How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

After giving his grandson some serious instructions and a beating, Steward Fu went to fetch another man. This man was a beggar whom the mistress had found at the foot of Baiyun Temple. He was only eight or nine years old at the time, a bit slower and more shrewd than the average person, and a bit stubborn. But he was extremely obedient and quite skilled.

Fu Yang was born with a smile that made people like him at first sight. Jia Kuo had a strong and powerful appearance, and he looked no different from an ordinary person, but the moment he opened his mouth, his true nature was revealed. He spoke slower than ordinary people, and there was a sense of naiveté.

It was already mid-afternoon when Zhang Zhou returned from the academy. He hosted a luncheon for some of the teachers he knew from the academy. Several of them suggested that he go to the capital to study for a while, so that he would be more confident in his chances of passing the imperial examination next spring.

Xiao An came forward, wagging his tail and flicking his tongue. Zhang Zhou patted his head. No one was home, so he paced slowly, looking at every corner of the house, feeling even more reluctant to leave.

He sighed softly. The few small footprints on the courtyard wall were all left by Wang Qiuyu. The deep and shallow ink marks on the pillars in the front hall were left by their mother to record their height. The flowerbed in the front yard was dug out by them, father and son, one hoe at a time. The pebbles in the pond were fished from the river at their grandparents' home. The few small stools on the corridor were made by their grandparents, one for each of them. They sat in a row in the corridor, eating meals, eating fruit, and playing games.

He sat on a small stool, too low for him now. He looked ahead. There were a few teeth marks on the railing, left by Xiao An. Every item in the house held their memories. He couldn't bear to leave, this home, and everyone in it.

Daan tilted his head and looked at him, as if sensing that something was wrong with him. He wagged his tail and stood up, resting his paws on his knees. He nuzzled his head into his neck and purred softly.

Zhang Zhou rubbed Da'an's neck and smiled, "I'm fine."

Xiao An also came over to join in the fun, and struggled hard in his arms, almost knocking him over. Da An yelled and slapped his brother down with one paw. Xiao An immediately whimpered in grievance, and Da An remained silent and gave him two more paws.

"Okay, why hit it?" Zhang Zhou separated the two dogs that were about to fight and comforted one with each hand.

Xiao An was still barking, but Da An ignored him and rested his head on Zhang Zhou's legs, enjoying his caress. Suddenly, his ears stood up, he barked at Zhang Zhou twice, and ran to the door.

Xiao An shook his head and followed.

Zhang Zhou guessed that Xiaochu and his mother might have returned, and walked towards the door.

Dong Xiaohuan walked in with two young men, smiling. Xia Chu didn't come back.

Da'an and Xiao'an looked at the strangers with their tails between their legs. Only when they felt that their masters were in a stable mood did they go forward and sniff around Fu Yang and Jia Kuo.

"Mom, who is this?" Why are there two people? Zhang Zhou looked over in confusion.

"This is Fu Yang, the servant your Aunt Qing Wu chose for you. He's guarding Jia Kuo," Dong Xiaohuan introduced him. "Fu Yang knows how to read, and Jia Kuo is skilled in martial arts. What do you think?"

Fu Yang tugged at Jia Kuo, then knelt down and kowtowed, "Fu Yang greets the young master."

"Jia Kuo, nice to meet you, young master." Jia Kuo knelt down straight away, and his head hit the ground with a 'bang' sound.

Dong Xiaohuan was shocked. How could this child be so honest?

Zhang Zhou hadn't expected an extra guard, so he quickly told them to stand up. He glanced at Jia Kuo twice more, and after he stood up, he just stared at him expressionlessly, his eyes clear but with a hint of...dumbness.

"Come in first, have a cup of tea first." Dong Xiaohuan poured tea for the two of them and pulled Zhang Zhou aside.

Fu Yang did not drink his tea, nor did he dare sit down, but stood obediently with his head bowed. Jia Kuo looked at him and followed his example.

"Xiao Zhou, what do you think of these two people?" Dong Xiaohuan asked in a low voice, and explained the situation of the two people to him in detail.

A bookboy is always around, and knowing how to read is basic. Fu Yang is a smart man, with a pleasant but not flattering smile. Jia Kuo is a guard, so he doesn't need to be particularly smart. Loyalty and good skills are the most important. The people chosen by Aunt Qingwu are very suitable. Zhang Zhou has nothing to choose from, but he is worried about troubling Aunt Qingwu too much. He looked at his mother, "Everything is good, but will it be inconvenient for Aunt Qingwu to have less people?"

Dong Xiaohuan repeated Jia Qingwu's words to him, "I've asked around. Your Aunt Qingwu said that since you're a juren now and you're going so far, two people is the minimum. It's a great blessing for them to be able to follow you. She brought quite a few people with her, and it's easy for her to buy them. She also has a housekeeper to watch over their training, so it won't affect anything."

How could it not have an impact? One of these two people is a family-born child, and the other is loyal. How can someone bought temporarily from outside compare? But the fact that they were delivered is also Aunt Qingwu's intention. Zhang Zhou didn't say much, but where these two people live is a problem. "So where do they live?"

Jia Qingwu naturally wouldn't be surprised. She had already made arrangements. "They will go back to the Jia family on their own later, and you can take them with you when you leave. Fu Yang will come with you tomorrow to get acquainted with them first. Jia Kuo won't be needed for the time being."

"That's fine." Zhang Zhou nodded.

"Is it settled then?" Dong Xiaohuan asked.

"Well, thank you for your hard work, mom." Zhang Zhou bowed with a smile.

Dong Xiaohuan smiled, and most of her worries from yesterday were gone. "Just remember your Aunt Qingwu. It's getting late. I'll go prepare some food. Your sister said she wants to stay over there today. You can make arrangements with those two and send them back after dinner."

"Okay, I understand." Zhang Zhou watched her mother go to the kitchen and then took a look at her future attendant. She asked them to go to the study and asked a few questions.

Fu Yang was indeed very clever and good at speaking. Jia Kuo was just a bit slow in his speech, but he wasn't stupid at all. Zhang Zhou was very satisfied and felt even more grateful to Jia Qingwu.

Jia Qingwu hadn't actually planned on letting Xia Chu stay. She'd just helped, and bringing it up now felt like a way to repay a favor. It was Xia Chu who, seeing Jia Qingwu looking a little downhearted before she left, offered to stay.

She had stayed in her small embroidery building for two days before, and it had everything it needed. When she returned, she even noticed a lot more stuff. There were two new music books on the desk, by famous masters. There were also two new pipa instruments in the room, and a few more clothes in the wardrobe.

Having a mother who thought about her all the time made Xia Chu feel a little pressured, unsure how to repay her. But she was also happy, because there was one more person in the world who loved her so wholeheartedly.

She decided to stay two more days this time and invite her friends over to play and liven up the house. Although Jia Qingwu didn't stay at home all day, after coming back from outside, she must have felt lonely in such a large house with only the servants.