Hagord returned to the government office, and just as he suspected, the few pounds of braised meat were completely devoured by those brats. He was instantly furious and gave Yiro and the second attendant a beating from head to toe three times over.
"Master, weren't you the one who told us to share it? So we shared it!" Yiro said, covering his face and muttering.
"Damn it, I told you to share it, but you didn't even think to leave me a bite? Have I been too easy on you all, letting you get so bold?!" Hagord was so angry his lips trembled. These brats could really eat, only gaining weight but no brains. No wonder they couldn't even take down a pretty-faced guy!
Disgusted, he let out a heavy grunt and left in frustration.
Back at the house, he started rummaging through drawers and cabinets looking for the red thread.
His mother, Shu Yafu, heard all the noise so late at night and, wearing a robe, followed the sounds into the courtyard.
"Son, what are you doing so late?" She looked around at the mess of books and overturned carved cabinets, her eyes filled with rising anger.
"Mother, where's that red thread you got for me from Wanyuan Temple?" Hagord asked casually, still searching the chaos for it.
Shu Yafu froze. Looking for a marriage thread at this hour? She stepped forward quickly, grabbed her son, and asked, "Tell me honestly, is there a girl you've fallen for? Which family is she from?"
"Don't ask. It's too early to say. But do you know where that red thread is?" Hagord didn't want to explain. He just wanted to tie the thread around his wrist and wear it every day until he won the girl.
"Tell me honestly, and I'll give it to you." Shu Yafu was now certain her son had someone in mind. She poured herself a glass of cool tea and drank it slowly.
"You really took it? Why would you take back something you got for me?" Hagord sighed heavily, exhausted.
"What do you mean I took it back? You stuffed it somewhere carelessly. The steward Li picked it up in the hallway. Clearly, you didn't appreciate your mother's efforts."
"Give it to me!" Hagord stretched out his hand in front of her.
"Be honest and I will." Shu Yafu didn't back down. In her mind, she was already thinking about picking a date for the proposal.
"I did take a liking to someone, but we've just met. Please don't get involved yet. Let's wait until there's something more certain." Hagord said impatiently. His mother didn't have many flaws except for always hovering around him. But then again, he was her only son.
She had married three men, and only his father was any good.
Sometimes he wondered, if his father had been even a little better, maybe he wouldn't be so tightly controlled now.
"Fine. At least tell me which family she's from." Shu Yafu was not satisfied with getting nothing.
"What are you planning to do?" Hagord became immediately alert.
"What could I do? I just want to know her name, where she lives, and what her parents do." Shu Yafu fired off all the questions in one breath.
Hagord was dumbfounded. Good grief, those questions were more thorough than an investigation by a minister.
Shu Yafu waited and waited, but didn't get any answers. She was so annoyed she burst out laughing and drank two bowls of tea.
Hagord knew this meant she was angry, so he reluctantly said, "If I liked a girl with no background, would you and father be against it?"
The room went silent. For a long time, neither of them spoke.
Shu Yafu stared at her son, then after thinking, smiled gently. "As long as she's unmarried, your father and I won't object. I can accept a daughter-in-law without a background. But I can't accept you becoming someone's side husband. That's our family's bottom line. Do you understand? Besides, a girl without ties might be a better match. More to talk about."
"Talk about what?" Hagord looked confused.
"I don't want my future daughter-in-law to marry multiple men. As long as she promises to only bear children with you in this life, she can take charge of our household in the future."
Shu Yafu had married three men herself and knew it was impossible to treat them equally. After Hagord was born, she moved permanently to the Hagord household. She hadn't returned to her other husbands' homes for many years.
"Mother, that's going to be hard. The girl I like is stunning. There are many men around her, and some have very powerful backgrounds, much stronger than ours. Being the main husband? I don't even dare think about it. If she just gives me a chance, even being a side husband is fine. Wasn't my father one too?"
As soon as those words came out, Shu Yafu was so shocked she jumped up. She stared at her son in disbelief, suddenly realizing she didn't know him at all. She raised a trembling finger and opened her mouth to speak, but only managed to say "You" several times without finishing the sentence.
"Alright, alright, I've answered everything I should. Go back inside. Don't forget to return the red thread to me tomorrow morning." After saying that, he practically pushed his mother back into the room. All the way, she hadn't stopped talking, he got two slaps and a round of punches. Fortunately, his father stepped in and dragged her back into the house.
Afraid that his mother would come out again and beat him up, he flung his sleeves and left for Peach Blossom Grove to stay the night. He enjoyed a pot of fine wine and three side dishes. By the time he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
"Braised pork, braised pork."
The words kept flashing through Hagord's mind. He jumped up and quickly washed up, then rushed to the nearby Ni Shang Tailor to buy a new outfit. With a fan in hand and full of spirit, he strolled toward the Mingyue Restaurant.
As soon as he reached the entrance of Wu'an Street, he smelled a familiar fragrance.
It was lunchtime, and just like always, there was a long line at the door of the small shop.
Sasha, Gordan, and Yuno had only slept half the night to prepare for today's reopening.
Luckily, the two men were quite capable. The dishes now looked decent. Except for the twice-cooked pork that still needed a bit more work, the rest of the hot dishes tasted almost as good as when Sasha made them herself.
"Sasha!" Hagord boldly cut to the front of the line.
Everyone saw the local troublemaker and immediately stepped back on their own. Even the packed seating area made space for him.
Hagord casually waved his hand. "I'm taking it to go. Don't worry about me."
Although he really wanted to stay, he couldn't lose his poise in front of a beautiful woman.
Gordan and Yuno looked at him coldly and asked what he wanted.
Knowing that the handsome man had higher status than him, Hagord bowed slightly and said politely, "Gordan, I'm here to pick up the three pounds of braised pork Sasha specially saved for me." He purposely raised his voice, making sure his loud and clear tone echoed through the restaurant. Gordan figured people down the street could probably hear it too.
Sure enough, Sasha came out from the kitchen upon hearing him.
"Hagord, I thought you weren't coming. I was thinking of delivering it to the yamen later." Sasha smiled as she handed over the pre-packed braised pork. He had left a lot of money at the restaurant, so the payment was deducted directly from there.
Gordan noticed that the man seemed to want to chat more with Sasha. He quickly exchanged a look with Yuno and found an excuse to send Sasha back to the kitchen.
Everyone could see Hagord's intentions.
Hagord sneered silently, but still smiled as he gave a polite farewell and left the restaurant.
There's plenty of time.
Gordan's reaction only made Hagord more determined. He decided to eat just a little of the braised pork and then start losing some weight.
The leisurely afternoon passed quickly.
It was finally time for Sasha, Gordan, and Yuno to eat.
While Sasha was thinking about the new dishes for tomorrow, Yiro walked in with large strides. He handed Sasha a five-hundred silver note, briefly mentioned the time for tomorrow's banquet, gave a few more details, then quickly left.
"Sasha, you're going to Linfeng Garden tomorrow night?" Gordan looked at her in surprise. She hadn't mentioned this before.
Sasha stared at the large silver note in her hand, a light layer of sweat forming on her fair forehead.
"Yes, tomorrow night, Duke Guo is hosting an important guest. I agreed to go and cook to repay the favor." Thankfully, Yiro came by, or she really would have forgotten. She hadn't slept well last night, and her head was still groggy.
Gordan lowered his head silently. A deep sense of jealousy filled his chest, so intense he couldn't speak.
Repay a favor with just one meal? Only someone like Sasha would believe that.
Men understand men best. Gordan knew exactly what Xian was thinking.