Chapter 3

After returning to her courtyard, Lady Lu pressed Fang Xuanling onto a low stool. Fang Xuanling was no longer young, and sitting on this low stool made his old back ache. However, since his wife had made him sit there, Fang Xuanling could only say with a grievance, "Madam, if you have something to say, just say it. Why make it so formal?"

"How can you, old man, not even bear this? When you beat Jun'er in the past, you never complained. Just bear with it for a while. I have something to tell you. I plan to have Linglong follow Jun'er. Jun'er is always jumping around, and I really can't feel at ease. If someone is watching him, I'll feel better," Lady Lu said with some worry.

"Hmm, Madam, you can arrange it as you see fit. Linglong is a very clever girl, well-versed in literature and manners. I believe with her around, Jun'er will be much more well-behaved. However, Madam, you need to keep a close eye on him. Don't let Jun'er do anything reckless. Linglong is too beautiful," Fang Xuanling also felt it was better to have someone watching. If Fang Jun was left to his own devices, he might cause even more trouble.

"Alright, you old man, you just don't trust Jun'er. Is Jun'er really that bad?" Lady Lu poked Fang Xuanling's forehead, but she was also a bit worried. She knew her son well, and with his nature, who knew what he might do. After some thought, Lady Lu decided to give Linglong some instructions. She called out, "Fang De, go and call Linglong over!"

"Yes, Madam, wait a moment, I'll go and call Linglong!"

Soon, Linglong walked in. She was a beautiful young woman, with eyebrows like distant mountains, thin lips, and skin as white as jade. She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, in the prime of her youth. She wore a pink silk dress, making her a graceful beauty.

"Madam, did you call for Linglong? Is there something you need?" Linglong bowed to Lady Lu, a faint smile on her face.

Lady Lu held Linglong's hand and said with a smile, "Alright, girl, no need to be so formal. I plan to have you follow the Second Young Master in the future. What do you think?"

Linglong knew it was already a great honor for Lady Lu to ask for her opinion. As a servant, she had no right to choose her own future. So, Linglong nodded wisely, "Madam, it is Linglong's good fortune to serve the Second Young Master!"

"Girl, I'm not having you serve him. I want you to keep an eye on the Second Young Master. You know his character; if he's not beaten for three days, he'll tear the roof off the house. This time, he caused such a problem, and fortunately, nothing serious happened. So, I want you to take care of the Second Young Master and help me manage him. If he doesn't listen to you, come and tell me, and I'll deal with this naughty boy," Lady Lu held Linglong's hand affectionately, treating her like her own daughter. Over the years, Linglong had grown more and more beautiful, and she was now of marriageable age. Lady Lu had spent a lot of time thinking about Linglong's marriage, but Linglong refused to marry, preferring to stay as a servant in the Fang household. Lady Lu knew this was out of gratitude. A single meal had raised such an outstanding girl, and Lady Lu was both worried and happy. She was worried about Linglong's marriage but happy that the girl was so excellent, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Lady Lu hoped that her naughty son could also benefit from Linglong's influence and not be so unruly.

"What? Madam, you want me to manage the Second Young Master? Will he listen to me?" Linglong asked without confidence. The Second Young Master was known for his unruly behavior, and although he treated his servants well, this did not change Linglong's bad impression of him.

Lady Lu understood that her son had a bad reputation and said awkwardly, "Linglong, don't worry. I'll call that boy over and tell him about this. If he doesn't listen to you in the future, come and tell me, and I'll break his legs."

Although Lady Lu spoke firmly, Linglong was not convinced. Everyone knew that Lady Lu was a famous protector of her children. If anyone dared to harm the Second Young Master, Lady Lu would fight them. Would such a mother really break her son's legs? But Linglong still nodded, "Madam, I'll do as you say. I'll go to the Second Young Master's courtyard now." As she said this, Linglong felt a bit sad for the Second Young Master. As the Second Young Master of the Fang household, his courtyard had no servants at all.

Fang Yiai was looking at the grass paper in his hand, feeling troubled. He needed to use the toilet, but the only paper he could find was this grass paper. The quality of this paper was even worse than the paper used for the dead in later times. Using it would be like using a knife. Fang Yiai was having a tough mental struggle to protect his bottom. Before he could make a decision, Fang De walked in and said with a smile, "Second Young Master, Madam has called for you. It seems there's something important."

Fang Yiai had no choice. Getting a sore bottom was better than soiling his pants, so he quickly said, "Uncle De, wait a moment. I'll go to the toilet and then come with you." He waved the few pieces of paper in his hand and ran out. Seeing Fang Yiai run into the toilet, Fang De thought, "This Second Young Master, he's even holding it in the toilet. That's not right. Why is he taking paper into the toilet? Is he going to use it to wipe his bottom?" Thinking of this, Fang De broke out in a cold sweat. If the master found out, the Second Young Master would be beaten to death.

Fang Yiai soon came out of the toilet, feeling refreshed. The few pieces of paper were gone. Fang De looked at him and asked, "Second Young Master, what happened to those pieces of paper?"

"Uncle De, I used them to wipe my bottom. Why do you ask?" Fang Yiai replied matter-of-factly. Fang De was stunned. The powerful Second Young Master had done it again. He quickly whispered, "Second Young Master, those papers are for you to practice calligraphy, not for the toilet."

"Uncle De, those papers can't be used to wipe my bottom? What should I use then?" Fang Yiai was speechless. The poor quality of the paper had already made him feel uncomfortable, and now Fang De said it couldn't be wasted. Fang Yiai couldn't think of what to use to solve the toilet problem. Should he use clumps of dirt?

Fang De felt a bit confused but then realized that the Second Young Master had lost his memory. He took something out of the toilet and introduced it seriously, "Second Young Master, this is called a 'cechou.' It's used in the toilet." Fang Yiai suspiciously took the 'cechou' and examined it. His face turned dark. It was a bamboo stick. Using it to wipe his bottom would surely leave scars, and most importantly, would it even clean properly? But thinking about the Tang Dynasty, Fang Yiai felt like a tragedy. Using a bamboo stick to wipe his bottom was unbearable. Otherwise, his bottom would suffer.

Following Fang De to his father's courtyard, Fang Yiai saw Lady Lu sitting on the bed, with a beautiful young woman standing beside her. His father was sitting on a low stool, looking depressed. Fang Yiai looked at the small stool and thought it was more comfortable to stand. He kindly helped Fang Xuanling up, with a strange look on his face, "Father, you're not young anymore. Why don't you take care of yourself? Doesn't sitting on that small stool hurt your back?"

Fang Xuanling was very pleased with his son's behavior. With his son's words, Lady Lu couldn't make Fang Xuanling suffer anymore, "Old man, why are you standing? Sit on the bed!"

Seeing that Lady Lu didn't object, Fang Xuanling held his old back and sat on the bed, giving Fang Yiai a look that said, "I trust you." Fang Yiai was a bit confused, "What's going on?"

"Jun'er, this is Linglong. She will be following you from now on. Remember to listen to her. If you do anything reckless, your father will deal with you," Lady Lu said with a smile, holding Linglong's hand. Fang Yiai looked at Linglong carefully, feeling both happy and depressed. Happy because he had a beautiful servant, but depressed because she was there to supervise him. In essence, Linglong was Lady Lu's representative, and his life would not be easy.

"Mother, as you say, I've already decided to change my ways and won't do those foolish things anymore," Fang Yiai hoped Lady Lu would change her mind. Compared to a beautiful servant, freedom was more important. However, Lady Lu's will could not be resisted. In the Fang household, Lady Lu's word was absolute authority, even the Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty had to submit.

Fang Yiai eventually obediently led Linglong back to his west courtyard. After entering the room, Fang Yiai wanted to let Linglong sit down, but he couldn't find a chair. He scratched his head and asked Linglong, who was standing, "Linglong, why is there no chair in my room? What's going on?"

Linglong was confused. What was a chair? Even the well-read Linglong was stumped by this question. She furrowed her brows and asked, "Second Young Master, what is a chair?"

Fang Yiai almost fainted. What was going on? Did the Tang Dynasty not have chairs? He paced around the room, feeling frustrated. The toilet problem was already a headache, and now there were no chairs. He thought for a moment and asked uncertainly, "Linglong, a chair is something you can sit on, about three feet high. Is there no such thing?"

"Second Young Master, does such a thing exist? I've never seen a chair in the Fang household. Are you mistaken?" Linglong's brows furrowed. The Second Young Master was truly strange. Losing his memory shouldn't make him forget such basic things. Hearing Linglong's words, Fang Yiai felt hopeless and waved his hand, "Linglong, just sit on the bed for now!"

"Ah? Second Young Master, you want me to sit on the bed? Madam said not to let you do anything reckless," Linglong's fair face turned red, and her tone became a bit angry. She was frustrated. The Second Young Master was too eager, even saying such things in broad daylight. Fang Yiai scratched his head for a long time before realizing Linglong had misunderstood him. He smiled bitterly, "Linglong, what are you thinking? I just thought you were tired from standing and wanted you to sit on the bed. Where did your mind go? Linglong, do I really seem like a bad person?"

Linglong's eyes flickered, and she looked at the Second Young Master carefully. To be honest, the Second Young Master was healthy, with a strong build and a serious face. He didn't seem like a bad person. After hearing his explanation, Linglong covered her mouth and laughed, "Second Young Master, it's Linglong's fault. But how can a servant sit?"

"Alright, Linglong, in my west courtyard, there are no such strict rules. Rest when you're tired, eat when you're hungry, and drink when you're thirsty. You can do whatever you want. I'm a healthy person and don't need you to serve me. Sit down quickly, I have something to ask you!" Fang Yiai didn't care about Linglong's reaction and directly pushed her onto the bed. Seeing how the Second Young Master treated her, Linglong felt a sweet warmth. Maybe serving the Second Young Master wasn't so bad.

"Linglong, I have a question. Have you ever seen a chair?" Fang Yiai sat on the table, crossing his legs.

"Second Young Master, I can clearly tell you that not only does the Fang household not have chairs, but the entire Tang Dynasty doesn't have a single chair," Linglong said firmly, though she didn't understand why the Second Young Master was asking these questions.

Fang Yiai clapped his hands. It seemed he would have to be self-reliant. Without chairs, he would have to make them himself. First, he needed to make a reclining chair for his father. Seeing his father sit on a low stool, Fang Yiai felt uncomfortable. He thought for a moment, took Linglong's hand, and walked out of the courtyard. Linglong, being held by the Second Young Master, felt a strange sensation, her face turning red like a big apple, making her look very tempting. However, Fang Yiai was only thinking about chairs and didn't notice Linglong's expression. He found Fang De and said urgently, "Uncle De, please do me a favor. Get some large and small bamboo sticks and some carpentry tools."

Fang De was confused. What was this amazing Second Young Master up to? But he nodded and agreed.

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