Chapter 16

As soon as they entered the residence gate, Liu He hurried over, his expression strange 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 at Rong Xi's side.

Having spent day and night 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 for his reputation to suffer. Now that someone had been dispatched from Shengjing, the visitor likely had ill intentions.

No matter what, he would protect his lord well.

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

The man was past thirty. His brows were a chaotic mess, his eyes small yet sharp. Though disdain filled his heart, he wore a fake smile on his face, making him thoroughly repulsive.

Rong Xi responded coldly. Affecting an overbearing manner, he leaned casually 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, saying nothing, appearing 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 and wishes for my lord to read it."

"Just leave it there." Rong Xi's tone was icy.

Qian Zhong was actually at a loss.

He had relied on the favor he enjoyed before the master and madam, thinking Rong Xi was merely an abandoned son. How big a splash could he possibly make? There was no need to treat him with excessive care.

Yet after seeing Rong Xi, he found him utterly different from how he had been in Shengjing. Though he remained arrogant and domineering, his bearing was no longer what it had once been, stirring unease in Qian Zhong's heart.

He placed the letter on the table.

Rong Xi gestured for Liu Zishi to open it. After reading it through, it was nothing more than the same old words about an "unfilial son acting without restraint."

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

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

Listening to others' rumors and harboring not the slightest trust in his own son—how could such a father deserve his lord's respect and regard?

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

Rong Xi cast him a sidelong glance and drawled lazily, "How should I reply? Linxi is not as interesting as Shengjing. I have nothing to discuss with Father. I might as well tell him about how a servant lorded it over his master today. That would be quite good."

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

But when he thought of the master's attitude toward Rong Xi, he stopped worrying. Rong Dalang's foul reputation was widely known, and there was not a word of concern for his elders or remorse and self-reproach in his conduct. The master would surely dislike him even more.

This so-called servant lording it over his master was merely the result of Rong Dalang's spoiled and affected nature. No one would believe it.

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

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

Qian Zhong sneered inwardly, then left.

Feeling sorry for Rong Xi, Liu Zishi knelt beside the table and massaged his shoulders and back. "That Qian Zhong has gone too far in bullying others!"

"Go tell Elder Liu that the sly guest will be staying tonight. The meal can be prepared however you please," 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 appearing on his face. Had the original owner seen this letter, he would surely have been devastated. Rong Xi was not the original owner, yet even he felt his heart turn 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.

At around three in the afternoon, Qian Zhong strolled directly to the kitchen.

Though he threw his weight around, he did not dare truly break the rules. If people learned that he ate with the master, it would surely be improper.

Inside the kitchen, Liu He and Liu Zishi were eating from their bowls. Seeing him approach, they regarded him with indifference.

Qian Zhong gave a cold snort. "Where is the food?"

He did not dare truly bully his master, but he had no such reservations toward this grandfather and grandson. They were merely people watching over the residence, not valued by the master's household. What was there to fear?

Liu He and Liu Zishi remained silent and continued chewing their flatbread.

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

Other than that, there was no more food.

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

"Alas." Liu He wiped his mouth and sighed, his gaze weathered. "The household is poor and barely able to make it from day to day. Having flatbread to fill our stomachs is enough."

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

No wonder he had thought Rong Dalang looked somewhat thinner when he saw him earlier.

What a pitiful sight, he sneered inwardly.

Early the next morning, Qian Zhong hurried back before even having breakfast. The food stalls at the morning market offered far more than the ancestral residence. He was unwilling to wrong himself.

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

On an auspicious day, a new emperor ascended the throne. He continued using the late emperor's reign title, changing it only the following year.

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

Liu Zishi accepted it in astonishment and nodded repeatedly.

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

Chapter 16

In present-day Mengshan County, who did not know the name Gourmet Pavilion?

After Gourmet Pavilion gained fame for its novel dishes, diners streamed through its doors every day. Calling it a place that raked in gold by the bucketful would not be an exaggeration.

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

Quite a few free-spending people had tried to recruit Lady Jiang at a high price, only to meet with rebuff after rebuff.

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

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

"Shopkeeper Duan, my lord instructed me to deliver something. He said it can 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.