Chapter 48 First Meeting with Zhang Shu, Feeding Medicine in the Room...
Zhang Ting was startled by the sudden sound. She looked up and saw a disheveled, crazy woman lying on the artificial hill, squinting at her with a scrutinizing expression.
Zhang Sheng was also startled and was clutching his chest to catch his breath. "Auntie, why are you always so easily startled?"
Zhang Shu brushed aside the silver hair covering her face, revealing her entire face. Her eyes were sunken, her cheeks were thin, and she reeked of alcohol. Her appearance was no different from the old people Zhang Ting had seen, except that her eyes were sharp as knives, as if they could pierce through a person's soul.
"Where did this young man come from? What are you doing at the Zhang residence?"
Zhang Ting bowed respectfully to Zhang Shu and replied humbly, "I am Zhang Ting, a native of Zhangzhou Prefecture. I am passing through Taizhou Prefecture on my way back to my hometown and have come to pay my respects to Aunt Zhang."
"I apologize for disturbing you today, senior."
Zhang Sheng added respectfully, "This is a talented young man my niece met in the capital."
Zhang Shu stared intently at Zhang Ting for a long while, then looked away, listlessly leaning against the artificial hill, and called out, "Zhang boy, bring this old woman some wine!"
Zhang Sheng looked distressed and comforted her, "Auntie, you can't drink anymore."
After receiving no response for a while, she anxiously climbed the artificial hill to persuade him, only to find Zhang Shu asleep on his stomach.
Alright! That saved me some effort.
Zhang Sheng called a maid to carry the person down and take them to a room to rest. He then turned to Zhang Ting with great apology and said, "Nephew, I was really rude today."
Zhang Ting didn't take it to heart and laughed, "The old man is just being genuine."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Sheng covered his face in embarrassment, feeling guilty for his aunt.
As noon approached, Zhang Sheng specially invited Zhang Ting to lunch, saying, "Knowing that my nephew has just arrived in Taizhou Prefecture, I have specially prepared a traditional feast for him. Please!"
"Thank you for your help, Auntie."
......
Li Ruilian helped her innkeeper, who reeked of alcohol, out of the car and back to the inn, where she called a waiter to bring water for washing up.
Zhang Ting released Li Ruilian's hand and explained that they would be setting off tomorrow, so she should also go and rest.
She then returned to her room alone. The wine from Taizhou Prefecture was too strong, and Zhang Ting was dizzy from drinking it. She sat on a round stool, supporting her forehead, her cheeks flushed.
Suddenly, the door behind her was pushed open, followed by a soft sound of footsteps.
Zhang Ting was resting with his eyes closed, not even glancing behind him, when he said softly, "Have you prepared all the souvenirs?"
"Mmm," Zong Suyi responded softly, then sat down beside her with the bowl in his hand, scooped a spoonful of soup, and brought it to her lips.
Zhang Ting felt something pressing against her lips. She opened her eyes and looked at Zong Suyi in confusion.
Zong Suyi's expression darkened upon seeing this. Did she not trust him?
His eyelashes drooped, and he tightened his grip on the spoon handle as he explained, "These are kudzu flowers I just got from the shopkeeper. Drinking them as a tea can help with hangovers."
Zhang Ting slightly opened her mouth and drank the soup.
Zong Suyi then smiled broadly and fed her spoonful after spoonful of water.
After finishing his drink, he placed the bowl on the table, rested his chin on his hand, looked at her, and asked gently, "Why did you drink so much?"
Zhang Ting felt a little better and shook his head upon hearing this, "I didn't use much, it's just that the drinks here have a strong aftereffect."
Zong Suyi lowered her hand, gently placing it on the table, and muttered softly, "Drink less in the future..."
Although it was barely audible, Zhang Ting had good hearing. She chuckled softly, took his hand, and gently stroked it. "Okay."
Zong Suyi looked up and met her gentle, watery eyes, which seemed to hold a thousand rays of moonlight, so beautiful that he was deeply captivated.
He stared intently into her eyes and brows, etching them deeply into his mind.
Seeing him standing there dumbfounded, seemingly lost in thought, Zhang Ting raised an eyebrow and waved her hand in front of his eyes. "What's wrong, are you dumbfounded?"
Zong Suyi realized what was happening, angrily slapped her hand away, and glared at her with a pout.
That clueless blockhead!
He suddenly stood up, grabbed the bowl and cup on the table, gave Zhang Ting a light snort, and turned to leave.
Zhang Ting scratched her head in confusion and watched him leave.
What's wrong?
Just then, the waiter knocked on the door to deliver water, and Zhang Ting called him in, instantly forgetting about the matter.
Take off your clothes, wash up, and then have a nice good night's sleep. That feels great.
However, Zong Suyi next door was not in such a good mood.
He tossed and turned in bed, thinking that Zhang Ting was probably a blockhead reincarnated, but then he covered his lips and thought about her gentle kiss half a month ago. She did this, she must have liked him too...?
But why not make any promises to yourself?
Do they also see him as one of those low-class, filthy things that can be handled and played with at will?
Upon thinking this, Zong Suyi was startled, but after a while, her tense shoulders relaxed again.
No, no, Zhang Ting isn't that kind of womanizer.
But, but he's just a lowly slave. What difference does it make whether he is or isn't?
Marriage is forbidden between people of different social classes; Zhang Ting will have to get married sooner or later...
Zong Suyi clutched his collar and lay face down on the bed, motionless, but the mattress on his pillow was soaked.
At dusk, Zhang Ting yawned and sat down in a chair in the main hall. The person opposite him had not yet come down. He glanced at the food that was getting cold and called to Xi Ge, "Go and invite Young Master Xiao Yi down."
Xi Ge, sitting next to him, exclaimed in surprise, then shrank back, cautiously observing Zhang Ting's expression, before looking pleadingly at Xiao Rong.
Xiao Rong sighed, her heart softening, and said to Zhang Ting, "Miss, let me go."
Zhang Ting didn't care; it didn't matter who went.
Xiao Rong went to call Zong Suyi and happened to see him coming out of the house. She respectfully greeted him, "Young Master."
Zong Suyi walked past Xiao Rong silently ahead. When he passed Xi Ge, the other man suddenly flinched, but he didn't pay any attention to it.
He sat quietly opposite Zhang Ting, his eyelids lowered.
When Zhang Ting saw him arrive, she said, "Let's eat." She shook her head, looking unhappy again.
She used serving chopsticks to put some food into Zong Suyi's bowl, saying, "Try it, it's local food made by the kitchen."
"Mmm." He picked up a piece and ate it.
Zhang Ting rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. This was a tough situation. What was going on?
On second thought, since I can't coax him, I might as well turn my grief and anger into my appetite!
With a "thud," Zong Suyi abruptly put down her chopsticks, staring in shock at the mountain of food piled up in her bowl.
He looked up and glared angrily at the instigator, his teeth itching with rage. This person was trying to suffocate him!
Zhang Ting pinched her chin and said to him gently and sincerely, "Eat up, look how thin you are."
The people at the next table were still whispering, "Look how good that queen is to her husband, she's so worried he'll go hungry!"
"I want to marry a woman as wonderful as her someday."
"Look how beautiful you are!"
The person involved had no way to express their suffering, so they could only bury their head in their rice and devour the culprit as if it were food!
Zhang Ting couldn't help but smile; it was so funny.
After the meal, Zong Suyi walked for a while before the feeling of fullness in her stomach subsided. Although she still had something weighing on her mind, she was no longer as depressed as before.
Zhang Ting walked slowly ahead of him, humming a little tune. Zong Suyi had heard countless famous songs, but he had never heard such a chaotic rhythm before. He followed her blankly and asked, "What are you humming?"
The tune was something Zhang Ting was humming randomly.
But she stopped, turned her head to look at him, and said with a half-smile, "Guess?"
Having been tricked so many times, Zong Suyi instantly became alert, abruptly took a step back, and resolutely refused: "I won't guess."
Seeing his reaction, Zhang Ting laughed again, turned her back, put her hands behind her back, and went back to her room.
I should be able to have a good dream tonight.
......
After several days of travel, the carriage finally stopped in front of the town gate of Lvtian County.
Zheng Er had been waiting there for a long time. After paying the city gate tax, he greeted him warmly, "Master, you've arrived."
Zhang Ting lifted the carriage curtain, nodded slightly, and said with a light smile, "Go in."
"Hey!" Zheng Er led Zhang Ting inside, nodding to the other three sisters along the way as a greeting.
The group followed her. The house was rented in the east of the city. The environment was nice. It was just across the street from the Zou family mansion. It was also a two-courtyard house and was kept very tidy and clean.
Zhang Ting glanced at it briefly, nodded, and told Zong Suyi to have people pack up the luggage. Then she turned and pulled Zheng Er aside.
"How's it going with what I asked you to inquire about?"
First, he sent Zheng Er back to her hometown. Zhang Ting even drew a draft of the house for her overnight and instructed her to consult with the craftsmen in the county.
Zheng Er replied, "That craftsman's skills are impeccable, and he's also very hardworking. He started preparing the materials the very next day after accepting your order."
"good."
"Furthermore, as you instructed, I have also transported your belongings from the village back to the house and locked them in the side room next to the main house."
Zheng Er had never imagined that her master had lived such a simple life, indifferent to fame and fortune, and devoted to nature. Now that he had returned, he still wanted to live in the countryside. His noble image was elevated once again in her mind.
Zhang Ting had nothing more to ask and said with satisfaction, "Thank you for your hard work, Butler Zheng."
Zheng Er chuckled and scratched his head sheepishly, "It is my honor to work for the master."
Zhang Ting had nothing to do, so she simply waved her hand and told her to leave.
Zheng Er respectfully withdrew, but there was one more thing she hadn't reported: while they were moving the items, a crazy old man ran over and asked, "Is that brat Zhang Ting back? When is she going to pay back the money?"
This is simply alarmist. The master is a man of high moral character and noble integrity. How could he owe anyone money? And this man is so rude and insulting to the master. Zheng Er was so angry that he called two people over to throw this crazy old man out.
However, such nonsense is not worth mentioning, lest it spoil the owner's mood.
With Zong Suyi handling the affairs of the inner quarters, Zhang Ting, unable to stay idle, ordered Zheng Er and Li Ruilian to bring the letter and accompany her to the Zou and Niu residences to deliver the gifts.
Zou Yueru was listening to music while nestled in the arms of her newly acquired maid when she heard the servant's message. She sat up abruptly, her face beaming with excitement, and exclaimed, "Ruyin, quickly bring me my outer robe!"
Ruyin glanced at her suspiciously, then obediently took the clothes and asked, "Miss, who is this person? Why is he making you so happy?"
Zou Yueru waved her hand and smiled, "He is my close friend. He is exceptionally handsome and rare in this world. At that time..." She wanted to say that Ruyin would know as soon as she saw him, but then she thought that it would be disrespectful to introduce a mere servant to Zhang Ting, so she gave up on that idea.
She put on her clothes, tidied her attire, and went out to greet him personally with great joy.
"Little sister, it's been a long time."
Zhang Ting heard her voice from afar and instructed Zheng Er to hand the letter to the Zou family's attendant.
"How have you been, sister? I've returned to my hometown today and come to pay my respects. I passed through Taizhou Prefecture and saw some exquisite tea cakes and porcelain, so I've prepared some gifts for you."
Zou Yueru laughed heartily and put her arm around Zhang Ting's shoulder, "I'm perfectly fine, thank you so much, little sister."
Zhang Ting smiled slightly and asked, "Where is Sister Li?"
Upon hearing this, Zou Yueru's smile froze instantly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
