Chapter 445 - 267: Making Amends
"Young Master, how are you feeling?"
Qingsheng hadn’t slept all night, his eyes were red with exhaustion, feeling guilty and blaming himself for not taking better care of the young master.
As dawn broke, the young master finally came to his senses.
"My head hurts a bit." Zhao Minghua’s first instinct was to check himself: "I didn’t encounter any problems yesterday, did I?"
"Young Master, you’re fine."
Qingsheng recounted yesterday’s events to Zhao Minghua.
"I was quite angry at the time and spoke disrespectfully to Mr. Hu. If Mr. Hu’s cooperation with the young master..."
"There’s no cooperation anymore." Zhao Minghua was furious: "You did the right thing by bringing me back in time, it’s good nothing happened. A reward of ten taels."
"Young Master, enduring hardship because of me, I cannot accept the reward."
"You idiot, I fell for a trick while drinking; it’s not your fault, it was my own carelessness." Zhao Minghua said: "You brought me back in time, nothing happened, so you deserve the reward."
Zhao Minghua is someone who is clear about rewards and punishments, so those who follow him do so willingly and with respect.
"Young Master, the kitchen has made some soup for you..."
After enduring so much, Qingsheng felt the young master should replenish himself.
"Just some millet porridge." Zhao Minghua felt a weakness like recovering from a severe illness: "And some refreshing side dishes, nothing else."
No idea what was mixed in the wine last night — it made him, as strong as an ox, feel weak after being tricked once.
That Mr. Hu is truly detestable.
"Young Master, someone claiming to be Mr. Hu has come to see you."
Just as they were speaking, the gatekeeper reported.
"Young Master, he’s audacious enough to come." Qingsheng was quite angry: "I’ll go chase him away."
"No need, invite him to the central hall."
"Young Master?"
Qingsheng was puzzled—weren’t they no longer cooperating? Why still see him?
"Ah, you’re still too young."
Zhao Minghua said while getting up and dressing: "When outside, even when enemies meet, show some respect. Inside, you may want to strangle them, but outwardly you must smile. In business, even if not cooperating, don’t refuse a meeting; leave room for future encounters."
So the young master still sees future cooperation potential with Mr. Hu?
"I want to see what explanation he offers."
Qingsheng’s lips moved, remembering that he had spoken harshly last night, mentioning his connection with General Xia.
"That’s nothing; if not for General Xia’s connection, he might not have drunk with me nor used any tricks against me."
Zhao Minghua was perfectly clear; he had heard long ago that Mr. Hu was rather unscrupulous in business within the Capital. It was said he had several concubines, six illegitimate daughters, and some adopted daughters, and his marital connections in the Capital were diverse.
If not for Qingsheng forcibly taking him away last night, he might have to call Mr. Hu father-in-law today!
No, a concubine is just a pawn; even if deceived successfully, he would only have to call him Mr. Hu!
He’s curious about how Mr. Hu will explain himself.
"Sorry to keep Mr. Hu waiting; I couldn’t hold my liquor yesterday. Didn’t expect Mr. Hu’s enthusiasm and strong wine to almost disgrace me."
Mm, almost let him succeed.
"Mr. Zhao, I specially came today to apologize." Mr. Hu was quite embarrassed: "It was my lax oversight that someone took advantage."
Mr. Hu explained that someone intended to deceive him, but by chance, the wine was mistakenly consumed by Zhao Minghua. The incense in the A-room was prepared for him, as he usually rested there when tired. Because Zhao Minghua was an honored guest, he was taken to rest in A-room, so everything was a misunderstanding.
"Seems I have quite the connection with Mr. Hu, and the substance in the wine was plentiful. Mr. Hu is about twenty years older than me, right? If Mr. Hu had drunk it, I wonder if his body could endure ’seven rounds a night’?"
Since you call it a misunderstanding, I’ll accept that, but I shielded you from trouble; shouldn’t you offer some compensation?
"In any case, I’m sorry for Mr. Zhao’s troubles; this is my sincerity in apologizing, hoping Mr. Zhao will accept."
Zhao Minghua saw he brought some medicinal materials.
Mr. Hu was in the medicinal trade, and upon learning of Zhao Minghua’s new Imperial Merchant status, he sought to establish connection, wanting to supply medicinal goods.
Business is a mutually beneficial affair—when both parties gain; negotiating openly means there’s no deal that can’t be reached.
But he intended conspiracy, calculating profit, something Zhao Minghua wouldn’t tolerate.
Mr. Hu probably realized he struck an iron wall, believing sacrifice is necessary to catch the wolf, so he was quite generous in compensation.
He gave a hundred-year-old ginseng, along with Tianshan Snow Lotus and antler.
These three are extremely fine medicinal materials.
Not accepting a windfall makes one a fool.
Zhao Minghua signaled Qingsheng standing beside him to accept them.
"Mr. Zhao, about our previous discussion?"
"Mr. Hu, my health remains weak after last night’s intoxication, must rest some days, discuss when I’m well." Zhao Minghua yawned: "Last night truly exhausted me."
Looking at his dark circles reveals how brutal it was!
What could Mr. Hu say?
This kid is truly cunning.
"I wouldn’t disturb Mr. Zhao’s recovery, will visit next time."
He’s old enough not to wait for a cold-face evicting order, it’s time to leave.
"Qingsheng, escort Mr. Hu."
"Yes." Qingsheng, having disliked the old man, remembered the young master’s words, maintained an apologetic smile: "Mr. Hu, yesterday I spoke hastily in a panic, I apologize if I offended, hope Mr. Hu forgives."
"Young man is a loyal servant, Mr. Zhao is fortunate to have such a person attend him."
Those words from Mr. Hu were indeed true.
Honestly, he had many attendants, but none as clever as Qingsheng, daring when needed, strategic with composure.
Observe, he wasn’t afraid confronting him yesterday, today his apology is tactful.
So, the kind of master determines the kind of servant, despite Zhao Minghua’s youth, he’s the first to walk out intact from the inn.
This method has deceived about ten others, all without exception, before this unexpected turn with a young one.
He highly regards Zhao Minghua, even considering using his most favored legitimate daughter as bait.
He learned Zhao Minghua’s family hadn’t come to the Capital; men, especially young ones, respond well to temptation.
His legitimate daughter is beautiful and smart; entering the Zhao family, head of the household status is inevitable!
Who would’ve thought this kid escaped unscathed; his plan for the legitimate daughter’s position was stalled, alas!