After Chen Shou returned to the flower room, he did not make a fuss about Lanqin's words. He thought to himself: I should just wait for the head nanny to come and call me. If I announce it first, what if I can't go? Wouldn't I become a laughing stock?
In the evening, Chen Shou washed his face early and was about to go back to his room to sleep when he saw Lao Qiu coming to find him.
"Come on, let's go to my room and have a drink. Maybe I won't have another chance to drink with you again." It is said that Old Qiu almost became the manager of this flower room before, but because he often liked to drink, he once put the wrong flowers at the full moon banquet held by Li Shi for the Third Prince. As a result, he was dismissed by the head nanny and Hai Dayou, who was less senior than him, became the manager of this flower room.
When Chen Shou arrived, he received a lot of care from Lao Qiu. Although the two were quite far apart in age, they got along very well.
Therefore, when Old Qiu came to call, Chen Shou naturally responded.
Upon entering Lao Qiu's house, a strong aroma of wine filled the air, indicating that Lao Qiu had already drunk a cup.
"Old Qiu, you've spent all your monthly salary on alcohol." Chen Shou couldn't help but hold his breath and open all the windows.
"Anyway, I don't have a wife or kids. I'll just use up my monthly allowance. I have one, so I'll have a drink." Old Qiu is no good at anything, except for his love of wine. He never mentions his family in front of others, as if he has no family at all. He has been working in the Fourth Prince's mansion for who knows how many years.
Chen Shou didn't actually know how old Qiu was, but judging from his appearance, he was probably in his mid-thirties. In the Qing Dynasty, that would have been enough to make him a grandfather.
"Come on, little Shouzi, I wish you good luck following your new master after you leave here, and that you can get rid of your fate as a lowly servant as soon as possible." Old Qiu grabbed Chen Shou, pressed him down on the table, picked up the wine jar on the table, and poured two cups of wine.
"Old Qiu, don't be discouraged. I can see that you care a lot about those flowers and plants, even more than Steward Hai. As long as you quit drinking and stop your alcoholism, you'll make a name for yourself sooner or later." Chen Shou genuinely felt that Hai Dayou was not as good as Old Qiu.
"Hahaha, kid, I'm already old, what am I thinking about getting ahead? Old Qiu is just telling you, when serving a master, it's best to follow a kind-hearted one. Don't be greedy for short-term benefits and follow those with wicked intentions. Later, they'll make you do disgusting things against your conscience." Old Qiu slurped and then tilted his head back to drink the wine in his bowl clean.
"Old Qiu, don't worry. I've been watching Princess Niu for a long time. She never scolds or beats the servants easily. Even now that she's favored by her master, she's still very approachable. Unlike some people who, just because they're masters, treat others like dirt." Chen Shou felt a warmth in his heart as he recalled Yan Yu's attitude towards him and Lan Qin's care for him that day.
"Yes. Old Qiu is just reminding you that no matter what, never forget your basic conscience as a human being, and never do anything immoral for petty gains," Old Qiu said meaningfully.
Chen Shou felt that Old Qiu seemed different today than usual, as if he was implying something in his words, but also as if he was considering something and didn't say it clearly.
"Old Qiu, if you have something to say, just say it. Let's have a good drink today, since we're old brothers." Chen Shou also relaxed, thinking that since he was leaving this place anyway, he might as well get drunk tonight and decide whether or not he would get a few scoldings from Hai Dayou tomorrow.
The two men drank from a cup and a bowl, along with salted peanuts wrapped in brown paper.
"Little Shouzi, do you know why I was replaced by that empty shell of a man, Hai Da? Actually, I was the one who was qualified to be the manager of this greenhouse, but he got the better deal." Old Qiu slumped on the table, panting heavily from drinking.
Chen Shou remained slumped on the table, muttering, "Isn't it because you always drink that you mess things up? You deserve it, who told you to drink?"
Old Qiu suddenly slammed his fist on the table and said, "Bullshit, it's just that she won't let me."
Chen Shou's eyes were cloudy, his face pressed against the table, and he muttered, "Who is she?"
No one spoke in the room anymore; the two of them started snoring.
The next day, the head nanny sent someone to tell Hai Dayou, the head of the flower room, that Chen Shou had been reassigned to another post.
After seeing off the messenger sent by the head nanny, Hai Dayou put away his friendly smile, his expression becoming strange. He glanced at Chen Shou a few times before saying, "Little Shou, are you about to be promoted?"
Chen Shou did not make a fuss, but still bowed his head before Hai Dayou and said, "This servant is grateful for Manager Hai's care over the past few years. Even if I go to serve in other places in the future, I will not forget Manager Hai's teachings."
Hai Dayou snorted coldly. Seeing that he said that, he had nothing more to say, so he said, "Tell Xiao Ningzi about the tasks you have on your hands."
Chen Shou was meticulous in his work, and he managed his tasks in an orderly manner. When he gave instructions, they were not a mess.
Hai Dayou's trusted confidant, Xiao Ningzi, originally intended to take advantage of the situation, but unexpectedly, Chen Shou handled every task perfectly, and he couldn't find any fault with him for a while.
Lanqin woke up early in the morning to find that Fourth Master had already left, but he left a message saying, "Come over for dinner tonight," and she smiled slightly.
Lanqin figured Chen Shou would be coming today, so she instructed Nianxue to clean up the house where Chen Shubao used to live and prepare it for Chen Shou to stay in.
Before long, Lanqin had finished her breakfast, she heard someone outside say, "Chen Shou has arrived."
Chen Shou, dressed in a gray-blue robe, followed Si Hua into the main room in a proper manner. Seeing Lan Qin sitting on the main couch, he quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply, saying, "This servant greets the Princess."
Lanqin smiled and said, "Get up. My rules aren't that strict. You'll be serving outside from now on. If you need anything, just tell Nianxue first."
Chen Shou agreed and let Xi Cha lead him to the room prepared for him.
"Princess, this seaweed skirt is cold in nature. You've already eaten several bites. Stop eating now," Aunt An reminded Lanqin, noticing her fondness for it.
"Auntie, it's just a few bites of seaweed, what's the big deal? Besides, the little thing in my belly is quite active now, it doesn't let me have a moment's peace, and it even kicks and punches me at night," Lanqin said, a bead of sweat dripping from the side of her head.
“Princess, this servant must remind you of what I should. The baby is moving around in your belly, it might be a prince, and you will be very fortunate,” Aunt An said again.
"Boys are noisy, but girls aren't?" Lanqin was now enjoying exchanging a few words with this Aunt An.
"Yes, if she were like Gege, she would probably be a very troublesome girl." Aunt An really had no choice but to give Lanqin a hard time.
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