pjbooks Chapter 145 is coming.
Chapter 145 is coming.
Shunzi's arrival seemed to bring no change, yet it also seemed to cause many changes.
After a night's rest, Lin Ziping and Zhu Zi returned to their normal get off work routines, while Shun Zi also left early and returned late, seemingly unsure of what to do all day.
Lin Ziping's courtyard seemed to be taut, filled with an invisible pressure.
Suddenly, some unfamiliar faces appeared in the county government office.
The atmosphere became strange. Lin Ziping tried to inquire about the arrangements for Hu Rongrong and the others, but Shi Yong refused to say anything.
The aftermath of the bandits in Maomao Mountain also subsided.
Lin Ziping felt rejected.
Despite this, Lin Ziping still adhered to the basic qualities of a working person and maintained his previous work and rest schedule.
As long as your salary hasn't been reduced, just clock in and leave. Do what you're assigned, and rest when there's nothing to do. Work is just a way to make a living, so don't get too carried away at any time.
What's more, his backpack is still inside the mountain stronghold, the "Wuling Hongguang" hasn't returned yet, and there's still no explanation for the "Rain of Pear Blossom Needles" that Zhu Zi gave him. Could these things have been confiscated?
No one said anything, and Lin Ziping didn't dare to ask.
Four or five days passed like this, and before we knew it, the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching.
Lin Ziping was filled with anticipation at the prospect of having a three-day holiday.
"Lin Ziping." That afternoon, Lin Ziping was about to leave work when he was stopped by Inspector Chai.
"Inspector Chai." Lin Ziping clasped his hands in a salute.
"The county government will be hosting a banquet at Fuchun Restaurant tomorrow night to welcome His Highness the Sixth Prince. Make your preparations and we'll go together," said Inspector Chai.
The day after tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, isn't it?!
Team building activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival?!
"My family is coming from Qingyang the day after tomorrow." Since Lin Zhong and his group were coming to Fuchun, Lin Ziping wanted to use this as an excuse to refuse them.
Inspector Chai said calmly, "This was arranged by Magistrate Wei."
This……
"Yes." When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. That was a notification, not a discussion.
Inspector Chai patted Lin Ziping on the shoulder: "Young people should seize some opportunities."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for your guidance, Inspector Chai." Lin Ziping clasped his hands in thanks.
In the Qing Dynasty, eunuchs would reply "Zha," in modern times cattle and horses would respond "Received," and now Lin Ziping would reply "Yes."
Times and places may differ, and the answers may vary, but the core message remains the same: they are all common phrases used by working people.
Mid-Autumn Festival, a day off.
At Chenshi (7-9 AM), Lin Ziping, Zhuzi, and Shunzi went to the city gate to wait for Lin Zhong and Granny Liao to arrive.
There were significantly more people on the streets this time than when Lin Ziping had just returned, and people's faces showed less worry.
Presumably, the drought has been alleviated after several days of rain.
The three walked into the street, and people came up to greet them and Zhu Zi from time to time.
"Zhu Zi went shopping."
"Pillar, take this dish home and eat it."
……
Zhu Zi smiled and nodded slightly to the passersby.
Seeing this, Lin Ziping suddenly felt a sense of pride and secretly gave the pillar a thumbs up.
"Cough cough..." Shunzi suddenly coughed twice.
Zhu Zi suppressed his smile and followed obediently behind Lin Ziping.
"What's wrong, Brother Shunzi? If you're sick, you can have Zhuzi take a look. You're new here and don't know there's a plague in Fuchun," Lin Ziping asked with feigned concern.
Shunzi was taken aback, then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, thank you for your concern, young master."
“Yes, Zhu Zi, go back and let Brother Shun Zi take a look,” Lin Ziping said.
“Young Master, the doctor at the clinic suspects that this widespread illness is not a plague, but possibly poison from the bandits,” Zhu Zi said. “Brother Shunzi probably just has a cold.”
Has the doctor at the clinic already suspected poisoning?
Judging from the state of the pedestrians on the street, the situation has likely been initially contained.
Lin Ziping suddenly realized that Zhu Zi and Shun Zi didn't have surnames yet. Although they were nominally Liao Mama's nephews, they were actually orphans adopted by Liao Mama.
They had asked Granny Liao why they weren't allowed to have the surname Liao, but in order not to burden Granny Liao, the two of them signed a contract of servitude with Lin Zhong.
Zhu Zi was young, and they had grown up together; their bond was unspoken.
Shunzi is always dutiful and respectful of superiors and subordinates, as if it were ingrained in his bones. He has scolded Zhuzi countless times in the past few days because of this.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Lin Ziping knew he didn't have that much power, and after saying it several times, Shunzi still did things his own way, so he just let him be.
Considering that servants in this era take pride in following their master's surname, if all else fails, they can talk to Lin Zhong when he comes and ask him to take their surname.
And then there's Xiaoya. When I left Qingyang, Granny Liao said she would name her, but I don't know what she chose. I forgot to ask about it when I wrote back earlier.
The three arrived at the city gate around 7:45 AM. Before long, they saw a carriage with the sign "Lin Mansion" approaching.
Lin Ziping waved his hand quickly.
The carriage gradually slowed down and finally stopped in front of the forest floor.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a young maid helped Granny Liao slowly down from the carriage and walked towards Lin Ziping.
"Young Master..." Granny Liao made a gesture to bow.
Lin Ziping quickly stepped forward and helped her up, saying, "Granny."
"Oh dear, young master, you've lost weight. Has Zhuzi not taken good care of you?" Granny Liao said, looking Lin Ziping up and down.
Lin Ziping took her hand and laughed, "No, I've just grown taller, gotten a tan, and become stronger. Granny, I missed you so much."
Granny Liao squeezed Lin Ziping's hand without saying a word, but the smile in her eyes deepened.
Zhu Zi and Shun Zi also bowed to Granny Liao.
Granny Liao pulled Lin Ziping along and slightly raised her head to indicate the carriage behind them.
This must be Lin Zhong, his uncle.
Lin Ziping released Liao Mama's hand, walked to the carriage, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Uncle."
"Ziping, no need for formalities," Lin Zhong's voice came from inside the carriage.
As the sound faded, Tao Xian lifted the carriage curtain and jumped down.
"Uncle Tao." Lin Ziping nodded to Butler Tao.
"Master intends to return first," said Butler Tao.
"That's fine then," Lin Ziping quickly said.
Granny Liao helped Lin Ziping into the carriage, with Zhu Zi and Shun Zi leading the way.
Xiao Ya lowered the carriage curtain, leaving only Granny Liao and Lin Ziping inside.
Granny Liao carefully examined Lin Ziping, reached out and pinched his arm, and suddenly her eyes reddened: "Young Master has suffered here."
Lin Ziping hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped away Liao Mama's tears, saying, "No, Mama, this is all muscle."
After saying that, he raised his hand, clenched his fist, and showed her the muscles in his hand.
"Pfft—"
Seeing Lin Ziping's expression, Granny Liao couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Seeing this, Lin Ziping breathed a sigh of relief, hugged Liao Mama's arm and shook it, saying coquettishly, "Mama, I want to eat the food you make."
Granny Liao wiped away her tears, tapped Lin Ziping's forehead, and said, "You glutton, Granny will make it for you when we get back."
"Okay." Lin Ziping smiled and nodded emphatically.