Wang Xiuhe had won Fu Jingxuan over to her side, but she still did not relax her guard regarding Fang Zesheng. Upon learning that the four servants she had arranged were going out to play with Tao Xianzhi every day; she harshly rebuked Cui’er for her negligence. She immediately arranged for several more people to be stationed in the inner courtyard all day under the pretext of cleaning.
The two days of leisure Fu Jingxuan had snatched through his “cold” were exchanged for even tighter surveillance. Although Wang Xiuhe had moved a bit quickly, it was within the expectations of the two of them; After all, given her temperament, even if Fang Zesheng were long dead, she would still dig up his decaying bones at a critical moment just to turn them over and see whether he was truly gone.
Over the next few days, Fu Jingxuan stayed in the main house while Fang Zesheng lived in the study. In their daily lives, neither spoke to the other as if they truly had fallen out with one remained obstinate, while the other’s passion had cooled.
Wang Xiuhe brought Chen Fu to the study several times to administer acupuncture to Fang Zesheng, all the while superficially advising him to be more open-minded. Only after seeing that there was indeed no reaction in his legs did she finally feel completely at ease.
At night.
Wang Xiuhe was staying in the outer quarters. Cui’er brought several newly made lotus-patterned gowns to the bedside for her to choose from. These outfits were made elegantly and simply; they weren’t considered grand enough for meeting people, but they suited the public image she had always maintained. Regardless of what others thought, Wang Xiuhe herself was merely the acting head of the Fang family. While wearing gold and silver was normal, her wealth ultimately came from the Fang family; with Fang Changru dead, she naturally could not be too ostentatious.
No matter how opulent her everyday gowns were, only the merchants within the Chuzhou region would see them. Now that the Tea Tasting Convention was attracting guests from all directions, she naturally had to present her status correctly, lest she give others cause to gossip to her face.
Cui’er assisted her in trying on two outfits, then opened the pearwood vanity case in front of the bronze mirror before setting out two or three pairs of emerald jade hairpins for her to choose from.
Wang Xiuhe changed into a new skirt and picked up a white jade hairpin with a double-bird motif, holding it up to her hair in front of the mirror. Cui’er said, “Does Madam truly intend to have Second Master Fu accompany you to the Tea Tasting Convention?”
Wang Xiuhe said, “Is there something wrong with that?”
Cui’er was puzzled. “Didn’t you find a master tea brewer to help? What use is there in taking him along?”
Wang Xiuhe chuckled softly while looking into the bronze mirror as if watching a play. “He has no practical use; it’s simply to have him go there and infuriate Liu Ruyan. It would be best if he could make her so angry she becomes bedridden or so livid that smoke rises from her very soul.”
Some people simply cannot be spoken of; as soon as they are mentioned, they come rushing in to match the words.
The next day.
Fu Shangyi arrived to pay a visit, bringing Liu Ruyan along with Fu Jingye.
The Tea Tasting Convention was only two days away. Fu Shangyi had arrived late so he brought with him a generous gift to express his apologies.
Wang Xiuhe stood at the entrance of the Fang residence early in the morning with a welcoming smile, exchanging pleasantries with him for a long while.
It had only been about a month since Fu Jingxuan married into the Fang household. Fu Jingye had barely seen off the newlywed, traveling by boat to and fro. Hardly had he settled into Jiangling Prefecture before Lady Liu forcibly dragged him back to the ferry. After such a grueling journey traveling day and night, he had lost nearly ten pounds; his face was sallow and his eyes were sunken. Upon hearing that the sun was high in the sky and Fu Jingxuan was still lying in bed, he was ready to blow his top. Had Fu Shangyi not glared at him fiercely, he would have stormed into the courtyard long ago to kick down his scoundrel brother’s door.
Seeing Fu Jingye’s indignant expression, Wang Xiuhe covered her mouth and smiled. She made a welcoming gesture to Fu Shangyi, inviting the family of three into the inner flower hall and arranging for maidservants to serve tea.
Liu Ruyan was lavishly dressed today, adorned with pearls and jade, wearing a floral-embroidered skirt and a striking orange outer robe so vivid it could dazzle even in the dead of night. She was affectionate toward Wang Xiuhe, calling her “Sister Xiu” with every breath as if they were long-lost biological sisters reunited.
Once Wang Xiuhe was settled, she sent someone to call for Fu Jingxuan. Fu Shangyi checked the time with some dissatisfaction but found it inappropriate to lose his temper in front of others. He asked tentatively while maintaining a warm, kind smile, “It’s been many years since we last saw the Fang family’s heir. Now that we’ve become in-laws, I wonder if he’s willing to receive visitors?”
Wang Xiuhe thought for a moment. She first sent Cui’er to fetch him and then trotted out the same old rhetoric, “Zesheng has a solitary temperament now and is unwilling to see outsiders. Furthermore, though we have become in-laws, he was told at the time that he was marrying your daughter; we didn’t expect it to be family’s Young Master instead. This…”
Wang Xiuhe appeared deeply troubled as if it were too difficult to say more.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Fu Shangyi maintained a forced smile while shooting a private, resentful glance at Liu Ruyan.
Liu Ruyan was so vexed she rolled her eyes. She picked up a celadon tea bowl, took a sip, and let out a cold snort.
The infighting and hidden maneuvers of this family were laid bare before Wang Xiuhe’s eyes. It wasn’t until Fu Jingxuan stepped into the hall while dressing in an ink-wash robe embroidered with cranes that she spoke up with a smile, “The Second Young Master is here. Quick, serve the tea.”
Holding a folding fan, Fu Jingxuan lazily greeted his father and then just as lazily greeted his stepmother. As he passed Fu Jingye, he noticed the stubble sprouting on the eldest young master’s chin. He couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, stepping forward with mock concern: “Big Brother look so haggard. Could it be that spending this past month constantly shuttling back and forth on a boat was a bit too much for you?”
“You!” Fu Jingye immediately slammed the table and stood up while pointing at Fu Jingxuan’s nose, ready to let out a stream of abuse. Only after hearing a sharp roar from Fu Shangyi did he sullenly sit back down, crossing his arms and twisting his mouth in anger. Following behind Fu Jingxuan, San Bao was so delighted he nearly stumbled; he wouldn’t stop staring at Fu Jingye with his narrow, slit-like eyes at all. Fu Jingye hissed at him, “You dog of a servant, what are you looking at?”
San Bao let out a few muffled giggles and turned his head away, thinking to himself: As expected, bullying the Eldest Young Master is the true path to a carefree life.
Fu Shangyi had not treated Fu Jingxuan well in previous years. However, ever since Fu Jingxuan married into the Fang family in place of Shuang’er, Old Master Fu had begun to realize that his concern for his children over the years had indeed been biased. He focused on Fu Jingye because he was the eldest son who would one day take over the family business. He doted on Fu Shuang’er because, among his many children, she was the only daughter and the youngest, naturally commanding more of his attention. There were actually two other sons in the family, both born to Liu Ruyan; even if he didn’t look after them, Liu Ruyan would. Only Fu Jingxuan had first lost his mother, then saw his younger sister run away, and finally married into the distant Fang family for the sake of the family’s reputation. This truly began to make Fu Shangyi reflect on his own failings.
The father and son sat opposite each other in the hall, yet they still had nothing to say.
Although Fu Shangyi wanted to say something as much as possible, the window for meaningful conversation with Fu Jingxuan had long since passed. He could hardly chat with him about the flowers, birds, and insects in the market, could he? At this thought, Old Master Fu’s brow furrowed once more.
Forget it! There was nothing to say to an unlearned second son anyway.
Wang Xiuhe could guess exactly what was on Fu Shangyi’s mind just by watching his fluctuating expressions. She sipped her tea behind her hand while making small talk with Liu Ruyan. She seemed to have the complex relationships of the Fu family in the palm of her hand, and she was determined to succeed in winning over Fu Jingxuan.
At that moment, the “creak-creak” sound of a wheelchair rang out. Cui’er entered first, followed by the mute uncle pushing Fang Zesheng in his wheelchair.
Seeing him, Fu Shangyi hurriedly stood up. He hadn’t seen Fang Zesheng in a long time, and he quickly stepped forward a few paces before calling out, “Nephew.” The regret in his voice did not seem feigned; after all, he had once seen Young Master Fang in his prime with two healthy legs. Seeing him reduced to such a tragic state now, it was inevitable that he would be moved.
Fang Zesheng gave a faint nod and called out, “Uncle Fu.”
Fu Jingxuan remained leaning back in his chair without moving. He merely looked up at Fang Zesheng with a gaze that was neither close nor distant; he seemed to be fretting for him yet also resenting his lack of appreciation.
Wang Xiuhe watched from the sidelines. Seeing this display of absurd human relations, she couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile. She kindly asked Fang Zesheng, “I’ve had the kitchen prepare lunch. Shall we eat together shortly?”
Fang Zesheng uttered a “Yes” in response and looked toward Fu Shangyi. “Uncle Fu, will you not go to see my late father?”
“This…” Fu Shangyi said, “Is it possible to go and pay my respects?”
Fang Zesheng remained silent and looked at Wang Xiuhe. She quickly set down her tea bowl and smiled. “Of course you can.”
The Fang family ancestral hall was located in the deepest part of the inner courtyard. Wang Xiuhe called for Cui’er to bring the keys and led Fu Shangyi and the others toward it. Along the way, Wang Xiuhe and Fu Shangyi walked in front with Liu Ruyan clutching Fu Jingye at their side. Pushed by the mute uncle, Fang Zesheng followed in the middle while Fu Jingxuan and San Bao brought up the rear. Fu Jingxuan’s gaze fell upon the mute uncle’s increasingly hunched back.
It had been nearly three days since he last saw Fang Zesheng. Although the two lived in the same courtyard, ever since Wang Xiuhe had tightened her surveillance, they had tacitly gone about their respective duties.
Seeing him today, Fu Jingxuan felt something was off. In particular, the mute uncle hadn’t lifted his head for a long time, and his withered hands gripping the wheelchair also trembled slightly. Fu Jingxuan frowned and quickened his pace to glance at Fang Zesheng as he passed the wheelchair. He saw Fang Zesheng staring ahead in a daze, and his once-ruddy lips had turned a faint, frost-like whiteness.
Strange. His complexion looked normal in the hall just now; how did he end up looking so sickly in the blink of an eye?
Fang Zesheng seemed to sense Fu Jingxuan’s gaze. His dark eyes shifted slowly, catching a spark of light as he gradually regained his usual composure.
Only then did Fu Jingxuan breathe a sigh of relief. He quickened his steps to catch up with Wang Xiuhe’s group and entered the ancestral hall together.
