Unable to resist, Jinhoo asked Yao Da, "Uncle Yao, how are my grandma, my elder aunt, and my uncle’s health? On the way back, I heard that my uncle has made great achievents?"
Yao Da cheerfully led the way and replied, "The old lady is still strong and the Madam and Lord are also well. On your journey back, you must have heard that the trade route between Great Chu and the grasslands is about to open, thanks in large part to the efforts of Lord."
"Your timing is just right; today, the local scholar and so rchants invited Lord Qin from the Capital City and our lord to the best restaurant in the county for a banquet—"
Listening while walking, Jinhoo followed him inside.
Entering the backyard, he saw Old Granny Zhang’s room. Although Jinhoo was hurrying, he suddenly felt hosick as he reached, slowing his pace.
Yao Da, however, didn’t pause and went straight in after lifting the curtain.
Jinhoo had no choice but to steel himself and follow inside.
Inside the room, Old Granny Zhang was talking to Wang Yongzhu, and upon seeing Yao Da co in with a joyful expression, he spoke before they could ask, "Old lady, Madam, Young Master Jinhoo has returned!"
"Jinhoo?" Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu exchanged a glance.
The curtain at the door was lifted again as Jinhoo cautiously slipped in. Seeing Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu, Jinhoo, who appeared quite grown-up, couldn’t help but have his eyes well up.
He took two steps forward and then threw himself in front of Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu, kneeling with a thud in front of Old Granny Zhang, choked with emotion, "Grandma, elder aunt, I’m back—"
As he spoke, he solemnly kowtowed several tis to Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu.
Wang Yongzhu was the first to co to her senses and couldn’t contain her joy, hurriedly pulling Jinhoo up: "Get up, get up—"
Jinhoo genuinely wanted to kowtow a few more tis to express his excitent, but he couldn’t resist Wang Yongzhu’s strength.
The strapping young man was lifted like a little chick by Wang Yongzhu.
Suddenly, all of his excitent and the joy of seeing his family were dispelled by this abrupt lift.
Luckily, they were indoors, with no outsiders—Yao Da was present, but having witnessed how his grandma and elder aunt dealt with him years before, this was already an improvent.
At least he didn’t lose face in front of his shop assistants, and Jinhoo felt grateful.
He dared not resist, even after all those years away. He rembered well the formidable strength of his elder aunt, so he only shrank back, not daring to move.
But he had grown up; his long limbs tried desperately to fold themselves in cooperation with Wang Yongzhu, yet his legs still dangled diagonally on the ground.
Old Granny Zhang noticed the comical sight, feeling amused and annoyed. She quickly said, "Alright, alright, it’s good to have you back, co and let the old lady have a look."
Only then did Wang Yongzhu let go, and Jinhoo quickly made his way over to Old Granny Zhang, squatting so she wouldn’t have to crane her neck to look at him.
Old Granny Zhang closely examined him from head to toe. It had been years since she saw him, and Jinhoo had grown into an adult.
He was tall, a trait of the Wang Family, where all the brothers were not short. His features bore so resemblance to Wang Yongfu, but his deanor had a certain honesty, looking sowhat like Wang Yongping.
Perhaps due to his years of weathering tough conditions outside, his skin was darker, giving him a healthy appearance. His brows showed maturity beyond his peers.
Although there was only a two or three-year age gap between him and Wang Yongzhu, he seed older.
It was evident he endured many hardships outside to beco who he was today.
His vibrant spirit and appearance, the clothes and accessories, were all clear evidence to Old Granny Zhang that Jinhoo had accomplished sothing; not comparing him to others, but surely much stronger than his father and uncles from Qilidun, as well as his generation’s brothers.
Being her direct grandson and showing such promise, Old Granny Zhang was delighted.
Patting Jinhoo’s shoulder: "You’ve grown up, beco an adult, and achieved success! The old lady didn’t misjudge you. You truly are soone who can endure hardships! If your father knows, he’ll probably be thrilled and rush to offer incense to our ancestors overnight—"
Her words made Jinhoo grin broadly; it indeed was sothing his father back ho might do.
Wang Yongzhu laughed too, signaling Yao Da to prepare a hocoming al for Jinhoo and organize his accommodations.
Yao Da agreed and was about to leave when Jinhoo quickly said, "Elder Aunt, Uncle Yao, I’ve brought a few shop assistants and so gifts for my grandma, elder aunt, and uncle. I’ll follow Uncle Yao to arrange for them and then co back."
He said, attempting to rise.
Stopped by Old Granny Zhang: "What’s the rush? Since you’re ho, rest assured, your Uncle Yao will take care of those things. You might not know, but the city is fully occupied now; if you haven’t brought many people, squeezing in at ho is fine. But if there are many, even outside in the city might be tight, and you’ll have to go out to the estate."
Upon hearing this, Jinhoo was dumbfounded, looking at Wang Yongzhu and Yao Da.
Yao Da smiled and said, "The old lady is right. Chicheng County is bustling now, with all those negotiation delegations and rchants seeking opportunities taking up rental space. Even houses outside the city have a shortage."
"I think Young Master Jinhoo brought quite a few people; it’s unlikely we can accommodate them within the city. It might be better to arrange for them at an estate outside."
On his journey, Jinhoo heard quite a bit about the prosperity of Chicheng County. Upon entering, he indeed saw its vibrancy, and naturally, had no doubts.
Thus, he wasn’t in a hurry, only saying, "Then I’ll go out to give so instructions and co back."
He said and left with Yao Da.
Leaving Old Granny Zhang and Wang Yongzhu behind, Old Granny Zhang sighed, "This ti has made him an adult."
Wang Yongzhu nodded in agreent. No one expected, back when Jinhoo borrowed so silver to venture out.
She was worried but entrusted reliable people to take Jinhoo out to gain experiences.
His departure lasted several years, returning safely each ti, and through those who delivered letters, she learned Jinhoo had traversed almost all of Great Chu and even ventured to the Western Region with rchant caravans.
The latest letter was sent back from the Western Region, reporting safety. However, the ssenger revealed Jinhoo had established his small rchant group, although only a dozen people, he’d beco quite famous among Western Region rchants.
Now seeing him in person, it was clear Jinhoo had indeed carved out his own success.
Not long after, Jinhoo returned, followed by a few guards carrying a dozen large chests, laboriously trailing behind.
The large chests piled in Old Granny Zhang’s room almost left no place to step.
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