Chapter 90: The Zhang Family Ruined by the Intellect Brain

The river flows endlessly, filling the broad plains along the riverbank.

Pinggao has always meant a flat plain by the river, and the county of Pinggao in Henei Commandery is that area along the north bank of the Yellow River within the commandery.

As soon as Mo Xiaobai and his group stepped ashore, they had already entered the territory of Pinggao County.

They traveled north along the Han Dynasty official road, passing by some small villages, but these were not the destination of Mo Xiaobai’s trip. After walking for more than ten li further, they finally saw the town of Pinggao County.

Originally, entering the city during wartime was a troublesome matter, but as soon as Mo Xiaobai showed his status as a Baron, the small guards at the City Gate immediately opened the door to let them pass. He then quickly asked around inside the city to find the Zhang Family residence, and half an hour later, Mo Xiaobai finally brought his sister to the door of Zhang Chunhua’s house.

They went forward to knock on the door, and after a long time, a creaking sound came from inside.

“I do not know who you guests are.”

An old man opened the door and took two steps forward with somewhat stiff legs: “My Lord is unable to see guests these days. If you are here to seek my Lord, I request that you all please return.”

He finished speaking and was about to close the door.

“Old man, do not be in a hurry. We have traveled hundreds of li and asking for a bowl of water is not too much, is it?”

Mo Xiaobai had made a promise to his sister; how could he turn back with a closed door in his face? He chuckled low and showed his identity: “I am a Baron of the Great Han. You should go report to your Lord; I am sure he will see me.”

The Zhang Family was not like the Sima Family and was not considered a great Noble Family. A Baron’s title could not stop the Sima Family, but it was absolutely effective against the Zhang Family.

“My Lord… ah, never mind. Please, honorable guests, come in.” Upon hearing Mo Xiaobai’s identity, the gatekeeper old man sighed and stepped aside to let them pass.

The Zhang residence was not very large, having only two courtyard entrances. Walking around took less than a minute, completely unable to compare with Mo Xiaobai’s own Baron’s Manor.

They had walked more than half the circle, and aside from the old man beside them, they saw no one else. Mo Xiaobai felt it was strange: “May I ask, where is your Master, the County Magistrate?”

“My Lord… he is still drunk in my mistress’s inner room.” The old man sighed again, pointing his hand toward the back yard: “Honorable guests, please wait a moment while I go report to my Lord.”

He left Mo Xiaobai and the others in the living room and limped towards the inner room.

“Brother, where is Zhang Chunhua?” Since entering the mansion, Mo Xiaoyou had been looking around everywhere. Unfortunately, after looking for a long time, she could not see the target she was looking for.

“Perhaps she went out to play,” Mo Xiaobai shook his head. This Zhang Family was strange from top to bottom; it looked as if it were about to collapse.

“Then I will wait here for Zhang Chunhua to return.”

“Okay, we will wait for her here.”

After the siblings finished speaking, they waited slowly in the living room. They waited at least four or five minutes. Zhang Chunhua did not appear, but the limping old man returned instead.

Looking at Mo Xiaobai and the others, he showed an apologetic expression: “Honorable Baron, sorry for the long wait. My Lord is drunk and cannot wake up, so I am afraid he cannot see guests.”

“Drunk and cannot wake up during broad daylight? Why is this?”

“This… uh, Baron might not know. My Lord drinks himself into depression because my mistress is in critical condition.”

As the old man explained the situation, Mo Xiaobai and his group finally learned what happened to the Zhang Family.

One month ago, Bingzhou raised troops to invade Gao Ling. The head of the Zhang Family, Zhang Wang, fled east with his wife and daughter. The escape was not smooth; they were harassed repeatedly by Bingzhou soldiers and bandits. The guards and guests under his command were killed, wounded, or scattered. Zhang Chunhua’s mother, Madam Shan, was also injured during the escape and suffered from continuous blood loss and high fever.

They finally managed to flee back to Pinggao County. Now, Zhang Wang had lost his official position, and his wife’s life was in danger. This blow added to snow on top of another, making the family head, who originally had little resilience, increasingly depressed.

Mo Xiaobai grumbled in his heart that the small plot the Intellect Brain had arranged for the Zhang Family was simply miserable. He then asked, “Since the Zhang Family has suffered such a disaster, may I ask who is in charge of the household at this moment?”

“At this moment, the Zhang Family relies entirely on the Miss to handle matters.”

When the old man spoke of “Miss,” a few smiles forced themselves onto his face before he continued: “However, the Miss is currently cooking medicine for the mistress. I am afraid she is also unable to see guests.”

What?

Is Zhang Chunhua the steward now?

Mo Xiaobai’s eyelids twitched. If he remembered correctly, at this time, Zhang Chunhua should be around ten years old.

Could she even distinguish firewood from rice and oil?

“I want to go see her cook the medicine.” Mo Xiaoyou had been waiting for news of Zhang Chunhua. Hearing now that Zhang Chunhua was in the mansion, she immediately pulled on her Big Brother’s arm.

“Um, may we be allowed to go and see for ourselves? Perhaps we can help with something.”

“Very well. Honorable guests, please follow me.”

Following the limping old man from the living room to the back yard kitchen, the expected messy scene did not appear. Instead, there was a large and small medicine stove, and a big stove standing close together.

A slender figure kept lowering her head to check the medicine stove and then looked at the porridge stewing in the big pot.

The girl busily working in the kitchen sensed the footsteps and spoke without turning around: “Why did Uncle Lu come back again? This is almost done. You go take care of Father; I will bring the medicine over in a moment.”

“Miss, guests have arrived at the residence.”

“Guests have arrived?”

Hearing the old man speak in a low voice, the girl finally turned around to reveal a face that was not stunning but had a delicate charm: “Oh my, why did you bring guests here? Uncle Lu, go quickly invite Father. I will take a few guests to the front hall.”

Seeing that Mo Xiaobai and the others had already entered the kitchen, the Little Girl immediately wiped her hands and came out. She wanted to say something else, but Mo Xiaoyou had happily rushed forward: “Are you Zhang Chunhua? Um~ You are a bit uglier than on TV.”

Mo Xiaoyou was full of curiosity seeing the real Zhang Chunhua. Upon hearing her reveal her name, Zhang Chunhua felt even more surprised: “How do you know my name? What is a TV?”

“It is a TV, something you wouldn’t understand. Your father is already drunk. Shall we come and help you cook the medicine? I have never cooked Chinese herbal medicine at home.”

Mo Xiaoyou looked at the clay pot on the stove with great interest. Upon hearing that her father was drunk again, a hint of dimness flashed in Zhang Chunhua’s eyes.

“Since you are all here, you might as well help a bit.”

Seeing that the Zhang Family had become “miserable” to this extent, Mo Xiaobai waved his hand to signal Li Ji and the others to go help. He also took out five Silver Coins and gave them to He Chun: “Go to the County City and see if there are any chickens or ducks. Buy some and bring them back.”

“Yes.”

He Chun saluted with a fist to accept the order and left. However, Zhang Chunhua stopped Li Ji: “Hey, hey, what are you doing? This is my home. If Father knew I let you work here, he would say I am not proper.”

“Oh, don’t worry. They won’t cause any trouble. I will show you the Rabbit I brought.” Mo Xiaoyou pulled Zhang Chunhua while turning her head to look at her mother: “Mom, give me that gray-eared Rabbit.”

“But… I… I still need to cook the medicine.”

Mo Xiaoyou did not give Zhang Chunhua any chance to say more and waved her hand naturally: “Let them cook. We will watch here and supervise them working. I guarantee that once you drink the medicine, your mother will get better.”

“Really? Can Mother’s illness get better?”

“Of course it’s true. If you don’t believe me, ask my Big Brother. He is very powerful.”