Guanqi felt a little sorry when he saw how distraught he was, but he still hardened his heart and patted him on the shoulder.
"That's all I have to say. Think about it carefully."
After saying that, he turned and left, leaving Guan Yan standing there blankly, the panic in his heart spreading like ripples.
He carried the stool and walked back to the Prajna Hall with heavy steps.
Hanqiao, the head maid of the Prajna Hall, noticed that his face looked off and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you tired? There's some cold water in the room, go have some."
Guan Yan forced a smile and said, "Okay, Sister Hanqiao, maybe I'm a little tired from moving things just now."
Hanqiao did not suspect anything, knowing that the old lady would be back from the warehouse soon, so she lit An Ningxiang.
Guanyan went to the back room and sat in front of the small desk. He looked at the calligraphy in front of him but didn't know where to start writing. The waves in his heart still couldn't calm down for a long time.
He put down his brush and simply lay down on the bed, tossing and turning, with the words about watching the chess game echoing in his mind.
"You can avoid the first day, but you can't avoid the fifteenth..."
Guan Yan knew that he was just a servant after all and could not compete with the prince, and the old lady's protection would disappear one day.
How should I deal with myself then?
After much deliberation, Guanyan decided to find a way out for himself.
He remembered what the old lady had mentioned before, that she wanted to send him to learn a craft so that he could have a stable life in the future. This might be an opportunity...
"Guan Yan!" Han Qiao's clear voice pierced the quiet air.
Guan Yan jumped up when he heard the voice, and saw Han Qiao walking towards him, holding a bulging bundle and a plate of fragrant snacks in her hands.
"These are the goose oil and pine stuffing rolls that were delivered at noon. They're a bit greasy, so I brought them all over for you." Hanqiao handed over the snacks with a smile.
As the first-class maid in the Marquis's mansion, Hanqiao is quite particular about food and clothing, but Guanyan doesn't have so many concerns. He is now at the age of growing up and has a special liking for these oily and fragrant snacks.
"They are all my favorite foods. Sister Hanqiao really loves me!" Guanyan complimented sweetly.
"You kid, your mouth is as sweet as honey." Hanqiao turned her head away with a frown, placed the snacks on the table, and continued, "Mrs. Zhao's nephew, Master Zhao, is waiting at the gatehouse. It just so happens that Mrs. Zhao is not here. He asked me to deliver these shoes and socks she made. How about you do it for me?"
Guanyan took the heavy bag and saw that it was filled with brand new thick-soled cloth shoes and several sets of clothes.
"Okay! I'll go right away. There's no need for you to make the trip." As he spoke, he grabbed a piece of spring roll and stuffed it into his mouth. He agreed vaguely, turned around and ran out of the yard.
"Be careful, don't fall!" Hanqiao warned with concern, but before she finished her words, Guanyan's figure disappeared from sight.
In the gatehouse, Zhao Bai was chatting and boasting with the gatekeeper and the servants on duty. The atmosphere was quite lively. Everyone knew that Zhao Bai was the nephew of Zhao Ma, the old lady's maid, so naturally there was no shortage of compliments and praise.
"Uncle Zhao, you are so lucky. With an aunt like Nanny Zhao, you will definitely have a bright future." The doorman said with a smile.
Zhao Bai smiled complacently, "No, no, it's all thanks to my aunt."
While they were chatting, a servant came hurriedly and reported: "Uncle Zhao, someone said they are here to deliver something to you."
Zhao Bai was stunned for a moment, then reacted, "Oh? Then let him in."
After a while, Guan Yan came in carrying a heavy bag. He saw Zhao Bai at a glance and hurried forward, "Uncle Zhao, this is something that Aunt Zhao sent you."
Zhao Bai took the bundle and felt it was heavy. When he opened it, he saw that it was filled with brand new thick-soled cloth shoes and several sets of clothes. He felt warm in his heart, knowing that this was specially prepared for him by his aunt.
"Madame Zhao knew you were going on a long journey, so she made these thick-soled shoes for you," a servant said. "With these, you won't feel any pain even when walking on mountain roads."
After hearing this, Guan Yan looked at Zhao Bai with surprise, "Uncle Zhao, where are you going?"
Zhao Bai saw that the bag contained a lot of clothes for traveling and replied casually, "The food needed for the orphanage has been collected. The higher-ups have arranged for the Imperial Guards to escort it. Our mansion also needs to send someone to accompany them, so I will be one of them."
At this point, Zhao Bai suddenly jokingly said, "Guan Yan, you used to have a very strong western accent, but it's gone away lately. Maybe that's really your hometown? What do you think? Why don't you come with me and see the area and gain some experience along the way?"
As soon as these words came out, Guan Yan felt an inexplicable throbbing in his heart.
However, he knew that this was not a matter he could decide alone. "Whether we should go together or not, I can't say for sure."
Zhao Bai noticed that Guan Yan seemed to be moved, so he led him out of the lobby and gave him some advice in a low voice.
"My aunt always praises you for being smart and sensible. Why not just ask her to adopt you as her godson and then have her discuss this matter with the old lady? Wouldn't that be a natural outcome?"
Guan Yan's eyes flickered, but he knew in his heart that Zhao Ma had always loved and cared for him, so how could he plot against her like this?
"I..." He shook his head, hesitant to speak.
Seeing his hesitation, Zhao Bai felt anxious and advised, "I can see that you're not an ungrateful person, so I'm saying this. Don't be so hesitant. The grain transport team will be leaving in a few days. If you really want to go, you'd better make up your mind soon!"
After saying that, he returned to the gatehouse and made an appointment with others to go out for a drink in the evening.
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