Chapter 161: Truly a Man Who Knows How to Enjoy Life

Chapter 161: Truly a Man Who Knows How to Enjoy Life

Walking over and sitting beside Qi Er's bed, Qi Liangsheng asked, "Does it still hurt?"

Rarely receiving such concern from him, Qi Er felt somewhat awkward and stiffly replied, "It's... it's bearable."

"I am partly to blame for your current state," Qi Liangsheng confessed. "I left you to be raised by your grandmother and didn't teach you well. You're not even fifteen yet; there's a long road ahead of you. I never expected you to achieve greatness or bring glory to our ancestors. I didn't even expect you to shoulder any family burdens. But you have to be responsible for yourself, don't you? You can't go on like this forever.

"While I'm here, you can rely on me, but one day I won't be, and you'll have to divide the family estate. After the division, you'll be the head of your own household. How will you manage your home? How will you educate your children? Do you want your descendants to be nothing more than a dependent branch of the main family?"

"In the capital, each large family has several collateral branches. These branches are, in fact, generations that have split off without achieving much and gradually become dependents of the main family."

Qi Er pursed his lips in silence. Even as a profligate, he didn't want to be utterly worthless.

"You want to go into business, and your... Aunt Xiao from the Xiao family mentioned you have some talent in this area. You should learn from her," Qi Liangsheng suggested as he placed a business proposal written by Tang Shuyi in front of Qi Er. "In fact, there's more you can learn from her than just business—how to deal with people, how to plan things; all of this is valuable."

Qi Er nodded seriously and began to read the proposal. Seeing his more earnest attitude, Qi Liangsheng felt relieved and added, "Later, ask your... Aunt Xiao how much we should invest. The money will come from my personal funds, and it'll be considered your personal investment."

"No matter how unruly a son is, he's still one's own flesh and blood," Qi Liangsheng mused. Naturally, he had to make plans for him. His eldest son was successful in the imperial examinations, and with Qi Liangsheng paving his way in officialdom, he would surely have a smooth future. Since his younger son was not entering officialdom, he had to compensate by providing more in other aspects.

Qi Er had not expected him to share these thoughts, much less for Qi Liangsheng to allow him to invest in Tang Shuyi's venture in his own name. After a moment of stunned silence, he earnestly promised, "I will work hard in the future."

Qi Liangsheng hummed in acknowledgment, then stood up to leave. After a few steps, he paused and said, "Study well and don't irritate anyone."

He was, of course, referring to Tang Shuyi. Qi Er understood and nodded earnestly. Without another word, Qi Liangsheng turned and left.

Qi Er lay on the bed in a daze for a while before he lowered his head to look at the proposal written by Tang Shuyi. The more he read, the more he couldn't sit still, eager to find Tang Shuyi immediately. Firstly, the content opened up a new world to him, and secondly, there were many aspects he didn't understand and needed to ask about.

The next day, while Tang Shuyi and others were still having breakfast, Qi Er came limping over. Tang Shuyi couldn't help but laugh and cry. She had someone help him lie on the couch and said, "I sent the proposal to you so that you could have a look first. I planned to explain it to you once your injury healed."

"Aunt, I can't wait. What you wrote is too good," Qi Er said with a sweetness in his voice that few could match.

Tang Shuyi couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, you lie there. I'll finish my meal and then head to Lakeview Pavilion. You can come with me."

Qi Er eagerly nodded in agreement.

Tang Shuyi returned to the dining table to continue her meal, feeling relieved. If Qi Liangsheng was allowing Qi Er to come over, it meant that the previous issue was resolved and their cooperation wouldn't be affected.

After breakfast, Tang Shuyi set off for Langyue Lake with Xiao Yuzhu and Qi Er. Xiao Yuming, unable to sit still at home, insisted on joining them, turning the trio into a quartet.

Tang Shuyi had a large carriage prepared, and the four of them rode together. On the way, Tang Shuyi explained the plan in detail to Qi Er. Before they knew it, they had arrived at the residence of the Carefree King, Lakeview Pavilion. However, it was soon to become Tang Shuyi’s.

The four alighted from the carriage, with Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu walking in front, while Xiao Yuming and Qi Er followed behind, limping along. Upon reaching the gate, they knocked, and the door was opened by the elder Tang Shuyi had met during her last visit.

"Good health to the Marquise, the serene County Princess, and the two young masters," the elder greeted them with a bow, evidently aware that the residence had changed hands.

Tang Shuyi nodded and stepped inside, turning to the elder to ask, “Have you been the one looking after this residence all this while?”

"Yes," replied the elder. "My name is Zhang Wang. Many years ago, when I took my family out, we encountered bandits, and my wife and children were killed, leaving only me behind. Fortunately, His Highness saved me, and since then I've followed His Highness."

Tang Shuyi hummed in acknowledgment, "What plans do you have for the future?"

Zhang Wang, thinking Tang Shuyi wanted to dismiss him, showed a look of anxiety and quickly said, "Madam, I... I wish to continue looking after this residence."

Seeing his reaction, Tang Shuyi smiled and said, "If you wish to stay here, of course, that’s fine. Besides, you are most familiar with this residence, and there will be plenty of need for your assistance in the future."

Zhang Wang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I shall serve you as faithfully as a dog or horse."

"Then tell me about this residence," Tang Shuyi requested.

"Ah, this residence has five sections, and the layout of each courtyard was personally designed by His Highness..."

As Zhang Wang explained, he led Tang Shuyi and the others around the entire residence. With stops and starts, the morning passed quickly. Xiao Yuming had already asked Yan Tai to order a table of dishes from an outside restaurant, so they had their lunch there.

After lunch, they were all somewhat tired, so Zhang Wang showed them to their rooms to rest. After arranging rooms for Qi Er and Xiao Yuming, Zhang Wang led Tang Shuyi and Xiao Yuzhu forward. Passing by a room, Tang Shuyi halted her steps.

The door of this room was open, revealing its layout at a glance. It appeared to be a study, with a large bookcase on one wall and a desk in front of it.

The most striking feature of this room was the exceptionally large window directly opposite the door, reminiscent of modern floor-to-ceiling windows. Through the gauze curtains, one could see the hazy greenery outside, which was quite beautiful.

There was also a rocking chair in front of the window, quietly waiting for someone to enjoy it. Tang Shuyi couldn't help but walk in, approaching the large window and pushing it open, greeted by the delightful scenery.

Several banana trees stood tall with their large leaves, and the tender new leaves were striving to grow. Nearby, a peach tree was also vying for attention, its branches adorned with buds, smiling in the breeze.

"Sitting here on a rainy day, listening to the rain, reading a book, and sipping tea must feel quite special," Tang Shuyi couldn't help but remark.

"You and His Highness truly think alike," Zhang Wang commented from behind. "His Highness once said that reading and listening to the qin to the sound of rain hitting the banana leaves would be extremely beautiful, so he planted several banana trees outside."

Hearing this, Tang Shuyi couldn't help but think to herself that this carefree king truly knew how to enjoy life.