Chapter Nineteen: Yan Qing Attends School

  On the surface, things seem to have been resolved properly, and it seems that there is no impact on Zheng Renji's inauguration as the Eastern Cao Commissioner.

  But Zheng Renji knew that this matter was enough to make him lose all face.

  What made him lose face, however, was not his opponents or the aristocratic families of Luoyang. The problem lay with Cui Daolin himself. Of course, Zheng Renji also knew that the Tianjin Bridge market closure was definitely orchestrated by Mrs. Cui.

  In private, he can blame Mrs. Cui, but after all, it is still Cui Daolin who will not do things.

  "Tell Zheng Shi'an to come see me at the old house!"

  Zheng Renji's face was gloomy as he gave orders to his entourage of guards.

  He waited for the carriage, and saw Madame Cui holding her newborn daughter, shaking with anger, unable to vent...

  "Madam, you've forced Cui Daolin to move to Tianjin Bridge Street?"

  Mrs. Choi nodded, "Yes, I told you, Luoyang's industry has many problems and needs to be rectified."

  "But you moved to Tianjin Bridge Street City, why didn't you tell me?"

  "I said it at the time, you told me to take charge... how come, didn't Cui Daolin do it?"

  Zheng Renji smiled bitterly: "If he hadn't done it, it would have been fine. The problem is that he did, and almost caused a big disaster. It's also my fault for not making things clear to you. When you moved the others to Tianjin Bridge, it was okay, but there were some people you couldn't touch... They were all loyal guards of our ancestors back in the day. Our ancestor had given orders that as long as An Yuan existed, the Tigers would remain strong. Even if you wanted to move them, you would have needed a proper plan... Luckily I managed to suppress the situation, otherwise it would have been troublesome!"

  Mrs. Choi was also shocked when she heard it.

  But she immediately reacted and said to Zheng Renji: "I don't know, Cui Daolin is not clear either, why didn't Housekeeper Zheng stop him?"

  Mrs. Cui naturally had a soft spot for her natal family and wanted to clear Cui Daolin's name.

  She also knew that Zheng Renji disliked Zheng Shian, so she wanted to divert this calamity onto Zheng Shian's body.

  Zheng Renji's eyes narrowed and he said in a cold voice: "As for Zheng Shian, I will naturally interrogate him, but Cui Daolin, you also need to be punished."

  Dào Lín initially arrived in Luoyang and had never interfered with family matters before.

  "All these years, he's been following us, doing his best, and is indeed a loyal person... Hmph, in my opinion, Zheng Shisan must be harboring resentment. Sending him to Tianzhuang and washing one's hands of everything. Clearly knowing about the Tianjin Bridge affair, yet refusing to tell Da Lin - isn't this obviously trying to make a fool of you? I really don't understand why Master values him so much."

  "Just say less, I will handle this matter impartially."

  It is said that justice will be served, but in Zheng Renji's heart, there has already been a distinction.

  After returning to his old mansion in Luoyang, he didn't say a word and had Cui Daolin taken down. He scolded him severely, covering his face with curses.

  At this time, Zheng Shian also rushed over.

  "Zheng Guan Jia, are you getting used to life in Tianzhuang?"

  The surface work still needs to be done, Zheng Renji and Yan Yuese gestured for Zheng Shian to sit down before speaking in a warm tone.

  Zheng Shi'an's face remained calm as he bowed and said, "Young Master, everything is fine at the estate."

  "Zheng Guan Jia, I know you're uncomfortable in your heart."

  Actually, letting you go to Tianzhuang was also a careful consideration. The harvest in Tianzhuang has been really bad these two years, and I've heard that many of the people in charge have been embezzling funds. You were sent by Father, and having worked for my Zheng family for many years, your abilities are naturally clear to me. Things in Luoyang are very complicated, you're getting older, always working so hard, it's not a good thing...

  Zheng Shi'an said in surprise: "Young Master, I really don't feel uncomfortable at all."

  "This old servant has indeed been useless for the past two years, sometimes lacking energy and easily getting distracted. The Luoyang matter is very complicated, when this old servant first arrived, I was also anxious and couldn't sleep at night, afraid that if I made a mistake, it would cause trouble for Master. After Steward Cui came, this old servant felt much more at ease, and the time spent in the countryside was also very enjoyable."

  It's a bit different from what Cui Daolin said.

  Zheng Renji gazed at Zheng Shian, and couldn't find a hint of dissatisfaction on his face.

  However, he wouldn't believe Zheng Shi'an's expression either. People like Zheng Shi'an who have been serving others for a lifetime are very skilled at observing words and expressions. Wanting to guess his thoughts from his expression is simply an impossible task...

  "Since you knew about the Tianjin Bridge incident, why didn't you explain it to Daolin?"

  Zheng Renji's face turned stern and his voice suddenly became severe.

  I knew you'd use this as an excuse... But Xian Qing's guess was surprisingly accurate, fortunately I've already made preparations.

  Zheng Shi'an looked innocent, his eyes wide with surprise: "Young Master, you're wronging an old slave like me."

  "Oh, how I wronged you?"

  Zheng Shi'an said: "From the very beginning when Cui Guan Jia mentioned this matter, I expressed my opposition, but Cui Guan Jia wouldn't listen."

  "I also knew that Master Cui would not listen to my words in front of me, so after I went to the Tianzhuang, I specially found someone to send a letter to Master Cui. The matters at the Tianjin Bridge and in the Tianzhuang were all written clearly. Later, when those old soldiers came to the door, I also tried to dissuade them. I thought that was the end of it, but unexpectedly...I don't know where they got their information from, but today the young master is coming. I even stopped more than a dozen old soldiers at the Tianzhuang."

  "Nonsense!"

  Choi Do-rin initially listened in on the side, seeing Jeong In-gi interrogate Jeong Se-an, and was still very pleased.

  But little did he know, Zheng Shian's words took a sudden turn, as if he was going to shift the blame onto him...

  Chui Daolin couldn't bear it any longer and immediately retorted loudly, "Zheng the housekeeper, when did you ever write a letter? How come I don't know?"

  "If this young master does not believe it, he can ask the messenger who delivered the message."

  The more furious Cui Daolin became, the more respectful and humble Zheng Shian appeared.

  Yan Shiguo, who had been silent on the side, frowned and although he didn't say anything, it was clear that he was displeased with Cui Daolin's rudeness.

  Jeong In-gi glared at Choi Do-lin with a fierce gaze, "Since the old butler said so, then bring in the messenger."

  Zheng Shi'an nodded and reported the name of the messenger after which he retreated to one side.

  Zheng Renji will send someone to bring that messenger here, this way can also avoid Zheng Shian colluding with the messenger halfway.

  Chui Dao Lin was flustered and repeatedly assured him on the side.

  Zheng Shi'an, on the other hand, had a humble expression, standing aside with his hands hanging down, looking neither hot nor cold.

  This alone shows the difference in temperament.

  Yan Shiguo shook his head and stood up, cupping one hand in the other: "Big brother, this is your family affair, please forgive me for not being able to watch from the sidelines, I'll take my leave first."

  "How embarrassing for my younger brother!"

  Zheng Renji smiled slightly and saw Yan Shigou out, then sat down in the central hall.

  About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the family members brought the messenger to the central hall.

  "I asked you, has Old Steward ever asked you to deliver a letter to Cui Steward?"

  The messenger scratched his head and thought for a moment, "Four days ago, the day Zheng Guan Jia just arrived at Tian Zhuang, I happened to go into town to buy things, and Zheng Guan Jia indeed asked me to deliver a letter to Cui Guan Jia."

  Choi Do-rin immediately became anxious, "Master, he's lying, I've never seen him before."

  "Shut up!" Zheng Renji snorted coldly, then asked with a gentle tone: "Think carefully, don't lie."

  "Master, I really didn't lie, Zheng Guan's family indeed asked me to deliver a letter."

  "Kuai Guan said he has never seen you."

  The messenger said: "I haven't seen Cui Guan Jia either... As soon as I said I was from Tianzhuang, the gatekeeper wouldn't let me in.

  "Yes, at that time, a young master happened to be walking out of the mansion, so I handed the letter over to him and asked him to pass it on to Cui Guan's household... Oh, I remember now, that young master was surnamed Xu. The gatekeeper in the mansion called him Young Master Xu."

  "Xu Shiyan?"

  Zheng Renji was a bit confused.

  He certainly knew that Xu Shiyou was in the old mansion.

  Xu Shiyan's identity is different, he is the son of Xu Ge, a good friend from his hometown. Although he was born into a commoner family, he can also be called "young master". Since the messenger mentioned Xu Shiyan, what Zheng Shian said, is it true?

  "Bring Shi Yun over."

  Zheng Renji immediately ordered someone to bring Xu Shiyan over.

  Actually, Zheng Renji had already met Xu Shiyan when he first entered the house. In fact, he had met Xu Shiyan even before he came to Luoyang. As for Xu Shiyan, Zheng Renji was quite fond of him and thought that this child was very intelligent and had a lot of insight. Although he was born into a humble family, he was naturally clever. Otherwise, he would not have agreed to let Xu Ge bring Xu Shiyan to his mansion.

  "Shi Ji, have you seen this person?"

  Xu Shiyou looked bewildered, staring at the messenger for a long time before suddenly realizing, "I remember now, I've seen this person before. A few days ago he said Zheng Guan had a letter to be delivered to Cui Guan, and I happened to run into him, so I took the letter."

  "Did you give the letter to Steward Cui?"

  Xu Shi Ji shook his head, "At that time, Cui Guan Jia was not in the mansion, I met Cui Da Ge in the back house and handed the letter over to him."

  "This person told me at the time that it was a letter from Zheng Guan's family, very important; and when I handed the letter over to Cui Gege, I repeated it again... Later, I went to practice my skills, and didn't meet Cui Guan until evening. However, at the time Cui Guan seemed to have had too much to drink, and I didn't ask about this matter again... The next day, I forgot about this whole thing. Yeah, that's what happened."

  "Alright, I understand!"

  Zheng Renji nodded and said with a smile: "Alright, you go down first. Remember to prepare yourself, after two days, after you and Hongyi have paid respects to Mr. Yan together, you must study hard. You are older than Hongyi, remember to remind him often."

  "I got it!"

  Xu Shi Ji bowed and withdrew from the central hall.

  By this time, Zheng Shi'an was undoubtedly telling the truth.

  Since Zheng Shi'an didn't lie, then it's Cui Daolin's problem...

  Zheng Renji was furious with Choi Dae-lin in his heart, gritting his teeth. But in front of Zheng Shi'an, he wouldn't blame Choi Dae-lin.

  "The old steward, these days have indeed been hard."

  "Hehe, this is what I'm supposed to do as a servant, what hardship?"

  The more humble Zheng Shi'an was, the more unbearable Zheng Renji felt. It's not that he wasn't afraid of goods being bad, but rather that he was afraid of comparing goods. In the past when they were in Chang'an, he thought Cui Daolin was quite good. But compared to Zheng Shi'an, he felt that Cui Daolin was far inferior.

  Whether it's doing things or temperament, it's obviously different.

  After all, he is a person from An Yuantang, and Father's trust in him has increased, which is not unreasonable.

  It's just...

  Whenever he thought of Zheng Shi'an being disabled, Zheng Renji felt disgusted.

  But he couldn't pick out any fault with Zheng Shi'an and could only smile and ask: "I remember, the old caretaker's grandson also came, right?"

  Zheng Shi'an's heart skipped a beat, and he couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

  "As for what Master Da Gongzi said, Yan Qing indeed followed me here. He is now living in the countryside..."

  Zheng Shi'an still hopes that Zheng Yanqing can study with Zheng Renji's son Zheng Hongyi. After all, this is a kind of guarantee.

  In the future, with Zheng Hongyi's help, it will ultimately be a good thing.

  But Zheng Renji waved his hand to interrupt him, "Zheng Yanqing, haha, I remember now.

  "I remember your little grandson, he's seven years old this year, right?"

  "Back to Da Gongzi, at that time, he was already eight years old!"

  In ancient times, people calculated their age from the tenth month of pregnancy. A baby was considered one year old at birth and another year older after passing the New Year. By the time they truly reached one year old, they were already three years old. Zheng Shi'an didn't know when Yan Qing was born, so when registering his household, he wrote down the time he adopted Yan Qing on the road, which happened to be at the end of the year.

  According to this calculation, Zheng Yanqing's real age is only six years old, but he is treated as if he were eight.

  Zheng Renji nodded and smiled: "Eight years old, it's also the age to start learning... Old Zheng, our farm is not far from the village of the Hu Doulings. I heard that the Hu Doulings are planning to set up a family school... Well, how about this? I'll go back and talk to the people of the Hu Doulings, and let Yan Qing study at the village school near their home, what do you think?"

  Zheng Shi'an was greatly disappointed upon hearing this!

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