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Hearing their conversation while watering the flowers in the courtyard, Lanhua set the watering can down, pushed aside the door curtain, and entered the room. She scolded Lancao, “You’re the one who loves gossiping the most. Why are you talking to Young Master like that?”
After Lancao’s reprimand, Lanhua turned to Chen Lu, saying, “Young Master, if you want to give away these ink and pens, feel free to do so. They were prepared by Madam for the young master, anyway. However, I still think we should use the gift from the External Affairs Department. If you don’t take it, those who are opportunistic will benefit.”
Though Chen Lu was shy and polite, he was also quite stubborn and shook his head. In his view, the gift from the External Affairs Department likely consisted of a few snacks and sweets, nothing of significant value. If he took it, people might criticize him for taking gifts from his uncle’s house and presenting them elsewhere. Such trivial items were not worth the trouble.
Before long, Sanquan arrived.Lanhua scolded him, “Why are you late? The young master has been waiting for you.”
Sanquan chuckled, “Ladies, while you have time to rest, I’m busy all day long. Since the young master is resting today, I thought I’d catch up on some sleep.”
He then respectfully said to Chen Lu, “Young Master, shall we go?”
Lanhua reminded Chen Lu, “Young Master, avoid rewarding those shameless individuals for no reason. You are Madam’s own brother, a master in your own right. There’s no need to waste silver just to please them.” Turning to Sanquan, she added, “Did you hear me? Keep a close eye on the young master’s purse.”
Both Sanquan and Lancao blushed slightly. Lanao rolled her eyes, and Sanquan quickly nodded in agreement.
As they reached the side gate, they noticed the absence of a suitable carriage.
One of the gatekeepers explained, “Oh, Young Master, you still plan to go out? The carriage has been waiting for a while, but when you didn’t show up, Steward Jiang assumed you had changed your mind and left for the outskirts of the city on official business. Should I go to the stables and arrange for another carriage?”
Sanquan exclaimed, “Why even ask? Let’s go.”
Chen Lu replied, “Thanks, young man. It’s fine, no need to arrange another carriage. I’ll just call for one when I go out.”
Sanquan pursed his lips in frustration but refrained from saying more. He knew that Young Master was frugal, so he would likely call for a simple cart or donkey cart, which lacked privacy and comfort.
As they exited the side gate, Sanquan remarked, “Young Master, why didn’t you ask the gatekeeper to arrange a proper carriage? Taking a donkey cart to your uncle’s house is quite embarrassing.”
Chen Lu explained, “Ordering a new carriage means paying the gatekeeper’s fee and the driver’s fee, costing at least two silver coins. If we call for a donkey cart, it’ll only cost a few copper coins.”
Sanquan responded, “Young Master, you’re too honest. Even if you don’t tip them, would they dare refuse to go? If they do, report it to Madam, they won’t get away with it.”
Chen Lu shook his head, saying, “Let’s forget it. My sister is unwell, and there’s much to handle at home. I don’t want to trouble her with these minor issues.”
Sanquan added, “If Madam assigns someone as formidable as Mama Luo to assist you, you won’t be taken lightly, and we servants would benefit too. Look at Dabao, although he’s not Madam’s biological son, no one dares to underestimate him because of Mama Luo’s influence. But you, as Madam’s own brother, still face…”
Chen Lu became angry and interrupted, “Stop. What you’re saying, I’m repeating. How can you speak ill of Dabao like this? My sister and brother-in-law treat Dabao as their own son, and I see him as my own nephew. If my sister hears such words, she won’t spare your tongue.”
Startled, Sanquan quickly apologized, “I was out of line, I won’t do it again.”
Chen Lu reassured them, “Rest assured, I will tell my sister that I will travel alone and won’t have you serve me in the countryside.”
He understood that Sanquan and Lancao feared becoming his personal servants in the future, accompanying him to the countryside. Currently serving at the General’s mansion, they might return to the capital and serve at the noble houses. By following him, they would become servants of a rural landlord. Understanding the importance of progress, he didn’t want to hinder their future prospects.
Sanquan awkwardly chuckled and didn’t deny his reluctance to accompany Chen Lu to the countryside. He explained, “It’s not that we don’t want to serve Young Master, it’s just that our parents are also here at the residence, and we can’t bear to leave them.”
As they reached the alley, there were ox carts and donkey carts available. The ox cart cost six wen, while the donkey cart cost five wen. Chen Lu, considering they were only two people, opted for the five-wen donkey cart.
Before Chen Lu boarded, Sanquan quickly wiped the cart with his sleeve, inviting Lu to take a seat. Chen Lu was dressed elegantly that day, wearing a moon-white embroidered silk robe. He didn’t want to soil his outfit, as he would surely face a scolding upon his return.
Midway, Chen Lu spotted a pastry shop and got off the cart to buy two packs of snacks, two packs of candied fruits, and two ribbons for Chen Aman and Wang Xiaomei.
After a ride of about three-quarters of an hour, they arrived at Chen Shi’s home, where not only the Chen family but also the Wang family were present.
Seeing them, Chen Lu smiled warmly. He felt comfortable and relieved here, able to express himself freely. He wished he could stay overnight at his uncle’s or Chen Shi’s house and attend classes at the General’s mansion during the day. However, fearing it might upset his sister, he refrained from mentioning it.
Chen Lu presented gifts to everyone, and particularly Uncle Tang and Xiaodi loved the pens and ink he had chosen for them.
Chen Aman chuckled, “Thank you, Lu, for thinking of buying two ribbons for Sister. It’s very considerate.”
After lunch, Chen Shi prepared to leave for the restaurant. To host Chen Lu, he had taken a half-day off. Before departing, Lu discreetly asked him to help convert ten taels of silver into five one-tael silver ingots and several silver coins.
Chen Shi complied with Lu’s request without a word. Later, he asked about Lu’s living habits at the General’s mansion.
Chen Lu shared that he was well looked after, dining with his sister in the main courtyard for lunch and dinner, having breakfast alone, and being attended to by numerous servants. He expressed missing his parents and his home at Luyuan.
After Chen Shi left, Wang Cheng also decided to head out with a few boys. Chen Lu hadn’t explored the city before due to his injury, so this excursion, accompanied by Chen Tang and Wang Xiaodi, excited him.
For dinner, Wang Cheng treated them to snacks at a restaurant, delighting the boys.
Later, Wang Cheng arranged for a donkey cart to drop off Chen Lu and Sanquan at the General’s mansion, Chen Tang at Chen’s house, and pick up Mrs. Wu and Wang Xiaomei.
As they reached the side gate of the General’s mansion, Wang Cheng noticed Chen Lu’s reluctance to leave and jokingly said, “Next time you have a break, come back to your uncle’s house to play.”