After Being Mistakenly Taken for a Fellow Traveler by Emperor Long Aotian - Chapter 98

“Your brother? Who is your brother?”

 

Madame Lu realized she had mistaken the person upon hearing the voice. She took a few steps forward, and upon getting a clear view of the person’s face, she saw that she had indeed mistaken him.

 

This person resembled Zhou Xun to some extent, but was shorter, had a less pointed chin, darker skin, and looked less pleasant. Zhou Xun might not smile much and sometimes gave off a cold feeling, but this person, although smiling and appearing friendly, made Madame Lu inexplicably uneasy.

 

“You say you are young master Xun’s older brother?” Madame Lu hesitated, glancing behind Zhou Cai and muttering, “Why isn’t young master Xun here today?”

 

A hint of suspicion arose in her mind, but before she could fully process it, Zhou Cai said, “He’s been quite busy recently. Today, I’m here to check on you.”

 

“Oh, oh.”

 

Madame Lu knew Zhou Xun was busy, so she didn’t suspect anything further. Zhou Cai looked around the courtyard and said, “Shall we talk inside?”

 

“Oh, oh, I almost forgot! Since you are young master Xun’s family and a distinguished guest, come in, come in, and sit down!”

 

Madame Lu hurriedly invited Zhou Cai to sit. As he was Zhou Xun’s older brother and could be considered a benefactor, Madame Lu generously prepared tea for him and even sent Xiao Wu out to buy some snacks.

 

The young man named Zhou Cai drank the tea and looked around the room, asking about the current situation of the Lu family. His voice was soft and his demeanor polite and sincere. Madame Lu quickly set aside her previous doubts and began to express her gratitude.

 

“We owe so much to your family. If it weren’t for your brother’s help, not only would this leg have been lost, but my son’s life might have been in jeopardy…”

 

“Actually, I came here today not only because of my younger brother Xun, but also for… another brother.”

 

The young man suddenly spoke in a low voice, with an expression that seemed embarrassed. Madame Lu was taken aback: “Another brother?”

 

“Actually…”

 

Xiao Wu returned with the snacks and, just as he stepped into the courtyard, he heard the stranger’s next words.

 

“I am surnamed Zhou.”

 

— Followed by the sound of a cup shattering.

 

“You! You!” Madame Lu gasped in shock, “How could you! How could you!”

 

“I know my younger brother’s mistakes are unforgivable,” Zhou Cai stood up and said. “He deserves any punishment he receives. If Lu Bin nearly lost his life because of him, Zhou Hong’s errors, though youthful and reckless, are the responsibility of the entire Zhou family. If the law demands he be executed after autumn, we will not have any complaints!”

 

Madame Lu opened her mouth. Previously, when she was harassed by servants sent by Zhou’s mother, she had assumed that today’s visit from the unknown Zhou Cai was to plead for his brother. But he was only making a grand statement, even saying…

 

That his brother should face execution without complaint?

 

So what was his purpose in coming here today? If he wasn’t here to plead, then why?

 

“Don’t overthink it,” Zhou Cai said, as if understanding her thoughts. “Today, I just wanted to see how you were doing. Since Zhou Hong’s actions have caused trouble, I have had little to do lately. I thought you might still be unsettled even knowing the doctor has come, so I came to check.”

 

“You…”

 

“My mother spoiled Zhou Hong from a young age… As the older brother, I have always been left to clean up after him…” Zhou Cai smiled, his smile tinged with a bit of discomfort, which made one think deeply. “But it was bad enough when he only harmed our family; this time, he has caused suffering to innocent people. I understand that if you had known the doctor was from the Zhou family, you would have refused his help. But Lu Bin’s leg could not be delayed! Therefore…”

 

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear: Zhou Xun had chosen to hide his surname.

 

Madame Lu fell silent. Zhou Cai smiled again and said, “Now that I see you’re well, I’ll take my leave. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need any help.”

 

He walked step by step into the twilight, his figure slender and his steps slow. Madame Lu watched him leave for a long time, and then said, “You… if we sue the Zhou family, what will you do? Your recent official career seems to be going poorly, could it be because of your younger brother…”

 

Zhou Cai didn’t turn around; he simply shook his head briefly and continued walking.

 

His silhouette seemed a bit staggered and aged, an older brother shouldering the burden of the entire family… it was hard not to feel sympathy.

 

He was even dressed in a simple blue cotton robe and a black cloth coat, so humble for someone who had once been a top scholar and a minister in court.

 

Zhou Cai felt the same way.

 

He walked many steps and, just as he was about to leave the alley, he finally heard another voice behind him.

 

It was Xiao Wu’s voice.

 

“Wait!”

 

It was a clumsy Chinese phrase.

 

Zhou Cai suppressed his rising smile. He turned around, seemingly surprised, and asked, “What’s the matter?”

 

“You said if there’s anything, we can come to you.” The boy, holding his knee and panting, said, “Just now, seeing your back, I remembered something…”

 

Zhou Cai felt a glimmer of hope and said gently, “Go ahead.”

 

His afternoon’s performance wasn’t in vain.

 

The boy said, “Can you buy some oranges for me?”

 

Zhou Cai: ???

 

Zhou Cai’s smile nearly faltered: “What?”

 

“I just saw your back and remembered I need to buy oranges. Lu Bin wants to eat oranges, and only the East City has them.” The boy said oddly, “The East City is too far, my Chinese isn’t good, and I can’t take a car.”

 

Zhou Cai: …

 

The boy continued, “By the way, you came by carriage, and the carriage is at the Lu family’s gate. Why did you walk so far into the alley?”

 

Zhou Cai: …

 

The native boy’s words were clearly innocent, but Zhou Cai felt embarrassed by them. He could only stiffly walk back, and behind him, he heard a woman’s light laugh.

 

A woman?

 

Zhou Cai turned around to see a sedan chair behind him. Inside, a veiled woman with beautiful eyes was watching him with interest. Seeing Zhou Cai look back, she lowered the curtain and the sedan chair left.

 

She seemed to carry a warm, sweet fragrance that lingered in the wind. It smelled like the scent of warm pear wood.

 

Zhou Cai spent the entire afternoon following the boy from the West City to the East City. The East City was a mixed bag, and the terrain was exceptionally difficult to navigate. Moreover, it seemed that recently, the Emperor had ordered road repairs in the area. There was a long, deep pit in front of the orange stall. The boy seemed to lose his ability to speak Chinese again in front of the deep pit, just staring blankly at him.

 

To make matters worse, Zhou Cai had come with only a carriage driver and no servant, intending to show his sincerity and simplicity. Even the carriage driver was now watching the carriage. Zhou Cai gritted his teeth, climbed down into the deep pit, and then stumbled up the other side to buy the oranges.

 

He returned, covered in dust, just in time to see Xiao Wu in a dispute. Xiao Wu seemed to have accidentally knocked over something from a stall selling paintings and calligraphy. The stall owner was grabbing Xiao Wu and shouting that he must pay, insisting that the painting was worth a fortune.

 

Zhou Cai: …

 

He was carrying oranges, practically wanting to turn around and leave, but a few discordant voices from his colleagues behind him called out, “Isn’t that Zhou Cai? What are you doing here?”

 

These people had always been overshadowed by Zhou Cai for years and had long harbored resentment towards him. In the past, Zhou Cai had always been too disdainful to argue or interact with them. His recent absence from the Hanlin Academy, besides presenting himself as a person of integrity, was also meant to avoid these individuals.

 

Fortune seldom comes alone, and disaster never comes singly. Zhou Cai hated losing face in front of his colleagues more than anything. Moreover, he was already in a difficult situation and did not want to lose face in front of others. Seeing the shopkeeper’s voice growing louder and demanding compensation from Xiao Wu, Zhou Cai’s patience was wearing thin. Xiao Wu, trying to avoid the confrontation, saw Zhou Cai arriving and quickly stammered, “Zhou, Zhou Young Master!”

 

“This person is a servant of the Zhou family? Tsk tsk, it seems the Zhou family has truly fallen. They even employ such a crude servant.”

 

“Times have changed. The Zhou family is now scattered and broken. How could they have any respectable servants?”

 

“Hey, did this servant dirty the paintings on the stall?”

 

“If it were me…” one person intentionally lowered his voice, “I’d just run off with the stuff. A servant is worth only a few taels of silver, but this shopkeeper is demanding hundreds of taels. I heard his mother’s ancestors were merchants, and merchants are known for being very calculating. Zhou Cai must be able to count this clearly.”

 

The group laughed quietly. Zhou Cai’s brows tightened.

 

He forced a smile and approached the shopkeeper, saying, “This young man is my friend. I apologize for him. He’s new to the capital and doesn’t know the rules. I will apologize on his behalf…”

 

“Apologies aren’t enough. You need to pay!” The shopkeeper was both anxious and angry, pointing at the bag of paintings. “He has ruined this entire bag of paintings!”

 

“I didn’t…”

 

Xiao Wu wanted to argue, trying to say the bag of paintings hadn’t been damaged by the water. The shopkeeper immediately said, “You’re not trying to avoid payment, are you? Well, you’re a pauper, but your friend is not. If you’re his friend, then you…”

 

“I’ll buy it,” Zhou Cai cut in.

 

As the crowd grew larger, Zhou Cai, frowning and feeling frustrated, took out some silver coins, intending to resolve the matter by paying. He threw the money onto the stall, telling Xiao Wu to wrap up the bag of paintings and leave. Just as they had walked a few steps, the shopkeeper shouted, “Hey! This money isn’t enough!”

 

“You can come to the Zhou residence in Tongfu Li tomorrow and get the rest from me. Just say you’re looking for the Zhou family’s eldest son.”

 

Zhou Cai turned to leave, but the shopkeeper persisted, shouting, “One word isn’t worth anything! Who do you think you are, claiming to be some noble young master? Don’t think you can fool people with someone else’s name. If you don’t leave the money here today, you’re not going anywhere!”

 

Saying this, the shopkeeper and a few burly men came forward, trying to block Zhou Cai’s way.

 

Zhou Cai’s patience, which was already thin, was completely exhausted.

 

Before he could speak, one of the townsfolk laughed, “With your appearance, you dare to say you’re the Zhou family’s eldest son? What kind of family is the Zhou family? Their eldest son, when going out, wouldn’t he be accompanied by servants and dressed properly? You’re dreaming… dreaming of something…”

 

“Dreaming of the basic principles!”

 

“Yes, dreaming of the basic principles!”

 

These were strange terms Zhou Cai didn’t understand. He sneered, “You must be blind. How could I…”

 

How could he…

 

Zhou Cai had come to the Lu family today to seek sympathy. He was dressed in plain clothes and was covered in dust and mud. He didn’t realize his appearance, so claiming to be the Zhou family’s eldest son only drew laughter.

 

“That jade pendant on him seems to be worth something,” someone said.

 

“Well then, leave this jade pendant here. My shop won’t run away. You can come back tomorrow to redeem it!”

 

“You!”

 

Zhou Cai never expected these people would actually dare to lay hands on him. However, with more and more people gathering around, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and removed the jade pendant, throwing it directly at the shopkeeper’s face.

 

—Tomorrow he would send someone to redeem the jade pendant, hoping that the shopkeeper wouldn’t be too scared!

 

Zhou Cai shot a fierce glance at him and turned to leave. Xiao Wu, who had caused the trouble, hurriedly followed him. Zhou Cai walked briskly, unaware that someone had come out of the painting shop.

 

The person, with a frivolous appearance, was the same Master Liu who had previously tried to pursue Zhou Xun. His family had some influence in the capital, and this painting shop was one of his properties. He had made several attempts to court Zhou Xun, visiting Youfang Alley many times, but Zhou Xun had accepted nothing and always looked cold, which frustrated him.

 

Seeing Zhou Cai throwing the jade pendant and leaving red-faced, Master Liu remarked, “So the Zhou family has fallen to such a state…”

 

He muttered to himself, “I hadn’t noticed before, but now that I see it… He looks quite similar to that ice beauty. Now that he’s fallen from grace, he’s in need of help… He could be used to amuse me…”

 

“Master, Master?”

 

Master Liu snapped out of his reverie. Looking at the shopkeeper’s fawning face, he impatiently waved his fan and asked, “Did you find the painting I asked for?”

 

“Master, you asked us to find a genuine painting by the late Minister Xie, but it’s truly impossible to find.” The shopkeeper wiped the sweat from his forehead, “However, we did find something else recently…”

 

“Something else?”

 

“A genuine painting by the great painter Lin Mingxi from the previous dynasty. The story is quite long; it was found in a pawnshop’s warehouse. This pawnshop specialized in receiving paintings as collateral but secretly dealt in imitation and forgery. They kept the genuine pieces and sold the fakes as real. A few days ago, this pawnshop had a conflict with our shop, and with a bit of trickery, we took it over…”

 

Master Liu was uninterested in these convoluted details. He only asked, “Where is the painting? Where is it?”

 

“The painting is meant as a gift for that ice beauty. It should please him. Hehe.” Master Liu said softly.

 

The shopkeeper hurriedly sent people to find the painting. But, whether it was him, Master Liu, or even Zhou Cai, they never imagined—

 

The painting, being too old, had been carelessly mixed with other cheap paintings and was now taken away by Xiao Wu.

 

The ordeal left Zhou Cai physically and mentally exhausted. After sending the young man back to the Lu residence, Zhou Cai was too tired to even move his fingers.

 

However, his goal for the day had been achieved, and it seemed like heaven was on his side. Thinking of this, Zhou Cai couldn’t help but smile faintly.

 

Meanwhile, the young man returned to the courtyard with a large bag of oranges. Aunt Lu, seeing him suddenly run out and come back with a large bag of oranges, was so worried that she scolded him with a broom, “Where did you get the money to buy these oranges? Did you steal them? Oranges are expensive!”

 

“Mother, Mother!”

 

Hearing Xiao Wu being scolded outside, Lu Bin hurriedly came out to stop it. Xiao Wu quickly slipped into the room with the oranges, and Lu Bin calmed Aunt Lu down before going in to ask him.

 

“Where did these oranges come from?”

 

“Zhou… Zhou gave them.”

 

“You… how could you take things from someone else so casually?” Lu Bin said helplessly. “A gentleman doesn’t take what is offered unwillingly.”

 

“He gave them to me himself,” Xiao Wu, struggling with his Mandarin, still stammered, “Besides, he didn’t take a carriage and walked too slowly…”

 

Walked too slowly?

 

Xiao Wu then explained that he had noticed the carriage hadn’t left when he went out, so he chased after Zhou Cai to buy the oranges. Lu Bin fell into deep thought.

 

After a long time, he heard Xiao Wu say, “Oranges can be used to entertain guests if they’re not eaten.”

 

“Entertain whom?” Lu Bin asked casually.

 

“Entertain Xun Gongzi and Miss Zhang.” Xiao Wu said frankly. “Xun Gongzi is a good person, and Miss Zhang… likes oranges.”

 

Lu Bin: ??

 

He tapped Xiao Wu’s head. “You’re so young and already have feelings for a girl? Put those thoughts away! But oranges…”

 

“Could be sent to Xun Gongzi. After all, they’re family.” Lu Bin murmured. “By the way, these paintings have no place to hang at home. You can send them along with the sea charts I’ve recently painted to Xun Gongzi.”