Сhеng Сhi lеt оut аn intrigued "Oh" аnd sаid, "Теll mе, what has he bееn doing in the сapitаl?"
А fаint smilе арpeаred at the corner оf Нuaishаn's lips аs hе rерlied, "Wе dоn’t уеt knоw what hе intends to do!"
Сhеng Chi rаised an eуebrow.
Нuaishan соntinuеd, "Не stауed at thе Shаngqing Tеmрlе for а while, sреnding his days mingling with sеvеral disgrаced Tаoist priests whо hаd bеen dеmoted to mеniаl lаbor thеrе. Оnе оf thеm, surnamеd Yаng, was fоrmerlу the temрle’s guеst рrеfeсt. Не wаs particulаrly fond of drinking, and aftеr a few cuрs, he would bоast аbоut how tаlented he was in his youth and how he had almost been accepted as a disciple by the Tianyi Sect of Longhu Mountain. Fan Qi didn’t believe him and made a bet with the Taoist surnamed Yang: if Yang could arrange for the Mu family’s eldest daughter to marry the eldest son of the Lin family this year, Fan Qi would lose one hundred taels of silver to him; if she were to marry next year, he would lose thirty taels; and if the marriage took place the year after, Fan Qi would treat Yang to a meal at the most famous restaurant in the capital.
"He even invited several other Taoist priests present to serve as witnesses.
"The Taoist surnamed Yang immediately agreed.
"A few days later, he disguised himself as a Taoist priest from the Tianyi Sect of Longhu Mountain and passed by the Mu residence, claiming that the Mu family’s eldest daughter was destined for a calamity and that if she remained at home, it would bring misfortune upon her parents and siblings. Mu Daren, being a scholar, had no faith in such superstitions. Not only did he refuse to treat the Taoist surnamed Yang as an honored guest, but he also ordered his servants to drive Yang out with brooms.
"Unwilling to accept this humiliation, the Taoist surnamed Yang consulted with a few fellow priests. They pooled a few copper coins to hire a street beggar, instructing him to secretly damage the door hinge of Mu Daren’s residence. The next day, when the Mu family pushed the door open, it collapsed to the ground, startling all the neighbors.
"A few days later, when Mu Daren returned home, the footrest of his official sedan chair suddenly broke.
"After a series of such incidents over several days, while Mu Daren remained skeptical, his wife began to believe. She sought out a master from the Shangqing Temple to divine their daughter’s fortune. The master did not predict any calamity for the young lady, but he did note that the Mu family’s luck had been somewhat unfavorable over the past two years.
"Mu Daren’s wife used her private savings to ask the Shangqing Temple to perform a ritual to dispel the misfortune.
"Seeing that Madam Mu had taken the bait, the Taoist surnamed Yang, still smarting over the hundred taels he stood to lose from the bet, secretly informed the master about his wager with Fan Qi.
"When Madam Mu returned to the temple to pray for her family’s blessings, the master told her that it was indeed her daughter’s destined calamity that was hindering Mu Daren’s fortune. However, he assured her that as long as she married off her daughter before the end of the year, Mu Daren’s luck would improve.
"Hearing this, Madam Mu genuinely began considering marrying off her daughter.
"However, there were three obstacles: first, the eldest Miss Mu was only thirteen this year and had not yet come of age; second, Mu Daren did not believe in such superstitions at all; and third, with the New Year approaching, it was impossible to arrange a marriage for the eldest Miss Mu before the year’s end, no matter how urgent.
"Hesitantly, Madam Mu visited the Tanzhe Temple."
At this point, Huaishan couldn’t help but laugh and said, "Fourth Master, no wonder you always say these Taoist priests and monks are all frauds. Guess what? The monk at Tanzhe Temple echoed the so-called master from the Shangqing Temple, also claiming that the eldest Miss Mu was destined for a calamity. He said it could only be resolved by performing forty-nine days of Taoist rituals.""When Fan Qi returned, Madam Mu was quarreling with Mu Daren! She insisted that no matter what, Eldest Miss Mu must be married off next spring. Otherwise, she would take the children and return to her maiden home."
Cheng Chi listened, somewhat surprised, and said, "So Fan Qi just came back like that?"
"Yes!" Huaishan replied. "He gave that Taoist surnamed Yang twenty taels of silver, saying that after spring begins next year, he would follow the family elders to the capital to do business and would visit that Taoist surnamed Yang again then."
Cheng Chi lightly tapped the table.
Huaishan said, "It might be because the New Year is approaching, and he was afraid his family would grow suspicious. So he had no choice but to hurry back. I will send someone to keep an eye on him. If Fan Qi makes any further moves, they need not wait for instructions—just have someone follow him directly."
"What you say makes sense." Cheng Chi vaguely felt that this matter should not end like this. "They went to such lengths to travel to the capital; they couldn’t have just turned back like that. Continue having people watch them and see what they’re really up to."
Huaishan acknowledged the order.
Qing Feng reported from outside the curtain, "Fourth Master, the heir of Duke Zhu has sent a letter from the capital."
In mid-October, Zhu Pengju had followed his father to the capital. Besides them, the emperor’s brothers—Prince Xiang, Prince Yue, Prince Jin, and Prince Chu—had also brought their sons to the capital. The emperor had kept them in the capital for the New Year and decided to host a family banquet in the Hall of Preserving Harmony to entertain these long-unseen brothers and nephews. Fireworks would also be set off on Chang’an Street to celebrate with the people.
Cheng Chi said, "Bring the letter in."
Huaishan went to receive the letter.
Cheng Chi tore open the envelope and scanned the contents in a glance.
Huaishan stood with bowed head, awaiting further orders.
But Cheng Chi remained seated without moving. After a long while, he finally said, "Let’s go to Cold Green Mountain House."
Huaishan respectfully replied, "Yes," and hurriedly called out, "Minghe!" Before the words had fully left his mouth, he suddenly remembered that Minghe was about to get married and was currently in her room sewing her wedding gown. He was about to call Qing Feng instead but then recalled that Qing Feng was only eight years old this year... In the entire Hill of Clustered Cassia Courtyard, there wasn’t even a single person to help Fourth Master change his clothes.
He personally went to fetch a set of clothes and, while helping Cheng Chi change, said, "Fourth Master, you’ll still be living here for two more years. I think we should add two maidservants? Older ones, and we can release them before you leave..."
"We’ll talk about it when the time comes." Cheng Chi showed little interest. He changed his clothes himself and went to Old Madam Guo’s place.
※
At Jia Shu Hall, Zhou Shaojin was trying to persuade Cheng Yi: "...By doing this, aren’t you pushing Jiying into a pit of fire? Since you say you like her, how can you treat her this way? How will she ever hold her head up again in the future?"
Half of Cheng Yi’s face was swollen, red and purple, with visible finger marks. He was tied up with ropes and thrown on the ground, looking utterly disheveled. Fortunately, he was wearing a fur-lined jacket; otherwise, in such weather, with the floor paved with bluestone bricks, even with a brazier nearby, he would have frozen.
He glanced sideways at Zhou Shaojin and snorted contemptuously, saying, "I’ve already broken off our friendship. Don’t ever speak to me again. I won’t listen to anything you say."
Zhou Shaojin was furious and kicked him, saying, "Do you think I enjoy talking to you? I just don’t want to see Jiying end up being sold off with the label of ‘seductress who bewitched her master,’ and you regretting it later!"
"Sold off?!" Cheng Yi sneered. "Don’t try to scare me! Jiying belongs to Fourth Uncle Chi. It’s not up to Grandmother or Mother to interfere."Zhou Shaojin said bluntly, "Let me ask you: how many times have you met Uncle Chi? How many words have you exchanged with him? Do you know what kind of person he is? Are you so certain that if you ask Uncle Chi for someone, he will hand them over to you without any suspicion or reservation? There are so many young masters in the family, and it's not as if no one has seen Jiying before. Why are you the only one so eager to ask Uncle Chi for her?"
Cheng Yi flushed red with urgency, his neck taut as he shouted, "You're talking nonsense! You're spreading rumors! You're stirring up trouble for no reason! There's nothing between me and Jiying! I've only seen her once. Others might not know, but don't you know?"
"I do know!" Zhou Shaojin said. "And I believe you! But will others believe you?"
Cheng Yi's lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a word for a long time.
Zhou Shaojin said, "Think it over carefully! I'll leave first. Don't ruin someone else's life just for your own momentary desires!"
Cheng Yi silently lowered his head.
Zhou Shaojin tiptoed out.
Madam Mian was waiting quietly outside the curtain, holding her breath. As soon as she saw Shaojin come out, she immediately grabbed her arm and walked forward, stopping only when they reached the center of the courtyard. She whispered, "Shaojin, thank you for this. If your Cousin Yi can turn back, I'll be grateful to you for the rest of my life."
"Aunt, you're too kind," Zhou Shaojin said, feeling embarrassed. "I was just speaking recklessly. I don't know if Cousin Yi will listen."
"If he doesn't listen, then he doesn't know what's good for him," Madam Mian said with frustration, as if disappointed in her son's lack of sense. "But I appreciate your intentions, dear niece." Then she added affectionately, "Come, let's go to your grandmother's room to talk. It's cold out here, and you might catch a chill."
Zhou Shaojin nodded and went with Madam Mian to Old Madam Guan's place.
Old Madam Guan was waiting for them. Before they could even steady themselves, she anxiously asked, "What did that reckless fool say?"
"He didn't say anything," Madam Mian replied, her heart aching for her son. "But from the look of it, he doesn't seem as stubborn as before."
Hearing this, Old Madam Guan relaxed slightly and pondered, "I don't think this is a solution... Aren't you returning to your maiden home on the fourth? Take Second Young Master to see the Old Master of the He family and see if he can stay there to study..."
Old Master He was a young scholar who had passed the imperial examination in his youth and had once served in the Hanlin Academy. Later, unable to adapt to the northern climate, he developed asthma and resigned to return home to recuperate. He Mianzhi was his grandson and had also begun his studies under him.
In her previous life, Cheng Yi had always studied at the Cheng clan school.
She... had changed another thing...
Zhou Shaojin forced herself not to wipe the sweat from her forehead.
Madam Mian, however, was overjoyed to hear this.
If her son could win Old Master He's favor, it would be far better than attending classes with a crowd at the clan school.
"I'll follow your advice," she said immediately. "I'll increase the gifts for my maiden home by another tenth."
If this succeeded, the thank-you gifts could not be lacking.
※
At Cold Green Mountain House, Cheng Chi was playing Go with Old Madam Guo.
After pondering for a long time, Old Madam Guo sighed and put down the black piece in her hand. "I taught you Go, but now even with a three-stone handicap, I'm no match for you!"
"A student surpasses the teacher," Cheng Chi said with a faint smile. "Isn't that what every teacher hopes for their disciple?"“But there are also cases where the apprentice learns the craft and then drives the master to despair,” Old Madam Guo said with a laugh, clearly in very high spirits.
Cheng Chi then asked, “When will sister-in-law be leaving? If she doesn’t go soon, I’m afraid she’ll miss the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner.”
“Even if she left now, it would already be too late,” Old Madam Guo replied, looking meaningfully at Cheng Chi. “How could I not want her to leave earlier? And how could she not want to leave earlier? But if she goes, who will manage the household affairs of the eldest branch? If only she had someone to lend a hand, I would have sent her to the capital long ago to take care of your elder brother.”
※
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※ (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please vote to recommend it or cast your monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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