AD (QT) Chapter 128

Han Shubuo stood behind his father, watching as Han Ze’s left hand was draped with several sets of robes and his right hand clutched multiple pairs of shoes. From the look of it, his father seemed intent on buying out every item in the clothing shop that fit him. The boy’s small face was puckered like a bitter melon—how much silver was this costing? Why didn’t Dad know how to be frugal?

The shop owner brought out another robe, saying flatteringly, “The young master studies at the academy, doesn’t he? This style is very popular among the students. Why not take one?”

Han Ze took a glance and gave a grand wave of his hand. “Bought!”

As soon as the words left Han Ze’s mouth, Han Shubuo tugged on his sleeve. Enough, really, there’s no need to buy more.

Han Ze looked back at him, thought for a moment, and then said to the owner, “These few robes should be a size larger, and these two can be a bit smaller.”

Han Shubuo was about to protest again, but Han Ze patted his small head and said, “Your mother doesn’t have the spare time to make all your clothes. We’ll prepare a few extra sets and buy them larger so you can still wear them as you grow taller. It’s not just clothes for you—your sisters and your two aunts get some too. However, we won’t buy ready-made clothes for them. Since they are learning embroidery, I’ll buy some fabric later so they can make their own.”

Only then did Han Shubuo nod in agreement. He looked up at his father and asked tentatively, “Dad, aren’t you buying anything for Mom?”

Han Ze paused for a second, then said nonchalantly, “Buying, of course I’m buying. Dad earned silver today, so we’re buying for everyone—even your Grandpa and Grandma get a share.”

Inwardly, Han Ze felt a bit helpless. Ge Hongbu had likely been terrified by the Original Owner’s beatings. Even though Han Ze had arrived and changed his attitude toward her, she remained incredibly anxious and evasive in his presence. He didn’t mind personally—as long as she felt comfortable, it was fine—but the children were sensitive. They noticed the awkwardness between their parents and were trying to play matchmaker.

Han Shubuo finally smiled. Since Dad agreed to buy fabric for Mom to make clothes, it meant he likely wasn’t going to divorce her. With that, his mind was at ease.

Han Ze shook his head in amusement. Does buying things for Ge Hongbu constitute being ‘good’ to her? If so, he would buy her more things in the future to settle the children’s hearts. As for Ge Hongbu herself, she could interact with him however she wished; as long as she felt at ease, it was fine.

Once the father and son finished shopping, they went to a restaurant for a meal. In all his years, this was the first time Han Shubuo had ever stepped into a restaurant to eat. Han Ze ordered several dishes the boy liked, and he ate until he was sweating, his small face full of pure satisfaction.

After settling the bill, Han Ze escorted him back to the academy. Passing by a pastry shop, Han Ze bought a few more parcels of cakes and instructed him, “Take these back and share them with your classmates. There’s a vendor selling braised pork hocks over there; Dad will buy some of those for you too.”

Han Shubuo felt a bit reluctant. “Dad, is there a need?”

It’s such a waste of silver.

Han Ze said with a chuckle, “When your classmates bring food from home, do they share it with you?”

Han Shubuo nodded sheepishly, feeling that he was indeed being a bit stingy.

Han Ze said seriously, “If you’ve eaten from others, shouldn’t you return the favor? In human interactions, giving and receiving is mutual. Though our family isn’t incredibly wealthy, we have no shortage of food or drink. Even if we were poor, we couldn’t be poor in social etiquette. If you are looked down upon, it’s hard to establish a foothold.”

Han Shubuo’s face turned red. He hung his head and whispered, “Dad, I was wrong.”

Han Ze rubbed his head. “I am also at fault. In previous years, I let Han Jixue and Han Jiwen snatch your food, which made you all develop the habit of guarding it. We’ll improve together. A good child is one who can correct their mistakes.”

Han Shubuo nodded and bid his father farewell. Lugging his large and small parcels, he returned to the dormitory. As the youngest student in the room, his older roommates usually didn’t play with him. His relationship with them was mediocre—they didn’t exclude him, but everyone just minded their own business.

It was precisely because they weren’t close that he hadn’t wanted to bring them food. But Dad was right; in the past, when roommates brought food from home, they had shared it with him. He couldn’t be a miser. Thinking of this, he took out the pastries and braised pork hocks and said to his roommates, “My Dad bought these pastries and braised hocks. Please, have a taste.”

The roommates exchanged glances. They knew better than anyone how stingy this kid usually was; they hadn’t expected him to be so generous today. Since there was food, they weren’t polite. Even the “first-grade” meals at the academy couldn’t compare to the rich, oily food from home.

Although Han Shubuo’s heart was still aching—knowing those items had cost his father a whole tael of silver—he managed to maintain a calm expression so no one could tell.

As they ate, the roommates began chatting with Han Shubuo. Gradually, through the conversation, they all became better acquainted. From then on, whenever Han Shubuo needed help with something, they would lend a hand.

Han Shubuo gradually began to understand the importance of what his father called “social etiquette.”

Later, during a school break, he shared his thoughts with Han Ze. Han Ze listened and laughed. “You’re still young. Even if I explain many principles, you might not understand. I can only teach you how to act; only after you do it yourself can you truly taste the result and understand why I asked you to do it.”

Of course, those are matters for later.

…

After Han Ze returned home, he took out the fabric he had bought and distributed it. Ge Hongbu was incredibly surprised—and a little terrified—when her husband handed her a piece of deep crimson fabric.

Han Ze was somewhat speechless. A husband buys something for his wife and has to find an excuse.

He said, “You gave me a smart son; this is your reward.”

Only then did Ge Hongbu’s heart settle. She thought of how her son had improved and was so talented at his studies. In every assessment at the academy, he was either first or second, and he brought home a reward every time. Han Jixue and Han Jiwen had been praised as prodigies since they were small, yet they never ranked as high as her son. Although her husband didn’t say much, she could feel how proud he was.

In the past, when the boy couldn’t speak and was thought to be a fool, her husband thought she was bad luck for only giving him girls and then a “silly” son. Now that the boy was smart, her husband likely credited her, so he rewarded her.

Han Ze didn’t know she was overthinking it to this extent. If he did, he would only say: As long as you can find your own justification, it saves me the trouble of making one up.

Han Ze then took out a bolt of darker-colored fabric and handed it to Wang Lanhua. This time, Wang Lanhua was truly shocked. She stared blankly at Han Ze. “I get some too?”

If she took this and Han Ze regretted it later, would he ask her for the silver? When that time came, should she give it to him or not?

Han Ze looked at her. “Everyone in the family gets some, so how could you be left out? People would say I’m mistreating my stepmother. Besides, you put in a lot of effort to help the girls learn embroidery; you’ve earned this.”

Wang Lanhua finally breathed a sigh of relief. I knew this kid wasn’t just being generous for no reason. Regardless of whether he was generous or not, the fact that he thought to buy fabric for the whole family was a hundred times better than before.

Thinking of Shubuo’s recent performance at the academy, she laughed to herself. A person really does need a healthy successor. Ever since Shubuo was cured, Han Ze had something to look forward to, and his entire person had changed. Even if he was still selfish and only thought of rewarding those who were good to him, it was still a joy to see. At least he was capable of gratitude now; even if he had ulterior motives, she could understand that.

…

While the others didn’t know why Han Ze had bought so many things, Han Maode knew his son had taken several pots of flowers to town that day. His eyes were full of anticipation. Even with the fabric his son had bought him in his arms, he had no mood to appreciate it. Once Han Ze finished distributing the fabric, the old man finally couldn’t help but ask, “You rascal, tell us first—how much silver did you sell those flowers for?”

There were no flowers left in the ox cart, so they had definitely been sold.

Hearing Han Maode’s words, everyone looked at Han Ze with curiosity.

Han Ze smiled and said calmly, “Over a thousand taels.”

What?

Over a thousand taels?

Everyone was stunned, looking at Han Ze in disbelief.

Han Maode’s hands began to tremble. He stammered, “Re-really?”

Those few pots sold for over a thousand taels? There were still over twenty pots in the backyard garden—how much silver would that be?

Han Ze saw the old man’s thoughts and said with a chuckle, “The flowers at home won’t sell for that much. It was the Black Peony that was rare; it sold for a thousand taels alone.”

Han Maode’s eyes went wide. “You brat! Even if they don’t sell for that much, even if a pot only sold for one tael, we wouldn’t be losing money!”

Han Ze explained, “The prices aren’t that low. Those twenty-plus peonies at home can still fetch a few hundred taels.”

Han Shuxin and her sisters stared blankly at their father. They never dreamed in their lives that the flowers their father grew in the garden were so precious. With this much silver, hadn’t their family struck it rich?

Han Maode slapped Han Ze hard on the shoulder. “You kid finally did something productive!”

Han Ze argued, “Dad, I do productive things all the time.”

Han Maode shot him a look. “No wonder you were so generous today, buying fabric for the whole family. It turns out you earned a fortune.”

Han Ze was defiant. “Dad, do I look like a stingy person? It’s just buying a few bolts of cloth for the family; would I be unwilling? You underestimate me too much.”

Han Maode rolled his eyes. “Don’t you talk back. Whether you’re generous or not—don’t you have any idea yourself?”

Han Ze: “…”

Watching their father left speechless, Han Shuxin and her sisters all covered their mouths and giggled.

Han Ze glared at the sisters and said seriously, “Have you finished your calligraphy?”

After all this time, the sisters knew that while their father could be very stern, he wouldn’t hit them. They had become bolder and weren’t as afraid of him. They said giggling, “All finished!”

Han Ze snorted. “Even if you’re finished, you shouldn’t laugh at your father. How about this: today I’ll punish you with five extra pages of calligraphy.”

The sisters weren’t discouraged. They didn’t hate writing; five extra pages wouldn’t take long at all.

…

Knowing his son’s flowers were so valuable, Han Maode strictly warned the family members not to tell anyone about the silver Han Ze had earned. As for himself, he now wanted to live in the vegetable garden every day, terrified that someone would steal or ruin the flowers; it would be the death of him.

Han Ze thought to himself that no one in the village even knew those flowers were worth silver yet. However, this reminded him that he needed to build a large manor with high walls. Some things can be hidden for a time, but not forever. The villagers would eventually find out about the flower sales. With a walled manor, no matter what the villagers thought, it would be easier to stay guarded.