CHAPTER 367: CHAPTER 364: TAKE YOU TO THE BURIAL GROUND FOR A TEST OF COURAGE?

For the past ten years, Qin Liuxi’s courtyard had never been inhabited by outsiders. Not to mention that there were many valuable items in the yard unseemly for public display, she also disliked the idea of having strangers around.

Even when Teng Zhaohe and Wang Chuan arrived, they didn’t bring an extra maid to serve them, let alone a servant like Wan Ce taking up duties in the courtyard.

Especially after seeing the Little Ginseng Spirit, Teng Zhao banned Wan Ce from coming over and even from sending messages, fearing that Wan Ce’s blabbermouth might spread secrets and put Qin Liuxi in a difficult position.

Qin Liuxi thought of Teng Zhao’s considerate mind and her lips curled slightly.

She tapped gently on the table, speaking to Chen Pi, "Bring Wan Ce here."

Chen Pi complied and immediately went out to call for people.

At that moment, Wan Ce was idly toying with ants with a stick at the gatekeeper’s lodge. Ever since he arrived in Li City, he had been assigned to watch the gate. He originally wished to hustle as he used to do before Teng Zhao, but for some reason Teng Zhao seemed to have a change of heart and stopped using his services.

Wan Ce knew that he was supposed to stay with Teng Zhao until he adapted and was then to be sent back. Although he was aware of this, the marginalization made him feel sad and lonely. His future looked bleak, and he became noticeably thinner.

When Chen Pi came to find him, he was both shocked and panicked. Could it be that they were planning to send him away now?

Standing before Qin Liuxi, Wan Ce was timid and his heart dangled, suffering from anxious unease.

Facing her was even more terrifying than facing the master.

"Sit down."

Wan Ce hastily waved his hands, saying, "This servant can just stand."

Seeing his nervousness, Qin Liuxi smiled and said, "No need to be nervous. I called you here because I wanted to ask what thoughts you have about your future. Zhaozhao has become my senior apprentice, and I will gradually change his habits. Even if I can’t change them, I won’t allow him to always need a servant’s help, because he is my senior disciple."

Wan Ce felt as if he had been drenched with cold water; her words were just short of telling him outright, "You’re no longer useful, go back to where you came from."

Realizing this, Wan Ce pressed his lips together, his eyes reddening a bit.

Indeed, Qin Liuxi continued, "Originally, I had you come along because I was worried Zhaozhao wouldn’t adapt. But since he doesn’t need you, that proves he can manage on his own. Now that he doesn’t require someone attending to him, it’s not good for you to just idle around as a servant."

Wan Ce hung his head low.

"I see that Mr. Teng’s official career is promising. In the future, he will have a wife and add children. You’re still young. If you want to return to Mr. Teng’s side, as a servant, given time, you’ll become a trusted steward. If you take care of young masters, it’s possible your future will be even brighter. That’s one option," Qin Liuxi said, looking at him. "Second, if you don’t want to go back, you can stay with us. We have just opened a shop, and Chen Pi alone can’t handle everything. Do you want to join him, to apprentice in the shop and work as an assistant?"

Wan Ce suddenly lifted his head, "You aren’t trying to drive me away?"

Qin Liuxi smiled, "After all, you’ve grown up with Zhaozhao. How could I make a decision about your fate without him? It’s just that he didn’t consider it, and as a master, I’ve thought ahead for him. What do you choose?"

Wan Ce said, "Can’t I continue to serve the young master?"

"He has taken me as his master, entering my school and the Dao. What is there for you to serve, and will you also renounce secular life and seek Enlightenment? Forgive my bluntness, but you don’t have the aptitude for it."

Wan Ce’s face flushed as he said, "I’m an orphan. I was selected from the Charitable Hall at the age of six and sent to the young master’s side. I’ve never left. I... I don’t want to be under old master’s command."

Even if he couldn’t serve directly, just being close enough to watch over the young master was a comfort.

There was a hint of amusement in Qin Liuxi’s eyes as she said, "If you choose not to go, then help Chen Pi out at the shop. You are of similar age, and it should be good for both of you to get along."

Wan Ce breathed a sigh of relief, "This servant obeys."

As long as he wasn’t thrown out, that was fine.

Qin Liuxi waved her hand, signaling Chen Pi to take him downstairs, where they would manage the shop together in the future.

Chen Pi, leading Wan Ce out, slung an arm over his shoulder and said, "Xiao Ce, our shop does quite unusual business. Are you brave enough? If not, shall I take you to the burial ground for a few nights of courage training?"

Wan Ce: "?"

Are you afraid I will steal your spotlight?

There’s no need, I will keep a low profile.

Chen Pi continued, "You have to be brave, sharp-eyed, and meticulous. Even though you don’t have the talent for entering the Dao, it wouldn’t hurt to learn a bit more. And about medical skills, can you read? Take some time to read medical texts as well. Xiao Ce, you must study hard—once you’ve mastered it, the position of Shopkeeper in the future is definitely yours!"

As long as he brought the boy out, he could return to the master’s side, bustling around, and pleased with himself.

Wan Ce: "..."

That must be sarcasm. Clever.

Qin Liuxi also shared the previous conversation with Qi Huang, "When you have free time, help him sort out the account books too."

Qi Huang nodded, "That’s a good idea. When the time comes, we can be completely independent."

Feichang Dao, a shop like this, no one from the Qin Family could take over aside from Qin Liuxi. It’s better as it is now, like a hen laying eggs. The eggs are divided into several baskets; eggs beget eggs, making it easier to branch out.

"Sister Qi Huang, is big sister here?"

Qin Liuxi nodded at Qi Huang, who then brought Qin Mingbao in.

"Big sister." Upon seeing her, Qin Mingbao performed a greeting and eagerly took out a handkerchief from her bosom, handing it to her, "Sister, I embroidered this handkerchief for you."

Qin Liuxi was surprised, taking it from her. It was embroidered with a cluster of pomegranate flowers, not particularly outstanding, but the color choice was extremely good. "Did you really embroider this?"

Qin Mingbao nodded, "My mother taught me. I chose the colors myself. The embroidery isn’t good, but I will do better in the future and give you another one."

"Why do you want to give it to me?"

Qin Mingbao blushed and said, "Sister, you saved my mom and brother. I wanted to make something myself to give to you. It took me several months to embroider just this handkerchief."

"Not bad at all, I really like it," Qin Liuxi said, touching her small buns and continuing, "Your color matching is good. If you learn painting and draw well with good color matching, along with exquisite embroidery skills, you will surely embroider remarkable works in the future."

Qin Mingbao’s eyes shone brightly, and she nodded, "I will."

"Come on, I’ll take you back and check on Ping’an and the others." Qin Liuxi asked Qi Huang to fetch some pastries and candy, placing them in her hand, and took her to Mrs. Gu’s courtyard.

The sky had darkened, and the wind was strong. Mrs. Gu was not outside, but inside with the wet nurse, playing with the two awakened sons. Seeing Qin Liuxi arrive, she was overjoyed, "Xi’er, you’re here, please sit."

"I’ve come to check on Ping’an’s Peace Pulse."

Qin Liuxi walked into the room with a smile, and as Mrs. Gu approached, her gaze fell on her face. The smile at the corner of her mouth faded, her eyebrows furrowed, then relaxed quickly, and she sighed softly. There’s no escaping what is to come, eh!