Chapter 935 Incentives
Qi Heng led Zhuang Xiucai into the room, and the two closed the door and talked for an hour.
The chicken soup from last night was simmered with water all night, making the soup even more flavorful. Zhuang Xiucai, along with Qi Heng and Lin Yuesha, enjoyed a meal of chicken soup with rice.
"Girl, eat some chicken drumsticks, there are fewer bones."
The old lady first served meat to Lin Yuesha before they started eating.
Logically speaking, pheasants aren't fat enough in winter, and their meat is tough. But these pheasants, for some reason, have grown so fat that they've all gotten into a nest, and there's a layer of oil floating on the chicken soup.
For women who are in postpartum confinement, drinking soups and broths is the most nourishing.
"Auntie, I've eaten enough."
Lin Yuesha repeatedly declined, but with Qi Heng by her side, the two of them could eat and drink without delay while traveling, and they could have meat every few days.
She looked up at Zhuang Xiucai, who was eating with great relish, and felt slightly puzzled.
Judging from Qi Heng's words, Zhuang Xiucai was no longer going to do hard labor for her; he had already been conscripted.
After the meal, Qi Heng did not rush on his way. Instead, he led Zhuang Xiucai up and down the stairs to repair the old couple's house.
The walls were cracked and the house was drafty. Qi Heng filled the cracks and re-lay the thatch on the roof. He also fixed the loose chair legs in the house with a single tap of his bare hands.
Zhuang Xiucai followed Qi Heng, blinking his eyes with admiration.
Lin Yuesha tried to speak to Qi Heng several times, but Zhuang Xiucai blocked her way each time.
"alright."
After the house was repaired, Qi Heng glanced at the water vat, which contained only a shallow layer of water.
The river was frozen solid in winter, and the hot spring water was undrinkable, so the villagers used melted snow water to start fires and cook.
"Young Master Qi, take a rest. I'll take care of things here."
Zhuang Xiucai stayed at the old man's house and refused to leave, his eyes always fixed on Qi Heng.
After waiting and waiting, Zhuang Xiucai went out to shovel snow, and Lin Yuesha finally found a chance to speak. She asked, "What kind of bewitching potion did you give him?"
"Scholar Zhuang is indeed a promising talent."
Qi Heng gave an irrelevant answer, showing great satisfaction with Zhuang Xiucai.
Last night, after pondering the question he posed all night, Zhuang Xiucai came up with an answer.
When one's own father makes a mistake, what should an official do? Scholar Zhuang replied that one should voluntarily go to the yamen to turn oneself in.
Since the points Qi Heng listed were serious crimes that were difficult to cover up, it was better to put aside personal ties for the greater good and exonerate himself.
Secure your official position first, then proceed cautiously.
A smart person's actions are ruthless, tactful, and wise enough.
The couple hadn't exchanged more than a few words when Zhuang Xiucai returned, standing beside Qi Heng with his head bowed and exceptionally obedient.
Lin Yuesha immediately shut her mouth, wondering to herself, "Now Zhuang Xiucai looks at me with such admiration, but what if he's sold out or scammed later? Will he suddenly realize his mistake?"
Sometimes, meeting Qi Heng is really not a good thing.
"Young Master Qi, when will you set off?"
Zhuang Xiucai nervously twisted his fingers, wanting to travel with Qi Heng.
"I took my wife to worship the marriage tree, and then we set off."
After a good night's rest, the couple slept soundly and then had to rush off to Yingcheng.
Since the trip was to be kept secret, Qi Heng had no choice but to send his men to meet Zhuang Xiucai and take him away.
"Young Master Qi, is this true? You won't abandon me, will you?"
Lin Yuesha couldn't bear to look at Zhuang Xiucai's longing gaze.
"No, a man's word is his bond."
Qi Heng nodded solemnly, then said to Zhuang Xiucai, "You can wait for my men with peace of mind. The conditions I promised you will not change. I will keep my word."
"Alright then."
Upon receiving a positive response, Zhuang Xiucai became lively again and took the initiative to lead the couple to pay homage to the old pine tree.
"It's just a tree, evergreen in winter, I don't know what's so interesting about it."
Knowing full well it was a trap, Zhuang Xiucai couldn't say it outright. The villagers used the old pine tree as a gimmick to attract young men and women to make wishes, earning them some money from incense offerings.
"The old man said that you sat under the old pine tree for a night and suddenly had an epiphany."
Does this mean the rumors are untrue?
It is said that many people have benefited from the protection of the old pine tree.
"I sat there all night, but my enlightenment had nothing to do with the old pine tree."
Zhuang Xiucai did not hide the fact that he had met a wandering master, became his disciple, and studied for two years.
At first, he had no interest in reading, but gradually he discovered that the saying "there is a golden house in books" was really true, and he became addicted.
"I see."
Lin Yuesha understood, but since she was already there, she went to worship the old pine tree with a devout heart, praying for a smooth future.
As the couple left the village, the elderly couple and Zhuang Xiucai saw them off at the village entrance with great reluctance.
"Auntie, this oil lamp is for you."
Before leaving, Lin Yuesha remembered that the old lady's house only had one oil lamp, so she quickly took out the package and handed it over. There were two oil lamps in the package, which would provide light for the house and yard on nights when the old lady went out to collect firewood.
"Good girl, thank you so much."
The old lady was very moved and held Lin Yuesha's hand tightly.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qi Heng helped Lin Yuesha onto his horse, and the couple had to leave.
The old man and woman waved goodbye repeatedly, their hearts heavy with sadness at parting, when suddenly Zhuang Xiucai said, "Grandpa, do you still remember the ancient poem I taught you to recite last time? Let me test you..."
...
As the sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance, the couple walked a short distance, and Lin Yuesha asked with a smile, "What exactly did you agree to that made him so devoted to you?"
Perhaps it was a case of heroes appreciating heroes, and Zhuang Xiucai had a heart that cherished talent, which is why he admired Qi Heng so much.
"No, my wife, you're overthinking it."
As for Scholar Zhuang, bribery will suffice.
"What did you promise him? Gold, silver, jewels, or a high-ranking official position in the future?"
Gold and silver jewelry are one thing, but as for an official position, Scholar Zhuang wouldn't believe it, since it's just empty talk.
"No, I will give him a wife."
Qi Heng's words were concise and to the point: as long as Zhuang Xiucai followed him to work independently, he would guarantee Zhuang Xiucai's marriage and children in the future.
Of course, Zhuang Xiucai wasted his life until he was in his twenties, simply because he wanted to find a beautiful wife.
"Scholar Zhuang proposed that he wanted a woman as beautiful as you."
Qi Heng spoke lightly, without a trace of jealousy in his words.
"ah?"
Lin Yuesha touched her face and realized that she was wearing a mask, while Yun Duo's appearance was very prominent.
Qi Heng's few words convinced Zhuang Xiucai completely, but Lin Yuesha always felt that there was something she didn't know.
"I told her that she has a twin sister who is not yet engaged."
Qi Heng didn't mention the rest, and Zhuang Xiucai immediately became more proactive.
"But... no, it's that Yunduo doesn't have a sister."
Lin Yuesha hesitated; this was the act of a swindler.
"It's okay, we can just give him this mask."
In any case, what Zhuang Xiucai loved was a beautiful face, not a woman's inner qualities.
Such frivolous people who only care about appearances don't care about a woman's inner qualities; who she is doesn't matter, they only care about her face.
Lin Yuesha was speechless. She realized that she was not as good as Qi Heng, mainly because she still had a little conscience left and treated people differently based on their status, while Qi Heng did not care about such things and would take advantage of everyone he met.
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