If he can eat better, why wouldn’t Zhang Chen be happy about it? He doesn’t have any masochistic tendencies.
Upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, the person couldn’t help but become furious and angrily reprimanded, "The Shen Family is simply too bullying, don’t be afraid, I will stand up for you."
"Big brother, you are simply too good to me, making me feel the warmth of family," Zhang Chen looked at Zhang Gaoqiu, his eyes reddened, looking as if he was so grateful he might burst into tears at any moment.
Zhang Gaoqiu was currently trying to gain Zhang Chen’s trust to take advantage of him later, and upon hearing Zhang Chen’s words, he thought his attempt to win Zhang Chen over was working, and he couldn’t help but show a smug smile: "Hahaha, we are family, aren’t we, there’s no need for such formality between us brothers. If they look down on you, it’s like looking down on me, and it’s like looking down on the Zhang Family."
Zhang Chen was deeply moved, and he looked at the excited Zhang Gaoqiu and seized the opportunity to say, "Big brother, I’ve been short on money recently, and I’m a bit strapped..."
Zhang Chen rubbed his hands together, looking expectantly at Zhang Gaoqiu.
Zhang Gaoqiu nonchalantly pulled out a stack of silver notes from his sleeve and casually handed it to Zhang Chen: "This is ten thousand taels of silver, feel free to use it, if you need more, just come to me."
Looking at the ten thousand taels of silver notes in hand, Zhang Chen was overjoyed and thought to himself, "I’ll collect some interest first!"
The two of them, each with their own ulterior motives, returned to the Shen Family, and sure enough, from that day on, Zhang Chen’s meals returned to their former sumptuous state the next day.
Little Xiaodouding looked at the food served by the servants, with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "What is the Shen Family doing? They gave us the food of lower servants the day before, and now it’s back to gourmet dishes?"
Zhang Chen, who was beside him, smiled and said, "Perhaps some kind-hearted soul lent us a helping hand."
As he was speaking, he suddenly heard the sound of tinkling jewelry, and a stunningly beautiful woman walked in from outside the courtyard: "Chen, we meet again. I noticed that the servants were being disrespectful and dared to offend the honored guests of the Shen Family, so I’ve come to apologize."
Zhang Chen looked at the woman, who imitated the language of "The Dream of the Red Chamber" in terms of attire, demeanor, and aura. She wore a golden silk headdress adorned with jewels, with emeralds mounted into it, the swaying gems and tassels adding to her elegance. Around her neck hung a necklace with a gold chain and carvings of mythical beasts, under that a red pleated skirt with gold embroidery, and on her feet, she wore black satin shoes with thick soles. Her phoenix eyes exuded authority, her shapely eyebrows displayed dignity, her figure was graceful, her demeanor majestic, her face calm and showing prestige, her voice steady, and her every movement noble and dignified.
Zhang Chen recognized this woman; he had seen her before at the Old Lady’s place, she was the matron of the Shen Mansion: Wang Xifeng.
In a secluded pavilion
Zhang Gaoqiu held a document in his hand, examining it, when suddenly there was a rush of footsteps, and he saw Shen Ling coming angrily from afar, her voice lashing out before she even arrived: "Zhang Gaoqiu, what do you mean by this? Why did you report to my aunt, asking them to restore the meals for that outsider?"
Zhang Gaoqiu looked at the fuming Shen Ling, casually put the letter away, and showed a smug smile, reaching out to hold Shen Ling’s hands and softly reassured her, "Don’t be anxious, I have a plan! I’ve already tricked that boy and gained his trust, which will make it even more secure for us to frame him at a critical moment in the future. Right now, just using some small favors to buy him off is the most cost-effective for us."
Zhang Gaoqiu recounted what happened that day at Jiu Lou and elaborated on his plan to Shen Ling.
"When do you plan to make your move?" Shen Ling fixed her gaze on Zhang Gaoqiu and asked.
"I fear it is difficult to remove that restriction and obtain that Secret Treasure, and I may need that boy’s help in the future. Let’s wait and see; if I can’t dismantle that restriction and get the recognition of that Secret Treasure, we may deceive that boy into helping. We can then frame him and take back the treasure!" Zhang Gaoqiu’s voice was full of confidence.
Shen Ling felt slightly reassured upon hearing this, then asked, "What do you have in mind?"
"Offer a beauty to entice that boy," Zhang Gaoqiu suggested, "once he sullies a woman’s honor, how could he face proposing marriage again?"
"Ordinary women won’t work, the chosen woman’s status must be high enough, otherwise, the family will suppress the incident and just have him take the woman as a concubine, which would benefit him," Shen Ling said with a trace of disgust in her eyes.
"I think the first wife, Wang Xifeng, would be suitable; if he sullied Wang Xifeng, the master wouldn’t spare him, how could he stay in the Shen family afterward," Zhang Gaoqiu’s voice carried cold resolve.
Seeing Shen Ling’s unusual gaze, Zhang Gaoqiu hurriedly clarified: "It’s not really to defile her, but to catch him red-handed the moment he attempts."
"No! You are incredibly bold to plot against my mother. If anything goes wrong, it will be beyond our control," Shen Ling quickly rejected.
"Ordinary women may not have sufficient status; later, the Shen Family will simply smooth things over by giving the woman to him, inadvertently achieving his ends," Zhang Gaoqiu remarked.
"We have some more time; let’s carefully consider our target. Choosing the first lady is too risky," Shen Ling noted.
Zhang Chen’s courtyard
Zhang Chen saw Wang Xifeng and hurriedly stood up to bow: "Greetings, Aunt."
Wang Xifeng smiled kindly: "Some of the below par servants didn’t know better and embezzled your meal expenses; the family is large, and regulation is lax, how dare they commit such atrocious acts."
Looking at the woman in front of him, full of aristocratic aura and radiant in spring sunshine, Zhang Chen thought to himself, "Truly a celestial-like person. Clearly dignified and majestic, yet exuding an indescribable allure!"
"Auntie is joking. With a great family and a vast business, it’s inevitable there will be management shortcomings. When there are many people in the household, good and bad are bound to mix. This can’t be blamed on Auntie." Zhang Chen glanced over Wang Xifeng’s curvaceous figure, a sudden inexplicable heat rising in his heart, yet it was instantly quelled, a coolness washing over him.
Speaking of appearance, whether it’s Xie Lingyun or the Princess, none surpass Wang Xifeng, yet they are missing that certain flair Wang Xifeng possesses.
Wang Xifeng ordered her men to tie up the steward and servant boys in the courtyard and said to Zhang Chen, "Brother Zhang, I’ve already brought the people who offended you. You may decide their punishment. Such unruly servants deserve no less than death."
The steward and servant boys, faces filled with terror, knelt on the ground begging for mercy, tears and snot running down their faces, kowtowing fervently.
Hearing Wang Xifeng’s words, a cold smile played on Zhang Chen’s lips: "In that case, Auntie might as well execute them. What use is there for such unruly servants?"
Wang Xifeng was momentarily stunned, a look of surprise in her eyes, then she regained her composure, an embarrassed smile appearing on her face: "Killing them might be excessive. These people have families and children to care for; it’s not easy for them either. How about giving each thirty strikes, enough to leave them half-dead."
"Thank you, Madame!"
"Thank you, Madame!"
...
The steward and servant boys knelt in gratitude.
Zhang Chen smiled at Wang Xifeng: "As Auntie says."
Afterwards, things became simple. Wang Xifeng chatted with Zhang Chen about odds and ends, inquired about his well-being, and then took her leave.
As she walked out of Zhang Chen’s Lixiang Garden, Wang Xifeng sighed softly: "Truly, the son of a fierce tiger is not a dog. This boy is truly extraordinary, with such a ruthless heart!"
Inside Lixiang Garden
Zhang Chen’s eyes gazed into the distance, watching Wang Xifeng’s retreating figure, a thoughtful expression in his eyes, yet he said nothing more.
In a flash, Zhang Chen disappeared from where he stood, reappearing at the Dragon Tiger Escort Agency in Jinling City.
The Dragon Tiger Escort Agency, situated in the most bustling area of Jinling City, spans dozens of acres, resembling a large estate. At the entrance, eight escort masters stand guard, with a steward welcoming and seeing off visitors incessantly. The agency’s entrance is bustling with activity.
Zhang Chen thought of Chen Ping, wondering how he was faring. Now, being unfamiliar with the complexities of Jinling City, he desperately needed a local to help orient himself, which is why he thought of Chen Ping.
"Sir, have you come to the agency to escort a person or goods?" As Zhang Chen stood surveying the agency’s entrance, a steward approached respectfully to inquire.
The agency, navigating the Martial World, thrives on friendships, interacting with people of all walks of life. The steward did not condescend Zhang Chen for his coarse, plain clothing.
"I have an acquaintance with your Young Leader. I have come today to pay a visit. Could you please inform him?" Zhang Chen presented the token Chen Ping had left with him.
Upon seeing the token, the steward’s attitude grew even more respectful: "Sir, my young master left for the Northern Land three years ago on an escort mission and has yet to return. You could leave an address, and once our Young Leader returns, I will convey your message on your behalf."
"Not returned yet?" Zhang Chen was taken aback by the news.
The steward, skilled in reading expressions, observed Zhang Chen’s change in demeanor and cautiously added: "Since you carry a token to come to the agency, you are a friend of ours. If you face any difficulty, feel free to speak with me. If the agency can assist, we will not decline."
"No need!" Zhang Chen put away the token and said, "Just tell your Young Leader that someone named Zhang Chen came looking for him."
Having said this, Zhang Chen turned and disappeared into the crowd, yet as fate would have it, at this very moment, a familiar figure caught his eye.
Both Zhang Chen and the other person spotted each other; they looked at one another. The man turned out to be Liu Ji, the village chief of a small village from years past, an unexpected encounter in such a place.
Meeting an old acquaintance thousands of miles away, and with such perfect timing, the mystery of fate is truly profound.
Yet, a trace of killing intent brewed within Zhang Chen, for Liu Ji had joined the Yellow Heaven Dao, and given his own sordid history with the Yellow Heaven Dao, should his whereabouts be exposed, peace would surely elude him.