Chapter 26

After resting for about ten days, Tang Jie finally "recovered," and the bottle of spirit medicine was completely depleted—greed, after all, starts small and grows. Tang Jie was tired of being greedy for cheap items like wire racks and was glad that his level of greed could now advance.

Upon hearing that Tang Jie had recovered, Madam had Attendant Yue bring Tang Jie to see her.

Unlike before, this time Madam was not alone; the head of the Wei family, Wei Danbo, and the spirit master Lu Chenyang, who had saved Wei Tianchong from the cliff, were also present.

Wei Danbo was the kind of person who, at first glance, seemed stern and difficult to get along with. His square face rarely showed a smile, only seriousness, silence, and a strict demeanor, making him well-suited for a large portrait hanging on the city gate.

"Tang Jie pays his respects to Master, Madam, and Master Lu!" Upon entering the room, Tang Jie first greeted the three of them.

"Sit down," Madam said with a smile, as she had a good impression of Tang Jie and spoke to him kindly.

"I dare not sit in the presence of Master and Madam," Tang Jie replied.

"You have just recovered from your injuries, so there's no need to be so formal," Madam said, and had a servant bring a stool for Tang Jie, who then sat down.

Seeing Tang Jie sit down, Madam said, "You were wronged last time, but you did well. It was Chong'er who was being unreasonable. This time, I've called you here to reward you for your service."

As she spoke, Yan Zhi brought out a tray with ten shiny silver ingots.

Tang Jie knew that one silver ingot was worth ten taels of silver, so this reward of one hundred taels was indeed substantial.

Tang Jie wanted to be polite, but Wei Danbo said, "If it's a reward for you, don't refuse. The rules of the Wei family are clear: those who have done well should be rewarded, and those who have done wrong should be punished. This is what you deserve."

Come on, such a simple truth doesn't need to be stated as if only your family understands it.

Tang Jie sighed inwardly while complaining in his mind.

He knew that Wei Danbo wanted to keep things clear and not get entangled in this matter, nor did he want to owe Tang Jie anything. If Tang Jie refused, Wei Danbo might think he wanted more, which would be counterproductive, so he had to accept it.

But this was good; with this hundred taels of silver, he could buy some high-quality medicine to improve the health of the two elders.

At this point, Madam continued, "I have already investigated the situation. The idea to go out drinking was Attendant Mo's, and the suggestion to go up the mountain at night was also his. Even the whipping was his idea. This little rascal, instead of urging the young master to study, has been causing trouble every day. It's really unacceptable. In consideration of the wet nurse, I won't expel him from the estate, but he can no longer stay by the young master's side."

Madam took a sip of tea, cleared her throat, and continued, "Since Attendant Mo is no longer here, we need to find someone to replace him. I plan to have you take over for Attendant Mo."

Tang Jie glanced at Wei Danbo, who frowned slightly, seemingly disapproving of this decision. Tang Jie knew that this was likely Madam's own decision.

Madam Wei Zhengshufeng was a strong and shrewd woman, beloved by the old master and madam within the estate and respected outside. She came from a prestigious family, and although the Zheng family was not as prominent as the Wei family, it was still a well-established clan. Wei Zhengshufeng was well-educated and had managed the household well after marrying into the Wei family, making the Wei family even more prosperous.

This was evident from the fact that she could easily command the spirit masters in the estate, whose living conditions were directly managed by Wei Zhengshufeng. In reality, she held the most important power in the family, and the spirit masters probably listened to her more than to Wei Danbo.

This was not surprising, as Wei Zhengshufeng was indeed more adept at dealing with people than Wei Danbo.

Tang Jie admitted to himself that if he had to choose between Master and Madam, he would prefer to serve Madam.

But after Madam Wei Zhengshufeng said this, Tang Jie thought for a moment and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Madam, but I'm afraid I am not yet suitable to replace Attendant Mo. Please reconsider."

Madam Wei Zhengshufeng was surprised by his refusal, as were Wei Danbo, Master Lu, and the others, who all looked at Tang Jie.

"You don't want to?" Madam Wei Zhengshufeng asked.

Tang Jie quickly replied, "It's not that I don't want to, but I killed the young master's horse, and he may still harbor some resentment towards me. I'm afraid I won't be able to fulfill my duties as a study companion. The young master's studies are important, and if I were to hinder his progress, I would feel guilty. If I can't do something well, I shouldn't do it at all."

Wei Danbo and Madam were clearly taken aback.

"Some things, if you can't do them well, you shouldn't do them at all..." Madam Wei Zhengshufeng pondered Tang Jie's words. "Well said!"

She suddenly chuckled and looked at her husband. "Master, do you still think I made a mistake?"

Wei Danbo didn't answer, but Master Lu interjected with a smile, "Madam, your judgment is always sharp. This boy is not just deep in thought but also mature beyond his years. He knows when to act and when to hold back, and he understands the importance of advancing and retreating. Very good, very good!"

With Master Lu's mediation, Wei Danbo said, "But he's right. Chong'er is still immature and may still have some resentment towards Tang Jie. It's not suitable for him to be a study companion at the moment. Although Attendant Mo has made mistakes, he has served Chong'er diligently. Let's give him another chance."

"You're always so cautious!" Madam Wei Zhengshufeng shot a glance at her husband. "Since that's the case, let's give Attendant Mo another chance, but if he makes another mistake, he won't be spared."

Then she turned to Tang Jie, "You have just recovered from your injuries, so go home and rest for a day before coming back."

And that was that.

As Qin the steward escorted Tang Jie out of the estate, he couldn't help but complain, "Oh, you child, how should I say this? Being a study companion to the young master is a position many people would kill for, but you just gave it up. Truly..."

Tang Jie smiled, "I just don't want to hinder the young master's studies, that's all."

"Don't give me that." Qin the steward snorted. "Speak up, do you have some other thoughts?"

Tang Jie trusted Qin the steward.

After a moment's thought, Tang Jie replied, "I do have other reasons for not being a study companion. As you know, being a study companion is the most thankless job. If you push the young master, he will be annoyed. If you don't guide him, Madam will be displeased."

Qin the steward nodded in agreement. The position of study companion was coveted, but it was not easy to satisfy both sides. It required a lot of effort to make both the young master and Madam happy.

Tang Jie knew he could do it, but it would require a lot of time and energy.

He was currently researching array formations and making significant progress, so he saw no need to take on the thankless job of a study companion.

Tang Jie continued, "In a few days, it will be time for the young master's assessment. Given his current situation, Uncle Qin, do you think he will pass?"

Qin the steward thought for a moment and sighed, "If he can write a complete article, it will be a miracle!"

"So, if I were to become a study companion now, wouldn't I just be taking over Attendant Mo's burden?"

Qin the steward laughed, "I knew you had a trick up your sleeve! You're right; now is not a good time to be a study companion. But if you want to enter the Moon Washing Academy, you will eventually have to be a study companion."

"Not necessarily," Tang Jie replied calmly. "I don't think any family has a rule that only a personal attendant can become a student."

Being a personal attendant is like being a secretary to a leader.

Being a secretary can lead to a promotion, but who says only secretaries can be promoted?

Tang Jie, who had already made a name for himself in horticulture, was like a capable official with achievements. His path to promotion was already clear, so why should he force himself into the position of a secretary?

If he took that position and didn't perform well, it would negate his previous efforts.

Understanding this, Tang Jie had no interest in being a study companion.

Qin the steward was taken aback, "That's true, but a personal attendant is closer to the young master, and the young master's opinion directly affects your future. It's always better to be close to him."

Tang Jie replied meaningfully, "The young master's opinion is important, but the one with the final say is Madam! As long as Madam supports you, even if you clean toilets, you can still become a student! I'm not worried about competing; sometimes, not competing is the best way to compete!"

Qin the steward was completely taken aback by Tang Jie's words.

Perhaps because of the role of being a study companion, many people focused on gaining the young master's attention, overlooking the underlying factors.

But not Tang Jie.

Having experience in the political arena, he understood a crucial point: you must identify who truly makes the decisions!

Only by aligning with the true power holder can one have a future.

Unfortunately, many people couldn't see this simple truth.

In the matter of the young master's admission, the young master's opinion was important, but the final decision was made by Madam, even Wei Danbo would listen to his wife's opinion!

Losing Madam's trust, Attendant Mo was just a figurehead in his position!

Madam tolerated Attendant Mo because Wei Tianchong was still in the Wei family, and she could keep an eye on him. Attendant Mo couldn't cause much trouble, so she gave the old servants some face.

In the future, when they went to the capital, far from the reach of the emperor, many things would have to be handled independently. Madam would never entrust her son to a servant she didn't trust, and no one's face would matter in such important matters!

Thus, losing Madam's trust, Attendant Mo had already lost his chance to become a student.

Unfortunately, he still didn't realize this and was still struggling to maintain his position, trying to curry favor with the young master, which only made Madam dislike him more.

In this matter, not only the young servants but even Qin the steward hadn't realized it until Tang Jie pointed it out, and his view of Tang Jie changed.

Qin Yuan sighed, "I underestimated you."

Tang Jie bowed, "No matter what happens in the future, I will never forget the kindness of the two elders and Qin the steward!"

Being shrewd doesn't mean being ruthless.

Although Tang Jie had deceived and used the two elders and Qin the steward, he was genuinely grateful for their care, so his words were sincere, and Qin the steward was pleased to hear them.

Life returned to its normal course.

Tang Jie continued his work in the garden and practiced array formations.

Over time, his skills in array formations improved, especially in illusionary arrays. However, due to his unopened spirit eyes and insufficient spirit energy, he focused on the connection of array patterns, gradually developing his unique style, though the future direction was still unclear.

Additionally, Tang Jie developed a new habit: morning runs.

He ran from the Wei estate to Yinglong Mountain, found a secluded spot, and did weightlifting and squats, while running the Zangxiang Jing to absorb spirit energy. After completing his practice, he returned to the Wei estate to start his day.

Occasionally, when he saw other servants doing heavy labor, he would offer to help, using the opportunity to continue his Zangxiang Jing practice, earning praise from many of the servants, which improved his standing in the Wei estate.

Day by day, Tang Jie grew taller and stronger, developing a lean and healthy physique, not the exaggerated muscles of bodybuilders but a fit and healthy appearance.

The young master would often come to see his work, but usually just glanced from a distance and left without saying much.

This kept their relationship in a very delicate state, with no clear understanding of what it was.

As for Attendants Mo and Meng, they had become much more obedient after the horse incident, no longer causing trouble, and the Jingxin Garden enjoyed a rare period of peace.

The only downside was that after the horse incident, Tang Jie gained a new nickname: "Tang Jie, the horse killer."

This was his second nickname after "Tang Jie, the one who earns three strings of coins a month."

Frankly, Tang Jie didn't like it because it reminded Wei Tianchong every day that Tang Jie had killed his horse, making him uncomfortable.

Tang Jie knew this was Attendant Mo's scheme, but he couldn't do anything about it.

No, not exactly.

If he couldn't erase his own mistake, he could hope for something worse from the other side.

Wei Tianchong's assessment soon arrived.

The result was as expected: the teacher wrote eight large characters, "Uneducated and incompetent, a laughingstock!"

When Madam saw this evaluation and the young master's poorly written article, she not only beat her son but also had a very low opinion of Attendant Mo, who, unfortunately, didn't realize this and continued to curry favor with the young master.

Life went on peacefully, and before they knew it, over a year had passed.

Today, Tang Jie was tending to the flowers in his garden, now familiar with every plant and flower, handling them with ease and grace.

At this moment, he saw Attendant Yue approaching.

"Attendant Yue, what brings you to Jingxin Garden today?" Tang Jie asked with a smile.

Attendant Yue, however, had a serious expression and came to Tang Jie's side, whispering a few words in his ear.

"What did you say?" Tang Jie's face suddenly changed.