Chapter 179: Reward

The brocade box opened to reveal a pair of Jade Spring Bottles, each about a foot long, in a sky-blue glaze reminiscent of the heavens after a rain. The two vases were identical in size and utterly flawless. Their surfaces were covered in a fine ice-crackle pattern and held a gentle, warm luster, their texture almost rivaling that of the finest jade.

Zhang Ze came in with a fresh jug of wine and immediately spotted the vases on the table. He couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement. "Good heavens, they really sent over a pair of Ru Kiln vases!"

"These vases are gorgeous! A pair like this must cost several thousand taels of Silver! The Young Master Heir is really willing to part with his treasures."

Su Chen’s lips thinned. "Take them to the storehouse."

A maidservant closed the lid of the brocade box, and two servants carefully carried it away.

Seeing that the young master was in a foul mood, Zhang Ze quickly shut his mouth and retreated. He took the wine jug and went to report back to Prince Qi.

After hearing Zhang Ze’s report, Prince Qi nodded repeatedly. "No wonder this wine has such a unique flavor. To think it’s brewed from five different grains! The fermentation technique must be extraordinary as well."

"What a shame, a true shame the brewer is no longer with us. I never thought I’d find such a master—and such fine wine—among the common folk!"

Zhang Ze knelt on the floor. "Mr. Gu refused to accept the Silver, so I was unable to give him the silver note."

Prince Qi lowered his gaze, studying him. "He didn’t want the Silver?"

"Since the Gu Family are refugees from the famine, they must be destitute. If they refused Silver, is it because they have a favor to ask of my estate?"

Zhang Ze quickly replied, "Not at all. The Gu Family are all decent people. The young master received a great deal of their care on his journey. They don’t know his identity, let alone yours."

A small smile touched Prince Qi’s lips. "That is rare indeed."

"Go to the steward and tell him it’s my command. Have him prepare a few items to be sent over. Say it is a reward for them. I can’t just take someone’s good wine for nothing."

Prince Qi paused. "You will also collect a reward of twenty taels from the steward."

Zhang Ze was a guard of the Su Family; it was only natural that he be rewarded for completing a task for the prince.

"Yes." Zhang Ze bowed his head in acknowledgment, then rose and withdrew.

After collecting his reward money, the steward asked Zhang Ze to make another trip.

Zhang Ze had no choice. After eating lunch, he had to join a coachman and head out of the city again by carriage.

Gu Fei and Little Cao were in the front yard, playing with the deer.

The deer must have been raised in captivity, as it wasn’t afraid of people. Little Cao was feeding it a handful of dry corn stalks.

Hearing a knock, Gu Fei went to open the door. She was taken aback to see Zhang Ze. ’He’s here again?’

’That’s three trips in one day.’

Zhang Ze gave a wry smile and cupped his hands in greeting. "My young master’s maternal uncle is very fond of your family’s wine, and he has sent me to deliver a few gifts."

Gu Fei looked troubled. "Brother Zhang, we really can’t accept these. Young Master Su has already given us such generous gifts; we already feel we don’t deserve them. Please, turn the cart around and take them back."

When Little Cao saw the visitor, she quickly scurried to the back courtyard to get her grandfather.

"Grandpa, the uncle who brought the little deer is here again!"

Gu Zhang quickly put down his book and came out.

Just as Zhang Ze was at a loss, he saw Gu Zhang emerge and quickly bowed with clasped hands. "Second Uncle Gu, these things are a reward from my young master’s maternal uncle. You absolutely must accept them. If you don’t, I’m afraid I’ll just have to make yet another trip."

When Gu Fei heard the word "reward," she fell silent.

’A gift is different from a reward.’

’A gift is an exchange between equals. A reward is bestowed from on high.’

’Young Master Su’s uncle must be a person of no ordinary status.’

Gu Zhang also mulled over the meaning of the word "reward." You could refuse a gift, but you could not refuse something bestowed as a reward.