Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World-Chapter 32 - You Are Still Young
Chapter 32: Chapter 32 You Are Still Young
Chapter 32 -32 You Are Still Young
On the way to Zhao’s Mansion, little sister Zheng Shan’s cheerful chattering fluttered in the air.
Seventh Young Master still sat in Gao Yuan’s carriage, but Zheng Fa accompanied his mother and sister, sitting in the same ox cart that always took him to Zhao Mansion.
He held little sister Zheng Shan, while Mrs.
Zheng sat at the back of the cart, overseeing the modest belongings.
It was the little sister’s first time traveling far from home, and she found even the monotonous rice fields around extremely interesting, incessantly asking questions:
“Brother, is the city really that lively?”
“I’ve heard Wang Gui bragging, saying that you can buy everything in the city, will you take me around to see?”
“What does our new home look like?
Will I have my own bed?”
Her questions seemed never-ending, and Zheng Fa answered them sporadically.
However, despite some smiles on the mother’s face, Zheng Fa could see traces of worry.
“Mother?” he asked, concerned.
“Going to the city…
I feel a bit nervous in my heart,” Mrs.
Zheng admitted shyly.
The old cart driver was quick to comfort her: “Madam, your son has made something of himself, you should just be waiting to enjoy life, why be anxious?”
Mrs.
Zheng replied, “I know, I know.”
She looked at Zheng Fa with a touch of pride but still sighed, “My son is now so respectable, I’m just afraid of becoming your burden after we go there.”
Zheng Shan looked at her mother, not understanding, as Zheng Fa tried to reassure her.
Mrs.
Zheng stopped Zheng Fa before he could speak, “I haven’t been out of our village much and don’t know a lot.
I’ve only heard that living in the city, even for a bowl of tea or a grain of rice, you need money…”
Hearing this, the old cart driver also showed a look of empathy, “That’s right, the city might be nice, but everything depends on money!”
“Mother, don’t worry about money.
After all, the city is peaceful, and once we’re in the city, I’m planning to send little sister to school,” Zheng Fa said.
“Peaceful is good.” Hearing the words ‘peaceful,’ Mrs.
Zheng’s face showed less conflict.
Zheng Fa knew her well and understood that their father’s death had been a great blow to her—no matter how unsatisfactory the city might be, having city walls to stop the Demon Beasts from causing chaos was enough to persuade the mother.
“But this school, isn’t it a bit too extravagant?
She’s just a girl,” the mother questioned.
“Little sister is smart; it would be a pity for her not to go to school, and as I said, don’t worry about money,” Zheng Fa, who had experienced the modern world, was much more persistent about education than Mrs.
Zheng.
Seeing her son’s determined expression, Mrs.
Zheng nodded.
Unconsciously, Zheng Fa had become the backbone of the family.
Mrs.
Zheng held Zheng Shan’s little hand and turned back to look at the luggage in the back of the cart.
The largest item was the loom which Mrs.
Zheng had taken apart.
“When we get to the city, I’ll go to those garment shops and ask if there’s any odd jobs,” she said with determination.
“I don’t need my own bed anymore…” Realizing her mother wanted to save money for her education, Zheng Shan’s little face contorted, “Once in the city, there won’t be any pig grass leaves to pick for me!”
The cart driver laughed heartily, “Madam, with this kind of spirit and your daughter’s filial piety, your days are bound to get better and better!”
Mrs.
Zheng thanked him with a smile, her eyes also filled with a glimmer of hope.
…
However, once in the city, Mrs.
Zheng’s worries became even heavier.
The more prosperous the city, the more anxious she seemed.
Seeing the prices of grain and flour in the stores even made her restless.
Zheng Fa knew that she had been shocked by the cost of living.
The ox cart passed through familiar streets and approached the back gate of Zhao’s Mansion.
Compared to Huang Yu’s first arrival here, Mrs.
Zheng and Zheng Shan were even less composed, with the ever-curious Zheng Shan also tightly gripping Zheng Fa’s arm, looking rather fearful.
Gao Yuan was waiting at the back gate, and upon seeing the ox cart, he said directly, “The young master said there’s no need to get off, just go straight in.”
Zheng Fa felt a bit of warmth in his heart, considering that traditionally, this ox cart wouldn’t be allowed into Zhao Mansion.
Clearly, Seventh Young Master had considered this.
The old cart driver’s gaze towards Zheng Fa held a bit more reverence.
The residence gifted to Zheng Fa by the lady of the house was situated in a corner on the edge of Zhao Family’s property, far from the core areas and very secluded.
But…
it was an independent small courtyard!
At the sight of the courtyard walls, Zheng Shan opened her mouth wide in disbelief, asking, “Is this whole courtyard ours?”
Zheng Fa nodded.
Zheng Shan leaned forward eagerly, as if she were about to jump out of Zheng Fa’s arms.
As the ox-cart approached the courtyard gate, a plump figure stood at the entrance, surrounded by several large bundles, with a few male servants lifting the burdens.
“Have you arrived?”
This person greeted Zheng Fa and the others warmly.
Zheng Fa looked at this somewhat unfamiliar man and then heard Gao Yuan, a little embarrassed, speak up: “Zheng Fa, this is my father.”
Zheng Fa quickly jumped out of the cart and said to the man: “Hello, Uncle Gao!”
Mrs.
Zheng also got out of the cart with Zheng Shan, her gaze looking at Zheng Fa with confusion.
Zheng Fa whispered an explanation to Mrs.
Zheng: “Gao Yuan’s father, the second house’s steward.”
Mrs.
Zheng’s expression seemed startled.
In her understanding, a steward was a big shot—compared to a steward, Manager Wang who managed their farm was really nothing.
Mrs.
Zheng was about to bow in respect when Housekeeper Gao beat her to it, saying with a bow: “This must be Mrs.
Zheng, what a pleasure to meet you!”
Mrs.
Zheng was taken aback.
The old coachman had called her ‘Madam’ and she had felt a bit awkward.
Now, even this Housekeeper Gao was addressing her as such, and she seemed unsure of how to respond.
Seemingly noticing her speechlessness, Housekeeper Gao continued with a kind smile: “My son has received your son’s help.
Today, hearing of your family’s joyous move, I took the liberty to come and bring some modest gifts.”
He gestured toward the large chests behind him.
Zheng Fa spoke up: “Uncle Gao, you’re too modest; these gifts don’t look trivial at all.”
“They may seem abundant, but they’re actually just some trifles!” Housekeeper Gao said with a simple and honest laugh: “I thought that since you’ve just moved in and haven’t had time to procure furniture or buy groceries like rice and oil, I’ve prepared some things for you.”
Zheng Fa looked at the exquisitely carved step-bed behind him and fell into thought.
Noticing Zheng Fa’s silence, Housekeeper Gao’s face showed a hint of unease.
“Uncle, your intentions are appreciated!” Finally, Zheng Fa’s words brought a smile to his face.
“You flatter me, my dear nephew!”
“In the future, I will make sure to encourage Mr.
Gao more earnestly,” Zheng Fa said sincerely all of a sudden.
Gao Yuan, who was standing by: “Ah?”
The formality on Housekeeper Gao’s face lessened considerably, revealing a sincere joy: “Good!
Just push him to his limits…
encourage him hard!”
On the side, Mrs.
Zheng heard the old coachman mutter: “Such good fortune comes as easily as turning one’s hand over.”
She turned to look at her treasured weaving loom, which was so large that it seemed a bit superfluous.
…
The Zhao Family began settling into the courtyard.
Gao Yuan followed Housekeeper Gao into the distance, with a hint of melancholy on his face.
“What’s the matter, think your father is too eager to please others?”
Housekeeper Gao could tell what his son was thinking just by looking at his expression.
“Dad, Zheng Fa and I are friends…”
“Do you not know how you managed to keep your position as an Attendant Student?
How many in the mansion, from top to bottom, would like such a trivial gift in exchange for a student’s position?”
“Father?”
“Remember, the longer you want a relationship to last, the less you should take others’ kindness for granted.”
Gao Yuan understood and nodded in sincere agreement.
“Besides, for whom am I doing all this?
With Zheng Fa likely to be the Seventh Young Master’s confidant in the future, being generous now will bring you benefits later.”
“Dad, I understand!”
Gao Yuan felt a mix of guilt and touched emotion—wasn’t his father giving gifts to Zheng Fa for his own sake?
How could he accuse him of currying favor?
“Actually, there’s no need to wait for the future…” Housekeeper Gao showed a hint of cunning: “I’ve heard that Zheng Fa might have the chance to join the Immortal Sect.
A few days ago, the Seventh Young Master argued with his mother on his behalf, and as a result, she even rewarded him with a courtyard!”
“Are you suggesting…”
“I mean that we don’t even need the Seventh Young Master to favor him in the future, Mrs.
Zheng already thinks highly of him!” Having said that, Housekeeper Gao patted Gao Yuan on the shoulder: “You’re still young and can’t seize the opportunity.”
“Ah?”
“Leave the leg-hugging to your father for now.”
