Ji Zhexi continued, “As for the cloth shop, it’s newly opened and needed help with accounts and inventory. I’ve been working there for two months. As for Yinqiu Tower—”
Before he could finish, Ruili cut in, “Alright, alright! You’re very hardworking.”
The onlookers’ expressions shifted again, lips pressed together in barely concealed amusement. Rather than watching a scholar’s schemes exposed, they far preferred seeing the famously sharp-tongued Zhang Ruili humbled, which was a rare sight.
Though they longed to gossip, they dared not do so openly in the Zhang family’s bookstore and could only stifle their laughter.
Ruili scanned the crowd, feeling as if his dignity had been trampled all the way beyond Siyang’s gates. Gritting his teeth, he muttered to Ji Zhexi, “My apologies for the disturbance.”
With that, he turned and stormed upstairs. The scholars below burst into laughter, their earlier scorn replaced by amusement as they congratulated Ji Zhexi. “Brother Ji, you’ve really outdone yourself!”
From the upper floor, Ruili shot a glare at the scene before hastily retreating into a private room.
“Young Master…” Ban Yan, his attendant, had never expected such a principless scholar. Watching Ruili’s flushed cheeks, he timidly offered, “Shall I fetch you some tea?”
Before he could escape, the shopkeeper arrived with tea. “Young Master, don’t let anger harm your health. Scholars can be blunt, pay him no mind. If you dislike him, I’ll dismiss him tomorrow. No, I’ll do it now.”
Ruili burned with shame over his first-ever bout of misplaced suspicion. Still, he waved the shopkeeper off. “Didn’t you hear how tragic his circumstances are? For someone like him to persist in his studies is no small feat. If I cut off his livelihood over my own mistake, wouldn’t that make me a bully?”
He huffed. “My fathers are merchants, but they’ve always been upright, everyone in Siyang praises them. My brother is now an official serving the people. What kind of terrible suggestion is this? Are you trying to ruin me?”
The shopkeeper quickly apologized. “This lowly one spoke carelessly. Please don’t take offense.”
“Enough. Uncle Li, you’ve watched me and my brother grow up. I know you mean well. Just pretend this never happened. Let him continue working here as before.”
The shopkeeper agreed profusely.
Ruili sat in the bookstore for a long while, rubbing his temples and groaning to Ban Yan, “I’ve completely lost face this time.”
Ban Yan cautiously comforted him. “It’s fine. That scholar just doesn’t know what’s good for him, how could he bot like you?”
“Stop,” Ruili groaned, mortified. “Ugh, let’s just go home.”
As he stood to leave, he suddenly yanked Ban Yan back. “You, go check if that Ji fellow is still downstairs. If I run into him again, I’ll die of embarrassment.”
“Right away!”
After scouting, Ban Yan signaled the coast was clear. The master and servant, who had arrived in high spirits, now slunk out of the bookstore and hurried to their carriage.
____
“What’s gotten into you lately? You’ve been cooped up at home for days, I hardly see you go out anymore.”
Xu He, having found a rare moment of leisure, had just received a letter from Zhang Fangyuan announcing his imminent return with the salt shipment. Delighted, he’d gone to share the news with Ruili, only to find the usually outgoing young ger holed up in the study.
“I just feel the weather is cold and don’t feel like going out,” Ruili mumbled, head down. “I’ve had the shop ledgers brought home, I can review them here.”
Xu He felt the world had turned upside down. He sat beside Ruili and studied him intently.
“Why are you staring at me like that? It’s creeping me out.”
“Spring’s here, and the streets are lively. In past years, you’d be off to the horse pastures before the grass even grew. Yet now, with polo matches in full swing and invitations piling up, you refuse them all. Tell me, what’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Ruili set the ledger aside. “With Dad and Brother away, I didn’t want you to be lonely. I thought I’d keep you company and tend to the family business. I’m not a child anymore, I can’t just play all day.”
Xu He’s brows rose. “How mature. But you should still enjoy yourself. Your Dad will be back soon.”
“Good. Once he returns, I can relax.”
Xu He ruffled Ruili’s hair. “Don’t overwork yourself. How about I make you some hundred-flower cakes (百花糕, Bǎihuā gāo)? The estate sent fresh blooms, you used to love flower pastries.”
Ruili nodded. “Thank you, Little Dad.”
That afternoon, two large plates of vibrantly colored hundred-flower cakes arrived in his room. His Little Dad's craftsmanship was impeccable, each cake resembled a delicate blossom, fragrant and sweet. Yet Ruili picked at them absently, his gaze drifting to the window.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. “Ban Yan, fetch a food box. Pack these up.”
Thank you for the chapter!!!!!!
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