Chapter 70: Why

Holding the agate beads bestowed by Changsun in his hands, and the jade pendant given by Li Jiancheng tucked in his bosom, most importantly, with a cartload of copper coins granted by Li Er trailing behind, Yun Hao felt as though he truly was gambling with his life. In these times, treating nobles was a perilous affair, the danger rating rising to a staggering nine point two. At the mere thought of Changsun Wuji’s expression, Yun Hao shuddered; if arsenic were to cause even the slightest harm to Changsun, that man would no doubt bite him to death on the spot.

“Greetings, young master!” No sooner had he stepped through the door than the two maidservants awarded by Changsun, Yuan’er and Xin’er, came forward to curtsy. Yun Hao was too young for the honorific “master” to suit him, so Madam Zhao made an exception and had the two refer to him as “young master.”

Both girls had been sent from High Shilian’s estate, Changsun’s uncle, and were accustomed to the grand life. At first, they were reluctant to serve the Yun family, but servants are servants; however unwilling, they had no choice. After some time, both felt fortunate—the country woman Madam Zhao was honest, gentle, and undemanding, easy to serve. The young master, though a bit cunning, was an eight-year-old child who had amassed a fortune unmatched anywhere in the land. Seeing the master haul in another cart of copper coins today brought them even greater joy. Clearly, life with the Yun family would never be poor. Compared to the scheming and intrigue of the Duke of Tang’s household, this was far more comfortable.

“Have these moved to the storeroom, and reward each person fifty coins,” Yun Hao declared generously. He never made use of others without reward. Now, he was one of the wealthiest in Jinyang city, his tone imbued with the swagger of a nouveau riche.

“Yes!” Xin’er replied gleefully and led the guards and drivers to the back courtyard. Having a master who could earn money was truly a blessing.

“What is Madam doing?” Now that Yun Hao was addressed as young master, Madam Zhao was naturally called Madam. If Yun Hao were older, “Madam” would likely be prefixed with “old.”

“Madam is entertaining guests in the hall!” Yuan’er, seeing all the copper coins and the box in the young master’s arms, felt nothing but delight. They had been given to the Yun family, and thus belonged to them. Or rather, they were the family’s property. If the family’s fortunes fell, it was often pretty maidservants like themselves who were sold off. Becoming a concubine in a small household was the best outcome; being sold to a brothel meant their lives were ruined. With a master who could make money, not only did their lives become comfortable, but their personal safety was assured.

“Receiving guests? Who?” Yun Hao was puzzled. Since arriving in Jinyang, they hadn’t made acquaintances. His household consisted of a widowed mother and an eight-year-old child—a typical guest would hardly feel comfortable visiting. Who could it be?

“It’s Physician Zhang, and Miss Zhang has come as well.”

Zhang Wenzhong? Why was he here? Could it be that Qi Biao and Lai Shun’er, those two boys, had caused trouble? Surely not... The matter of spying on Zhang Miaoke bathing had already been taken care of by himself. Coming to demand justice? To be seen naked by an eight-year-old, what could really be done? Was he to marry her as a result, at eight years old? In the future, that’s barely old enough for the first grade—expecting him to wed now? That’s much too much to ask of a child!

Puzzled, Yun Hao headed straight for the hall to see what the Zhang family uncle and niece were here for.

Just as he stepped through the moon gate, he saw Zhang Miaoke strolling in the courtyard, accompanied by her maid Xing’er. It was the first time the two had met since the incident when Yun Hao stumbled upon Zhang Miaoke bathing. Though it was in his own house, Yun Hao still felt awkward. He braced himself and greeted her, “Sister Zhang, what brings you here today?”

“Here to discuss our marriage with my uncle,” Zhang Miaoke’s voice, as soft as a golden oriole, thundered in Yun Hao’s ears.

“What?” Yun Hao’s exclamation was nearly off-key. Surely not! Wasn’t she fifteen this year? He was only seven or eight. The age gap was enormous—wouldn’t there be a generational difference?

Xing’er and Yuan’er seemed to have come to a tacit understanding, disappearing hand in hand like sisters. The spacious courtyard was left with only Zhang Miaoke and Yun Hao.

“Um… what? I didn’t quite catch that. Could you say it again?” For the first time in his life, Yun Hao questioned his own hearing.

“Discussing our marriage! You saw me completely naked—if I don’t marry you, I’ll have to become a nun.”

“I didn’t see everything—you were clothed…!” Yun Hao was exasperated, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Zhang Miaoke was beautiful, her figure not bad, knowledgeable and shrewd, sly as a vixen. Though not as exceptional as Changsun, she was rare enough. But…the age difference was just too much, seven years older. Was he really expected to marry a wife seven years his senior? It didn’t make sense!

Watching Zhang Miaoke’s half-smiling expression and her cunning eyes, Yun Hao suddenly felt a familiar sensation. “Wait… why do I feel like you’ve tricked me?”

“Haha! You finally figured it out—not bad at all. I, Zhang Miaoke, have chosen my husband!” In the sunlight, her eyes shone with admiration, but to Yun Hao, she looked all the more like a sly fox.

“Qi Biao and Lai Shun’er, were they your doing?” Yun Hao retraced the events from the beginning.

“Yes, I arranged it. They wanted to apprentice in my family, so I used a little trick and got them to help me.” Zhang Miaoke nodded, admitting it openly.

“So, your uncle suddenly took a liking to Lai Shun’er—that was your urging?”

“Exactly! I knew that foolish boy wanted to study medicine, so I spoke a few good words to my uncle. Otherwise, do you think my uncle would ever choose such an illiterate child? If he wanted to take apprentices, the line would stretch to Luoyang.” Zhang Miaoke spoke with pride, a scheming smile on her face. Yun Hao was sweating bullets.

With such a vixen in the Yun family, it would be like letting a weasel into a chicken coop. Even if he and his mother joined forces, they wouldn’t be enough to satisfy her. No, this must be stopped! Absolutely stopped! With this thought, Yun Hao strode quickly toward the hall.

“Your mother has already agreed. Tomorrow, she’ll ask the matchmaker to deliver the betrothal gifts to my family. If you go now, it’s a bit late. Besides, my body has already been seen by you—who else would marry me? I am a proper young lady; am I not good enough for you? Just a few years older—when you’re grown, you can marry a few lovely concubines. Don’t worry, as the first wife, I won’t be jealous.” Zhang Miaoke’s voice drifted after him.

Yun Hao stopped and turned back, puzzled, “Why?”