Xiaotian was busy in the kitchen , cooking meals and preparing medicine, and afterward, she served the young master his food. "Fugui, rest well at home!"
"Where are you going again?"
"Fugui, I... I’m going to work in the kitchen at Zhao Residence." Xiaotian knew she couldn’t hide anything from the young master; it had always been this way since they were children.
"..." She had to go work again; it was all his burden dragging her down, not knowing if she would be humiliated outside, and these thoughts made him feel bitter inside.
"Fugui, I’m used to doing these tasks in the Li Residence, and the maids I knew from before helped me get the job, don’t worry."
"Okay!" Xiaotian seemed to see his concerns, and that must be why she said those comforting words; she truly was a kind woman.
After Xiaotian left, Li Fugui, too, dressed neatly and went out. He couldn’t let Xiaotian be the only one going out to work to support him; he was a man, and it was his duty to go out.
He dragged his ailing body to the bookstore in the county. Now, apart from being able to write a few characters, he really couldn’t think of anything else to do!
But years of luxury made it hard for him to start. He lingered at the entrance of the bookstore for a long time, finally gathering enough courage to step inside. "Shopkeeper, I’d like to take up copying books!"
But before the shopkeeper could respond, he heard a harsh voice.
"Oh! Isn’t this Li Family’s Eldest Young Master?"
"Indeed! What happened to make you dress ? You look like a beggar!"
"You want to take up copying books? Weren’t you the one who despised it the most?"
"Are you still going to the Academy this spring?"
"What for? He looks like a beggar now; where would he get the silver to go to the Academy?"
A few scholars surrounded Li Fugui, taunting and mocking him without restraint.
Li Fugui felt utterly ashamed, remembering how he had used this very matter to taunt Yang Ming before. Now it was his turn, and retribution had come so swiftly.
He blushed deeply, feeling almost unable to show his face. The once high and mighty was now a figure of contempt.
He lifted his leg and walked towards the door; he had to leave quickly.
"Eh! Leaving just like that? Weren’t you going to copy books?"
"What, do you still look down on copying?"
"Now you’re even worse than those who copy books! Hahaha!"
"You can’t even support yourself now, can you!"
Li Fugui’s step suddenly halted. Yes, what was he here for? He was here to reduce Xiaotian’s burden; how could he flee in such a dejected manner.
He had already endured the pain of his family’s ruin and the loss of their property—what was a little humiliation? Now, nothing was more important than his Xiaotian.
He turned around, disregarding everyone’s gaze, and walked back to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, may I take up copying work? I can do it!"
The people who had just mocked him were momentarily stunned. Was this still the Li Family’s Eldest Young Master from before?
A few scholars, feeling that they had mocked enough, walked out of the bookstore, still talking as they left, "Li Family’s Eldest Young Master has fallen so low that he has to live off copying books now!"
Li Fugui, having heard too much, had become numb. He didn’t bother with those people and instead continued to ask, "Shopkeeper, may I?"
The bookstore’s shopkeeper, who certainly recognized Li Family’s Eldest Young Master, was perplexed by such a display from him, sensing that perhaps Li Family’s Eldest Young Master was about to change.