Going to Beijing to save his father, all the powerful officials in the city are vying to be his fath

Someone quipped curiously, "Mr. Zeng, haven't you been a bachelor your whole life? Where did this granddaughter come from?"

Zeng Lao glared at the man and said, "I've been a bachelor all my life, but I have brothers, and my brothers have families. This is my brother's granddaughter. She has no one at home, so she came to me for help."

The man looked at Su Qin doubtfully: "Then this child is a miserable child."

Su Qin allowed the man to look her over and even bowed gracefully. "My grandfather said that he was able to live alone before thanks to the care of you neighbors. Su Qing would like to thank you all here. I will live here in the future, and it is inevitable that I will cause trouble to you. I hope you neighbors will not mind."

Seeing her, such a well-educated lady, bow to these ordinary people, the people present immediately put away their teasing thoughts and said seriously, "Miss, you are too polite. It is an honor for us to have Mr. Zeng live here. Our children often come to bother us to learn a few words. If you need anything in the future, just let us know. We will definitely help you if we can."

Su Qin thanked everyone again and followed Zeng Lao to the market. Although the residents of West City were not dignitaries, the market was very lively and sold all kinds of things. Su Qin had never left their town since she traveled through time, so she was curious about everything she saw.

When they arrived at the bustling street, Mr. Zeng introduced the shops to Su Qin one by one, telling them in great detail which shop had delicious pastries, which shop owner was honest, and which shop owner was shortchanging people with weights. It was obvious that Mr. Zeng liked this kind of city life. He even knew whose rice was two cents more expensive.

Su Qin looked around and found that this dynasty was not very backward. It had common crops and rare things. She also saw many foreigners, the kind with high noses and blue eyes. She even saw a black man driving a luxurious carriage passing by.

Seeing her staring at the foreigners, Mr. Zeng introduced them, "Those with high noses and blue eyes are foreigners, doing business here. That black man is a Kunlun slave, a slave they brought from overseas. I heard they're strong, fast, and very hardworking, much more capable than our slaves. But there aren't many of them, and the price is very high. Only high-ranking officials buy one or two to show off their status. If you see families with black slaves, stay away. They're generally arrogant and unreasonable, and we can't afford to offend them."

Su Qin nodded to show that she understood. She knew that her country had trade relations with foreign countries since ancient times, so she was not surprised to see foreigners here.

Because Su Qin was hungry, she didn't shop for too long. She bought some ingredients and went back.

After returning home, Mr. Zeng started the fire and Su Qin cooked and soon prepared a table full of food.

When the food was served, Zeng Lao smiled contentedly, "It's better to have you here. When I was alone, I just had to make do with what I had every day, just enough to fill my stomach and not starve. I can't compare to the food you cook, which is so delicious and tasty. The only drawback is that there's no wine. It would be nice if I could have some."

Su Qin smiled and stopped him: "Grandpa, you know your body can't drink alcohol. If you really want to drink, wait for me to buy some herbs and make some medicinal wine for you."

Zeng Lao was happy: "Okay, if there is wine, I can drink medicinal wine."

The two were about to start eating when there was a knock on the door. Su Qin asked, "Who is this? Why are you here so late?"

Zeng Lao snorted, "Who else could it be? Someone came here just by smelling the food."

Su Qin didn't know who he was talking about, so she got up and went to the door. When she opened it, she saw Zhao Liangchen standing outside in armor.

Su Qin smiled and asked, "Master Zhao is here."

Seeing Su Qin dressed as a woman again, Zhao Liangchen became nervous for no reason. He felt a little awkward and didn't know what to say, but he couldn't let the conversation go cold. So he said in a rush, "Promise me that you'll call me Liangchen from now on."

After saying this, he wanted to slap himself in the face. Why was he talking so fast? The girl was embarrassed to call him by his name directly, and it seemed like he was forcing her.

Su Qin was stunned for a moment, then she smiled and called out, "Liangchen, come in."

The word "Liangchen" made Zhao Liangchen's awkwardness disappear. He was happy in his heart, and the corners of his mouth wanted to curl up, but he couldn't smile. He had to purse his lips and followed Su Qin into the main room.

When Mr. Zeng saw him, he had an expression that said, "I knew it was you." He glared at Zhao Liangchen with disdain and said, "Did you come just in time for dinner? How come you came right after the meal was ready?"

Zhao Liangchen hurriedly shook his head and explained, "No, I just came out of the palace after finishing my shift. I wanted to see if Miss Su had entered the city. I have something to tell her."

Mr. Zeng: "Let's eat first. Don't talk about things while eating. Go get your bowl and chopsticks."

Zhao Liangchen went to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks to serve the rice. The three of them finished their meal quietly. Zeng Lao stood up to take the bowls and chopsticks. "You guys talk about things, I'll go wash the dishes."

Zhao Liangchen and Su Qin both tried to stop him: "Grandpa (Teacher), let me wash it."

Because the two of them tried to grab the bowl that Mr. Zeng was holding at the same time, Su Qin's hand was not as fast as Zhao Liangchen's and she grabbed his hand directly.

Zhao Liangchen felt a warm and soft touch covering his hand. Before he could react, Su Qin withdrew her hand and the touch disappeared.

Zhao Liangchen didn't know how to react. He just stared blankly at his hand that Su Qin had touched. Zeng Lao couldn't bear to see his silly look and kicked Zhao Liangchen's calf with his foot: "Let go, don't get in the way here, finish your business and leave quickly. It's getting late, Su Qin is here, if you stay, people will gossip."

Zhao Liangchen finally came to his senses and withdrew his hand holding the bowl, then hid it behind his back somewhat embarrassedly.

Su Qin didn't feel anything, it was just an unintentional touch. She didn't pay attention to Zhao Liangchen's reaction. She helped Zeng Lao clear the dishes away, and then said to Zeng Lao: "Grandpa, leave it to me for a while."

Zeng Lao waved her off and said, "You cooked the meal, so of course I should wash the dishes. I asked you to come here to be my granddaughter, not to serve me as a maid. From now on, we will do the housework together."

Su Qin was about to say something when Zeng Lao rushed her out: "Go quickly and see what that silly boy is up to. He came here straight after his shift, so it must be something important."

Su Qin then returned to the main hall. Zhao Liangchen had been sitting down, but he stood up when he saw her come in. He was even more nervous than when he first arrived. Su Qin noticed his nervousness and thought he was concerned about the difference between men and women, so she wanted to finish her conversation quickly and let him go. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

Zhao Liangchen brought up the serious matter and spoke more smoothly: "Oh, it's about your father. Didn't King Liang have an accident outside the city today? The imperial physician diagnosed that he had a fractured leg bone and couldn't travel far. He could only rest and recuperate. Therefore, he couldn't go to Chanzhou."

Su Qin nodded: "I know this, isn't that his purpose? What does this have to do with my father?"

Zhao Liangchen: "It is related. Although Prince Liang cannot go to Chanzhou, the disaster relief work cannot be delayed. We need to send another important official. Prince Liang recommended your father."

Su Qin was a little surprised: "He asked my father to go to Chanzhou to provide disaster relief? But my father is only a minister, a low official position. Changing from a prince to a minister, doesn't this show that he doesn't take the disaster victims' affairs seriously? There are so many officials in the court with higher official positions than my father, why choose him? Is he trying to make things difficult for him? Disaster relief is not difficult to do. With my father's ability, he can do it well. He is not making things difficult for my father, but looking for an opportunity for my father to make merit. If he wanted to deal with my father, shouldn't he find a faraway place to send him away?"