Mr. Wu had just finished his meal and was sitting on the couch making tea himself. When he saw Tai Yongning come in, he motioned for him to sit opposite him.
Tai Yongning bowed respectfully, then sat down, took the teapot and poured tea for the gentleman.
Mr. Wu was satisfied. This little disciple was not the smartest and his family background was average, but he was the most sincere among all his students.
If someone else had done what happened yesterday, they would have hesitated, worried about getting themselves into trouble. But this child showed no fear at all, and thus avoided disaster.
"Yongning, you did very well yesterday. I am very happy to have such a sincere disciple like you."
Mr. Wu's opening words were full of praise, which put Tai Yongning's heart at ease. He quickly responded, "Sir, it's all I should do. But thinking about it carefully, I was a bit reckless yesterday. If it weren't for the urgency of the situation, I would have been more cautious."
"You're still young, and it's already quite impressive that you've managed this. As you gain more experience and knowledge, you'll naturally be better equipped to handle this. Of course, I hope you won't encounter such danger again."
Mr. Wu offered a few words of comfort, then changed the subject. "I asked the Song family yesterday, and they said it'll be some time before their caravan reaches the grasslands. But Wu Yin heard your third uncle is leaving soon. I'd like to ask your caravan to take someone with them on a trip to the grasslands. I wonder when your third uncle will be free. I'll have Wu Yin invite him for tea."
Tai Yongning quickly responded, "Sir, I also heard a few things at home yesterday. My third uncle is going to form a caravan with his tribe to enter the grassland, but he previously traveled with the Min family's caravan, so this time he will probably go alone."
Mr. Wu understood his implication and waved his hand with a smile.
"Don't worry, your family is blessed. I believe this trip to the grassland will be smooth, and even if we encounter any problems, they will be turned into good fortune. Moreover, the person who will accompany us into the grassland is Old Man Tian. He is a former imperial physician, and having him in the caravan will be a guarantee for your uncle and the tribe."
Tai Yongning finally felt relieved and replied, "Then I'll go home tonight and tell my third uncle to ask Manager Wu to go to the back alley of Min's dim sum shop to look for my third uncle at noon tomorrow. The new courtyard my family rented is right there."
"Okay, let me tell Wu Yin." Mr. Wu nodded, then called the servant to bring a basket.
Mr. Wu personally lifted the cloth covering the basket and said, "These are a few books I used when I was studying. Nothing special, just some notes and new insights I jotted down. Take them back and read them more when you have free time."
Tai Yongning was stunned for a moment, then turned to surprise and fear.
This is not just an old set of books, but the fruit of all the hard work of the gentleman.
Keeping this set of books at home is like having a teacher to guide you at any time. Whenever you don’t understand something, you can always find the answer!
Compared to several senior brothers who brought their questions here to ask the gentleman, he had the upper hand and was favored.
"Sir, this is too valuable..." Tai Yongning wanted to refuse, but Mr. Wu interrupted him with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry, keep it and take good care of it at home. This is a reward for your bravery yesterday! If your brothers and sisters do something extraordinary in the future, I will reward them as well."
Tai Yongning then stopped talking, stood up, knelt down and kowtowed, thanking the master for his favor...
Yongfeng went to the kitchen to get his share of the meal, but when he returned to the school, his cousin was missing.
It was Song Hui who told him that his cousin had gone to see the teacher.
He quickly finished his meal and rushed to the garden courtyard.
Yongning was very happy to see his cousin as soon as he went out. He handed the basket to him directly and said, "Brother Feng, please help me take this basket back home and put it away properly. Remember not to lose it. It is very valuable."
"Okay, leave it to me!" Yongfeng quickly took it, held it carefully in his arms, and went out of the house and home.
As usual, school was over after one class in the afternoon. Teng Yu had something to do at home, and Qi Ming wanted to go to the newly opened calligraphy and painting shop to find some new travel books, so they both left early.
Song Hui stopped Yongning and said, "Junior brother, your carriage is not here. Let me take you back."
Yongning guessed that he had something to say, so he agreed.
The brothers watched the hustle and bustle outside the window and chatted all the way, and soon they arrived at the back alley of the commercial street.
Tai Yongning took the opportunity to invite his senior brother into the house for tea. Mrs. Chen had just washed her clothes and when she saw a guest coming, she hurried to boil water to make tea.
Yongning took the teapot and asked Mrs. Chen to go to the dim sum shop and not come to cook in the evening.
Mrs. Chen was very happy and left after paying her respects.
Yongfeng was no fool either, and he immediately said, "I'll go to the shop in front and buy a box of snacks to go with your tea."
In the blink of an eye, Yongning and Song Hui were the only ones left in the courtyard.
Song Hui looked around the quiet little courtyard. It was not spacious, let alone luxurious, but it was clean and tidy everywhere, peaceful and full of the atmosphere of human life.
Thinking about his own house, which looked magnificent and luxurious on the outside, but was full of calculations and ugliness on the inside, he couldn't help but sigh.
Tai Yongning didn't feel comfortable asking, and couldn't ask, so he just quietly accompanied his senior brother to drink tea.
In the end, Song Hui was the first to come to his senses. He sincerely thanked Yong Yongning, "Junior brother, thank you so much for yesterday! Otherwise, I would have been lying in a coffin by now, and there would be no chance for me to drink tea with you."
Tai Yongning quickly said, "Brother, when we entered school, the teacher said that we were brothers from the same school and should help each other. Since I discovered the clues and guessed that you were in danger, of course I would not stand idly by. Moreover, if it was me who was in danger yesterday, you would definitely not ignore it."
"Of course!" Song Hui's heart was moved when he heard this. He shook his junior brother's hand tightly and patted his shoulder. "If you are in danger, I will not stand idly by! From now on, we are brothers of the opposite sex. We will never betray each other. We will study and take exams together and embark on the road to success together!"
Tai Yongding nodded, hesitantly giving a few words of advice, "Brother, don't overthink it. Nothing is more important than studying quietly."
"I know," Song Hui raised his hand to pour tea, a hint of hatred and forbearance flashed in his eyes, and he replied in a low voice, "All sinister means will be exposed in the face of absolute strength."
After saying this, he took out a purse from his bosom, which contained several deeds.
"This is a thank-you gift from my father..."
Tai Yongning was startled and was about to wave his hand when Song Hui stopped him. "Listen to me, Junior Brother. There's a deed to a calligraphy and painting shop here. The shop isn't big, but the income is enough for you to study. The staff there are reliable, and the deed of sale is also here."
"Originally, this shop was my biological mother's dowry, but it has been in the hands of an outsider whom I despise. I'm powerless to take it back, and it's become a knot in my heart. Yesterday's incident nearly cost me my life, but my father wanted to protect the person behind it, so I took this opportunity to reclaim the shop and give it to you.
"I'm a member of the Song family, and sometimes I have to endure grievances. But you're not a member of the Song family, and you have no obligation to keep the Song family secrets and cover up their shame. You even injured your leg yesterday trying to save me!
"This shop and the staff are what you deserve. If you accept them, I will feel better."
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