CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: AT THE MERCY OF OTHERS

The carpenter looked at Zhao Xiaoshu with eyes full of resentment.

Unfortunately, he could neither speak nor move.

He wanted to curse but couldn’t, wanted to fight but couldn’t.

He could only lie there like a pile of rotten meat, letting others do as they pleased.

The resentment in Zhao Xiaoshu’s heart suddenly dissipated.

"Xiaoshu, does your mother really treat you well?" Ya’er asked softly.

Zhao Xiaoshu nodded emphatically, "Yes, very well."

Ya’er smiled happily, "I am also well now, very well. My mother made the decision to betroth me to my senior. When I come of age, we’ll marry. Then, we’ll manage the shop together and take care of my parents."

"After spring, I’ll go to school to study, I will study hard, and when I succeed in the future, I’ll be a support for Sister Ya’er so no one can bully Sister Ya’er and Master." Zhao Xiaoshu also smiled, "My mother says I’m naturally suited for studying."

"Then you must work hard, don’t let Aunt Zhao down." Ya’er advised.

"I definitely won’t let my mother down." Zhao Xiaoshu said firmly.

After leaving the carpenter’s shop, Meng Yao took the twins to the Hundred Embroidery House, where besides presenting patterns, she also gave Shopkeeper Liu a jar of Laba porridge. Shopkeeper Liu tied two beautiful court flowers in Zhao Xiaohua’s hair, saying they were the latest style from the Capital City.

Then Meng Yao took them to the Hundred Herbs Hall, Lu Luoxing had already left, saying he was going back to the Capital City to celebrate the New Year. So Meng Yao left a jar of Laba porridge for Doctor Su, didn’t stay long, and headed straight to the school with Zhao Xiaohua and Zhao Xiaoshu.

The guard directly led Meng Yao to the reception room, then Qian personally came out to invite Meng Yao to their residence.

The Laba porridge had already cooled, so Qian ordered the maid to take it down for reheating.

Zhao Xiaohua and Zhao Xiaoshu politely greeted Qian, who gave each of them a silver coin and asked the maid to bring many snacks to entertain them.

"Their father and son are studying, I’ve already sent someone to wait outside the study, they’ll come when they’re hungry. Meng sister, it’s rare for you to visit, give me a chance to host you." Qian said warmly.

Meng Yao quite liked Qian’s personality, and since she was genuinely good to Zhao Dahe, Meng Yao sincerely became friends with her.

"Then the kids and I will shamelessly disturb you today." Meng Yao said.

"Dahe always praises my cooking, try it today to see if he’s just flattering me." Qian said with a cheerful smile, "Xiaoshu, Xiaohua, what do you like to eat? Your second brother’s favorite is my braised pig trotters."

Zhao Xiaohua and Zhao Xiaoshu spoke in unison, "We’re not picky eaters."

Their crisp voices made Qian’s heart bloom with joy, "Meng sister, these two children are really lovable, you really know how to raise them."

Meng Yao humbly said, "They’re well-behaved outside, at home, they’re quite mischievous."

"A bit mischievous is good, mischievous kids are smart and healthy." Qian said.

The two chatted back and forth, praising each other, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

"Master, mother." Zhao Dahe arrived.

Zhao Xiaohua and Zhao Xiaoshu also called out second brother.

"Mother, why are you here?" Zhao Dahe was very happy.

"I cooked Laba porridge, everyone said it was delicious, so I thought I’d bring some for you and your master to try." Meng Yao said with a smile, "Plus, I’m getting a free meal."

"Then you came just in time, my master’s cooking is as good as mother’s." Zhao Dahe said.

"Then I must do my best later or else it’s embarrassing." Qian said.

"Master, just cook normally." Zhao Dahe laughed and joked.

"Dahe, take your mother and them around our school, Xiaoshu will be studying here after the New Year, familiarize him with it, then let him stay in your dormitory." Qian cheerfully instructed Zhao Dahe.

"Okay, master." Zhao Dahe replied.

The Qian family’s house was quite large, the front courtyard was used as the school.

Today is Laba, and those living in the town have gone home for the festival.

Those not living in the town were given a holiday by the teacher; those who wanted to go out could, and those who didn’t wanted to stay in the dormitory.

Zhao Dahe took Meng Yao to visit his dormitory.

"Originally, I shared a room with Qin Zheng, now I live alone. Everything’s nice, just a bit lonely." Zhao Dahe muttered.

"Isn’t being a little lonely good? No one to disturb your studies!" Meng Yao said.

"There’s always times you want to talk!" Zhao Dahe argued.

"Want to talk is simple? Recite your lessons, speak and consolidate your studies at the same time." Meng Yao said seriously.

"Mother, you’re like this!" Zhao Dahe looked aggrieved.

"If you’re really restless, ask the teacher to assign you a roommate." Meng Yao laughed.

Zhao Dahe sighed, "Forget it, if a new one comes in, I have to spend energy getting along. Ah, no choice, experts are always lonely!"

Meng Yao glared at him, "Why don’t you say it’s lonely at the top?"

"It’s not the top yet, wait for me to pass through challenges, then I can claim it’s lonely at the top." Zhao Dahe said confidently.

"Zhao Dahe, do you think being top at school means you’ll be above others outside?" An unharmonious voice broke in.

Standing at the dorm entrance was a young man in a scholar’s robe, looking about twenty years old.

"Frog in a well." The youth’s tone was full of sarcasm.

"Whether or not I’m a frog in a well will be revealed next February." Zhao Dahe sneered, "At least, I have the courage to take the exam at fifteen. Song Yang, next year you’ll be twenty-one. Has the teacher agreed for you to take the exam? Want me to talk to the teacher, we can go together?"

This was clearly stabbing at someone’s sore spot, this kid never failed to stand his ground.

"Zhao Dahe, don’t be complacent, if you fail, there will be times for tears." Song Yang gritted his teeth.

There are always people better than others and heavens higher than heavens.

The more Zhao Dahe boasted now, the harder he’ll fall later.

He will watch carefully to see how deep his fall is.

"You’ll never see that in your lifetime!" Zhao Dahe quickly retorted.

Song Yang snorted, turned, and left.

"Why did you offend him?" Meng Yao asked.

"Before rewards, Song Yang was the best student in the school." Zhao Dahe shrugged, "Also the one most valued by the teacher! Can you blame me? If anything, blame the teacher, if he hadn’t set up a reward system, would I have been so motivated?"

"Getting cheap and acting coy! Alright, the person already feels bad, be magnanimous, don’t constantly provoke people." Meng Yao advised.

Some people’s hearts are too fragile, who knows what could happen with too much provocation?

"Mother, if he doesn’t provoke me, I won’t provoke him. But he insists on provoking me, I can’t just take it all the time, right? Also, he’s strange, even though he never wins in words, he keeps coming back stronger." Zhao Dahe sighed.