NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Meeting Old Acquaintances, Mixed Feelings
The old beggar had asked around and finally arrived in front of the vermilion gate of the Shen Mansion.
He looked up and saw two majestic stone lions in front of the gate, and the gate tower behind them towered solemnly.
"Is this the Shen Mansion? It really is extraordinary."
Just now, he had learned upon asking that many businesses in Yongzhou City belonged to the Shen Family.
It could be said that they were the only Boss of Yongzhou.
The so-called Four Great Eastern Families of Taiping County were simply child's play in comparison.
Moreover, he had heard that the Shen Family's master was the Lord Chief Officer of the government office, who had recently executed a brutal slaughter in Yongzhou, killing a group of demons with overwhelming might.
To him, such a significant figure seemed simply heavenly.
The old beggar saw a gatekeeper standing outside the main door, and he approached to ask.
Although the gatekeeper looked disdainful, he still informed him that the Shen Family was indeed still recruiting servants today, which sparked a glimmer of hope in him.
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The old beggar brightened up with spirit, quickly straightened his clothes, and walked confidently towards the recruitment area.
When he entered the recruiting space, although the interior was not as grand as the outside, it was clean and tidy, with several people dressed as servants busy reviewing applicants.
The old beggar cautiously lined up at the end of the queue, silently praying for an opportunity.
Finally, it was his turn.
A person who looked like a steward raised his head, his eyes scrutinizing, and seeing the old beggar dressed as he was, expressed dissatisfaction, "Where did this beggar come from? Off you go."
"Sir, I am no beggar, but a teacher. It's just that I've fallen on hard times. I heard that your mansion is hiring servants, so I came to seek a livelihood."
The middle-aged steward asked skeptically, "Name? Age? Any special skills?"
The old beggar respectfully answered, "My name is Zhang Shuyuan, I am over forty years old, skilled in teaching and accounting, and can endure hardship. I am willing to work like a horse or a dog for the Shen Family."
The steward frowned slightly and said disdainfully, "Our master requires servants who are agile and skilled in certain areas, not bookkeepers. Given your age, I fear it's not suitable."
Zhang Shuyuan's heart sank, but he still did not give up and pleaded earnestly, "Please make an exception, sir. Though I am old, I am of good nature and will put forth my full effort."
At that moment, another steward with seemingly more experience interrupted, "Our master is kind-hearted and approachable to the ordinary people of the city. If you truly have the desire, you might as well wait at the main gate and try your luck by pleading your case directly to him. However, don't blame us if anything goes wrong."
"Not at all," Zhang Shuyuan felt a surge of inexplicable strength and quickly bowed, "Thank you, sir, for your guidance. I will do my best. May I know the name of our Shen Family master?"
"Chief Officer of the Military Department, Shen Qing, Lord Shen!"
Boom!
Zhang Shuyuan's body shook violently, and the broken bowl in his arms almost fell.
He muttered the name to himself, his eyes flashing with disbelief, "Impossible... impossible... it must be a coincidence."
Yet he vaguely remembered that a few years ago, the Shen Qing family was indeed heading towards Yongzhou.
He hurriedly asked, "Is your master from Taiping County?"
The steward replied impatiently, "You lot, is this beggar getting too cheeky? I showed you the way, and yet you keep asking questions. Just go, don't hold up our work."
People in the queue behind also complained about the old beggar's behavior.
Zhang Shuyuan directly bowed in thanks and then, gritting his teeth, walked straight towards the main gate.
At this moment, a mix of emotions surged in his heart: surprise, anxiety, and unease.
But having come this far, he decided to try no matter what.
Zhang Shuyuan suppressed the turmoil inside him, found a good spot in a corner, and squatted quietly, staring at the gate of the Shen Mansion.
He kept rubbing his hands together to generate some warmth.
Time passed slowly, and soon it was evening.
The grand entrance of Shen Mansion was magnificent and brightly lit.
Just then, he saw a figure flash from not far away and land in front of the Shen Mansion's grand door.
Zhang Shuyuan stood in the corner, his expression changing.
If not the Shen Qing he remembered, then who?
Instantly, his emotions became a mix of different feelings.
Zhang Shuyuan squatted in the alley, hesitated repeatedly, and eventually mustered the courage to dash out.
"Qingzi..."
As soon as he spoke, he immediately felt something was amiss and quickly corrected himself by shouting, "Lord Shen."
Shen Qing heard the shout and turned around, sizing up the ragged beggar who was rushing towards him with a look of surprise in his eyes.
"Is that you? How come you are here?"
The beggar was none other than Zhang Shu Chi from Hong Shan Village!
Zhang Shuyuan's body shook violently, nearly dropping the broken bowl in his arms.
He muttered the name, disbelief flashing in his eyes, "Impossible... impossible... it must be someone with the same name."
But he vaguely remembered that a few years ago, indeed, the Shen Family had moved in the direction of Yongzhou.
He anxiously asked, "Is your master from Taiping County?"
The Manager, somewhat impatiently, said, "Are you getting too cheeky, old beggar? I gave you directions, and still, you have questions that never end. Go away quickly; don't hold up our work."
People in the queue behind also complained about the old beggar's behavior.
Zhang Shuyuan bowed in thanks and then, gritting his teeth, headed straight for the front door.
At this moment, he felt a complex rush of emotions, filled with both excitement and much trepidation and unease.
But at this point, he decided he had to try no matter what.
Zhang Shuyuan suppressed the turmoil inside him and found a corner with a better view to crouch in silence, watching the door of the Shen Mansion.
He rubbed his hands together constantly to generate some warmth.
Time passed gradually, and soon it was evening.
The grand entrance of Shen Mansion was magnificent and brightly lit.
Just then, he saw a figure flash from not far away and land in front of the Shen Mansion's grand gate.
Zhang Shuyuan stood in the corner, his expression changing.
If not the Shen Qing he remembered, then who?
Instantly, his emotions became a mix of different feelings.
Zhang Shuyuan squatted in the alley, hesitated repeatedly, and eventually mustered the courage to dash out.
"Qingzi..."
As soon as he spoke, he immediately felt something was amiss and quickly corrected himself by shouting, "Lord Shen."
Shen Qing heard the shout and turned around, sizing up the ragged beggar who was rushing toward him, his eyes filled with surprise.
"Is that you? How come you are here?"
The beggar was none other than Zhang Shu Chi from Hong Shan Village!
Shen Qing heard the shout and turned around, sizing up the ragged beggar who was rushing toward him, his eyes filled with surprise.
"Is that you? How come you are here?"
The beggar was none other than Zhang Shu Chi from Hong Shan Village!