Faced with the request from Hu Ma, the old shopkeeper remained silent. Although his expression changed dramatically, he quickly concealed it.
The Moustache Manager was visibly surprised. He first glanced at the old shopkeeper and then instinctively wanted to look back at the room, but he didn’t actually turn. In the end, he chuckled silently, exchanged a look with the other manager who had accompanied him, and said nothing more. He neither agreed nor refused, not even continuing the topic. Instead, he nodded towards Hu Ma, signaling him to sit at his table.
That was the head seat. According to banquet protocol, this table could only seat the old shopkeeper, four Red Fragrance Disciples, and two managers. If there were other tables, others would sit in turn; if not, then the others could only stand by and serve. The square table could seat eight people, and one seat was still empty. Calling Hu Ma over filled the table, but Hu Ma undoubtedly sat in the last seat. However, since Hu Ma was a manager of this Manor, his sitting down equated to taking a companion seat.
The attendants nearby watched Hu Ma sit with unconcealable envy, while Zhou Datong and a few others from Dayang Village exchanged glances, a strong sense of joy immediately welling up within them. Even Li from the kitchen—who, being primarily engaged in cooking, buying groceries, and always ready to add hot water, couldn’t sit—showed a joyful expression.
"Thank you, Manager. Please," Hu Ma said, then simply came over and sat down silently, assuming the other party had already agreed to his request. His heartfelt thanks made the Moustache Manager look very gratified.
But just then, before the banquet truly began, a long-faced Red Fragrance Disciple sitting on the left suddenly looked at Hu Ma and said in a harsh voice, "When you first joined the Red Lantern Society, didn’t you enter the city and live in that house with the big poplar tree?"
Hu Ma looked at him. Memories surged, and he vaguely found the man familiar. It seemed this Red Fragrance Disciple was one of the ragged young boys who had once lived in the city courtyard. Compared to then, however, he was now quite spirited, clean, and presentable. Of course, his speech was still hard, lacking any decorum.
Hu Ma smiled and nodded. "Exactly. I lived in the west wing for a few days. How about you?"
The Red Fragrance Disciple remained indifferent. He directly reached out with his chopsticks to pick up some food and said, "I lived in the stable back then."
Even Shopkeeper Wu and the two managers hadn’t started using their chopsticks, so his action naturally seemed rather rude. The two managers, however, pretended not to see, and the other Red Fragrance Disciples wore indifferent expressions. The banquet hadn’t even begun, yet the atmosphere was already somewhat cold.
Hu Ma laughed. "Yesterday you stayed in the stable, and today you’re riding a fine horse. If those who stayed in the main hall back then saw you now, how envious they would be!"
Upon hearing this, the Red Fragrance Disciple who had picked up his chopsticks seemed slightly startled. He looked at Hu Ma, his eyes somewhat complex, and said, "You’ve done well too, becoming a manager."
"I was only promoted by the Shopkeeper," Hu Ma laughed. "Besides, just being a manager in this Manor took so much hardship, let alone what you all endured staying in the city."
Hearing this, the Red Fragrance Disciple slowed his actions. After a moment, he put down his chopsticks. He seemed to have something to say but couldn’t quite express it. He just nodded to Hu Ma and said, "It’s indeed not easy for us making a living."
Hu Ma replied, "If a skill is easily learned, is it really a skill?"
The Red Fragrance Disciple’s eyes seemed to light up. He hesitated for a moment but then directly raised his wine cup. He gestured with it towards Hu Ma and said, "I’m Yang Gong. I work for Incense Master Zheng."
Is he extending an olive branch? Hu Ma thought, nodding gently at Yang Gong. He smiled and said, "Those who managed to stay in the city are all skilled. We should get closer in the future when there’s a chance."
Saying this, he glanced at Shopkeeper Wu and raised his cup to the others. The atmosphere suddenly became lively, with everyone raising their cups.
This banquet, which started after noon, continued until the sun was slanting west before it concluded.
After this bout of drinking and feasting, both the Moustache Manager and the Red Fragrance Disciples had become well acquainted with Hu Ma. Due to the old shopkeeper’s poor condition, although he had remained present, he lacked the energy to speak much, leaving Hu Ma to do most of the entertaining.
Seeing the tableware in disarray and everyone full from the food and drink, Hu Ma invited them to stay longer. However, they all waved their hands, saying they needed to return and report to the Lady.
Thus, Hu Ma and the attendants helped them onto their horses.
Before departing, the Moustache Manager smiled, took Hu Ma’s hand, and said, "I remember you well. Your master handles things properly; you are fortunate. When you return to your village, don’t forget to pass on my greetings to him."
Hu Ma also smiled. "It was you, Manager, who guided me onto this path. I have always remembered."
He then turned to the long-faced Red Fragrance Disciple, Yang Gong. "Brother, life isn’t easy. We must all take care of ourselves. You’re learning a great skill, while we just run errands and do odd jobs. It’s not really our place to presume, but since we hit it off, don’t forget to visit me at the Manor for a drink when you’re free."
The Red Fragrance Disciple named Yang Gong just nodded. "We’re all learning skills. Why should we fear those people? You’re a good person. I’ll come find you when I’m free."
After a round of farewells, the two managers and the four Red Fragrance Disciples mounted their horses and rode away.
Only then did the attendants in the Manor finally relax, though they felt somewhat puzzled. The visitors had rushed over so busily and left so drunk, yet they hadn’t seemed to discuss much of substance. What exactly had they accomplished?
The old shopkeeper, however, merely gave Hu Ma a deep look. He was already severely injured. Because these guests—the managers and especially the Red Fragrance Disciples—were too important, he had forced himself to sit with them and exchange pleasantries. Now exhausted, he stood up and returned to the inner courtyard.
Hu Ma also needed no words from the old shopkeeper and continued to arrange for the attendants to patrol at night as usual. As for the remains and various severed limbs left behind by the Tan’er Sect remnants, he directly ordered them to be burned that very night. It took considerable effort; the burning lasted late into the night, yet a foul stench still lingered.
Most of the attendants in the Green Stone Town branch, having experienced this major event, didn’t fully understand what had happened. They only vaguely sensed that something was different. Upon careful observation, however, they couldn’t discern any obvious changes. The only noticeable things were that the old shopkeeper appeared in the inner courtyard less frequently, and Miss Wu He, who always seemed so delicate and beautiful, had not shown her face again.
But such doubts lingered only for a short while before their thoughts turned to other matters. As the year’s end approached, they too would be heading home for the New Year. There weren’t many tasks at present; things would only get busy after the New Year when it was time to worship Tai Sui. What concerned them daily now was when the old shopkeeper might show some generosity and decide how much money and provisions they could take home.
Hu Ma, similarly, maintained a steady pace during this period. Less than three days after the managers returned, someone rode over again, this time specifically bringing rewards for Hu Ma.
At first glance, there was a large blue jar filled to the brim with green food, presumably his reward. There was also another bundle. When opened, it revealed all sorts of greenish-red dried meat that looked crystalline and translucent.
Green Jade Paste... Hu Ma sighed softly.
Before making that request, he had actually asked Er Guotou and learned that the Green Jade Paste was, naturally, still in stock at the branch. Such a rare item wasn’t exceptionally valuable, at least not compared to Blood Tai Sui. But its uses were specific: it was extremely effective for those suffering from fire toxins. Of course, if fed directly to a healthy person, it would be a poison, slowly destroying their cultivation.
At the time, Hu Ma had wanted neither silver nor Blood Food. His request for only this item was actually favorable for the managers, as they merely had to retrieve something from the storeroom that no one else was asking for to give as a reward. After all, how many people were clamoring for silver and Blood Food?
Without lingering, Hu Ma simply bundled it up, took it into the inner courtyard, placed it on the table, and turned to leave.
However, the old shopkeeper, who was sitting by the square table drinking tea, suddenly called out to him. The old shopkeeper seemed to have a somewhat awkward expression.
After a pause, he said, "With the year’s end approaching, I imagine you’ll be returning to your village too. Before you leave, settle the attendants’ wages and provisions, and arrange their travel. Make sure they return early, before spring begins."
He added, "According to custom, for their first year here, it would also be acceptable not to give them any wages or provisions, and not to let them return home for the New Year."
Hearing this, Hu Ma turned and said, "There isn’t much to do at the Manor right now, and the attendants have learned the rules well. Besides, if they are to return home, letting them bring some provisions and money will allow them to hold their heads high."
"You make the decision!" the old shopkeeper waved his hand. "Just make sure we don’t need to request anything further from the city before spring next year. Also, it’s not just about these current expenses. You also need to keep a close eye on the funds for rebuilding the warehouse, clearing the accounts, and hiring porters and carriage horses after spring."
"Hmm?" Hu Ma agreed, but he felt a little strange. These were all core affairs of the Manor; why would they need a mere manager like him to handle them?
The old shopkeeper seemed to have perceived Hu Ma’s doubts. He didn’t lift his head to look at Hu Ma. He simply picked up his teacup and said indifferently, "Regarding this Tan’er Sect incident, on the surface, it seems I gained merit, but in reality, it was a demerit. The Lady already suspects me. There’s no point in me continuing to stay in this Manor."
He continued, "I’m not leaving immediately only because I fear that if I depart too hastily, people in the city will worry that I have ulterior motives. But since I must eventually leave, this Manor will need a new Shopkeeper. This Shopkeeper could be an outsider sent from the city, or, of course, one of our own could take over."
Hearing him suddenly speak of these things, Hu Ma was quite surprised. He paused, then chose not to pursue that topic, saying instead, "Shopkeeper, there’s no need for you to worry about these matters now. Let’s focus on Sister He’s recovery. We can discuss this later. In this world, if there are harmful evil skills, then there must also be ways to cure their effects. She will certainly be cured."