Chapter 28 - 28 28 Return to Hometown

Words : 1546 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Return to Hometown Chapter 28: Chapter 28 Return to Hometown Outside Jingzhou City, a carriage was racing. Zheng Fa lifted the curtained door of the carriage and praised Gao Yuan, who was driving, “I didn’t expect you to have the skill to drive a carriage!” Gao Yuan, swinging his whip to speed up the horse, smiled back, “Among the Six Arts of the Gentleman – rituals, music, shooting, chariot driving, calligraphy, arithmetic, while others learned calligraphy or shooting skills, my father made me learn to drive.” Zheng Fa admired him even more. “Your father truly carries an ancient elegance. There aren’t many scholars learning to drive these days.” The Six Arts are, after all, a somewhat ancient concept, and chariot driving was truly not something many scholars cared about. “Uh, my father probably didn’t think of it that way,” Gao Yuan grinned, “He used to say, learning other things is a waste of money; if I cannot excel in studies, at least I have a skill to make a living!” “Your father indeed has... the wisdom for survival.” Zheng Fa felt a newfound respect for Housekeeper Gao whom he had never met. Inside the carriage, Seventh Young Master covered his grinning mouth with his fist, frowning as he spoke, “Pull the curtain over, there’s all this dust.” Most of the roads in this world were dirt paths, and the passing of horse hooves would kick up lots of dust. Zheng Fa let the curtain down and turned around to look inside the carriage. This was the carriage used by Seventh Young Master for outings, with horses of the same spirit beast lineage as the previous Dan Zhu Bull. The interior décor of this carriage was vastly different compared to the ox-cart Yang Fa rode in. Inside there was a principal seat, covered with a thick fur blanket, on which Seventh Young Master was lazily sprawled. Zheng Fa sat down, the seat cushion beneath him soft and seemingly shock-absorbent, making the ride smooth without any jolts. From the armrest of the principal seat, Seventh Young Master pulled out a little drawer. Inside the drawer, a few jade cases were neatly stacked. Seventh Young Master’s movements were gentle, careful in a way Zheng Fa had never seen before given his personality. He opened one jade case, inside was a palm-sized yellow paper. Before Zheng Fa could see clearly what was on the paper, it ignited by itself without any wind, and suddenly turned into strands of blue smoke. In the next moment, a breeze, a cool and fresh breeze, magically appeared inside the carriage. The dust that had entered the cabin was blown away, leaving only a faint scent of herbs and woods, refreshing and pleasing. Zheng Fa felt like his breathing became much clearer. “What is this?” “Uh, talisman paper,” Seventh Young Master put the jade case back, “This is the cheapest one, the Fresh Wind Talisman. Oh, one Fresh Wind Talisman could support your family for ten years.” Zheng Fa cracked a smile. Gao Yuan, similarly curious, poked his head into the carriage, “Talisman paper? Let me see!” “Watch the road!” Seventh Young Master nearly jumped. “I’ve never seen a real Immortal Talisman!” Gao Yuan withdrew his head. “I’ll send you back home when we return!” Seventh Young Master continued to grumble. Not to mention Zheng Fa, even Gao Yuan didn’t take him seriously. After spending a few more days together, even Gao Yuan had to admit that aside from Seventh Young Master’s poor speech, his repelling way of talking that could get him killed easily outside. He had no major flaws. As for sending him home, this guy has mentioned it more than a hundred times these past days. Gao Yuan expressed his envy, “Zheng Fa, you are truly going home, even able to bring your mother and sister to the city, the lady treats you well indeed!” Upon hearing this, Seventh Young Master felt uncomfortable. He remembered his mother’s teachings from a few days ago, always feeling there was an ulterior motive behind this grace. His coming here was also a suggestion from his mother. Her advice was, if you want to bestow kindness, do it humbly, so that no one can find fault. Still young, Seventh Young Master felt like there was an ulterior motive behind his trip. He was still troubled in his heart when he heard Zheng Fa’s voice: “Hmm, the lady has been very kind to me, and the Seventh Young Master is here too, he is also very nice.” The Seventh Young Master raised his head, saw Zheng Fa smiling at him as if he understood his hidden guilt, and said emphatically, “It’s really very good.” Mrs. Zheng indeed saw some intentions of the lady. Just like Gao Yuan said, in the eyes of others, this was the lady showing importance and grace to her own family. As long as he maintains some reputation and conscience in the future, no matter what achievements he makes, he must remember this kindness and repay it. If he thought a bit worse of the lady, perhaps there was also the thought of keeping control of his mother and sister within the Zhao Family... But honestly, Zheng Fa didn’t think it was all that bad; after all, the lady allowed him to reunite with his mother and sister and enabled his mother and sister to have a better life. That was enough. As for the rest, judge by deeds, not intentions. The Seventh Young Master was startled, looked a bit embarrassed, and pursed his lips without looking at Zheng Fa. He turned his head, lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside, muttering, “I haven’t visited the village yet, I wanted to take a good look this time!” In the village. The sun was about to set, and Zheng Fa’s mother was still standing at the door, anxiously peering out. As the sky slowly darkened. A small figure appeared, carrying a bamboo basket three times the size of her head, slowly bouncing and hopping towards the door of the Zheng Family. “Shan’er!” Mrs. Zheng quickly walked forward, took the basket from her daughter’s hands, and scrutinized her daughter from head to toe. Zheng Shan’s trouser legs were still muddy, and her head sweaty. Seeing that her daughter was neither injured nor missing any limbs, Mrs. Zheng finally took a breath and angrily pinched Zheng Shan’s ear, “Why are you so late coming back? Do you know your mother was almost worried to death!” “Mom! It hurts!” Zheng Shan cried out, tilting her head and explaining, “I wasn’t playing! I took a longer route...” “Did you detour?” Mrs. Zheng released her hand and asked. “Yes, Wang Gui has been blocking the road these past few days looking for trouble, I got scared, so I took a longer route,” Zheng Shan nodded. “Wang Gui... he’s been getting more and more out of line these past few days!” Mrs. Zheng frowned and said. “His father doesn’t care about him either!” Zheng Shan also muttered angrily. Mrs. Zheng sighed. Ever since her son rejected Manager Wang’s silver, Wang Gui’s bullying of Zheng Shan had intensified. Due to Zheng Fa, he dared not really harm Zheng Shan, but he was annoying enough. As for Manager Wang? Knowing Zheng Fa’s attitude toward his own family, he probably wouldn’t care about Wang Gui either. Because Zheng Fa was still serving as Attendant Student at the Zhao Mansion, he wouldn’t personally intervene. Such small matters could just be excused later as childish ignorance. “Don’t tell your brother about this when he comes back,” Mrs. Zheng suddenly said, “Tomorrow, I will go pick pig grass leaves.” “I’ll go! Ever since brother left, all the house chores are done by mom, I can go, I just need to avoid Wang Gui. Brother used to do even more work than I do!” Zheng Shan insisted, holding the basket. “Don’t tell your brother.” Mrs. Zheng tenderly wiped the sweat beads on her daughter’s forehead with her sleeve and advised again. “I won’t tell. Mom said that being an Attendant Student at the Zhao Mansion must be very hard for brother,” Zheng Shan nodded vigorously, “We can’t let brother worry about us.” Mrs. Zheng hugged her sensible daughter. Zheng Shan playfully rubbed against her mother’s embrace then suddenly spoke in a tattletale tone: “Wang Gui also said that brother is living the high life at the Zhao Mansion, and asked me to beg brother to take me to the city to enjoy life together!” “That can’t do! Your brother is alone and cautious at the Zhao Mansion, he doesn’t have such influence! Such words would make him appear frivolous!” “I know, he just wants brother to be like him, to be beaten and sent back!” Zheng Shan lifted her head, her face full of proud understanding, “Brother, when he gets delicious food, he always brings some for me!” After saying that, she even licked her lips, as if recalling the delicious food from that lunchbox.

Chapter 28 - 28 28 Return to Hometown

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