Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

The banquet at Fanlou ended when everyone was having a good time. After Gao Zhao finished paying the bill, he couldn't help but feel a little emotional. The cost of this one night was more than the cost of helping a village!

The life savings of more than ten poor households, dozens of people, couldn't even cover the cost of a single banquet!

Having experienced two different social classes in a single day, Gao Zhao couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

Once outside Fanlou, the waiter had already brought horses. Fu'an took his leave first, and Gao Zhao agreed. He then mounted his horse and let Gao Yi lead him forward.

He glanced at Lu Qian, who was standing guard beside him, then looked at the servant leading the horse, and asked with a smile, "Gao Yi, who else is in your family?"

"My parents, brothers, and sisters are all alive!" Gao Yi was overjoyed to have finally seen the legendary Fanlou today, and his tone was filled with excitement as he said, "But my family is poor and can't support so many people. My mother said that I was the most clever of all the children, so she sent me out to work as a servant. But I was lucky enough to be selected for the Commander's Mansion and even registered there!"

"Haha...you are indeed clever!" Gao Zhao praised. In the Song Dynasty, there was no such thing as selling oneself into slavery. If you wanted to be a servant, you would usually go through a brokerage firm and let wealthy families choose you, which was similar to the talent market in later generations.

After being selected, a contract must be signed, also known as a prefectural registration, which is equivalent to an employment contract, clearly defining the rights and obligations of both parties. This contract must be registered with the government!

If the host family truly beats and mistreats them, they can sue the authorities!

Gao Zhao roughly understood the situation of Gao Yi's family and asked, "With so many brothers and sisters, how did your parents make a living to support you all?"

"Lotus seeds!" Gao Yi explained with great interest: "Every year, lotus seeds are produced in various places near the capital, such as Liangshanbo and Qizhou in Jingdong Road. Fruit merchants find the lotus seed shells too hard and are impatient with doing this hard work, so they hand over the work to us. Then they take the lotus seeds away to sell."

"Oh!" Gao Zhao nodded. People in Tokyo seemed to have a particular fondness for lotus seeds. Several of the dried fruits and snacks in his room were made from lotus seeds.

Gao Yi tentatively said, "If you'd like some lotus seeds, young master, I'll go back and bring some back for you when I have some free time!"

"Okay!" Gao Zhao agreed with a smile. He certainly didn't need the lotus seeds, but this was someone else's kindness, and he couldn't let it go to waste.

Gao Yi immediately became excited and shouted, "Don't worry, young master, I'm the best at picking lotus seeds. I guarantee every single one will be plump, big, and juicy!"

"Hehe... I believe you, you're clever!" Gao Zhao replied casually.

Gao Yi, having received affirmation, went on and on about his techniques for selecting lotus seeds.

Seeing that Gao Zhao was responding to Gao Yi's words in a casual and relaxed manner, Lu Qian couldn't help but sigh. What should he do now that he had caused such a big mess today?

How can he still have the leisure to joke around? This young master truly doesn't understand the seriousness of the situation!

The three walked for a while and arrived at Ma Xing Street, where they saw thousands of lanterns lit up, the candlelight illuminating the night as if it were daytime, and the air filled with the smoke of incense.

A warm breeze carrying the aroma of grease and food permeated the long street. Teahouses, taverns, pharmacies, and food stalls lined the street, with vendors hawking delicacies from both the north and south and seasonal snacks. The sounds of music and singing filled the air, and the sounds of people from all walks of life created a lively atmosphere.

It was even more lively than during the day!

Such a lively and bustling scene even made Gao Zhao stop his horse in admiration. Although later generations are prosperous, where can one see such a vibrant atmosphere?

But as soon as he stopped, he heard urging voices behind him. He was blocking other people's way, so he had no choice but to continue squeezing through the crowd.

After walking for a while, the group was covered in sweat. Gao Zhao felt annoyed. These Tokyoites were really bored out of their minds. Why didn't they stay home to sleep in the middle of the night? What were they doing here making a scene?

Is it that you don't have a home, or that you don't have a wife in your bed?

This is absolutely outrageous!

"Damn it, if I had money, the first thing I'd do is move out of this Marshal's Mansion! Even the way home is this difficult!"

Gao Zhao finally managed to squeeze out of the crowd and walked towards the alley leading to the Palace Marshal's Mansion, cursing and swearing.

Lu Qian and Gao Yi could only curl their lips in disapproval. Every inch of land on Ma Xing Street was incredibly valuable; countless high-ranking officials and nobles longed to own a house here but could not!

Most of the officials in the capital are still renting houses everywhere, but you, who are living in a blessed state, don't know how good you are and want to move out!

Lu Qian sighed with emotion. His small building, though not large, had cost the savings of several generations, plus a bit of luck, to buy.

Back then, when I was down on my luck, I relied on Lin Chong for help and didn't want to sell it. But now Lin Chong has smashed it too... Is this the fate of reaping what you sow?

Gao Zhao ignored their little schemes and went straight to the palace commander's mansion. He dismounted, entered through the side gate, and walked to the central courtyard, where he saw the old steward carrying a tea tray walking towards him.

"Young master, you're back. Did you have a good time today?" The old steward looked at him with a kind smile.

Gao Zhao knew that this old steward was Gao Qiu's confidant and held an extraordinary position in the mansion. He glanced at the tea tray in the steward's hand and smiled, "Hasn't Your Excellency rested yet?"

The old steward replied with a smile, "No, there's a grand sacrificial ceremony to be held in the southern suburbs this year, and the Emperor needs to inspect the Imperial Guards in advance. The Grand Commandant is busy very late every day!"

Gao Zhao's eyes darted around, and he took the tea tray, raising an eyebrow as he said, "In that case, I'll serve it to you!"

The old steward was first surprised. This young master was usually very afraid of the Grand Commandant. How come he suddenly became enlightened today and understood the concept of filial piety?

However, he was happy to see this happen, and immediately nodded, saying, "Then I'll trouble you, young master, to make the trip for this old servant!"

"It's alright!" Gao Zhao picked up the tea tray and turned to walk towards the study.

Upon reaching the door and knocking, Gao Qiu's voice came from inside: "Come in!"

Gao Zhao pushed open the door and entered, only to see Gao Qiu frowning, deep in thought, writing and drawing on a piece of paper with great seriousness!

This piqued Gao Zhao's curiosity. He placed the tea tray on the table and peered over. He saw that the paper was decorated with gongs, drums, flags, banners, gods, and ghosts—a truly lively scene.

This didn't seem like military training; it was more like a theatrical performance. Gao Zhao couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Upon hearing the voice, Gao Qiu frowned slightly, slowly raised his head, and glanced at him coldly: "Why is it you?"

"I see that you are working hard day and night for the country, so I have come to serve you tea!" Gao Zhao quickly put on a stern face, stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, and answered in a serious manner.

Gao Qiu glanced at the tea tray, picked up a teacup, took a sip, and said indifferently, "What do you want? Have you caused trouble again?"

"No!" Gao Zhao replied innocently, "It's just a matter of filial piety!"

"Ha!" Gao Qiu sneered, "Since there's nothing else, then leave! Don't get in my way!"

"Yes!" Gao Zhao turned to leave, but after taking only two steps, he suddenly turned back and said, "Sir, your reminder just now has reminded me of something I need to report to you!"

Gao Qiu's face turned cold, and he said in a deep voice, "Speak!"

"It's really nothing serious!" Gao Zhao stepped forward and lowered his voice, "I was just joking around with Liu Guojiu, and I accidentally scratched his neck!"

Gao Qiu didn't care; it was just children playing, nothing serious. "That's all?"

"That's it!" Gao Zhao said with certainty.

"Then step back!" Gao Qiu waved his hand, signaling him to get lost.

Gao Zhao asked in surprise, "You think this is nothing? That's Consort Liu's own brother!"

Gao Qiu said nonchalantly, "Just a relative of the empress, nothing to worry about!"

Gao Zhao exclaimed with admiration, "Your Excellency is truly awe-inspiring!"

Gao Qiu smiled arrogantly, offering no comment, and simply picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

Gao Zhao then said, "Then surely it's not a big deal for Guo Weize to kneel before me, is it?"

"Pfft!" Gao Qiu spat out a mouthful of tea, his eyes wide with shock. "What did you say?!"