Fan Changyu’s temple throbbed as she heard this. She pushed open the door and said, “Ning.”
“Sis… Sister.” Changningg, who had been so spirited just a moment ago, immediately adopted a docile expression, her grape-like eyes darting around, not daring to look at Fan Changyu.
Xie Zheng followed her into the room, a slight curve to his lips. Noticing the boy in satin clothes, his gaze paused as he asked, “Whose child is this?”
The boy’s face still had baby fat, looking no more than five or six years old. His eyes were large and round, with slightly drooping corners, like a puppy’s. His clothes were embroidered with gold thread, and his small belt was inlaid with gemstones.
Standing next to Changningg, he looked honest and simple, like the foolish son of a rich country bumpkin.
After Xie Zheng’s question, the boy puffed out his little chest and said, “All these rooms belong to my family.”
Fan Changyu remembered that Cook Li had told her Yu Qianqian had a child. Since this child claimed these rooms were his family’s, could he be Yu Qianqian’s son?
Just as she had this thought, a housekeeper’s voice called from outside, “Young Master, where have you hidden?”
The child called out, “Madam Fang, I’m here.”
The housekeeper quickly found them. “How did the Young Master end up hiding here? You had this old woman searching everywhere…”
Seeing Fan Changyu and Xie Zheng, she apologized, “The Young Master is young and wandered into your quarters by mistake. This old woman begs your pardon.”
Fan Changyu said it was no matter, then asked, “Is this Manager Yu’s child?”
The housekeeper smiled and confirmed it was.
Fan Changyu learned from the housekeeper that the boy was named Yu Bao’er, and everyone in the building called him Little Master Bao.
Fan Changyu was quite surprised. In her experience, even moderately wealthy families would give their children names that sounded cultured. For Yu Qianqian’s child to be simply called Bao’er was unexpected.
Thinking of Yu Qianqian’s personality, she suddenly felt it all made sense.
As they walked together to the main hall of the Yixiang Building, Changningg grew bolder again, occasionally bantering with Yu Bao’er. Xie Zheng walked at the back, his brow furrowed as he gazed at Yu Bao’er’s back, his eyes dark and unreadable.
Reaching the main hall, Yu Qianqian learned that Yu Bao’er had hidden in Fan Changyu’s room during hide-and-seek, which amused and exasperated her.
As she asked Yu Bao’er about his lessons, she noticed Changningg and casually asked Fan Changyu, “Has Ning started her education yet? If not, you can send her here. I’ve hired a tutor for Bao’er, and teaching one or several is the same. Some of the staff with children have sent them to study together. We’re not aiming for them to become top scholars, but it’s good to know a few characters.”
Fan Changyu’s admiration for Yu Qianqian grew even more. Though tempted, she knew the distance from town to the county seat was considerable, and Changningg was still young. If Changningg were to study here, someone would need to escort her morning and evening. Moreover, she wasn’t an employee of the Yixiang Building and had already received much kindness from Yu Qianqian. She couldn’t rightfully accept this offer.
She said, “Thank you for your kind offer, Manager. She’s learned a few characters from her brother-in-law, but it’s not a formal education yet. She’s still young and doesn’t like studying much. Perhaps when she’s a bit older.”
Changningg immediately chimed in, “Ning can write her name!”
She demonstrated in the air with chopsticks: “Wood, cross, wood, big – Fan.”
Yu Qianqian laughed and praised her, “Ning is so clever.”
She turned to Fan Changyu with a teasing look, “I forgot, you have a highly educated husband at home. Ning doesn’t need anyone else to teach her.”
Fan Changyu had said those words to politely decline Yu Qianqian’s offer, so she just smiled without responding to the teasing.
Xie Zheng glanced at her but remained silent.
Yu Qianqian changed the subject, “I can rent you the shop outside my restaurant long-term. If you’re too busy, I can have my staff help sell your braised meat. Other tenants either pay a year’s rent upfront or give me a double share of the profits. If you’re interested, I can even give you a discount on the rent.”
Fan Changyu had seen today how bustling the business was in the shops outside the Yuxiang Building.
She said, “Manager, you’re being too kind to me.”
This comment made all the staff at the Yixiang Building laugh.
The accountant said, “Our manager has the heart of a Bodhisattva, she’s good to all the staff here. Don’t be shy, Madam Fan.”
Yu Qianqian added, “I make friends based on intuition. I liked your character from the moment I saw you. Don’t be so reserved with me. Just say whether you want to set up shop in my Yixiang Building or not.”
Fan Changyu replied, “I do. There’s no need to reduce the rent, but I truly can’t manage the shop myself. If I could use your staff, I’d pay them extra wages.”
Yu Qianqian smiled and asked her staff, “Did you all hear that? Those willing to earn extra money can step forward now and introduce yourselves to Manager Fan.”
Hearing herself called “Manager Fan,” Fan Changyu felt embarrassed yet intrigued. Unlike the townspeople who simply called her Changyu, it felt as if she had gained a new identity. Though small now, this identity was like a little boat that could take her to farther places.
After some discussion among themselves, a capable-looking woman spoke up, “I’m willing to sell braised meat in the front shop.”
Fan Changyu recognized this woman as the one who usually received female guests. She was efficient and had a sweet tongue.
Yu Qianqian told her, “This girl is called Fuling. She was sold as a servant when young but saved money to buy her freedom. She came to work here when we were hiring. She’s capable. What do you think?”
Fan Changyu nodded, “She’ll do.”
Fuling was quick to ingratiate herself, immediately saying, “Thank you, Manager. I hope Manager Fan will take good care of me in the future.”
Yu Qianqian pointed at her and smiled at Fan Changyu, “See how glib she is.”
Fan Changyu couldn’t help but smile too.
After the meal, Fan Changyu bid farewell to Yu Qianqian. Having rented the best shop in the county town, she now needed to supply braised meat regularly. She had to consider whether to hire a cart or buy an ox cart outright. She also needed to deliver the cured meat to the chubby shopkeeper at the county school that afternoon.
Yu Bao’er followed his mother to see Fan Changyu’s group off at the restaurant entrance. While the adults talked, the children had their conversation.
Yu Bao’er said to Changningg, “Next time you come, I’ll show you my study. There are many books, clay figurines, wood carvings, and coral ornaments. They’re beautiful!”
Changningg, clutching Fan Changyu’s clothes tightly, pursed her lips. After thinking hard, she finally found something to boast about: “When you come to my home, I’ll show you my sister’s pig-slaughtering knives. There are more than a dozen, big and small! If you’re lucky, you might even see my sister slaughter a pig! Have you ever seen a pig being slaughtered?”
Yu Bao’er shook his head, his eyes full of envy.
Changningg gestured with both hands, “My sister can knock a pig out with one slap!”
Fan Changyu: “…”
Faced with the shocked looks of Yu Qianqian and her son, she quickly coughed and said, “Ning, let’s go.”
Changningg followed her with small steps, but with her head held high, like a victorious rooster.
Although Fan Changyu tried to keep a straight face, her ears turned red, as if she wanted to find a crack in the ground to hide in.
Xie Zheng caught sight of the sisters from the corner of his eye, a barely noticeable smile tugging 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 just snorted lightly.
Fan Changyu frowned and asked, “Did I say something wrong?”
Xie Zheng looked up coolly, “Even if someone sold you, you’d probably count the money for them.”
Fan Changyu, displeased, said, “Manager Yu is a genuinely good person. Why are you slandering her?”
Xie Zheng responded mercilessly, “Don’t forget, she’s a merchant. You’re doing business with her, and you haven’t received that many benefits from her. Yet here you are, endlessly grateful to her.”
His gaze cooled, “You’ll probably never learn her skill at winning people over.”
Fan Changyu liked Yu Qianqian very much and was unhappy hearing Xie Zheng speak of her this way. “Why do you always think the worst of people? Manager Yu has indeed helped me a lot…”
Xie Zheng interrupted her, “How has she helped you?”
Faced with his sharp gaze, Fan Changyu was momentarily speechless, then said, “I’ve just started selling braised meat. If it weren’t for Manager Yu giving me a chance, I wouldn’t have been able to do business with Yixiang Building 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 replied, “Master Li helped introduce me…”
Xie Zheng looked at her without speaking, and her voice gradually trailed off.
After a moment of silence, Xie Zheng finally said, “It’s true that the cook introduced you, but if what you made wasn’t good enough, they wouldn’t have chosen you.”
“A merchant won’t choose an inferior product out of sentiment. They’ll only do a favor among products of equal quality.”
Fan Changyu’s clasped hands tightened as she continued, “Manager Yu initially didn’t want to take money for today’s braised meat sales. Only after my insistence did she accept the cost price.”
Xie Zheng asked her, “How much did you even earn? Probably not as much as she makes from a single table.”
Fan Changyu pressed her lips together, “It’s not about the amount of money. It’s the thought that counts.”
Xie Zheng frowned, “I’m not saying you shouldn’t accept her kindness. I’m telling you that the benefit she’s giving you doesn’t match your gratitude. You can remember her favor, but there’s no need to lower yourself at every turn because of it. Besides, today you both got what you needed. Her support for you is also to suppress Wang’s business.”
Fan Changyu fell silent.
Xie Zheng knew her pure-hearted nature; if someone showed her a bit of kindness, she always wanted to return tenfold.
He paused for a moment, then said, “I’m not trying to slander the manager. If you see things clearly, you might become true friends in the future. If you only remember gratitude and favors, you’re no different from her obedient staff.”
Fan Changyu had never been taught these things in her life.
After her parents passed away, except for Madam Zhao’s family’s help, she shouldered everything herself. Suddenly receiving so much kindness from Yu Qianqian was like a person nearly frozen to death in winter finding warmth, instinctively drawn to that source of comfort.
After a long while, she said, “Thank you.”
Her voice was a bit muffled, but not dejected.
She knew she still had a long way to go and much to learn. It wasn’t too late to understand things she hadn’t before.
When she looked at Xie Zheng again, her eyes were full of eagerness to learn, “Yanzheng, teach me more. I want to become as capable as Manager Yu in the future.”
Xie Zheng smirked, “Forget about doing business. I’ve told you, her most praiseworthy quality is how she manages people.”
Fan Changyu adopted a posture of attentive listening.
Xie Zheng was reluctant to say more, but continued, “Like how she lent you a female staff member today. You’re surely grateful for that. But she’s just giving you what you need when you need it. Setting aside all personal feelings, you don’t owe her anything. You paid rent for her shop and wages for her staff. On the contrary, using her staff to manage the shop you rented is all benefit and no drawback for her.”
His eyes darkened, “If she wanted to know your accounts, it would just take asking.”
Fan Changyu said, “I believe Manager Yu isn’t that kind of person.”
But the shock made her fingertips go numb. She had previously thought Yu Qianqian was just kind, but now she realized Yu Qianqian was both kind and clever.
She admired Yu Qianqian more and suddenly understood why Yu Qianqian, a lone woman, could open two such large restaurants in just a few years.
Xie Zheng said sharply, “This is just her method of managing subordinates. Her techniques for dealing with merchants and officials’ wives – you might not learn them in a lifetime.”
Although Fan Changyu was criticized, considering how much he had taught her, she didn’t take offense. Instead, she said, “Yanzheng, teach me to read.”
Xie Zheng looked at the person before him, hands propping up her chin, sighing. She was like a young lion, dejected after its first setback, yet stubborn at heart.
He responded with a cool “Alright,” just as he had agreed before.
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?”
Xie Zheng handed her four thick books and gave a thin one to Changningg, “The ‘Three Character Classic’ is for your sister. The Four Books are for you.”
Fan Changyu flipped through them and found that although he had said he wouldn’t teach her “The Analects” and “The Great Learning,” he had bought these two books anyway. She couldn’t help but grin, realizing that most of the time, he was just sharp-tongued.
She happily hugged the books, saying, “I’ll start studying hard tonight!”
Changningg, clutching “The Three Character Classic” with a frown, was about to say she didn’t want to study but swallowed her words seeing her sister’s excitement.
At home, Fan Changyu unlocked the door. Changningg, eager to be the first one in, pushed open the gate and started cheering, “Xuan Xuan! Xuan Xuan is back!”
The Saker falcon, which had flown all day and returned at dusk, found not a bowl of meat scraps as a reward, but a cold, hard lock on the door.
It poked its head out of the broken bamboo basket, a few fine feathers sticking up, as it saw the three who had finally returned.
Changningg rushed over and hugged the falcon’s neck, her face red with excitement, “Brother-in-law didn’t lie to Ning, Xuan Xuan came back!”
Fan Changyu was quite surprised too, having thought Yanzheng was just comforting the child that day.
She looked at Xie Zheng, “Are you that skilled at training birds?”
Xie Zheng calmly deflected, “Is it possible you’ve been feeding it too well?”
Fan Changyu’s almond-shaped eyes widened, “…Can it be like that?”
She turned to look at the Saker falcon. Though being hugged and petted by Changningg, its beady eyes were fixed on Fan Changyu, as if asking when dinner would be served.
Fan Changyu, skeptical, went to the main room. The falcon pecked at the ground a bit, then followed her leisurely, and then… stood guard by the large bowl where its meat scraps were usually placed.
Fan Changyu: “…”
Xie Zheng observed this scene, and as he turned away, the corners of his mouth curved up almost imperceptibly.
Fan Changyu resigned herself to going to the kitchen to find a piece of meat, chopping it up, and putting it in the bowl for the Saker falcon. Then she went to rent a cart from the town’s carriage service to deliver the cured meat to the chubby shopkeeper.
The chubby shopkeeper was well-informed. Learning that Fan Changyu had rented a shop at Yixiang Building to sell braised meat, he smiled and asked, “This cured meat is also from Madam Fan’s family. This old one intends to use the ‘Fan’s’ brand to sell this cured meat as well. What does Madam Fan think?”
After hearing Xie Zheng’s explanations of various intricacies, Fan Changyu had become more astute. She said, “That’s fine, but if you sell it at a higher price than before, you can’t show me false accounts.”
The chubby shopkeeper hurriedly assured her he wouldn’t.
Since Fan Changyu and the chubby shopkeeper were splitting the profits, as long as he didn’t sell at a low price, she wouldn’t lose out. So she didn’t say more.
On her way back, she encountered a troop of soldiers. Fan Changyu recognized the leader as the commander who had helped her family through the assassination attempt.
He was mounted on a tall horse, and below him, the soldiers were escorting more than a dozen bound men. Judging by their attire, those bound were also soldiers, but their uniforms were different from those of this troop.
Fan Changyu looked carefully and realized they were the soldiers she and Yanzheng had seen collecting grain taxes at noon.
Many common people watching from the fields along the road cheered and applauded, “Our Jizhou has a great upright official!”
“Minister He is truly a good official who sees the suffering of us common people!”
Fan Changyu recalled what Yanzheng had said at noon, and seeing these bound tax-collecting soldiers being taken away, she couldn’t help but feel happy.
Back home, she told Xie Zheng about what she had seen on the road. Xie Zheng’s eyes paused for a moment, and then his long fingers turned to the next page of the book, “Continue your studies. Tomorrow night at this time, I’ll test you on the ‘Xue Er’ chapter.”
Fan Changyu’s neck shrunk, and like Changningg, she frowned as she went to study.
She truly wanted to study seriously, but she couldn’t help but get a headache looking at all the classical expressions. She could only force herself to read.
The window wasn’t closed, and the cold wind occasionally gusted in, making them shiver, which kept the Fan sisters from dozing off while reading.
Xie Zheng seemed impervious to the cold. He paced to the window, holding a scroll behind his back, gazing into the distant night sky. His long hair and robes fluttered in the wind, his eyes dark and deep.
He Jingyuan openly arresting Wei Xuan’s men meant he wasn’t planning to give Wei Xuan a face.
Given Wei Xuan’s vengeful nature, he would surely lash out at He Jingyuan before Wei Yan’s transfer order arrived.
It was time for his people to make their move as well.