Chapter 66 Old Master Wen
Steward Zhou was the head steward of the Wen Manor.
He had worked in the Wen Manor for decades, and his ability to rise from a young attendant by Old Master Wen's side to his current position as head steward was entirely due to his skill in discerning Old Master Wen's thoughts.
But today, he didn't know what to do.
He merely paced back and forth outside Qingfeng Pavilion, hesitant and not daring to enter.
Just then, Spring Peach, a maid by Old Master Wen's side, walked out with a tray. On the tray was the medicine bowl Old Master had just finished, with a layer of black medicine dregs still at the bottom of the celadon bowl.
"Has Old Master rested?" Steward Zhou stepped forward and asked softly.
Spring Peach shook her head and said, "Old Master just took his medicine and said it was too bitter to bear, so he told me to get some sweet soup from the small kitchen."
"I never expected such a valiant person as Old Master to act like a child at a time like this," she chuckled softly.
At this moment, a vicissitudes of life and steady voice sounded from inside the room: "Spring Peach, who is outside?"
It turned out that Old Master Wen had heard the rustling conversation outside, hence his question.
Spring Peach loudly replied, "Reporting to Old Master, Steward Zhou is here to see you!"
Completely ignoring Steward Zhou's winks and gestures.
"Let him in."
As he spoke, a few light coughs came out.
"Yes." Spring Peach turned and gestured to Steward Zhou, pursing her lips.
Steward Zhou sighed softly, took a deep breath, and then slowly walked into Qingfeng Pavilion.
Inside Qingfeng Pavilion, the charcoal fire burned fiercely, and the heat mixed with the heavy smell of medicine, making Steward Zhou feel dizzy.
Old Master Wen, draped in a dark fox fur cloak, was half-leaning on a carved couch by the window, holding an ancient book, reading it by the light coming in from outside the window.
Although he was advanced in age and had recently fallen ill, making his body much weaker, his eyes were still as sharp as an eagle's, revealing an extraordinary demeanor.
Steward Zhou stepped forward, bowed, and called out, "Old Master..." Then he stammered, afraid to speak.
"Speak," Old Master Wen said without raising his head, still focused on the book in his hand, but his voice carried an undeniable authority.
His steward had always been mature and steady, rarely showing such difficulty, so there must be an extremely tricky matter now.
Steward Zhou's heart tightened, but he still reported truthfully: "Old Master, someone from the Weaving Institute has arrived."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Wen paused with the ancient book in his hand, raised his eyes to look at Steward Zhou, and said with a calm expression, "Is it about that weird object? Hasn't this matter already been settled?"
"Tell them I have already expelled that weird object from the Family, and from now on, there is no longer any connection."
Steward Zhou knew that the "weird object" Old Master Wen referred to was Miss Wen.
He had watched Miss Wen grow up; when she was little, she used to sweetly call him "Grandpa Zhou," but as she grew older, she became more composed and introverted, no longer the mischievous imp she once was.
He had not expected Miss Wen to end up in such a state, and he felt a pang of pity.
He knew Old Master Wen must also feel pity; Miss Wen was his most beloved granddaughter, after all. He had even seen Old Master secretly wiping away tears last night.
It was just that for the sake of the Family's honor, he had to be ruthless.
"The Prefectural Office said that's correct, but... a woman, claiming to be Miss Wen's good friend, insists that Miss Wen was harmed by a weird object and has entrusted the Ten Thousand Affairs Hall to investigate."
"She also said..." Steward Zhou swallowed, glanced at Old Master Wen's expression, and continued, "...that they want to search the Wen Manor..."
Old Master Wen's face flashed with a hint of displeasure upon hearing this, his eyes deep: "By what right? My Wen Family has been prominent for generations; when did we fall to the point of being searched at will?"
"The Ten Thousand Affairs Hall is merely an appendage used by the Weaving Institute to gain wealth. Although people from the Weaving Institute are here, they are only acting on commission, with no real power or evidence. There's no need to pay them any mind."
"These people, too, it's almost dinner time, and they're still bothering us. They truly lack manners."
"Just deal with them casually, send them away... *cough cough*..."
Old Master Wen was very impatient, and after saying a few more words, he couldn't help but cough violently.
Steward Zhou quickly stepped forward, gently patted Old Master's back, helping him calm his Qi, and said, "Yes, Old Master, I originally intended to refuse them that way, but..."
Steward Zhou paused, seemingly with something difficult to say.
"But what?" Old Master Wen finally calmed his Qi, his voice turning cold.
Steward Zhou hesitated and said, "It's just that the woman has already said... that if we don't let them search, she will let the entire Qinghe know that our manor has a weird object."
"I know such rumors are nothing, but now is a critical time for Master Wen's promotion, and his daughter suffering this calamity has already caused much gossip. Moreover, the current Emperor seems to intend to elevate the status of the Weaving Institute even further..."
"Plus, as you said, the matter of weird objects is very sensitive in the imperial court right now..."
What Old Master Wen liked most about Steward Zhou was his meticulousness, so he often had Steward Zhou learn to read the official gazettes and discuss current affairs of the court and country with him.
Having always had a smooth life, he had become accustomed to being fearless, so he occasionally still needed Steward Zhou's perspective.
So, after listening, Old Master Wen frowned and remained silent for a while, then calmly said, "Since that's the case, then let them search."
Steward Zhou's heart tightened, and he nodded in agreement: "Good, I will go and personally lead them now."
Just as he turned to leave, Old Master Wen said again, "Wait, have your wife accompany them around, and you come with me to a place."
"But, your health..." Steward Zhou said worriedly.
Although Old Master Wen was a cultivator, his old injuries had recurred repeatedly in recent years, making his body increasingly weak.
"It's fine," Old Master Wen waved his hand, "I know my own body."
...
If it weren't for Fu Ze and Liao Chengpeng being steady individuals, most people would have lost their patience after being left in the front hall for so long.
However, Liu Sheng had already reminded them that for the Wen Family, a search was extremely humiliating and difficult, and her words were just to see if they would be effective.
She also knew that Steward Zhou going to consult Old Master would definitely take some time, so it was better to wait patiently and, incidentally, finish off all the exquisite tea and fruits served by the maid.
Anyway, she hadn't managed to eat her wontons.
She had already thought it through: if it really didn't work, she would just climb the wall.
Fortunately, at this moment, an old nanny who looked to be fifty or sixty years old, accompanied by a young maid, walked out from the back hall.
It seemed her backup plan could be temporarily put on hold.
The old nanny had a warm smile on her face and greeted them, "I'm truly sorry to have kept you all waiting so long. My Old Master is not feeling well and is unable to receive guests, please forgive him."
"However, my Old Master has always respected the Weaving Institute's achievement in resisting weird objects, and he will certainly cooperate fully. He specifically instructed me to take the three of you on a tour of the manor."
The old nanny's words had a natural sense of closeness, and her smile was warm and effusive, but Liu Sheng could feel the coldness and arrogance deep within her seemingly kind smiling eyes.
"But please be sure to abide by the rules of our Wen Manor. Some areas are not convenient for casual entry and search, and I believe you can understand."
As she spoke the last sentence, a hint of coldness entered the old nanny's smile.