Chapter 91: Leaving the Manor

As Zhang Xiaohua's patience was about to wear thin, Ma Jing finally completed his essential preparations for going out. Only then did he leisurely gather the things he needed, take some silver from a small cabinet by the bed, weigh it in his hand, and a wicked smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Zhang Xiaohua watched from the side, shaking his head, thinking, "This smile really looks like a weasel going to pay respects to the chickens."

However, he was soon taken aback himself, looking at the silver in Ma Jing's hand. He seemed to remember something he had forgotten. When they left Guo Manor, the silver and money were all kept by Zhang Xiaohu. The last time he parted ways with his second brother at Lotus Escort Agency, he only brought a small bundle, which contained no silver. Having stayed at the manor for over a month without needing any money, he naturally hadn't thought about it. Now, about to go out, not having any money would be quite inconvenient.

Of course, Zhang Xiaohua immediately remembered that when they came to the manor, Sister Qiutong had mentioned that working at the manor earned three taels of silver per month. However, he didn't know how to collect this silver. He couldn't go to Sister Qiutong now; after being at the manor for so long, he knew that Sister Qiutong stayed in the inner courtyard, where mostly women lived, and other servants couldn't go directly. Besides, Sister Qiutong's status in the manor was also quite high. If he went to her for such a trivial matter, it would make him seem impulsive. Why not ask Ma Jing?

With this thought, Zhang Xiaohua went up and smiled, asking Ma Jing, "Brother Ma, I have a question."

Ma Jing squinted and said, "Go ahead, brother, there's nothing in the manor I don't know."

Then, noticing Zhang Xiaohua looking at the silver in his hand, his expression changed, and he quickly put the silver in his pocket, smacking his lips and saying, "Except for borrowing silver."

Zhang Xiaohua said, "Brother Ma, it is about the silver."

Ma Jing firmly waved his hand and said, "No, definitely not."

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, "It can be."

Ma Jing was displeased and said, "Brother, if I say no, it means no. I'm a man of my word."

Seeing Ma Jing's displeasure, Zhang Xiaohua stopped teasing him and said, "Brother Ma, I'm not asking for a loan, I just want to ask about the monthly pay."

Ma Jing's eyes darted around, looking at Zhang Xiaohua's expression, and once he was sure Zhang Xiaohua wasn't asking for a loan, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Alright, kid, you've been here for a few days and already know how to joke with me. You're really growing up."

Zhang Xiaohua quickly smiled and said, "Look what you're saying, Brother Ma. It's all thanks to your influence. Wherever I go, my first words of gratitude are always to Brother Ma, and only then to others."

Ma Jing stepped forward and patted Zhang Xiaohua's shoulder with not too much force, but Zhang Xiaohua's shoulder still trembled. Zhang Xiaohua's heart also trembled, thinking, "Should I go wash clothes first?"

Patted Zhang Xiaohua's shoulder, Ma Jing said with satisfaction, "Xiaohua, you're doing well. I'll teach you another good thing: when showing gratitude, you don't have to put me first; second place is fine."

Zhang Xiaohua was taken aback and asked humbly, "Brother Ma, should I thank my parents first?"

Ma Jing said earnestly, "Wrong, Xiaohua. It's fine to thank your parents, but first, you should thank the manor. Respecting and thanking your parents is right, but you should also have the manor in your heart and put it first. Don't just think about your parents. If you thank me, I'm very happy, which shows you don't need more moral education and still have room for improvement. Also, you should thank the leaders of the manor, as they give you the right to thank the manor, me, and your parents."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded like a chick pecking at rice, showing he was enlightened.

After Ma Jing finished speaking, he turned and asked, "Right, Xiaohua, what did you say just now? I didn't hear clearly. Say it again."

Zhang Xiaohua, looking exasperated, said, "Brother Ma, I just wanted to ask you, since I've been here for over a month, I haven't received my monthly pay. I wanted to ask how to collect it."

Ma Jing looked at Zhang Xiaohua, up and down, thoughtfully, and said, "Xiaohua, looking at your build, you've grown quite a bit. You're developing well, and it's time to consider some things. However, I must advise you that the courtesans at Drunken Fragrance Tower are quite expensive. With your monthly pay, you might not be able to afford it. If you insist, you might have to borrow more from the accounting office. But, speaking of borrowing, I've done it before. As a newcomer, they might not let you."

Zhang Xiaohua was speechless, explaining, "Brother Ma, you misunderstand. I don't have such refined tastes. I just..."

Before Zhang Xiaohua could finish, Ma Jing interrupted, saying anxiously, "Xiaohua, let me advise you again. Even if you don't go to Drunken Fragrance Tower, those small alleys and brothels are also off-limits. In the past, I made a mistake and went there once, and I caught a disease. It was so painful, I can't even talk about it. Now, thinking about it, I still feel uncomfortable. If you really can't resist, I can lend you some money, but don't ruin your health."

After saying this, Ma Jing was about to open the small cabinet on the bed. Zhang Xiaohua quickly stopped him, saying gratefully, "Brother Ma, let me finish. I just want to collect my monthly pay and go for a walk in Pingyang City, maybe buy something I like. You're thinking too much."

Ma Jing asked tentatively, "Xiaohua, are you sure? You don't need me to lend you money?"

Zhang Xiaohua smiled, "Brother Ma, I'm sure."

Although Ma Jing misunderstood, his willingness to lend Zhang Xiaohua money deeply moved him, greatly reducing the impact of his smelly feet in Zhang Xiaohua's mind.

Then, Ma Jing explained to Zhang Xiaohua, "The monthly pay at the manor isn't distributed every month. It's kept in the accounting office. If you need it, you can withdraw it from there. If you don't need it, it stays in the office until you leave the manor, at which point it will be settled. Of course, you can also withdraw it monthly and keep it in a cabinet like me."

Zhang Xiaohua thought for a moment and decided to withdraw his first month's pay to buy something he liked in Pingyang City. He would give the rest to his second brother, Zhang Xiaohu. Since he didn't need money in the manor, maybe his second brother could use it. If his second brother didn't need it, he could keep it. He just didn't know how to send it home.

Thinking about this, Zhang Xiaohua asked Ma Jing, "Brother Ma, do you know how to send silver to my family in Luzhen?"

Ma Jing smiled and said, "That's easy. If you know someone going back to Luzhen, you can entrust them to take your letter and silver. If not, you can go to the carriage and horse service, but they charge for this service. The fee depends on the distance to Luzhen. You can ask them for the price, but I've heard the fees are quite high and not standardized. It's a shame the government doesn't regulate this."

"Right," after Ma Jing finished speaking, he added, "You really don't plan to save money to go to Drunken Fragrance Tower? I know it well and can introduce you to some girls."

After Zhang Xiaohua stood firm, Ma Jing had already packed everything and walked out of the small house. Zhang Xiaohua, still dazed from Ma Jing's words, quickly followed out the door.

Next, Zhang Xiaohua followed Ma Jing to the accounting office to collect his pay. The accounting office was in another part of the manor, and it took some time to get there. The accountant was an old scholar who, upon seeing Ma Jing, frowned and said, "Flatterer, why are you here again? Haven't you already collected this month's pay? Are you here to borrow more?"

"Flatterer?" Zhang Xiaohua thought it was funny. The name really suited Ma Jing, and his name sounded similar. Thinking about Ma Jing's usual behavior, he did have the potential to be a flatterer. However, he hadn't heard anyone call him that in a long time.

The name "Flatterer" was once commonly used, but after a new batch of servants came to the manor, fewer people knew about it, and it was called less often. When Ma Jing came to the accounting office, the accountant called him this, which felt familiar. Now, with a new junior following him, Ma Jing's face turned red, and he quickly said, "Mr. Tong, I, Ma Jing, may not be talented, but I don't always come to the accounting office to borrow. I'm here to help a new brother collect his monthly pay. Please don't always focus on me."

The old Mr. Tong grumbled, "That's true, not always, but you come about seven or eight times a year."

Then, he turned to Zhang Xiaohua and said, "Young man, what's your name? Are you here to withdraw all your pay or just part of it?"

Zhang Xiaohua quickly stepped forward and respectfully said, "Mr. Tong, my name is Zhang Xiaohua. I've been here for a month, and my pay isn't much, so I'll withdraw it all."

Mr. Tong looked at Zhang Xiaohua, concerned, and said, "It's fine to give it all to you; it's your money. But be careful not to waste it." He glanced at Ma Jing.

Ma Jing seemed to notice Mr. Tong's gaze and immediately looked up at the ceiling, studying the large peony flower painted there.

Zhang Xiaohua lowered his head and said, "Don't worry, Mr. Tong. I plan to give the money to my second brother and ask him to send it home to my parents."

Mr. Tong was pleased and said, "You're a good boy, unlike some who spend their hard-earned money on frivolous things, ending up with nothing but problems."

Ma Jing's face turned even redder, and he focused even more on the ceiling.

The withdrawal process was simple: just sign or press a fingerprint on the register. Since it was Zhang Xiaohua's first time, he had to leave a fingerprint. Soon, he was done and carefully put his first earned silver in his pocket. Zhang Xiaohua thanked Mr. Tong, who liked Zhang Xiaohua and talked to him a lot, like a grandfather. Seeing Zhang Xiaohua leave, Ma Jing's study session ended, and he quickly pulled Zhang Xiaohua away, leaving Mr. Tong with words unspoken.

However, when Mr. Tong turned, he suddenly stopped and said, "That's strange, why is Zhang Xiaohua's pay more than Flatterer's? I didn't notice that before. Did the manager make a mistake?"

Then, Mr. Tong returned to normal, slowly walking into the house, thinking, "If the manager made a mistake, it's not my problem. I gave Zhang Xiaohua what was written. This boy seems nice; if he got more, so be it. Who made the mistake?"

Zhang Xiaohua and Ma Jing didn't know about this. They were already heading out of the manor.

When Zhang Xiaohua entered the manor last time, he came by carriage through a large side gate. The accounting office wasn't on that route, and the path Ma Jing took was unknown to him. Even if it was the same path, Zhang Xiaohua wouldn't have known. The accounting office was not far from the side gate, and they soon arrived. The side gate was still guarded. Since Ma Jing came often, the guard didn't make things difficult. Although Ma Jing wanted to get closer, the guard's distant attitude made him realize it was better to keep his distance. Zhang Xiaohua, though it was his first time leaving the manor, had a record in the manor's register, so the process was quick. They each received a waist tag, with slight differences, but Ma Jing didn't notice, and Zhang Xiaohua didn't know. They carefully put the tags in their pockets and left the side gate.

As soon as they stepped out, Zhang Xiaohua was confused and asked, "Brother Ma, that's not the gate I came in last time."

Ma Jing smiled and said, "Our Huanxi Manor has five side gates and one main gate. Who knows which one you came in last time? Brother, remember to keep this waist tag safe. You'll need it to get back in. If you lose it, it will be very troublesome. Be careful."

Zhang Xiaohua nodded and said, "I know, but Brother Ma, when will you return tonight? I need to go back with you, or I might get lost on this long road."

Ma Jing smirked and said, "Look at you, so cautious. Once you're in the manor, it's our territory. You won't get lost. I don't know when I'll return. If you want, you can wait at the gate."

Zhang Xiaohua, with a pained expression, said, "Alright, Brother Ma, remember to come back early."

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua once again selectively forgot about Ma Jing's smelly feet and his habit of keeping a distance from him, looking like a wife waiting for her husband to return home.

It was already mid-June, and the midday sun was scorching. Zhang Xiaohua looked up at the blazing sun, silently blaming Ma Jing for not leaving earlier. Walking at this time would be unbearable.

After passing the straight road, Zhang Xiaohua thought Ma Jing would take the shaded path, but instead, Ma Jing turned into a small alley. Zhang Xiaohua was puzzled and caught up, saying, "Brother Ma, are you lost? We should take the main road."

Seeing Ma Jing's surprised look, Zhang Xiaohua thought he might have made a mistake and quickly said, "Maybe Brother Ma is hungry. It's time to eat something."

Ma Jing, hearing this, laughed and said, "Brother, are you planning to walk to Pingyang City?"

Zhang Xiaohua frowned and said, "Of course, we have to walk. We don't have our own carriage, and the manor doesn't provide one."

Ma Jing laughed and said, "Brother, didn't you come to Pingyang City from Luzhen by carriage?"

Zhang Xiaohua said, "No, we came by carriage from the carriage and horse service. Oh, so there are carriages from our manor to Pingyang City?"

Ma Jing didn't answer but waved his hand, indicating Zhang Xiaohua to follow.

Sure enough, Zhang Xiaohua's guess was correct. At the end of the alley was a large courtyard with a big banner fluttering in the wind, reading, "Where there's a road, there's a carriage." Below it was a small flag with "Rapid Carriage." It was the same carriage and horse service that brought Zhang Xiaohua to Pingyang City.

Zhang Xiaohua, realizing his ignorance, didn't say anything more, watching Ma Jing arrange things. Soon, a small carriage, barely fitting two or three people, came out of the courtyard and stopped at the gate, waiting for passengers.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua's dazed look, Ma Jing pulled him into the carriage, saying, "Brother, since this is your first time out with me, you don't have to pay for the carriage. Next time, you can pay."

Zhang Xiaohua, full of joy, sat in the carriage, not bothering to talk to Ma Jing. He hadn't seen his second brother for a long time and wondered how he was doing at Lotus Escort Agency. His second brother was a good martial arts talent, so he must have learned a lot of boxing techniques. Thinking about his own clumsy boxing, Zhang Xiaohua was eager to see his second brother practicing.

However, the carriage ride was comfortable. It was hot outside, and he remembered how tired he and his second brother were when they walked to Pingyang City last time. He hadn't thought about being able to take a carriage. He wondered if there were such carriages in Luzhen. If so, the journey from Guo Manor to Luzhen would be much faster, and they wouldn't need to find a donkey cart. Even from Guo Manor to Bayili Gully, having such carriages would be convenient, and they wouldn't have to wake up early and arrive at noon. Thinking about Bayili Gully, he wondered how his older brother and sister-in-law were doing, if his older brother was better, and how his parents and the farm were. Everything made Zhang Xiaohua very nostalgic, and he fell into deep thought.

Ma Jing, seeing Zhang Xiaohua's expression, thought he was resting and didn't speak to him. If he knew that a simple carriage ride could make Zhang Xiaohua think so much, he would have laughed until his teeth hurt.