Picking Up People

When Wang Gui called out "Young Master," the people on the estate knew a major figure from the mansion had arrived.

Almost all the farmhands gathered around the carriage, looking at the Seventh Young Master with a mixture of awe and fawning.

Steward Wang was the most conspicuous. He knelt at the front of the crowd, prostrating himself completely, his posture impeccably standard. This was something he had trained for specifically; his reputation among the important figures in the Zhao Family for loyalty was built from such small, detailed actions.

For a long time, the Seventh Young Master didn't speak.

Steward Wang cautiously looked up and saw the Seventh Young Master wasn't looking at him at all, but at the carriage door.

Zheng Fa was emerging from the carriage and jumped to the ground, landing right... in front of Steward Wang.

As they made eye contact, a hint of confusion flickered in both their eyes.

Perhaps because his posture was too respectful, Zheng Fa even unconsciously made a gesture to get up.

Steward Wang first instinctively stood up, then his face stiffened involuntarily. His cheeks flushed a deep crimson, his gaze slowly shifting from Zheng Fa to the Seventh Young Master, who, as if seeing nothing, smiled brightly.

Wang Gui watched from the side, his mind filled with questions:

Did my father just kneel for Zheng Fa?

No, why is Zheng Fa still standing there perfectly fine? Not only can he walk, he can even jump?

Why is the Seventh Young Master standing with Zheng Fa, chatting and laughing, looking so close?

A layer of disbelief and jealousy settled in his heart—when he was a page, the Seventh Young Master had never even smiled at him.

"Young Master, what brings you to the estate?"

Unable to contain his confusion, Wang Gui asked.

"Oh, I'm here to pick someone up."

A wave of joy surged through Wang Gui. As expected, the Seventh Young Master still remembered Misty Rain Tower, no, he remembered Wang Gui's loyalty!

Although it seemed Zheng Fa had somehow won the Seventh Young Master's favor through some unsavory means, the Seventh Young Master's arrival confirmed that his master still had lingering feelings for him!

Wang Gui was very confident in his talent as a lackey: one day, he, Wang Gui, would become the number one lackey under the Young Master!

"Pick someone up?" Steward Wang heard the words and glanced at his son, Wang Gui. The Seventh Young Master only knew his son on this estate, right?

"Zheng Fa, where are your mother and sister? Did they come?" The Seventh Young Master patted his head and asked Zheng Fa, looking back.

"Brother!"

Seeing Zheng Fa's gaze turn to him, Zheng Shan, who had been holding back, finally couldn't help it and hopped excitedly beside Mother Zheng, calling out.

The Seventh Young Master pulled Zheng Fa over to Mother Zheng.

Mother Zheng first carefully examined Zheng Fa's face, finding that not only were there no signs of hardship, but he had even gained some weight.

A smile then appeared on her face.

"Mother, Madam has graciously said I can take you and sister to live in the city."

Mother Zheng, who had been about to speak, suddenly froze, unsure of what to say.

Wang Gui seemed struck by lightning, unable to believe his ears.

He's not here to pick me up?

He's here to pick up Zheng Fa's family?

The surrounding farmhands reacted more quickly.

"To the city? The whole family? The Zheng family is going to prosper, their ancestors' graves must be emitting green smoke!"

"Don't talk nonsense, it's clearly because Zheng Fa has standing in the mansion. Look, even the Seventh Young Master came back with him."

"I said long ago that Zheng Fa is no ordinary child!"

"Bullshit, you said earlier that Zheng Fa was so quiet all day he seemed mute, definitely useless!"

Amidst the envious and regretful murmurs of the crowd, Mother Zheng seemed to snap back to reality. But looking at Zheng Fa, then at the Seventh Young Master, she opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

It was Zheng Fa who gently took her hand: "Mother, we haven't eaten yet, we're all hungry. Can you make us something to eat?"

"Haven't eaten?" Hearing her son was hungry, Mother Zheng stopped thinking about anything else and turned to head home: "Mom will make it for you right away!"

After a couple of steps, she suddenly stopped and looked back at the Seventh Young Master beside Zheng Fa, saying softly to Zheng Fa, "Has the Seventh Young Master not eaten either?"

"Yes."

"This... we don't have any meat at home either, just coarse grains for the farm folk. A noble like the Seventh Young Master probably won't be able to eat it..."

Beside them, the Seventh Young Master frowned, about to say something.

But Steward Wang suddenly spoke up: "Young Master, my humble home has some simple food and tea. Though it can't compare to the mansion, it's certainly more presentable than what the Zheng family can offer. Young Master, please come to my home for a simple meal."

Zheng Fa felt his mother tighten her grip on his arm. He turned and saw Mother Zheng's somewhat crestfallen expression.

He knew his mother was thoughtful and worried. At this moment, she probably felt that the Zheng family's conditions and her own reaction were embarrassing Zheng Fa.

After Steward Wang spoke, the Seventh Young Master fell into a brief contemplation.

He looked at Zheng Fa, then at Steward Wang.

Steward Wang offered a respectful yet enthusiastic smile.

"Do you have wine at your place?"

"Yes!"

"Meat?"

"Yes!"

"Grain?"

"Yes!"

"Then your household is quite well-off."

"It's all thanks to the manor's grace..."

The surrounding farmers looked at Steward Wang with some envy. Truth be told, they had to admit that Steward Wang's household was the most respectable in the village.

If the Seventh Young Master were to visit their homes, they figured they'd be as terrified as Mother Zheng.

Slap!

The Seventh Young Master clapped his hands and said, "Isn't it simple? The Young Master wants to eat at the Zheng family's place. Your home has everything, so just bring some over to the Zheng family!"

"Ah?" Even though Steward Wang prided himself on being unflappable, the smile on his face froze. Looking at the Seventh Young Master's expectant face, he turned to Wang Gui.

For the first time, Wang Gui saw not disdain, but deep apology on his father's face. At that moment, he understood his father's expression:

What kind of life did you live when you were a page before?

Zheng Fa and Gao Yuan exchanged a look. This guy really knew how to kick others when they were down...

He reveled in it!

"Young Master, this..."

"What, you're not allowed to eat your family's food, Young Master?" The Seventh Young Master's "dog face" turned dark in an instant.

"Of course, you are! Wang Gui! Go bring the wine and dishes from home, and the cured meat we've stored, to the Zheng family!" Steward Wang suppressed his anger and hit his son, who was staring blankly beside him.

"Dad! Send all the meat? Then we'll only have a few chickens left at home?" Wang Gui was naturally unwilling. His family was wealthier than Zheng Fa's, but this was hardly how one would be so extravagant.

"Your family raises chickens too?" The Seventh Young Master chimed in, sounding quite interested.

"Kill another chicken!" Steward Wang kicked Wang Gui, urging him to hurry and leave, afraid that if he spoke again, even their newly built house might be given to the Zheng family.

"The table is a bit small, please bear with us, Young Master."

Even with the generous support from Steward Wang's household, eating at the Zheng family's place was an unprecedentedly humble experience for the Seventh Young Master.

There were only three stools, occupied by the Seventh Young Master, Zheng Fa, and Gao Yuan.

Mother Zheng and Zheng Shan had nowhere to sit.

Mother Zheng was quite comfortable, hiding in the kitchen; she wouldn't dare sit with the Seventh Young Master.

Zheng Shan didn't care about having a seat. She leaned next to Zheng Fa, standing on tiptoe to look at the small table laden with several large dishes.

"The Wang family... eats really well!"

She put her fingers in her mouth, her small hands smeared with saliva, and said enviously.

Zheng Fa took a handkerchief and wiped her hands. He knew in his heart that Steward Wang probably didn't eat like this usually.

Serving the Seventh Young Master every day? Such great fortune, Steward Wang would have to hang himself at the Zhao Manor's gate...

Meanwhile, the Seventh Young Master frowned and asked, "Do you and Wang Gui's family have a conflict?"

If he hadn't noticed this, he wouldn't have bothered the Wang family.

Before Zheng Fa could speak, Zheng Shan sternly complained, "It's his family that's always bullying mine!"

"Oh?" The Seventh Young Master seemed a little interested.