Chapter Seventeen Cultivating Virtue Xu Gongzi

  Xu family welcomed a noble guest today, Xu Chang was overjoyed and personally lit a firework in the courtyard. In the east wing of the house, Zhao Mengting sat by the bed, mending some old clothes for Xu Qian. This father-son pair is really too much, Zhao Mengting hadn't even had time to be moved by Xu Qian's 'standing up for himself' before she saw him get hurt and asked Deng Jian to go buy some meat at the market to make a nourishing soup for Xu Qian. Who knew that because of buying meat, it suddenly exposed...

  Xu Chang now looked at her as if he had seen a treasure.

  What's even more hateful is that Xu Qian guy, who has made up his mind that she must have hidden a lot of private money, every day whispers to her about business and investment, and says he wants to buy an inn, which will bring in tenfold or hundredfold profits in just a few days.

  Zhao Mengting was born into a merchant family, and everything she learned from a young age was about business. Although she appears to be a weak woman on the surface, she actually knows quite a bit about doing business. Buying an inn and earning tenfold or hundredfold profits in just a few days is no joke.

  Xu Qian is clearly trying to deceive Zhao Mengting with a lollipop, treating her like a three-year-old girl.

  As she thought of this, Zhao Mengting's slender hands flew as she mended a jacket, but her expression didn't reveal the intense dislike it had before. Everyone has their flaws, and Xu Qian just didn't seem like a reliable person, but at least...

  At least Zhao Mengting remembered that on that day, the courage and demeanor shown by that not-so-sturdy guy were still unforgettable.

  Men should protect women, Zhao Mengting is the daughter of a merchant, and merchants have a low social status. Although she looks beautiful and elegant, she knows the hardships behind it, and the feeling of being unable to guarantee her safety from morning to night makes her hope for someone who can protect her unconditionally.

  This protection is not necessarily born out of love between men and women, but rather an instinct, without any selfish motives.

  It was precisely because of this that Zhao Mengting was deceived. When she entered the Xu family, she secretly hid ten taels of silver, but unexpectedly, she was cheated by Xu Qian into buying a guest house, which was clearly a scam.

  Outside, the cups and dishes were being pushed around, the atmosphere was very lively. Zhao Mengting was a woman, so it wasn't convenient for her to show her face, but the side room was separated from the outer living room by a thin curtain. The Xu family's place wasn't big, so the banquet could only be held in the living room. Through the slightly tattered curtain, Zhao Mengting could vaguely see Huang Shiyeh's figure.

  Huang Shiye, in his forties, looked like an old child, wearing a Confucian robe that was quite fitting, but with his five features scrunched together, he always seemed to have some deep-seated grudge against others. Huang Shiye and Xu Chang didn't have much of a relationship, but recently, the rumors about the Xu family's father and son had been circulating in the yamen, piquing his curiosity. Today, Xu Qian came again to invite him, saying that he would be leaving his post soon, which further stirred up Huang Shiye's curiosity.

  Xu Chang pretended to bid farewell to the county government, and Huang Shiyeh felt that there was something fishy about it, but finally agreed to come. In any case, he couldn't afford to lose face in front of others.

  However, at this point, Huang Shiyeh showed restraint. The Xu family father and son were too enthusiastic. By reason, he was also a number one figure in the yamen, and Xu Bantou was also under his command. It was natural to be friendly, but wasn't this Xu fellow supposed to have resigned from his position? He usually didn't see much of himself, yet today he came to offer such great courtesy. When things go against the norm, it's a sign of something being off, so naturally, one must be on guard.

  After taking their seats, they naturally couldn't avoid some small talk. When they arrived at the host's home, they inevitably had to ask about the host's son. Huang Shiye first sized up Xu Qian and, unable to avoid the convention, casually asked: "Noble nephew has a majestic aura, he will surely have a bright future."

  This is a very polite remark, even Huang Shiyeh felt that he had said something excessive. The father and son surnamed Huang were of lowly origin, and the occupation they had been engaged in for generations was also a lowly one. Giving birth to a child? That would be a ghostly affair.

  Xu Qian behaved very well today, and with a surprised expression, he nodded slightly towards Master Huang.

  Xu Chang's eyebrows danced with joy as he said, "To be honest with you, Master, this son of mine may not have any other talents, but he is quite fond of reading."

  "It turns out that the path of saints and sages is the right one." Huang Shiyeh's face suddenly became solemn, praising: "Not bad, not bad, a child who can be taught." But in his heart, he couldn't help but think, what's the use of a low-born person reading books? The words just now were just politeness.

  Xu Chang sighed: "Yes, in this world, only reading books is the right path. My Xu family was fortunate and luckily, thanks to the emperor's decree to reverse the case..."

  Huang Shiye was suddenly stunned, the emperor's edict to reverse the verdict... What's this all about? As a government official, he followed County Magistrate to Qiantang County and although he was familiar with the environment, there were many things he didn't understand. However, as an experienced person, he immediately sensed that something fishy was going on and hastily asked: "Oh? Reversal of verdict, did the Xu family have a wrongful conviction?"

  Xu Chang stroked the wine table, and said with a sigh: "At present, there is no one, but my humble ancestors were once officials in the Ministry of War during the Tian Shun years. Due to being implicated by Yu Shao, our family fortunes declined. Later, Emperor Wenxuan repeatedly issued edicts to clear our name, and now that the new emperor has ascended to the throne, he too has issued an edict to treat us with kindness... Alas..."

  Xu Qian looked at the old man and found that his ability to talk nonsense had increased again, especially with that elegant and subtle expression, the reverence that flashed out when talking about his ancestors, and the loss when his ancestors fell into trouble, all of which were beyond words. Admiration, admiration!

  Huang Shiyeh was stunned, he had not heard any rumors before, and then he suddenly realized that it's no wonder Xu Chang wanted to resign, there was such a thing going on. At this time, he couldn't help but show respect, saying: "Was our ancestor the Xu Wenhao who was known as Xu Xianggong back then?"

  Xu Changdao said: "Oh? So Master Huang also knows him?"

  Huang said with a serious expression: "This is a loyal and good official of our dynasty. How could Huang not know about it?"

  Actually, Huang Shiyeh's expression of utmost respect was just a facade. In his heart, he didn't think much of it. Although they were loyal and virtuous, their family had been so for countless generations, even if they really were of the same bloodline, it would be a distant relationship at best. At most, the imperial court might strip away your humble status, making your reputation sound better, but what more do you want?

  Xu Qian coughed and suddenly said: "Actually, I invited Master to come to my humble abode today because I have a favor to ask of you."

  Huang Shiyeh had already become tasteless, and these two father-son were not good things. With Huang Shiyeh's sharp eyesight, he had already seen the clues, but now eating people's soft mouth, plus others being "Zhong Liang" after all, couldn't refuse with words, so smiled and said: "I don't know what virtuous nephew is doing?"

  Xu Qian solemnly said: "The Xu family has received great kindness from the country, and as a humble person, I should strive to follow my ancestors' loyalty. Therefore, in addition to studying, I always try to do some good deeds and contribute a little to the imperial court. Although I am of low status and limited ability, I think that doing good things doesn't have to be earth-shattering, just doing one's best is enough. The Xu family has saved up some money and plans to open a charity hall and orphanage. My father has already purchased an abandoned inn, but everything starts with difficulty, and doing good deeds also requires a good appearance. I've long heard that Master Huang is a master of calligraphy, so I was wondering if Master Huang would be willing to lend a hand and write a plaque for the Xu family's charity hall and orphanage."

  The most important thing is that the words are pleasant to hear, and Huang Shiyeh also breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Xu's father and son would make some excessive demands, but it turned out that they only asked him to write an inscription, which made him feel more at ease. After all, it was just a small effort, and someone asking for his help was a recognition of his worth. Huang Shiyeh felt quite pleased with himself.

  Moreover, they are doing a good deed, and it's likely that the Xu family father and son have just removed their humble status and want to take advantage of the opportunity to gain some reputation. It's nothing more than giving up talent for fame, and even writing a few words can borrow some glory.

  "He smiled and said: 'This is a good deed, how could I not respect it? Well said, well said.'"

  At this time, Fan Rong was already full of wine and food. Huang Shiyeh let the father and son withdraw from the banquet and brought out the four treasures of the study. Holding a brush in his hand, he pondered for a moment before writing on the spotless paper with flying dragons and dancing phoenixes. With one breath, a couplet "A good man's home" was completed.

  Xu Qian praised beside: "Master's brushwork is like a god, the strokes are exquisite, especially this 'Shan' character, with a charming and elegant demeanor, it can be called a top-notch masterpiece."

  If it were just ordinary boasting, Huang Shiy would have just smiled and let it go. But Xu Qian's words were professional jargon, and judging from his tone, he was also well-versed in the art of seal carving. Huang Shiy couldn't help but look at Xu Qian with newfound respect, nodding his head in acknowledgement: "I'm impressed."

  After saying that, he wrote a postscript and said: "Doing good deeds is accumulating blessings, but also sharing the worries of the officials. The county government will definitely support it with all its might."

  Xu Changchao gave Xu Qian a look, and Xu Qian understood, smiling as he took out a piece of silver and said: "A little something for your trouble, please accept it, Master."

  Huang Shiyeh wasn't some noble person, but rather a seasoned old hand who had mixed with the best of them. He didn't even bother to be polite, carelessly taking the silver fragments and putting them into his sleeve as if it was nothing, naturally accepting them without hesitation.

  Having eaten the host's wine, he also enjoyed the pleasure of writing the title and received the fee for the brush, Huang Shiyeh's mood was very good, with a smile on his face: "Good, good." After chatting for a while, he left contentedly.

  See off Mr. Huang.

  The father and son exchanged a smile, both of them looking very sly. However, this smile was caught by Zhao Mengting, who was peeking from the side room. Zhao Mengting's mind wandered for a moment, she had a premonition that Huang Shiyeh seemed to have been deceived by these two men.