Chapter 129
Qin Zhong was in a desperate hurry. He rushed out through the back gate of the county office, hastily gave a few instructions to the coachman, and was about to board the carriage when he faintly sensed someone watching him from the shadows. As he looked up, a figure flashed past the corner of the alley across the street. Qin Zhong glanced at it but, preoccupied with urgent matters, dismissed it as a trick of the eye.
"Let’s go, back to the estate."
After the Qin family’s carriage had driven away, the fleeting figure reappeared, craning its neck to watch the carriage for a few moments before finally leaving.
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Zhang Fangyuan returned home and told Xu He about the strange encounter he’d had that day. For the moment, the outcome was secondary. Xu He sighed in admiration: "Teacher Luo truly lives up to his reputation as the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. Even his casual acquaintances are high-ranking officials."
"Exactly. At the banquet the other day, I heard Teacher Luo mention that the Salt Commissioner was his former classmate, they’ve known each other since they were young. Later, Teacher Luo placed in the first class of the imperial examinations, entered the Hanlin Academy, and was then transferred to the Imperial Academy. He’s always been a scholar of integrity."
"Lord Yu placed in the third class and went on to serve as a local official, rising swiftly through the ranks. I thought both elders had already retired, but who would’ve guessed Lord Yu is now the Salt Commissioner? That’s a lucrative post."
Xu He leaned against an ice basin, lazily fanning himself. Even the breeze from the fan felt cool. Summer had arrived early this year. While May wasn’t typically scorching, the midday sun was already fierce. Wealthy families had begun using ice to keep cool, and the streets were now filled with vendors selling chilled drinks and ices.
"Now that we know Teacher Luo’s prestige and connections, I’m even more worried for our Ruijin."
Zhang Fangyuan understood Xu He’s concern: "For a merchant family like ours, the Luo family is indeed beyond our reach. I’ve never wanted Ruijin to climb the social ladder by attaching himself to nobility. But the children grew up together, green plums and bamboo horse with genuine affection, what can we do?"
[青梅竹马 (qīng méi zhú mǎ): lit. Green plums and bamboo horse; fig. Childhood sweethearts.]
Xu He said, "I can see their feelings for each other. Though Ruijin has never spoken openly about it, I used to be puzzled. Now I understand his hesitation, he probably feels that without any scholarly achievements, he’d only hold Xiaoxing back."
"He’s always been thoughtful, not like Little Ruili, who’s a bit simple-minded."
Zhang Fangyuan chuckled. "If Ruijin truly has those intentions, I, as his father, will naturally prepare a generous dowry so Xiaoxing is well taken care of."
"This is just us chatting in private. The children are still young, no need to rush into marriage." Xu He said, "Though I’d like Ruijin to settle down soon, he’s completely focused on the imperial exams. He might not even be thinking about marriage yet, so let’s not pressure him."
Zhang Fangyuan had always adored children. When they first had twins, raising them was no small hardship. Once the children grew older and more independent, Xu He had considered having more with Zhang Fangyuan. But perhaps their luck had been spent on the twins, as they never conceived again.
Now that they were older, Xu He wasn’t afraid of being mocked for "an old clam producing pearls," but Zhang Fangyuan worried that age had weakened them, and a pregnancy might endanger both mother and child. Such tragedies weren’t uncommon in the city, so his caution was understandable.
[老蚌生珠" (lǎo bàng shēng zhū): lit. An old clam producing pearls; fig. Older women (or men) having children late in life]
Seeing how well their two children had turned out, though they lacked the bustle of a large family, there was also less conflict, and neither was a rebellious troublemaker, Xu He gradually grew more at ease.
This meant the burden of continuing the Zhang family line now rested on Ruijin’s shoulders.
As a child, Ruijin disliked noise, seldom spoke, and preferred reading and horseback riding - normal interests, but his temperament was too reserved.
Xu He had heard that no one was perfect, if someone excelled in one area, they were bound to lack in another. He feared Ruijin would become an "iron tree that never blooms for ten thousand years," doomed to be the kind of man constantly pestered to marry, leaving the Zhang family line in peril. That was why he had considered having more children with Zhang Fangyuan.
[万年不开花的铁树 (wànnián bù kāihuā de tiěshù): lit. Iron tree that never blooms for ten thousand years; fig. A person who is emotionally closed-off, resistant to love, or seemingly incapable of romantic attachment, like a tree that refuses to bloom.]
Later, when he noticed Ruijin’s kindness toward Luo Yuxing, he was overjoyed - Ruijin's emotions were normal! Xu He wasn’t afraid of Ruijin marrying early, he only feared him never marrying at all.
After collecting his thoughts, he changed his mind and said to Zhang Fangyuan, "When Ruijin returns from the capital, if he still hasn’t made any moves toward Xiaoxing, I’ll bring it up myself and give him a little nudge."
"Alright, we’ll talk when he’s back."
As the two were happily discussing the future, a servant entered and announced, "Master, Master Wang from Qiyu Lane invites you to a gathering at Wangchun Tower."
Xu He glanced at Zhang Fangyuan. "Master Wang loves hosting banquets. The Wang family didn’t qualify for the salt vouchers this time, and now that they know we’re participating in the bidding, he’s probably waiting for you to share the excitement."
Zhang Fangyuan smiled helplessly. "That’s just how he is, always eager for a lively gathering."
Then he paused, frowning slightly. He asked the servant, "Are you certain Master Wang said Wangchun Tower?"
The servant replied, "The messenger said exactly that."
Xu He sensed something amiss. "What’s wrong?"
Zhang Fangyuan shook his head. "Nothing, just asking."
With that, he stood. "Well, sitting at home waiting for the results is agonizing. A drink outside might make the time pass faster. It’s scorching out, you stay home and rest. I won’t take you with me today."
Xu He’s brow twitched slightly. Usually, when Master Wang invited Zhang Fangyuan, he liked to bring Xu He along, since Master Wang and his wife were a loving couple who often attended social events together. Though men, women and ge'ers were seated separately, Zhang Fangyuan enjoyed bringing his fulang, so Xu He was accustomed to accompanying him. Today, however, he was left behind.
But he didn’t dwell on it, the heat was a valid excuse. "A bunch of rough men drinking and boasting, I’d rather not go anyway."
Zhang Fangyuan stood and squeezed Xu He’s hand. "I’ll be off, then."
"Alright."
Zhang Fangyuan headed out and saw the servants had already prepared the carriage. "Switch to a smaller one, my fulang isn’t coming today."
"Yes."
After a short wait, the smaller carriage was ready. Though the interior was hotter, many families preferred compact carriages in summer, with an ice basin inside and the curtains drawn, the confined space stayed cooler.
The route from Qingshan Lane to Wangchun Tower passed from the west to the north of the city. Recently, a main road connecting these areas had been under repair after a fire broke out during the heatwave, engulfing several densely packed buildings.
As the carriage passed this section, the sounds of construction - hammering and sawing filled the air.
The coachman guided the horses at a leisurely pace, the journey smooth and unhurried.
"Move aside! Move aside! The horse is spooked!"
Thanks for the update!!!
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