Chapter 18

Rong Lian's expression remained unchanged as he reservedly said, "The journey is long. Take care of yourself." Yet he did not pull his sleeve away.

Hearing his concern, Liang Siwen was overjoyed. He leaned close to Rong Lian's ear and whispered, "My Ah Ye is traveling with me, so you needn't worry."

The "Ah Ye" Liang Siwen spoke of was his adoptive father, Prince Qin.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, there seemed to be rumors that the emperor wished to elevate Prince Qin's rank, feeling that the mere title of prince was not enough to show his merits. Yet Prince Qin refused.

Rong Lian's brow twitched slightly. He had not heard that Prince Qin intended to go to Qingzhou. Could he be traveling incognito to inspect the region?

"You mustn't tell anyone else—not even your Ah Ye," Liang Siwen continued whispering in his ear.

Rong Lian nodded. "Rest easy."

"Rong Xi was sent to Linxi in Qingzhou. If we pass through Linxi this time, I'll definitely beat him up to vent my anger!" Recalling what had happened before, Liang Siwen angrily swung his fist.

Rong Lian sighed. "He has already been punished. Show mercy and don't hurt him."

Though he disliked Eldest Brother's actions, they were born from the same root. He ought to protect him a little.

"Fine." Liang Siwen snorted with a frown. "For your sake, I won't hurt him, but I still have to scold him until I've had my fill and vented my anger."

Rong Lian's heart softened, and a faint smile inevitably curved his lips. "As you wish."

He knew Liang Siwen was kindhearted and would not harm Eldest Brother. What he had said just now was merely angry talk.

Seeing him smile, Liang Siwen was beside himself with joy.

"Actually, I don't want to go, but Ah Ye said he wanted to take me out to broaden my horizons. I wouldn't dare disobey his orders."

The young man puffed out his cheeks and muttered his complaints, though he was delighted inside.

Rong Lian knew his temperament, yet still said, "Prince Qin is doing this for your own good."

"You're right." Liang Siwen smiled again. "If I come across anything interesting, I'll definitely tell you all about it when I return."

Their eyes met. Liang Siwen seemed to have been scorched, suddenly taking a step back with a faint flush on his face. "I'm heading back first!"

The young man turned and left. Countless strands of black hair fell down his back and swayed with his movements, as though stirring the lake of Rong Lian's heart into disorder.

Rong Lian suddenly clenched his fists, his eyes full of desolation.

He wished to enter court and become an official. He absolutely could not be with another man. Proud by nature, he was unwilling to know something was impossible yet still make vows with someone.

There were some words he truly could not bring himself to say.

Linxi, Qingzhou.

Rong Xi was at ease, exercising in the courtyard.

Chen Chuangu's prescription had already begun to show results, and Rong Xi had not missed a single day of exercise. With the two combined, he felt his body improving by the day. The excess flesh on him had lessened somewhat, and his face had slimmed by a circle. Looking at him now, he was far less fat and burly than before.

"Young Master, someone from the Zhang Family has come." Liu He stepped forward to report.

Rong Xi had no choice but to stop and wipe away his sweat with a towel.

"Invite them in."

Before long, members of the Zhang Family entered the courtyard. Upon seeing Rong Xi, they performed a deep bow. Young Master Zhang said gratefully, "Thanks to your blessing, Young Master, my father's health is no longer a concern. Today, I have specially brought my son to offer our thanks."

"Young Master Zhang, there is no need for such ceremony." Rong Xi smiled and invited him to sit. Several children played in the courtyard with Liu Zishi.

"Young Master Rong, I have come today for another matter." Young Master Zhang's expression turned solemn. "The matter of tenant farmers that you mentioned before—does it still stand?"

Rong Xi understood what he meant. He had only brought up the matter of tenant farmers before, but because Young Master Zhang's father had suddenly fallen ill, they had not had time to discuss it in detail, and the matter had been left hanging.

"If you are willing, we can make the agreement today." Rong Xi was straightforward and decisive.

Young Master Zhang was overjoyed. Rising to his feet, he gave a long bow. "Young Master, you are truly benevolent!"

Rong Xi also broke into a smile.

He was in need of hands, and the Zhang Family had come at just the right time.

Author's note:

Liang Siwen is the original novel's protagonist shou~

Chapter 18

Late autumn had arrived, and the cold frost cut to the bone.

It was now the slack farming season. The farmers had nothing to do and no silver coming in, and all of them were anxious beyond measure.

The moment they heard that Rong Residence was hiring people for labor and paying wages daily, they flocked over to inquire.

Rong Xi handed the matter to Zhang Zhi and instructed him to select strong, sturdy men.

Everyone had heard that Zhang Zhi had become a tenant farmer of the Rong Clan. When they had seen him sell his fields to save his father before, they had all sighed over the fickleness of life.

Now Zhang Zhi was bright and energetic, with a smile on his face. It was said that Young Master Rong was generous and had given him substantial profit. It truly made others green with envy.

Zhang Zhi devoted himself wholeheartedly to the task and selected twenty farmers, all capable workers.

"Eldest Brother Zhang, what does Young Master Rong want to do?" someone asked curiously.

The others all chimed in.

What work could possibly be left in the fields at this time of year?

Zhang Zhi did not know either. He was merely following orders, so he said, "You'll naturally find out when the time comes. In any case, we must all follow Young Master's instructions."

Just as he finished speaking, Liu He walked over. Zhang Zhi hurriedly greeted him and asked, "Elder Liu, what instructions does Young Master have?"

Liu He himself was somewhat bewildered, but he repeated Rong Xi's words without missing a single one.

"What? Bury the crop stalks in the ground?"

"Did I hear wrong? Young Master Rong really gave such instructions?"

Everyone found it utterly baffling, with even a sense of absurdity.

After confirming it again, Zhang Zhi could only say, "Since it is Young Master's instruction, we will certainly do our utmost to finish it."

Once he had spoken, everyone nodded as well. So long as there was money to earn, that was enough. It was not murder or arson, so why worry so much?

Several plots of the Zhang Family's land still had their stalks untreated because of Father's illness. They could now be put to use.

Ordinarily, families would drag the stalks home for firewood or burn them on the spot into ash.

Liu Zishi had strength with nowhere to spend it, so he joined in as well.

Someone familiar with him teased, "I see you running to the county town every day. What are you doing?"

With Rong Xi's instructions, Liu Zishi kept his mouth tightly shut. "I'm going to learn a trade."

"Oh, Young Master Rong is even having you learn a trade." The man leaned close and asked in a low voice, "Does he treat you well? Does he often beat you? Those rumors about him aren't very pleasant, you know."

Liu Zishi shot him a vicious glare and raised his fist in warning. "Don't speak ill of Young Master! Young Master is kind and benevolent. Those vicious words are nothing but the blind babbling of people with dark hearts!"

In his heart, apart from his grandfather, Young Master was the person who treated him best. He could not tolerate others judging him with malicious words.