Chapter 55 Abao and Asha
"Aren't you going to apologize to my mother?"
Ah Bao flicked his cat tail.
The vicious dog immediately stretched out its forelegs, pressed its belly to the ground, curled its hind legs, pressed its forehead against its paws, and let out a howl...
The ledger in Gu Xian's hand fell to the ground with a "thud".
He stared wide-eyed at the scene before him in disbelief—
In his eyes, the unruly Ah Cong, who had just been baring his teeth and lunging at Madam Lu, instantly collapsed to the ground as if his bones had been pulled out when he saw the cat in Madam Lu's arms.
Even more bizarrely, after the raccoon dog meowed a few times, Ah Cong barked three times in a row, looking completely cowardly.
After the raccoon cat flicked its tail, it actually imitated a human dog bowing!
It looked like he was apologizing to Madam Lu?
Gu Xian exclaimed in surprise, "Heavens above! My vicious dog, which even General Xiao couldn't tame... has been completely subdued by this little furball? Besides, cats are always afraid of dogs, how come the dog is afraid of the cat now?"
Lu Zhaoruo understood what Abao was saying.
When we went out, Abao kept pestering me to come along, even though I had mentioned the vicious dog to her.
Gu Xian glanced at A Cong with a twitching eye, looking at his fawning expression as if he had seen a cat ancestor...
What a loser!
However, he was also quite relieved. Since the cat could be tamed, it meant that there was something he could do about it.
But then he remembered that it had almost hurt Lady Lu just now, and Gu Xian immediately frowned: "Acong! Go stand by the wall as punishment!"
Ah Cong's ears twitched, but he pretended not to hear and instead snuggled closer to Ah Bao.
"Meow."
Ah Bao let out a lazy call.
"Aww!"
Ah Cong instantly sprang up, trotted happily to the base of the wall, stood upright on his hind legs, and obediently placed his front paws on the wall.
Gu Xian's mouth dropped open. He, the dignified owner, was actually inferior to a mere cat.
Gu Xian turned to look at Lu Zhaoruo, his face apologetic: "Madam Lu, were you frightened? It's all my fault for not disciplining him properly, allowing this beast to offend you. Please, take a seat..."
He gestured towards the tea table and asked, "Is there something important that brings you here today?"
Lu Zhaoruo's fingers tightened slightly as she held the food box. The words she had prepared lingered on her tongue for a moment, but in the end, she simply whispered her request.
After listening, Gu Xian snapped his folding fan shut and smiled, his eyes sparkling: "Why be so polite about such a small matter? However..."
He changed the subject, lightly tapping his palm with the rib of his fan, "I also have a small request."
Lu Zhaoruo said gently, "Master Gu, please speak freely."
"How about leaving this little rascal here with me for a few days?"
"Let it discipline that beast properly."
Then he added, "Fresh fish, raw meat, and dried fish are provided daily in abundance. A special cat bed has been made, with Shu brocade mattresses, silk-embroidered pillows, and light gauze curtains. Two maids are also assigned, one to groom the fur and the other to keep the cat company and relieve boredom."
Upon hearing this, Abao gently hooked the tip of its tail around Lu Zhaoruo's wrist.
It knew perfectly well that its mother had come to ask for help time and time again, and it always felt indebted to the Gu family. Now that it was keeping the silly dog around to discipline it, it could both put its mother at ease and curry favor with the Gu family.
Lu Zhaoruo thought that Abao's life with her in the Shen family was definitely not as comfortable as it was in the Gu family.
In addition, I've always owed Gu Xian a favor...
Lu Zhaoruo agreed: "Abao is mischievous, but since the master doesn't mind, let him stay for a few more days."
Before leaving, he told Gu Xian that A Bao liked to eat candied peas and human food and snacks, but disliked dried fish and even more so fresh fish and raw meat...
On the way back to the Shen residence.
Lu Zhaoruo then saw the sound of gongs clearing the way, and an official from the Ministry of Rites, holding a bright yellow imperial edict, loudly proclaimed: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: For the descendants of merchants who contributed to the military during the reigns of Emperor Taizu, Emperor Taizong, and Emperor Zhenzong, each shall be granted ten thousand strings of imperial copper, three thousand mu of permanent land, and one son of each shall be permitted to enter the Imperial Academy..."
Sure enough, it was exactly the same as in my previous life.
Lu Zhaoruo did not return directly to the Shen residence, but instead went to Xiangyun Medical Shop, the most famous medical shop in Yong'an County.
Freshly picked herbs were drying on the bluestone steps, and the rich aroma of herbs mixed with the scent of wormwood wafted through the air.
Inside the clinic, an elderly doctor with graying hair was wearing a blindfold and studying the "Formulary of the Imperial Pharmacy for the Benefit of the People" by the daylight. Seeing someone enter, he adjusted his crystal glasses: "Madam, are you here for a consultation or to pick up some medicine?"
When I left Xiangyun Medical Shop, it was already three cups of tea later...
A cinnabar-honey pill was hidden in her sleeve.
Upon returning to the Shen family home, as soon as she stepped through the threshold, Dongrou rushed to greet her: "Madam, did you hear any commotion outside?"
Seeing that no one was around, Dongrou whispered again, "Master and Madam are currently worshipping their ancestors in the ancestral hall. It's strange, Master was just lying sickly in bed a moment ago, but as soon as he heard that the imperial edict had arrived, he was like a different person. He rushed to the ancestral hall without even putting on his shoes properly."
As she spoke, she couldn't help but smile, "Right now, I'm looking through the family genealogy in front of the ancestral tablets, constantly muttering about how Shen Wugong donated four hundred taels of silver."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo's lips curled up slightly.
Dongrou added, "The old lady is calling you to the ancestral hall."
Inside the ancestral hall.
Shen Qingshu gripped the family genealogy book tightly, the pages rustling: "It's written in black and white! Lord Shen Wu donated four hundred taels of silver!"
His cheeks flushed sickly, and he coughed and laughed intermittently.
As Zhang counted on her fingers, her eyes gleamed with shrewdness: "Five thousand taels of silver is enough to buy all the shops in Yong'an County... the rent from three thousand mu of land... and my grandson can even get into the Imperial Academy..."
She suddenly caught sight of Lu Zhaoruo, and abruptly flicked her sleeve, coldly snorting, "Hmph, the Shen family's prosperity is due to the blessings of their ancestors, what does it have to do with certain outsiders?"
She strode up to Lu Zhaoruo, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "Did you hear clearly the imperial edict read aloud by the Ministry of Rites official from the capital?"
Lu Zhaoruo nodded.
She smirked: "You can forget about getting a piece of this incredible wealth."
Lu Zhaoruo feigned ignorance: "Your daughter-in-law is dull-witted and doesn't know what you mean by wealth and status, aunt..."
Shen Qingshu spoke up from the side: "It's written in black and white! My Shen family ancestors presented military funds to the founding emperor! Now the court is going to reward the descendants of meritorious officials."
He suddenly coughed violently, but could not hide the fanaticism in his eyes.
"Daughter-in-law congratulates Uncle."
Lu Zhaoruo suddenly curtsied and continued, "With these rewards, the Shen family will become the most prominent family in Jizhou. The lord's future child will be able to attend the Imperial Academy, and even at the very least, he will be able to obtain a county clerk position of the eighth rank. If they are lucky..."
"Of course!"
Zhang answered instinctively, her face smoothing out all the wrinkles.
But then his face darkened abruptly: "But this is all a blessing for our Shen family, what does it have to do with you? Don't even think about making a move!"
Lu Zhaoruo obediently lowered her head, concealing the fleeting cold smile on her lips.
"Walk!"
Zhang turned and walked out of the ancestral hall: "Let's go to the prefectural government office to verify the records now!"
"Master! Madam!"
The gatekeeper rushed in to report: "Master Gu from the silk shop has arrived, bringing a whole cartload of gift boxes. He says... he says he's here especially to congratulate you on your happy occasion, sir!"
Zhang turned to look at Shen Qing: "This Master Gu must have just returned from the capital, could it be..."
Shen Qingshu pondered for a few seconds, then his face lit up with joy: "Quickly open the main gate! I will personally go to greet you! I will personally go to welcome you!"
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