Storehouse

"I have no acquaintances outside the manor. The other day, I accidentally broke the young lady's Jade Cup, so I thought to make amends by finding some repair materials."

Chu Zheng did not conceal anything and answered truthfully.

He had already anticipated this situation when he asked Xiao Cai for the Jade Cup fragments, so he was not particularly nervous.

Song Lingxue raised an eyebrow. "Where is the Jade Cup now?"

Chu Zheng took a cloth pouch from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

The translucent Jade Cup had been restored to its original state, with the cracks covered by gold threads. From the outside, no flaws were visible, and it even appeared three parts more noble than before.

However, faint cracks could still be seen inside the cup, like ice fissures, making it at best a decorative piece, no longer suitable for holding wine.

For ordinary repair methods to achieve this level was already quite remarkable, and Chu Zheng himself was satisfied.

He had only finished repairing the Jade Cup last night, and it had provided him with a full thirty experience points.

Over the past few days, he had also figured out some information about the panel.

Not everything he repaired granted experience points. He had tried deliberately breaking a porcelain bowl and then fixing it, but the panel did not react at all.

In the Filth Room, the broken tables and chairs he repaired also failed to provide him with experience points.

The panel seemed to have its own set of rules for judging experience gain.

The Jade Cup flipped back and forth between slender fingers. After a moment, Song Lingxue stroked the gold threads on the cup's surface and said slowly:

"Where did these gold threads come from?"

Though these gold threads were not a huge sum, they were not something a servant could casually produce.

"They came from the monthly silver I saved up over time, young lady."

As a household slave, his predecessor received a monthly allowance. Though meager, accumulated over the years, it became a considerable amount. Originally, he had saved it to buy his freedom, but it ended up being used on this Jade Cup.

To gather the gold threads needed for the repair, Chu Zheng had spent most of that savings.

Song Lingxue tucked the Jade Cup into her sleeve and asked casually, "When did you learn this craft?"

"From books," Chu Zheng replied, lifting his head to cast a covert, pained glance at her sleeve.

If not for this incident, he had planned to wait until everyone forgot about it, then trade the Jade Cup for something else.

"It seems you've been diligent in your studies."

After a compliment, Song Lingxue steered the conversation back on track: "Where did those Immortal Sect Scriptures come from?"

This was the crux of the matter.

"The scriptures were given to me by the Second Young Lady the night before she left the manor," Chu Zheng answered truthfully.

Strictly speaking, those few scriptures contained little of substantial importance, so there was nothing to hide.

"Ling Qing came to see you before she left?" Song Lingxue frowned slightly. Beside her, Song Yun abruptly straightened up, eyes wide with disbelief.

Was a handsome face really that powerful?

The Eldest Young Lady was one thing—she had little contact with men, so some stray thoughts were inevitable.

But the Second Young Lady? She was born with an Immortal Bone, a figure like a celestial being. In the Immortal Sect, she mingled with immortals themselves. What sights hadn't she seen? How could she also look upon Chu Zheng with special regard?

Song Yun stepped back two paces, his chest feeling as if a boulder weighed on it, his face heavy.

"What did Ling Qing say to you? Why did she leave these things for you?" Song Lingxue pressed immediately, wanting more details.

"The Second Young Lady didn't say much. She just asked if I had any wishes, and considering I had served her for a few years, she would help fulfill one."

Chu Zheng laid it all out, then added, "I know I'm dull-witted and unlikely to achieve great things, so I just asked for a few miscellaneous books to pass the time."

"You only asked for these books?"

Song Lingxue looked somewhat surprised and couldn't help asking, "Why didn't you seize the chance to ask for gold or silver to buy your freedom? Or a Spirit Pill to extend your life?"

Leaving to become a carefree rich man, buying land and taking a wife—that would be far better than being a slave in the manor.

"I lost both my parents as a child. The Song Family gave me a way to live. If I left the manor, I wouldn't know what to do."

Chu Zheng lowered his head with a soft sigh, then looked up at Song Lingxue:

"It was only after the Second Young Lady's guidance that I realized this Jade Cup was a celestial item. Breaking it was a crime for which death would be insufficient atonement. The Eldest Young Lady was kind enough to spare my life, so I naturally owe gratitude and will do my utmost to repay it in the future."

In Chu Zheng's view, his predecessor had been somewhat ungrateful.

A real man could bend and stretch. What was face worth? Playing the sympathy card worked in any era, especially when dealing with a girl not yet twenty.

Song Yun snapped back to reality and looked at Chu Zheng's earnest expression, alarm bells ringing wildly in his heart.

No...

This was not the Chu Zheng he knew.

Beneath that familiar face, he vaguely sensed a hint of cunning.

Damn it...

Song Yun quickly turned to look at Song Lingxue. Sure enough, though her expression hadn't changed, her gaze had softened.

In that instant, Song Yun broke out in a cold sweat. The old Chu Zheng had been a stubborn fool, all looks and no substance, never making him feel this threatened.

In the past, whenever the Eldest Young Lady bestowed her favor, Song Yun was always on edge, his greatest fear being that Chu Zheng might suddenly come to his senses one day.

Now, the very thing he dreaded most had come to pass—Chu Zheng had indeed seemed to have seen reason, ready to accept the olive branch the Eldest Young Lady had extended.

This fasting had truly taught him to behave.

"Enough. Since the matter is settled, there's no need for you here."

Song Lingxue waved her hand. "Since Ling Qing gifted them to you, keep those books."

"The Eldest Young Lady sees clearly."

Chu Zheng breathed a sigh of relief. He turned to leave, but Song Lingxue called him back:

"For the gold thread to repair the Jade Cup, go to the accounts office and fill out the ledger. Draw the funds from the Storehouse. Add twenty taels of silver to the report—I'll approve it as a reward for you."

Song Lingxue's gaze narrowed slightly as she spoke flatly: "I've already punished you for breaking the Jade Cup, so I won't dwell on it. Repairing it counts as a merit."

"It's my duty; I dare not claim credit."

Chu Zheng bowed. "Thank you for the reward, Eldest Young Lady."

Seeing that he didn't refuse the silver, Song Lingxue's lips curled faintly. She found Chu Zheng a bit more agreeable and spoke again:

"Your skill is wasted in obscurity. There's no need to stay in the Filth Room. Go to the Storehouse—there are some old trinkets there that need mending. Your base pay will be doubled."

"Thank you, Eldest Young Lady!"

Chu Zheng's eyes lit up. He had been fretting over the Filth Room's uselessness, wondering how to arrange things next, and a pillow had fallen just as he felt drowsy.

The Storehouse post was worlds apart from the Filth Room. Anyone assigned there was inevitably a core figure in the household, the most trusted of all.

The vast majority of the Song Family's treasures were stored there, brimming with the unknown. In comparison, the Filth Room, thoroughly picked over, held no appeal at all.

"Eldest Young Lady, this is still just his side of the story..."

Song Yun drew a deep breath, but before he could finish, Song Lingxue shook her head and cut him off:

"The city is full of eyes and ears. Chu Zheng's movements can be verified with a simple check. Go and confirm it, then report back to me."