Cheng Chi responded with an interested “Oh?” and said, “Tell me, what exactly has he been doing in the capital?”
A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Huai Shan’s mouth as he said, “Right now we still don’t know what he intends to do!”
Cheng Chi raised his eyebrows.
Huai Shan continued, “He stayed at Shangqing Palace for a while, spending his days mixing with several Daoist priests who had committed offenses and been demoted to menial workers. One of them, surnamed Yang, was formerly the guest reception master at Shangqing Palace. He particularly loved drinking, and when drunk would boast about how talented he was in his youth, and how he had nearly been accepted as a formal disciple by the Tianyi Sect of Longhu Mountain.
“Fan Qi didn’t believe him, so he made a bet with this Daoist Yang, saying that if Daoist Yang could get the eldest daughter of the Mu family to marry the eldest young master of the Lin family this year, he would pay him one hundred taels of silver; if he could get Miss Mu to marry him next year, he would pay thirty taels of silver; and if he could get Miss Mu to marry him the year after, he would treat Daoist Yang to a meal at the capital’s most famous restaurant.
“He even asked several other Daoist priests present to serve as witnesses.
“Daoist Yang immediately agreed.
“A few days later, he disguised himself as a Daoist priest from the Tianyi Sect of Longhu Mountain passing by the Mu residence, claiming that Miss Mu was destined to face a calamity, and that if she remained at home, it would bring disaster upon her parents and siblings. Lord Mu is a scholar who doesn’t believe in such supernatural nonsense—how could he possibly believe it? Not only did he not treat Daoist Yang as an honored guest, he even had his servants beat him out with brooms.
“Daoist Yang couldn’t swallow this insult. After consulting with a few friendly Daoist priests, they paid a street beggar a few copper coins to secretly damage the door pivot of Lord Mu’s residence. The next day, when the Mu family pushed the door open, it fell to the ground, startling all the neighbors.
“A few days later, when Lord Mu was returning home, the footrest of his official sedan suddenly broke.
“After several consecutive days of such incidents, while Lord Mu didn’t believe in it, Lady Mu did. She sought out a master from Shangqing Palace to divine her daughter’s fortune. The master at Shangqing Palace didn’t predict any calamity for Miss Mu, but noted that the Mu family’s fortunes had indeed been somewhat poor these past two years.
“Lady Mu took money from her private funds and asked Shangqing Palace to perform rituals for them.
“Seeing that Lady Mu had taken the bait, Daoist Yang, grinning despite the pain of potentially losing that hundred taels of silver in the bet, secretly had someone tell the master about his wager with Fan Qi.
“When Lady Mu went again to pray for her family’s blessings, the master at Shangqing Palace said that the problem was her daughter—Miss Mu was destined to face a calamity that was obstructing Lord Mu’s fortunes. However, it wasn’t serious—as long as she married off her daughter before this New Year, Lord Mu’s fortunes would improve.
“After hearing this, Lady Mu truly began to consider marrying off her daughter.
“However, first, Miss Mu was only thirteen years old this year and hadn’t yet had her coming-of-age ceremony; second, Lord Mu absolutely didn’t believe in such things; and third, the New Year was approaching. No matter how urgent, there was no way to marry off Miss Mu before the year’s end.
“Hesitating and wavering, Lady Mu went to Tanzhe Temple.”
At this point, Huai Shan couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “Fourth Master, no wonder you always say these Daoist priests and Buddhist monks are all frauds. Can you guess what happened?
“The monks at Tanzhe Temple actually said the same thing as that so-called master at Shangqing Palace—they also claimed that Miss Mu was destined to face a calamity, and that it would take forty-nine days of religious ceremonies to resolve it.
“When Fan Qi returned, Lady Mu was quarreling with Lord Mu! She said that no matter what, she must marry off Miss Mu in the spring of next year. Otherwise, Lady Mu would take the children back to her parents’ home.”
Cheng Chi listened with some surprise and said, “So Fan Qi just came back like that?”
“Yes!” Huai Shan replied. “He gave Daoist Yang twenty taels of silver, saying that he would return to the capital next spring with his family elders for business, and would visit Daoist Yang again then.”
Cheng Chi lightly tapped the table.
Huai Shan said, “Perhaps because the New Year is approaching and he feared his family would become suspicious, he had no choice but to hurry back. I’ll have people keep watch. Once Fan Qi makes any move, they don’t need to wait for instructions—they’ll follow him directly.”
“What you say makes sense.” Cheng Chi vaguely felt this matter shouldn’t end so simply. “They schemed so deliberately to make this trip to the capital—they couldn’t possibly just return defeated like this. Continue having people watch them and see what they’re really trying to do.”
Huai Shan acknowledged the order.
Through the curtain, Qingfeng reported, “Fourth Master, the heir of Duke Zhuguo has sent a letter from the capital.”
In mid-October, Zhu Pengju had gone to the capital with his father. Besides father and son, the Emperor’s brothers—Prince Xiang, Prince Yue, Prince Jin, Prince Chu, and others—had also brought their sons to the capital. The Emperor had them stay in the capital for the New Year and decided to hold a family banquet in Baohe Hall to entertain these brothers and nephews he hadn’t seen in many years. He would also set off fireworks on Chang’an Street to celebrate with the people.
Cheng Chi said, “Bring the letter in!”
Huai Shan went to receive the letter.
Cheng Chi tore open the envelope’s seal and scanned through it rapidly.
Huai Shan bowed, awaiting instructions.
However, Cheng Chi sat without moving. After a long while, he finally said, “We’re going to Hanbi Mountain Lodge.”
Huai Shan respectfully responded “Yes” and hurriedly called out “Minghe!” But before his words had fully left his mouth, he suddenly remembered that Minghe was about to be married and was currently in her room rushing to finish her wedding clothes. He was about to call for Qingfeng instead, then remembered that Qingfeng was only eight years old this year… In the vast Xiaoshanconggui Courtyard, there wasn’t even a single person to help the Fourth Master change his clothes.
He personally went to fetch a set of clothes, and while serving Cheng Chi as he changed, said, “Fourth Master, you still have to stay here for two more years. I think we should add two maids. Older ones would be fine—before you leave, you can just release them…”
“We’ll talk about it when the time comes!” Cheng Chi wasn’t very interested. He changed his clothes himself and went to Old Lady Guo’s quarters.
※※※
At Jiashu Hall, Zhou Shaojin was trying to dissuade Cheng Yi: “…If you do this, aren’t you pushing Ji Ying into a pit of fire? If you truly say you like her, how can you treat her this way? How will she be able to hold her head up in the future?”
Half of Cheng Yi’s face was swollen high, red and purple, still bearing finger marks. Bound with rope and thrown on the ground, he looked utterly wretched. Fortunately, he was wearing a fur coat; otherwise, in this weather, with blue stone floor tiles beneath him, even with braziers burning, he would have frozen.
He looked at Zhou Shaojin sideways and snorted contemptuously, saying, “I’ve already broken off relations with you. Don’t talk to me anymore. I won’t listen to anything you say either.”
Zhou Shaojin was furious. She kicked him and said, “You think I enjoy talking to you? I just don’t want to see Ji Ying end up with the reputation of ‘seducing her master with her wiles’ and being sold off, with you regretting it later!”
“Sold off?!” Cheng Yi snorted coldly. “Stop trying to scare me! Ji Ying belongs to Uncle Chi. It’s not Grandmother’s or Mother’s place to interfere.”
Zhou Shaojin said bluntly, “Let me ask you—how many times have you met Uncle Chi? How many times have you spoken with him? Do you know what kind of person he is? Are you so certain that when you ask Uncle Chi for her, he’ll give her to you without any suspicion or misgivings whatsoever? There are so many young masters in this household—it’s not like no one else has seen Ji Ying. Why are you the only one so eager to ask Uncle Chi for her?”
Cheng Yi’s face flushed red with anxiety as he shouted, “You’re talking nonsense! You’re slandering me! You’re stirring up trouble! Ji Ying and I have nothing between us! We’ve only met once. If others don’t know, surely you do?”
“I know!” Zhou Shaojin said. “And I believe you! But will others believe you?”
Cheng Yi’s lips trembled, and for a long time he couldn’t say a word.
Zhou Shaojin continued, “Think it over carefully! I’m leaving first. Don’t ruin someone else’s entire life just for your momentary fancy!”
Cheng Yi silently lowered his head.
Zhou Shaojin quietly slipped out.
Lady Mian was waiting outside the curtain with bated breath. Seeing her emerge, she immediately grabbed her arm and pulled her forward, not stopping until they reached the center of the courtyard. In a low voice, she said, “Shaojin, thank you so much for this. If your Cousin Yi can turn back now, I’ll be grateful to you for the rest of my life.”
“Elder Aunt, you give me too much credit,” Zhou Shaojin said somewhat embarrassedly. “I just spoke randomly—I don’t know whether Cousin Yi will listen.”
“If he doesn’t listen, it’s because he doesn’t know what’s good for him,” Lady Mian said with frustration at his lack of progress. “But I appreciate your intention, Elder Aunt does.” Then with affection, she added, “Come, let’s go to your grandmother’s room to talk. It’s cold out here—you might catch a chill.”
Zhou Shaojin nodded and went with her to Old Lady Guan’s quarters.
Old Lady Guan was waiting for them. Before they had even steadied themselves, she asked anxiously, “What did that worthless creature say?”
“He didn’t say anything,” Lady Mian said, still feeling tender toward her son despite everything. “But judging by his appearance, he didn’t seem as stubborn as before.”
Old Lady Guan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, and said thoughtfully, “I don’t think this is a solution… Aren’t you supposed to return to your parents’ home on the fourth day? Take Erlang to show Old Master He, and see if Erlang can stay at the He household to study…”
Old Master He had been a young presented scholar who had served in the Hanlin Academy. Later, unable to adapt to the northern climate, he developed asthma and resigned from office to recuperate quietly at home. He Mianzhi was his grandson, who had also received his early education from him.
In her previous life, Cheng Yi had always studied at the Cheng clan school.
She had… changed another thing…
Zhou Shaojin forced herself to resist wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Lady Mian was actually very pleased upon hearing this.
If her son could gain Old Master He’s favor, it would be much better than attending classes with a crowd of people at the clan school.
“I’ll follow your advice,” she immediately said. “I’ll add another ten percent to the gifts for my parents’ family right away.”
If this succeeded, the thank-you gift certainly couldn’t be lacking.
※※※
At Hanbi Mountain Lodge, Cheng Chi was playing Go with Old Lady Guo.
Old Lady Guo pondered for a long time, then finally sighed and put down the black stone in her hand: “I taught you Go, yet now even when I give you a three-stone handicap, I’m still no match for you!”
“The student surpasses the master,” Cheng Chi smiled lightly. “Isn’t that every teacher’s hope for their students?”
“But there’s also the saying that teaching the disciple well angers the master to death,” Old Lady Guo said with a laugh. Clearly, she was in an excellent mood.
Cheng Chi then asked, “When will Elder Sister-in-law depart? If she doesn’t leave soon, I’m afraid she won’t make it back for the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner.”
“Even if she left right this moment, she wouldn’t make it in time,” Old Lady Guo said with a smile as she looked at Cheng Chi, speaking with implicit meaning. “How could I not want her to leave earlier, and how could your elder sister-in-law not want to leave earlier? But if she leaves, who will manage the household affairs of the main branch? If only she had someone who could lend a hand—I would have sent her to the capital to care for your elder brother long ago.”