Chapter 45: Invited to dinner, arrangements for leaving Beijing...
As the sun rose in the east, a thin mist hung in the air, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the gaps in the trees, falling on Zong Suyi's face, making him appear warm, bright, and radiant.
Zhang Ting took out a handkerchief and gently wiped away the tear stains on Zong Suyi's cheeks. His eyelashes trembled slightly, and he shyly pursed his lips, his eyes, as clean as if washed by water, staring at her with bright eyes.
Zhang Ting withdrew his hand after a long while, took a half step back, and asked in puzzlement, "Ever since I met you, I've always seen you crying."
"Could you perhaps be the reincarnation of the God of Weeping?"
Zong Suyi's smile froze, and she glared at her resentfully, gritting her teeth.
Zhang Ting touched her nose, turned her face away, cleared her throat, and said, "Let's go, let's eat in the main hall first." She walked ahead by herself, then stopped after a moment and stretched her hand behind her.
Zong Suyi's eyes lit up, and she immediately ran over and firmly grasped her hand. Looking at the person beside her, her eyes were filled with warm starlight, and she couldn't hide the admiration in her eyes. Every now and then, she would happily shake their clasped hands.
Zhang Ting felt awkward, but she let him pull her along.
Zong Suyi sat in his familiar seat and watched as Du Zaolang served the dishes with restraint, not daring to look at him. When he saw Du Zaolang looking over and smiling ingratiatingly, Zong Suyi felt a surge of pride and let out a soft hum.
Zhang Ting didn't take the flirtatious exchange between the two to heart. Since she had made up her mind, she had a lot of things to do later.
However, Du Zaolang happened to be there as well, and Zhang Ting told him that from now on, the accounts and such should still be managed by Zong Suyi.
Du Zaolang dared not disobey his master's orders, nodding repeatedly and flattering Zong Suyi for managing the household so well, saying that he himself was far inferior.
Zhang Ting nodded noncommittally.
After the two finished their meal, Zong Suyi followed Zhang Ting around like a clingy little cat, always wanting someone by her side.
Zhang Ting sighed. She had important matters to attend to. She sent him away to call Zheng Er over. Hadn't she decided to return to her hometown? She should arrange for him to prepare her luggage.
Zong Suyi pouted in dissatisfaction, but seeing Zhang Ting's expression, she didn't dare to cause trouble and just obediently nodded.
However, he asked curiously, "How long are you going back to your hometown, Miss? Is there something you need to take care of there?"
Zhang Ting smiled slightly and said to him, "Stay until I take the imperial examination. The capital is a dangerous place; it's better to go back to your hometown to prepare for the exam."
Zong Suyi asked and that was it. He didn't care where he stayed and didn't take it to heart. He turned around, took a few steps, then stopped, turned back and smiled at Zhang Ting before lightly going to call Zheng Er for her.
Influenced by him, Zhang Ting's mood also became relaxed. She shook her head with a smile and stepped into the study.
She went straight to the desk, took out the true contract she had placed there the night before, and burned the paper with a tinderbox.
Her face was illuminated by warm light, and the flickering flames were reflected in her dark eyes.
In the future, the one in Zong Suyi's hand can only be real.
And he will never know this.
After Zhang Ting finished dealing with the ashes, she unfolded the letter paper and first wrote to Lin Xin, refusing her request and explaining her predicament with reason and emotion, saying that she was also in a difficult position.
He then politely declined Han Bingyue's offer, sincerely apologizing to her, saying that he had important business to attend to and would be returning to his hometown soon.
Next, he bid farewell to Luo Zijun, Qiu Yuan, and Fang Ting, leaving his address in Lütian County so they could contact him. He then wrote to the Zou and Li sisters, saying he would be returning to his hometown soon.
Oh right, now we have a legitimate reason to politely decline Xu Zhengrong's offer.
A knock sounded at the door.
Zhang Ting was engrossed in writing and, without even looking up, called her in.
When Zong Suyi went to call Zheng Er, she was having breakfast. Upon hearing Zhang Ting's call, she put down her chopsticks and hurried over.
"What are your orders, sir?"
Zhang Ting continued working, telling Zheng Er, "Tell Lin Xiuzhen to send a few letters later."
"Then, you shall set off back to Lvtian County today, rent a good house, tidy it up, and I will bring people back in the next few days."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Er was initially delighted. Having been away from home for nearly five months, they, though not saying it aloud, were all longing to return. Then, sensing something amiss, she looked surprised and asked, "Master, why so suddenly?"
They have just established themselves in Kyoto, and it's time for them to take advantage of this favorable opportunity to develop their business.
What could be so important that even the employer would avoid it?
Zhang Ting put down his pen, sighed, clasped his hands together, and looked at her with a serious expression. He said, "Zheng Er, as you probably know, my current focus is on the imperial examinations. I will definitely participate in the provincial examinations in three years. The trivial matters in the capital are too numerous and will disturb my ability to concentrate on my studies."
"Also, the capital is a dangerous place, so it's best if we avoid it."
Zheng Ershen agreed. Dealing with people in the capital was exhausting and involved a lot of detours. She had witnessed the confiscation of ancestral homes. Goodness, it was safer to stay in the countryside.
Their leader, Li Ruilian, is highly skilled in martial arts and will definitely go back with Zhang Ting. But what about Liu Da and Wang Wu, who are left behind to guard Keyinglou?
Zhang Ting also thought of this matter. She said to Zheng Er, "I will go to Keyinglou later. If the two of them are willing, they can go back with me and we can recruit two more guards."
Zheng Er scratched his head and chuckled, "Of course they're willing. They've saved up enough money this time, and they've been wanting to go back to their hometown to get married for a long time!"
Zhang Ting smiled upon hearing this and picked up her pen to finish the piece.
She paused writing for a moment, then put each item into an envelope and handed it to Zheng Er. Suddenly remembering something, she instructed Zheng Er to withdraw one hundred taels from Zong Suyi and give it to Lin Xin along with the letter.
Lin Xin was in dire straits and didn't even have the money to return home. The Lin family was, after all, a prominent clan in Taizhou Prefecture, so it was only right to establish a good relationship.
She followed Zheng Er out of the hanging flower gate, and then they went their separate ways.
Sitting in the carriage, she closed her eyes in deep thought.
Before returning, I need to visit the Xu residence again.
......
When Manager Wang saw Zhang Ting arrive, he quickly went up to him with a big smile: "Boss, you've come."
Zhang Ting nodded and led Manager Wang upstairs to a private room.
She had many trivial matters to attend to today, so she didn't exchange pleasantries with Manager Wang and said directly, "I'm going back to my hometown soon. During this time, you can manage Keyinglou in full. Just deposit the money into the bank for me when you transfer the accounts at the end of the month."
"Alright. When will you be returning to the capital, Master?"
When Zhang Ting returned to the capital, Ke Ying Lou had already changed hands to Xu You according to the contract, which was no longer her concern. However, she smiled slightly and said to Manager Wang, "It's hard to say."
"If you encounter a matter that you cannot decide, just go to the Xu residence and find Lord Xu. She will help you make the decision."
Even without Xu You's involvement, Xu Shan wouldn't ignore it for her own future. If Xu Shan is powerless to handle it, there's still Prime Minister Gao behind her.
Shopkeeper Wang didn't think much of it, assuming Zhang Ting wanted to stay home for a while longer, and readily agreed.
Zhang Ting's mouth was dry from talking. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and told her to go downstairs and call Liu Da, Wang Wu, and that terrified waiter upstairs.
Manager Wang acted swiftly, and the three of them entered the private room one after the other.
Their faces were full of doubt as they looked at each other. Liu, being the assertive one and very familiar with Zhang Ting, asked directly, "Boss, you're looking for us?"
Zhang Ting briefly explained her purpose for coming.
Just as Zheng Er had predicted, Liu Da and Wang Wu both wore expressions of joy, unsurprised by Zhang Ting's sudden departure from the capital. "Haha, this is great news! We're definitely going back! We're just waiting to go back and marry a man to warm our bed!"
"Alright, then you two go down and tell Manager Wang to bring back two more guards."
The two laughed heartily, "No problem." They were even a little impatient, and hurriedly pushed open the door and ran out.
Only Zhang Ting and another employee remained inside.
Zhang Ting asked the waiter to sit down and also had a cup of tea to moisten his throat. "I was in such a hurry last time that I didn't even have time to ask your name?"
The other person appeared calm today, much better than last time. Hearing Zhang Ting's question, he became somewhat agitated, clenching his hands together, "This servant is Gong Ya."
The shop assistant overheard some secrets, and if he were to be discovered and implicated, things would be very bad. Zhang Ting offered to send her back to her hometown and give her another twenty taels of silver as a repatriation fee.
But, "You said... you want to stay at Keyinglou? Why?"
Gong Ya looked excited, as if she couldn't contain her excitement. Her breathing became rapid, and she knelt down directly in front of Zhang Ting, saying, "This time you went back to your hometown and took all your confidants with you, so there are no more eyes and ears in Keyinglou. Master, you have been very kind to me, and I have never found an opportunity to repay you properly. I know your good intentions, but this time I beg you to let me stay."
Zhang Ting weighed the pros and cons in an instant, helped her up, his eyes slightly red, revealing his gratitude, "Since you are so sincere, I must not let you down."
"From now on, I will entrust the management of Keyinglou to you. I am very pleased to have such a loyal servant as you."
Gong Ya was deeply moved. She pursed her lips, bowed with a resolute expression, and said, "I will certainly live up to my master's trust!"
Zhang Ting patted her shoulder with relief and specifically instructed her: "You must never reveal the secret of that day to anyone, otherwise you may be in great trouble."
Gong Ya was touched by her concern and nodded repeatedly.
Zhang Ting had other matters to attend to and could not linger at Keyinglou for too long. She parted ways with Gong Ya and headed straight for the Xu residence. Unfortunately, neither Xu Shan nor Xu You were there, so she had no choice but to prepare to return and send a letter.
After Zhang Ting left, a dispute broke out at Keyinglou Restaurant.
The incident began when Manager Lin saw Gong Ya coming downstairs. He already suspected that she had been faking illness because she was terrified before, and this time he thought she was being cunning and sly, so he scolded her a few times.
Liu Da and Wang Wu, who were on good terms with Gong Ya, immediately came over to speak up for her: "Manager Lin, how can you frame an honest person without distinguishing right from wrong?"
"Manager Lin, you have to be reasonable!"
The two men were taller and bigger than Manager Lin. Standing in front of her, they startled her so much that she took a sharp step back, feeling as if she were being commanded by a thousand men. Filled with resentment, she roared, "Am I the manager, or are you the manager? Who do you think you are! Do you have the right to speak like this?"
Gong Ya was touched by her good friend's words of help, but fearing that things would escalate, she only said, "It's my fault for not explaining things clearly to Manager Lin."
Manager Lin sneered and sneered, "One day I'll kick all of you scum out!"
Manager Wang came out of the accounting office after checking the accounts and overheard this conversation. He quickly came over to stop her and scolded her, "Old Lin, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"According to you, as the manager, do I have the right to reprimand you?"
"Stop being unreasonable!"
"You!" Manager Lin was furious. He glared at her, but because she was one rank higher than him, he could only grit his teeth and leave.
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