You're Still Young

You're Still Young

On the road to the Zhao Family estate, little sister Zheng Shan's cheerful chatter drifted through the air.

Seventh Young Master was still riding in Gao Yuan's carriage, but Zheng Fa accompanied his mother and sister in the ox cart that had always taken him to Zhao Residence.

He held little sister Zheng Shan in his arms, while Mother Zheng sat at the back of the cart, watching over their meager belongings.

It was Zheng Shan's first time traveling far from home. Even the monotonous rice paddies around them seemed endlessly fascinating to her, and she kept asking:

"Brother, is the city really that lively?"

"I heard Wang Gui bragging that they sell everything in the city. Will you take me around?"

"What is our new home like? Will I have my own bed?"

Her questions seemed endless, and Zheng Fa answered them now and then.

His mother wore a faint smile as well, but Zheng Fa could see wisps of worry beneath it.

"Mother?" he asked with concern.

"Going to the city... Mother feels a little uneasy." Mother Zheng spoke somewhat embarrassedly.

The old man driving the cart was the first to reassure her. "Madam, your son has made something of himself. You should just wait to enjoy your blessings. What are you worried about?"

"I know, I know."

She looked at Zheng Fa with a touch of pride, yet still sighed. "My son has gained such standing. I'm only afraid that once we get there, I'll become a burden to you."

Zheng Shan looked at her mother in confusion, and Zheng Fa was about to tell Mother Zheng not to worry.

But Mother Zheng cut him off. "Mother has hardly ever left the village and doesn't know much. I've only heard that in the city, even a bowl of tea and a grain of rice cost money..."

The old man's face showed the same deep feeling. "Isn't that the truth? The city is nice and all, but you can't live there without money!"

"Mother, you don't need to worry about money. The city is peaceful, after all. Once we get there, I'm planning to send little sister to school too," Zheng Fa said.

"Peaceful is good." At the mention of peace, much of Mother Zheng's inner conflict faded.

Zheng Fa understood her best. His father's death had dealt her a tremendous blow—however imperfect the city might be, it had walls that could keep demon beasts from wreaking havoc, and that alone was enough to persuade her.

"But isn't school a little too extravagant? She's only a girl," Mother Zheng said, still doubtful about this.

"Little sister is clever. It would be a pity if she didn't study. And didn't I just say it? You don't need to worry about money." Having lived in the Modern World, Zheng Fa was far more insistent on education than Mother Zheng.

Seeing the determination on her son's face, Mother Zheng nodded as well.

Without anyone noticing, Zheng Fa had already become the pillar of this family.

Mother Zheng held Zheng Shan's little hand and turned to look at the luggage behind the cart.

The largest item was a loom Mother Zheng had taken apart.

"Once we get to the city, I'll ask around at the ready-made clothing shops and see whether they have any odd jobs for me." Her tone was firm.

"Then I don't need my own bed either..." Zheng Shan understood. Her mother wanted to save up her tuition, and her little face twisted with conflict. "There won't be any pigweed leaves for me to gather in the city!"

The old man driving the cart laughed heartily. "Madam, with your spirit and your daughter's filial heart, your days will surely get better and better!"

Mother Zheng smiled and thanked him, a flicker of anticipation shining in her eyes.

Yet once they entered the city, the worry on Mother Zheng's face only deepened.

The more prosperous the city appeared, the more troubled she seemed.

When she saw the prices of rice and flour at the grain shop, she looked so restless that she could hardly sit still.

Zheng Fa knew that the prices had frightened her.

The ox cart passed through familiar streets and arrived once more at the back gate of the Zhao Residence estate.

Compared to Huang Yu on his first visit, Mother Zheng and Zheng Shan were even more overwhelmed. Even Zheng Shan, who had always been lively and mischievous, tightly clutched Zheng Fa's arm, looking somewhat frightened.

Gao Yuan was waiting at the back gate. When he saw the ox cart arrive, he said directly, "Young Master said there's no need to get down. Just drive straight in."

A little warmth rose in Zheng Fa's heart. By rights, an ox cart was not allowed into Zhao Residence.

Seventh Young Master had clearly thought of that.

The old man driving the cart looked at Zheng Fa with even greater awe.

The residence Madam had granted Zheng Fa lay in a remote corner at the edge of the Zhao Family estate, far from its central grounds.

But... it was an independent courtyard with one entrance!

The moment Zheng Shan saw the courtyard walls, her mouth fell open. She asked in disbelief, "This whole courtyard is ours?"

Zheng Fa nodded.

Zheng Shan leaned forward so far that she looked ready to leap out of Zheng Fa's arms in excitement.

As the ox cart approached the courtyard gate, a plump figure stood outside. Several large carrying poles lay beside him, along with a few male servants carrying them.

"You're here?"

The man greeted Zheng Fa and the others warmly.

Zheng Fa looked at the somewhat unfamiliar man, then heard Gao Yuan speak beside him with a hint of embarrassment. "Zheng Fa, this is my father."

Zheng Fa hurriedly jumped down from the cart. "Greetings, Uncle Gao!"

Mother Zheng also climbed down with Zheng Shan. She looked at Zheng Fa in confusion, and Zheng Fa quietly explained, "Gao Yuan's father, the steward of the Second Branch."

Mother Zheng looked as though she had been startled.

By her understanding, a steward was already a great figure—compared to one, Steward Wang from the village was truly nothing.

Mother Zheng bent forward, intending to bow, but Steward Gao beat her to it and cupped his hands. "You must be Madam Zheng. A pleasure to meet you!"

Mother Zheng froze.

When the old man driving the cart had called her Madam earlier, she had already looked rather awkward.

Now even Steward Gao called her that, and she seemed not to know how to respond.

Perhaps seeing that she could not find her words, Steward Gao kept a warm smile on his face. "My unworthy son has received much help from your son. Today, I heard of your household's joyous relocation, so I came uninvited with a few humble gifts."

He pointed at several enormous chests behind him.

Zheng Fa spoke up. "Uncle Gao, you are too courteous. These gifts do not look humble at all."

"They look like a lot, but they're all worthless little things!" Steward Gao laughed honestly. "I was thinking that since you've just moved in, you wouldn't have had time to have furniture made or buy rice, flour, grain, and oil, so I prepared some for you."

Zheng Fa stared thoughtfully at the carved step bed behind him, which looked quite expensive.

When Zheng Fa said nothing, a trace of unease appeared on Steward Gao's face.

"Uncle, you are most thoughtful!" At last, Zheng Fa's words brought a smile to his face.

"You flatter me, worthy nephew!"

"From now on, I'll urge Brother Gao on more diligently," Zheng Fa suddenly said with sincerity.

Gao Yuan beside him said, "Huh?"

Much of Steward Gao's polite veneer vanished, replaced by sincere delight. "Good! Urge him to death...!"

Beside them, Mother Zheng heard the old man driving the cart mutter, "Such good days have fallen into their laps as easily as turning over one's hand."

She turned back to look at the loom she had treasured. It was so large that it now seemed somewhat superfluous.

The Zhao Family entered the courtyard to settle in.

Gao Yuan followed Steward Gao away, a gloomy look on his face.

"What's wrong? Do you think your father is falling over himself to curry favor with them?"

Steward Gao knew what his son was thinking the moment he saw his expression.

"Father, Zheng Fa and I are friends..."

"How do you think you kept your position as a bookboy? Don't you know? If these gifts could buy a bookboy's position, how many people in this residence, from top to bottom, would be willing?"

"Father?"

"Remember this: the more you want a friendship to last, the less you can take another person's kindness for granted."

Gao Yuan understood and nodded with wholehearted conviction.

"Besides, who am I doing this for? Zheng Fa will at the very least become Seventh Young Master's confidant in the future. If I'm generous now, you'll benefit later."

"I understand, Father!"

Gao Yuan felt both guilty and moved. His father had given Zheng Fa gifts—wasn't it all for his sake?

How could he call it currying favor?

"Actually, there's no need to wait until later..." A crafty look appeared on Steward Gao's face. "I heard Zheng Fa may have a chance of entering the Immortal Sect. A few days ago, Seventh Young Master even quarreled with Madam over him, and in the end, Madam rewarded him with a courtyard!"

"Father, you mean..."

"I mean, Seventh Young Master doesn't even need to favor him in the future. Madam already thinks highly of Zheng Fa!" As he spoke, Steward Gao patted Gao Yuan on the shoulder. "You're still young. You can't handle it."

"Huh?"

"This thigh—let your father hug it first."