Chapter 1282: Empathy
孟允峥 went out, yet Old Master Miao still sat there in place, gripping the wine cup in his hand, not moving for a long time.
The attendant looked at him with some worry. After a while, he heard his deep voice say, "After we return to the prefecture tomorrow, go to Piaoxiang Courtyard and tell Liu Ru to forget about setting up that Zhang fellow outside the city, let his daughter go."
The attendant, shocked, looked up. He knew well about this matter: that Zhang old man had offended the Lord. Upon seeing that the old man's daughter was quite beautiful, the Lord wanted to bring her to Piaoxiang Courtyard—first, for revenge, and second, to add a fresh face to the Courtyard.
Thus, they plotted against Zhang, attempting to make him owe gambling debts and use his daughter as collateral.
And now the Lord actually plans to give up on this matter?
The attendant softly asked, "Lord, is it because... of what Monarch Lu Xiang said?"
Monarch Lu Xiang said that doing good deeds would improve one's image in front of the Dongqing Temple master.
Unexpectedly, Old Master Miao gave a scoff, "Do you think I would listen to the words of a little girl? It's all nonsense."
"Then..."
Old Master Miao looked down, drained the wine in his cup, and gave a self-mocking laugh, "Young Master Meng was right. My sister died protecting me, and this life of mine is precious. I ought to live it like a proper person, so she can rest easy in the afterlife, right?"
Having drifted through life muddle-headed for most of it, he couldn't go on like this for the remaining time.
The attendant was a bit surprised; he had followed Old Master Miao for most of his life.
Were Young Master Meng's words rare? Not really. These words were like old refrains to Old Master Miao; he had heard them countless times.
Long ago, people had told Old Master Miao—your sister died protecting you; do you justify her by committing so many evil deeds? Would she want you to live like this? She only wished for your peace and happiness.
Many had used his sister to persuade him toward goodness, but blinded by hatred, the Lord was unwilling to listen.
Even after his revenge, people continued their persuasion, and the Lord merely scoffed. He thought they were all talk, their words meaningless. They hadn't been through what he'd experienced and could never empathize.
Grand speeches, anyone could make?
The Lord never took them to heart, nor could he listen.
Yet now, having similar experiences as Meng Yunzheng, though saying much the same thing, the Lord listened.
"I'm no match for a young man in his early twenties." Old Master Miao suddenly smiled self-mockingly, "I rather envy him now."
The attendant didn't speak, quietly pouring wine for Old Master Miao.
Meng Yunzheng and Shu Yu left the restaurant, turning back to glance once more, then smiled.
With things settled, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Let's go home. We've been away for two days, and my Grandmother and the others must be worried."
In good spirits, Shu Yu smiled, but before they could walk far, they saw Hu Li waiting on the side, waving at them.
Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng exchanged glances, "Xiang Weinan must have many questions; you go talk to him, I'll head back first."
"Alright."
Shu Yu nodded to Hu Li and directly led Dabai back to Fenghuai Street.
Unexpectedly, just as she reached the door, she saw Madam Liang hurrying over.
She seemed to be entering as well, "Yu, you're back?"
Madam Liang had come over here at noon to shop, and not wanting the burden of Baoya, left her at the Lu family. Having finished her shopping, she came to fetch her daughter and have dinner.