Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 86 Do you have money? (Subscribe)
The east is getting brighter, and birds are chirping from the eaves, singing to brighten the sky.

In the small courtyard, guard Leng Bing folded his arms across his chest, leaned against a vermilion pillar, supported his left leg on the ground, and bent his right leg and placed it on the pillar. He watched with interest the little Chen Xuan practicing the Qi-calming and health-preserving exercises.

But her cold and serious face seemed to carry a bit of arrogance that looked down on everyone, but that was not her intention.

Chen Xuan was very methodical, focused and serious. He practiced the Qi-calming and health-preserving exercises to perfection, as if nothing around him could disturb him, as if nothing existed, including Leng Bing and some busy servants and guards who got up early.

Leng Bing watched calmly as Chen Xuanlian practiced quietly. Occasionally, a servant passing by would glance at him strangely, creating a strange yet harmonious picture in this quiet morning.

Of course Leng Bing knew about and could practice the Qi-calming and health-preserving exercises. It was just a trick promoted by the imperial court to strengthen the body. In the beginning, it was used for scholars with weak constitutions to exercise their bodies, but as time went by, it spread among the people and everyone could try it out.

When they were in school, the students would practice every day if the weather was good, but Leng Bing really didn't expect that Chen Xuan would get up in the morning to practice after the holiday.

Shouldn't children of this age be sleepy and playful? Why are they so self-disciplined?

Looking at the room where Gao Jingming was, one could still faintly hear his breathing and mumbling while he was sleeping. Tsk, this contrast was really shaking one's head.

Chen Xuan watched Leng Bing for as long as she practiced. Although this was a villa at the foot of Yushan Mountain, it was divided into inside and outside, and men were not allowed to enter. As a female guard, she naturally did her duty and just took it as a way to kill time.

After Chen Xuan finished his practice, Leng Bing, still in the same posture, took the initiative to ask, "Brother Xuan, are you practicing?"

"No, everyone can do the calming and health-preserving exercises taught in school. I just practice them casually when I get up early and have nothing to do," Chen Xuan turned around and smiled.

He naturally knew that Leng Bing was standing next to him. He was such a big man standing there. He was not blind. Anyway, the other party could look if they wanted to. It was not something shameful.

"Is it useful?" Leng Bing continued to ask with interest.

Chen Xuan smiled and said, "Teacher said it can strengthen the body, so there's nothing wrong with practicing. Maybe it won't work, but it should help me get sick less often, right? That's enough. Last semester, I heard from the teacher that a classmate of the young master died because he caught a cold on his way home. Practicing this can help me get sick less often. Anyway, it won't delay anything, so just practice it. As long as there's no harm, that's fine."

"Brother Xuan values ​​his life very much," Leng Bing was suddenly speechless.

Who doesn't cherish life? Isn't this nonsense? You are obviously a great beauty, but why do the words you say sound a bit hurtful?

After practicing a few times, he felt comfortable, but Chen Xuan was very hungry. This was not Gao's house, nor was it a school. He was about to say goodbye and ask where to get food when he heard Leng Bing say, "Are you interested in martial arts?"

Chen Xuan thought, "How did you know that?" Of course he was interested. Who wouldn't want to be able to fly high and high? But he didn't have an overly strong desire for it.

Well, martial arts also exist in Chen Xuan's hometown, but they are not as magical and powerful as in this world. Everyone knows that practicing can make one very skilled and one can beat several people at once, but few people are willing to practice them risking their lives. Of course, in that world, the more powerful one is in practice, the more likely it is that one will end up in jail, which is also part of the reason.

Humph, one punch and twenty years of forced labor. Are you afraid?

These thoughts flashed through his mind. Of course he wanted to get involved if there was a chance, but if there was no chance, Chen Xuan was not anxious to force it. He said, "It's okay."

Could it be that this beautiful girl is so impressed by my amazing skills that she wants to teach me a few tricks?
"If I'm interested, I'm interested. If I'm not interested, I'm not interested. What does "okay" mean?" Leng Bing said with a slight smile.

Eh, she's quite pretty, but unfortunately she's not my type. It's not an age issue, but this kind of cold girl is really not Chen Xuan's type.

It seems like he has a lot to choose from...

"Interested, right?" Chen Xuan said truthfully. It came from his heart and he couldn't deceive himself.

"Oh..." Leng Bing got the answer, nodded and walked away.

Chen Xuan was immediately confused. "No, big sister, what do you mean by that? Are you just satisfying your curiosity and then not caring about other people's lives?"
You won't be able to find a boyfriend in the future if you continue like this. It seems that in this era, it's a bit late to find a boyfriend at your age.

Chen Xuan didn't understand what the woman was thinking, so he didn't dwell on it too much. He went to the kitchen to look for food. The villa was not big, so he found it quickly. The cook and servants were busy preparing breakfast.

After explaining his purpose, the kitchen prepared sufficient portions for him, all of which were light dishes, such as steamed buns, soy milk and fried dough sticks. He also took some back for Gao Jingming and the others.

After eating and drinking, Gao Jingming was still not awake and his breakfast was cold. Xiao Cai and the others who got up early ate first and then brought Gao Jingming a hot breakfast later.

When he was free, Chen Xuan continued to read and practice calligraphy. He couldn't help but think of Leng Bing's words that died without any result. What did she mean? My goodness, she almost hooked him into a black carp. This woman is a bit bad.

Chen Xuan soon realized that the beautiful girl had no extra thoughts in her mind and was just asking casually. With that kind of personality, to put it nicely, she is simple-minded, to put it bluntly, she is stubborn, and to put it even bluntly... she is not brainless.

Well, I was overthinking it. As the sun rose above the treetops, Chen Xuan vaguely heard greetings coming from the outer courtyard. Mr. Yushan had arrived. He put down his work and went to find Xiao Cai and the others to urge Gao Jingming to get up.

Upon hearing the news, the guy got up in a hurry, washed up quickly and went to see the master, complaining why he was not woken up earlier. The master knew that he would definitely blame him for staying in bed.

This guy, I've called him so many times, but he just won't get up. Others can whip him, but this is not a school, not the Gao family, and there is no one to supervise him. Who can do anything?

"Master, you are here. Why didn't you notify me in advance? Have you eaten?" When Gao Jingming came to the living room and saw Mr. Yushan, he quickly acted like a good boy.

How could Mr. Yushan not see that he was guilty? He figured it out after a little thought and said with a stern face: "You are tired again Ming'er. If you continue like this, you will not be able to return home in the future. Then you can live with me in the mountains."

"Disciple will never dare to do it again," Gao Jingming shrank his neck.

Shaking his head, Mr. Yushan did not continue. He was not here to teach him a lesson. He said, "I have already had breakfast. You haven't eaten yet? Go quickly. We will set off soon."

"Yes," Gao Jingming breathed a sigh of relief and turned around and slipped away.

Chen Xuan was about to leave, but Mr. Yushan, who was drinking tea, stopped him and asked, "Brother Xuan, do you have money?"

Huh? Chen Xuan didn't react for a moment. What did he mean by asking if I had any money? But he still answered truthfully, "Sir, I still have some. The young master withdrew thirty taels from home and bought some school supplies a few days ago. He hasn't spent it all yet, so I have more than eighteen taels left..."

Mr. Yushan waved his hand to interrupt him. It was normal for the servant to manage the money. He said, "I'm not asking about tomorrow's monthly allowance, but your own. Do you have it?"

"Yes... maybe, but I don't have it with me," Chen Xuan hesitated, and he had some idea why Mr. Yushan asked that.

He nodded and said, "About how much?"

Chen Xuan immediately calculated it. Wang Hai gave him some money, so he had already repaid the favor. He also had a few tips, which he hadn't taken without a motive. The Gao family paid him three taels of wages every month, but they only kept an account of it. Besides, it hadn't even been a month, so it didn't count. After thinking for a while, he said, "Sir, it's less than three taels."

He deposited less than three taels of silver at the Gao family's residence, two taels of which were the reward from the Gao family given to Miss Gao, who was very happy. As a servant, it was quite a lot for him, and it was equivalent to half a month's salary for himself.

When Mr. Yushan heard his answer, he pondered and said, "I'm afraid it's not enough."

He didn't give a reason. Chen Xuan probably guessed it but wasn't sure. He hesitated and said, "I also want some other things that should be worth some money. They are gifts from a few of the young master's friends and the gentleman..."

Mr. Yushan immediately waved his hand and said, "Since it's a gift, don't cash it out unless you have to, so as not to hurt others' feelings. How about this, you have about three taels, but that's not enough, you need at least ten taels. I can lend it to you, or you can borrow it tomorrow. It's up to you. You can pay it back slowly in the future. The time doesn't matter, ten or eight years is fine, but you must pay it back because it's your own business."

After hearing this, Chen Xuan was certain of Mr. Yushan's intention. He had said that he would collect the old boatman's body, which would cost money. Apart from other things, he would need a coffin, and also things like incense, candles, etc. for burial, which would really cost a lot of money.

Filial piety is very important here and is related to a person's character. Some people who are filial but whose families have fallen on hard times want to give their relatives a grand burial and are even willing to sell themselves. This shows how expensive this kind of thing is.

It seems that this situation was particularly serious in India in the past life. There were even special loan businesses in this area. The cost of one funeral was enough for some families to work for ten years!
Of course, Chen Xuan was only going to collect the body of the old boatman, not to fulfill his filial piety, so he would not spend too much, but some basic things were indispensable, and ten taels of silver was not enough.

One must keep his promise. Chen Xuan would not confront the fat man and said, "Let me ask the young master if I can borrow it first. If not, I will trouble you again."

It is naturally more convenient for Gao Jingming. After all, Chen Xuan is still a member of the Gao family, and Mr. Yushan is a layer away from him.

"It's up to you," Mr. Yushan nodded, then asked, "Do you understand why I'm asking you if you have any money?"

Chen Xuan said truthfully, "I have a rough guess. I said that day that I would collect the old boatman's body to repay his life-saving grace..." At this point, Chen Xuan hesitated, looked up, and asked, "Sir, is there any result?"

What Shu Yao said doesn't count, so I have to ask him.

Mr. Yushan nodded and said, "You're quite astute. You guessed my intention. Indeed, the matter has come to a conclusion. The old boatman has been brought to justice and has confessed everything. The evidence is irrefutable. The case is under the supervision of the Lanfeng County Magistrate. I have requested that the county magistrate expedite the execution. The execution will take place tomorrow at noon at Caishikou, Lanfeng County. Those traffickers, too!"

He didn't say anything else, because that was none of Chen Xuan's business.

It’s true, the result is confirmed.

But Chen Xuan, having received confirmation, couldn't describe his feelings. He wasn't happy, and sad was nonsense. He felt like an outsider. He clearly had experienced it firsthand, but he didn't take it too seriously. It was strange...

(End of this chapter)