Futile Devices Scans

“Adviser Jin, just accept already!” Scholars were naturally fond of making a scene, and many could not resist egging things on.

Adviser Jin’s face turned deathly pale. Countless responses spun through his mind, yet somehow he could not refute even a single sentence.

Meanwhile, Tao Mo continued staring eagerly at him, waiting for an answer.

Old Tao could only say, “Young Master, although your thirst for talent is admirable, that particular phrase was somewhat inappropriate.”

“Somewhat inappropriate” hardly covered it—it was tremendously inappropriate. Adviser Jin only regretted that he could not stand beside Old Tao and lecture Tao Mo directly into his ear.

Tao Mo asked gloomily, “Did I use it incorrectly?”

“It is not exactly incorrect,” Old Tao replied. In such a public setting, he could not very well explain it outright, so he merely said, “It is simply a bit too forceful.”

Tao Mo said, “Then should I instead say, ‘Though the weak waters stretch for three thousand li, I am willing to take two ladles to drink from. Adviser Jin, would you be willing to become the first ladle?’”

“Ladle” sounded exactly like “to visit prostitutes.”

Adviser Jin’s complexion was no longer merely pale—it had turned green.

The surrounding scholars were practically choking back laughter.

“Fine.” Adviser Jin’s expression shifted several times before he suddenly forced a smile that did not reach his eyes. “Since the county magistrate has shown such exceptional favor toward me, Jin is truly overwhelmed with gratitude. I was never someone who enjoys putting on airs or pretending reluctance. Very well, I accept. I am willing to devote my humble efforts in loyal service to my employer.”

At first he had addressed Tao Mo as “county magistrate,” but now he called him “employer.” That change in attitude clearly showed he had genuinely agreed. Yet Old Tao still felt uneasy. He could tell that Adviser Jin had accepted only out of wounded pride rather than sincere willingness to serve Tao Mo. But matters had already reached this point, and further explanation would be useless. They could only take things one step at a time.

Seeing Adviser Jin finally agree, Tao Mo relaxed inwardly. His footsteps immediately shifted direction toward the pavilion.

Old Tao’s brows furrowed faintly as he followed closely behind.

Unfortunately, by the time Tao Mo arrived, the people inside the pavilion had already dispersed.

Unwilling to give up, Tao Mo asked someone nearby, “The pavilion was still full of people just now. Where did everyone go?”

The man replied, “Gu She was leaving, so naturally they all followed him.”

Tao Mo felt deeply annoyed. Logically speaking, with so many people leaving, there was no way he should not have noticed. It must have been because everyone had been talking and laughing loudly earlier that he failed to pay attention.

Seeing Tao Mo’s dejected expression, Old Tao lightly coughed and said, “It is rare for local scholars to gather together like this. Young Master ought to make more acquaintances. It will help establish a firm foundation here in the future.”

Tao Mo suddenly understood. That was true—there would be plenty of time ahead, so why should he rush matters now?

With that thought, he obediently walked toward the crowd of scholars.

The others were equally curious about the newly arrived county magistrate. Seeing him voluntarily strike up conversations, all of them welcomed him warmly.

After some time, Old Tao noticed Adviser Jin rise to leave. He immediately dragged Tao Mo along to escort him all the way home, even sharing the same sedan chair to his residence.

As for Tao Mo’s attentiveness, Adviser Jin neither approved nor disapproved. He merely stated that he would officially assume office after the New Year.

Seeing this, Old Tao could only sigh helplessly.

After returning to the county yamen, Tao Mo hesitated and refused to step down from the sedan chair. “How about… we continue on and visit Master One-Hammer?”

“Gu She has a separate residence. Even if we visited Master One-Hammer, you still would not run into him,” Old Tao said.

Tao Mo let out an “Ah,” his disappointment immediately obvious.

Old Tao frowned deeply at the sight. “Young Master, come with me.”

Tao Mo’s heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition rising within him.

Sure enough, the moment they entered the study, Old Tao immediately threw out a cold remark. “Young Master, do you still remember what you once promised before Master’s grave?”

Tao Mo’s face turned pale, and he stood there speechless.

“Cut sleeve and divided peach go against proper morality. You must not remain stubbornly obsessed.” Every word Old Tao spoke rang out sharp and forceful, striking directly into Tao Mo’s heart. “Was the price Master paid with his life still not enough?”

Tao Mo suddenly felt the world sway before his eyes. By the time he regained his senses, his knees had already buckled with a loud thud as he knelt on the ground.

Old Tao jumped in fright and hurriedly helped him up. “It is enough that Young Master understands. Why perform such a great gesture?”

Supporting himself on weak, trembling legs, Tao Mo slowly stood up and shook his head. “I do not know either.” For that brief instant just now, it had felt as though both his shoulders and legs could no longer bear the burden upon them.

“Young Master.” Old Tao’s voice rose slightly.

“I know.” Tao Mo cut him off hurriedly. “I promised my father that I would become a good official. I will definitely become a good official.” His words came out bright and smooth, as though he were not only reassuring Old Tao, but reminding himself as well.

Seeing his pale face and sorrowful expression, Old Tao could not bear to push further. “I only say this for Young Master’s own good. That Gu She does not look like someone easy to deal with. If you try to befriend him, I fear you will suffer greatly.”

The corner of Tao Mo’s mouth twitched slightly as he muttered softly, “I don’t know why either. Whenever I see him, my heart starts pounding terribly fast.”

Thinking back to Gu She, even Old Tao had to admit the man possessed extraordinary grace and bearing. But no matter how dazzling he was, he was still a man. If he had been the gentle and obedient sort, perhaps he could have been brought back and kept in the rear courtyard. But judging from that person’s temperament, let alone bringing him home and keeping him hidden away, even if Tao Mo personally delivered himself to the man’s doorstep, the other party probably would not accept him.

Once that thought crossed his mind, the last trace of sympathy in Old Tao’s heart vanished. He pressed down even harder. “From what I saw, that man shows no warmth toward any other men at all. He definitely has no taste for the passion of Longyang. Young Master would do best not to let him discover your feelings. Otherwise… you may earn nothing but his disgust.”

Tao Mo lowered his head, his shoulders slumped loosely. After a long while, he finally said, “I understand.” He did not want that person to look down on him, much less despise him. But suppressing himself was hardly such an easy thing.

Old Tao sighed. “The New Year is nearly here. I’ll tell Hao Guozi to prepare some New Year goods. This is our first New Year in Tanyang County, so no matter what, it should be lively and festive.”

At that moment Tao Mo felt both ashamed and dejected, his spirits utterly crushed. He nodded vaguely before returning to his room and burying himself under the blankets to sleep.

His body had not fully recovered yet, and his heart was weighed down with misery. By evening, his fever returned once more.

Remembering that there was still medicine left from the doctor’s previous prescription, Hao Guozi brewed a dose for him to drink.

After drinking it, Tao Mo fell back into a groggy sleep. By the next day, the fever had subsided again, but he still had no energy at all. He merely lay crookedly upon the bed, unwilling even to rise.

Old Tao secretly regretted that his words the previous day had been too harsh.

Six days passed like this before Tao Mo finally climbed out of bed, just in time for Lu Zhenxue to come visiting.

Only after Hao Guozi and Old Tao worked together to wrap Tao Mo up tightly in layers did they allow him to receive the guest.

The moment Lu Zhenxue saw him, he could not help saying in surprise, “Why has Your Excellency grown so thin?”

Tao Mo waved his hand. “Just difficulty adjusting to the climate and surroundings.”

“I know several physicians in the area with excellent medical skills. Would Your Excellency like an introduction?”

“Many thanks, but there is no need.”

“Your Excellency is the parent-official of Tanyang County. Every action you take concerns the livelihood of Tanyang County’s people, so please take great care of your health.” His tone was sincere and earnest, as though he had completely forgotten storming off in anger the last time.

Tao Mo nodded lazily.

“In truth, this student came today to invite Your Excellency to tomorrow night’s Plum Blossom Banquet.” Lu Zhenxue pulled an invitation card from his sleeve and respectfully handed it over.

Tao Mo asked in confusion, “Plum Blossom Banquet?”

Lu Zhenxue said, “Tanyang has three treasures, and one of them is its magnificent plum blossoms. Since Your Excellency has only just arrived in Tanyang, you absolutely must appreciate them.”

Tao Mo was not particularly interested in going.

Seeing through his thoughts, Lu Zhenxue hurriedly added, “Didn’t Your Excellency previously wish to meet Master One-Hammer’s prized disciple?”

Tao Mo’s heart stirred. Wanting to believe it yet not daring to, he asked, “They will also be attending?”

Lu Zhenxue merely smiled without answering.

Remembering Old Tao’s earlier warning, Tao Mo steeled his resolve and shook his head. “Then perhaps I should not go after all.”

Lu Zhenxue stared in surprise. “Why?”

Tao Mo replied, “I have not yet made sufficient preparations. For now, it is probably better not to see him.”

Lu Zhenxue clearly misunderstood what sort of “preparations” he meant. Shocked inwardly, he thought: Could it be that I underestimated him? Could his intention in meeting Master One-Hammer’s disciple actually be to establish authority rather than simply flatter and curry favor as I first assumed? But if so, why target Master One-Hammer’s faction while sparing Teacher instead? Lin Zhengyong’s reputation and influence in Tanyang were no less than Master One-Hammer’s. Could it be… that he intends to defeat them one by one?

The more Lu Zhenxue thought about it, the more he felt that beneath Tao Mo’s lazy demeanor hid unfathomably deep schemes. Even the way he lifted his teacup suddenly seemed inscrutably profound.

“But this student has already spread word everywhere that Your Excellency will be attending,” Lu Zhenxue said, deliberately sounding troubled. “I truly believed Your Excellency would grant me this small bit of face. I never expected I had merely been flattering myself.”

Hearing that, Tao Mo could hardly continue refusing so coldly. “Then I shall attend briefly for a short while.” Even if he could not grow close to that person, merely seeing him again would still be good enough.

Lu Zhenxue was overjoyed inside, though outwardly he remained calm and composed. “In that case, this student shall respectfully await Your Excellency’s honored arrival at my humble residence tomorrow.”

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