Chapter 46: Yucheng (Bonus Chapter for 200 Pink Votes)
Rising Joy Inn was located on Renshou Street, situated in the northeast corner of Xi'an Prefecture. The street was remote but earned its name from the Renshou Medicine Shop that once stood there. A century ago, Renshou Medicine Shop was the largest pharmacy in Shaanxi, and during the spring and autumn seasons, its caravans transporting medicinal herbs could stretch from the shop's entrance all the way to the neighboring street. Over time, merchants from other regions flocked here, gradually turning the area into a hub for medicinal trade. Though Renshou Medicine Shop itself had long since faded into obscurity, the street had become the largest medicinal market in the northwest. Rising Joy Inn, conveniently located, primarily catered to traveling merchants. To facilitate the storage of goods, the inn had numerous courtyards—typically featuring large rooms, small yards, kitchens, and accounting offices—arranged simply to prioritize the needs of the medicinal trade.
Fu Tingyun and her companions had entered the city under the cover of night, carried in a hanging basket, bringing only essential items. Now that they had settled in Xi'an Prefecture, they needed to procure clothing, shoes, medicine, kitchenware, and even a rolling pin.
Zheng Sanniang silently recited the list of items Fu Tingyun had asked her to buy but was stopped at the courtyard gate by Xiao Wu. "Where are you off to? You're unfamiliar with the place—what if you get lost? Besides, who’s going to look after Linchun if you leave? Don’t tell me you’re leaving her in Miss Fu’s care?" He then offered eagerly, "Just tell me what you need, and I’ll take care of it for you—quick and proper."
"I couldn’t possibly trouble you, Brother Xiao Wu," Zheng Sanniang replied uneasily. "Since Miss Fu gave the orders, I should be the one running the errands."
Mo Yi suddenly appeared under the eaves of the main house. "Let him go. Otherwise, we’ll have to go looking for you later."
Zheng Sanniang, indeed unfamiliar with Xi'an Prefecture, hesitated at his words.
Xiao Wu had already headed toward the accounting office. "Tell me what you need, and I’ll write it down. I won’t miss a single thing."
Zheng Sanniang stared at him in surprise. "Brother Xiao Wu, you can keep accounts too? That’s amazing!" Her eyes shone with admiration.
Xiao Wu’s smile stiffened slightly.
"I’ll go ask Miss Fu first," Zheng Sanniang said. "If she agrees, then I’ll trouble you with this errand." She then went to Fu Tingyun’s quarters.
Fu Tingyun was fanning the sleeping Linchun with a round silk fan.
"Miss, it’s so hot—you should rest," Zheng Sanniang said, taking the fan from her and fanning Fu Tingyun instead. She then relayed Xiao Wu’s offer.
"That’s fine," Fu Tingyun replied with a smile. "It would be troublesome if you really got lost."
Zheng Sanniang’s face flushed slightly. "Next time, I’ll have my husband go. He’s escorted goods through Xi'an before."
At the moment, Zheng San had been sent by Mo Yi to sweep the backyard.
"Don’t worry about it," Fu Tingyun said. "I wasn’t comfortable with you, a woman, going out alone in the first place. Since Xiao Wu is willing to help, that’s even better." She had Zheng Sanniang recite the shopping list again and added a few more items. "Also, buy me a bolt of Lu silk, two bolts of blue silk, one of red silk, one of white silk, four bolts of white gauze, four catties of high-quality cotton, a copy of Thousand Household Poems , Annotations on the Four Books , and The Book of Changes ."
Zheng Sanniang blinked in confusion. "But it’s summer, Miss. Why do you need so much cotton?""Counting the days, it's about time to make winter clothes," Fu Tingyun said. "Since we have nothing much to do these days, why not make winter garments for Ninth Master and A Sen?"
In the future, she didn't know if they would meet again. This was the only way she could express her gratitude to Zhao Ling and A Sen.
At this thought, Fu Tingyun felt a pang of melancholy.
"Young Miss is so thoughtful," Zheng Sanniang exclaimed. "This must be the custom in your family, right?"
Fu Tingyun merely smiled and said, "Hurry along now, don't keep Xiao Wu waiting, and be careful not to forget anything." She added, "With the extra items, the money I gave you might not be enough. Just tell Xiao Wu what else you need to buy. I can give him the money when he returns."
Zheng Sanniang acknowledged and left.
Fu Tingyun pursed her lips in a smile.
Keeping us all confined in the courtyard isn't such an easy task.
In the afternoon, Xiao Wu returned to the inn, drenched in sweat.
Zheng San, A Sen, and Chen Liu carried pots, pans, and utensils into the kitchen, while Zheng Sanniang brought the purchased ready-made clothes, fabric, and cotton to Fu Tingyun's room.
Fu Tingyun gifted Zheng Sanniang a bolt of blue silk, a bolt of red silk, two bolts of white silk, and two catties of cotton: "These are for you and your husband to make winter clothes. For Linchun's winter clothes, we can use A Sen's measurements."
"Young Miss!" Zheng Sanniang hadn't expected to receive anything for herself and her husband and was so moved she didn't know what to say.
Fu Tingyun patted her hand with a smile and instructed her to fetch water. After bathing and washing her hair with scented soap, she called A Sen in to take his measurements. She also asked him to find an old garment of Zhao Ling's, cautioning him not to tell Zhao Ling, and began cutting and sewing.
A Sen was overjoyed, visiting Fu Tingyun daily to check on the progress of the clothes. He even helped thread needles, making Zheng Sanniang, who was sewing alongside Fu Tingyun, laugh.
"This is the first time someone's making clothes for me," A Sen said nonchalantly, widening his eyes at Zheng Sanniang. "We used to buy them from pawnshops."
Zheng Sanniang's smile faded. "Brother A Sen, this sister spoke out of turn," she said, her eyes moistening. "In a few days, I'll make you a pair of shoes."
A Sen brightened again. "Ninth Master's mother once made him a pair of shoes. He treasured them so much he'd take them out to air every June."
Fu Tingyun was surprised and murmured, "Then Ninth Master's mother..."
"Passed away long ago," A Sen said, propping his chin on his hand as he sat in the Grand Tutor chair. "Her death anniversary is in the twelfth month, the ninth day. The day after the Laba Festival."
To die the day after the family reunion for Laba porridge... Fu Tingyun shook her head, feeling inexplicably that the date was ill-omened.
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Mo Yi fanned himself vigorously with a fan, yet bean-sized sweat droplets continued to roll down.
"Damn this weather!" he grumbled under his breath, asking Chen Liu, "Are you certain?"
Chen Liu answered resolutely, "We're certain none of them left. Zhao Ling lies in bed reading every day. Zheng San sits under the eaves weaving baskets for his son when he's free. Miss Fu and Zheng Sanniang sew clothes in the side room. A Sen either attends to Zhao Ling or plays with Miss Fu. When Xiao Wu invited him to go out, he said it was too hot and seemed disinterested."
Mo Yi muttered, "Did Miss Fu mention repaying the money to us?""No!" Chen Liu looked somewhat embarrassed. "Perhaps Miss Fu is used to withdrawing items from the household accounts at home..."
Mo Yi fanned himself more vigorously, the fan flapping noisily. "Forget it, I'll think of something," he muttered under his breath. "Damn it, Baoqing Silver House won't cash bank notes under two thousand taels. Everything has to be paid in silver. What kind of world is this?"
Chen Liu didn't know how to respond.
Mo Yi stood up. "I'm going out. Keep an eye on things here and don't let any of them leave. Once Tao Mu arrives in a few days, we can relax a bit."
"Don't worry, Master Mo. I understand," Chen Liu said, seeing Mo Yi out the courtyard gate.
The innkeeper was showing a young man around the courtyard. "...three taels of silver per day. We're the only ones with two courtyards left. Go check elsewhere—everywhere else is packed. It's a lean year, and many are fleeing to Xi'an for refuge!"
The young man was in his early twenties, tall and slender with striking features. He wore a moon-white straight robe tied with a matching cloth belt, looking neat, efficient, and shrewd. His open and confident demeanor made him seem like a young master already capable of managing a business.
Spotting Mo Yi, he smiled, revealing a set of white teeth that radiated warmth and instantly made him likable.
"And this is?" he asked the innkeeper.
The innkeeper hurriedly replied, "This is another guest of ours. If you don't believe me, ask him—he spent a whole day searching before finding us. Our place may be a bit out of the way, but that has its advantages..."
Mo Yi ignored the innkeeper and gave the young man a nod before turning to leave.
But the young man stared past Mo Yi in astonishment. "A Sen?" His expression shifted to joy as he strode past Mo Yi into the courtyard, calling out loudly, "A Sen! A Sen!"
Mo Yi and Chen Liu exchanged puzzled glances before turning to see A Sen standing under the eaves outside Fu Tingyun's room.
"Brother Yucheng!" A Sen jumped excitedly. "Brother Yucheng!" He ran over.
"Well, well!" The young man—whom A Sen had called "Brother Yucheng"—beamed. "From afar, your silhouette looked familiar, and it really is you!" He added, "Where's Ninth Master? Is he with you? I heard about the disaster in your area and have been worried. Never thought I'd run into you in Xi'an!"
"He's here, he's here!" A Sen nodded repeatedly. "Ninth Master got injured on the way and is recovering. I'll take you to him."
Their faces glowed with the joy of meeting an old friend in a distant land as they headed toward Zhao Ling's quarters.
The innkeeper chased after them. "Master Yang, who'd have thought you'd run into an acquaintance here? Clearly, our inn and you are fated. Why not stay with us? You can chat and have tea with your friend in your free time. After all, Xi'an isn't letting anyone in now—only out. Even the best goods can't be transported in. And if you leave the city, you might run into those migrant bandits. They love robbing wealthy folks like you..." His voice trailed off as Yang Yucheng disappeared into Zhao Ling's room.
Soon, hearty laughter spilled out from inside.
Chen Liu turned to look at Mo Yi.Mo Yi's face was ashen. "I remember when we left, A Sen was in Miss Fu's room, wasn't he? Go and find out for me—did A Sen leave the room before this so-called 'Yucheng' fellow entered, or after Yucheng called for him?"
Chen Liu's expression also darkened as he respectfully replied, "Yes."
Mo Yi strode away.
Meanwhile, the innkeeper emerged from Zhao Ling's room, bowing cheerfully. "Then I'll have someone prepare the courtyard right away."
This Master Yang was truly generous, offering ninety taels of silver upfront to rent the adjacent courtyard for a month.
A Sen escorted the innkeeper out.
Yang Yucheng had already rushed to Zhao Ling's side, his face full of anxiety. "Ninth Master, how are you feeling now? Should I call a physician to check your pulse? How did things come to this?"
"Sit down first," Zhao Ling replied with calm composure, which seemed to steady Yang Yucheng.
He took a seat on the small stool by the bed.
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Zheng Sanniang paused her work, straining to listen to the commotion in the courtyard.
"How strange," she murmured. "Who is this Yucheng? The moment A Sen heard his call, he dashed out like a startled hare."
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Dear sisters, today is the 7th—the final day for double pink votes... We've dropped to fourth place on the pink vote rankings... If any of you still have pink votes to spare, please lend your support! Zhizhi thanks you all here!
(>_
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