You Are Still Young

On the way to Zhao Manor, the cheerful chatter of my little sister, Zheng Shan, filled the air.

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

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

This was little sister's first time traveling far from home, and she found the monotonous rice paddies around them incredibly interesting, constantly asking:

"Brother, is the city really that lively?"

"I heard Wang Gui bragging about how they sell everything in the city. Can you take me to explore?"

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

Her questions seemed endless, and Zheng Fa answered them sporadically.

Although his mother also had a smile on her face, Zheng Fa could see faint traces of worry in it.

"Mother?" he asked, concerned.

"Going to the city... I'm a little nervous," Mother Zheng said sheepishly.

The old man driving the cart spoke up first to comfort her, "Madam, your son has achieved success. You should be looking forward to enjoying the fruits of his labor. What's there to be nervous about?"

Mother Zheng replied, "I know, I know."

She looked at Zheng Fa with a hint of pride, but still sighed, "My son is so respectable now. I'm just afraid I'll be a burden to you when we get there."

Zheng Shan looked at her mother blankly. Zheng Fa wanted to tell his mother not to worry.

Mother Zheng stopped him, "I haven't been out of the village much, and I don't have much experience. I've only heard that in the city, even a bowl of tea or a grain of rice costs money..."

The old man nodded in agreement, "Who says otherwise? The city is good, but you can't get by without money!"

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

"Peaceful is good." Hearing the word "peaceful," Mother Zheng's worried expression lessened considerably.

Zheng Fa knew her best. He knew that their father's passing had deeply affected her. No matter how bad the city was, as long as its walls could keep out the monstrous beasts, it was enough to convince his mother.

"It's just this school, isn't it a bit too extravagant for her, a girl?" His mother had some doubts about this.

"Little sister is intelligent. It would be a waste not to send her to school. Besides, didn't I just say you don't need to worry about money?" Zheng Fa, having experienced a modern world, was far more persistent about education than Mother Zheng.

Seeing her son's determined expression, Mother Zheng nodded.

Unknowingly, Zheng Fa had become the pillar of the family.

Mother Zheng squeezed Zheng Shan's small hand and looked back at the luggage in the cart.

The largest item was a loom that Mother Zheng had disassembled.

"Once we get to the city, I'll go to those ready-made clothing shops and ask if they have any odd jobs," she said with determination.

"I don't need my own bed anymore..." Zheng Shan understood. Her mother wanted to save up tuition for her. Her small face crumpled, "Once we get to the city, there won't be any Pig Grass Leaves for me to pick!"

The old man driving the cart laughed heartily, "Madam, judging by your spirit and your daughter's filial piety, your life will only get better and better!"

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

But once they entered the city, Mother Zheng's worries intensified.

The more prosperous the city was, the more worried she appeared.

When she saw the prices of rice and flour in the grain store, she seemed quite restless.

Zheng Fa knew she was intimidated by the cost of living.

The ox cart passed through familiar streets and arrived at the back gate of Zhao Manor.

Compared to Gao Yuan, who had been here for the first time, Mother Zheng and Zheng Shan were even more out of their element. Even the usually lively Zheng Shan tightly gripped Zheng Fa's arm, looking a bit scared.

Gao Yuan was waiting at the back gate. Seeing the ox cart arrive, he said directly, "Young Master said you don't need to get off. Just come straight in."

Zheng Fa felt a slight warmth in his heart. Normally, an ox cart wouldn't be allowed into Zhao Manor.

Seventh Young Master had clearly thought of this.

The old man driving the cart looked at Zheng Fa with even more reverence.

The residence Madam had given to Zheng Fa was in a corner of Zhao Manor, far from the core area, very remote.

But... it was a standalone courtyard with one entrance!

The moment she saw the courtyard wall, Zheng Shan's mouth fell open. She asked in disbelief, "This courtyard, it's all ours?"

Zheng Fa nodded.

Zheng Shan leaned forward, so excited she looked like she was about to leap out of Zheng Fa's arms.

As the ox cart approached the courtyard gate, a plump figure stood at the entrance, with several large baskets beside him and a few male servants carrying baskets.

"You're here?"

This person greeted Zheng Fa and the others enthusiastically.

Zheng Fa looked at this somewhat unfamiliar man, then heard Gao Yuan beside him say sheepishly, "Zheng Fa, this is my dad."

Zheng Fa quickly jumped out of the carriage and said to the person who arrived, "Hello, Uncle Gao!"

Mother Zheng also got out of the carriage with Zheng Shan, looking at Zheng Fa with confusion. Zheng Fa whispered an explanation to Mother Zheng: "Gao Yuan's father, the steward of the Second Branch."

Mother Zheng's expression seemed startled.

In her understanding, a steward was a big figure—compared to him, Steward Wang from the manor was nothing.

Mother Zheng bowed to perform a courtesy, only to see Steward Gao step forward and clasp his hands in greeting, "This must be Madam Zheng, a pleasure to meet you!"

Mother Zheng froze.

When the old man driving the carriage called her Madam before, she had already felt a bit awkward.

Now, even this Steward Gao was addressing her this way, and she seemed unsure how to respond.

Seemingly seeing her speechless, Steward Gao wore a friendly smile. "My son is indebted to your son's help. Today, I heard about your family's joyous occasion of moving, so I came uninvited, bringing a small token of my appreciation."

He gestured to several large boxes behind him.

Zheng Fa spoke, "Uncle Gao, you're too kind. This gift doesn't look small at all."

"It looks like a lot, but it's all just worthless trinkets!" Steward Gao chuckled heartily. "I just figured that since you've just moved in, you wouldn't have had time to get furniture made or buy rice, flour, and oil, so I prepared these for you."

Zheng Fa fell into thought, looking at a carved step bed behind him that looked extremely valuable.

Seeing Zheng Fa's silence, a hint of unease flickered across Steward Gao's face.

"Uncle, you've put a lot of thought into this!" Finally, Zheng Fa's words brought a smile back to his face.

"Nephew, you're too polite!"

"In the future, I will urge Brother Gao more." Zheng Fa said sincerely.

Gao Yuan, standing nearby: "Huh?"

The politeness on Steward Gao's face lessened considerably, replaced by sincere surprise. "Good! Urge him to death for me... urge him!"

Beside them, Mother Zheng heard the old coachman mutter, "Such a good day, came so easily."

She turned to look at her cherished loom. It was so large, it seemed a bit superfluous.

The Zhao family entered the courtyard to settle in.

Gao Yuan followed Steward Gao as they walked into the distance. Gao Yuan's face showed a hint of displeasure.

"What's wrong? Do you think your father is fawning over them?"

Steward Gao knew what his son was thinking just by looking at his expression.

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

"Don't you know how you kept your position as a page? If this gift could exchange for a page's position, how many people in the manor would be willing?"

"Dad?"

"Remember, the longer you want a friendship to last, the less you can take the other person's kindness for granted."

Gao Yuan understood and nodded, thoroughly convinced.

"Besides, who am I doing this for? Zheng Fa is clearly going to be a confidant of the Seventh Young Master in the future. If I'm generous now, you'll benefit later."

"I understand, Dad!"

Gao Yuan felt both guilty and touched. His father was giving Zheng Fa gifts, wasn't it all for his own good?

How could he have accused him of fawning?

"Actually, you don't even need to wait for the future..." Steward Gao's face showed a hint of cunning. "I heard that Zheng Fa might have a chance to enter an Immortal Sect. A few days ago, the Seventh Young Master argued with Madam because of him, and Madam even rewarded him with a courtyard!"

"Dad, you mean..."

"What I mean is, without even needing the Seventh Young Master's future heavy reliance, Madam already thinks highly of Zheng Fa!" As he spoke, Steward Gao patted Gao Yuan's shoulder. "You're still young; you can't grasp this."

"Ah?"

"This thigh, let Dad hug it for now."