Chapter 20, Gong Sun Xiao Ban

  The next morning, Zu Zhao got up early as usual, first studied the scriptures and then copied some annotations on the scriptures.

  These books have been thoroughly read and memorized over the past few years, so why continue to re-read them day after day? Apart from strengthening memory and enhancing cultural literacy, it is also because a certain habit has been formed. Of course, while repeatedly reading history and classics, he will also study some ancient military strategies, but not as a top priority. Although he deeply knows that chaotic times are approaching, the famous articles of ancient military strategists and more advanced military theories have already been familiar to him since his previous life, so he hasn't spent too much time on this aspect.

  It was not yet noon, and Zu Chao had not only finished his daily reading assignments but also found time to practice arithmetic. After all, he would soon be going to the county seat to meet with the three elders about the matter of the imperial examination, which required some attention. Then, he thought of his earlier modifications to the saddle and stirrups, so he took advantage of the still-early hour to continue pondering them for a while.

  The saddle and stirrup had been stored in his room all along, but now the sun was shining brightly outside, so he brought out the equipment and tools, walked down the corridor to a relatively quiet courtyard on one side of the inner yard, sat down on the ground and began to adjust the seat. He had spent nearly half a year making this set of horse gear, after all, he wasn't a craftsman, many things were explored from scratch, fortunately, his family was big and powerful, with all kinds of people under their door, it wasn't difficult for him to ask questions as the eldest son.

  As for the specific specifications of the saddle and stirrup, they were also tried out one by one, before having a decent model and size. Until today, this prototype seat has been adjusted to be about 80-90% accurate, otherwise it would not have been possible to repel the Hu horse so easily at first.

  "What are you doing?"

  At some point, a faint voice came from behind without any warning signs.

  Zu Zhao didn't jump in fright, but only because he was concentrating on the delicate cutting work just now and hadn't noticed the movement behind him. He turned his head to look back, and saw a young man standing behind him, dressed in brocade clothes, looking like he was twelve or thirteen years old, with a hint of shyness and awkwardness on his face. This young man was none other than the unknown young master of the Gong Sun family.

  "Huh, it's you. How did you end up here?" Zu Zhao asked in surprise, looking around the surrounding area to see if there were any other members of the Gong Sun family accompanying him, but he didn't find anyone else nearby.

  "I walked here alone." The young master's voice was not loud, and he seemed very young and introverted, but not too distant, with a kind of childlike innocence. He put his two small hands behind his back, leaned forward slightly, and curiously looked at the strange device in front of Zu Chao.

  "Are you alone?" Zu Zhao asked. He looked at the young master in the direction of the sunlight, and was surprised to find that his skin had a crystal clear transparency, with a tender face and white neck, exuding an innocent and lovely charm everywhere. Moreover, he also smelled a faint fragrance on the other's body. This wasn't anything unusual, as Han Dynasty men often had a fondness for fragrances, but what was strange was that this fragrance seemed to be something extraordinary, not the usual incense or scent used by men.

  "Hmm! What are you doing? And what's that thing?" The young master stared at the cushion with big, shining eyes, full of expectation.

  "Hehe, this is a saddle, and this is a stirrup. They are used to stabilize the rider when riding a horse." Zu Zhao replied straightforwardly, feeling no need to hide anything, thinking that even if he told the truth, the other person might not understand at their age.

  "Huh? Does this really work?" The young master asked in puzzlement and disbelief.

  "Wait until I'm done, and then you can take a look. Oh, by the way, are you alone? Won't others worry about you?" Zu Zhao changed the subject, casually asking.

  The young master slightly shook his head, then nodded heavily, but after thinking again, he lightly shook his head.

  At this scene, Zu Chao couldn't help but feel that this young master was truly full of childlike innocence with a hint of cleverness, making him very likable. However, despite this, he still felt that the other person had an air of femininity about them, unfortunately, they were still too young to be judged by*.

  "I don't even know your name?" He didn't continue to care about it, anyway, in his own eyes, the other was just a little kid.

  "But... but Uncle will be suspicious..." The young master looked embarrassed, hiding his hands behind his back and fidgeting with his fingers, his face involuntarily lowering.

  "Ah, uncle?" Zuxiao said thoughtfully, the first person he thought of was naturally Gong Sunzhi. Among the many guests visiting Xu Wujin's Gong Sun family this time, there were not many older people, although Gong Sunzhi was over fifty years old and was obviously the most likely candidate. He smiled kindly and continued, "I see, well, in that case, I won't ask for your name then. However, since you came out alone, it would make others worry, so let's go back first."

  The west wing and inner courtyard where the guests of the Gong Sun family lived were still some distance away, and I really didn't know how this little guy had managed to sneak in here all by himself. The ancestral mansion was vast, both inside and out, and it would be easy for a stranger to get lost in it; I'm afraid if it were another child, they would have been frightened out of their wits and cried uncontrollably.

  "But... but I don't know how to get back..." The young master lowered his head even further, as if he knew he had done something wrong.

  "Is that so? You're really not careful. Alright, I'll have a servant escort you back." Zu Chao was amused. He put down the tools in his hands and stood up to lead the young master towards the corridor.

  The young master nodded in agreement and quietly followed behind Zu Zhao.

  Not long after walking along the corridor, a series of footsteps came from behind a moon gate in front. Soon, three or four figures appeared. The leader was a servant of the Zu family, and behind him were three people from the Gong Sun family, one of whom was a young man in his mid-twenties, while the other two were dressed as servants. As soon as they met Zu Zhao, the Zu family servant hurriedly bowed to pay respects, while the young man let out a long sigh of relief.

  "It seems we've finally found the person. Thank you for your trouble." The young man thanked the servant who led the way, then turned to Zu Zhao and bowed his head in greeting, "It turns out that I disturbed the young master's rest, I'm really sorry, sorry. Xiao Ban, I told you not to run around randomly, almost causing trouble, yet you still haven't apologized to the young master."

  The little boy looked very wronged and stood with his legs together, his head hung low looking at the ground, his two small hands seemed to be at a loss.

  "It's really too rude. I hope the young master won't take it to heart." The youth, seeing this, was somewhat anxious, but instead of continuing to pressure the young master, he hastily apologized to Zu Zhao on his behalf.

  "It doesn't matter, it's just a small thing, no need to make such a fuss. Since this young master is fine, I'll take my leave first." Zu Zhao said with a calm smile.

  "You're welcome, young master. I'll take my leave now. Xiao Ban, you really don't listen, hurry up and thank the young master."

  The little boy raised his head and stared blankly at Zu Zhao for a moment before pouting and muttering to himself.

  Zu Zhao just smiled, without any surprise. The young man had no choice but to sigh and let the two servants of the Gong Sun family take the young master away. As he was leaving, the young man's face showed some embarrassment and discomfort, and when he walked out of the moon gate, he secretly turned his head to glance at Zu Zhao, revealing a hint of inexplicable mystery.

  Zu Zhaoben didn't have such a serious curiosity, and was just about to turn around and return to the courtyard to continue tinkering with his own designed seating, but after thinking for a moment, he still turned back and called out to the servant who had led Gong Sun's family earlier.

  "Are you a servant of the Western Courtyard?"

  "Yes, young master."

  "Why can't even a child be taken care of on the west wing? Anyone can just enter the inner courtyard?" Zu Zhao asked solemnly, his tone slightly stern but without any blame.

  "Please...young master, spare his life, I...I really don't know..." The servant was somewhat flustered.

  "You don't have to worry, I'm just asking casually. Did the Gong Sun family search for that young master for a long time after he got lost?" asked Zu Zhao.

  "It wasn't long ago that the guests discovered the young master was nowhere to be found, and they also asked people nearby, earlier someone had seen the young master's shadow, so they came this way to search." The servant replied.

  "Oh, were our guests very worried?" Zu Zhao asked again.

  "Yes, the young master just said that he must find the person back before Uncle knows, and on the way here, he kept muttering to himself, hoping nothing goes wrong." The servant continued.

  Zu Zhao nodded slightly, and a guess arose in his heart. He was still not quite sure about the identity of this young master, but it was clear that he was not an ordinary commoner's son. He must have had some status to attract such attention.

  "Alright, you go down first." Zu Zhao waved his hand and said.