A Good Country Wife
Chapter 456 - 450_1

Chapter 456: Chapter 450_1

Lin Yue’s heart had already warmed a few degrees towards Zhang Qiusheng, but when Zhang Qiusheng placed the finished carving in front of her, she was still pleasantly surprised. This Zhang Qiusheng’s skill was simply too impressive, wasn’t it? The work he had carved not only met her specifications entirely, but was even a tad finer and more vibrant than her drawings, bringing an essence of life into the carving. Although Zhao Fuquan had greatly improved and could now replicate what she drew with seventy to eighty percent accuracy, no one else she knew could do any better. Using Zhao Fuquan as a comparison only served to highlight Zhang Qiusheng’s exceptional talent.

"Master Zhang truly has unparalleled craftsmanship. Your reputation as the best woodworker in Xin’an City is well-deserved and beyond dispute," Lin Yue said merrily as she looked at the carved work before her, and she was not stingy with her praise.

Zhang Qiusheng accepted Lin Yue’s praise without a hint of modesty. Since the time he was sensible, he had mixed with wood carving and craftsmanship, and while to others he was merely a carpenter, he regarded wood carving as the most sacred of tasks, continually honing his skill through practice and tries. Thus, he felt justified in accepting the compliment.

"Master Zhang, Brother Fuquan must have already told you the purpose of inviting you here. I have a batch of items that I would like you to carve. Since Master Zhang has come, I would guess you are willing. I am curious if you have any particular requirements regarding the work, and how you would like to settle the payment," Lin Yue broached the topic of their business.

"The payment should be the industry standard, no more and no less. Fuquan works in the same trade and should be aware. However..." Zhang Qiusheng, seeing that Lin Yue was satisfied with his work, did not take the opportunity to demand a higher fee. Yet he hesitated as he spoke, suggesting he had additional requests.

"What is it you would like to say, Master Zhang? You can mention any conditions, no matter what they are, and I’ll do my best to fulfill them if I can. As for the payment, I’ll abide by the standard industry rate, plus an extra twenty percent as long as you complete this batch to a good standard," Lin Yue offered generously.

"The mistress of the house is truly straightforward. I’ll just be direct, then. I hope you can arrange a place for me and my family to stay. I don’t ask for a higher salary—in fact, I’m willing to accept a lower rate. Could you perhaps employ me for a couple more years?" Zhang Qiusheng’s words carried a plea, suggesting he faced some difficulties, hence the request.

Lin Yue frowned upon hearing this. She valued Zhang Qiusheng’s skill and would love to keep him for a longer period. His request, though presumptuous and unreasonable, coincided with her family’s own needs, and she had suitable accommodation readily available. However, being too eager naturally put her at a disadvantage, and she wondered whether Zhang Qiusheng’s predicament was due to some trouble he had gotten himself into. After all, with his talent, there seemed no reason for such drastic actions.

Zhang Qiusheng, sensing Lin Yue’s reluctance, realized he had asked too much. His voice carried a sense of humility and regret, "Mistress of the house, I know my request is excessive, but I’m left with no choice by necessity. I am aware that you have no reason to support me, an idle person, without compensation. I can further reduce my salary. If there’s work, we settle it by the agreed payment; if not, you owe me nothing. My family and I will provide for our own food and living expenses. All I ask is for a place to live and your agreement to let me work here."

"Master Zhang, I will consider your request. However, we are not fools here. Before we proceed, I would like to know what sort of trouble you are in or what circumstances have led you to lower your worth so readily, to the point of repeatedly compromising. You hope to use my family to shield you from your troubles," Lin Yue said. She wasn’t afraid of problems and could handle most situations, but it all depended on whether it was worthwhile. She liked Zhang Qiusheng for his skills, yet Xin’an City had more than just one capable woodworker.

"The mistress is sharp-eyed and has seen right through it. At the end of the day, it’s my craft that has caused this issue. That despicable Wei Residence’s master took notice of my skill and summoned me to work as a carpenter in his residence. The payment wasn’t great, but since he’s now cozying up to the Magistrate, I was willing to bear it, thinking it’s just a matter of less payment.

But then trouble arose at home, and my daughter came looking for me at the Wei Residence. She was spotted by the master, and seeing as my daughter is good-looking, he, as captivated by my craftsmanship as he was by my daughter’s beauty, thought to take her into his household as a Concubine,

In my lifetime, I’ve had scant luck with children; my daughter is all I have. I would sacrifice my life before I let her be ruined. But the master of the Wei Residence is powerful, and when threats and bribes failed, he resorted to dirty tricks, even forbidding people from giving me work. My wife is unwell, and medicine costs money. These past days have drained us nearly dry, and we’ve pawned all we could. It won’t be long before we cannot go on. The patience of the Wei Residence’s master is wearing thin, and I fear he might resort to taking her by force. When all seemed lost, your family sought me out, and I saw a glimmer of hope,"

Zhang Qiusheng spoke through his tears, a man burdened with sorrow, just hoping Lin Yue would take pity on his plight and grant his request, or his family would have nowhere to turn.

Upon learning of Zhang Qiusheng’s troubles with the Wei Residence, Lin Yue’s eyes flashed darkly. It seemed fate had a way of bringing enemies together; the Wei Residence had employed underhanded tactics against her family too, albeit unsuccessfully, and now they had targeted Zhang Qiusheng. Who knows what other vile deeds they had done in secret? The aged master was still eyeing up Concubines, and as far as she was aware, he had at least a dozen official Concubines in his household, not to mention those without title.

Although Lin Yue sympathized with Zhang Qiusheng’s predicament, his approach left her rather uncomfortable and displeased. He only thought of his family’s situation and a way out, not once did he consider the potential consequences for her family. From an outsider’s perspective, her family might not seem as solid or influential as a typical landlord, as they had only grown wealthy in the past two years. If they couldn’t withstand the Wei Residence’s might, or if standing by Zhang Qiusheng incited its wrath, how would they cope? Although her family now had the backing of the Jiang Family and her own connections with Princess Yongle and Commandery Princess Roujia, which should restrain Ceng Lu from acting rashly against them, Zhang Qiusheng was unaware of this.

These were Lin Yue’s thoughts, and she voiced them, "Master Zhang, your plight may be pitiable, but if the Wei Residence’s master turns his wrath on me because of you, what then? And had I not discovered this, you likely wouldn’t have mentioned it at all, would you? Don’t you think this makes you rather selfish?"

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