Taking Care Of

"Big brother, that cousin, what kind of person is he?"

Su Wei sat on the edge of the ox cart, leaning against Su Tang, gazing at the tall city that seemed like a dream, and asked in a low voice.

Su Tang's expression froze. After thinking for a moment, he turned his head and replied, "I only saw him a few times when I was little, and I don't really remember him. I just thought he was a very quiet young man."

Little sister was too young to understand, but every time he recalled the day their family was raided, he still trembled all over, his heart filled with despair.

Exiled to the frontier as a convict, he had endured all sorts of hardships these past few years. He had become numb. If it weren't for his determination to take care of his sister, he might have followed his parents to the grave.

Enduring the harsh life, with no hope for the future, was the most tormenting thing.

Suddenly, one day, he was taken away by a smiling foreman who announced that the road construction work was canceled.

Road construction wasn't a good job; most people couldn't survive a few years without being worked to death, but at least it provided a livelihood.

The first thing he heard wasn't the joy of escaping death, but fear.

Fortunately, the other party then introduced him to a noble benefactor. The benefactor's words filled Su Tang with overwhelming joy. Their Su Family had finally produced a talent who could escape the status of a convict.

Not only had the benefactor prospered, but he also hadn't forgotten to help his clan, sending people to offer rescue.

Without a second word, Su Tang brought his little sister to seek refuge.

This was because, apart from here, there was no other way out for them.

Their belongings were meager; a broken straw mat was all they needed to pack up and leave.

Thanks to a servant from the Feng Family, they hired an ox cart, and he had taken excellent care of them along the way.

Upon arriving in Fufeng City, he felt a sense of apprehension.

The passersby in their bright clothes and their unrestrained laughter gave him a feeling that was both familiar and strange.

His little sister, however, was accustomed to being cautious and quietly reminded him to keep the cart to the side and not to obstruct the view of the noble benefactor.

Su Tang stroked his little sister's head, his heart aching. He took out the last Black Emperor Coin he had, got off the cart, and bought a few skewers of candied hawthorn.

Watching his little sister happily eating them, he suddenly felt like crying.

"Brother, you eat."

His little sister shoved a sour, astringent, yet sweet candied hawthorn into his mouth. Su Tang's eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

Eating the candied hawthorn, the two were led by the Feng Family members to a courtyard in Sweet Water Well Alley.

The courtyard gate was wide open, with people coming and going inside, exuding a strong sense of life.

Suddenly, a cry erupted, and then it spread into a chorus of weeping.

As Su Tang walked in, he smelled the strong scent of medicinal soup. Several familiar faces passed by, but they seemed so much older, and he couldn't recall their names.

"Who is this?"

Huang Xie approached and asked.

"I am Su Tang, and this is my sister Su Wei," Su Tang replied quickly.

"So it's Young Master Tang."

Huang Xie quickly bowed and invited them into the living room. "I'll go invite the master."

He turned and left, giving the Feng Family member a red envelope before heading to the back courtyard. "Master, Young Master Tang has arrived."

Zhong Shenxiu was practicing martial arts in the back courtyard.

These days, the Su Family members he had been searching for had gradually arrived, causing a great deal of commotion that made him feel very uneasy.

Unfortunately, he was responsible, so he could only maintain a semblance of order. He usually hid in the back courtyard to slack off.

After all, Su Daozhi's true relatives were almost all dead.

The closest blood relatives were actually his cousins, Su Tang and Su Wei.

"I must meet him."

He nodded, walked to the front hall, and called out, "Cousin."

"Cousin Daozhi. I..."

Su Tang's eyes reddened, and he started crying again. "My father, my mother, sob..."

"My condolences..."

Zhong Shenxiu sighed, saying nothing more. He then looked at the young girl beside him. "Cousin Su Wei, consider this your home from now on... I've already told the servants to prepare. You two should wash up and rest. We'll have dinner together tonight."

Although Zhong Shenxiu was not Su Daozhi, he had inherited his body, and he had to bear some responsibility.

He first comforted the brother and sister, then called for Huang Xie, and he and the dog began to have a headache.

'Damn it, not enough money.'

Living in Fufeng was not easy. It was, after all, the capital of a region, and the high prices were just the beginning.

Originally, Zhong Shenxiu had one hundred White Emperor Coins allocated by Feng Xi'er, plus his own salary. If he only cared about himself, he would naturally live comfortably, keeping beautiful maids and walking his dog every day, living a life of unimaginable bliss.

But he couldn't. As the most outstanding member of the clan right now, he had responsibilities in this regard.

Previously, I had commissioned Feng Xi'er to rescue our clansmen. After investigating, I discovered that most of the Su Family members originally exiled to the Fufeng Protectorate had perished, and the remaining ones were mostly the old, weak, sick, and disabled.

Over this period, we've managed to bring back dozens of people. After seeing a doctor, it was determined they were all overexerted and needed rest.

The daily expenses, plus the rescue costs, have depleted all our funds.

Zhong Shenxiu has not only spent all one hundred White Emperor Coins but is also close to exhausting his personal savings.

"Woof, sir, this subordinate still has some private savings," Huang Xie said, approaching Zhong Shenxiu as if sensing his difficulty.

"That's your savings for a wife and your coffin money! I haven't reached that point yet..." Zhong Shenxiu chuckled wryly. "Besides... keeping these dozens of people here isn't a solution. I plan to buy some land outside the city and set up a farm to support them in the future. Fertile land is expensive now, especially near Fufeng City. An acre costs ten White Emperor Coins, and buying a large plot will only increase the price... Your savings wouldn't be enough anyway."

Huang Xie stuck out his tongue and fell silent.

However, Zhong Shenxiu smiled, "But I already have some ideas. Tomorrow, you, your nephew, and a few more honest Su Family members will come out with me."

He naturally set his sights on the Felix Family's treasure.

That legendary Count seemed to have had a premonition back then and made some arrangements for the future, burying several treasures.

Although some might have already been unearthed, Zhong Shenxiu still wanted to try his luck. This was also his only legal opportunity for sudden wealth.

After waving Huang Xie out, Zhong Shenxiu closed the door.

He walked to the bronze mirror, and the flesh on his face writhed, suddenly transforming into someone else.

His brows were sharp as swords, his eyes like polished ink, his face like jade. The combination of his features exuded a unique temperament, like precious jade from Mount Jing, a divine masterpiece that gathered all the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

This was the appearance of Young Master Shenxiu from his previous life.

He had recreated it using the Headless Count's flesh and blood magic.

"I really do miss it..."

Zhong Shenxiu touched his cheek in front of the mirror and then looked at his hands.

His hands were as fair as jade, seemingly without any warmth. "The [Shepherd]'s ability isn't without its drawbacks... Although the Headless Count is like a dead man, using its abilities still brings about some subtle changes to me each time, doesn't it?"