Chapter Thirty-Five: The Attendant

Gou Ye sat in the carriage, trailed closely by an ox cart piled high with goods. Villagers along the road looked on with curiosity. When Dali spotted him, he dashed over in a flash.

"Young Master Gou, let me help you," Dali said with his usual simple sincerity. During the days spent building the house, Dali and Gou Ye had grown close. Not only had he learned many new and interesting things from Gou Ye, but Gou Ye was also generous—often giving the workers extra pay and showing Dali special care. Most importantly, Dali felt a respect from Gou Ye that was quite unlike any other wealthy landowner.

Gou Ye tossed him a small piece of silver with easy generosity, giving special instructions about one particular box—it must be delivered to his own room. Inside were letters from Wanxiang; if Yun Niang saw them, there would be trouble. Gou Ye hurried into the house, where he found Yun Niang had already prepared lunch and was waiting for him in the dining room.

Seeing Gou Ye return, Yun Niang ran over with delight. "Brother Gou Ye, you’re finally back! Come, I made your favorite rice and dishes."

"No rush," Gou Ye replied, quickly pulling a rouge box from his clothes and waving it in front of her. "Look, Yun Niang, see what I bought for you."

She took the box, feigning annoyance at his extravagance, but joy was written all over her face. She gently opened the lid, inhaled the fragrance, and murmured, "It smells wonderful."

Watching Yun Niang’s happiness filled Gou Ye with contentment. He went on to devour three large bowls of rice, eating with such gusto that his stomach was round and full. Leaning back in his chair, he announced, "Yun Niang, I have something to tell you. I’ve decided—I’m selling the ice delicacy business to Zhu Ling."

As Yun Niang cleared the table, she asked, "What made you suddenly change your mind, Brother Gou Ye?"

Gou Ye laughed heartily. "It’s as they say—an honest man can be taken advantage of, but a scoundrel can’t be insulted with words. There’s no need for me to butt heads with two scoundrels. Today, I went and named my price. You should have seen Magistrate Qin’s face—his eyebrows were all tangled up!"

"How much are you selling it for?" Yun Niang asked.

Gou Ye held up both hands. "A hundred thousand taels—just for the recipe. And every year after, those two must pay me fifty thousand taels in dividends. Yun Niang, from now on, we’ll never have to worry about making a living again."

Gou Ye walked behind Yun Niang and gently embraced her from behind.

"Don’t be like this, Brother Gou Ye—what if someone sees?" Yun Niang protested softly.

"Who would see?" Gou Ye glanced around and continued, "Next year, you’ll be of marrying age. I’ll use this money to give you a grand, splendid wedding."

As she washed the bowls, Yun Niang replied in a low voice, "Who knows who you’ll marry by then? You’re so famous now—who knows how many young women admire you?"

"They admire me because your Brother Gou Ye is charming, but I only have eyes for you." As he finished, Gou Ye caught a lingering trace of rouge on her and, quite awkwardly, sneezed.

"See? Even Heaven knows when you’re lying." Yun Niang had barely finished when a soft cough came from the dining room door. She quickly pushed Gou Ye away and turned aside, covering her face.

Dali smiled awkwardly. "Young Master Gou, I’ve moved everything in. Anything else you need?"

"As it happens, yes. Wait for me in the study, and I’ll be right there." As Dali turned to leave, Gou Ye quickly planted a kiss on Yun Niang’s cheek and bounded out the door.

In the study, Gou Ye sat down, sipping his chilled tea leisurely. Suddenly, he asked, "Dali, you’ve spent quite some time with me now. What do you think of me?"

"Young Master Gou, you are upright and just. You have never treated a humble man like me unfairly," Dali replied with a deep bow, his tone sincere.

"I have an idea—I wonder if you’d be willing. I’d like you to become my attendant…" Before Gou Ye could finish, Dali exclaimed, "I am willing—Dali is willing to follow Young Master Gou to the end!"

Gou Ye was momentarily taken aback, then laughed. "I'm very pleased with your enthusiasm, but there’s no need for such grand gestures. There's no danger following me—you just need to help me with my affairs, and you’ll never be treated poorly. As you’ve seen, I’m not strong enough for hard labor. What I lack is someone strong and reliable like you. In fact, while building the house, I observed you several times. Not only are you powerful, but also quick-witted. At the housewarming banquet, I never expected a rough fellow like you to look after the villagers so thoughtfully—truly, you’re strong but not lacking in subtlety."

"Young Master, please don’t praise me so. It’s my good fortune to be able to do what I can for you. I dare not ask for anything more." Gou Ye’s words brought a flush to Dali’s naturally dark cheeks.

"There’s no need to be embarrassed. Consider this formal before informal. If you don’t do your job well in the future, I won’t hesitate to scold you. As for your pay, I’ll give you ten taels of silver a month—is that satisfactory?"

Ten taels! That was what Dali would have saved in half a year of hard work, and now he was being offered that much every month. Over a year, it would be a fortune. Overwhelmed with excitement, Dali fell to his knees and said, "Young Master Gou—no, Master! I will obey your every command, even if I must be smashed to pieces!"

Gou Ye, being a modern man, couldn’t bear such formality. He hurried to the table and pulled Dali up. "Enough, enough. There’s no need for this. I know you have an aged mother at home and need money to care for her. Just stay by my side and do your job well—you’ll never be shortchanged. And don’t think ten taels is too much; do a good job, and you’ll be paid even more. Also, don’t call me ‘Master’—just address me as Young Master Gou. You are my attendant, not my servant."

"Yes, Master!" Dali bowed again, leaving Gou Ye a little helpless.

Gou Ye patted Dali’s shoulder. "Now, I have something for you to do. Go around the village and investigate for me—find out which families can’t put food on the table, which households have orphans and widows, or only an elderly person. Take note of them all. Also, any families with broken houses, leaking roofs, or wind whistling through their walls—anyone in special need of help, write them all down. Then report back to me. I’ll give you some silver; you’ll hire an ox cart, go to the county, and buy as much rice and straw mats as you can. Whatever’s most needed. I’ve managed to earn a little money now—it’s time to give something back to the good folks of Tumen Village."

"Master, your righteousness is inspiring. Dali truly has not chosen the wrong man to follow. Your kindness will always be remembered!" Dali bowed deeply again.

"I’ve told you, stop calling me ‘Master.’ Just call me Young Master Gou."

"Yes, Master!"