've come to visit the Prince, haven't you? Please come in!"
Fang Heng then came to his senses and forced a smile, "Yes, I heard that Your Highness is recuperating in Wuliping, so I came to see you!"
Zisu: "Alright, I have things to do, you guys chat! Sir, it's almost lunchtime, why don't you stay for lunch!"
Fang Heng felt a little better after hearing this, and nodded and smiled, "Okay, thank you, Princess!"
Zisu smiled slightly: "You're welcome. Please wait a moment, sir. Lunch will be ready soon!"
It was almost lunchtime, and since he was a guest, Zisu had no intention of making enemies of Fang Heng. Even if they couldn't be husband and wife, they could still be friends; after all, they hadn't formally started dating.
Having been reborn and having witnessed the future society in her dreams, Zisu is very open-minded and completely lacks the traditional "three obediences and four virtues" of women in ancient times. The rule that boys and girls should not sit together after the age of seven is a mere formality to her.
Zisu turned and left, but Prince Duan's gaze remained fixed on the spot where she had just stood, and he felt somewhat depressed.
Why is Zisu still so loyal and devoted to Fang Heng? Although it's lunchtime, there's a restaurant in Wuliping right now, isn't there? Fang Heng could easily go there for lunch. Why is Zisu insisting he stay for lunch? Could it be that she hasn't given up on Fang Heng yet?
Yes, that's possible. Especially since my mother recently caused a scene at the Good Days Restaurant in Lishu County. That must have hurt Zisu deeply, right? I wonder how Zisu views him? He has such a mother; she must despise him, right?
The only saving grace is that Fang Heng's mother is also unreliable.
Prince Duan sighed inwardly, without even glancing at Fang Heng.
Fang Heng felt a little awkward, so he took the initiative to ask, "Your Highness, is your injury serious?"
Prince Duan didn't even look up: "It's nothing serious, you can leave now. I don't know you at all, what are you doing here? I think you're just pretending to visit me, but actually you want to see Princess Yulin, right?"
Fang Heng smiled faintly: "That's right, I just wanted to see the princess. What, are you unhappy?" He wasn't very comfortable with Prince Duan's attitude either.
Prince Duan: "Yes, I am indeed very unhappy. Now that you know, leave Little Stone Pool immediately. The people here do not welcome you!"
Fang Heng smiled faintly and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Whether you welcome me or not is not for you to decide. You are just an outsider. The hostess here is Princess Yulin. Even she invited me to have a meal. What right do you have to kick me out!"
Prince Duan: "Whether I am qualified or not is none of your business. However, this is where I am recuperating, and I do not wish to see you! You should leave now, or you might upset me and cause me serious illness. You can expect to be stripped of your official hat when you become emperor!"