Reborn: The First Rank "Madam"

C75 – Storehouse Meet

The Violet Garden wasn’t particularly spacious. Behind a small garden stood a two-story building with three rooms—one for each of them. It was a cozy space for the uncle and nephew to share.

Zuo Shaoqing strolled around, nodding in approval. Despite being somewhat aged, the rooms were still neat and tidy. Each room featured carefully arranged bonsai, a testament to the innkeeper’s diligence.

The bed was firm, and the blankets had been brought from the Zuo Family. With two layers of cushions and a cozy quilt, Zuo Shaoqing finally enjoyed the most restful sleep he’d had in the past five days.

When he awoke, it was already the morning of the second day. His stomach grumbled with hunger as he began searching for something to eat.

“Where’s my Second Uncle?”

“Second Master took his people out to purchase some provisions. After traveling for over a month, we’ve nearly depleted our supplies. Nanny Liu feels that the tavern food isn’t up to par. She mentioned that we might establish our own kitchen in the future.”

Zuo Shaoqing nodded in agreement. It was already late February, with about half a month remaining until spring. Eating out every day had become quite tiresome.

“Then prepare your things and join me later for some shopping.”

Luo Xiaoliu cleared the dishes and thoughtfully poured Zuo Shaoqing a cup of tea. “If you have any items you’d like to purchase, feel free to make a list, and I’ll handle the errand myself.” Luo Xiaoliu had evolved from a personal assistant into an all-around butler to ensure that San Ye could focus on his studies.

“It’s alright; I’ll just visit a few bookstores and browse. I’ve already read most of the books my family brought along.”

He spent his journey reading books one after another. Although he had read numerous books in his previous life, he had only gone through them once, so he was able to finish them quickly.

In his previous life, Zuo Shaoqing would have actively expanded his circle of friends. However, in this life, he had completely abandoned that notion. He simply wanted to listen to Lu Zheng and dutifully study for a few days.

Consequently, acquiring books became his top priority upon arriving in the capital.

Walking out of the Violet Garden alongside Luo Xiaoliu, Zuo Shaoqing finally realized that the courtyard was situated at the farthest end of the Pure Wind Inn. As they ventured further, they encountered more people along the way, including many exam candidates lugging their luggage.

Zuo Shaoqing observed that nearly all the students staying at this inn were dressed in plain attire. Many of them carried their own belongings without a single servant in sight. It was likely that they all hailed from Humble Class.

Zuo Shaoqing attracted the attention of many in the vicinity. Among a crowd of poorly dressed students, Zuo Shaoqing stood out with his sprout-colored satin robe and a red fox fur collar coat.

The onlookers regarded him with disdain, noting his youthful appearance and apparent affluence. Someone even whispered, “Why would someone with money choose to live in such a shabby place?”

Zuo Shaoqing continued to walk among the students, unperturbed by the gossip swirling around him.

Upon reaching the street, Zuo Shaoqing realized he didn’t know the way to the bookstore. Although he had been there a few times in his previous life, it was always in the company of Zuo Shaoyan.

“Lil ‘Six, go find out where the nearest bookstore is,” he instructed.

Luo Xiaoliu complied and approached a roadside stall selling masks to inquire.

After a brief wait, he returned holding two ghost masks. “Master, I’ve asked around. There’s one on the right side of the street, and I heard it’s the largest bookstore in the area.”

Zuo Shaoqing took one of the masks, contemplating wearing it to obscure his face but ultimately deciding against it. He walked ahead with purpose, his hands clasped behind his back.

After a quarter of an hour’s walk, the two finally arrived at the bookstore named “Meaning Me.” With spring’s arrival, students from Great Yang flocked to the capital.

Zuo Shaoqing glanced at the two prominent golden words on the signboard and studied the familiar seal in the lower left corner, lost in thought. “The name they’ve given me suggests that those who know me may have reasons to worry,” he mused.

A young man in a blue cotton robe stopped beside Zuo Shaoqing, looking up at the signboard as well. “We’ve dedicated over a decade to our studies. Who wouldn’t know our aspirations?” he remarked.

Zuo Shaoqing turned to regard the young man’s solemn expression. After a moment of contemplation, he offered some advice, “If one path seems impassable, explore another. There’s no need to obstruct your own progress.”

The young man shook his head and managed a bitter smile. “Scholars are meant to be lifelong companions of books,” he said. Then, realizing his words might sound defeatist, he forced a smile and added, “I apologize; my failures have left me feeling disheartened.”

“You’re still young, my friend. It’s too early to lose hope,” Zuo Shaoqing encouraged.

The young man turned to Zuo Shaoqing and assessed him carefully. His eyes held a trace of admiration before he shook his head. “The young are fearless!”

Zuo Shaoqing chose not to engage further and entered the library, leaving behind the despondent young man. He understood that the number of those who failed the Imperial examinations far outweighed the number who succeeded.

While the question at hand represented his aspiration, he wasn’t inclined to devote his entire life to the Imperial Examinations. Only those who had passed away truly comprehended the brevity of life, so changing his lifestyle wasn’t necessarily a negative decision.

The bookstore bustled with activity, with students scattered about, engrossed in their books. Zuo Shaoqing squeezed through the crowd to locate the books he sought, selecting a few others for diversion, before deciding to depart with Luo Xiaoliu.

“Ouch…” Ye Zichen accidentally stepped on Zuo Shaoqing’s foot, causing him to wince in sudden pain.

“I apologize!” The person responsible gracefully turned around and flashed a friendly smile at Zuo Shaoqing. He inquired with a sincere tone, “Are you alright, little brother?”

Zuo Shaoqing’s eyes widened abruptly, his entire body tensing. He instinctively retreated until his back met a hefty bookshelf, coming to a halt only then.

The individual observed the wariness in Zuo Shaoqing’s gaze and blinked in puzzlement. Did he appear suspicious?

However… the young man before him possessed a finely chiseled face and fair complexion. He was an exceedingly handsome youth, the kind whose origins in Jiangnan remained shrouded in mystery.

Zuo Shaoqing’s mind went blank, his breathing erratic. He merely leaned against the bookshelf with a vacant expression.

How could it be him? Why was he here?

Zuo Shaoqing clenched his fists tightly, the pain in his palms grounding him somewhat. He blinked several times, hoping it was a hallucination. But after a while, the distinguished young man still stood before him.

He had expected their encounter to be reserved for the Hall Competition in his lifetime. He had believed he was prepared to face this man calmly, not to find himself panicking and anxious as he was now.

Jiang Che’s curiosity was piqued. He grinned and inquired gently, “Is it painful? Shall I accompany you to the infirmary?” As he spoke, he extended his hand toward Zuo Shaoqing.

“Slap!” Zuo Shaoqing instinctively slapped his arm away, putting all his strength into it, causing both of them to feel the sting.

He took a deep breath and croaked, “No need!” Then, he shoved Jiang Che aside and hastily exited the bookstore.

Nobody had dared to treat him this way since childhood. Massaging his numb arm, he narrowed his eyes, watching the teenager’s escape. “Interesting. Why do I feel like he scares me?”

Zuo Shaoqing hurried back to the inn, locked himself in his room, and lay on the bed, feigning lifelessness.

Clutching his chest, he took a deep breath and reassured himself repeatedly, “It’s different this time. This life is entirely distinct. I won’t walk the same path of imprisonment under Jiang Che, and I’ll have no connection with that man.”

He clenched and unclenched his fists, as if he could control his destiny through sheer willpower.

In this new life, he no longer placed trust in Zuo Shaoyan, he wasn’t the naive Zuo Shaoqing anymore, and he refused to be at the mercy of others.

Moreover, he had Lu Zheng now. No matter how formidable Jiang Che might be, he would never match Lu Zheng. With Lu Zheng by his side, he had nothing to fear.

“Lu Zheng…” Zuo Shaoqing repeated the name, causing his heart to ache.

He retrieved a pouch kept close to him and emptied its contents. He examined each item and eventually placed the jade pendant around his neck.

The jade pendant seemed to exude a soothing aura, gradually quelling the unrest within his heart. Zuo Shaoqing thought that if only that man were here, he could find solace in his embrace, the safest place in the world.

Zuo Shaoqing let out a wry chuckle, realizing he had been deceiving himself. He had hoped for a fresh start in this new life, but now he saw that he couldn’t escape his past.

What had occurred had happened, even if he alone remembered it.

He gritted his teeth. Unable to forget, he resolved to slowly heal the wounds and let his memories remain as just that—memories.

He no longer wished to relive the feelings of sorrow, anger, and helplessness he had experienced when facing Jiang Che. The overwhelming sense of powerlessness had bred a deep loathing within him.

Zuo Shaoqing pressed the jade pendant to his lips and kissed it. His swirling thoughts gradually settled, focusing on something he couldn’t quite explain.

His current task was to learn how to confront it, to overcome his inner weakness instead of fleeing from it.

He forced himself to recall the painful experiences from his previous life. When he thought of Jiang Che in the end, his heart stung like a sharpened needle.

This was good! Zuo Shaoqing sighed in relief, believing that even if he encountered Jiang Che again unprepared, he wouldn’t be as vulnerable.

He had always maintained that he didn’t harbor hatred toward Jiang Che and didn’t view him as a target for revenge in this rebirth. He simply wished to avoid ever crossing paths with him again.

Yet Zuo Shaoqing repeatedly found that Jiang Che wasn’t entirely innocent. Had it not been for Jiang Che’s excessive enthusiasm during their initial meeting, Zuo Shaoyan wouldn’t have impulsively sent him away.

Zuo Shaoqing’s eyes turned icy. He gritted his teeth and thought, “Jiang Che, if I don’t make you suffer a bit, how can I justify this rare second chance at life?”