The anti-Qing movement began with the looting of the Eight-Nation Alliance.

During the conversation, Shen Lian learned that Dong Shaohua's family was originally quite wealthy, but a few months ago their home was robbed. His parents were murdered, and their old house was burned to the ground.

The family business came to a standstill, and when he rushed back, he was swindled and left with a huge debt. He sold all his possessions to pay off the debts, ultimately becoming penniless. He originally planned to take his wife and children to Beijing to seek refuge with relatives, but unfortunately, his wife fell seriously ill when they reached Linqing.

He had spent all his money on his wife's medical treatment. Just when he was at his wit's end, he happened to meet Tan Ya looking for a teacher, so he decided to give it a try.

Shen Lian could only express deep sympathy for his plight.

"Brother Dong, it's really a waste of your talents to have you come here to teach young children. How about this, you help me manage this place for now. Consider it being the principal for now! I'll give you ten taels of silver a month as tuition. After some time, you can come and help me with more important things, okay?"

Talented individuals fluent in foreign languages ​​are extremely rare these days. Shen Lian certainly wouldn't let this opportunity pass him by.

"Thank you, boss!" Dong Shaohua was moved to tears; he desperately needed a job.

"Tan Ya, ask Uncle Fu to make arrangements for Mr. Dong to find a room and also help him bring his wife and children over."

"Brother Dong, I'm entrusting the children to you. I don't need them to be highly educated; as long as they can read and write, understand the principles of being a good person, and can do basic arithmetic, that's enough. How you teach them is up to you, and you can also decide how many teachers they need."

"Don't worry, boss, I will do my best to teach them well." Dong Shaohua nodded solemnly.

That evening at dinner, Shen Lian gave a pair of jade bracelets to his stepmother and a pearl necklace to his younger sister. The two women were overjoyed; it was the first time they had ever received gifts from Shen Lian.

"Moon, these earrings are for you. I didn't have a chance to show them to Second Aunt earlier." After finishing his meal and returning to his room, Shen Lian took out a small box.

Xiao Yue'er happily took the box and opened it. Inside were a pair of earrings made of white pearls, each the size of a fingertip. She was overwhelmed by the sight. She had never received such a valuable gift before.

"Like it?"

"Yes! Thank you, young master." Xiao Yue'er nodded happily.

"Come, let me put it on for you!"

"Young Master, no! If someone sees me..." Xiao Yue'er quickly waved her hand; she dared not wear such valuable jewelry out.

"What are you afraid of if you see it? I gave it to you, so wear it. Who dares to say anything?" Shen Lian helped her put on the earrings without giving her a chance to argue.

"Look, isn't it pretty?" Shen Lian pulled Xiao Yue'er in front of the mirror.

Looking at her beautiful face and sparkling earrings in the mirror, Xiao Yue'er felt as if she were in a dream.

"Is the young master good to you?" Shen Lian asked, his throat dry.

"it is good!"

"Can't the young master treat you a little better?" Shen Lian said, pulling Yue'er into his arms from behind.

Xiao Yue'er trembled all over, then collapsed into Shen Lian's arms. Her face was as red as the sunset.

Feeling the person in his arms tremble slightly but not struggle, Shen Lian knew she had agreed. Overjoyed, he picked her up and placed her on the bed.

"Young Master, um..."

A single encounter in the golden autumn breeze and dewy moonlight surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world.

. . . . . . . .

The next day, the woodworking workshop delivered five hundred wooden boxes. The workmanship was exquisite, and Shen Lian was very satisfied.

The box could hold exactly fifty cigarettes. It was designed for a high-end market, and Shen Lian had yellow silk lined inside to give it an air of luxury.

Everything is ready; we can head to the capital now!

"Tan Ya, I'm going to ask you to do something very important. Are you willing to come to the capital with me and stay there long-term?"

With only a year left before the Eight-Nation Alliance entered Beijing, Shen Lian was preparing to make some arrangements. He didn't have many people at his disposal, except for Tan Ya, who was considered quite shrewd.

"Young Master, I..." Tan Ya was naturally very willing to go to the capital with the young master. However, he hesitated when he thought about being away from home for a long time, and that he only had his old mother at home.

"No rush, go back and think it over carefully. Give me your answer tomorrow!" Shen Lian waved his hand.

Tan Ya breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this; his life had just begun to improve. Now he had enough to eat and wear, and even had some spare cash. He no longer had to hide when he went out; the thugs who used to bully him now addressed him as Master Tan.

Everything he had was given to him by the young master, and he was incredibly grateful. But what would happen to his mother if he went to the capital? Her health wasn't good. Tan Ya walked out of the general's mansion in a daze, not even hearing anyone greet him.

"Son, you're back so early today? Is everything alright at the General's Mansion?" Tan Ya walked into the house in a daze, and Tan Ya's mother looked up and asked in surprise.

"Mom, didn't I tell you not to embroider anymore? My current wages are enough for the two of us." Tan Ya couldn't help but complain when she saw her mother embroidering again.

“Your mother is only forty years old. How can she not work all day? You need to save the money you earn so you can use it to find a wife in the future. We can’t just sit around and do nothing.”

Tan Ya's mother looked at her precious child with a face full of loving affection. Tan Ya's ability to work in the General's Mansion had brought her a lot of prestige, and everyone in the neighborhood envied her. Now, when she went out, the villagers treated her with great courtesy.

"Son, what's wrong? Are you in a bad mood today? Sit down for a bit, I'll boil some water and make you some tea." Tan Ya's mother said, preparing to stand up.

"Mother, please sit down first. I have something to tell you!" Tan Ya thought for a moment and then told her what was going on.

"Oh dear! You silly child, what are you still hesitating for with such a good opportunity! Young Master Shen is really giving you a chance. Son, you're really going to make something of yourself," Tan Ya Niang said happily.

"But Mother, I don't know when I'll be back after going to the capital. I'm worried about you being alone at home, and I can't bear to leave you!" Tan Ya said, her eyes reddening.

“Silly child, your mother can take care of herself. We have enough to eat and wear now, it’s so much better than before, what are you worried about!” Tan Ya’s mother wiped her eyes and said with a smile.

“A good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown! Young Master Shen is clearly destined for great things, and he’s also a kind person. It’s our good fortune that he’s taken a liking to you, so you must seize this opportunity, son. Others would beg for such a chance, and it’s fleeting. Hurry back to the General’s Mansion to find Young Master Shen.” Tan Ya Niang said, getting up to urge him on.

"Oh dear, Mother! The young master told me not to rush, I can give him an answer tomorrow."

"Good, good! Mother will go buy some incense and candles to burn for your father and grandfather, so that they can bless my son from over there, and wish him a safe journey and a bright future."

Watching his mother rush out the door, Tan Ya shook his head helplessly.