Chapter 14: Saving Guan Qing He doesn’t want any freedom, he just wants to stay in...
Jiang Huaishan was sitting in the main hall of Xu's house. The flush on his face had not yet faded, and he felt a little weak, but he forced himself to stay together and explained his purpose.
"...This man is the son of an old friend. I couldn't bear to see him suffer, so I asked my daughter to buy his indenture. I heard he was at Lord Xu's house, so I came to pick him up."
Being asked to bring an actor to his home was obviously a sign that his son was a spendthrift and had no sense of propriety, which made the current Minister of Public Administration, Xu Gong, feel a little embarrassed.
"Master Jiang must have misunderstood something," Xu Gong said. "My son was just hosting a banquet and invited a few musicians to entertain us. It's not certain they had the person Master Jiang wanted. Even if they did, they were just an actor. How could it be worth Master Jiang coming to ask for them in person?"
Jiang Huaishan's face looked a little ugly, but it was not because of Xu Gong's words, but because his body could not bear it anymore.
He thought he could recover after sitting for a while, but now he was covered in layers of cold sweat and his head was a little dizzy, but he had to force himself to keep a straight face.
"It is my fault for coming to your house without permission. However, Su Guanqing is like a son to me. I hope you will do me a favor and not let me come here in vain."
"Su..." Xu Gong immediately remembered that the Jiang family and the Su family had an engagement, and his face changed slightly, "This person is the same as Su Baichuan..."
"Yes, Guan Qing is the son of the former Prime Minister, Lord Su."
Xu Gong's expression was completely unbearable. He turned his face away from the servant and said, "Go and call Sheng'er."
Soon, Xu Sheng hurried in. After bowing and greeting him, Xu Gong immediately asked, "I heard that you're hosting a banquet today and invited Su Guanqing along as well?"
Xu Sheng hesitated for a moment, intending to fool around, but then he caught sight of Feng Fuliu standing behind Jiang Huaishan. Knowing he couldn't hide it, he bowed and replied, "Yes, I've always admired Master Su's talent, so I invited him to sit with me at today's gathering."
Jiang Tong knew that it was not her turn as a junior to speak in such an occasion. However, Jiang Huaishan squinted his eyes, and others thought he was putting on airs. However, she could already tell that her father had almost lost the strength to speak, so she had to speak to Xu Sheng:
"Since Guan Qing is in your house, please let him out, Master Xu. We want to take him home."
Xu Sheng was so angry with Su Guanqing that he refused to let him go. He simply said, "I'm sorry, but I had a very pleasant conversation with Master Su today, and he agreed to stay and be my guest. I will send someone to redeem his indenture later..."
Before he could finish his words, his father spat on him: "Evil beast! Who is Su Guanqing? How dare you mess with him? You are so fearless! Go and invite Master Su out!"
"Oh, yes! Yes! Son will go right away." Xu Sheng didn't want his father to be so angry, so he ran out in fear.
After leaving the main hall, he could no longer maintain his expression and became extremely ugly.
His personal servant was too afraid to breathe. When he reached the study door, he approached carefully and said, "Master, are we going to hand over Su Guanqing?"
Xu Sheng kicked the pillars under the porch several times, until his feet hurt. He stopped and said angrily, "Dad has given the order, how can I not let him go?"
…
Jiang Tong didn't know what happened to Su Guanqing when he encountered this incident. At that time, she was only concerned about her own affairs and never paid any attention to Su Guanqing's predicament.
But now, when she saw Su Guanqing walking out in tattered clothes, carried by two servants, her heart was gripped tightly.
She remembered that when Jiang Meng brought people to rob her, Su Guanqing stood in front of her and was beaten like this.
He was such a clear and bright person, like a piece of glass snow, but he was trampled into dirt by people.
In an instant, her past life and present life overlapped in her mind. She felt a rush of blood to her brain, and she could not distinguish between memories and dreams.
She rushed over without caring about anything, pushed aside the servants, and supported Su Guanqing: "Guanqing, how are you?"
Su Guanqing had been letting himself be dragged along in a daze, but when he heard her voice, he suddenly woke up with a start, a trace of panic flashing across his face: "Tongtong? Why are you here?"
"It was Master Feng who came to see me," Jiang Tong said, looking at Su Guanqing's miserable appearance, her nose aching. "Don't be afraid, I've already redeemed you from the squad leader and am here to take you home."
Su Guanqing was stunned when he heard this. He didn't even notice when Feng Fuliu came over and supported his other side.
By the time they left Xu's house, Jiang Huaishan was completely exhausted and was about to collapse.
Ah Qiao lifted Jiang Huaishan onto his back and said, "I'll take your father back first. You two can walk slowly."
After saying that, she didn't wait for anyone's reply and walked away quickly.
Su Guanqing still felt as if he were in a dream. He was being dragged forward by Jiang Tong and Feng Fuliu. Every step he took seemed to be on clouds, and he felt as if he was floating. "Tongtong, have you really redeemed me?"
"I said I would take you home," Jiang Tong watched A Qiao's back disappear, then turned to look at Su Guanqing, who was covered in injuries, "I'm sorry, I should have come earlier."
"Then, then where should I go now? I don't have to go back to the compound?" Su Guanqing widened his empty eyes and asked stutteringly.
"Yes, you don't have to go back to the compound. I'm the only one who needs to go back," Feng Fuliu said, turning to Jiang Tong with a look of emotion. "I didn't expect you to actually come and save Guan Qing. I was so mean before. I apologize. From now on, you must treat Guan Qing well."
"I will." Jiang Tong responded solemnly.
"It's getting late, I have to go." Feng Fuliu said goodbye to the two of them and left.
After saying goodbye to Feng Brushiliu, Su Guanqing finally came to his senses. He felt pain all over his body and was limping when walking, but he tried his best to support himself and not lean his weight on Jiang Tong.
"Tongtong, how much did it cost you to redeem me?"
"Seventy-six taels."
"Where did you get the money?"
"I mortgaged the title deed."
"This! How can I do this!" Su Guanqing's blue and purple face went blank for a moment, and then revealed an expression that was both moved and panicked. "If my uncle and aunt are displaced because of me, I, I..."
"What do you mean by 'I'?" Jiang Tong interrupted him. "Once I sell the painting you gave me, I can redeem the land deed. Don't worry, I know the market price. Ni Zan's paintings are much more valuable than my small courtyard."
Su Guanqing was even more shocked: "Have you really repaired it?"
Jiang Taidou had heard such words many times in her previous life, so she said reflexively: "Of course, I never speak falsely." As soon as she said this, she realized that she had said something rude.
Fortunately, Su Guanqing just thought she was a child pretending to be an adult and did not investigate further.
"You lost so much money in vain to save me." Su Guanqing was a little dejected. Before the Su family was destroyed, he would not care about dozens or hundreds of taels of silver. But now he has experienced all the sufferings in the world and knows that even this one tael of silver is enough to kill a life.
Jiang Tong held his wrist and whispered in his ear, "Guan Qing, our family is struggling financially right now, so we have no choice but to sell this painting. When I save enough money, I'll definitely help you redeem it."
Su Guanqing's nose felt sore. "I originally wanted to give you this painting, but I didn't expect that the money would be spent on me. It's not worth it."
"It's worth it!" Jiang Tong tightened her grip around his arm. "I won't let you give up on yourself. If you follow me from now on, I won't let you suffer any more."
Su Guanqing felt as if his already broken heart was suddenly held by a pair of soft and warm hands. He quietly turned his head away, trying to hide his burning eyes.
Seeing that he was in a bad mood, Jiang Tong changed the subject and talked about the various events of the day. The thrilling race against time was so interesting in Jiang Tong's mouth that Su Guanqing almost forgot the pain in his body.
The two talked as they walked, and on the way they asked a doctor to take them home.
Jiang Huaishan has been sent back by Aqiao and is being cared for by Zhong Wanci.
Jiang Tong asked a doctor to examine his father. Seeing that his father had almost recovered, he asked the doctor to examine Su Guanqing's injuries.
Fortunately, both patients were fine. After sending the doctor away, Jiang Tong was busy arranging Su Guanqing's situation.
There were no extra rooms in the house, so she could only set up a bed for Su Guanqing in the study.
Then he gave Jiang Huaishan a set of clean clothes and asked him to change his clothes and apply the medicine by himself.
After Su Guanqing had taken care of himself, Jiang Tong came in and put something in Su Guanqing's hand.
"Guan Qing, please keep this."
Su Guanqing was sitting on the newly made bed, arranging the pillows and bedding with his hands. He took the thing Jiang Tong handed over, fumbled with it, and found it was a piece of paper.
"It's your indenture." Jiang Tong said.
Su Guanqing was startled, and immediately pushed the indenture back to Jiang Tong like a gunpowder bag: "I can't see it, what if I lose it as waste paper? You should keep it for me."
He was afraid that if he was free, he would have no reason to stay in the Jiang family.
He didn't want any freedom, he just wanted to stay by Jiang Tong's side. Even if he was just a servant, he would be satisfied.
Jiang Tong was unaware of his thoughts. After thinking about it, she felt that Su Guanqing's words made sense, so she took the indenture back and said, "Okay, I'll keep it for you. By the way, would you like me to show you around the room so you don't have any trouble getting in and out?"
"Okay." Su Guanqing immediately got up from the bed.
Jiang Tong supported him and accompanied him as he explored the study room bit by bit, familiarizing himself with its layout.
Just after turning around, a voice came from the door -
"Guan Qing."
Su Guanqing recognized Jiang Huaishan's voice and stood at attention with a solemn expression: "Uncle."
Zhong Wanci supported Jiang Huaishan as they walked in step by step. Seeing that Zhong Wanci was having difficulty supporting him, Jiang Tong hurriedly carried a stool over.
Jiang Huaishan sat down panting, and only after his breathing calmed down a little did he look at Su Guanqing.
This was the first time he had seen Su Guanqing since the incident at the Su family.
Jiang Huaishan watched Su Guanqing grow up. He was the only son of the Prime Minister, talented, and famous at a young age. Despite so many dazzling halos surrounding Su Guanqing, he had never been proud or complacent, and was always kind and gentle in dealing with people.
Today, all the halo around Su Guanqing disappeared. He stood there with his hands hanging down, motionless and silent, his attitude still humble and gentle.
When you are successful, don't be arrogant or boastful, but be humble and self-disciplined; when you are poor, don't be surprised by changes, but be calm and composed.
Jiang Huaishan secretly praised him in his heart, but when he spoke, he sighed: "Good boy, you have suffered these days."
"Thank you for your concern, uncle." Hearing the concern of his elders, Su Guanqing couldn't help feeling a little aggrieved, and the corners of his lips trembled almost imperceptibly.
Zhong Wanci didn't know what her husband saw, but she saw that the once amiable little Guanqing now had bruises on his cheeks, a dried blood stain at the corner of his mouth, and an expression that looked as if he was about to cry. She felt sad for a moment, turned her back, and quietly took out a handkerchief to cover her face.
Jiang Huaishan sighed again: "You two, mother and daughter, please go out first. I have something to say to Guan Qing alone."
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