The maidservant, who had been waiting outside the door for a full hour, was already feeling quite uncomfortable.
Hearing the sounds from the room, she couldn't help but show joy on her face. She pushed open the door and walked in.
One thousand words omitted here.
Seeing this scene, the young helper in the courtyard quickly ran to the front gate to report.
Hearing the young helper’s words, Old Man Zhang’s mouth opened so wide that an egg could have fit inside!
Old Man Zhang, are you convinced? Take out the money!
After speaking, Hu Zi spread his hand out in front of Old Man Zhang.
With some reluctance, Old Man Zhang took out half a string of copper coins and placed them in Hu Zi’s palm.
Taking the copper coins, Hu Zi put them in his pocket and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll be going back now. You can just wait for your master's reward money."
After saying this, Hu Zi swaggered out of the Zhang residence.
It wasn't until the next morning.
Inside the Zhang residence.
Master Zhang, feeling refreshed, dressed himself and got out of bed. He looked at his wife, who was still sleeping soundly, with a sense of accomplishment.
Heh heh, I've finally turned the tables and taken charge!
Now you know how capable I am!
But then again, why was I so powerful yesterday?
Unable to figure it out, Master Zhang rubbed his sore lower back and left the room.
Master, were you satisfied last night?
Outside the room, Old Man Zhang saw Master Zhang walking out and quickly went to greet him, saying with a fawning expression.
Hmm? What do you mean, you old fellow?
Master Zhang was a bit surprised. Could his performance yesterday be related to his distant cousin?
Master, it’s like this. Yesterday, while chatting with Hu Zi from the neighboring mansion, he said his young master had a divine medicine that could make a man perform seven times a night. I told him it was impossible, so he stole a pill and bet with me. He said if the divine medicine didn't work, he would lose half a string of coins to me. I then put it into your wine. I wonder how Master felt last night?
Old Man Zhang pretended not to know anything about what happened last night and looked at Master Zhang.
Master Zhang finally understood what had happened.
You old dog, you actually drugged your own master!
Master Zhang pretended to be very angry and kicked Old Man Zhang, making him fall.
Inwardly, he was overjoyed. Knowing the reason, and where the medicine came from, he wondered if his wife would dare to be difficult with him from now on!
Master, please calm your anger, master, please calm your anger. I was just trying to help master share his burdens.
Old Man Zhang knew his cousin, Master Zhang, very well. He wouldn't be truly angry; he was just a bit upset about being secretly drugged.
This is a one-time thing, understand?
Seeing him beg for mercy, Master Zhang decided not to pursue it further.
With his hands behind his back, he walked to the front gate and glanced at Old Man Zhang.
Old Man Zhang was sharp. Seeing his master's actions, he knew what to do.
He quickly ran to the gate, opened it, and made a gesture for Master Zhang to enter.
In the gatehouse, Master Zhang no longer hid anything and said to Old Man Zhang, "Is that medicine really from the Fang family?"
Yes, Master, it is indeed. Hu Zi, the gatekeeper of the Fang family, stole it.
Old Man Zhang replied in a low voice.
Good. In that case, you go to the Fang family and find that Hu Zi. See if you can get some more. You can appropriately give Hu Zi some silver. Also, go to the steward and collect two taels of silver. Consider it your reward.
Master Zhang whispered his instructions to him. Since he knew the reason, why wouldn't he get more medicine?
Old Man Zhang quickly agreed, his heart filled with joy. Five qian had become two taels, a four-fold increase!
He had struck gold.
After collecting his reward money from the steward, Old Man Zhang happily knocked on the door of the Fang residence.
Zhu Zi opened the door.
Old Zhang, something wrong?
Zhu Zi looked at him doubtfully.
Is Brother Hu Zi not here?
Old Man Zhang asked.
You're looking for Hu Zi? That kid stole something from the young master yesterday. He's being punished in the courtyard right now!
Zhu Zi pointed towards the courtyard.
Upon hearing this, Old Man Zhang thought, "This is bad."
The medicine was indeed stolen by Hu Zi, and his young master had discovered it.
He quickly ran back to the Zhang residence and found Master Zhang.
Master, that medicine was indeed stolen by Hu Zi, and he's being punished right now. What do you think we should do?
Old Man Zhang reported to his master.
Oh? I'll go take a look.
Master Zhang, with his hands behind his back, went to the Fang residence. Zhu Zi had not closed the door, so he walked directly into the gatehouse. He clasped his hands at Zhu Zi and said, "May I ask brother to inform someone? Say that Master Zhang has come to visit your young master."
Ah, Master Zhang. Please wait a moment. I will go and inform him.
Zhu Zi responded and went into the inner courtyard to deliver the message.
In the inner courtyard, Hu Zi was kneeling in the courtyard, looking wronged.
Alright, Master Zhang is here. Play your part well, and I'll give you an extra chicken leg later.
When Zhu Zi entered, Fang Er knew what was going on.
Then, he pretended to shout loudly, "You scoundrel, how dare you steal my young master's immortal elixir! I'll beat you to death, you worthless wretch!"
As he shouted, he picked up a whip from the table and cracked it loudly in the air.
Hu Zi cooperated very well, letting out loud cries of pain.
Master Zhang, who was waiting outside, heard the commotion and couldn't wait any longer. He rushed into the courtyard.
Fang Er had been paying attention to the gate of the inner courtyard.
Seeing someone enter, he immediately swung the whip towards Hu Zi's back.
Of course, he didn't use much force.
Hu Zi's cries of pain grew even louder.
Young Master Fang, what are you doing? Stop immediately!
Master Zhang saw that Fang Er showed no signs of holding back and rushed forward to intervene.
If Hu Zi were really beaten to death by Fang Er, he would probably feel too ashamed to come and beg for medicine again.
Fang Er seized the opportunity to dismount and threw the whip aside. "Please excuse my bad manners, Master Zhang. This scoundrel actually stole my treasured divine medicine and refused to reveal its whereabouts no matter what! I went through great lengths to obtain it from Longhu Mountain, and he just lost it like this. If it weren't for Master Zhang stopping me, I would have beaten him to death!"
Fang Er pointed fiercely at Hu Zi and then sat down in a chair.
Master Zhang, please sit. You, servant, get out!
Picking up a cup of tea, Fang Er pointed to a chair nearby and said to Master Zhang. Then he continued to scold Hu Zi.
Zhu Zi tugged at Hu Zi’s sleeve and whispered, "Let's go!"
Thank you, young master!
Hu Zi quickly got up and followed Zhu Zi out of the inner courtyard.
To be honest, Young Master Fang, the divine medicine you lost was coincidentally obtained by Master Zhang. I tested it yesterday, and it was indeed extraordinary. Master Zhang has come today to beg for more medicine. I wonder if Young Master Fang has any surplus of that divine medicine?
What? That medicine was obtained by Master Zhang? I knew this servant wouldn't reveal anything. He must have been afraid I would cause trouble for your Zhang residence. Fine, since it's been used, then so be it. However, I don't have much of that medicine. How about it, looking at Master Zhang's physique, you shouldn't need such a thing, right?
Fang Er felt as if he had possessed a drama queen.