After Zhulan and Zhou Shuren sat down, Zhang Datie looked at the sons of the Zhou family. Zhou Shuren did not hide anything from his sons, but what Zhang Datie wanted to say was very secretive. Zhou Shuren and Zhulan looked at each other, and they looked at each other. People’s eyes fell on Rong Chuan at the same time.

Rong Chuan felt uncomfortable being looked at and didn’t know why his uncle and aunt were looking at him.

Zhang Datie had been a slave since he was a child and had excellent skills in observing people’s words and expressions. Seeing the reactions of Zhou Shuren and his wife, he understood that even if he didn’t say anything, the Zhou family would still have suspicions. It was indeed reasonable to speculate. As time passed, Rong Chuan’s face had become fuller and less like someone from the Zhang family.

Zhang Dati went over what he wanted to say again in his mind and said: “It seems that Zhou Xiucai has already guessed, and I am indeed here for this matter today. Rong Chuan is indeed not my biological son. I can tell you what I know, but I have the conditions.”

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren secretly thought that it was indeed the case. They had been shaking in their hearts. Although they had seen a lot of news about biological parents abusing their children in modern times, in ancient times, when sons were particularly favored over daughters, no matter how many sons they had, the eldest son should not be abused. As Rong Chuan grew up, Zhulan and Zhou Shuren had a private discussion.

Especially when the male protagonist came and said something nice, Zhou Shuren kept this sentence in his heart. According to the male protagonist’s law, the male protagonist will not talk nonsense. Zhulan and Zhou Shuren were even more sure that there was something wrong with Rong Chuan’s life experience.

It was just that Zhulan and Zhou Shuren didn’t expect that Zhang Datie would take the initiative to say it. It was really unexpected that he came today not to save Rong Chuan, but to tell the truth.

Rong Chuan’s reaction was the biggest. He did have doubts in his heart, no parents treated their children like this, but then he stopped thinking about it. Unexpectedly, what he imagined turned out to be reality.

The few boys in the Zhou family had little experience, and they didn’t know much about the dirty things in the back house. They really hadn’t thought about it, and their reactions were not small.

Zhou Shuren leaned on the chair. He felt uncomfortable and didn’t want to waste time. “Tell me your conditions first.”

Zhang Datie knew that he was passive. The Zhou family had already guessed. Now that he was asked to tell the conditions first, he didn’t dare to speak loudly. He pursed his lips, the Zhou family was annoying, “Don’t you want to know Rong Chuan’s identity?”

He didn’t believe that Zhou Shuren was not in a hurry.

Zhou Shuren was really not in a hurry, because he and Zhulan were afraid that Rongchuan would be cannon fodder. He and Zhulan wanted to let nature take its course. Of course, the main reason was that he was too weak to be a backer now. So what if Rong Chuan knew now? The sooner you knew, the sooner you would be cannon fodder!

Zhou Shuren smiled faintly. “As for Rong Chuan’s background, I’m not in a hurry. What’s destined will come to pass, and what’s not meant to be won’t be forced. What belongs to Rong Chuan will naturally come without asking, and what doesn’t belong to him, knowing it would be in vain. Why bother seeking unnecessary trouble?”

Zhang Dati, “.”

He really wanted to scold people, especially the Zhou family who read a lot. Forget it, why did you read so many books?

Zhulan was anxious, urging Zhang Datie impatiently. Seeing Zhou Shuren endure discomfort, her face darkened, and her tone grew impatient. “Are you going to talk or not? If not, then leave.”

Upon hearing that they were really being kicked out, Zhang Datie realized he couldn’t ask for too much. He had to lower his demands. “Firstly, it’s simple: have Rong Chuan swear that he won’t seek revenge on us no matter what happens. Secondly, give me one hundred taels of silver.”

Originally, his demands were higher. After carefully analyzing Zhou Shuren, he felt confident that Zhou Shuren would have no problem passing the provincial exam. His idea was to ask for one hundred taels of silver and have the land in his family’s name transferred to Zhou Shuren’s name, so they wouldn’t have to pay taxes in the future. With the silver they had saved up, they could buy more land, earning a good amount of money each year. However, he was afraid that Zhou Shuren might be too cunning, so he had to lower his demands.

Zhou Shuren looked at Rong Chuan, “What do you want?”

Rong Chuan had calmed down. He wanted to know about his life experience, but the request was too much. He didn’t want his uncle to spend money. He already owed his uncle and aunt too much. Thinking about my uncle’s words again, he realized a lot, “Uncle, I don’t want to know my life experience. As you said, you will know it when the fate comes. If fate does not come, then it is not what I should have.”

Zhou Shuren was satisfied. Rong Chuan had a good understanding. He just said it to Rong Chuan rather than to Zhang Dati. People’s character was very important. He was right about Rong Chuan. Although this kid was not as good as Chang Lian in terms of scheming, he was still good. Moreover, he was very smart and kind-hearted, and coupled with his talent for reading, it was really difficult to decide who would be more promising in the future between this child and Chang Lian.

Zhou Shuren nodded and looked at Zhang Datie’s pale face. He was truly a failed negotiator. “Twenty taels. Whether you speak or not, if not, then leave.”

Zhang Dati really wanted to turn around and leave, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t walk away without a single coin, “Okay, give me the money first.”

Rong Chuan was stunned, “Uncle, why do you need to spend the money?”

Zhou Shuren smiled. “Even though fate will reveal itself in due time, sometimes being able to foresee it in advance gives us a certain degree of control over the future. It also provides us with assurance and helps us understand both ourselves and others, ensuring that we won’t be at a disadvantage in battles. Knowing beforehand is certainly beneficial.”

Zhang Datie, “…”

Could he regret it now, he looked at Zhou Shuren with a half-smile. It seemed that he knew that Zhou Shuren dared to speak and did not give him a chance to regret it.

He didn’t dare to go back on his word, he was really afraid that Zhou Shuren would seize this matter and send him to the Yamen!

Rong Chuan was stunned, whatever his uncle said made sense!

Boss Zhou was not surprised at all, that was just the way his father was, so what he said makes sense.

Second Zhou also learned a lot this time. Compared with his father, he was still too young to trick people.

Chang Lian clenched his fists excitedly, this was what he wanted to learn.

Zhulan paid attention to Rong Chuan and also saw Chang Lian. Chang Lian’s eyes looked familiar. Chang Lian completely admired Zhou Shuren!

Zhulan took out the silver and handed it to Zhang Datie. Zhang Datie looked at the twenty taels, feeling disappointed. He had thought he would strike it rich today, but who would have expected only twenty taels? Taking the money, he said, “I was sold to several different households before finally ending up in the capital. During the war, the capital was a battleground, and it was chaotic. Wealthy households were targeted, and one night, someone broke in. I saved the master’s life.”

Zhang Datie lifted his leg as he spoke. “I lost a leg in the process. The master was grateful for my loyalty and, because of my disability, granted us freedom, released us from servitude, and gave us a substantial sum of money. The chaos in the capital soon ended, and a new dynasty was established. My family and I were also granted freedom.”

Zhulan and Zhou Shuren didn’t press for the point. They didn’t know whether Zhang Dati’s words were true. They just analyzed useful information from Zhang Dati’s words.

Zhang Datie continued, “My injured leg couldn’t endure long journeys and needed time to heal. So, we left the master’s household, but we couldn’t return to our hometown. We rented a house to recuperate, hoping to return home as soon as possible. It took us nearly half a year of recovery. Then, we spent the winter there. In the spring of the second year of the new dynasty, we planned to return home.”

Zhang Dati paused at this point.

(End of chapter)

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