Chapter 17

The two men clearly did not believe him, taking it only as modesty.

Before long, Zheng Huaili arrived with Young Master Wang. Seeing that Rong Xi was unfamiliar to him, he knew he was the one who made the sugar, and a smile could not help appearing on his face.

After the Hu pair exchanged greetings with them, they took their seats. Zheng Huaili politely asked, "May I ask this young gentleman's honored surname and given name?"

"My surname is Rong, unworthy of mention. Rong Xi."

Zheng and Wang were instantly stunned, looking at each other in dismay.

Since Rong Xi had arrived in Linxi, his name had become the talk of the common folk. Zheng and Wang had also passed judgment on him a few times, both spitting on his conduct.

Thinking of this, cold sweat sprang up on Zheng Huaili's back. He hurriedly asked, "May I ask, Young Master Rong, did you come from Linxi?"

Rong Xi knew what he was thinking. His expression remained calm as he nodded in reply.

Hu Yulin, however, was displeased. Yet when he recalled that he himself had been no different from these two before, he felt even more self-reproach and shame.

The mouths of many could melt gold; rumors had blinded their eyes. Had Eldest Brother not possessed a steadfast will and keen talent, even after being sent to Linxi, he would have had nowhere to stand.

"That white sugar truly came from Young Master Rong's hands?" Zheng Huaili still harbored doubts.

It was not that he looked down on him, but he simply could not imagine that the son of a capital official would understand the crafts of artisans.

"Indeed." Rong Xi sipped his tea leisurely. Though doubted, he showed not the slightest displeasure.

Seeing him like this, Zheng Huaili and Young Master Wang believed him a little more.

"To be frank, Zheng came today for the method of making white sugar. If you are willing, I am prepared to exchange fifty strings of cash for it." His manner was sincere, and the price was fairly generous.

Hu Yulin's narrow eyes curved slightly. "Shopkeeper Zheng is generous. But you and I both know that once white sugar appears, it will surely win the favor of the noble and powerful. If you obtain this method, money will roll in and profits will multiply like snowballs. Fifty strings are merely short-term gains."

Without waiting for Zheng Huaili to retort, he turned to Rong Xi and said earnestly, "If Eldest Brother is willing, I wish to purchase this method with twelve percent of the profits."

"Young Master Hu, you are not a sugar merchant. Why contend with me for the sugar-making method?" Zheng Huaili asked with a frown.

Hu Yulin's lips curved upward. "It is simply what my heart desires. If Shopkeeper Zheng lacks sincerity, please do not disturb Eldest Brother and me as we make our agreement."

Ever since honeycomb coal briquettes and coal stoves had become popular, the Hu Clan's momentum had grown ever fiercer. Everyone could see that the Hu Clan no longer wished to take charcoal as its foundation and seemed to be expanding its ventures.

Could the Hu Clan have set its sights on white sugar as well?

At this thought, Zheng Huaili was secretly alarmed. Compared with fifty strings of cash, twelve percent of the profits was clearly more tempting.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "I am willing to give thirteen percent of the profits to Young Master Rong."

Rong Xi suddenly chuckled, his voice clear as wind through the forest, washing away the restlessness in their hearts.

"The Zheng Clan has made sugar for a hundred years and has richer experience in this field. Brother Xuan Shi, Rong apologizes to you."

Hu Yulin gave a mournful sigh, putting on a show of disappointment.

Joy bloomed in Zheng Huaili's heart like spring flowers, ice and snow melting away. He immediately said, "May I ask when Young Master Rong wishes to make the agreement?"

White sugar was novel. Even if he received only seventy percent of the profits, it would be more than enough.

After the two sides made their agreement, Rong Xi secretly explained the sugar-making method to him in detail. Zheng Huaili felt as though enlightenment had been poured over his head, understanding dawning upon him in an instant.

"This method may be simple, yet it truly was difficult to conceive. Young Master Rong's talent has Zheng's deepest admiration."

Eager to try making white sugar, Zheng Huaili did not wish to linger. He left together with Young Master Wang.

Once their figures had vanished from sight, Hu Yulin slapped the table and laughed heartily, exceedingly delighted.

At last, he had managed to help Eldest Brother a little.

Just as Rong Xi was about to bow in thanks, Hu Yulin caught his wrist and said, "Eldest Brother need not do this. You and I are brothers. Helping you is only right."

"Brother Xuan Shi's friendship leaves Rong deeply grateful."

In

this other world,

meeting several good friends was his good fortune.

The three chatted freely for a while. Thinking of a private matter, Rong Xi rose apologetically and said, "I wish to ask Lady Jiang about something. Please wait here, two elder brothers."

"Another new dish?" Duan Changjin asked.

"It has nothing to do with dishes. It is Rong's private matter." With that, Rong Xi headed alone toward the rear kitchen of Gourmet Pavilion.

There were no customers in the shop now, so Lady Jiang should not be busy.

Watching his figure disappear, Hu Yulin and Duan Changjin exchanged a glance. He had a private matter to discuss with Lady Jiang, and he was avoiding others besides. What sort of private matter was that?

The two men's eyes widened at once. Could it be?

In the rear kitchen of Gourmet Pavilion, Lady Jiang was studying dishes.

When she saw Rong Xi suddenly arrive, surprise and delight appeared on her face.

"Why has Young Master Rong come?" She hurriedly washed her hands and asked with a smile.

Rong Xi seemed somewhat embarrassed. His gaze wandered, not knowing where to settle, and he stammered, unable to explain himself for a moment.

Hu Yulin and Duan Changjin, who had secretly followed him, hid outside the door, fretting on his behalf.

If it was so difficult to say, it must be just as they had imagined. Perhaps Eldest Brother had feelings for Lady Jiang.

Yet Lady Jiang was two years older than Eldest Brother, and their statuses were worlds apart. Hu Yulin did not think well of it.

Seeing Rong Xi's face faintly redden, Lady Jiang could not help laughing brightly. "If it is difficult for you to say it aloud, you may write it down and tell me. I studied for a few years and can read."

She saw that Rong Xi was shy, but there was no affection between man and woman in his eyes. She knew there was something else that embarrassed him.

Rong Xi drew a deep breath, scratched his head, and smiled. "It is all right."

After saying this, he stepped closer to Lady Jiang and lowered his voice. "Could you teach me needlework?"

He had once seen Lady Jiang embroidering a handkerchief and knew her needlework was excellent, which was why he asked.

Great Wei had no close-fitting undergarments, and he truly was not used to it. Previously, helpless as he was, he could only make do. Now that he lacked neither money nor time, and knew Lady Jiang, he wanted to give it a try.

Only Lady Jiang heard his whispered words; the two men outside did not catch them clearly. Precisely because of that, they found it even more suspicious.

Lady Jiang was extremely surprised and said in a low voice, "If Young Master needs anything, I can sew clothes for you."

The two continued whispering, making the men outside scratch at their hearts and livers in torment.

"Lady Jiang, just take it as me using needlework to pass the time when I have nothing to do, all right?" Rong Xi truly did not wish to have a young lady sew his close-fitting clothes for him.

Once he said this, Lady Jiang no longer tried to persuade him. Her face blossomed into a smile. "If Young Master has time, would you return home with me?"

"Thank you, Lady Jiang!"