Chapter 530: Ten Copper Coins and Ten Thousand Pieces of Gold

There were only ten copper coins, yet they felt unexpectedly weighty in the palm—cold, solid, and faintly oppressive, as though they carried far more meaning than their meager number suggested.

Zhu Shouren stared at the ten coins in his hand, then slowly lifted his gaze to Zhu Ping’an’s face—so warm, so generous, so utterly sincere. For a moment, his mouth hung open, the corners twitching slightly. He tried to speak, but no words came out. His lips moved, yet silence lingered awkwardly in the air.

“A thousand miles sent with a goose feather—though the gift is light, the sentiment is heavy. This is but your nephew’s small token of respect, Uncle, so please don’t refuse. I wish you success in the examinations and a triumphant return.”

After pressing the coins firmly into his uncle’s hand, Zhu Ping’an tugged at the corner of his lips and casually added the line, his tone as polite as ever.

Hearing this, Zhu Shouren’s mouth opened even wider.

Several seconds passed before he finally snapped back to his senses. He lowered his gaze again to the ten copper coins in his hand, his expression twisting into unconcealed disdain.

Ten coins? What could that possibly do?

It wouldn’t even cover the cost of a single pot of tea at a tavern, let alone a proper meal. And this nephew of his—a top scholar of the Great Ming, a sixth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy—had the nerve to offer such a paltry sum?

The more he thought about it, the more contempt filled his heart.

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“Does Uncle find it too little?” Zhu Ping’an narrowed his eyes slightly, every flicker of his uncle’s expression reflected clearly within them.

“No, no,” Zhu Shouren forced out a dry laugh.

After all, everyone knew what had happened to Zhu Ping’an at sea a few days ago—the pirate attack, the shipwreck. That he had survived at all was already a blessing from Heaven. Losing his belongings and money to the sea or to bandits was entirely understandable. No one could reasonably expect him to produce money under such circumstances.

But Zhu Shouren was not one to give up so easily.

“Zhi’er,” he said, lowering his voice slightly as he stepped closer, “your wife is wealthy—why not ask her? When I return from the examinations, I will repay every single coin.”

As he spoke, he tilted his head subtly in Li Shu’s direction, as though offering a perfectly reasonable suggestion.

At that moment, Li Shu was being surrounded by Fourth Aunt and Third Aunt, who were fussing over her with concern, asking about her ordeal at sea.

Your wife is wealthy—why not ask her…

In other words: You may have no money, but your wife does. Why not get some from her and give it to me?

From Zhu Shouren’s perspective, this was a flawless solution.

Truly… magnificent, Uncle.

Once again, he had managed to shatter expectations—plumbing new depths of shamelessness and proving yet again just how thick his skin truly was.

Zhu Ping’an looked at him quietly. He already knew his uncle’s character, yet even so, he couldn’t help but feel a flicker of astonishment.

Just yesterday, this same man had conspired with outsiders to seize their family’s land. His scheme had been exposed before everyone, and he had been chased and beaten by Old Master Zhu.

And yet today, here he stood—face calm, breath steady—not a word of yesterday’s events mentioned. Not only that, he was now openly pressuring for a loan. And when that failed, he so casually suggested, “Your wife is wealthy—why not ask her?”

There truly was no one else like him.

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If only he could apply this level of shameless persistence elsewhere, he might actually achieve something in life. After all, in a certain sense, a lack of shame was itself a form of strength.

“That’s right, Zhi’er—you can ask your wife for some money.”

Before Zhu Ping’an could respond, Old Madam Zhu, who had been listening closely, slapped her thigh and chimed in immediately, echoing the suggestion.

Grandmother, even you?

Zhu Ping’an felt a trace of helplessness. But then again, she had always favored the eldest uncle—this was nothing new.

After all, Li Shu had casually brought out bird’s nest as a gift; clearly, she came from wealth. Everyone had long known that the Li family of Shanghe Village was exceedingly rich. Even a small amount slipping through her fingers would be more than enough to fund Zhu Shouren’s journey.

“Husband, what’s the matter?”

Li Shu stepped forward at this point, her voice soft and sweet, like honey gently poured into the ear—pleasant and soothing.

Zhu Ping’an leaned closer and briefly explained the situation in a low voice.

“Oh… I see.”

Li Shu nodded lightly, her rosy lips pressing together as she let out a soft sound of understanding. Her dark, ink-like eyes swept briefly over Zhu Shouren and Old Madam Zhu.

Then, without hesitation, she placed the red packet she had just received into Zhu Ping’an’s hands. Her face blossomed into a radiant smile.

“Uncle’s examination is an important matter—it must be supported. This is the gift Grandmother just gave me. It felt quite heavy when I held it; it must contain something valuable. Husband, please give it to Uncle on my behalf.”

At her words, Old Madam Zhu turned her face aside awkwardly, a faint flush rising to her cheeks.

“Uncle, please focus on your preparations. We are family—there’s no need to speak of repayment.”

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Zhu Ping’an once again pressed the red packet into Zhu Shouren’s hands, his lips curved in apparent generosity.

The moment it landed in his palm, Zhu Shouren felt it.

The weight… exactly the same as before.

Another ten coins.

His mouth fell open yet again.

There was no need to check—he knew perfectly well what was inside.

Truly… like husband, like wife.

The nephew gave ten coins. The nephew’s wife gave ten coins.

“Oh, right, Uncle—Father mentioned this morning that he gave you three strings of coins the other day for travel expenses. Copper coins are heavy and inconvenient to carry on the road, so don’t forget to exchange them for silver before you leave.”

Before Zhu Shouren could say anything else, Zhu Ping’an spoke first, cutting him off smoothly.

From the earlier conversation, it was clear that Zhu Shouren had not mentioned this money to Old Master Zhu. Those three strings of coins were his father’s private savings—money painstakingly set aside over an entire year, even kept hidden from his mother.

And yet his uncle had said nothing of it.

That, Zhu Ping’an felt, was something his grandparents had every right to know—lest they mistakenly think his father had neglected familial duty.

“Eldest Brother, didn’t you say yesterday that you didn’t have a single coin to your name?”

Fourth Aunt spoke up sharply, her voice rising, pointed and unmistakably accusatory.

At once, all eyes turned toward Zhu Shouren—his parents’ gazes filled with scrutiny, suspicion, and silent questioning.

“Ahem… if Zhi’er hadn’t reminded me, I would have nearly forgotten about those three strings of coins.”

Zhu Shouren coughed lightly, his expression perfectly composed, as though the realization had only just dawned on him.

After that, he never again brought up borrowing money.

Yet though he dropped the matter of money, his mind quickly turned to another scheme.

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“Zhi’er, now that you are a top scholar and serve in the Hanlin Academy, you must have quite a few acquaintances in the official circles of Southern Zhili. Why not write a few visiting cards in your name? I can deliver them on your behalf and make some connections.”

He stroked his beard as he spoke, his tone smooth and suggestive.

Old Master Zhu also turned his gaze toward Zhu Ping’an, a flicker of hope rising in his heart. If his grandson could use his status to help establish connections for his eldest son, perhaps the examination would become easier.

“Uncle flatters me,” Zhu Ping’an replied calmly, though inwardly he felt a trace of exasperation. “I have only just entered officialdom and have no prior acquaintances in Southern Zhili.”

Still thinking of pulling strings? he thought. Instead of studying properly, all you consider are crooked shortcuts…

“Sigh…”

Zhu Shouren let out a long, dramatic sigh, shaking his head as though disappointed in Zhu Ping’an.

“Zhi’er, now that you’ve entered officialdom, relationships and social connections are of utmost importance. You are still young and inexperienced in such matters.”

He paused, then lowered his voice slightly, as if revealing something grave.

“Do you know? Your memorial has already caused trouble. You’ve offended Grand Secretary Yan. Without someone to support you, your situation may be dire. Write a few visiting cards—I will find time to visit several officials on your behalf, so they may plead your case before Lord Yan and turn a major issue into a minor one.”

“There is no need for Uncle to trouble himself,” Zhu Ping’an said, shaking his head.

“The examinations are a matter of great importance. You should focus on your studies. If my affairs were to delay your success, I would feel deeply uneasy.”

“…Eh?”

Zhu Shouren blinked, momentarily stunned.

Seeing the faint disappointment in Old Master Zhu’s eyes, Zhu Ping’an felt a slight pang in his heart. His grandfather so dearly wished for his eldest son to succeed in the examinations…

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After a moment’s thought, he spoke again:

“Ah, Uncle—before you leave, you may take with you the notes I’ve made while studying the Four Books and Five Classics. There are more than ten volumes. You could read them during your journey—just some humble thoughts of mine, but perhaps they might help pass the time.”

Zhu Shouren waved his hand dismissively, clearly uninterested.

“I’ve already brought Zhu Xi’s commentaries. I doubt I’ll have spare time on the road. I’ll look at your notes after I return from the examinations.”

…So be it.

A pearl cast before swine—a lute played to a cow.

If not for his grandfather’s sake, Zhu Ping’an would never have offered those notes. To him, they were worth a fortune. Yet to his uncle, they were nothing more than an inconvenience.

Forcing something upon someone never yields sweetness.

Since it was unwanted, there was no point insisting.

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