Song Dynasty Dreams: Marrying Zhao Pan’er at the beginning

Chapter 25 Old Jia Steps In

“Madam Zhao!”

The eunuch smiled at Zhao Pan’er.

“Remember to remind Master Gao to start painting soon!”

“Of course!”

Zhao Pan’er responded obediently.

With that, the eunuch led the Imperial Guards away. As the large entourage departed, the constable quickly signaled his men to rush into the teahouse and seize the troublemakers.

“So, you dare to cause trouble in this teahouse? Take them away!”

Zhao Pan’er stepped in front of the constable. “Constable Fang!”

“These men frightened my husband!”

Constable Fang understood—Zhao Pan’er was subtly warning him.

He immediately assured her, “Don’t worry. These men, along with the ones behind them, won’t escape justice!”

“Also, I owe you quite a bit in tea money over the past two years. Here, I’m paying it all back now.”

He swiftly pulled out the ten taels of silver he had received from Wang Dashan, placed it on the table, and hurriedly left with his men. This man had never actually come for tea before—giving money now was clearly an apology.

Zhao Pan’er chose not to pursue the matter further. At last, the commotion was over.

“Pan’er!”

Sun Sanniang ran up excitedly.

“The Emperor sent you a Fengguan Xiapei!”

“Your own Fengguan Xiapei!”

Zhao Pan’er glanced at the luxurious garment on the table, feeling as if she were in a dream. Something she had longed for all her life had just appeared before her, just like that?

“Wow, it’s so extravagant!”

Xiao Lingdang circled around the Fengguan Xiapei in excitement.

“It’s even more beautiful than the one Miss Li wore!”

A scholar nearby explained, “This is the phoenix crown of a fifth-rank official’s wife.”

“Miss Li married only a ninth-rank official, so naturally, hers wasn’t as grand.”

“Fifth-rank official’s wife?”

Sun Sanniang gawked at Zhao Pan’er, full of envy. The tea shop’s patrons also looked on with admiration. This was no ordinary Fengguan Xiapei—it was personally bestowed by the Emperor, symbolizing the recipient’s standing in his eyes.

Although Gao You held no official rank at present, from the moment this decree was issued—He had already stepped into the elite scholar-official class.

______

A few hours later—The news of Gao You receiving an imperial gift and a request for a painting had spread throughout Qiantang. The part about Zhao Pan’er bargaining with the eunuch became an especially hot topic, retold in countless variations.

“Madam Zhao, I wish to visit Master Gao!”

A scholar placed a visiting card in front of Zhao Pan’er. Zhao Pan’er, unable to refuse, pointed toward the distant figure fishing by the river.

“My husband is over there.”

“Thank you!”

The scholar eagerly rushed towards the crowd surrounding Gao You.

Sun Sanniang came out from the kitchen, frowning.

“Why didn’t he just go straight to Gao You?”@@novelbin@@

“Why did he have to tell you first?”

Zhao Pan’er chuckled.

“It’s etiquette among scholars.”

“If you’re paying a visit, you must first present a visiting card and receive permission before entering.”

Sun Sanniang scoffed.

“Scholars are so troublesome!”

“But won’t Gao You get annoyed with so many people around him?”

Zhao Pan’er was worried about that too. But as a woman, she couldn’t just push through the crowd and say something.

“The fish got away!”

Gao You tossed his fishing rod aside in frustration. The chattering scholars immediately fell silent, full of guilt.

An elderly scholar quickly apologized.

“Master Gao, we are truly sorry!”

Gao You, uninterested, didn’t even acknowledge them. As someone widely regarded as a fool, he had no problem just walking away when annoyed. He picked up his bucket, left the scholars behind, and returned to the teahouse.

“Dear, let’s go home!”

Gao You simply told Zhao Pan’er and walked out of the teahouse.

The group of scholars had irritated him beyond measure—They couldn’t stop spouting flowery, pretentious language as if they’d die if they spoke plainly.

“Madam Zhao!”

The disappointed scholars turned to Zhao Pan’er.

Zhao Pan’er gave an apologetic smile.

“I’m truly sorry!”

“My husband only enjoys painting and is not good at socializing. Please forgive his lack of courtesy.”

Lack of courtesy?

He hadn’t spoken a single word to them!

With anyone else, these scholars would have stormed off in anger.

But Gao You was different—he was eccentric, even foolish. No one could hold it against him.

______

“Young Master!”

As soon as Gao You stepped into his courtyard, Butler Fu blocked his path.

“What’s the matter?”

Gao You looked at him in confusion.

Butler Fu glanced outside cautiously, then said, “Someone important wishes to see you!”

Someone important?

Gao You was puzzled.

Aside from his wife and the old couple who raised him, who else could be important to him?

“Where are they?”

Butler Fu gestured towards the guest hall. “Waiting inside for you.”

Gao You nodded and followed him in.

“Young Master!”

As soon as he entered, a burly man immediately dropped to one knee.

Gao You quickly helped him up.

“And you are?”

“Your humble servant, Jia Ping!”

The burly man stood.

Gao You was stunned.

The man before him was none other than Old Jia, a trusted subordinate of Gu Qianfan.

The Imperial City’s Secret Police commander was calling him Young Master?

“Do we have some sort of connection?”

Gao You frowned at Jia Ping.

Jia Ping turned to Butler Fu.

“You never told him?”

“I did not.”

Butler Fu shook his head and then explained, “Jia Ping was one of Master’s personal guards during his lifetime.”

“After Master’s passing, he has been protecting you from the shadows ever since.”

“He is the reason we have lived peacefully all these years.”

Jia Ping humbly shook his head.

“I haven’t done much.”

“You, Butler Fu, have raised Young Master by yourself, while I have yet to help find our young lady.”

“I am ashamed.”

At the mention of their young lady, Butler Fu’s expression darkened slightly. But he quickly composed himself and waved his hand.

“That’s not your fault.”

“Have you gathered any information about Madam Zhao’s background?”