tallest building

Chapter 62 Gratitude for Being Recognized

“Mr. Sun, I know you are a scholar,” Wen Mingqian said, a string of white jade prayer beads tied to her front, adorned with emerald-colored silk tassels. She held them in her hand and slowly twirled them. “There are many things I don’t want to do, but I have no choice but to bow my head when I’m under someone else’s roof.”

I value you because you are a gentleman who refuses to compromise. Managing accounts is a serious matter; the accounts may balance, but the heart may not. I entrust this task to you today because I trust you. Please do not refuse.

“I never expected to be valued by you, madam,” Mr. Sun said with a look of shame. “I am also truly grateful for your kindness and recognition.”

He came from a poor family but was ambitious. He studied hard from a young age, but unfortunately, ever since he passed the imperial examination at the age of twenty, he has failed every time.

He was still unwilling to give up, thinking that he had to make a name for himself in the exam no matter what.

But after he turned thirty, with elderly parents and young children to care for, and his whole family looking out for him, he lost the will to continue his studies.

He originally wanted to find a place to teach, but the capital was full of high-ranking officials and nobles, and the tutors hired by decent families all had to be graduates of the imperial examinations, which he, a mere scholar, was not qualified for.

There are barely any jobs available, and the pay they can offer isn't enough to support a family.

Therefore, he had no choice but to ask his former classmate for help to find him this job.

Mr. Zheng was in charge of the accounts, only using him as an assistant. But he also knew that the accounts were unclear, so Old Zheng would give him a little extra when he paid his monthly wages.

At first, he didn't want to take it, but he couldn't resist Old Zheng's words of persuasion.

Although he accepted the money, he still felt uneasy.

“Mr. Sun, if you can’t manage all the work by yourself, you can choose a clever servant from among the servants in your household,” Wen Mingqian said. “Starting this month, your monthly salary will be the same as Mr. Zheng’s before.”

Mr. Sun was overjoyed to receive more than twice the amount of money that Lao Zheng had given him.

Although he still retained the pride of a scholar, he also had the burden of supporting his family on his shoulders.

He felt very content, thinking that his family would finally be able to fill their stomachs, have meat dishes every few days, and each of them could make a winter coat by the end of the year.

“Madam, I, Mr. Sun, am truly grateful for your kindness and recognition. I cannot say too much now, but please observe my actions in the future!” Mr. Sun bowed deeply to Wen Mingqian, his gratitude overflowing.

“Take the ledgers back with you!” Wen Mingqian said. “Make sure you settle the accounts with Mr. Zheng.”

After he left, Zhang Ma said to Wen Mingqian, "This Scholar Sun is an honest man; he won't try to be clever or cunning."

"Everyone likes to hire smart people, but they don't realize that honest people are the most useful." Wen Mingqian took a sip of tea and said, "The position of accountant is very important, and we can't do without a reliable person."

“Now that the young lady is giving him a high position, he will surely be devoted to her,” said Zhang Ma. “Otherwise, how long will it take for him to make it on his own?”

“It’s not enough. There are too many Song family members in this mansion,” Wen Mingqian shook his head slightly. “You’ve heard the story of buying a horse’s bones for a thousand pieces of gold, haven’t you?”

"Does the young lady mean that we should do more favors for this scholar Sun?" Zhang Ma immediately understood.

“That’s right. Don’t you know where Scholar Sun’s house is? Then go and do it!” Wen Mingqian said, standing up. “The old lady must have had breakfast by now. I should go and pay my respects.”

Sun Xiucai was busy at the palace all day and didn't return home until it was almost dark.

Although he was physically tired, he was unusually happy, and even his steps were lighter than usual.

With the few copper coins he had left, he bought a packet of fried tofu and a packet of braised pork skin, taking them home to treat his family. His family was large, and he earned little, so it was difficult for him to afford meat regularly.

But he froze as soon as he entered the door.

His home today is very different from usual.

Not only were two lamps lit, but their wicks were also brightly lit. The table was also laden with food, including meat, vegetables, and snacks.

On a cabinet made of several old trunks, there was a large stack of bolts of cloth, including fine cloth and silk, as well as two large bundles containing many ready-made clothes, for the elderly, children and women.

There was also a brand-new camphor wood chest in the corner, but I didn't know what was inside.

His elderly parents, his ailing wife, and his seven children were all gathered around the table, beaming with joy.

“This is…” Sun Xiucai pointed to the table, then to the box.

“These were all sent by Zhang Mama from the manor, who said it was Madam’s idea,” said Madam Ma, Sun Xiucai’s wife. “Madam is kind-hearted and pities our family, with its old and young. She sent them over at noon, and oh my! A whole cart full! At first, I thought they had sent them to the wrong place, but Zhang Mama said they were sent to our family.”

"My son, you've really made something of yourself this time!" Old Mrs. Sun grinned, her toothless mouth agape, tears streaming down her face. She had cried several times that day. "I've never eaten such delicious pastries before! And the fabric is so smooth, good heavens, I'm afraid wearing it will shorten my lifespan! They even gave us money to hire a doctor..."

"My son! Zhang Mama said that the madam appreciates you and has made you the accountant in the household. You must live up to the master's expectations and never betray your conscience." Old Master Sun did not forget to admonish his son.

"Madam only told me about this today, and she only made me an accountant, but the money I earn is already double what it used to be. Madam has even sent so many things, I am truly ashamed!" Sun Xiucai was extremely grateful to Wen Mingqian from the bottom of his heart. To him, this was a very profound favor.

"And that's not all! Zhang Mama also relayed a message from Madam, saying that she wants to send all three of our boys to school." Madam Ma said, wiping away her tears. "She knows we can't afford it, and she knows how much you want the children to study and earn a good reputation... That box contains the Four Treasures of the Study, three complete sets!"

If the things mentioned earlier were enough to make Scholar Sun feel grateful, then...

Hearing this, he almost knelt down and kowtowed to Wen Mingqian.

He wasted half his life and still couldn't fulfill his wish.

The three sons were all very bright and clever, but the family was too poor to afford to send them to school.

Although he taught them to read and write, his energy and resources were ultimately limited, and he could not compare with the children of wealthy families.

What people fear most is not being poor, but being stuck in poverty with no hope for the future.

All things are inferior, only reading is superior.

Only by sending their sons to school could their family truly have a chance to turn their lives around.

Many nights, Sun Xiucai tossed and turned, unable to sleep, hating his own incompetence and blaming Heaven for not showing him any mercy.

He never dreamed that Wen Mingqian would fulfill his unthinkable wish in a single day.

He was overwhelmed with emotion, but couldn't utter a single word.

He suddenly picked up the wine glass on the table and drank it all in one gulp. The strong liquor burned his chest, igniting a fire in his heart: "I, Sun, will serve you like a slave for the rest of my life to repay your kindness!"

(End of this chapter)