The Female Lead Decides to Act Wickedly

Chapter 713 - 288: The Swindler Again (Part 4)_3

As a servant, the greatest fear is being forgotten by their master.

He was already old, and it wasn’t a big deal not to have a good assignment, but his sons had no prospects yet, how could he be at ease?

Now everything was great, the Grand Master not only transferred him to Xuanzhen Temple, but also included his sons.

Although it wasn’t working in the mansion, being able to follow the Grand Master, that, that was a promising future indeed.

The Jia family’s rules had always granted those who served the elders more respect than the younger masters.

Originally, Lai Sheng wanted to send the "sick" Jiao Da to the temple, but to his surprise, once the man learned he had been given an important role, his illness vanished, his wounds no longer hurt, and he rode to Xuanzhen Temple with his sons in tow.

Lai Sheng: ...Well, let it be!

With one less old fogey always trying to take advantage of his age around, it would save him, the housekeeper, some trouble.

"Have you arrived?"

Seeing Jiao Da wiping tears excitedly, He Tiantian didn’t say much, simply stating, "As long as you’re here, just stay put."

"Right, take good care of yourself and your sons, and pick up the training you’ve neglected!"

Jiao Da’s eyes lit up, ignoring the tears streaming down his face, he asked eagerly, "Grand Master, what, what do you mean?"

Restoring the Jia family’s Troops Training? No more focusing on the imperial examination or studying?

He Tiantian lifted his eyelids and glanced at Jiao Da, "Don’t get carried away, I don’t have any other intentions. My Divine Pill is almost ready, and I need someone to test it."

Jiao Da: ...Huh? Test, test the elixir?!

Of course, as a loyal servant who could go through life and death with his master, he wouldn’t reject the idea of testing the pill for the young master.

But...

The reality was far from his expectations, and Jiao Da, who had yearned to perform well and secure a future for himself and his descendants, felt quite downcast when he realized the true purpose for which the Grand Master had brought him here.

"Don’t think I’m harming you! Hmph, for this Divine Pill, I’ve used thousand-year-old ginseng, Polygonum multiflorum, and many other precious ingredients!"

"If it weren’t for your long-standing relationship with the Jia family, and your past favor to them, you wouldn’t have had the chance to test such a thing!"

"There are plenty of beggars outside, and a whole bunch of tenants and peasants on the estate... Hmph, you, be content!"

He Tiantian arrogantly said, giving the impression that allowing Jiao Da to test the pill for him was a great honor.

Jiao Da: ...Although offended again, the Grand Master’s words did hold some truth.

What was the one thing that was never in short supply in this era?

Of course, it was people.

"Thank you for your grace, Grand Master; this old servant is forever grateful!"

Jiao Da quickly reined in his emotions and knelt down to kowtow earnestly on the ground.

A few days later, Jiao Da, now settled in with his sons at the Taoist Temple, received his first Elixir pill.

It was the size of a longan, pitch-black, yet glinting with a hint of gold.

It looked good and was permeated with a strong medicinal fragrance, only—

Jiao Da was not afraid of death, but he still felt a fundamental fear towards this unknown substance.

"Go on, take it. This is an Essence Building and Root Strengthening Elixir. You’re an old timer who has seen battle and incurred many injuries."

"This Pill is perfect for your conditions, hurry up and take it!"

He Tiantian deliberately showed an urgent expression, his eyes fixed on Jiao Da as if looking at a lab rat.

Jiao Da: ...Nothing else, it’s just, just an inexplicable nervousness.

Still, Jiao Da had seen plenty of worldly experience and had been through life and death several times.

His mental resilience was stronger than the average person.

Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, Jiao Da tossed the Golden Core into his mouth.

Ah, a bit of a choke, but understandable given that such a large pill was stuffed directly into his throat, nearly getting stuck.

Jiao Da’s neck stiffened, eyes bulging, it took a good while before he managed to get the pill down into his intestines.

"How are you feeling? Any discomfort?"

He Tiantian asked eagerly.

Jiao Da smacked his lips, taking a moment to feel, "No, no particular feeling!"

No stomach ache, no discomfort.

Wait a minute!

All of a sudden, Jiao Da’s complexion turned unsightly, his deeply-lined old face revealing an expression of both embarrassment and urgency, "This old servant, this old servant needs to use the toilet!"

Without waiting to apologize to the master, he sprang up, one hand covering his stomach, the other his backside, and dashed towards the outhouse like he was fleeing for his life.

Thud!

Gurgle gurgle!

A foul smell wafted from the outhouse, followed by a torrential release!

Jiao Da was nearly purged of his insides, stumbling out of the outhouse unsteadily.

He Tiantian feigned an unnatural look and asked, "Jiao Da, are you alright?"

Jiao Da forced a smile, wanting to say "This old servant is fine," but as his stomach churned again, he dared not delay and hurried back to the outhouse...