Chasing Jade (Zhu Yu)

Fan Changyu felt a twitch at her temple as she pushed the door open and entered. "Ning Niang."

"Ah... Sister." Changning, who had been full of spirit just a moment ago, immediately put on a guilty and obedient expression, her grape-like eyes darting around, not daring to meet Fan Changyu's gaze.

Xie Zheng followed her into the room, a faint curve at the corner of his lips. When his gaze landed on the boy in the satin jacket inside the room, his eyes paused slightly as he asked, "Whose child is this?"

The boy had chubby cheeks, looking no more than five or six years old. His eyes were large and round, with slightly drooping outer corners, giving him a puppy-like appearance. His clothes were embroidered with gold thread, and his small waistband was studded with gems.

Standing next to Changning, he looked honest and simple, the very image of a silly young master from a wealthy family.

Only after Xie Zheng spoke did the boy puff out his chest and declare, "All these houses belong to my family."

Fan Changyu remembered Chef Li mentioning that Yu Qianqian had a child. Since this boy claimed the houses were his family's, could he be Yu Qianqian's son?

Just as this thought crossed her mind, the voice of the stewardess called from outside the courtyard, "Young master, where have you hidden?"

The child called out, "Nanny Fang, I'm here!"

The stewardess quickly found her way over upon hearing his voice. "Young master, why did you hide here? You had me searching everywhere..."

Noticing Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng, she apologized, "The young master is still young and wandered into your quarters by mistake. Please forgive this old woman's oversight."

Fan Changyu assured her it was fine and asked, "Is this Shopkeeper Yu's child?"

The stewardess smiled and confirmed it.

From the stewardess, Fan Changyu learned the boy's name was Yu Bao'er, and everyone in the building called him Bao'er.

In Fan Changyu's experience, families with some wealth usually gave their children names that sounded cultured and refined. The fact that Yu Qianqian's child was simply named Bao'er was quite surprising to her.

But thinking of Yu Qianqian's personality, it suddenly made perfect sense.

As they walked together toward the main hall of the Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion, Changning regained her boldness and began bickering with Yu Bao'er from time to time. Xie Zheng trailed behind, his brow furrowed as he watched Yu Bao'er's back, his expression unreadable.

Upon reaching the main hall, Yu Qianqian was both amused and exasperated to learn that Yu Bao'er had hidden in Fan Changyu's room during their game of hide-and-seek.

While checking on Yu Bao'er's studies, she noticed Changning and casually asked Fan Changyu, "Has Ning Niang started her education yet? If not, you can send her here. I’ve hired a private tutor for Bao'er—teaching one child is the same as teaching several. The staff here who have children all send them to study together. We don’t expect them to become top scholars, but learning to read a few words is always beneficial."

Fan Changyu's admiration for Yu Qianqian grew even more. Though tempted, she hesitated. The journey from the town to the county was quite a distance, and Changning was still very young. If Changning were to study here, someone would have to accompany her back and forth daily. Moreover, she wasn’t an employee of the Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion and had already received much kindness from Yu Qianqian. She couldn’t take this generosity for granted.

"Thank you for your kindness, Shopkeeper," she replied. "She’s learned a few characters from her brother-in-law, but it’s not a formal education yet. She’s still young and afraid of studying. Let’s wait until she’s a bit older."

Changning immediately chimed in, "Ning Niang can write her own name!"

She grabbed a pair of chopsticks and traced the characters in the air: "Wood, cross, wood, big—Fan!"Yu Qianqian couldn't help but laugh, praising, "Ning Niang is truly clever."

Her gaze shifted to Fan Changyu with a teasing glint. "I forgot—you have an exceptionally talented husband at home. Ning Niang hardly needs anyone else to teach her."

Fan Changyu had originally spoken those words to politely decline Yu Qianqian's kindness. Now that she was being teased, she simply smiled without responding.

Xie Zheng glanced at her but also remained silent.

Yu Qianqian then changed the subject with Fan Changyu. "The shop outside my restaurant is available for long-term lease. If you're too busy, I can also have my restaurant staff help sell your braised meat. Other tenants either pay a year's rent upfront or give me a twenty percent share of their profits. If you're interested, I can even offer you a discount on the rent."

Fan Changyu had already witnessed how bustling the business was outside the Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion today.

She said, "You're treating me far too kindly."

This remark made all the restaurant staff burst into laughter.

The accountant chimed in, "Our boss has a heart of gold—she treats all her employees well. Don't stand on ceremony, Mistress Fan."

Yu Qianqian added, "I choose friends based on first impressions. I took a liking to your personality the moment I saw you. No need to be shy—just tell me straight whether you'd like to set up shop in my Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion or not."

Fan Changyu replied, "I'd love to. There's no need to reduce the rent, but I truly can't manage the shop myself. If I borrow your staff, I'll pay them an additional wage."

Yu Qianqian laughed and asked her employees, "You all heard that, right? Anyone who wants to earn extra can step forward now and let Boss Fan get a good look at you."

Hearing herself addressed as "Boss Fan," Fan Changyu felt both embarrassed and strangely exhilarated.

Unlike the townsfolk who simply called her Changyu, this title felt like a new identity—a small boat that, though modest now, could carry her to distant shores.

After some murmuring among the staff, a particularly capable-looking woman stepped forward. "I'd like to work at the shop selling braised meat."

Fan Changyu recognized her—she had previously specialized in serving female customers, handling tasks with efficiency and a sweet tongue.

Yu Qianqian introduced her, "This girl is Fuling. She was sold into servitude as a child but saved up to buy her freedom. When I was hiring, she joined us. She's quite capable—what do you think?"

Fan Changyu nodded. "She's perfect."

Fuling, ever the smooth talker, immediately fawned, "Thank you, boss. I'll be counting on your guidance from now on, Boss Fan."

Yu Qianqian pointed at her, laughing. "See how glib she is?"

Fan Changyu couldn't help but chuckle too.

After the meal, Fan Changyu bid Yu Qianqian farewell. With the best shop in town now leased, she needed to plan for long-term braised meat supply. She had to decide whether to hire a cart or buy an ox cart outright. There was also the matter of delivering cured meat to the county school's portly manager that afternoon.

Yu Bao'er followed her mother to see Fan Changyu's party off at the restaurant entrance. While the adults talked, the children had their own conversation.

Yu Bao'er said to Changning, "Next time you come, I'll show you my study! It's full of books, clay figurines, wood carvings, and coral ornaments—so many pretty things!"Changning tightly clutched Fan Changyu's sleeve, pursed her lips, and racked her little brain before finally coming up with something to boast about: "Come to my house, and I'll show you my sister's butcher knives—dozens of them, big and small! If we're lucky, you might even get to see her slaughter a pig! Have you ever seen a pig being slaughtered?"

Yu Bao'er shook her head, her eyes filled with envy.

Changning gestured with both hands: "My sister can knock a pig unconscious with just one slap!"

Fan Changyu: "..."

Facing the stunned gazes of Yu Qianqian and her child, she quickly cleared her throat and said, "Ning Niang, let's go."

Only then did Changning follow her out with small steps, but she held her head high, strutting like a victorious rooster.

Though Fan Changyu tried hard to keep a straight face, her ears turned red, as if she wished she could vanish into the ground.

Xie Zheng caught sight of the sisters from the corner of his eye, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

As the three rode the ox-cart back to town, Fan Changyu couldn't stop praising Yu Qianqian's kindness.

Xie Zheng merely scoffed.

Fan Changyu frowned and asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

Xie Zheng lifted his gaze indifferently. "If someone sold you, you'd eagerly help them count the money."

Fan Changyu said unhappily, "Shopkeeper Yu is a good person. Why must you slander her?"

Xie Zheng replied mercilessly, "Don’t forget, she’s a merchant. You’ve done business with her but haven’t gained much from it. Yet now you’re endlessly grateful to her."

His gaze turned colder. "Her way of winning people over is something you’ll never learn in a lifetime."

Fan Changyu liked Yu Qianqian very much and was displeased by Xie Zheng's words. "Why do you always assume the worst in people? Shopkeeper Yu has helped me a lot..."

Xie Zheng cut her off. "How has she helped you?"

Fan Changyu met his sharp gaze and faltered before saying, "When I first started selling braised meat, if Shopkeeper Yu hadn’t given me the opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to do business with Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion so quickly."

Xie Zheng asked, "You’re not the only one selling braised meat in all of Qingping County. Why did she choose you?"

Fan Changyu said, "It was Master Li who introduced me..."

Xie Zheng stared at her silently, and her voice gradually trailed off.

After a pause, Xie Zheng said, "It’s true the cook recommended you, but if what you made wasn’t up to par, she wouldn’t have chosen you. Merchants don’t pick inferior goods out of personal favor—they only give a convenient nod when the quality is equal."

Fan Changyu clenched her intertwined hands tighter and continued, "Today, Shopkeeper Yu initially refused the money from the braised meat sale. It was only after I insisted that she accepted the cost price."

Xie Zheng asked, "How much did you earn? Probably less than what she makes from a single table."

Fan Changyu pressed her lips together. "It’s not about the amount. It’s the thought that counts."

Xie Zheng frowned. "I’m not saying you should take her kindness for granted. I’m just telling you that the favor she’s shown you doesn’t match the gratitude you feel. You can remember her kindness, but there’s no need to lower yourself because of it. Besides, today was a mutual exchange—she supported you to undermine Wang’s business."

Fan Changyu fell silent.

Xie Zheng knew her nature was pure and kind—when someone showed her a little kindness, she always felt compelled to repay it tenfold.He took a few breaths to steady himself before saying, "Telling you all this isn't meant to disparage that shopkeeper. Only by seeing things clearly can you truly become her close friend in the future. If you only remember gratitude and favors, then you're no different from the honest workers under her employ."

In all her years, Fan Changyu had never been taught such things.

After her parents passed away, apart from Aunt Zhao's family who had helped her occasionally, she had shouldered everything else alone. Suddenly receiving so much kindness from Yu Qianqian was like a person freezing to death in winter finding warmth—she instinctively moved toward that source of comfort.

After a long silence, she finally said, "Thank you."

Her voice was somewhat muffled but not dispirited.

She knew she still had a long road ahead and much to learn. Realizing things she hadn't understood before wasn't too late.

When she looked at Xie Zheng again, her eyes were filled with a thirst for knowledge: "Yan Zheng, teach me more. I want to become someone as capable as Shopkeeper Yu in the future."

Xie Zheng gave a faint smile. "Forget about business. As I've told you, her most commendable trait lies in how she utilizes people."

Fan Changyu assumed an attentive posture.

Though reluctant to continue, Xie Zheng added, "Take today, for instance—she lent you the female workers from her establishment. Naturally, you'd feel indebted to her. But she merely provided what you needed when you needed it. Setting aside all personal sentiments, you owe her nothing. You paid rent for the shop and wages for borrowing her workers. In fact, having her own staff manage the shop you rented benefits her immensely with no drawbacks."

His gaze darkened slightly. "If she wanted to check your accounts, it would be as simple as asking."

Fan Changyu said, "I believe Shopkeeper Yu isn't that kind of person."

Yet the shock made her fingertips tingle. She had initially thought Yu Qianqian was simply kind, but now she realized that behind that kindness lay sharp intelligence.

She found herself admiring this side of Yu Qianqian even more and suddenly understood how a seemingly delicate woman could single-handedly establish two large restaurants in just a few years.

Xie Zheng remarked caustically, "And that's just her way of managing subordinates. The methods she uses to deal with merchants and officials' families? You might spend a lifetime trying to learn them and still not succeed."

Though stung by his words, Fan Changyu didn't argue, considering how much he had taught her. Instead, she said, "Yan Zheng, teach me to read."

Xie Zheng looked at the person before him, who was resting her chin in her hands with a sigh—like a young lion cub encountering its first setback, pitiful yet stubborn at the core.

As he had agreed before, he responded indifferently, "Alright."

When the ox cart reached town and passed by the Bookstore, Xie Zheng bought not only paper and ink but also five books.

Fan Changyu was stunned. "So many?"

He placed four thick volumes in her hands and handed a thinner one to Changning. "The Three Character Classic for your sister. The Four Books are for you."

Flipping through them, Fan Changyu noticed he had bought The Analects and The Great Learning despite previously saying he wouldn't teach them to her. She couldn't help but grin—his sharp tongue was mostly just for show.

Holding the books happily, she declared, "I'll start studying hard tonight!"

Changning, clutching the Three Character Classic with a scrunched-up face about to protest against studying, swallowed her words dejectedly at the sight.Upon reaching the doorstep, Fan Changyu unlocked the door. Changning insisted on being the first to enter and burst into cheers as soon as she pushed open the courtyard gate: "Falcon! Falcon's back!"

The Gyrfalcon, which had flown all day and only returned to the small courtyard at nightfall, was met not with a bowl of rewarding meat scraps but with a cold, unyielding lock on the door.

Spotting the three who had finally returned from inside a broken bamboo basket, it emerged with a few tufts of feathers sticking up.

Changning threw herself at the falcon, hugging its neck, her face flushed with excitement: "Brother-in-law didn’t lie to Ning Niang! The falcon really came back!"

Fan Changyu was equally surprised. She had initially thought Yan Zheng was just humoring the child that day.

She turned to Xie Zheng: "You're that good at taming birds?"

Xie Zheng calmly deflected: "Is it possible you’ve just been feeding it too well?"

Fan Changyu widened her almond-shaped eyes: "...Is that really how it works?"

She then looked at the Gyrfalcon, which, despite being hugged and ruffled by Changning, fixed its beady eyes on Fan Changyu as if asking when dinner would be served.

Skeptical, Fan Changyu headed toward the main room. The Gyrfalcon pecked at the ground a few times before casually following her—and then stationed itself in front of the large bowl where its meat scraps were usually served.

Fan Changyu: "..."

Xie Zheng observed the scene, the corner of his lips curling imperceptibly as he turned away.

Resigned, Fan Changyu went to the kitchen, cut a piece of meat into scraps, and served it to the Gyrfalcon before renting a cart from the town’s carriage service to deliver the cured meat ordered by the portly shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper, well-informed, smiled genially upon learning Fan Changyu had rented a stall at the Overflowing Fragrance Pavilion to sell braised meat: "Since this cured meat is also from your household, I plan to sell it under the Fan brand. What do you think?"

Having absorbed Xie Zheng’s lessons on business intricacies, Fan Changyu’s mind was sharper now. She replied, "Fine, but if you sell it at a higher price, you can’t show me fake accounts."

The shopkeeper hastily assured her he wouldn’t.

Since Fan Changyu’s earnings were based on a share of the profits, as long as the shopkeeper didn’t sell at a loss, she wouldn’t lose out either, so she said no more.

On her way back, she encountered a troop of soldiers. The leader was the officer who had helped her family survive the assassination attempt.

Mounted on a tall steed, his subordinates were escorting over a dozen tightly bound men. Judging by their uniforms, the captives were also soldiers, but clearly from a different unit than the escorting troops.

Fan Changyu looked closer and recognized them as the grain-requisitioning officers she had seen with Yan Zheng at noon.

Villagers working in the fields along the official road cheered and clapped at the sight: "Jizhou has a true guardian of justice!"

"Lord He is the only official who truly understands our hardships!"

Recalling Yan Zheng’s words from noon and seeing the bound grain-requisitioning officers being hauled away, Fan Changyu couldn’t help but feel a quiet satisfaction.

Back home, she recounted the events to Xie Zheng. His eyes flickered briefly before he calmly turned the page of his book: "Keep studying. Tomorrow evening, I’ll test you on the 'Xue Er' chapter."

Fan Changyu shrank her neck, wrinkling her face just like Changning as she reluctantly turned to her books.

She genuinely wanted to study hard, but the classical texts with their archaic language made her head spin, forcing her to grit her teeth and push through.The window was left open, letting in gusts of cold wind that made people hunch their shoulders, preventing Fan Changyu and her sister from dozing off while reading.

Xie Zheng seemed impervious to the cold as he paced to the window, holding a scroll behind his back. His gaze darkened as he stared into the distant night, his long hair and robes fluttering in the wind.

He Jingyuan had openly captured Wei Xuan’s men, clearly showing no intention of leaving Wei Xuan any face.

Given Wei Xuan’s vindictive nature, before Wei Yan’s transfer orders arrived, he would surely go mad and lash out at He Jingyuan again.

His men could also make their move now.