C64 – Starving
Tang Yue pressed on, “Furthermore, I’d like the four maids in the courtyard to learn sewing from the elder lady. I hope to seek the elder lady’s assistance with this. Would that be possible?”
The Guan family members weren’t lacking in wits. They promptly grasped Tang Yue’s intention. “I’ll inquire immediately. I’m confident the mistress will take kindly to this!”
The butler departed with a smile, his strides seemingly stepping on a bed of embers. Tang Yue rubbed his nose and mumbled, “I still have something else to mention.”
However, not much time had passed before the butler returned in haste. Following him were eight aunties, each of them robust and sporting fierce expressions.
Tang Yue was taken aback, wondering, Could it be that the mistress isn’t pleased with Fatty and has something tricky up her sleeve?
“Young master, these eight matrons are accustomed to tending to the elder madam’s quarters. They’re skilled in tidying and maintaining the residence, apart from offering their care.”
While Tang Yue couldn’t determine their proficiency in home maintenance, he could discern it from their appearances. Although they were all in their forties, their vigor was on par with young men’s.
“The elder mistress believes that a mere four servants won’t suffice for the two young masters. Concerning the maids under your purview, she’ll oversee their training attentively.”
A shiver ran down Tang Yue’s spine. A foreboding feeling emerged with this statement. Teaching them, it couldn’t possibly be as suggestive as he thought, could it?
Tang Yue chose to sidestep that thought. He instructed the butler to arrange for renovations in his courtyard. First on the list was adding a bathroom, as the absence of one weighed heavily on the room.
Subsequently, he cleared out the flowers and plants from the courtyard, raising numerous tree stumps. Even the yard’s entrance was lined with tree stumps, leaving just a narrow pathway.
The butler eyed the courtyard punctuated by stakes and inquired with a perplexed expression, “Young master, what’s the intention behind this?”
Tang Yue nimbly maneuvered through the gaps, repositioning the stakes in places that were too wide or narrow. “With these in place, the Honorable Heir should have second thoughts about venturing into the yard before he trims down. Hehe…”
Because of the physique of the Honorable Heir from State Duke Heng’s family, he wouldn’t be able to squeeze through the spaces between the stakes.
The butler appeared bewildered and wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead. “In that case… won’t this offend State Duke Heng? What if the future madam seeks vengeance after marrying him?”
“Don’t fret. State Duke Heng is only concerned about the outcome. He won’t scrutinize the process.” Tang Yue cast a glance at the yard’s fence and nodded with satisfaction. This should be sufficient to hinder the portly man who could barely lift his leg.
Alongside these measures, Tang Yue also designated a small training area and planned to set up two basketball hoops to teach the hefty gentleman the game.
Coincidentally, it had been a while since he played, so he could utilize the overweight man for practice. As for the household guards, once they learned the game, they would likely become adept players. He needed to establish a sense of achievement first.
The Honorable Heir from State Duke Heng’s family squatted for an hour. Upon rising, he struggled to walk, eventually flopping down on the bed face down. Tang Yue handed him a sizable glass of saltwater, feeding it to him.
Ping Shun coughed a few times, but his eyes were filled with complaints. Normally, he consumed sweetened water, and little did he expect to be given a brackish concoction on his very first day at Yueyang Marquis’s Mansion. It was rather disheartening.
Tang Yue remained oblivious to the dismay in his heart. Even if he were aware, he wouldn’t offer the sweetened water.
From now on, he needed to manage his intake of high-calorie and sugary foods.
“This Noble Heir is famished. I demand meat!” Ping Shun wailed.
Tang Yue blinked. “Noble Heir, I humbly apologize. It’s not yet time for dinner. The Yueyang Marquis’s Mansion doesn’t offer meals, regardless of the guest.”
Ping Shun glanced over, pity welling in his eyes. He hadn’t expected the dignified Marquis’s Mansion to be this impoverished!
“Can Noble Heir arrange for someone to buy food then?”
Tang Yue continued to fabricate excuses. “Noble Heir, I implore your pardon. The household staff is preoccupied, and they may not have the liberty to procure food for you. Furthermore, are you certain you have silver coins on you?”
Ping Shun was caught off guard. Indeed, he wasn’t accustomed to carrying silver with him. In the past, numerous attendants had managed his meals. Now, however, he was bereft of any servants, which translated to an absence of silver.
“So… what’s this Noble Heir supposed to do while hungry?” Ping Shun’s countenance turned stern as he assumed the demeanor of a noble heir.
In State Duke’s Mansion, attendants would have already taken care of their meals. Unfortunately, this wasn’t State Duke’s Mansion; it was under Tang Yue’s jurisdiction at Yueyang Marquis’s Mansion.
Tang Yue laughed, scrutinizing him before uttering two words. “Stay hungry!”
“You…!!” Ping Shun’s eyes widened, a fusion of shock and anger overtaking his expression. Raising his sizable palm, he lowered it under Tang Yue’s semi-smile.
Balancing himself on his numbed legs, he strode towards the door, poised to engage in a confrontation.
Stepping out of the door, he was immediately struck dumb. How had this courtyard transformed so drastically in the blink of an eye?
“What… are these?” Ping Shun gestured toward the thick and thin wooden stakes, seeking clarification.
“Ahem, things haven’t been calm lately. We’ve set up these obstacles to deter potential thieves from entering or leaving.”
“But how do we navigate in and out of here, Noble Heir?”
Tang Yue demonstrated the entry and exit points. He extended his hands, showing the gap he intended to use. He even arranged for some space to remain, ensuring that anyone under 180 pounds could easily pass through.
The Noble Heir pointed to his own physique and then to Tang Yue, almost wanting to ask, “Are these the same?”
Tang Yue patted his shoulder reassuringly, saying with sincerity, “Once you shed some weight, you’ll fit through just fine. Don’t fret; it won’t take too long.”
“And those people over there?” Pingshun redirected his gaze, indicating a group of craftsmen engrossed in their tasks.
“Ah, that’s a recreational area, custom-made for the Noble Heir. You’ll get to try it out tomorrow.”
“What is a playground?”
“As the name suggests, it’s naturally a place for fun.”
Ping Shun’s eyes brightened. His hunger was momentarily forgotten as he strode over with determination, eager to investigate. He couldn’t quite grasp the nature of the place he was about to explore.
Yet, the allure of the unknown was strong. For the Noble Heir, curiosity was definitely piqued.
