Chapter 480 - 474_1
The unlucky couple naturally returned with Zhao Erhu, and after being cared for these past days, they finally looked human again. The most joyful part was that after enduring hardship, they were finally able to return to their hometown. They had already given up hope, thinking they would die in a foreign prison, never expecting that Zhao Erhu would save them. Their gratitude for him saving their lives was as if he had given them a second birth, and they decided then and there to follow Zhao Erhu.
Having arrived at the master’s home, it was naturally impossible for them to not meet the mistress. Later that day, the couple paid a visit and respectfully kowtowed to Lin Yue, "Qian Feng and Mrs. Liu, greet the Dongjia’s wife."
Lin Yue, having already heard about them from Zhao Erhu, knew the reason for Qian Feng and his wife’s actions. Whether it was because of Zhao Erhu’s life-saving grace or their pledge of allegiance to him, she felt she could accept their bow. Although she felt somewhat uneasy about it, she still quickly helped them up after they had paid their respects.
"Rise quickly. Since you’ve decided to follow Erhu, we are now one family. There’s no need for such formalities." Lin Yue said with a gentle smile, her hand lightly assisting Mrs. Liu to stand. The woman felt so frail it was as if only skin and bones remained. Lin Yue couldn’t help feeling sympathy and pity. They were supposed to have good days ahead, yet because of one accident, they fell into such dire straits, nearly losing their lives. Even though they were saved by Zhao Erhu, he had his own agenda, and the couple would now owe him their lives in servitude.
However, although Lin Yue felt pity for the couple, she did not play the saint by saying they owed no debt. Otherwise, why would Zhao Erhu have gone through the effort to save them? Being out and about was not like being in Xin’an City, where attracting trouble was feared. It was only right for Qian Feng and his wife to repay Zhao Erhu’s life-saving grace; after all, there is no such thing as a free lunch.
After meeting with Lin Yue, Mrs. Liu stayed to chat with her, while Qian Feng went off to discuss matters with Zhao Erhu. The primary reason Zhao Erhu saved Qian Feng and his wife was to have Qian Feng work for him. Now that his wish had been fulfilled, it was time for Qian Feng to prove his worth.
On Zhao Erhu’s last return from the Capital City, while staying at an elder’s house, he discovered that local goods like fur were sold quite cheaply. Due to limited capital, he had purchased less merchandise on his trip to the south. Aside from the goods produced by his own family, Zhao Erhu also planned to select some high-quality local goods and furs to ship overseas. Qian Feng was experienced in this trade and was very familiar with the area, making him the perfect candidate for the job.
While on the road, Zhao Erhu had already discussed this matter with Qian Feng. Now he was just explaining the specifics. Eager to see his family and to repay his benefactor quickly, Qian Feng set out for home with his wife the same day, armed with the silver note given by Zhao Erhu. Arriving at Zhao Family Village, Qian Feng’s hometown was near, just a two or three-day journey away.
Lin Yue knew about Qian Feng and his wife’s situation; after the calamity of prison, they were left with nothing, not even a change of clothing, which Zhao Erhu had provided. Qian Feng’s father and Little Douzi were in dire straits back home, barely able to feed themselves, waiting for their son and daughter-in-law to return. The silver coin given by Zhao Erhu for the purchases obviously could not be spent on personal matters, so Lin Yue gave them an additional fifty taels of silver, as well as provisions, cloth, and some small items Zhao Erhu had brought back from the south, all for the couple to take home with them.