Nighttime, Blue Lake Manor.
When Richard returned, none of the manor's servants reacted much. They had no idea what Richard had gone through during the day and assumed he had simply gone out and returned as usual.
Only butler Jia Lie was somewhat excited. He knew Richard's trip had been anything but ordinary, and the fact that he had returned so quickly was a good sign—he would not have to worry about the manor being shut down. But seeing Richard's grave expression, he did not dare show too much excitement. He watched Richard enter the study, silently brought him a cup of hot tea, then quietly withdrew.
Back in his private bedroom, Jia Lie shut the door. No longer suppressing his emotions, he leaned against it and let out a long breath. A faintly delighted expression appeared on his face as he said, "Whew, looks like I can keep being a butler."
After speaking, he seemed to think of something. He hurried to a desk in the room, pulled out the account book he had checked yesterday from a drawer at the side, placed it on the desk, and began checking it again by the light of an oil lamp.
Jia Lie decided that he would cherish the days ahead even more and become a more competent butler.
Starting tomorrow, he would learn more characters from the oldest groom among the servants. Though the old groom knew only enough characters to recognize a few signs and tombstones, nowhere near enough to write a letter, that would be enough. Things had to be done step by step. He would first learn all the simple characters, then find a way to buy several books and teach himself rhetoric, becoming an educated man.
Only then would he stop feeling so insecure about being