Chapter 29: Two Men
“In broad daylight, why are you harassing a woman!”
I came back to my senses and saw that the person who arrived was Qin Mingxu.
He was frowning and questioning Feng Gao.
I figured he must have seen Feng Gao excitedly holding my shoulder and asking questions, and misunderstood.
Furthermore, Feng Gao was not wearing his Eastern Depot official robes today; with his fair complexion, phoenix eyes, and a smoky-red robe, he mistook Feng Gao for a common scoundrel.
Feng Gao put away his earlier urgency and coldly sized up Qin Mingxu, “And who are you?”
Qin Mingxu said, “Who I am is not important. You just need to know that she is not someone you can casually flirt with!”
“Me? Flirt?” Feng Gao chuckled.
I quickly said to Qin Mingxu, “Young Master Qin, you’ve misunderstood. He is my younger brother.”
Upon hearing the word “brother,” Feng Gao’s lips curved slightly. He said to Qin Mingxu, “In these eight streets and nine alleys of the Capital City, no one has dared to push me like this before. Considering how protective you are of your Elder Sister, I won’t hold it against you.”
He used his lightness skill and left like a gust of wind.
Qin Mingxu asked me, “Sang Yu, who exactly is that person? Why is he so arrogant?”
I recalled the twists and turns of our connection, which I myself didn’t fully understand. It was impossible to explain to Qin Mingxu in a short while, so I simplified it: “He is a fellow townsman from my Dongchang Prefecture, currently an Eunuch of the Eastern Depot. When I was in Yangzhou, I accidentally saved him. Because of this life-saving grace, he has always called me Elder Sister and has helped me repeatedly.”
Qin Mingxu’s expression relaxed considerably upon hearing this.
He said, “The Eastern Depot is the Emperor’s confidant. There’s a saying, ‘When there’s any stir in the world, the Eastern Depot knows first.’ The Eunuchs of the Eastern Depot hold more power than even first-rank officials. Sang Yu, your good fortune is a result of your usual kindness. This is a good thing.”
I thought for a moment and asked, “There are countless rumors about the Eastern Depot in the marketplace. Don’t you have any prejudice against the Eastern Depot?”
He smiled, “Matters of state and court calculations, if you are not involved, how can you understand?”
He paused, then added, “Good or bad is not something ordinary people can comprehend. Since the Eastern Depot exists, it must have its reasons. Sang Yu, you are a person without support. If this Eunuch can protect and help you, I will be comforted.”
For some reason, after hearing Qin Mingxu’s words, I felt much more at ease.
Thinking back on everything since arriving in the Capital, the clouds of worry that Feng Gao’s identity had brought to my heart seemed to have been blown away to a brighter place.
That position will always be occupied by someone; at least, with Feng Gao there, it’s better than someone else.
He and I have identical Lion Iron Tokens.
Perhaps he and I have a deep past connection, but I’ve forgotten due to my injury. He, however, remembers.
One day, I will be able to recall everything from the past.
Recall the events from the beginning of my life.
With him here, everything has a traceable origin.
Thinking this, I smiled at Qin Mingxu and said, “Young Master Qin, your magnanimity is as clear and bright as the wind and the moon. I have learned much.”
Qin Mingxu seemed to suddenly remember something and said to me, “Sang Yu, the Peony Painting you gave my mother was sent to the Capital by my mother’s messenger and given to Minister Zhang. Minister Zhang told me last night that the Peony Painting was completely free of artificiality, naturally formed, and depicted the helplessness beneath the opulent appearance of peonies, making it appreciated by few. He wishes to invite the artist to the Zhang Manor to paint his portrait. What do you think?”
I smiled, never expecting that a casual doodle could catch Minister Zhang’s eye.
I owe Qin Mingxu many favors, and since he asked me, I naturally could not refuse.
I nodded.
He smiled, “Good, at the hour of Xu (7-9 PM) tonight, I will wait for you at the Qi’an Street intersection.”
As soon as Qin Mingxu left, a horse carriage stopped in front of me.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a voice said sarcastically, “Zhu Sang Yu, have I caught you in a scandal? In broad daylight, you, a married woman, are clinging to two men. What kind of behavior is this? If Mother and Second Master find out, I’d like to see how you explain yourself!”
I looked up and saw that the people in the carriage were Eldest Young Master Cheng Cangshi and Eldest Young Mistress Wang Yuzhen.
Weren’t they managing the business in Jicheng? How did they come to the Capital at this time?
Cheng Cangshi tugged at Eldest Young Mistress’s sleeve, signaling her to say no more.
Eldest Young Mistress shook him off, “Now that we’ve gained Prefect Liu’s favor, we don’t need to fear her! I will speak my mind!”
“Zhu Sang Yu, come with me to face Mother! I want to see how you can always suppress me!” After she finished speaking, she ordered the coachman to drive the carriage away.
When I returned to the manor, a maidservant in the Main Courtyard said, “Second Young Mistress, Old Madam requests your presence—”
I entered the Main Courtyard and went into the hall. Old Madam was calmly drinking tea. Cheng Cangshi sat on a black wooden chair to her right, with his head bowed.
Eldest Young Mistress stood before Old Madam, a smug look on her face, and said animatedly, “A few days ago, we heard that Second Master passed the imperial examination and became an official. We thought he could help us. But Mother, you wrote to us saying we should stick to our duties. We dared not disobey Mother. Now, heaven has favored us, and we have gained Prefect Liu’s favor. We have brought such great honor to the family. Mother, you should look upon the eldest branch with more respect from now on. I have been in the Cheng family for so many years, my heart has been worn out, yet before Mother, I am not as esteemed as Zhu Sang Yu, who is of questionable character?”
Old Madam saw me enter and reached out to interrupt her, “Sang Yu, have the in-laws, the master and madam, and the young uncle been sent onto the boat?”
“Yes, I saw them onto the boat before returning.”
“Sang Yu, please sit.” She pointed to the seat beside her.
I walked forward and sat down.
Old Madam said, “Your Eldest Sister-in-law said she saw you talking to someone by the ferry terminal. Who was it, Sang Yu? Tell your Eldest Sister-in-law.”
The trust in Old Madam’s words was heartwarming.
I replied, “Reporting to Mother, it was someone from Tiansheng Tower. This season, the servants’ clothes in the manor need to be made. Also, Mother and Third Sister should get some summer clothes. I heard Tiansheng Tower has a new type of soft smoke gauze, which Third Sister, who has been unwell lately, needs.”
“Zhu Sang Yu, stop making excuses, you…”
“Enough. Yuzhen, it’s been half a year since we last met. Sit down, and let’s have a proper conversation.” Old Madam’s words carried authority, and Eldest Young Mistress reluctantly sat down, quieting down.
Old Madam asked Cheng Cangshi, “Cang’er, how did you get to know Commander Liu of the Brocade Guards?”
So, the Prefect Liu that Eldest Young Mistress kept mentioning was the Commander of the Brocade Guards.
The Brocade Guards, like the Eastern Depot, were surveillance agencies directly under imperial authority, and they had a superior-subordinate relationship with the Eastern Depot.
The last time Feng Gao came to deliver pastries, I seemed to have heard him mention the Commander of the Brocade Guards.
Cheng Cangshi coughed lightly and replied, “Reporting to Mother, Prefect Liu came to Jicheng on business and drank our family’s tea, which he greatly enjoyed. He said that among all the teas in the Four Seas and Nine Provinces, only Cheng family’s tea is the most refreshing. I and he, and he…”
He glanced at Old Madam and continued, “I have had drinks with him several times. While he was in the Capital, he arranged a transit tea permit for our family, allowing us to sell tea openly beyond the border in the future. This way, our annual revenue can triple. Moreover, how many merchants in the entire world have received such an honor? For our Cheng family, this is immense prestige.”
Old Madam pondered, “Prefect Liu has no prior connection with our Cheng family, and just from a few drinks, he would do such a big favor for you?”
“Oh, Mother!”
Eldest Young Mistress said, “Isn’t this because your eldest son knows how to speak and handle matters! Cangshi has been in official circles for several years. Perhaps he is not as good as Second Master in reading and writing, but in terms of social skills, he is far superior to Second Master! We have achieved such great merit for the Cheng family, and Mother, instead of praising us, you are so suspicious. It truly disheartens me. Your eyes are only on Second Master and his wife!”
Old Madam said, “Yuzhen, what are you saying? They are all my descendants, and I love them all. But…”
“There’s no ‘but,’ Mother. You are getting old, and you should be happy that your sons are capable. There’s also a great piece of good news, not entirely certain, but about seventy to eighty percent likely. I can tell Mother—”
She lowered her voice and said, “This year is the time for the Imperial Selection. My Shu Yao, your eldest granddaughter, Prefect Liu said he might be able to pull some strings to help her enter the palace…”
Eldest Young Mistress had been married for over ten years and had no sons. She had given birth to two granddaughters, who had previously gone to Jicheng with them.
Old Madam did not show the joy Eldest Young Mistress expected upon hearing this. She sighed and said, “Is entering the palace the greatest achievement in the human world? The current Emperor ascended the throne at a young age. Above him are two Empress Dowagers, below him are ministers and eunuchs, and he already has a harem full of consorts. Shu Yao is young and timid. I fear… Never mind, these are decisions that you, as parents, should make. I will say no more.”
Old Madam ordered dinner.
Cheng Huaishi was busy with official duties at the Ministry of Revenue and had not returned.
I had dinner with them and then returned to the East Courtyard.
I found what Eldest Young Mistress said today rather peculiar.
Why did all these matters suddenly converge at this particular juncture, just as Minister Zhang was transferring Cheng Huaishi to the Ministry of Revenue?
What connection is there between them?
Feng Gao should not know about these matters. Otherwise, he would have told me at the ferry terminal today.
The Brocade Guards and the Eastern Depot have a close relationship, yet they are also controlled by the Eastern Depot.
What is Commander Liu of the Brocade Guards planning?
The sky darkened.
I remembered my appointment with Qin Mingxu and instructed Xiao Yin, “I’m going out for a bit. If Second Master returns, tell him I’ve gone to the Lantern Market and will be back soon.”
Xiao Yin replied, “Yes.”
I then changed into a set of light clothing and quietly left the door.
Upon arriving at the Qi’an Street intersection, I saw Qin Mingxu standing tall in front of a horse carriage.
I got into the carriage, and together we headed to the Zhang Manor.
The Zhang Manor was majestic and grand, with green tiles, vermilion eaves, and pearl curtains.
A servant woman in black led us through corridors, past exquisite gardens, to a courtyard behind the manor.
This small courtyard was filled with peonies. In front of a dwelling, the servant woman went in to announce our arrival. After a short while, she came out and said, “The Master invites the artist in—”
Qin Mingxu nodded to me.
I stepped into the room.
The room was filled with tall bookshelves, with books as vast as the sea neatly arranged. The air was filled with the scent of ink and herbs. A man sat in a large Grand Tutor’s Chair.
He was Minister Zhang.
Unlike when I saw him from afar outside the manor last time, he was somewhat frail now, his face pale. A long, beautiful beard hung down to his abdomen.
I walked towards him in the flickering candlelight.
He opened his eyes and looked at me.
In his deep eyes, there was a hint of melancholy.
“Artist girl, I feel like I’ve met you somewhere before.”
