Chapter 91

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Chapter 91: Leaving the Villa

Just as Zhang Xiaohua’s patience was about to wear thin, Ma Jing finally completed his meticulous preparations for going out.

With a leisurely manner, he gathered his belongings, took out some silver from a small cabinet at the head of the bed, weighed it in his hand, and a wicked smile appeared on his face.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua shook his head and thought: “That smile is just like a weasel preparing to pay a New Year’s visit to a chicken coop.”

However, he quickly realized something looking at the silver on Ma Jing’s hand. When he left Guo Village, all the money was kept by Zhang Xiaohu. During their parting at the Lotus Escort Agency, he only brought a small bundle with him, which contained no silver. Having spent a month at the villa without needing any money, he naturally forgot about it. Now that he was about to go out, it was a problem to be penniless.

Of course, Zhang Xiaohua immediately remembered that Sister Qiu Tong had mentioned that everyone working at the villa received three taels of silver each month. However, he didn’t know how to obtain it. It was not appropriate to seek out Qiu Tong for such a small matter, especially since her quarters were in the inner courtyard of the villa, mostly occupied by women, making it inconvenient for male servants to go there. Moreover, Qiu Tong seemed to hold a high position in the villa. It would be unwise to approach her for a trivial issue when Ma Jing was right in front of him.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaohua approached Ma Jing with a smile and asked: “Brother Ma, can I ask you something?”

Ma Jing glanced at him sideways and said: “Go ahead, little brother. There’s nothing in the villa that I don’t know.”

Then, sensing that Zhang Xiaohua was eyeing his silver, his expression changed, and he quickly put the silver into his pocket, smacking his lips as he said: “Except for borrowing money.”

Zhang Xiaohua said, “Well, Brother Ma, it is indeed about money.”

Ma Jing firmly shook his head and said: “This is not an option.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “But it can be.”

Ma Jing was displeased and said: “Little Brother, when I say no, I mean no. I’m a man of my word.”

Seeing Ma Jing was unhappy, Zhang Xiaohua stopped teasing and said: “Brother Ma, I’m not asking to borrow money. I just wanted to ask you about the monthly stipend.”

Ma Jing’s eyes shifted, and he observed Zhang Xiaohua’s expression, making sure he wasn’t asking to borrow money. Breathing a sigh of relief, he said: “Alright, kid. You’ve only been here a few days and you’re already joking with me. You’ve really grown up.”

Zhang Xiaohua quickly laughed and said: “Look at what you said, Brother Ma. Isn’t it under your guidance that I’ve made progress? Whenever I mention my progress, my first words must be to thank you, Brother Ma. Only then can I thank anyone else.”

Ma Jing walked over and patted Zhang Xiaohua’s shoulder forcefully. Though the strength wasn’t much, it made Zhang Xiaohua shudder. Internally, he thought: “This, should I go wash my clothes first?”

After patting Zhang Xiaohua’s shoulder, Ma Jing said with satisfaction: “Xiaohua, you’re good. Let Brother teach you something else. This gratitude, you don’t have to put me first. Putting me second is good enough.”

Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled and humbly asked: “Brother Ma, should I thank my parents first then?”

Ma Jing said earnestly: “Wrong, Xiaohua. It’s fine to thank your parents, but first and foremost, you should thank the villa. Talking about filial piety and thanking your parents is correct, but in your heart, you should always have the villa first. Don’t just mention your parents and leave it at that. You need to bring up the villa. Of course, thanking me makes me happy. It shows you don’t need much improvement in moral education and still have room to grow. By the way, you should also thank the villa’s leaders. It’s they who gave you the right to thank me and your parents after thanking the villa.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded like a chick pecking at rice, looking like he was learning earnestly.

After Ma Jing finished speaking, he turned his head and asked: “By the way, Xiaohua, what did you just say? I didn’t catch it. Can you repeat it?”

Zhang Xiaohua put on an exasperated expression and said: “Brother Ma, I just wanted to ask you. I’ve been at the villa for over a month now and haven’t received any monthly stipend. I wanted to ask how to get it.”

Ma Jing looked Zhang Xiaohua up and down, then said thoughtfully: “Xiaohua, looking at your build, you’ve developed quite well, you’re almost grown up. It’s time to start thinking about certain things. But let me advise you, the girls at Drunken Fragrance House are quite expensive. Your monthly stipend might not be enough. If you’re determined to go, you might need to borrow a few months’ worth from the accounting office. I have done it before, though, as you are a newcomer, they might not agree.”

Zhang Xiaohua didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and explained: “Brother Ma, look at what you said. I don’t have such a refined taste as yours. I just…”

Before Zhang Xiaohua could finish, Ma Jing interrupted, anxiously saying: “Xiaohua, let me advise you again. Even if you don’t go to Drunken Fragrance House, don’t go to those shady brothels in the alleys. Thinking back, Brother once made a mistake due to lack of money, went to one of those places occasionally, and caught a terrible disease. That pain, I won’t mention it. I still feel sick thinking about it. Come on, little brother, it’s really not possible. Brother will lend you some money now, don’t hurt your little body.”

After speaking, he was about to open the small cabinet by the bed, but Zhang Xiaohua quickly stopped him and said with emotion: “Brother Ma, let me finish, okay? I just want to get my monthly stipend, go to Pingyang City, walk around, and buy a few things. You’re overthinking it.”

Ma Jing probed: “Xiaohua, are you sure? You don’t need me to lend you money?”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said: “Brother Ma, I’m sure, certain, and positive.”

Although Ma Jing misunderstood Zhang Xiaohua, his willingness to lend money deeply moved Zhang Xiaohua and significantly diminished the impact of his smelly feet on Zhang Xiaohua’s heart.

Then Ma Jing explained to Zhang Xiaohua: “The monthly stipend in the villa isn’t handed out every month. It’s kept in the villa’s accounting office. If you need it, you can go to the accounting office to withdraw it. If you don’t, it will stay there until the day you leave the villa, and then it will be settled all at once. Of course, you can also withdraw it every month and keep it in your own cabinet like I do.”

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment. It would be best to withdraw his first month’s stipend, buy something he liked in Pingyang City, and give the remaining money to his second brother, Zhang Xiaohu. He didn’t need money in the villa, but perhaps his second brother could use it. If not, his brother could keep it for him. However, he wondered if there was a way to send money back home.

With this in mind, Zhang Xiaohua asked Ma Jing: “Brother Ma, do you know how I can send money to my family in Lu Town?”

Ma Jing smiled and said: “That’s easy. If you know someone going back to Lu Town, you can entrust them to take a letter and the money back to your family together. If not, you can go to a carriage company and have them send it to you. However, the carriage company will charge a fee for this service, and the amount depends on how far Lu Town is from here. They have set prices, so you’ll need to ask them. But I’ve heard the fees aren’t very standardized and can be quite high. It’s a shame the government doesn’t regulate this better to stop the disorderly charges that disrupt society.”

“By the way.” Ma Jing added after finishing his explanation: “Are you really not planning to save money to go to Drunken Fragrance House? I know the place well and can introduce you to a few ladies.”

While Zhang Xiaohu stood still like a stake, Ma Jing had packed all his things and left the small room. Zhang Xiaohua, shaking his head to clear it from Ma Jing’s dizzying talk, quickly followed him out the door.

Following Ma Jing, Zhang Xiaohua went to the accounting office to collect his money. The accounting office was in another part of the estate, and it took quite some time to get there. The accountant, an old scholar, frowned noticeably when he saw Ma Jing approaching and said: “Bootlicker, what are you doing here again? Didn’t you already collect this month’s stipend? Are you here to ask for credit again?”

“Bootlicker?” Zhang Xiaohua wanted to laugh when he heard this. The nickname sounded quite fitting for Ma Jing, it even sounded similar to Ma Jing. Considering his usual behavior, he really had the potential to be a bootlicker, however, how come he hadn’t heard the others call him that after being here for so long?

[TL_Note: Bootlicker=MaPiJing]

The nickname ‘Bootlicker’ had been commonly used in the past, but as the villa’s servants changed, fewer people knew it. Normally, when Ma Jing came to the accounting office, the old accountant called him that, he felt that he was being friendly. Now, with a new brother following him, Ma Jing’s face reddened slightly. He quickly stepped forward and said: “Sir Tong, don’t be so harsh. Even though I, Ma Jing, and not talented, I don’t come to the accounting office to ask for credit frequently. Those who come to buy on credit are those who have difficulties in life. Today, I’m just here to help a new brother collect his monthly salary. Please don’t keep focusing on me.”

Sir Tong muttered: “You’re right, it’s not three or four times, but you do come seven or eight times a year.”

Then he turned his attention to Zhang Xiaohua and asked: “Young man, what’s your name? Are you here to collect your entire stipend or just a part of it?”

Zhang Xiaohua stepped forward respectfully and said: “Sir Tong, my name is Zhang Xiaohua. I’ve only been here a month, and my stipend isn’t much, so I’d like to collect it all.”

Sir Tong looked at Zhang Xiaohua with some concern and said: “It’s fine to give you all your money, it’s yours after all, but be careful not to waste it foolishly.” He glanced at Ma Jing as he spoke.

Ma Jing seemed to notice Sir Tong’s gaze and immediately looked up at the ceiling of the accounting office, studying the large peony painted there.

Zhang Xiaohua lowered his head and said humbly, “Don’t worry, Sir Tong. I plan to give the money to my second brother first and see if he needs it. Then I’ll ask him to find a way to send it back to our parents at home.”

Sir Tong was pleased and said: “You’re a good kid, unlike some people who spend their hard-earned money to learn from other people’s romantic life and end up with nothing but troubles.”

Ma Jing’s face turned even redder, and he concentrated more intently on studying the ceiling.

The procedure for withdrawal was actually quite simple. It was just checking against the roster, drawing a signature, or pressing a fingerprint. Since it was Zhang Xiaohua’s first time, he had to leave a fingerprint. Before long, Zhang Xiaohua completed the process. Carefully, he tucked away the first money he had earned in his life into his chest. He bid farewell to Sir Tong, who quite liked Zhang Xiaohua’s demeanor and had chatted with him extensively about this and that, treating him like a grandson. Seeing Zhang Xiaohua come out, Ma Jing’s contemplation also came to an end. He swiftly pulled Zhang Xiaohua along, leaving Sir Tong still opening his mouth, with unspoken words swallowed back down.

However, as Sir Tong turned around and suddenly stopped, he muttered to himself: “Wait a minute, why does Zhang Xiaohua’s stipend seem to be more than the Bootlicker’s? How did I not notice earlier? Could it be that the steward recorded it wrong?”

Then Sir Tong regained his composure and slowly walked back into the office, thinking: “It’s none of my business if the steward wrote it wrong. Anyway, I gave Zhang Xiaohua what was written. The child seems to be a good listener. If he got more, then he got more, who let you write it wrong?”

Of course, Zhang Xiaohua and Ma Jing were unaware of this. They were walking out of the villa.

The last time Zhang Xiaohua entered the villa, he came by carriage through a large side gate. The accounting office, however, was not on that route. He didn’t know the road Ma Jing took him through. They exited through the original road, and Zhang Xiaohua probably didn’t notice the difference. Although the accounting office wasn’t far from the side gate, they arrived there in no time. There were still guards at the side door, likely familiar with Ma Jing’s frequent trips, and they didn’t give them trouble. Despite Ma Jing’s inclination to get chummy with the guards, their standoffish attitude made him realize it was best to keep his distance.

Even though it was Zhang Xiaohua’s first time leaving the estate, he was already registered in the estate’s records, so there was another set of procedures for him, which was quickly completed. They each received a waist token, which had subtle differences between the two, but Ma Jing didn’t pay attention, and Zhang Xiaohua was unaware. the two tucked the waist tokens safely away and then left through the side gate.

Once they stepped out, Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled: “Brother Ma, this doesn’t seem right. I remember the last time I entered through a different gate.”

Ma Jing chuckled: “Our Huanxi Villa has five side gates and one main gate. Who knows which gate you entered last time? By the way, little brother, make sure to keep this waist token safe. You’ll need to return it when we enter the villa later. If it’s lost, it’ll be very troublesome. Be careful.”

Zhang Xiaohua nodded: “I understand. But Brother Ma, when will you be back tonight? I need to enter the villa with you, or else I’m afraid I won’t find my way.”

Ma Jing shrugged: “Look at you being so cautious. Once we’re inside the villa, it’s our territory. Don’t worry about getting lost. As for when I’ll be back tonight, I’m not sure. If you want, just wait here at this gatehouse.”

Zhang Xiaohua said with a bitter face: “Alright, Brother Ma, please remember to come back early.”

At that moment, Zhang Xiaohua once again conveniently forgot about Ma Jing’s stinky feet and forgot about how he always kept his distance from Ma Jing every day. He looked resentful like a young wife waiting for her husband to come home.

It was now a scorching June noon. Zhang Xiaohua raised his head to see the blazing sun and silently complained about Ma Jing. It would have been much better to leave earlier. Walking at this hour was like roasting oneself alive.

After passing the straight main road, Zhang Xiaohua thought Ma Jing would walk along the shaded edge, but instead, Ma Jing didn’t take the main road. He turned into a small alley beside the road. Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled and hurried to catch up, saying: “Brother Ma, you went the wrong way. We should be walking along the main road.”

Seeing Ma Jing’s surprised expression, Zhang Xiaohua thought he had made a mistake and quickly said: “Could it be that Brother Ma is hungry? Considering this weather, it’s only natural to have something to eat.”

Upon hearing this, Ma Jing burst into laughter and mocked: “Little Brother, are you planning to walk all the way to Pingyang City?”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned and replied: “Of course, we have to walk to Pingyang City. We don’t have our own carriage, and the villa hasn’t arranged one for us.”

Ma Jing chuckled: “Little Brother, are you telling me you walked from Lu Town to Pingyang City?”

Zhang Xiaohua clarified: “No, we rode in a carriage. Oh, is there a carriage company from our villa to Pingyang City?”

Ma Jing didn’t answer, waving his hand to signal Zhang Xiaohua to follow.

Sure enough, Zhang Xiaohua’s guess was correct. At the end of the alley was a large courtyard with a big banner hanging in the wind that read, “When a carriage reaches the mountain, there must be a road. Where there’s a road, there’s a Jichi Carriage” along with a small flag that said “Jichi”, indicating it was the same carriage service that had brought Zhang Xiaohua to Pingyang City.

Realizing his lack of knowledge, Zhang Xiaohua fell silent and watched as Ma Jing arranged things. Before long, a small carriage capable of holding two or three people emerged from the courtyard and stopped at the gate, waiting for them to board.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s bewildered expression, Ma Jing pulled him onto the carriage and said with a smile: “Little Brother, since this is your first time going out with me, you don’t need to worry about the carriage fee. Next time we go out together, you can pay for the ride.”

Filled with joy, Zhang Xiaohua sat comfortably in the carriage, too content to say anything to Ma Jing. It had been a long time since he had seen his second brother, and he wondered how he was doing at the Lotus Escort Agency. He recalled how someone had praised him during his assessment, saying he had a talent for martial arts. He imagined he must have learned many martial techniques by now. Thinking about his own clumsy skills, Zhang Xiaohua looked forward to seeing his second brother practice martial arts.

The carriage was indeed comfortable. Outside was scorching hot, and he remembered how exhausted they were walking from here to Pingyang City last time. He hadn’t expected to be able to ride in a carriage this time. He wondered if there were such carriages in Lu Town. If so, traveling from Guo Village to Lu Town would be much faster, and they wouldn’t need to rely on others’ donkey carts. He also hoped there were carriages from Guo Village to Balingou, so he wouldn’t have to wake up early and only arrive by noon. He wondered how his eldest brother and sister-in-law were doing, if his eldest brother’s health had improved, how his parents were faring, how the fields were growing at home, and what was planted in the plot of land he cultivated. Zhang Xiaohua missed them all dearly and found himself unexpectedly falling into meditation.

Ma Jing saw Zhang Xiaohua like this next to him and simply thought that Xiaohua was resting, so he didn’t talk to him. If he knew that a simple ride in a carriage made Zhang Xiaohua think so much, he would have laughed so much that his teeth would fall out.