The white-haired old man was quite skilled and didn't suffer any losses at Zhu Yueran's hands, but he didn't gain any advantage either. After exchanging blows, the two immediately confirmed each other's identities.
"Zhu Tianqing greets Young Master. I apologize for my rudeness earlier." The old man bowed to Zhu Lin with great respect and courtesy.
"No need for formalities. We would like to stay here for a few days. Is that alright?" Zhu Lin did not use his status to exert pressure, but asked very politely. Of course, he was just being polite. If the other party did not agree, they would stay anyway.
Once Zhu Tianqing learned of his identity, she readily agreed and quickly welcomed him into the house, even instructing her burly apprentice to cook in the kitchen.
"You don't need to trouble yourselves with cooking, we'll cook for ourselves," Zhao Guihua said apologetically, though they hadn't brought any food with them since they left the Gu residence in such a hurry.
"My apprentice's cooking skills are so-so, so I won't force you to eat his food. There's rice and flour in the kitchen, and the vegetables were just bought today. Please help yourselves." Zhu Tianqing was very easygoing.
"How long have you been living here?" Zhu Yueran asked expressionlessly.
“I bought this house thirty years ago, but I’ve been traveling around, so it’s always been rented out. Five years ago, I got tired of being away from home, so I came here to retire,” Zhu Tianqing explained.
"I rescued this apprentice during my travels. The child had no other relatives, and I didn't want to take him with me. But he was like a leech, always following me around, and I couldn't shake him off. This guy followed me for a whole year, and I got used to having someone like him around, so I took him as my apprentice..."
After Zhu Tianqing finished recounting her experiences over the years, she asked Zhu Yueran why she had suddenly left the island. "Is it because the island is short of supplies, or because the young people can't stand the monotonous life on the island and want to see the outside world?"
He was initially blinded by the outside world and refused to return to the island. Fifty years passed since then. However, although he did not want to return to the island, he preferred to live in the prefectural city closest to the sea in his old age. This is why he eventually returned to Quanshui Prefecture.
"I never expected to see a junior from Immortal Mist Island again in my lifetime. I am very satisfied."
"Since you care about the people on the island, why don't you go back and see them yourself?" Zhu Yueran glanced at him and said.
“There are a few old guys on the island who send me letters from time to time urging me to go back to the island to keep them company. I miss them, but I don’t want to stay on the island, so I dare not go back, for fear that they will catch me and I won’t be able to leave.” Zhu Tianqing chuckled, not hiding the reason why he dared not return to the island.
"The young master wishes to stay away for a few years, so several of us senior brothers and sisters came with him. We won't be returning to the island for the time being," Zhu Yueran explained before falling silent.
Zhu Lin listened for a while, then spoke up: "We have offended the prefect of Quanshui Prefecture. Does the old man know who can deal with this?"
A glint flashed in Zhu Tianqing's eyes, indicating that he understood the boy's words. The boy was young, but as the young master of Xianwu Island, he naturally knew how many old people refused to return to the island.
"One old fellow passed away unexpectedly more than ten years ago. The others are scattered in various places. There are still two old men in Quanshui Prefecture, both over ninety years old. These two old fogies are doing much better than this old man."
"They married and had children, and their descendants all became officials. One old woman's descendants held quite high positions; her son retired a few years ago, but her grandson is still serving in the imperial court and will certainly be of help. Another old man's son was originally a county magistrate, and now his grandson is the governor of Pingzhou Prefecture, also quite useful."
"Contact these two elderly people immediately. I want to meet them," Zhu Lin said calmly.
Zhu Tianqing glanced at the sky, seeing that the sun was about to set, and immediately got up to go out. "I will go and contact them now. These two old guys have been living too comfortably these past few years and have forgotten who they are. I have to go there in person."
At the residence of a wealthy family, Zhu Tianqing entered the main courtyard with ease, as if it were her own home. In the main hall, Zhu Tianwan was having dinner with her children and grandchildren at a large round table.
The family atmosphere was harmonious. The younger generation served the old lady food with great courtesy and took good care of her. The old lady's face, which was originally smiling with her eyes narrowed, suddenly darkened, and she slammed down the bowl in her hand.
"Who goes there, and what is your purpose in coming to my Zhu family?"
The family members were all startled. None of them had noticed anyone entering the mansion, not even the guards. It was the old lady, despite her advanced age, who was so perceptive and the first to notice something amiss.
"It seems that the old woman is really too old and useless. I was right under your nose before you noticed, hahaha," Zhu Tianqing teased the other party before getting down to business. "I saw that your family was eating, so I won't come in and disturb you. The young master has left the island and wants to see you. Meet at the old house at 11:15 at midnight."
He left a message wishing Tian Qing well and then departed, never to be seen again.
This old fellow must have important business to attend to, otherwise how could he leave so easily? He's never satisfied unless he takes something with him when he appears.
"Grandma..." Before the old woman could finish her worried words, the old lady raised her hand to interrupt her.
"This is the old woman's private matter, you don't need to worry, it's alright."
A similar scene then unfolded in another residence, where Zhu Tianqing appeared directly and confronted the old man. "Zhu Tianxin, long time no see! You old codger are still quite robust..."
"You came to see me just to say this nonsense?" Zhu Tianxin lives alone. Apart from the steward, there are only a few servants serving him. His children and grandchildren are not around. He likes peace and quiet and does not want to live in a house with the younger generation. He bought a house in Quanshui Mansion and lives alone. He lives a very leisurely and comfortable life.
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