Uncle from a poor family - Chapter 737: Treating the mundane world as a Buddhist temple

That day, Zhang Luan appeared at the gate of the luxurious villa where he kept his mistress at sunset.

When Qi Niang heard the news and went to the door to greet her in person, she saw her old master sitting on the steps at the door, hunched over, like an octogenarian in his twilight years. He looked very pitiful.

"Master? What are you doing...?"

Qi Niang wiped her eyes and thought to herself, am I hallucinating?

Or maybe the Zhang family has already fallen, but I was not informed and didn't hear about it, and now he is desperate and has to come to me for refuge?Zhang Luan heard the voice and then he stood up slowly, put his hands in his pockets and greeted, "Is that Qi Niang?"

Qi Niang got a headache when she heard this.

How come you don’t even recognize people?"My eyesight has become blurry due to my illness, and my physical condition is really not good."

Zhang Luan said weakly, "Look, today I finally got the chance to go out for a walk, and I came here unconsciously. I sat here for a while, and somehow I felt so at home!"

Qi Niang thought to herself, you are still the awesome one.

You are obviously the most powerful official in the Ming Dynasty, but you can make yourself look like a beggar, making people think that you are a vagrant and idle person... that's quite a skill.

"Master, don't sit here...let's go in." Qi Niang persuaded.

Zhang Luan asked, "Can I come in?"

At this moment, Qi Niang was still wondering whether the man in front of her was someone pretending to be her.I can't be fooled!

However, just looking at Zhang Luan in front of me, the decadent look he revealed was very similar to that of the unreliable master of my house, because only he would always show that kind of lifeless dejection.

Zhang Luan sighed, "Alas... What I mean is, didn't my son Yanling tell you that when he saw me coming, he would block me outside the door and not allow me to go in? I'm afraid of him... Alas!"

Qi Niang thought to herself, OK, no need to doubt it now!

"Master, look at what you are saying... When did the second young master ever say such a thing?"

Qi Niang hurried over to help him. "When you were taken away, you just said you were going to a place to recuperate... So how is your condition now?"

Zhang Luan said helplessly: "It's because I haven't recovered completely yet, so..."

Qi Niang laughed secretly in her heart.

"Master, it's so cold, and you come here and sit at the door of your house, not going in or out... What are you doing?"

Qi Niang supported Zhang Luan and walked into the yard.

Zhang Luan trembled and said with a bitter face: "Normally Yanling doesn't let me go out... Look, the guy went out of town to do some work these two days, so I had the opportunity to come out and take a look."

Qi Niang was surprised and asked, "Master, did you sneak out? Oh, you must take good care of yourself. If you get sick, then... I really can't bear it!"

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "Before my son left, I specifically asked him, and he said I could go out for a walk. So, I feel better today, so I came out for a walk... As long as I follow the doctor's advice, it won't be against my son's wishes, right?"

Having said that, Zhang Luan grinned, revealing two rows of big yellow teeth.

Qi Niang was speechless.

I’m so scared that my son has become such a coward.

I always feel like you are the one sent by God to trick me.

"Master, come in and talk!"

Qi Niang quickly invited everyone into the gate.

……

Arriving at the inner courtyard hall, Zhang Luan sat down on the armchair. He felt much more energetic and there was a gleam in his eyes.

This was the life he was pursuing... Although the house was still empty, he still felt at ease and had a strong desire not to leave.

"Master, how about having someone prepare a table of wine and food?"

Qi Niang asked attentively.

Zhang Luan waved his hand and said, "I look like a person who can be blown down by the wind, how can you still have wine and food? Now I am a big man who cannot eat meat, let alone alcohol! Cook two eggs for me later, or make a soup with some vegetables... a little salt, and just two drops of sesame oil will be enough!"

Qi Niang asked in surprise: "How...how do you eat this?"

"To recuperate, Yanling said that this will not only replenish nutrition, but also will not add extra burden to the digestive tract in the body, and will not cause any cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. It sounds very mysterious and I don't understand it. Anyway, just do as I say." Zhang Luan said.

The young cook who had followed in to wait for instructions was stunned when she heard this.

Why does he look like a beggar who doesn't dare to ask for more?

Qi Niang frowned and shouted, "What are you looking at? Why don't you hurry up and prepare it? The master wants to eat egg custard with sesame oil, a little salt, and some vegetables. Go quickly!"

"Yes."

The chubby little cook, who was about fifteen or sixteen years old, quickly obeyed the order and left.

Qi Niang seemed to understand something and asked, "Master, what should we do tonight? This girl has been doing odd jobs in the courtyard and has only been the head chef for a short time. When you were here before, she was still helping in the kitchen. Otherwise... let her wash herself and serve you tonight?"

Zhang Luan frowned and said, "What are you talking about... Qi Niang, do you think that with my frail body, I can withstand such a torment?"

"Then the master came here..."

"I just come here to sit and reminisce about the past happiness!"

Qi Niang thought, who am I trying to scare?This is definitely a weird way your son used to treat the disease. It is totally unheard of.

Even if you feel pain, don't come and complain to me!

Can you blame me if you insist on believing your son?Zhang Luan said, "I really just came here to sit with you. You can't even let me see the beautiful girl. If I see her, my heart will be in turmoil. My body will be seriously damaged if I get angry. I still need to...cultivate my mind and cultivate my character... Well, you don't know that I have come back from the gates of hell this time. It was so dangerous."

"Then you're coming over?"

How dare you take the risk and come to this yard?

Have you forgotten that this is the place you use to hide your mistress, eat, drink and have fun?Do you treat this secular world as a Buddhist temple?

Are you testing yourself or are you testing us?

Zhang Luan said with a sad face: "I don't know why, I just want to come and take a look, to make me feel better... As long as I don't see those things that I really can't bear, even if I just breathe a few breaths of fresh air here and talk to you, I will be satisfied."

She picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea into the cup in front of Zhang Luan.

Zhang Luan said, "Change it to boiled water. Tea will neutralize the drug... Just drink boiled water, not too hot. Lukewarm is best."

Qi Niang was startled when she heard this, and then hurried to the kitchen to change the water for warm water.

About a quarter of an hour later, after serving Zhang Luan some water, the food was finally served.

The miserable appearance made Qi Niang feel distressed. "Master, eat slowly."

Qi Niang asked curiously, "Didn't you have a meal before you came out?"

Zhang Luan shook his head and said, "Living in one place for a long time is like being in prison. How can I have an appetite? It's only when I come to your place that my appetite suddenly opens up."

Qi Niang smiled and said, "Congratulations, Master. This is a sign of improvement. After you have dinner, how about I make some arrangements? You don't have to worry about it. Let them come over and dance for you to relieve your fatigue. How about that?"

Zhang Luan hurriedly stopped him, "I was recuperating here before, and I almost lost my life... I was unrestrained and spent money without restraint. Fortunately, Yanling found me in time and took me to another place. Otherwise..."

Qi Niang asked in confusion: "Since the master needed to rest, why didn't he go back to the mansion directly at that time, but went to a secluded place to rest? I haven't heard that the master has returned to the court to serve recently... With your status in the court, you don't have to avoid everything, right?"

Zhang Luan held the spoon in his hand, and suddenly he lost his appetite. He put the bowl and spoon on the table and shook his head, saying, "Li Zisheng will be back to Beijing soon."

"What does the master mean...?"

Zhang Luan changed the subject and said, "Have someone add a little soy sauce to the egg custard. It tastes too bland."

"Someone, add soy sauce."

Qi Niang greeted her.

Then the little cook who had come before to wait on orders came in again, holding a jar of soy sauce in her hand, and moved it in front of Zhang Luan with a "huff" and "huff".

The young cook was a little frightened, and then she took out a small spoon and started to pour the soup into Zhang Luan's bowl little by little to avoid adding too much at once as it would make it too salty.

Finally, Zhang Luan became really anxious, so he grabbed the spoon and scooped a large spoonful into the bowl, then waved his hand and said, "Go down, go down."

Perhaps because he was afraid of having evil thoughts, while doing these things, he didn't even dare to look at the little cook who was only 60% pretty.

Qi Niang couldn't help but laugh in her heart when she saw this.

Qi Niang finally understood what a hard life Zhang Luan had been going through in the past month.

In order to recover from illness, I really gave up all my bad habits.

Unless your life is at stake, you really don't have any sense of self-control.

"Master, weren't you talking about Minister Li just now?"

It is also related to her previous close contacts with Pang Qing.

She was arranged to be by Zhang Luan's side. In fact, she was a chess piece placed by Pang Qing on behalf of Li Zi Province next to Zhang Luan. Most of the time, she could distinguish the importance of things.

Although Li Zisheng has lost power now, he still has great influence in places like the Jiaofangsi. Many monks and Taoists in Beijing are still trying to curry favor with Li Zisheng and rely on him to support them.

Li Zisheng has become an outcast of the upper class, but in the eyes of the lower class, he is still a big shot that they cannot look up to.

"Why?"

Qi Niang asked directly.

"This is about the Chenghua period. Li Zisheng obtained a large amount of money by selling official positions and titles. Although most of it was contributed to the emperor... You must never tell this to outsiders."

Zhang Luan reminded.

Qi Niang said respectfully.

Zhang Luan said, "But there is no clear account of these funds. Who knows how much he gave to the late emperor and how much he kept for himself? The people in the court are holding on to this point and want him to return the stolen money according to the original figures. I guess this matter will not be over unless he returns hundreds of thousands of taels of silver."

Qi Niang asked in surprise: "Can Minister Li come up with so much silver?"

"Who knows?"

Qi Niang was startled and asked quickly, "How can I know?"

"Then you still ask?"

Zhang Luan seemed to be thinking about something when he said this. "But strictly speaking, you are also Li Zisheng's private property, right? I just don't know if I should return you when I really need to return the stolen goods."

When Qi Niang heard this, her heart instantly rose to her throat. She stood up and saluted, saying, "Master, please don't scare me. I am already yours, how can I be considered Shangshu Li's private property? Master, you have to make the decision for me."

Zhang Luan said, "I won't treat you unfairly."

Qi Niang thought to herself, why do your words sound so careless?

Won’t you treat me unfairly?Why don't you promise to protect me?

"Really."

Qi Niang asked curiously, "Why did the Second Young Master want to leave Beijing? How can you rest assured?"

Zhang Luan said, "Can I control him? But he seems to be going to open a mine... I don't know what he is going to do! He also said that he might help Li Zisheng return the stolen money... How long can my little fortune support him?"

Qi Niang felt even more discouraged when she heard this.

It seems that you don't have much property. Even the land and houses were given to you by Li Zisheng. Shouldn't you return me and the things Li Zisheng gave you to the court when the time comes?

Qi Niang comforted him, "Master, our young lady is the current Empress. Even if the court really wants to take something from you, as long as you talk to the Empress, won't she return it to you?"

"Hey, your idea is not bad." Zhang Luan said with a smile, "If they really want to ask me for it, then I will ask my daughter! Qi Niang, don't worry, if they really want to return this yard, I will spend money to buy it... I don't have much property, but my son does."

"You mean... the Second Young Master?"

Qi Niang felt very awkward.

Have you separated from him?Why is he richer than you?Zhang Luan smiled and said, "You know what, he has close contacts with Huizhou merchants, and recently he is going to open mines in the surrounding areas of Beijing. Just a little bit of colored glaze business, and that soda ash business, the annual income is no less than 100,000 taels.

"But I heard these from him. I don't know if he is bragging or not, but it shouldn't be difficult to ensure that you get away safe and sound."

Qi Niang couldn't help feeling worried.

Am I following you, or am I being sold to your son?

"Okay, it's time for me to go."

Zhang Luan stood up and said, "I went back late and was reported to the police. My son thought I was wasting my life and wasted all his efforts... I will go out often in the next two days and come to see you anytime."

"Master, are you leaving now?"

Qi Niang was very surprised.

But she also knew that there were certain things about Zhang Luan that could not be faked.

Zhang Luan said, "What should we do if we don't leave? Are we going to spend the night here? I have the heart, but I don't have the courage, and I don't have the strength. For the sake of long-term considerations, I can only sacrifice temporarily.

"Qi Niang, I'll meet you later. I'm leaving now!"

(End of this chapter)