Chapter 5 This matter is not over

Lu Yue'er, who was eavesdropping outside the door, stumbled and pushed against the door, falling into the room

"Take it back." Lu Zhi glared with a hint of appreciation and sentiment, saying, "I do not lack this small amount of silver."

With two consecutive sounds, Huangfu Cen and Lu Yue'er, feeling guilty, both knelt before Lu Zhi.

The heat made Huangfu Cen's heart ache faintly, and he couldn't help but curse Lu Yue'er for serving tea when there was no need. If tea had to be served, it should have been a cup of cold tea! Now it was all on him, leaving his face in a predicament.

"Hiss."

Thud! Thud!

Master, please do not be angry. This matter is my disciple's fault. Would you like me to go to the Zou family to apologize?

Bang

Huangfu Cen straightened his posture and did not rush back. Instead, he first returned to his master’s wife, Madam Lu, and secretly placed the silver coins from earlier in their bedroom, while also pretending to say: "Madam, I will not be having dinner here today"

Huangfu Cen was momentarily stunned, not expecting that Lu Yue'er would actually... He stared blankly at Lu Yue'er as she ran out, and it took him a long time to regain his senses. He turned to his teacher, Lu Zhi, and said: "Disciple will take my leave now, please stay, Teacher"

Lu Zhi glared at Lu Yue'er without speaking, and said in a low voice: "Yue'er, you go out first. We will discuss your matter later."

Heh. Huangfu Cen was holding back a laugh, yet dared not to laugh.

Hmm. Huangfu Cen secretly observed Lu Zhi's attire. A prominent scholar of the late Han Dynasty, yet he lacked even a decent set of clothing; the garment he wore was patched over and over. Such integrity, able to teach his fellow villagers virtue, this must be the spirit of the distinguished scholars of the late Han Dynasty

Hmph! It is still the trouble caused by you and Bo Gui, and moreover, you have tarnished the reputation of Miss Zou from the Zou family. The young lady is unwilling to let this go and intends to file a complaint with the governor. However, Zou Jing is too cunning and deceitful, and he has never been willing to reveal how this matter should be resolved. Lu Zhi felt a headache just thinking about this situation. His relationship with Zou Jing was not deep; otherwise, he would have had Huangfu Cen formally marry the young lady from the Zou family. After taking a sip of tea, he seemed to think of something and continued, "By the way, it is indeed a burden for you to take on this responsibility for Bo Gui."

Watching Huangfu Cen flinch from the scalding tea yet daring not to move an inch, Lu Zhi steadied the anger simmering within and stood up to pace around the room

Hehe. I knew that you, Father, would not be angry with Yu'er. As for Second Senior Brother, you can scold him as you please. I will no longer disturb you. Hehe.

"Hmm, this matter is indeed solely my fault," Huangfu Cen said, momentarily taken aback, but quickly regained his composure and lowered his voice, saying, "Master, it seems that Zou Jing is intentionally making things difficult for us."

Uh... Huangfu Cen wanted to say something, but seeing Lu Zhi's resolute expression, he hesitated to bring it up again

"Master, do you already know?" Upon hearing Lu Zhi's words, Huangfu Cen finally understood that the master was not entirely angry with him; it turned out that he had been turned away at the Zou family’s door, and his anger was misplaced. Yet, here he was, the instigator, coming to face the music. If he wasn't going to vent his frustration on him, then who else would he target? He leaned closer and asked, "Master, what did the Zou family say?"

This matter will just pass like this. Fortunately, Zou Jing has not publicized it in order to protect her sister's reputation. Lu Zhi raised his eyes to look at the silent Huangfu Cen and said: "You are not as good as Bo Gui. Bo Gui is from a prominent family in Liaoxi and is already an official in the Liaoxi Prefectural Government. Have you considered how you will navigate this path in the future?"

Lu Zhi could only shake his head helplessly and sighed, saying: "Fateful entanglement"

Listening to this, Huangfu Cen took a moment to compose himself. Given the reputation of his master, Lu Zhi, it was indeed a source of shame for him to repeatedly lower himself and seek assistance from Zou Jing.

Huangfu Cen's hands awkwardly lingered there, unsure of what to do, as he turned to look at his teacher, Lu Zhi

The master should let the Zou family make their own demands; even if it involves entering the prison, the disciple has nothing much to say. Huangfu Cen coldly refused. He had nothing to discuss with a father he had barely met a few times.

Huangfu Cen's face revealed a shadowy line as he murmured, "Could it be?" He was surprised that Zou Jing's thoughts were hidden so deeply. Although he had not underestimated Zou Jing, he did not expect that a character who had been inconspicuous among the Three Kingdoms could possess such profound thoughts. If in the future he were to part ways with Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei, how would he navigate through these challenges?

"Yue'er, are you alright?" Huangfu Cen hurriedly ran over to help Lu Yue'er up

Uh. Huangfu Cen, who had crossed over, was not foolish; he clearly heard Lu Zhi's sarcasm. He hurriedly knelt and crawled closer to Lu Zhi, saying: "Master, I will never dare again"

Lu Yue'er clicked her tongue, responding in a low mood, "Oh!"

Lu Zhi turned around and looked at Huangfu Cen with satisfaction, realizing that his disciple was clever and could see through things without needing hints. He softened his tone and said: "I fear that we will still be subject to others in the future"

When it came to the future, Huangfu Cen was filled with confusion. The air returned to the calmness it had just moments before

Well, let's go; if we delay any longer, we won't be able to enter the city.

Hmph! Lu Yue'er finally realized that her father was truly angry. She shot a glare at Huangfu Cen and dared not to disturb him any further, casually closing the door as she left.

Come back

Is it wrong?" Lu Zhi chuckled coldly a few times, as if speaking to himself: "It is not you who is wrong, but I who am wrong.

After a while, Huangfu Cen looked at the sun outside, which had already set. He realized it would take him some time to return, and if he returned late, the city would be under curfew. He leaned closer to Lu Zhi and whispered, "Master, this is a little silver we have gathered for you."

"Is there anything else you dare not do?" Lu Zhi's tone was very calm, but in an instant it changed dramatically. With a sharp "crack," he flung the teacup from his hand, causing tea to splash everywhere, with a few drops faintly landing on Huangfu Cen's face.

Close the door. Lu Zhi glared angrily, his voice still cold.

Hmph! It's none of your business. Wuwu... Lu Yue'er seemed to have heard the conversation between the two just now. She pushed aside Huangfu and Tushicen, crying as she ran back to her own boudoir

"Are you going to the Zou family? What qualifications do you have to go there?" Although Lu Zhi felt that his words were somewhat harsh, his anger had not completely dissipated. He flicked his sleeves and muttered, "You dare not go to the Zou family, and you dare not admit this mistake on behalf of Bo Gui? The Zou family... even I, as your teacher, would be turned away at the door."

As the door panels closed, the tranquility of the grass hut was restored to its former state, even taking on a somewhat cold demeanor

The Zou family is also a prominent household in Jingzhou, but they have just moved to Youzhou with Zou Jing. If it were Bo Gui, it would be considered a match in social standing, but..." Lu Zhi looked up at Huangfu Cen and spoke in a slightly softer tone. Lu Zhi was well aware that Huangfu Cen harbored a hidden pain regarding his origins.

The disciple was in the wrong. Huangfu Cen secretly glanced at Lu Zhi and, seeing that his teacher Lu Zhi showed no signs of easing, a bad thought arose in his heart

The two people stood here like this

Alas! It seems I must sacrifice my old face to seek help from the Zou family. Lu Zhi understood that Huangfu Cen's background had always been a source of pain for him, so he did not press the matter.

"By the way, do not send anything to Yue'er in the future." Lu Zhi looked at Huangfu Cen and said, "Do not think that I did not see the silver hairpin you sent to Yue'er."