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墨書 Inktalez
“Mu Family's handsome young man, what are you thinking?”
“This” body and skin were given by my parents. Although the Heavenly Xuan Empire has always had a tradition of maintaining a clean appearance by shaving, there are those who particularly cherish their beards and thus do not follow this practice. Although I have only seen Old Zhang twice, it is not hard to imagine his fondness for his beard from the way he strokes it with a contented expression. Since Yun Zhongzi mentioned this matter, it seems he has also faced similar frustrations. What should I do? I do not like to force others, but my mother's illness... Hibiscus hesitated for a moment before bowing to Old Zhang and Yun Zhongzi.
“Please take a short rest, and could you kindly inform me of your esteemed disciple's whereabouts?”
“I, Niuniu, am in the kitchen. Just go out this door, walk straight, and turn left,” Old Zhang said while stroking his beard. If he knew that someone had their eyes on his beard, would his face turn green?
Meanwhile, Hibiscus was heading towards the kitchen. In the small town, Lin Ke had already alerted the Yamen personnel and mobilized the Mu Family's secret guards to search for their young master, fearing that something might have happened to him. The Yamen personnel had been idle for so long that they could not remember how long it had been; finally having something to do made everyone excited. Unlike the laziness of the Yamen, the Mu Family Guard appeared well-trained and exceptionally skilled.
Fengyin was preparing the last soup, corn and rib soup, which was her grandfather's favorite dish and one he had taught her to make. Fortunately, both her master and grandfather were not picky eaters—one due to lack of time and the other because he was used to hardship and hated wasting food. Hehe was circling around Fengyin, occasionally nudging her with its big head to sniff; after being out all day, it was the hungriest of them all. The tender bamboo shoots she had picked for it were already gone.
In a little while, the soup would be ready. Fengyin sat on a nearby chair, holding Hehe's big head in her arms. At that moment, Hibiscus walked in.
“Master, are you hungry?” Fengyin asked without lifting her veil. After asking this question, she lowered her head, her silky black hair cascading down. For a moment, Hibiscus was stunned; he finally understood why she felt different—her black hair was not styled in an updo; it looked pure and beautiful.
How many years does one wait for fate? To love someone can happen in an instant.
Your black hair stirs my heartstrings,
Longing for the depth of your pupils.
“A little,” Hibiscus replied, unsure how to express his absurd request to her.
"Has the Master made things difficult for you? He just had an argument with Grandpa, so his mood won't be good." Fengyin didn't dare to look at him and only focused her gaze on Hehe.
"Even so."
"No need to be polite with me, just say it." When did they become this familiar? Silly, really silly.
"Senior Yun wants the girl to perform the cleansing ritual for Grandpa." Hibiscus's handsome face flushed slightly; such a request was indeed too abrupt. She couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Hearing this, Fengyin also showed a troubled expression. The Master might not know, but she did. That beard was Grandpa's lifeline, his regret, his hope, the dream he held in his heart.
"Let's eat first." Fengyin stood up. Hibiscus couldn't help but glance a few more times at the spot where she had just been sitting; it was quite peculiar. Since it wasn't the time for questions, she had to let it go.
"Master, Grandpa, it's time to eat."
"I knew you were making things difficult for my benefactor. It's just that you can't stand my beard; if Old Man shaves it off, it'll be fine." Old Zhang didn't argue with Yun Zhongzi; after all, he was under someone else's roof. A hint of sadness flashed in his eyes.
"Grandpa." Fengyin happened to walk in. "Master, please don't be angry. Grandpa, you can go out first; I have something to discuss with the Master." Old Zhang silently stepped outside.
"Master, Yin'er knows that it's your kindness that has given Yin'er and Grandpa a place to stay. Please don't let a moment of anger hurt Grandpa's feelings. Grandpa holds gratitude in his heart for you as well. Perhaps you don't know the whole story; you only know that Grandpa was driven out by his son. But what you don't know is that Grandpa has a lovely granddaughter. When he was at home, only his little granddaughter would cling to him, her small hands loved to tug at his beard. That's when Grandpa started growing it out, just so he could see his granddaughter smile. Master, Grandpa is getting old now; it's impossible for him to go home again." As she spoke from the heart, tears welled up in Fengyin's eyes.
After listening, Yun Zhongzi felt annoyed with himself and said, "Fine then, I won't bring this up again."
The two Masters walked out while Fengyin went to invite Hibiscus. Yun Zhongzi approached the dining table.
"Brother Yun, let's eat."
"You" saw Old Zhang's clean-shaven chin, where there was once a beard. Yun Zhongzi couldn't help but feel his eyes moisten, "Brother, why must you do this?"
Old Zhang also felt a wave of sorrow and waved his hand, saying, "Don't make it difficult for my benefactor." He then lowered his head and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.
Fengyin led Hibiscus to this place and saw Grandpa and Master crying together. There was no trace of the goat beard left. "Grandpa, your master just said not to mention this matter again. Why are you always so impulsive?" Fengyin felt both annoyed and heartbroken.
"It doesn't matter; once the beard is gone, I feel much younger."
"My foolish brother is in the wrong."
"Enough, what more can we say? Let's eat."
Hibiscus couldn't help but feel moved. Although he didn't know the hidden story, he sensed that it was something the old man cherished deeply. A stranger treating him this way made Hibiscus bow deeply to Old Zhang.
"Thank you, old senior, for your kindness."
"Don't flatter an old fool." Old Zhang got up from his seat to support Hibiscus; it was the least he could do since he owed them both.
"Grandpa," Fengyin took out a handkerchief and wiped away the tears at Old Zhang's eyes. In his twilight years, with tears falling and hopes dashed, he didn't mind; his life had been hard enough, and now he could enjoy a peaceful old age.
"Let's eat." Old Zhang called out to Hibiscus.
"It's all home-cooked dishes. Kiddo from the Mu Family is used to good food; I hope you can handle it." Yun Zhongzi's words eased the temporarily heavy atmosphere.
Old Zhang suddenly perked up. "All of these were made by my granddaughter. Of course, I wrote the recipes; give it a try."
"Thank you for your hospitality, seniors."
"What hospitality? Just eat, young one."
Fengyin served rice in Hehe's bowl and added its favorite meat, placing soup beside it. Seeing the harmonious atmosphere at the dining table, he felt a bit more at ease.
Hibiscus was already curious about the four-legged wooden object. Now sitting on it, without the numbness from squatting, it felt quite comfortable, especially with the exquisite cushion underneath.
"May I ask, what is this object I am sitting on?"
"What?" Old Zhang misheard and thought Hibiscus was asking about what he was doing.
Hibiscus didn't know how to start; it was indeed a rare and novel item.
"This is a chair," Fengyin replied quietly, "made by my grandfather."
Old Zhang squinted his eyes. "The old man just wants to enjoy himself."
Hibiscus knew this was a huge business opportunity, but discussing it now might annoy Yun Zhongzi, so he smiled and said, "Senior, you have great craftsmanship."
After finishing the meal, Fengyin began to clean up the dishes.
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