Top Scholar's Treatment [Request for Recommendation Votes]

Hearing footsteps, Old Zheng didn't stop moving, only saying calmly, "You're back?"

"You're back, Elder Zheng." Su Yang approached and bowed deeply respectfully. "I have successfully passed the selection today and have been chosen as a guard, freeing myself from slavery. This is all thanks to Elder Zheng's guidance and medicinal diet. I will remember this kindness forever."

Zheng Shanfu then turned around and looked him up and down.

The brand-new guard uniform accentuated the boy's tall and straight figure. The calmness between his brows was no different from before, but deep in his eyes, there was a hint of sharpness and steadiness that seemed to have emerged from a cocoon.

"Hmm, the clothes fit well."

Old Zheng nodded, his face showing little surprise or joy, remaining as calm as ever. He said, "Yang Yunxing comes from a proper military background and has some real skills. Follow him and learn well. Don't waste this opportunity, and don't... disgrace the people who have left my pharmacy."

"Yes, I will certainly work hard."

Su Yang solemnly agreed.

He could hear the instructions and expectations hidden in Old Zheng's plain words.

"Once you become a guard, you'll have to follow the guard's rules. As for the pharmacy, feel free to come and visit occasionally when you have time." Old Zheng waved his hand, his meaning clear—the path has been paved for you, but you'll have to walk it yourself from now on. The pharmacy will no longer be your long-term haven, but the door will still be open for you.

"Thank you, Elder Zheng." Su Yang bowed again, knowing this was farewell. He hesitated for a moment, then took out the five-tael silver ingot from his pocket and respectfully offered it with both hands: "Elder Zheng, this reward money..."

"Take it back." Old Zheng interrupted without even looking at it, his tone leaving no room for argument: "This old man has no need for your money. If you really have that kind intention, remember to bring back a copy if you ever obtain any rare medicinal herbs or come across a suitable prescription. Keep the money safe and use it for good."

"Yes, Elder Zheng!"

Su Yang stopped insisting and took the silver back.

He understood that for Master Zheng, this legacy and the connection to the family line were far more important than gold and silver.

"Go on." Old Zheng turned around again and started fiddling with his medicinal herbs. "Go and get busy."

Su Yang took a deep look at the old man's hunched but remarkably steady back, buried his gratitude and respect in his heart, and quietly left the pharmacy.

Standing on the stone steps outside the pharmacy, the setting sun had only left a last glimmer of golden red.

He took a deep breath, adjusted the position of his waist tag, and turned to leave.

..........

As Su Yang emerged from Old Zheng's pharmacy, pondering his accommodations for his promotion to guard, a steady voice rang out beside him.

"Brother Su, please wait!"

Su Yang looked in the direction of the voice and saw a middle-aged man, about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with a stocky build and a simple yet capable face, looking at him. He was wearing a slightly worn guard uniform, with a key and a string of loose change hanging from his waist. He had a hearty smile, but his eyes held the scrutinizing look typical of an old guard.

"You are...?"

Su Yang cupped his hands in a respectful but not servile manner.

"My name is Wang Tiezhu, an old guard in the manor. I'm a few years older than you, so everyone gives me face and calls me 'Brother Wang'."

The man returned the greeting, his tone familiar yet measured, saying, "Just now, Steward Ye specifically instructed that Brother Su is a newly promoted talent, and asked me to take you directly to 'Jingjie Courtyard' to settle down. This is a rare act of kindness from the steward."

Su Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute again: "So it's Brother Wang. I'm new here, so I hope Brother Wang will give me some guidance in the future. Please also thank the steward for his kindness."

"No problem, it's all part of my job. Come with me."

Wang Tiezhu waved his hand, turned around and led the way, saying as if chatting with an old friend, "Jingjie Courtyard has many people and complicated rules. You're new here, so observe more, listen more, and speak less. Steward Ye's consideration is a good thing, but it's also easy to... attract attention, you understand?"

Su Yang nodded: "Understood, thank you for the pointers, Brother Wang."

He understood; it was a well-intentioned reminder, as well as a subtle conveyance of a certain stance.

The two soon arrived at Jingjie Courtyard.

There were already many new and old guards walking and talking in the courtyard. When they saw Wang Tiezhu leading in a newcomer they didn't recognize, many curious eyes fell on Su Yang.

Just as Wang Tiezhu was about to lead him to the shared sleeping quarters in the east wing, a loud and authoritative voice came from the courtyard gate, drowning out all the noise: "Su Yang."

Instructor Yang Yunxing strode into the courtyard, his gaze sharp as lightning, locking onto Su Yang.

He walked closer, nodded slightly to Wang Tiezhu beside him, and then pointed to a separate, low-ceilinged side room on the west side of the courtyard. His voice was so clear that the whole courtyard could hear him: "Your foundation is different. The training methods and energy expenditure in the future will also be different from others. You need to rest quietly and cannot be disturbed."

He paused, his tone leaving no room for negotiation: "That empty room at the west end is yours. Close the door and work hard. My men only care about performance, nothing else. If anyone feels it's unfair, tomorrow during training, go and lift a 240-pound stone weight for me to see. If you can lift it, my courtyard will be yours to live in."

These words were like a boulder thrown into a pond, and the courtyard fell silent instantly. All eyes became complex—astonishment, envy, jealousy, awe, and utter understanding.

The coach's actions were not merely an arrangement, but a public drawing of lines.

A hint of surprise flashed across Wang Tiezhu's face, but he quickly returned to normal.

He immediately cupped his hands to Yang Yunxing and said, "The instructor's arrangement is correct. Brother Su does indeed need to rest and recuperate."

He reacted very quickly, immediately aligning the instructions of Steward Ye and the orders of Instructor Yang in his words.

Yang Yunxing grunted in response and said nothing more, as if he had only come to deliver an inviolable military order, then turned and left.

The pressure truly began to weigh heavily on Su Yang's shoulders at this moment.

Wang Tiezhu turned his head, patted Su Yang's arm, and whispered, "Now I understand. Come on, I'll take you to see that side room. But..."

He gave a wry smile and said, "The instructor gave this order in a hurry. That room has been empty for a long time, and there are no bedding available. I'm afraid the general affairs office won't have time to provide you with any today either."

This is another practical problem: the coach gave you the privilege of having your own room, but didn't provide the necessary supplies.

How you spend tonight is your first little test.

"I understand. I'll take a look at the house first. Thank you, Brother Wang."

Su Yang said in a deep voice.

He now understood that from the moment he stepped into this courtyard, he was no longer just a new guard, but the object of Steward Ye's favor, the prospect that Instructor Yang was focusing on training, and... a 'special existence' that many colleagues needed to weigh in their eyes.

Wang Tiezhu took out his key and led Su Yang, under the watchful eyes of everyone in the courtyard, toward a separate house on the west side.

Although it is located within the Jingjie Courtyard, it is separated from the main wing by a small distance, with many maple trees in between, making it exceptionally quiet.

The click of the key unlocking the door was particularly clear in the quiet courtyard.

The door opened, and a faint smell of dust, from a place that hadn't been inhabited for a long time, wafted out.

The room wasn't big, but it was big enough for one person.

A sturdy wooden bed stood against the wall, along with a wooden table, a complete wooden wardrobe, and a chair. The window paper was a bit old, but the window frame was intact. Most importantly, the door latch was thick; once it was engaged, the inside and outside became two separate worlds.

The furnishings here are simple, even somewhat empty, and it's definitely not a place to enjoy yourself.

But this solitude, the ability to close the door, is itself the most unusual thing in this crowded compound, and also the most conspicuous target.

Wang Tiezhu handed him the keys: "Brother Su, pack up yourself. I'm going to get busy now. You can come find me if you need anything."

He left with a meaningful look, then turned and left.

Su Yang stood in the empty room and slowly exhaled.

Hunger struck him at that moment, and he remembered that he hadn't eaten dinner yet. He immediately closed the door and turned to walk towards the cafeteria.

...........

Half an hour later.

After finishing his meal, Su Yang returned to Jingjie Courtyard and headed towards his private room.

As dusk fell, he could see from afar outside the door of his private room a slender figure standing quietly, holding a brand-new blue cloth bundle in her arms.

It was actually red and blue.

She had clearly waited a while. As Su Yang approached, her usually downcast eyes lightly swept over his brand-new guard uniform and the wooden badge at his waist. Then she raised her head, a clear and genuine smile curving her lips: "Su Yang! Congratulations!"

Her voice carried a hint of lightness and undisguised joy.

"Honglan, what are you doing here?" Su Yang felt a warmth in his heart and quickly walked over.

Honglan handed over the bundle in her arms and explained, "Steward Ye instructed that a new mattress be provided for the newly promoted Guard Su. I happened to run into Steward Wang by the laundry room, so he asked me to bring it over on my way."

"Thanks a lot."

Su Yang took it, and to his surprise, it was thick and soft, the fabric brand new. He understood that this was a gesture of goodwill from the butler.

There's no need for formalities between us.

Honglan smiled gently, her gaze lingering on his face for a moment.

"Oh, right, this is for you."

Su Yang quickly glanced around. Dusk was falling, and the other guards had all returned to their rooms; the courtyard was temporarily empty. He used the cotton quilt as cover with one hand, and with the other, he swiftly pulled the oil paper package from his robes and, using his body as a shield, gently placed it in her hand.

"I've already eaten the meat patties that were served for dinner, you can have this one."

The oil-paper package, still warm from his body, fell into Honglan's icy hands. Her fingertips trembled slightly as she looked up to meet Su Yang's unquestionable, concerned gaze—a gaze almost identical to the one she had given him when he handed her the bun and pills.

She swallowed back all her words of refusal, clenched her fingers, gripped the oil paper package tightly, and quickly tucked it into her sleeve.

"The food at the nursing home is very oily." She lowered her eyes, her voice as soft as a whisper: "You've just started eating it, be careful at night."

"Yes, I understand."

Su Yang nodded.

Honglan looked at him, then glanced at the dusty, slightly messy room inside the door, and suddenly said, "Your room was just assigned, it's very dusty. Let me tidy it up for you, it'll be fine soon, otherwise the new mattress will get dusty too."

Before Su Yang could respond, she turned to the side and picked up an old broom and a piece of old cloth that had been leaning against the wall at some point—it seemed she had come prepared.

"Well... thank you for your trouble."

Su Yang stopped refusing and stepped aside.

Honglan said no more, rolled up her sleeves, and began cleaning efficiently.

Her movements were skillful; she first sprinkled some water to suppress the dust, then swept away the floating dust from the inside out. When wiping the table, she applied even pressure with her fingertips, without the clumsiness of a maid.

Then, she quickly wiped the bare bed and the old table with the old cloth.

The whole process was quiet and efficient.

As dusk approached, only the rustling of the broom against the floor echoed in the small room.

An unspoken understanding flows quietly in this tranquility.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the house was completely transformed. Although still simple, it was clean and habitable.

"All done." Honglan put down her tools, gently patted the dust off her hands, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She looked at Su Yang, a relaxed smile on her face indicating that she had accomplished something: "Now it's ready to move in."

"Thank you," Su Yang said sincerely, looking at her.

This practical help made him feel warmer than the new quilt.

Upon hearing this, Honglan raised her eyes and gave him a light glare. There was no blame in her eyes; rather, it was a gentle reproach that one would only give to "one of their own."

"Look at you, being so formal again." Her tone was soft, yet carried an undeniable intimacy. She deftly picked up the broom and rag, and as she turned, a lingering smile played on her lips. "It's getting dark; if we don't go back soon, the manager will be looking for us."

Be careful on the road.

"Um."

Honglan nodded slightly to him, then turned and disappeared into the deepening twilight with light steps.

Su Yang withdrew his gaze, carrying the soft new quilt, and entered the neatly tidied small room. He carefully spread the quilt on the smooth wooden bed, then sat down beside it, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Tomorrow, I can learn new martial arts!"