Chapter 16

No sooner had they entered the residence than Liu He hurried over, his expression unusual as he reported in a low voice, "My lord, someone has come from Shengjing."

"Who?" Rong Xi could not help slowing his steps.

Seeing that his grandfather looked displeased, Liu Zishi seemed to sense something. He clenched his fists and stayed close beside Rong Xi.

Having spent every day with Rong Xi, he knew the rumors were false. He guessed that his lord had been sent to Linxi because he had been wronged.

Previously, his lord had kindly saved someone, only to have his reputation suffer for it. Now that someone had come from Shengjing, the visitor likely meant trouble.

No matter what, he would protect his lord.

When they reached the main hall, a man was drinking tea at his seat. Only after seeing the three enter did he slowly rise and say with a false smile, "This lowly one greets my lord."

The man was over thirty, with disorderly brows and small yet shrewd eyes. Though contempt filled his heart, he wore a fake smile, making him thoroughly unpleasant.

Rong Xi responded coldly. Affecting an arrogant manner, he casually leaned against the armrest and did not spare him so much as a glance.

After a long, stifling silence, Liu He left for the kitchen to prepare food. Liu Zishi poured tea and held the tray for Rong Xi without a word, looking dull and uninteresting.

"This lowly one is Qian Zhong. By the master's order, I have come to visit my lord. The master has written a letter for my lord to read."

"Just leave it there." Rong Xi was exceedingly indifferent.

Qian Zhong was actually somewhat at a loss.

He had relied on being favored by both the master and madam, thinking that Rong Xi was merely an abandoned son. What waves could he possibly stir up? There was no need to treat him with excessive caution.

Yet after seeing Rong Xi, he felt that he was entirely different from how he had been in Shengjing. Though still overbearing and flamboyant, his bearing was no longer what it had once been, leaving Qian Zhong uneasy.

He placed the letter on the table.

Rong Xi signaled for Liu Zishi to open it. After reading through it, it was nothing more than accusations of an "unfilial son," with no new tricks at all.

Liu Zishi, who had already learned quite a few characters, understood most of it. Anger immediately rose in him, and he could not help feeling indignant for Rong Xi!

If everything written in the letter was truly the master's heartfelt sentiment, then it was no wonder his lord had become so disheartened and indifferent.

Believing others' rumors and holding not the slightest trust in his own son—how could such a father expect his lord to respect him?

"Will my lord send a reply?" Qian Zhong suddenly asked.

Rong Xi glanced at him and lazily said, "How should I reply? Linxi is not as interesting as Shengjing, and I have nothing to discuss with Father. I might as well tell him about how a servant bullied his master today. That would be quite good."

"My lord!" Qian Zhong was startled, fine sweat appearing on his forehead.

But when he recalled the master's attitude toward Rong Xi, he stopped worrying. Rong Dalang already had an infamous reputation and showed no concern for his elders, much less remorse or self-reproach. The master would surely dislike him even more.

This so-called servant bullying his master was merely Rong Dalang's spoiled, affected nonsense. No one would believe it.

With the fear in his heart gone, Qian Zhong straightened proudly and said with a fake smile, "My lord must be joking. This servant respects my lord and has never overstepped his bounds."

"I am tired. Withdraw." Rong Xi did not wish to say more and closed his eyes as though resting.

Qian Zhong sneered inwardly and left.

Feeling sorry for Rong Xi, Liu Zishi half-knelt beside the table and massaged his shoulders, saying indignantly, "That Qian Zhong has gone too far!"

"Go tell Old Liu that our crafty guest will be staying tonight. Any meal will do," Rong Xi instructed.

Liu Zishi hurriedly ran to the kitchen.

He did not want Qian Zhong to taste any delicious food either!

Inside the room, Rong Xi picked up the letter and read it again, a cold smile on his face. Had the original owner seen this letter, he would surely have suffered terribly. Rong Xi was not the original owner, and his heart had long since turned as cold as iron.

To the Rong Clan of Shengjing, Rong Xi was nothing more than a stain that could be discarded at any time.

By late afternoon, Qian Zhong leisurely made his way to the kitchen.

Though he threw his weight around, he still did not dare truly break the rules. If others learned that he had eaten with his master, it would certainly be improper.

Inside the kitchen, Liu He and Liu Zishi were holding bowls and eating. When they saw him approach, they received him with cold indifference.

Qian Zhong snorted. "Where is the food?"

He did not dare truly mistreat his master, but he had no such reservations toward this grandfather and grandson. They were merely residents of the estate and not valued by the master. What was there to fear?

Liu He and Liu Zishi continued silently chewing their flatbread.

The kitchen was small, and the coal briquettes and stove had all been moved away and hidden. There were now only two or three thin flatbreads on the stove, clearly visible.

Other than that, there was no food at all.

Unease rose in Qian Zhong's heart. He widened his eyes and asked, "This is all we are eating tonight?"

"Alas." Liu He wiped his mouth and sighed, his gaze weathered. "The household is poor and cannot make ends meet. Having flatbread to fill our stomachs is enough."

Qian Zhong froze. He had not expected the ancestral residence to be so impoverished. By that logic, even Rong Dalang could only eat coarse flatbread.

No wonder Rong Dalang had seemed somewhat thinner when Qian Zhong saw him earlier.

How pitiful, he secretly laughed.

Early the next morning, Qian Zhong hurriedly set off on his return journey before he had even eaten breakfast. The food at the morning market stalls was far more plentiful than that of the ancestral residence, and he had no desire to wrong himself.

Once he left, Rong Residence returned to its warm, harmonious atmosphere. The deliciousness of its breakfast was beyond anyone else's imagination.

On an auspicious day, the new emperor ascended the throne. He continued to use the late emperor's reign title and would not change it until the following year.

In the courtyard of Rong Residence, Rong Xi wore a delighted expression as he placed a white sugar cube in his palm and said, "Zishi, go to the county town this afternoon. Take this white sugar and make a trip to Gourmet Pavilion."

Liu Zishi accepted it in surprise and nodded again and again.

His lord was truly amazing! He had actually made white sugar!

Who in Mengshan County did not know the name Gourmet Pavilion?

After Gourmet Pavilion became famous for its new dishes, diners flocked there every day. Calling it a business that brought in gold by the day would not be an exaggeration.

Wealthy gourmands from other nearby counties in Qingzhou braved the long, bumpy journey to Mengshan County just to have a meal at Gourmet Pavilion.

Quite a few lavish spenders had tried to hire Lady Jiang for a high price, only to be turned away every time.

When Liu Zishi arrived at Gourmet Pavilion, it was clearly not mealtime, yet quite a few diners were already seated in the hall waiting.

The shop servants recognized him. Knowing he was the servant of the shopkeeper's friend, they warmly ushered him into the rear hall to see Duan Changjin.

"Shopkeeper Duan, my lord asked me to deliver something. He said it could be given to diners as a complimentary gift." Getting straight to the point, Liu Zishi untied the cloth pouch at his waist and took out several crystal-clear cubes of white sugar.