"Excuse me," Fang Tianze said, puffing out his cheeks and glaring at Yang Ruxin. "I don’t care, come home with me right now."
The young attendant by their side was actually completely bewildered. He naturally recognized the county magistrate’s son, but he hadn’t expected that this family, clearly from the village, were so familiar with the county magistrate’s family. He quickly went over in his mind whether he had neglected them in any way; after thinking for a long time and not finding anything, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Zeze," Yang Ruxin took a breath and then seriously looked at Fang Tianze. "I truly appreciate your feelings, but have you thought about it? If we went to your house, we would feel very uncomfortable..."
"Why would that be?" Fang Tianze frowned.
"Your father is an official, and we come from humble, rural backgrounds. Living in your house, wouldn’t we have to follow all sorts of rules?" Yang Ruxin asked Fang Tianze. "It’s not just you in your house; there are relatives and servants. Don’t you think people will talk?" She waved her hands, stopping Fang Tianze from attempting to explain. "You can say whoever speaks out will be punished, but sometimes, looks can kill. Zeze, you’re a man, and in the future, you will bear the responsibility of establishing a household. Can you really do everything based on personal preferences?"
Fang Tianze was extremely intelligent; a few words from Yang Ruxin made him understand. Indeed, their house wasn’t like a small courtyard in Dapu East Village where one could do as one pleased. Sometimes, whatever you do or say, there are people watching. He then lowered his head, "I’m sorry, I didn’t consider everything thoroughly."
"You don’t need to apologize because you see me as one of your own. I’m actually happy about it." Yang Ruxin raised her hand and ruffled Fang Tianze’s hair. "When there’s a chance in the future, I will definitely visit your family..."
Fang Tianze’s hair got tousled, but he didn’t mind and smiled broadly.
"Alright, it’s getting late. Let’s go back. I’ll come to visit tomorrow morning after breakfast." Yang Ruxin waved her hand and then yawned. "I’m sleepy, too."
"Then I’ll come to pick you up tomorrow." Fang Tianze was cheerful. "I’ll watch sister go up the stairs..."
Yang Ruxin didn’t decline and turned to go up the stairs. Then with a wave, she entered her room.
Fang Tianze called the shopkeeper over and passed him a piece of silver. "My sister is staying here. Make sure she is well taken care of. If there is any neglect, I won’t let it go..."
"Don’t worry, Young Master Fang, we’ll take good care of her," the shopkeeper hurriedly promised but dared not accept the silver.
"Keep it," Fang Tianze said. "Make sure the meals and hot water are well prepared. As long as sister is happy, there will be a reward..." With that, he left in high spirits.
In a certain room on the second floor, the door, which had been left slightly ajar, quietly closed.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, just as Yang Ruxin and her companions got up, a young attendant came to deliver hot water for washing and green salt, also asking whether they would like breakfast served in their room or prefer to go downstairs for it.
"Let’s go downstairs for it," Yang Ruxin replied. She knew why the attendant was so attentive, but she didn’t inquire further and led everyone downstairs after washing up.
Breakfast turned out to be very rich.
Since they were going to visit the Fang Family for a birthday celebration today, Yang Ruxin asked for everyone’s opinion on who wanted to come along.
"I’d rather not," Xun Hui was the first to gesture. "Such a family will surely have many rules. Just in case... I’ll wait at the inn..."
"I’ll stay with mom," Erni was also hesitant about such an occasion.