After bidding farewell to the "young lord," Ji Chengjue silently clapped his hands, as if brushing off invisible dust.

Shortly after,

Master Zhang came over, first squatting down to clean up the broken tea cup lid, then asked:

"Master, isn't this person the young lord from the North?"

Ji Chengjue shook his head, saying:

"I don't know either."

Master Zhang further said:

"Master, even if this person is truly the young lord from the North, it's difficult to have a deep friendship with such a person, not to mention, he is far inferior to Lord Pingye."

"You haven't seen Zheng Fan for quite a long time, have you?"

"It's been a long time indeed, but Master, as the saying goes, judging a person by what they were at three, Lord Pingye might have started from humble origins, but that flair he exuded, others couldn't imitate it even if they tried.

If one were a lazy rogue at the village head, it would be irrelevant, because they actually also possess such flair, but Lord Pingye happens to be a capable person.

To have talent and not be arrogant, to be in a low position without being disheartened, this is true magnanimity.

And the one who just left, doesn't measure up."

Ji Chengjue rubbed his temples, not speaking.

Master Zhang picked up the broken porcelain pieces, stood up, and whispered:

"Master, as you said earlier about the cup lid, finding this person indeed took us quite some effort, and some fortunate coincidences.

Given he is a shadow, whose hand holds the string to this shadow?"

Master Zhang is one of Ji Chengjue's trusted people, and need not restrain himself in speech.

His implication was, if this was merely bait, then who cast the line?

Is it to protect the real son, the Earl of North Border?

Or, is it for the current…

Ji Chengjue shook his head, saying:

"Follow the vine to find the melon, but no one dares to bite the bait to trace the fishing line."

If you trace it to the Earl of North Border, it's death.

If you trace it to His Majesty, it's also death.

Master Zhang was enlightened, then sighed with mixed emotions and said:

"Master, just now the one we saw is pitiful, being a shadow but always believing he is the real one."

"Do you pity him?"

Ji Chengjue laughed softly twice, and said slowly:

"What if he is intentionally pretending? Pretending to be impatient, pretending to be without sophistication, pretending to lack determination, pretending to hastily eat the hot tofu."

"Pretending?" Master Zhang was stunned.

Ji Chengjue pointed to the broken porcelain pieces in Master Zhang's hand,

and said:

"People are different from cup lids; cup lids, once smashed are just smashed;

but people, if you know they are fake, and smashing them would make a mess, one just couldn't be bothered."

...

"He Chu, tidy up this courtyard."

"Alright, Dad."

"Move quickly, we need to start cooking at the new home tonight."

"Got it, Dad."

He Chu began sweeping the courtyard with a broom, while sweeping, he looked up and saw two people standing at the gate.

A man with slightly gray hair, followed by an old servant.

"Who are you?" He Chu asked.

"Oh, I am the landlord," the middle-aged man replied.

"Landlord?"

"The people from the Slave Market notified me today; this little courtyard has been rented out, so I just came by to have a look."

"He Chu, who is here?"

Old He walked out from the inner room.

"Dad, they say it's our landlord."

"Landlord? When signing the lease at the Slave Market, it wasn't you."

"The one who signed was a steward from my home, I just heard it was rented out, so I came to have a look, and brought you some gifts."

The old servant behind the middle-aged man stepped forward, presenting some wrapped rice cakes and a jar of wine.

"Oh, this can't be done, this can't be done, where in the world do tenants receive gifts from landlords."

Old He hastily stepped forward to hand the items back,

"Your little courtyard was already priced reasonably, I checked, it's thirty percent cheaper than surrounding areas of the same level, you see, I came with my son to the capital in a hurry, finding a place like this is already to our advantage.

Just earlier, I told my son that once we settle in and tidy up, we should certainly bring you some preserved meat to thank you."

The middle-aged man waved his hand casually,

saying:

"Please accept these items, to be honest, I lived in this courtyard when I was young, later I ventured into business, made some money, and moved into a three-entry new house, but here, holds the nostalgia of my childhood.

A house, if left uninhabited, however good it may be, becomes desolate, cold, and ruined.

I came today, bearing little gifts, hoping you will help manage this place well; if the rent is too high for you, it can be further reduced."

"No, no." Old He shook his head immediately: "We are already taking advantage of you, to not be satisfied would be improper. As for the house, rest assured, I am considerate; any repairs needed I will have my son take care of, occupying a homeowner's property requires cherishing someone's belongings."

"Alright, take these things."

"Alright, alright, I will accept them, but you should stay for dinner, if you think well of me, give me this honor!"

The middle-aged man waved his hand,

and directly sat on a wooden stool nearby,

saying:

"Okay, then I will be in your care."

"Ah, see what you are saying, if you hadn't come, would I not eat dinner? It's merely a matter of an extra pair of chopsticks.

I am new to the capital, looking all around, how do they say it? It's like people, houses, and shops are all unfamiliar."