Chapter 8

With so many outsiders around, Xu Hao had no interest in staying any longer. After a few words to Lai Bao, he turned and left. By the window, seven or eight girls, dressed in new clothes and freshly groomed, curiously watched his departing back, their eyes shimmering with longing.

As soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, he saw a group of girls, dressed in their finest, shyly looking at him from the neighboring area. Additionally, there was the old steward, Old Li, with his ambiguous smile.

For a moment, Xu Hao had a strange feeling that he wasn't selecting maids to serve him, but rather that he was a king about to visit newly selected concubines, with the old steward acting like a shameless eunuch in charge. This feeling was indescribable, both wonderful and bitter. Xu Hao looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, ultimately comforting himself with the thought that one must live. Moreover, "You are not a fish, how can you know the joy of a fish?" Living in this era, one must follow its rules, even the highest emperor is no exception.

Upon returning to his own courtyard, he saw Chun Yue, Xia Yu, and Qiu Xue, the three maids, waiting at the door. Not far away, Qiu Xiang leaned against a large red pillar, holding a wooden comb and smiling as she watched.

Seeing the situation, Xu Hao didn't wait for them to speak and said directly, "Qiu Xiang has already told me. Actually, you are all confused. This matter is not just out of my control, but even Madam has no say. I'm telling you, the final outcome will definitely surprise all of you."

The three maids didn't understand, blinking their eyes at each other. Chun Yue, the oldest, frowned and said, "I don't understand what you mean. How can even Madam have no say? Who can make the decision then?"

"Exactly, is Brother Hao afraid of offending everyone, so he's just scaring us? Humph, if you don't want to, just say so. Don't use words to block us," Dong Xue said unhappily.

Xu Hao didn't want to explain, but since they had grown up together, he said frankly, "Why would I scare you? Think about it, how have I treated you from childhood? You came to me for your own selfish reasons, but what about others? Now, it's not just our second branch choosing maids, but the third and first branches as well. Many people are secretly using their connections. Such a big matter can't avoid involving the Old Lady. Do you think the Old Lady would let it go? That's ridiculous."

Chun Yue shook her head in confusion, "I still don't understand."

"You're too naive," Xu Hao said irritably.

Among the three, only Xia Yu was always meticulous. After thinking for a moment, she seemed to understand and said disappointedly, "Young Master is right. It seems there will be many unexpected changes this time. We shouldn't make things difficult for Young Master. All we can do now is leave it to fate."

"Why do you say that?" Dong Yu, innocent and straightforward, had a personality just like her mistress, Xu Hongye, and spoke her mind.

Xia Yu was about to speak but didn't, instead smiling bitterly and walking away. Xu Hao watched her slender figure, thinking what a clever maid she was. Among the four main maids, she was the most intelligent.

Chun Yue and Dong Xue, unwilling to let go, followed Xia Yu. Qiu Xiang, equally confused, held her comb and followed.

Xu Hao stepped into the main house, where his stepfather, Xu Qingtang, was smiling and chatting with his mother, Xiao Shi. On the side, his elder sister, Xu Qinglian, and younger sister, Xu Hongye, were sitting on a carved chair.

Seeing his son, Xu Qingtang's smile faded, and he asked, "Where have you been fooling around? You were nowhere to be seen this morning. Always loafing around and not doing anything, you're a good-for-nothing."

Xu Hao was unfazed, making a face at Xu Qingtang and walking leisurely to Xiao Shi's side. Xiao Shi smiled and hugged her son, saying, "You don't need to play the strict father here. If you don't want to stay with us, just go. Who's stopping you? Don't use my precious son as an excuse."

Xu Qingtang glared at his son, who was laughing silently, and said with a smile, "I'm just afraid this rascal will get spoiled! Madam spoils him too much. Recently, there have been many household matters, but since Madam has spoken, I'll stay and accompany you ladies even if I'm busy."

Xiao Shi smiled in satisfaction, released Xu Hao, and waved her hand, saying, "You can stay, but you can't keep your heart here. Go, go, don't be a nuisance in the room."

"What are you talking about?" Xu Qingtang's face fell, and he said loudly, "Where has everyone gone? Someone, bring the food."

Xiao Shi ignored her husband, raised her hand to straighten her son's collar, and asked, "Where did you go?"

Xu Hao smiled and said, "I got twenty taels for the horse saddle from the Fourth Brother last night. I went to ask Lai Bao for it this morning. Additionally, the First Brother gave me Tashue, and we agreed to transfer it to the Second Brother for thirty taels. In total, fifty taels. Mother, you can keep it for household expenses."

"Ah!" Xiao Shi looked at her son in surprise, Xu Qingtang's mouth dropped open in disbelief, and even Xu Qinglian and her sister were stunned.

For Xu Hao, it was just a small matter, nothing to be proud of. He explained, "The Fourth Brother is now well-off and always spends money freely. Since he acted generously last night, there's no reason to let it go. Otherwise, it would benefit others. The Second Brother has long wanted the First Brother's Tashue. Thirty taels is a lot, but his monthly allowance is ten times mine. It's not a big deal for him to bite the bullet."

Xu Qingtang looked at his son from head to toe, as if he had discovered a new continent, and muttered, "When did this rascal become so shrewd? Is he possessed by a demon? No, I must have some masters perform a ritual."

"Don't talk nonsense. You're so old and still speak without restraint," Xiao Shi scolded her husband, who was joking, and said happily to Xu Hao, "This is your money, I don't want it. I'm very happy with your thoughtfulness."

Xu Hao said seriously, "The family is about to add more members, and we need money everywhere. Fifty taels is not a small amount. It can ease your worries for a couple of months. In the future, I'll think of other ways to ensure the family doesn't worry about money."

"Good boy." The usually strong Xiao Shi was moved to tears, stroking her son's face.

Xu Qingtang stroked his five-inch beard and said with a smile, "You have a conscience."

Xu Qinglian's lips curved into a gentle smile as she silently watched her younger brother's every move, feeling very proud. Xu Hongye, however, said resentfully, "Favoritism, favoritism."

Xu Hao noticed something was off; everyone's reaction was strange. He scratched his head and asked, "Has something changed? Why does it feel so strange?"

Xu Qingtang looked at his youngest daughter with satisfaction and said irritably, "Of course. Your father may not be very capable, but he won't let your mother worry. However, today you've made me see you in a new light. The fifty taels, give fifteen taels each to your sister and your younger sister, and the remaining twenty taels you can use as you please."

"Ah." Xu Hao was delighted, turning to the smugly smiling Xu Qingtang and asking, "I knew Father had a plan. I was just too anxious. You are truly capable."

"Ha ha." This praise greatly comforted Xu Qingtang. He stood up, hands behind his back, and walked with a swagger, "You ladies continue your intimate talk. I have something to do, I'm leaving."

"This old man, ha ha!" Xiao Shi subtly wiped her moist eyes with a handkerchief and smiled, "Don't mind your father. To be honest, your father and your Third Uncle have opened a silk shop together, which brings in at least two thousand taels a year. This has been reported to the Old Lady, who has promised to add fifty taels to our monthly allowance."

"Great." Xu Hao was overjoyed, never expecting his usually low-key stepfather to have quietly opened a source of income for the family. He really was a sharp old fox.

Opening a silk shop, of course, would be done under the name of a servant. For an official family, this was not unusual, as it had been common throughout history.

The most important thing now was to ensure compliance with the law, to do business fairly, and not to deceive, so as not to give the Jinyiwei a reason. Even if reported to Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the most they would get is a scolding, as the law does not punish the many.

Given the character and integrity of his father and Third Uncle Xu Yingxu, Xu Hao was quite confident that there would be no issues.