Su Tianyou chuckled, "Young Master Zheng really has a way with jokes, just moments ago you were teasing the Second Prince, and now it’s my turn to be your entertainment."
Xia Zheng raised an eyebrow, had it not been for the fact that he was Su Tianrui’s elder brother, he probably wouldn’t have stopped to chat with him. Unlike his father and elder brother, he had little regard for these bureaucratic types and wasn’t interested in getting involved.
"If Eldest Young Master Su has something to say, please get straight to the point. My stomach is growling with hunger, and I’m looking forward to tasting the delicacies of your household."
Su Tianyou’s face remained impassive, but inwardly he was beginning to feel overwhelmed. This Xia Zheng was still the same, spouting anything that came to his mind without fear of offending anyone. Logically speaking, he and Tian Rui were brothers, so why was there such a difference in the way they were treated!
"Since that’s the case, I’ll get right to the point." Su Tianyou stepped closer, carefully observing Xia Zheng’s expression, not missing a single detail, "During the New Year’s Eve royal banquet, Young Master Zheng volunteered to take on the printing task for the Imperial Court. If I recall correctly, a year ago, Your Majesty had asked you about it, and you were disinclined to accept, so why the change of heart now?"
Xia Zheng raised an eyebrow: "What, can’t I relieve His Majesty of some concerns? Alas, I’m not as capable as all of you, so I can only make a little effort in such small matters."
As he spoke, Xia Zheng began to stray off topic, counting on his fingers: "Look at my father and elder brother, each one brave and skilled in battle, a name that makes enemies quake on the battlefield. Then there’s you and Prime Minister Su, both capable and learned. And then there’s me, good for nothing. Neither skilled in scholarly ways to bring peace, nor in martial ways to stabilize the nation. It seems my only little hobby is conducting business and earning Silver, so naturally, I choose to relieve His Majesty of concerns in that area."
"Young Master Zheng is being too modest. With your innate brilliance, you’ve managed to successfully run several taverns at such a young age. The courage and wisdom required are beyond that of the average person." Truth be told, Su Tianyou had a fair bit of admiration for the young master before him. Previously, he had only thought the Second Young Master Xia knew how to frolic and play tricks on others, much like his own younger brother. But ever since Xia Zheng’s tavern business spread last year, he realized he had underestimated him.
Thinking of this, Su Tianyou couldn’t help but admire his father. It was his father’s unique insight that had recognized the potential in Xia Zheng, or he wouldn’t have allowed Su Qiuyu to get close to Xia Zheng.
Wait a second, something didn’t seem quite right.
Su Tianyou pursed his lips, almost letting this guy distract him from the topic at hand, which was the printing task.
Looking up and gazing deeply at Xia Zheng, Su Tianyou dared not underestimate him any longer.
"That printing task is quite the arduous assignment, time-consuming and laborious, not to mention it doesn’t earn any Silver. I’m curious, Young Master Zheng, since you run taverns and understand business, how come you would take on such a burdensome task voluntarily?" Su Tianyou’s smile brimmed with friendliness, speaking as if chatting with a good friend, but he had forgotten that he and Xia Zheng weren’t actually very close.
Xia Zheng hadn’t forgotten, his eyebrows raised, his lips curled with a tinge of aloofness: "Oh, is that what this is about? Would you believe me if I said it was because I suddenly felt an overwhelming desire to do charitable deeds?"
Su Tianyou cleared his throat, of course, he didn’t believe it.
But that was something he dared not say outright, instead replying with a laugh: "Young Master Zheng has always been kind-hearted, so what’s this about suddenly undertaking charitable deeds?"
Xia Zheng too smiled, raising an eyebrow. Su Tianyou was indeed a man of many facets, perfectly aware that he was making excuses yet still playing along. No wonder Prime Minister Su was so keen on this eldest son; Su Tianrui was still too green and had much to learn from his elder brother.
"Eldest Young Master Su is too flattering, I am no saint," Xia Zheng’s gaze flitted briefly, then suddenly leaned closer to Su Tianyou, whispering: "If I were such a great saint, I would not have set a snare for the Big Gray Wolf back then."
After saying that, before Su Tianyou could even react to who the Big Gray Wolf was, Xia Zheng had already stepped back, warmly patted his shoulder, and said: "Alright, I’ve said what I needed to say. Big brother, don’t tell anyone else, okay? This is our secret. I’m off to find Tian Rui for a chat. See you."
With a wave of his hand, Xia Zheng had already walked away, leaving Su Tianyou standing there in stunned silence. What secret? What had been said? What had they actually talked about?
"Eldest Young Master Su, what a tactician you are. In just a short while, you managed to extract information from Xia Zheng, and yet previously, you told this prince it would be difficult to get results. I see now, it was all just modesty."