388, It’s kind of silly (1 more)
He was in pain.
She was in pain, too.
She felt sorry for herself, yet not so much for Dong Sheng.
“…”
She always thought that Dong Sheng from before was a very good person.
Warm and cheerful, always willing to help others, and he had treated her well.
But now, looking at him again, he was far from worthless.
He was steeped in infamy.
“I came to tell you that your master said you should go home to fulfill your filial duties, and I will go back with you!”
Dong Sheng suddenly looked up.
Shock and astonishment painted his face as he turned to Xiaoyuan, “What, what did you say?”
He was to go home to fulfill his filial duties.
Could he still return to the county town?
“Aren’t you a dutiful son? Your father is ill, you need to be by his bedside. Get ready to go, I will come back with you!” Xiaoyuan said softly.
Her tone was gentle and flat, devoid of emotion.
Turning to Stupid Girl, she said, “Thanks for bringing me back. Tell the master I’ll handle my private matters myself!”
“Mhm, take care!” Stupid Girl nodded and stepped away.
Xiaoyuan started to pack Dong Sheng’s belongings.
It was only upon packing that she discovered Dong Sheng’s possessions were pitifully sparse: just three sets of clothes, three pairs of shoes, and a few pairs of cloth socks. She had been busy and had hardly bought him anything.
“…”
Xiaoyuan pursed her lips slightly.
She glanced at the stunned Dong Sheng, reached out to take his hand, and said, “Let’s go!”
“Ah, oh!”
Dong Sheng rose lethargically and followed behind Xiaoyuan.
He watched her call for a Mule Cart and, in a daze, followed her onto it, sitting beside her in a stupor.
When they stopped to rest, he got off slowly, went to the outhouse, and then came back to sit by the Mule Cart, lost in thought.
The Mule Cart driver couldn’t help but ask Xiaoyuan, “Is your husband a bit simple?”
On hearing this, Xiaoyuan was stunned for a while before she looked at Dong Sheng, who was still sitting dazed on the Mule Cart, and said in a deep, soft voice, “Yes, he’s a little foolish!”
Filial piety is a virtue, but blind filial piety without principles is foolish. Marrying without asking is theft; if it were their own silver, the master would have consented, and she would have had nothing to say about Dong Sheng using it.
But that wasn’t the case.
Dong Sheng had forgotten his place and had done something out of line. He deserved to be punished and taught a lesson.
He must learn that embezzlement is a great taboo, especially when serving as a steward, handling so much silver every day, and standing to handle even more with the master. Today it was ten taels, but what about in the future? Would he also dare to take a hundred taels, a thousand, ten thousand?
So yes, he was foolish.
County Town
Kechanglai
Xie Zhinuan wasn’t surprised to hear that Xiaoyuan and Dong Sheng were going back home.
“It’s good to go back once, some things should indeed be clarified!”
Stupid Girl nodded in agreement.
A pageboy came in to announce, “Miss, a young master has arrived outside. He says his surname is Yuan and he is an old acquaintance from Xiaohe Village!”
“…”
Yuan Wang?
Xie Zhinuan was somewhat surprised. What did Yuan Wang want with her?
To see or not to see?
“Is he alone?” Xie Zhinuan asked.
If Yuan Wang was alone, she could meet with him. But if there were others, it would be better not to see them.
The Yuan Family people were utterly shameless.
“Indeed, he’s alone!”
“Then please show him in!”
Yuan Wang was invited in and upon seeing Xie Zhinuan, he first bowed respectfully before calling out gently, “Miss Xie, sorry to disturb you!”
“What’s the matter? Please, sit and speak!” Xie Zhinuan signalled the maid to serve tea.
Once the tea was served, “Mr. Yuan, please have some tea!”
“Thank you!” Yuan Wang accepted the cup and took a sip. He had arrived in the county town last night and stayed at an inn. He had only come over today after some hesitation on the way.
Chapter 390