bookcurios Chapter 205: Determined to inherit his father's legacy
Chapter 205: Determined to inherit his father's legacy
When Old Zhang heard this, his eyes turned red. He looked up at City Lord Gu and said with a choked voice:
"Master, you are right. My old bones are getting less and less useful. I am afraid that the tea I made today is the worst ever. I...I want to ask to retire and return to the countryside to spend my old age in peace. Even if today is the last time I make tea for you."
Upon hearing this, City Lord Gu couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.
He was well aware of Lao Zhang's loyalty and contribution to the Gu family, and he also understood that his decision at this moment was made out of consideration for his own health.
So, he nodded, with a hint of helplessness and reluctance in his voice:
"Old Zhang, since you have made up your mind, I can't try to persuade you to stay. You have worked hard over the years and have given so much to the Gu family. How about this? I will give you 100 taels of gold as retirement money. I hope you can live a comfortable life in the countryside."
Upon hearing this, Old Zhang burst into tears of gratitude, and immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times to City Master Gu. "Thank you very much for your kindness, Old Zhang has no way to repay you in this life, I only wish that you and the Gu family can prosper forever."
"Please take a seat!" City Lord Gu looked reluctant, and instructed the servants around him, "Get the gold for Lao Zhang, and arrange a first-class carriage for him to take him back to his hometown. What else do you need? Lao Zhang, we have known each other for thirty years, just ask for it."
Old Zhang stood up from his seat and kowtowed again, tears streaming down his face. "Master, you... have been so kind to me, like my own parents, caring for me in every possible way. But, I am so sorry for you, I actually..."
Xinghan saw that Lao Zhang was about to tell the truth, so he stood up and saluted, saying, "City Lord Gu, you are respectful to the wise and kind to your servants. You are truly a pillar of the country. Xinghan admires you. I think Lao Zhang must feel guilty for not being able to serve you anymore. Why not let him go down and rest so that we can prepare our luggage and set off soon."
City Lord Gu sighed with a melancholy look, "Okay, Lao Zhang, when are you leaving?"
"Master, Lao Zhang, Lao Zhang will leave today. It will be the anniversary of my father's death in a few days, so it's just in time for the memorial service."
After saying that, he stood up, took a deep look at the home he had served for most of his life, and then slowly turned around with a trace of reluctance and determination.
Lord Gu was moved by Lao Zhang's filial piety, so he personally helped the old man out, and arranged for two or three servants to escort Lao Zhang out, took care of everything for him, and sent him off.
Old Zhang knelt outside the door and said goodbye to City Lord Gu.
The tea room fell silent for a moment. Gu Chengjin, Gu Chengrui, and Xinghan all watched Lao Zhang's departing back in silence, each with their own thoughts in mind.
After Lao Zhang's departing figure gradually disappeared outside the tea room door, the atmosphere in the tea room remained heavy and silent.
After a moment, Gu Chengjin and Gu Chengrui came back to their senses from their thoughts almost at the same time. They stood up at the same time and slowly walked towards their father, City Lord Gu, who was sitting at the tea table.
Gu Chengjin came to his father's side first. He gently placed his hand on City Master Gu's shoulder and spoke in a gentle but firm tone:
"Father, Master Zhang's departure is indeed sad, but please believe that we are still here in the Gu family, and we will always be by your side."
Gu Chengrui followed closely behind, but a complicated light flashed in his eyes. He deliberately raised his voice and said to Gu Chengjin with a hint of provocation:
"Yes, second brother, you are always so good at comforting people. But then again, what can you do for father? Have you found any effective treatment for father's illness this time? Or are you just good at saying nice things?"
Gu Chengjin frowned slightly when he heard this, but he did not refute immediately. Instead, he chose to respond in a more calm manner:
"Cheng Rui, I know you are dissatisfied, but at this moment we should unite and face difficulties together. As for my father's illness, I have never given up looking for a solution. I believe that one day there will be good news."
After saying this, Gu Chengjin glanced in the direction of Xinghan and found confidence from his expression.
However, Gu Chengrui did not seem to be ready to give up. He was about to continue speaking when he was interrupted by a light cough from City Lord Gu. City Lord Gu slowly put down the teacup in his hand, his eyes revealing a bit of majesty and fatigue. He said in a deep voice:
"That's enough, both of you. I'm upset about Lao Zhang's departure, but I'm even more saddened by your quarrel. Brothers should support each other instead of blaming each other in the face of difficulties. Cheng Jin, I see your efforts; Cheng Rui, I understand your worries. But now, what we need more is unity and calmness."
City Lord Gu's words were like a warm current, flowing slowly in the tea room, gradually easing the originally tense atmosphere.
Seeing this, Xinghan took a step forward at the right time, breaking the silence in the room. He smiled and said to City Lord Gu:
"Lord City Lord, I just noticed that the young tea-making master beside Master Zhang is quite skilled and seems to have a deep understanding of the tea ceremony. I wonder if you could ask this master to make another cup of tea for us. Perhaps his skills are not inferior to Master Zhang's, and he can even bring us some new surprises."
Upon hearing this, City Lord Gu turned his attention to the young man standing silently beside Lao Zhang, with a hint of curiosity and expectation in his eyes. He turned around and asked Xiao Zhang's identity. Xiao Zhang quickly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and introduced himself:
"My Lord, I am Lao Zhang's apprentice and his adopted son. I have been learning the tea ceremony from my father since I was young. I have been deeply influenced by his teachings and determined to inherit his legacy and carry forward this skill. Today, seeing that my father is not feeling well, I offered myself and hope to make a pot of good tea for the Lord."
Gu Chengrui listened from the side and added fuel to the fire:
"Yes, Lord City Lord, as the saying goes, a disciple surpasses his master. Since Master Zhang is so confident, we might as well give him a chance to see if his tea art is really as good as he said and can replace Master Zhang."
After hearing this, City Lord Gu's eyes were filled with expectation and emotion. He sighed softly and said:
"Old Zhang has been making tea for me for many years. He is more than just a tea master. He is more like a relative to me. But time is not forgiving. Seeing that he is no longer able to do his best, I feel uneasy. If Master Xiao Zhang can really inherit Old Zhang's legacy and carry forward the tea ceremony, that would be great. Xiao Zhang, let me ask you, are you willing to be loyal to the Gu family, make tea with your heart, and live up to the expectations of me and your master?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhang immediately expressed his determination and said, "Don't worry, Lord City Lord, I will remember Master's teachings, be loyal to the Gu family, and make tea with my heart. I will never let you and Master down. I will regard every cup of tea as a tribute to Master and loyalty to the Gu family."