Chapter 18

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

Delighted by his concern, Liang Siwen leaned close to his ear and whispered, "My father is traveling with me, so you needn't worry."

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

After the new emperor ascended the throne, there were rumors that he intended to raise Prince Qin's rank, believing a mere prince of a commandery was insufficient to honor his merits. Prince Qin, however, had declined.

Rong Lian's brows twitched slightly. He had not heard that Prince Qin intended to travel to Qingzhou. Could he be making an incognito inspection tour?

"Don't tell anyone else, not even your father," 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!" Thinking of what had happened before, Liang Siwen angrily waved his fist.

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

Though he disliked what his elder brother had done, they were still of the same blood. He ought to protect him somewhat.

"Fine." Liang Siwen snorted with a frown. "For your sake, I won't hurt him, but I'll still scold him properly to get it out of my system."

Rong Lian's heart softened, and a smile unconsciously touched his lips. "As you wish."

He knew Liang Siwen was kindhearted and would not harm his elder brother. What he had said earlier was merely angry talk.

Seeing him smile, Liang Siwen was overjoyed.

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

The young man puffed out his cheeks and complained softly, though he was truly happy inside.

Rong Lian understood his nature, but 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 tell you all about it when I return."

Their gazes met. Liang Siwen seemed scorched by his eyes and abruptly stepped back, his face flushing slightly. "I'm going back first!"

The youth turned and left. Countless strands of black hair fell down his back, swaying with his steps as though stirring the waters of the heart.

Rong Lian suddenly clenched his fist, his eyes filled with loneliness.

He wished to enter court and become an official. He absolutely could not keep company with another man. Proud by nature, he was unwilling to make a promise with someone when he knew it was impossible.

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

Linxi, Qingzhou.

Rong Xi was relaxed and at ease as he exercised in the courtyard.

Chen Chuangu's prescription had already begun to take effect, and Rong Xi had not missed a single day of training. With the two combined, he felt his body improving by the day. Some of the excess flesh on him had diminished, and his face had slimmed by a full circle. He was now far less corpulent than before.

"Young master, someone from the Zhang Family has come." Liu He approached to report.

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

"Invite them in."

A short while later, 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 has fully recovered. Today, I have specially brought my son to thank you."

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

"Young Master Rong, I have come today for another matter as well." Young Master Zhang's expression turned solemn. "Regarding the tenant farmers you mentioned previously, does that offer still stand?"

Rong Xi understood what he meant. He had only briefly mentioned tenant farmers before, but because Young Master Zhang's father had suddenly fallen ill, they had not had the chance to discuss it in detail, and the matter had been dropped.

"If you are willing, we can settle the contract today." Rong Xi was straightforward.

Young Master Zhang was overjoyed. He rose and gave a deep bow. "Young Master, you are truly benevolent!"

Rong Xi smiled brightly as well.

He was in need of workers, 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

It was late autumn, and the cold frost bit deep.

It was the slack farming season. The farmers had nothing to do and no money coming in, so they were all extremely anxious.

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

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

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

Now Zhang Zhi looked spirited and wore a smile. It was said that Young Master Rong was generous and had given him substantial benefits. It made everyone else terribly envious.

Zhang Zhi worked diligently and selected twenty farmers, all skilled laborers.

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

The others quickly echoed the question.

What work could there possibly be in the fields during this season?

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

No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu He approached. Zhang Zhi hurriedly greeted him and asked, "Uncle Liu, what instructions does Young Master Rong have?"

Liu He himself was somewhat bewildered, but he repeated Rong Xi's words exactly as they had been spoken.

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

"Did I hear that right? Young Master Rong really gave that order?"

Everyone found it baffling, and it even felt absurd.

After confirming it once more, Zhang Zhi could only say, "Since it is Young Master Rong's order, we will certainly do our best to complete it."

Once he had spoken, the others nodded as well. As long as there was money to earn, that was enough. It was not as though they were being asked to murder or commit arson, so why ask so many questions?

Because of his father's illness, several plots of the Zhang Family's land had yet to have their stalks cleared away. They could now be put to use.

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

Liu Zishi had energy to spare and joined in as well.

An acquaintance teased him, "I see you running to the county town every day. What are you doing?"

With Rong Xi's instructions in mind, Liu Zishi kept his mouth tightly shut. "I'm learning a trade."

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

Liu Zishi shot him a fierce glare and raised his fist in warning. "Don't speak ill of Young Master Rong! Young Master Rong is kind and benevolent. Those vicious words are nothing but proof that they are blind and foolish!"

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