"Gentlemen, do you have a name card for me to hand in?"
The gatekeeper of the Zeng residence was very polite. He didn't look like he was going to let them in or announce their arrival.
Today, there was a joyous occasion in the residence, and many important people had come. They couldn't just go and inform everyone that came. Only a good gatekeeper who could help the master choose when to meet and who not to meet and when to meet was a good gatekeeper.
The last gatekeeper had let someone in who shouldn't have been, and that was why he was kicked out by the madam.
Li Yi held Zeng Zuimo's hand and said calmly, "You just have to go in and tell Master Zeng that an old friend from Willow Alley is here to visit."
He already knew about the changes that had happened to the Zeng family over the past decade, but he was still not very clear about the inside story. Zuimo didn't want to admit that she was a member of the Zeng family and didn't want to call Ceng Shichun "Second Uncle". She must have her reasons, so he naturally had to let her be.
The gatekeeper smiled and said, "Gentlemen, I'm really sorry, but my master is busy today. Why don't you come another day?"
No name card meant that they weren't important people. The two were so young, and they didn't even say who they were. They only said they were old friends — old friends. It was obvious that they had heard that their master had been promoted and wanted to use connections. If it was any other day, he would still go in to inform them just in case. But today was different. If he dampened the mood of the guests, he couldn't afford to be responsible as a lowly gatekeeper.
Li Yi didn't come today to reason with the Zeng family, and there was no reason to. The Zeng family wouldn't give him what he wanted, and he had to get it. Under such circumstances, he had to rely on other means to solve the problem.
Li Yi looked at the sloppy old man standing not far behind the two.
The sloppy old man covered one side of his face and walked over with a slightly gloomy expression.
His gloomy expression wasn't because he was being ordered around by Li Yi, but because one of his teeth was broken and half of his face was swollen. Naturally, it caused some emotional fluctuations.
"Miss, is Miss back?"
The sloppy old man didn't walk over, but an old voice suddenly came from inside the door. The voice was trembling and excited.
When the gatekeeper saw him, he immediately bowed and said respectfully, "Housekeeper Hou."
The old man called Steward Hou ignored him and quickly walked over. He looked at Ceng Zuimo excitedly and said with a trembling voice, "Thirteen years, thirteen years and nine months. Miss, you … you're finally back."
Zeng Zuimo looked at him and sighed after a long time. "Uncle Hou …"
…
"Congratulations on your promotion, Lord Ceng. With Lord Ceng's ability, your future career will definitely be smoother …"
"This official will first propose a toast to Lord Zeng!"
"What are you talking about, Lord Liu? These are all groundless rumors …" Ceng Shichun clinked glasses with an official he was familiar with, and another voice came from the other side.
"This is not groundless speculation. Lord Zeng's appointment letter has already been seen by someone. I reckon that the court will begin after the Lantern Festival at the latest. The earliest it will be announced will be during the Grand Court Conference. Come, let me also propose a toast to Lord Zeng …"
After Ceng Shichun clinked glasses again, his body began to sway. Today, with these people coming to the residence, he had already drunk quite a bit. Normally, his tolerance for alcohol was only average, but at this moment, he was almost at his limit.
A woman dressed in luxurious clothing walked in from outside the door and held his arm. She turned her head and said apologetically, "Sirs, I am truly sorry. Lord Cui is hosting a banquet at Drunken Moon Pavilion tonight. Lord Qin and Lord Chen will also be there. At that time, there will be some matters to discuss. My master really cannot drink anymore …"
"Since this is the case, let's quickly let Lord Ceng rest. If something important is ruined, we cannot afford to bear the consequences."
"Yes, yes, let's quickly let Lord Ceng rest."
These people also knew what the surnames Cui, Qin, and Chen represented, so they did not stop her.
"This woman will not disturb the sirs." The woman looked at the two servant girls beside her and said, "Hurry and help the master to rest …"
"Yes!"
As soon as the woman walked out of the hall, a figure hurried over and whispered something in her ear.
Hearing this, the woman's brows instantly furrowed.
"Didn't she already deny being a member of the Zeng family? Why is she causing trouble at this time …" A trace of disgust appeared on her face as she said, "The master is already resting. Let's leave her for a while first. When the time comes, find a random reason to send her away …"
The servant immediately bowed and said yes.
"Just a jinx. Does she really think she is still the young mistress of the Zeng family …" The woman murmured and left with a sullen expression.
…
"Ever since I can remember, Uncle Hou has been taking care of all the chores in the family. Uncle Hou treated me very well back then …"
While the two were waiting in a side hall, Zeng Zuimo looked at the old man standing at the door and whispered.
The old man looked around and finally walked in with a smile on his face. He looked at Li Yi and asked, "Miss, this gentleman is …"
"I am her husband." Li Yi held her hand and looked at the old man with a smile. "Zuimo is indebted to Uncle Hou for taking care of me when I was young …"
Zeng Zuimo blushed but didn't resist. She held his hand even tighter.
The old man was startled when he heard this. He looked him up and down a few times before a smile appeared on his old face again. He said, "So it's the son-in-law. You're really a talented man. You're a perfect match for Miss …"
He looked at Li Yi for a while before a servant came in and said, "The master is drunk and is resting in his room. If you want to see the master, wait for him to wake up or come back tomorrow."
"Drunk?" Li Yi shook his head and said, "It seems that Lord Ceng is really in high spirits. He's not at the Ministry of Revenue's yamen at this time, but is actually drinking and having fun at home. He hasn't even become the capital governor yet …"
The servant was startled and then said angrily, "What did you say …"
"Alright, you can leave." Steward Hou waved his hand at him. The servant wanted to say something but could only swallow his anger and leave after being glared at by the steward.
Steward Hou finally looked at Li Yi and said in a small voice, "Son-in-law, this is the Zeng Residence. Be careful with your words, careful with your words …"
"Careful with what words … where is Ceng Shichun? I would like to ask, is this how he usually serves the court as an assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue?"
Zeng Zuimo pulled on Li Yi's sleeve as soon as he took a step forward. She looked at him and shook her head, then turned to Steward Hou and asked, "Uncle Hou, can we take a walk around the residence?"
The old man nodded. "This is the Zeng Residence, of course you can. However, the residence has changed greatly. Let me lead the young mistress and son-in-law."
A quarter of an hour later, in front of a courtyard in the Zeng Residence.
Zeng Zuimo stood in front of the courtyard door for a long time before asking, "Uncle Hou, can we go in?"
"Apart from the maids and servants who clean regularly, the Master usually does not allow anyone to enter." The old man hesitated for a moment before saying, "But since it is the young mistress, I believe that even if the Master knew, he would not blame you."
"Thank you, Uncle Hou."
Zeng Zuimo smiled faintly at the old man. She reached out her hand, and the courtyard door creaked open.
Li Yi followed her inside. No matter how he looked at it, this was just an ordinary courtyard with nothing out of the ordinary.
There was a stone table and chairs in the courtyard, and a swing hanging from a tree on the left side of the wall.
The table and chairs were spotless. She walked over and touched them with her hand, surveying her surroundings. Finally, she walked under the swing.
"This is where Father, Mother, and I used to live." She sat on the swing and said, "There's also this swing. My father tied it up for me. One time, I swung too high and fell from it. My father put the swing away. I begged him for a long time before he agreed …"
"But this swing is no longer the same as the one from before."
"And here, there's half a tile missing, but it's still the same …"
"Look here, this is the name I carved on the tree when I was young. Unfortunately, it's been a long time, and I can't see it clearly anymore …"
"Here, this brick can actually be taken down. When I was young, I hid things inside, and Father and Mother did not know …"
She really did take down the brick in the corner. Actually, it was only half a brick, so there was a small space inside. She took out a yellowed paper bag from inside. The paper bag was torn apart, and there was some black residue inside. The words "Xu Ji Worldwide Commerce" could be faintly seen on the paper bag.
She stood up, clapped her hands, and murmured, "This place is exactly the same as before …"
Li Yi held her hand and asked, "Do you like it here?"
She nodded slightly and said softly, "Coming here, I remembered many things from the past."
"As long as you like it." Li Yi nodded, looked around, and murmured, "As long as you like it …"
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