Chapter 10, experience is the best teacher

As long as it is edible, it doesn't matter whether it is soft or hard

However, Zhao Hao suddenly interjected, saying: "Uncle, your intentions are good, but it is indeed more practical to provide some silver for immediate assistance"

Zhao Shouye could not help but feel a pang of pain in his heart, but since his nephew had already said so much, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and take out two ingots of silver.

Zhao Shouzheng had not considered that aspect, and he nodded in deep agreement, saying: "Indeed, my father spent half his life in officialdom to obtain this position of favor; my elder brother must also uphold it. After enduring for nine years, there will surely be a promotion."

Inside the carriage, a soft carpet is laid out, accompanied by a small table made of sandalwood, on which are placed several exquisite snacks and fruits, as well as a silver square box

"Yes, it was I who spoke incorrectly. The quality I admire most about you, my lord, is your confidence." The woman’s eyes were filled with admiration

She appeared dignified and luxurious, clearly someone accustomed to commanding others. Yet at this moment, she picked up a cotton cloth like a maid and personally served Zhao Liben, wiping his hands and face.

As soon as Zhao Liben got into the carriage, the maid closed the door and went straight to the carriage behind, no longer disturbing the two people inside the compartment

When Zhao Liben and the woman got off the vehicle, there was surprisingly not a single idle person at the dock. This dock, after all, was also privately owned by this noblewoman. Dozens of servants and guards had long since sealed off the entrances and exits to prevent too many eyes from prying.

Is there anyone in the official residence to do your laundry and cook for you? If there is ready-made food, do you go and cook for yourself? Can't you do the accounting?" Zhao Shouye said sternly as he lectured his son

After hesitating for a moment, he retracted and said: "After your aunt and sister return, I will also look for a place to rent, and I can only give you this much." However, the Zhao family is not composed solely of single men; Zhao Shouye has a wife and daughter... But once the old man’s matter came to light, she took her daughter back to her family...

Sigh... He let out a long sigh, seemingly filled with deep sorrow

Zhao Liben could not help but shed tears of bitterness, covering his face and weeping: "In my lifetime of officialdom, I have ended up in such a fate, truly like a dream in the South Branch..."

Zhao Hao was afraid that Zhao Shouye would change his mind again, so he quickly accepted the ingot of five taels of silver

As they spoke, the carriage arrived at a dock by the Qinhuai River. Zhao Liben lifted the curtain of the carriage and saw a passenger boat flying the flag of 'Wu Ji', quietly moored there. The boat had three decks and was adorned with exquisite carvings and paintings, showcasing great luxury. Even when compared to the ornate pleasure boats of the nobility that traversed the river, it was by no means inferior.

Sigh, as a mere sixth-rank official in charge of the treasury, my meager monthly salary is truly insufficient to assist you Zhao Shouye sighed, wanting to cut off Zhao Shouzheng's request for a loan

The woman then opened the silver box, inside was a steaming cotton cloth

Zhao Liben nodded in satisfaction, a barely perceptible look of pleasure fleetingly crossed his face as he said, "This is more like it"

As Zhao Liben settled onto the couch, the woman in her forties gracefully bowed, her eyes filled with joy

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xian could not help but let out a sneer

It turns out he secretly followed behind, clearly hearing everything that the two sons said

Zhao Xian finally couldn't hold back and asked: "Father, this morning I clearly saw you tuck away forty taels, so why is there only ten left"

Two carriages slowly made their way along the banks of the Qinhuai River

Zhao Xian could not help but exclaim, "Ah? Are we not going to stay at the official residence? Why are we going to my maternal grandfather's house?"

Zhao Shouye was immediately enraged and kicked his son in the backside, saying: "Are you foolish? Your maternal grandfather's family is obsessed with wealth; do you think they would let us stay without any gifts?"

At the street corner, unable to see the old gentleman, Zhao Shouye finally stopped and said to his younger brother: "Second brother, for the time being, I can only stay in the official residence. The place is small, and I am not familiar with it, making it inconvenient to accommodate outsiders... Do you have any place to go?"

Having spoken, he slowly sat down in front of the shadow wall, staring blankly at the large red gate that had lost its plaque

Sigh... Zhao Liben finally let out a sigh and reached out to help the woman up

Zhao Liben remained unperturbed, standing tall with a straight back, and stepped onto the carriage.

Early in the morning, five members of the family, carrying their bundles, exited the grand entrance of the Zhao residence

Zhao Liben snorted softly, slightly raising his chin and said: "Having navigated the officialdom for many years, what matter is there that I cannot settle? Why should you be concerned?"

Sigh, is soft rice really that delicious? One after another, they lack any backbone... Zhao Liben sighed repeatedly, seemingly feeling guilty about his failure in education

Amidst the sighs, a subtly luxurious double-drawn carriage came to a steady stop beside Zhao Liben

The father and son were conversing as they headed west

Zhao Shouye also chimed in, saying: "Yes, Father, let the second one take you; after all, they have nothing much to do."

I told you to wait outside the city, why are you not listening!

Sigh, I stuffed twenty taels into your grandfather's pouch. Zhao Shouye sighed again: The old man said not to give him a single penny, can I really take that seriously

Zhao Liben, however, showed no signs of leniency, and with a stern face reprimanded, "What if my descendants were to encounter this? How would we resolve it?"

"I understand that the gentleman wishes to avoid any misunderstandings, and thus I cannot allow you to enter the door of a widow." The noblewoman sighed with a hint of melancholy, then immediately smiled warmly, saying: "How about this? I will accompany the gentleman to Suzhou for a change of scenery. Once the gentleman has rested and made a decision..." As she spoke, a trace of shyness unexpectedly appeared on her face as she said: "Wherever you wish to go, I shall follow you there."

Zhao Shouye glared at his son, yet he held no hope for his brother's achievements either

... ...

A charming woman smiled and waved her hand at Zhao Liben

"You are being overly meddlesome!" Zhao Liben, however, did not take it to heart and replied bluntly, "They have lived in comfort for decades, each of them has become useless. I am just about to take this opportunity to toughen them up."

Zhao Shouzheng looked at his son and said: "It is the year of the great competition, we must try again..."

There is no need. Zhao Liben waved his hand and pretended to be carefree as he said loudly: "Coming empty and leaving empty, the horizon stretches endlessly, breaking one's heart. I am strong and healthy, I can return by myself. You all should go your separate ways now, let me be alone for a while."

The children and grandchildren all accompanied me in shedding a tear, and only then did I manage to regain my composure

When the leader and his son also disappeared, Zhao Liben walked out of the alley with his hands behind his back

Standing beside the imposing stone lions, watching the buyer's servants set up a ladder to remove the plaque inscribed with 'Zhao Residence' from the vermilion-painted door frame, the Zhao family naturally felt quite distressed

The woman also boarded the boat, and the two stood side by side at the bow as the passenger ship sailed downstream, soon leaving the city of Nanjing

The noblewoman, however, seemed completely unconcerned; instead, she spoke with even more tenderness, saying: "I was worried about you... Upon hearing that you had encountered such a great misfortune, I hurried here overnight. It was only upon arriving in Nanjing that I learned you had already emerged safely."

The coachman, dressed in a blue silk robe, opened the carriage door, and a maid adorned with a head full of hairpins descended, setting up a brocade cushion for Lord Zhao.

Zhao Liben is known for his unwavering principles, and the brothers in the business dare not defy him. They had no choice but to bring their son along to bow to the old man, and then the four of them walked towards the street corner, glancing back three times.

The next day was the day Zhao Liben returned to his hometown. Coincidentally, the buyer had also scheduled to collect the house on this day

"What about the ten taels?" Zhao Xian, however, dampened the mood by asking another question.

Zhao Shouye kept watching as his brothers and nephews crossed the Wuding Bridge, their figures disappearing on the opposite side of the Qinhuai River, before he slowly withdrew his gaze

Zhao Shouzheng proactively said: "Father, my son and I have discussed that we should first send you home, and then it won't be too late to return to Nanjing."

... ...

Sigh, let's just endure it. Seeing that my younger brother is still concerned about me, Zhao Shouye couldn't help but feel ashamed of his own petty thoughts, and quickly changed the subject: "However, Second Brother, is there still any hope for you staying in Nanjing?"

The noblewoman displayed a look of realization, hurriedly nodding her head and repeatedly saying: "It was my indiscretion. It turns out that the esteemed one has put in great effort, truly worthy of being the esteemed one..."

As the curtain is pulled back slightly, a subtle fragrance wafts out.

I see that the Zhao residence has changed ownership, and the two young masters of the family seem to have nowhere to settle. How about I arrange something for them?" The woman then bent down to help Zhao Liben take off his boots and replaced them with a pair of lightweight soft-soled silk shoes

Seeing the imposing atmosphere of wealth and power, Zhao Liben couldn't help but frown slightly, and then he quickly composed his expression and said: "I am now an ordinary citizen and do not warrant such a grand display."

Zhao Shouzheng made an agreement with his elder brother that after he and his son found a place to live, they would inform the official residence at Honglu Temple. After saying this, he left with his son heading north

"Just take me home, I will not stay at your place." Zhao Liben said to the woman as he leisurely stepped onto the boat

"Wouldn't that mean living off someone else's support?" Zhao Xian muttered softly as he followed his father towards his grandfather's house.

I still have some loose change on me, so I will first rent a place to stay Zhao Shouzheng replied honestly

I apologize for keeping you waiting, esteemed adults

Do not waste any more time; let me help you find a place to sit for a while. It will surely allow you and your son to make a living.

In my heart, the adult will always be the same as when he was at his most valiant... The noblewoman slightly tilted her head, gazing enchantingly at Zhao Liben's profile. One cannot help but wonder what charm this old man possesses.

... ...