Reborn: The First Rank 'Madam” – C61

C61 – I Am Only Interested in Money

Nanny Liu commenced packing her belongings. She had finally grasped why San Ye had forbidden her from unpacking when they had embarked on the ship.

While San Ye remained the familiar figure she had known, she gradually perceived a transformation in him. He grew more astute and less daunted. She believed that San Ye’s evolution went beyond mere surface changes.

In the days when Lady Ruan was alive, she had constantly praised her child’s kindness and expressed concern about his well-being. If she were aware of how much San Ye had transformed, she would surely burst into laughter.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Upon Luo Xiaoliu’s return, Zuo Shaoqing glanced at the two individuals accompanying him and broke into an immediate smile.

It appeared that Zuo Yunyang had reached this port a day ahead of them. Serendipitously, he had encountered Luo Xiaoliu while on his way to purchase medicine, and upon learning of his nephew’s illness, he had promptly abandoned his business and rushed to his side.

It all made sense now. Zuo Shaoqing had declined the company of Senior Servant Qin and Cheng Gui because he had someone to care for him.

With Zuo Yunyang’s arrival, Zuo Shaoyan’s worries completely dissipated. There was no need for him to make further arrangements. Whatever happened to Zuo Shaoqing was no longer his concern.

Bid farewell, they did, in high spirits. Zuo Shaoqing, Zuo Shaoqing, and the other two trailed behind Zuo Yunyang as they disembarked. As they watched the boat depart, a sense of relief washed over them.

“Haha...” Second Uncle had arranged a lavish meal at the city’s finest restaurant and eagerly anticipated his nephew’s presence.

Zuo Shaoqing greeted him with a warm smile and expressed, “Thank you for looking out for me, Second Uncle.”

“Certainly, I am your second uncle!”

They exchanged knowing smiles before entering the waiting carriage by the roadside.

On the more distant ship, a maid suddenly cried out, “Ah... Someone, quick... He’s passed away!”

As a crowd gathered, they discovered that the ship’s crewman with some medical knowledge had met a dreadful fate. He lay lifeless, naked in a corner of the cabin, his entire body sporting a ghastly shade of purple.

“What has occurred?” Zuo Shaoyan inquired calmly.

The boat’s captain, accustomed to rough weather, appeared much more composed than the servants and wives from Zuo’s Mansion. Stepping forward, he examined the lifeless body. “It seems this person perished from the cold, no visible injuries.”

Frozen to death? It left everyone bewildered. Exposing oneself to the harsh elements in such frigid conditions seemed unthinkable for any ordinary individual.

Zuo Shaoyan, who had just relaxed, furrowed his brow. “I’m not concerned with how he met his end, and I’m not inclined to be delayed because of it. You decide what to do.”

“Well...” He reluctantly removed his coat and draped it over the deceased before calling for his brother’s assistance. Together, they heaved the body off the boat, his thoughts weighing heavy: “I apologize, brother, but I’ll make sure your family is looked after upon my return.”

“Is Shao Qing interested in business?” Zuo Yunyang’s heart skipped a beat. He had one son and one daughter, with his daughter destined for marriage and his sole son disinterested in business. Thus, the future of the family enterprise posed a significant challenge.

Zuo Shaoqing slyly winked at him. “I’m only interested in silver.”

“Haha... You mustn’t let the capital’s officials catch wind of that. Regardless of your examination performance, they won’t dare to employ you if they think you’re greedy,” a clear hint that he might become a corrupt official in the future.

“Having an interest in silver doesn’t imply that your nephew will hoard it for personal gain or exploit the common people. I merely wish to savor its essence.”

“In that case, in the future, you can manage all the silver that Second Uncle earns.” After all, every coin touched by him would be well spent.

Zuo Shaoqing expressed his gratitude, thinking, “I should thank my Second Uncle for his generosity. It might help us save some money in the future.”

Unaware that his pocket money had already been noted, Zuo Yunyang said, “You mentioned getting some mutton soup yesterday, right? Let’s go after lunch, and I’ll treat you to Qingfu Restaurant’s famous mutton soup.”

Zuo Shaoqing observed that aside from his uncle’s generosity, another advantage of having Second Uncle was his love for good food. No matter where they went, he seemed to have an uncanny ability to find the most delicious dishes.

Zuo Shaoqing had no complaints about indulging in some good food. He greeted Nanny Liu and Luo Xiaoliu and followed Zuo Yunyang out.

Qingfu Restaurant wasn’t a fancy establishment. It was an old, slightly run-down building with creaky stairs, but it was packed with customers. Both the upstairs and downstairs were bustling with patrons.

Zuo Yunyang had pre-booked a private room and promptly ordered when they were seated, “Our usual order, five dishes and one soup, and add extra spice to the lamb soup. It’s delicious and warms the soul.”

He then realized he wasn’t dining alone this time and asked Zuo Shaoqing with some embarrassment, “Can you handle spicy food, Shao Qing?”

Zuo Shaoqing nodded and replied, “A little bit.” People in Youuxi Town weren’t accustomed to spicy food, and he had developed a taste for it during his time in the capital.

The server wiped the table and said, “Certainly, Master. Please be patient; your food will be ready shortly.”

Zuo Shaoqing waited patiently for about half an hour, eagerly anticipating the dishes. The aroma from the kitchen and the growling of his stomach made him eager to dig in.

Zuo Yunyang reassured him, “No need to rush; the best things in life take time to prepare.”

When the dishes finally arrived, Zuo Shaoqing served some soup to Wu Tie and took a sip himself.

The rich aroma of the mutton soup tantalized Zuo Shaoqing’s taste buds. It was pleasantly spicy and lacked the usual gaminess of ordinary mutton soup. Zuo Shaoqing relished every spoonful.

Meanwhile, Zuo Yunyang had already downed two bowls and asked with a satisfied smile, “How’s the taste?”

Zuo Shaoqing replied, “Even better than our home-cooked meals.” He rarely dined out, and at home, Nanny Liu usually prepared their meals. Most of the time, the food would be lukewarm or cold, like the mutton soup, which was best enjoyed piping hot.

As he continued savoring his meal, Zuo Shaoqing found himself not just relishing the flavors but also experiencing an uplift in his mood.