Chapter 2

Chapter 2

My parents, my elder sister, and my younger brother were in the room next door.

They were pacing back and forth in a panic, as if they had completely lost their anchor.

The moment my mother saw me come in, she was the first to rush over.

She hugged me tightly and sobbed, “Zhuzhu, are you all right?”

I shook my head.

Still worried, Mother patted me down all over.

The taut look on Father’s face finally eased.

He comforted her. “Zhuzhu is the cleverest of us all. Anyone else might get into trouble, but she never would.”

My younger brother wiped the tears from his face and cheered up too. “Exactly, Mother. If Second Sister hadn’t been with us along the way, how could we possibly have made it to the capital alive? There are plenty of important people in the capital. As long as our family sticks together, we’ll make something of ourselves sooner or later.”

My elder sister leaned against the soft couch and beckoned to me.

I walked over. She stroked my face and said tenderly, “I’m the one who dragged you down.”

I gestured to them about everything I had seen and heard in the capital over the past two days.

Then I explained, one by one, the plans I had made for them.

Once it came to serious business, Father, Mother, and my younger brother all grew solemn.

They sat in a neat row, waiting for my instructions.

[Father, the Minister of Revenue’s household is hiring a cook. I asked around. There are few people and few complications in the Minister’s household, which suits someone like you, who isn’t good at socializing. The Minister is also from Cangzhou and likes simpler, heartier dishes. When you go, make a lamb offal stew first. It will definitely make him see you in a new light.]

Father nodded. “Zhuzhu, I’ll do as you say!”

I looked at Mother next.

[Mother, Elder Sister needs to properly recover from her illness. She can’t be left without someone to look after her for a while.]

Before I could finish gesturing, my elder sister grew anxious.

She coughed a few times and said, “Zhuzhu! I can take care of myself. I won’t be a burden on everyone!”

I looked at her.

My elder sister stopped arguing and sighed. “Fine, fine. I’ll be good and listen.”

[Mother, go to a family surnamed Li in Peach Blossom Alley and rent their house. The owner works at the Ministry of Revenue, so he won’t casually name an outrageous price or bully people. When you rent the house, mention in passing that Father is going to work as a cook in the Minister’s household.]

My younger brother was puzzled. “Sister, but Father hasn’t gone yet, has he?”

My elder sister laughed. “Idiot! Zhuzhu didn’t tell Mother to say Father has already gone. Isn’t he about to go?”

I added another explanation.

[Father, when you go for the interview with the steward, tell him clearly that we live in Peach Blossom Alley.]

Mother was the first to understand. She praised me, saying, “Our Zhuzhu really is clever! That way, the steward at the Minister’s household won’t think we’re homeless refugees with nowhere to settle. Besides, anyone who can become a steward must be sharp as a tack. Once he hears where we live, he’ll know it’s a house belonging to an official from the Ministry of Revenue, and he’ll pay us a little more attention.”

I nodded and gave Mother a thumbs-up.

That was exactly the reasoning.

For a newly arrived cook like Father, if someone could vouch for him even indirectly, the steward would naturally be more than happy to take him on.

After receiving my approval, Mother lifted her brows with pride.

My younger brother exclaimed, “No wonder, all through our escape, no matter how bitter or difficult things got, Sister wouldn’t let us spend that silver! If we didn’t have money to rent a place, it would be hard for any of us to find work!”

At this point, he grew a little anxious. “Sister! What about me? Hurry and arrange work for me too!”

This younger brother of mine was a blockhead. The path of the imperial examinations was hopeless for him.

I patted his head and thought for a moment.

[I’m planning to send you to the City Patrol Office as a constable, but that still needs some maneuvering. For now, the most urgent thing is for you to build up your body. If you’re not afraid of hardship, go to White Deer Academy first and work as a menial servant.]

White Deer Academy admitted only the rich and powerful, people who looked down on everyone else.

My younger brother had an impatient temper and was somewhat stubborn too.

If he became a constable in the future without changing that temper, he would inevitably bring trouble down on himself.

If he could see more of those so-called favored sons of heaven at White Deer Academy, suffer setbacks, and endure a little humiliation, perhaps he would grow up a bit and learn to take things in stride. Only then would he be ready for the City Patrol Office.

Once I had made arrangements for the whole family, I felt much lighter.

Mother could no longer hold herself back. “Zhuzhu! Earlier, that Young Master Shen gave money to treat your sister’s illness, and I didn’t have time to stop him. Once I return the silver, we’ll rent a house at once and settle down.”

Father said as well, “Let’s go, let’s go, hurry up and go! What nonsense fiancée? Bullshit!”