novelraw Chapter 1268: 1267: One Thing Subdues Another
Chapter 1268: 1267: One Thing Subdues Another
Chapter 1268: Chapter 1267: One Thing Subdues Another
Jinhoo’s eyes were red as he forcefully placed the hairpin into Wang Yongzhu’s hand, “This is bought for Auntie! No one else will get it!”
Wang Yongzhu looked at Jinhoo with emotion; this child has truly grown up and become understanding.
Smiling, she accepted the hairpin, “Good, Auntie will keep it! Thank you, Jinhoo!”
Only then did Jinhoo feel delighted.
Sitting down, he glanced at Yang Zongbao nearby and immediately felt embarrassed.
He had bought gifts only for Auntie and his Grandma, and the remaining ones were specifically for Lady Lin, and Lady Jiang and Liu Xiaoqiao, but there was nothing prepared for Yang Zongbao.
Facing him directly, he couldn’t possibly gift women’s jewelry to his uncle, right?
Yang Zongbao chuckled, appreciating Jinhoo’s uneasy state, then said with a smile, “It’s alright, you’re just a young kid. It’s understandable to go out once in a while, earn something, and be filial to your Grandma and Auntie. What’s the point of gifts between us men? You better keep them!”
Jinhoo felt embarrassed, “Uncle, don’t be offended, this is my first time back in the Capital City and I’m unaware of your presence here. When I get the chance, let’s drink some good wine together.”
Yang Zongbao laughed heartily, “Alright, I’ll be waiting then!”
After their humorous exchange, Wang Yongzhu asked, “Have you thought it through? Following the caravan means being away for years, not only hard but dangerous. Are you sure?”
Jinhoo looked at Wang Yongzhu with firm resolve, neither avoiding nor flinching, “Auntie, I’ve made up my mind! I like this life, even though it’s tough and exhausting! But it broadens my horizons and lets me see many things I never saw before in Qilidun, and learn many things.”
“Just this journey alone, I’ve learned what goods sell well, which ones don’t, how to negotiate with people, and how to sell my own items!”
“Auntie, I’m an adult now! After coming out, I realized how big the world is outside. Hanging around in a mountain valley, not knowing was fine before, but now I’m out and I never want to go back.”
“I heard from the leader that next, our caravan will head south, to the seaside, where there are countless treasures and various goods from overseas. They say the ocean is boundless, and traveling on a ship for ten days or half a month, you still can’t see land—”
Jinhoo’s eyes are filled with longing.
Wang Yongzhu smiled, Jinhoo has truly grown up!
“Good, you’re an adult now! You go wherever you wish, just remember to let the family know you’re safe at all times.” Wang Yongzhu nodded.
“Auntie, do you agree?” Jinhoo asked incredulously.
Wang Yongzhu replied solemnly, “You’ve grown up and can be responsible for your choices! No matter how hard or tiring it is in the future, just don’t regret it. What is there for Auntie to disagree with?”
Old Granny Zhang couldn’t help but chime in, “Though that’s true, you still need to inform your father. Moreover, you’re not young anymore, it’s time to discuss marriage. Running around the world, whose daughter would be willing to marry you?”
Jinhoo blushed, “Grandma, I’m still young. It’s the time to travel around and see the world. Later, when I’ve earned enough money, I’ll buy a courtyard in the Capital City, start a small business, and then it’s not too late to get married!”
Old Granny Zhang sneered, “Little brat, thinking ahead!” and no longer mentioned it.
After addressing Jinhoo’s plans, he suddenly remembered to ask, “Grandma, Auntie, how come you’ve come to the Capital City? Yesterday, I heard from Shopkeeper Zhang that Uncle is now a Scholar? And has become some Old Master Heir-Apparent? And Grandma, I also heard that you’ve been recognized by relatives? What’s going on here?”
Yesterday, after Jinhoo returned to the Capital City, he was summoned by Shopkeeper Zhang, who mentioned Wang Yongzhu and Old Granny Zhang were in the Capital City and asked if he wanted to meet them.
He was stunned at the time; Grandma and Auntie, Uncle came to the Capital City?
Then he heard Shopkeeper Zhang mention something about recognizing relatives, an Heir-Apparent, and passing the Scholar examination.
Jinhoo was baffled, and at this moment finally asked it all out.
Upon hearing Jinhoo’s inquiry, Wang Yongzhu simply explained the situation.
Jinhoo listened, as if in a dream.
After a while, he asked, “So, my Grandma is a young lady from a prominent family, who got lost as a child and now has been recognized back?”
Old Granny Zhang coldly snorted.
Jinhoo swallowed and asked, “And my Uncle is also a son of a grand gentleman, has been recognized back, became some Old Master Heir-Apparent, and passed the Scholar examination, now serving as an Official Master?”
Throughout the journey, although Jinhoo witnessed a lot and heard many wonders, he’d never heard of anything so legendary!
Wang Yongzhu nodded and thought for a moment before turning to ask Old Granny Zhang, “Mother, now that Jinhoo is back, I reckon tomorrow, Grandmother and Uncle will surely want to meet him—”
Old Granny Zhang retorted with annoyance, “Let them meet then! Why avoid them?”
At this, Jinhoo’s legs suddenly went weak, “Me… to meet… meet whom?”
Yang Zongbao kindly reminded him, “Tomorrow you might meet your real Uncle and Great-Grandmother.”
Jinhoo sat down heavily, waving his hands quickly, “I-I won’t meet! I’ve heard that Grandma’s recognized family is a prominent official family, everyone there holds official positions, I won’t meet them—”
If it was before, as a naive calf not fearing Tiger, Jinhoo in Qilidun wouldn’t know of the ways of the outside world; if asked to meet, he might have foolishly gone along.
But after what he’d experienced this year, he’s now aware of the vast difference between officials and merchants in this world.
Not to mention Jing County, just the County Magistrate himself is already unreachable, let alone these major officials in the Capital City.
If he says the wrong thing, or with his ignorant manners, enters and embarrasses Grandma and Auntie, what can he do?
Old Granny Zhang grew impatient, “Look at you, all cowardly! The Gu Family isn’t some Tiger that eats people; meeting them won’t cause you any harm! With such little ambition, you want to follow the caravan out? Stop disgracing yourself! Just go back to Qilidun and farm the land!”
“But Grandma, I’m afraid of embarrassing you—” Jinhoo, upon being scolded, fell silent and explained pitiably.
“What’s there to be embarrassed about? Your old lady hasn’t felt embarrassed; what do you have to feel embarrassed about? When you go tomorrow, just don’t think about taking advantage of the Gu Family. As long as you don’t forget who you are, there’s nothing to fear!”
“Look at you, acting all timid, unlike your old lady and your Aunt at all. When your Grandma and I arrived in the Capital City, even entering the Duke’s Mansion, we weren’t afraid! We stand upright and dignified, what’s there to fear? Keep your back straight, and if you embarrass us tomorrow at the Gu Family by being timid and unsightly, see how I’d smack you!”
With two slaps on Jinhoo’s back, a familiar sore pain followed.
Suddenly, Jinhoo’s legs weren’t weak anymore, and his hands ceased to tremble; he nodded obediently, not daring to say another word.
Wang Yongzhu stifled her laughter; truly, there’s always someone who can handle another. Old Granny Zhang’s formidable presence in the Wang Family is indeed profound, and even after a year, Jinhoo couldn’t help but reflexively refrain from any resistance.