Xu Wanzhi put down his teacup and slowly stood up. Suddenly, facing the light, he raised an eyebrow and smiled: “I knew you should appear at this time.” Shen Kuang was much taller than him. He suddenly lowered his head to examine him strangely, his eyes somewhat confused. He inexplicably touched his nose bridge and asked: “What? Do I look particularly good today?” He nodded vaguely, realizing his question. Shen Kuang’s face turned slightly red, but he honestly scratched his head and said: “You seem different…”
Xu Wanzhi was even more puzzled, raising an eyebrow and waiting for more. Shen Kuang reached out and patted: “That’s it, your smile has changed today!”
Surprised by this discovery, he looked more seriously at the face in front of him, trying to understand what was different about this smile. “I think your eyes aren’t clear today,” Xu Wanzhi teased, not dwelling on the topic. He tapped the stone table to signal him to sit down and, as usual, poured tea for his guest. After seeing him drink, he asked: “Do you have good news today?” Shen Kuang was momentarily stunned, his face turning red. He glared at him angrily and said: “The person my master asked me to find left a message at the Qu family’s door yesterday, waiting for me at the Yinyuan Guest House at noon today.” “Oh? Congratulations then,” Xu Wanzhi smiled, looking at his excitement. “Are you sure it’s the person your master mentioned? Will you leave after completing your task?” Perhaps not expecting this question, Shen Kuang was stunned, lowered his head to look at him, and spoke in a low voice: “She left a token, just as my master said. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving…” Propping up his head, Xu Wanzhi spoke: “It’s almost noon. Take a Qu family member with you. If anything seems wrong, withdraw immediately.”
If you successfully complete the task your master gave you, come back and have lunch together before leaving. No excuses. How will you go back without money?”
Saying this, Xu Wanzhi clicked his tongue.
“…Okay.” Suddenly being given such “heartfelt” advice by the usually cold Qu master, Shen Kuang was surprised. His pure heart was filled with endless happiness.
Nodding, Xu Wanzhi lectured: “In any case, although your master’s orders are important, when you’re out, your own safety comes first.”
He spoke as if Shen Kuang was going to meet some great villain. Shen Kuang laughed secretly and didn’t argue, nodding: “I’ll be careful.”
The two continued to chat for a while. As time approached, Xu Wanzhi thought of borrowing someone from the Qu family, but then realized he didn’t know who to ask.
Qi’er came out from inside to add tea. Xu Wanzhi looked up: “Qi’er, can you ask the Qu steward to send a useful person to accompany Young Master Shen on a trip?”
“Young master, I just heard that the steward has gone out,” putting down her work, Qi’er lowered her head in shame, unable to fulfill her master’s request.
“Then—do you have any female acquaintances who could help?” Qi’er’s face turned red, and she hurriedly said: “This servant has no female acquaintances…” “Actually, young master can send someone yourself,” Qi’er bit her lip and reminded him. He was, after all, a master of the house and could casually dispatch a woman.
Listening to their conversation, this matter seemed quite troublesome. Shen Kuang waved his hand and interjected: “I don’t need anyone to accompany me.”
Xu Wanzhi continued to ask Qi’er: “Are there any other personnel managers in the Qu family? Is it difficult to have them send someone?”
Qi’er said: “This little servant doesn’t know—” Thinking of something, he whispered: “The family master is here, why don’t you…”
Xu Wanzhi glanced at him, frowned, stood up and walked out, saying softly: “I’ll go.”
Walking along the path he had taken before to the Jue courtyard, he was stopped at the door. The doorkeeper naturally recognized this master, but since the family master rarely allowed people to enter easily, they decided to report his arrival.
What a hassle! Xu Wanzhi thought to himself, but he was never one to overstep rules, so he stood quietly. Soon, Qu Yao came quickly, performed a family greeting, and said: “Master, please come in.”
Xu Wanzhi remembered her high status in the Qu family and directly asked: “I don’t have anything major, can I borrow someone?”
Qu Yao still bowed: “Since you’re here, Master, please go inside and speak with the family master.”
Stopping at the study door, Qu Yao said again: “The family master is inside.” Meaning, you go in yourself.
Actually, the door wasn’t closed. Climbing two steps and reaching the doorway, he still politely knocked three times, after which a low female voice from inside said: “Husband, come in.”
Xu Wanzhi raised an eyebrow and entered. Qu Xiaojue was sitting at the desk, seemingly reviewing some documents. Seeing him approach, she stopped and looked up.
“What is it?”
Xu Wanzhi casually scanned the books in the room and directly said: “Qu Family Master, please send someone to accompany Shen Kuang to the inn.”
Giving him a deep look, Qu Xiaojue lowered her eyes and continued her previous work, saying softly: “This matter need not be reported to me. Since you’ve come personally, just have Qu Shan go.”
She agreed so easily.
Glancing at the thick stack of papers like letters on her right side, Xu Wanzhi’s eyelids slightly raised – the things this woman had to handle seemed quite substantial.
“Thank you.”
Nodding towards her, Xu Wanzhi turned to leave. Just as he stepped out, he heard Qu Xiaojue’s low voice: “Husband, is there nothing else?”
“Hm?” He turned back, seeing Qu Xiaojue sitting upright and looking at him, seemingly waiting for him to say something. He honestly shook his head: “I have nothing else.”
Raising her eyes, Qu Xiaojue moved her eyebrows and said: “Since there’s nothing, if husband wants to express gratitude, clean my study before leaving. The tea is getting cold; when you go out to instruct Qu Shan, bring a new pot.” She tapped the teapot, indicating he should take it.
“Don’t you have many servants?” Xu Wanzhi raised an eyebrow and immediately countered.
She looked at him with a meaningful smile: “Husband, this is a study. How can servants casually enter?”
Xu Wanzhi had more contact with the servants of the Qu household today. After asking a servant for a watering can, he noticed the servant’s astonished expression.
He smiled politely and made the request again, and the young servant hurriedly ran to fill a full pot of water, afraid he might dirty his hands or wet his clothes, even wrapping it in an old cotton cloth.
Xu Wanzhi murmured a thanks, took it and walked towards the windowsill to water the potted plants.
The potted plants didn’t need frequent watering; they were originally quite resilient plants, and the soil in the pot was not dry. He was probably just looking for something to do. Xu Wanzhi didn’t mind, carefully estimating the water amount and gently watering the two pine trees, stopping when he saw the soil was moist.
As he turned with the pot, Qu Xiaojue had just finished his work. Seeing him about to leave, he stood up and said, “It’s noon. Stay and have a meal.”
Xu Wanzhi nodded slightly: “Thank you for your kindness. No need, I’ve already made plans with Shen Kuang.” Seeing she didn’t try to stop him, he turned and left the courtyard.
Watching his slender figure fade away, Qu Xiaojue narrowed her eyes slightly and called, “Qu Yao.”
“I’m here,” Qu Yao silently appeared, waiting for instructions. “That Shen Kuang—” she paused briefly and said coldly, “Help him complete his task and make him leave quickly.”
“Yes,” Qu Yao responded and disappeared.
When Xu Wanzhi returned to his courtyard and saw Qi’er’s worried expression, he smiled helplessly: “Qi’er, I told you, no matter where I go, you don’t need to wait. I’ll be fine.”
