Volume Two: Gentlemen and Petty Persons, Chapter 78: Being a Gentleman is Hard Indeed

After entering the capital city of Beijing, Huang Ming temporarily parted ways with the Brocade Guard members and headed straight home.

Having expended both mental and physical effort over the past two days without a single proper night's sleep, he was naturally utterly exhausted.

Therefore, upon returning home, he didn't even care to eat anything before retreating to his room to sleep.

And this sleep lasted straight until dusk. It was only when his stomach began to rumble relentlessly in protest that Huang Ming was finally roused from his deep slumber.

The sound sleep swept away all physical and mental fatigue, prompting Huang Ming to silently praise himself for being young and possessing such extraordinary endurance.

Shortly after he stepped out and instructed Yumo to bring him some food, a graceful and swaying figure appeared instead, carrying a tray filled with dishes.

Just her appearance alone gave Huang Ming a real-world understanding of the phrase "a beauty appetizing enough to eclipse food itself." Compared to her, the dishes on the tray lost all their appeal.

"Let this humble servant attend to Young Master's meal..." The young girl smiled shyly at Huang Ming, then deftly placed the various dishes on the table. The aroma of the food mingled with the subtle fragrance of the girl's body, leaving Huang Ming somewhat overwhelmed for a moment.

"Ziyan... Ah no, Miss Zheng, you really don't need to do this."

Regaining his composure shortly after, he gently blocked her attempt to serve him and said sincerely, "Everything I said before is true. I can return your deed of indenture to you at any time. Moreover, the Ministry of Punishments has now accepted the miscarriage of justice regarding Magistrate Zheng, and his name will soon be cleared. The family property seized by Liao Kui will also be returned to you. You can completely start over and live a good life of your own."

These words caused the blush on Zheng Ziyan's face to fade rapidly. Her delicate body trembled slightly as she cast a sorrowful look at Huang Ming. "Is that really how you see it, Young Master?"

"This isn't a matter of how I see it; it's simply the reality..."

"Is it because of my background in the pleasure houses? Do you, like so many others, despise me?" She bit her lower lip slightly, appearing even more aggrieved and pitiful.

Huang Ming didn't even dare to meet her gaze and quickly shook his head in denial. "Of course not. I only think this is what's best for you. How could a young lady of a scholarly official's family ever demean herself to act as a maid?"

Having transmigrated into this era for more than half a year, Huang Ming's mindset had naturally been influenced to some extent.

Concepts like universal equality were merely talk, impossible to truly put into practice. Placed in the current Ming Dynasty, such notions were treated as sheer heresy.

Perhaps Huang Ming wouldn't look down upon anyone of humble birth, but he also knew that becoming a domestic servant meant losing all personal freedom. Naturally, he wanted to restore Zheng Ziyan to the status of a free commoner.

However, Zheng Ziyan clearly did not see it that way. With tears welling in her eyes, she looked at Huang Ming and said, "But this humble servant only wants to repay Young Master. Without you, let alone clearing my father's name, I wouldn't even be able to protect myself."

"I didn't help you expecting any reward..." Huang Ming replied rather dryly.

"I know, Young Master is a true gentleman... However, gentlemen like you are far too rare in this world. Take our own Zheng family, for instance; in the past, many of them relied on my father's scholarly fame and official status to commit wrongdoings locally.

"Now that my father has passed away long ago and such a disaster has struck, I'm afraid no one will be able to keep them in check anymore. If I were to truly return, how would they treat a delicate young woman who has just stepped out of a pleasure house?"

This question left Huang Ming momentarily speechless. He had truly overlooked the darker side of human nature.

Indeed, even with the identity of Zheng Qian's daughter, could Zheng Ziyan really make the remaining members of the Zheng family submit to her?

The feudal ethical code was truly ruthless. Once a young girl with a history in the pleasure houses fell back into their hands, her fate would likely be far more perilous than a sheep entering a tiger's den.

If he were to truly send her back, he wouldn't be saving her; he would be harming her.

With a soft sigh, Huang Ming had no choice but to say, "Since Miss Zheng has made up your mind, I won't force you. You may stay here if you wish, but not in the capacity of a maid. Instead... how about this, you can have the status of an honored guest, much like Qi Changfeng.

"Whenever you wish to leave, you are free to go. I will never stand in your way."

This decision left Zheng Ziyan stunned once again. Looking at Huang Ming's earnest expression, she didn't know whether to feel joyful or resentful.

She had already lowered her pride and made such obvious hints, yet he remained utterly indifferent?

In the past, Zheng Ziyan was quite confident in her beauty. Although