Lord Nine Thousand: The Youth's Inquiry

Anyone who had ever dealt with Du Chao Gong considered him difficult to please, unreasonably fastidious, petty, and unbearable. The person speaking with Chu Feng Qi was full of resentment, but upon hearing the youth's strange attitude, he was stunned, and his complaints vanished.

The way Chu Feng Qi spoke, it was clear he held a blind adoration for Du Chao Gong. If the Director heard these complaints, the servant would surely face disaster.

The youth's eyes remained bright as he waited for an answer. Seeing the other's silence, he said earnestly, "Please tell me. I promise I won't reveal that it was you. I only want to know what Lord Nine Thousand likes."

The man did not know Chu Feng Qi's background and did not dare to speak recklessly. The youth was a newcomer; if he understood the Director's habits too well, it might not be a good thing—it might even invite trouble.

Thinking of this, an idea struck him. He said mysteriously, "You know that Lord Nine Thousand is usually difficult to approach, right?"

Chu Feng Qi nodded expectantly.

"Well then, when you return to the manor, take the initiative to do the chores around him. You'll naturally find out. If he sees you doing a good job, he will surely praise you and hold you in high regard!"

The youth's expression was as serious as if he were about to take the imperial examinations, making the man feel a twinge of guilt. "Is there anything else?"

"You could do the laundry, or perhaps grind powders and scent his robes. If you are good at cooking, you don't even need to stand out with laundry—just go straight to cooking for the Director. He will definitely value you even more!"

Chu Feng Qi felt as if he had found a treasure, and his gaze instantly became determined. "Thank you for telling me."

The man's eyes twitched as he smiled. If this youth actually succeeded, he would write his own name backward!

But of course, he wouldn't say that to Chu Feng Qi. He didn't believe the boy could achieve anything and only gave a token response before falling silent.

The youth's purpose wasn't small talk. Having obtained his answers, he began preparing for the next step.

The grand procession finally reached Du Chao Gong's estate at dusk. Three days of forced marching had left everyone's legs aching.

Along the way, Chu Feng Qi had integrated himself with the laundry crew, feigning closeness with the person in charge and asking to share the workload in exchange for meals.

The young eunuch in charge of laundry, Wang Xiu, was deeply moved. It wasn't because Chu Feng Qi was intentionally acting pitiful, but because after being taken out of the interrogation room, Du Chao Gong had left him to his own devices. Fortunately, there were many servants, and as long as he worked, he was given a share of food—which was the truth.

In those three days, Lord Nine Thousand had changed his outer robes twelve times. Chu Feng Qi worked hard at the washing while chatting with the young eunuch.