Chapter 81: Blackmail
When I returned to the Qin Manor, it was already completely dark.
A Servant Woman respectfully asked me, “Young Madam, the meal has been prepared as the Young Master instructed, all your favorite dishes. Shall I serve it now?”
I said, “Let’s wait for the Young Master to return.”
I was tidying Qin Mingxu’s clothes in the bedroom.
I saw a camphor wood box, neither large nor small, in the corner of the room. Two characters were carved on the box: Sang Yu.
I opened the box and saw many miscellaneous items.
A hand warmer. It was red copper colored, with a stove lid intricately carved with winding chrysanthemums. The body was smooth and round, neat and unadorned. Two characters were engraved on the body in small seal script: Feng Qing.
I remember on the day of the first snow in Yangzhou, I went to the ferry terminal to see Cheng Huaishi off. When I returned, I was delayed, and the city gates were about to close. I met Qin Mingxu, and he handed me a hand warmer like this, but the characters engraved on its body were “Yue Ming.”
Yue Ming, Feng Qing.
This hand warmer was originally a pair.
Also, the peony painting I drew for Cai Qingyao’s birthday later ended up in Minister Zhang’s hands. For a time, Qin Mingxu was mistaken for Minister Zhang’s son and lived in the Zhang Manor. He actually brought this peony painting back to Yangzhou.
Next to the peony painting, a line of small characters had been added: The peonies bloomed fully last night. After all, it is this year’s late spring. They are offered to the gentle breeze.
Continuing to look through, I found a very old, coarse cloth handkerchief.
A character “Sang” was embroidered on the handkerchief.
I had it with me when I traveled by boat from Dongchang Prefecture to Yangzhou. I don’t know how it got lost.
I suppose it was left on the boat, and he picked it up.
He treasured every little detail of my life as if it were a treasure, carefully collecting them.
I closed the box and put it back in its place, my heart softened and warmed by the night.
At the second watch, Qin Mingxu returned from outside.
I instructed the Servant Woman to reheat the food and bring it into the room.
“Mingxu, what did he say when he kept you?” I asked.
His expression had calmed considerably compared to when he was in the public hall; he was no longer so nervous and unnatural.
He smiled gently at me, patted my hand, and said, “Don’t worry, it’s nothing. It’s just a matter of paying some more silver. Wealth is external; consider it a disaster averted by paying a price.”
“Mingxu, that steward was someone who used to be by Minister Zhang’s side, named Zou Cheng. He was originally a scholar from Qionglin Academy, skilled in martial arts, and appreciated by Minister Zhang. He only obeyed Minister Zhang and was extremely loyal. Why did he pledge allegiance to the Zheng Residence? I always feel there’s some hidden reason behind it,” I said thoughtfully.
He served me a bowl of soup and said, “His past loyalty was because Minister Zhang was the Prime Minister, holding high office and great power. Now that Minister Zhang has passed away and the Zhang Manor is in decline, as the saying goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on; it’s not strange that he has found a new patron. Such is the way of the world. According to rumors in the marketplace, the Imperial Consort Zheng’s pregnancy is said by the imperial physicians to be at least eighty to ninety percent likely to be a Prince. His Majesty is considering changing the Crown Prince.”
“The Empress Dowager worked so hard to have His Majesty establish the Crown Prince; how could she allow him to be easily deposed? The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation; the foundation of the nation is not easily moved.”
He took a sip of soup and said, “I heard… Director Feng is working for the Empress Dowager? He put in a lot of effort last time regarding the establishment of the Crown Prince.”
I stopped eating and said, “The Eastern Depot has always stayed out of factional disputes, only obeying His Majesty. Do not listen to others’ nonsense.”
He paused, served me some food, and said, “Eat quickly. I was just speaking casually; I won’t mention it again.”
With this diversion, I forgot to mention Zou Cheng’s matter.
I only worried about Feng Gao.
If he truly put effort into establishing the Crown Prince, then the faction of Consort Zheng would surely see him as a thorn in their side, a dagger in their flesh, wanting to remove him as quickly as possible.
Qin Mingxu said nothing more and remained silent for a long time.
After a hasty dinner, he lay on the couch, resting his head on his hands.
“Sang Yu, if I do something wrong, will you leave me?”
It was a sudden, out-of-the-blue question that struck me as strange.
I paced to the side of the couch. He tightly grasped my hand and placed it on his chest. “I don’t want you to leave me. I cherish these days very much. Sang Yu, becoming husband and wife with you, living under the same roof, my heart is at peace, a peace I’ve never known before. The greatest happiness in the world is nothing more than this: coming home to a lit lamp waiting for me. I don’t want to lose it.”
“I was married before. Since I married you, I naturally wish to grow old with you. Why would I speak of leaving lightly?” I said.
As soon as I finished speaking, a Servant Boy from outside announced: Director Feng has arrived—
I got up and walked to the outer room. Feng Gao had already entered.
He carried a satchel full of official documents on his back, having rushed here.
“Elder Sister, my salt inspection duties are complete. I must return tonight.”
I walked towards the kitchen, “I’ll make you something to eat before you go.”
He took off his satchel and placed it on a chair, then followed me to the kitchen.
He watched me knead the dough and make pancakes, leaning against the doorframe. “Elder Sister, by the end of this year, I can return.”
The end of the year was the due date for Consort Zheng’s delivery.
“Really?” I said joyfully.
“Mm. Elder Sister, you must believe me. I have always planned meticulously.”
He said solemnly, “I told Mother then, and she was very happy too. I don’t want her to live alone and lonely in Qing Yue Pavilion anymore. I want to return early to keep her company and fulfill my filial duty.”
The oil in the pot heated up, and the dough went in, making a sizzling sound, lively and celebratory.
That’s right.
He is the Eunuch who plans meticulously.
He has experienced so many twists and turns.
As long as he wishes, he can surely extricate himself and return safely.
The pancakes were ready and served on the table. He ate several. The guards outside were urging him, so he grabbed his satchel and left.
A lone phoenix in the mirror.
Jade trees in front of the courtyard.
His receding figure gradually disappeared. I returned to the couch to rest. Qin Mingxu had his eyes tightly shut, already fast asleep.
Meanwhile, Feng Gao returned to the capital and discovered that the official documents in his satchel had been tampered with.
Some pages were out of order, clearly indicating that it was done in haste, without time to restore them.
Beside Feng Gao was a young eunuch he had transferred from the Twelve Bureaus to the Eastern Depot two months prior. This young eunuch was named Zhang Jing, formerly a stable hand in the palace. He was meticulous in cleaning the chamber pots and was clever, respectful, and eloquent. When Feng Gao was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison, many people turned their backs on him. Only this Zhang Jing spoke no ill words and even secretly sent some soup to Feng Gao in prison. After Feng Gao was released, he investigated Zhang Jing’s background. Seeing that his family background was clean, with no parents, siblings, or relatives, he brought him to his side to serve him closely and promoted him to a fifth-rank eunuch official. Zhang Jing could be said to have had a stroke of luck, rising rapidly.
Zhang Jing also accompanied him on this trip to Yangzhou.
Zhang Jing also noticed the tampering with the official documents. He cautiously asked Feng Gao, “Director, should this matter be investigated?”
Feng Gao pondered. The satchel had only left his possession in Elder Sister’s room. He shook his head, signaling Zhang Jing not to mention it. After all, the documents were not stolen, so it wasn’t a major issue.
He had already figured out what had happened, but he didn’t tell me.
He wished for my married life to be without any storms.
He merely sent Zhang Jing to subtly warn Qin Mingxu.
And all of this, I did not know.
Once a person makes one mistake, they are forced to make many more to cover up that initial mistake. Qin Mingxu had a handle in Zou Cheng’s possession, which is why he was controlled by Zou Cheng.
In the beginning, Zou Cheng asked Qin Mingxu to go through Feng Gao’s official documents merely as a test.
Qin Mingxu complied.
This action further convinced Zou Cheng that Qin Mingxu could be exploited.
Feng Gao sending Zhang Jing to warn Qin Mingxu only made Qin Mingxu more fearful. Fearful of losing everything. One mistake led to another, until he walked into the abyss.
Each of us is caught in the relentless current, unconsciously pushing the tragedy forward.
The next day, before dawn, someone knocked on the door with a “bang, bang.”
I groggily got out of bed and opened the door. Hua Lian, out of breath, said, “Master, something has happened!”
“What is it?” I was instantly wide awake.
“Master, Master fell while going to the latrine in the middle of the night. I fear, I fear…” Hua Lian’s face was panicked.
I quickly put on my outer clothes, washed my face, and rushed to the Zhu Residence. Qin Mingxu woke up and quickly said, “Sang Yu, I’ll go with you.”
My father’s gray hair was disheveled, his clothes wrinkled, and he lay on the couch.
As an elderly person, this fall was no minor matter. The new injury aggravated old ailments; medicine was useless, and he was at his last breath.
Zhu Xifeng knelt by the couch, weeping until his eyes were red and swollen.
My father saw me and extended his yellowed hand, “Sang Yu, Sang Yu—”
I quickly stepped forward and clasped his hand, “Father, I am here.”
My father choked, “Sang Yu, your mother is beckoning me from below. She says she is very miserable and asks me to go down and keep her company.”
I shook my head and said, “No, Mother was the most understanding. She will wait for you on the Yellow Springs road until after your birthday.”
“My entire life has been pathetic… I squandered all the ancestral property… Fortunately… fortunately, your mother adopted you, giving me support in my old age. Now, I have enjoyed my blessings; what is there to be reluctant to leave? Xifeng, you have been taught to be more sensible by you. I can face your mother below.” he said tremblingly. He did not wish to fail either of his wives.
“Your father-in-law’s blessings are not yet fully enjoyed. Your father-in-law loves Siamese tea. I have had some brought from the southern territories, and it will arrive in Yangzhou next month. Your father-in-law can drink as much as he wishes,” Qin Mingxu said.
My father smiled, tears of old age falling, his beard trembling, “The Zhu family raised a good daughter and gained a good son-in-law…”
He said to me, “Sang Yu, fetch paper and brush.”
“Father, why do you need paper and brush at this moment?”
He strained, veins bulging on his forehead, and insisted, “Quickly bring me paper and brush.”
I complied and brought the paper and brush.
My father struggled, picked up the brush, and began to write his will: After my death, the formula for Zhu Family flower wine shall be left to my adopted daughter Zhu Sangyu, allowing her full discretion…
My eyes welled up, “Father, there’s no need, no need for this.”
If, when I first arrived in Yangzhou, he still harbored some reservations towards me.
At this moment, it was complete sincerity.
During this time, living together day and night, I showed him utmost filial piety.
He truly regarded me as his daughter.
He left me his most precious possession.
He trusted that I would treat Zhu Xifeng well for life, without needing a pledge.
He trusted that I would manage the Zhu Family Wine Shop well.
After writing, he sighed with relief.
Then, pointing at Zhu Xifeng, he said to me and Qin Mingxu, “Sang Yu, son-in-law, I have a wish before I die…”
Qin Mingxu and I said in unison, “Father, please speak freely. We will certainly do as you say.”
“Xifeng is grown now and should marry. A few days ago, I spoke with Master Zhao of Zhao’s Rice Shop about a marriage. His eldest daughter is of suitable age for Xifeng, and Master Zhao has agreed. Sang Yu, son-in-law, please quickly… quickly arrange Xifeng’s marriage… then I can depart this world with peace…”
I thought for a moment and said, “I will obey Father.”
Zhu Xifeng was quite bewildered upon hearing that he was to marry Miss Zhao.
He pulled Hua Lian along, saying, “Let’s secretly go to Zhao’s Rice Shop and see what Miss Zhao looks like.”
Hua Lian remained silent and followed him behind.
He muttered all the way.
Hua Lian suddenly patted his shoulder and said, “You nuisance, with Miss Zhao managing you from now on, you won’t have to bother me anymore!”
Zhu Xifeng said, “Don’t even think about it. Even if I marry a hundred wives, I will still bother you, bother you every day.”
The two of them, bickering and joking, arrived at Zhao’s Rice Shop.
A horse carriage was parked outside the gate. A maidservant was helping a young lady, dressed in a bright red dress, alight from the carriage.
Hua Lian pulled Zhu Xifeng and hid to the side.
We only heard the young lady say, “Father really shouldn’t have married me off so carelessly. Everyone knows that the Zhu family is managed by Zhu Sangyu. With such a formidable elder sister-in-law, life after marriage will likely be difficult.”
The maidservant said, “Miss, you are mistaken. Why would the Zhu family rely on an unmarried woman to manage the household? It doesn’t make sense. Zhu Xifeng is the legitimate young master of the Zhu family. Once he is married, everything in the Zhu Residence will belong to Miss. I heard that Zhu Xifeng has no backbone and is very dull-witted, so he should be easy to control. When Miss marries in, she can drive out that Zhu Sangyu and manage the Zhu Residence…”
The young lady nodded and said, “What you said is very true.”
Hua Lian’s face turned pale with anger. She rushed forward and said, “Who are you calling dull-witted? Who are you calling without a backbone? Our young master recently closed a big deal. Do you think you can look down on him?”
The maidservant’s face flushed and then turned pale, “Who do you think you are? What business is it of yours!”
The two began to fight.
The maidservant was no match for Hua Lian and called for the shop assistants from the rice shop to help.
Zhu Xifeng saw Hua Lian surrounded and became anxious. He roared, “Who dares to bully my dear maid! I’m not marrying this marriage!”
