Evergreen Immortal-Chapter 18: Year’s End

“Master, do you think the kitchen will cook red-braised pork this year for the New Year? I heard they brought in two whole pigs just yesterday!”

Wang Zhao's eyes sparkled as he spoke.

He could practically still smell the aroma of last year’s red-braised pork.

That taste—he would never forget it, no matter how many years passed.

For ordinary people in Qinghe, eating meat even once a year was a luxury. But in the Zhu household, it was possible. That was one of the reasons people were willing to sell themselves into servitude.

Li Rui gave Wang Zhao a light knock on the head.

“All you think about is food.”

“By the way, did you memorize what I taught you, how to mix in beans and eggs, and how to tell if a horse has indigestion?”

Wang Zhao nodded proudly.

“I remembered it all!”

Master is the best!

These were all trade secrets passed down by experienced stablehands, and he had been taught everything without reservation.

But soon after, Wang Zhao seemed to recall something. His face suddenly fell, looking as if he were about to cry.

“Master, are you going to die?”

“Please don’t die… at least not before New Year’s, okay?”

He’d often heard the elders in the village say that before someone died, they would show signs. His great-grandfather, for example, had put on clean clothes and calmly laid down in bed, and then passed away.

His master's recent behavior looked very much like he was settling final affairs.

Li Rui glared at him.

“You brat, trying to curse me to death, huh?”

Seeing his master react like that, Wang Zhao was finally relieved.

Li Rui looked at Wang Zhao’s carefree expression and sighed inwardly.

Their master-disciple bond… was coming to an end.

With his current skills, it would be difficult enough just to ensure his own safe departure. Taking Wang Zhao with him was simply impossible. The Zhu family was the top household in Qinghe, not someone he could afford to provoke.

After he redeemed himself, Wang Zhao would likely become the next official stablehand.

That position was originally meant for Ma Yang, but he had been too impatient, and paid for it with his life.

As for Old Yang, there was no need for special arrangements.

Yang Yong was a guard and held some status within the Zhu household. At most, it would take a few drinks to settle things with him.

Over the past few days, Li Rui had taken care of everything.

“Tomorrow is the day I redeem myself.”

The Zhu family, being a large household, was strict with their traditions. Preparations for the New Year had started over a month ago.

Opening the ancestral shrine, cleaning, tidying sacred tools, inviting ancestral spirits, changing spring couplets—

The New Year was a major family event. It had to be done properly, not just to uphold family tradition, but also to avoid being mocked by other prominent families in the city for an entire year.

Not only did the Zhu family’s Matriarch strictly supervise the preparations, but even Master Zhu would often personally inquire about progress.

The busy work usually continued until the 29th, which was today.

On this day, most household heads would show kindness and give the servants a day off. Families with good reputations might even spend money to treat their hard-working servants to a proper meal.

That’s when they had red-braised pork last year.

But this year was different.

Because someone in the Zhu household was turning seventy.

According to the laws of the Yu Kingdom, turning seventy was considered an auspicious sign. A local magistrate was expected to personally visit. However, the one who arrived at the Zhu residence today was not the county magistrate, but a Judicial Officer, the fourth-ranking official in the local court.

“It is truly an honor to have Lord Ma grace our humble home.”

Zhu Ping, the head of the Zhu household, personally received him.

The Zhu family's business was booming, but they still depended on the county offices. So naturally, they treated these government officials with great courtesy.

Lord Ma, the Judicial Officer, was a lean, middle-aged man.

Ten years ago, at the age of forty, he passed the provincial exam and became a Juren, earning him his current position. As Judicial Officer, he was in charge of rituals and legal affairs within his jurisdiction.

“Master Zhu, I heard someone in your household is turning seventy. On orders from Magistrate Zhang, I’ve come to pay respects.”

Zhu Ping’s eyes, already narrow from smiling, practically disappeared.

“Yes, it’s a stablehand named Li Rui. He’ll turn seventy come spring.”

Someone reaching the age of seventy was a notable event worthy of inclusion in the county records.

The Zhu family would also benefit from this, basking in reflected honor.

In ancient times, longevity was seen as a sign of a prosperous and virtuous household.

Zhu Ping had actually treated Li Rui quite well over the years, largely because he was worried Li Rui might die before reaching seventy.

He ushered Lord Ma into the main hall and instructed the steward to summon Li Rui.

After all, having a court official personally walk over to greet a servant, even a seventy-year-old one, would be highly improper.

Very soon, Li Rui was brought into the main hall by Steward Zhu.

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Seeing the man seated beside Master Zhu in the place of honor, he immediately recognized him as the Judicial Officer of the court and moved to bow.

But Lord Ma raised a hand in advance.

“At seventy, there’s no need to bow to me anymore. I can't bear it.”

Hearing that, Li Rui simply straightened his back.

Lord Ma chuckled warmly.

“So, you’re Li Rui? And you’ll be seventy by spring?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very good, very good. With Elder Li here, it shows that Qinghe is well-governed. Our Great Yu is peaceful and prosperous.”

Lord Ma was in an excellent mood.

Having someone in his jurisdiction reach seventy would earn him a mark of merit in his performance record.

Political achievements were built up one by one. Who knew? One day, he might be promoted to Chief Registrar or even County Deputy.

As for becoming County Magistrate, he didn’t even dare to dream.

Coming from a poor background, reaching Deputy Magistrate would already be a miracle for his family.

Zhu Ping was also all smiles.

It was a political achievement for Lord Ma, but to him, it was proof of his excellent household management. In just thirty years, the Zhu family had risen from obscurity to become Qinghe’s top clan.

Aside from the Zhu brothers' daring in their youth, this also came from Zhu Ping’s emphasis on family values.

He knew very well, if the Zhu family ever wanted to become a century-spanning or even millennium-old clan, family values were key.

In some prestigious families, even the servants carried themselves with more dignity than the main line of lesser clans. That was the difference.

That’s why he disapproved of his younger brother’s behavior.

Running with the underground world was not a long-term path.

Lord Ma exchanged a few more kind words with Li Rui, expressing the “care” of a benevolent official toward his people.

Of course, it was just empty talk.

Li Rui was tactful and didn’t make any unreasonable requests that would put Lord Ma in an awkward position.

Lord Ma couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: if only all the people of Qinghe were as well-behaved and obedient as this old man, what a peaceful place it would be.

He turned to look at Zhu Ping and signaled that it was time for the final part of the ceremony.

Zhu Ping beamed.

“Old Li, how has the Zhu family treated you over the years?”

“The master has always treated me well.”

Hearing that, Zhu Ping looked even more satisfied.

“Old Li, if I remember correctly, you’ve been with the Zhu family for fifty years now. You’ve served three generations of our family, your contributions are significant.”

“If you’re willing, you may continue to stay. If not, you may also choose to leave.”

Zhu Ping spoke confidently.

Li Rui was already seventy years old. If he left the Zhu family, he couldn’t even farm land anymore. With no wife or children, a solitary widower, there was no reason for him to leave.

That’s why Zhu Ping was so sure of himself.

But Li Rui shook his head.

“I am unwilling.”

“Please, Master, grant this old servant the kindness of releasing me from my servitude.”

Now the real fun begins :O