Inside the flower hall, Lord Song occupied the seat of honor.
Wang Xiuhe offered him a cup of tea. He merely used the lid to skim the tea dregs before setting it on the table and asking, “Our arrival was quite abrupt; I wonder if the Head Merchant Fang is willing to receive guests?”
Wang Xiuhe hurriedly replied, “Since Lord Song has come in person, he is naturally willing. I will send someone to invite him immediately; please wait a moment.”
Lord Song nodded and looked out the door. A hint of anticipation actually visible in his eyes.
At this moment, he was but an ordinary tea lover; matters of rank and status were far less important than the pleasure of sipping another bowl of “white froth.” He had visited the inner courtyard of the Fang residence once before, back when Fang Zesheng was still small. At the time, Xie Junlan had held him, and he had shown a little face as round as a steamed bun, which was quite adorable. In the years that followed, although he heard that the young master of the Fang family had ascended the summit of Mount Yuming with peerless grace, he had been unable to visit in person due to the pressures of official business. He had finally found some free time that one particular year and originally planned to visit Chuzhou during his holiday to relax and request a fine cup of tea from Xie Junlan, but he hadn’t expected the great tragedy to strike the Fang family, so he had to drop the matter. While sighing over the unpredictability of fate, he slowly stood up. At his rising, everyone in the hall followed suit, their eyes turning toward the entrance in unison.
Fang Zesheng had arrived. He wore a moon-white long robe edged with gold thread and sat in his wheelchair, looking poised and elegant. His hair was bound today, and his body gave off a faint scent of herbal medicine as if having just recovered from a serious illness, his complexion remained somewhat pale. The mute uncle pushed him to stand before Lord Song. Once the wheelchair came to a steady halt, Fang Zesheng clasped his hands in a formal bow. “My Lord has traveled from afar, and my hospitality is lacking; please forgive me.”
Lord Song quickly steadied his wrist and said with a smile, “What is Head Merchant saying? Being able to taste the Fang family’s tea infusion this time is already the greatest courtesy.”
Fang Zesheng nodded slightly. Seeing that Lord Song was still standing, he raised his hand to invite him to take the seat of honor.
Over the years, Lord Song had heard certain rumors and originally thought Fang Zesheng, unable to withstand the family’s misfortunes, had long ago degenerated into a truly broken man. He had not expected him to have such spirit in his eyes, being modest and polite without the slightest trace of despondency. He felt much relieved. “You must already know the results of this Tea Tasting Convention. You must take full responsibility for that business of a hundred thousand piculs of tea; under no circumstances should you be perfunctory or substitute inferior goods for high quality.”
Fang Zesheng said, “Rest assured, My Lord. This matter concerns national dignity. I will naturally entrust Aunt to select the tea with the utmost care.”
Wang Xiuhe had not expected Fang Zesheng to mention her in front of so many people. She hurriedly stepped forward and said to Lord Song, “This is a matter of great importance; I would never dare to be negligent.”
Lord Song nodded with satisfaction, chatted with Fang Zesheng for a few more moments, and then veered toward the main topic. “This old man has come here today with the audacity to ask to taste the Fang family’s ‘Auspicious Carved Lotus’ once more. I heard long ago that, even as a youth, your tea-whisking skills had already surpassed your mother’s. I wonder if that is true?”
Fang Zesheng replied, “Compared to my mother, I am still lacking in weight.”
Lord Song laughed. “The Head Merchant is too modest. This old man has had a few cups of your mother’s tea; it was indeed rare in this world, with a long-lasting aftertaste. Surely you have inherited her true teachings. This old man wondered if you could brew a few drops for this old man to taste?”
Fang Zesheng naturally would not refuse. Once Wang Xiuhe had sent people to prepare the brewing utensils, he sat in the courtyard to brew the tea himself.
If Hu Yunshan’s bowl of “white froth” was a stunning first sip that whetted Lord Song’s appetite, then this bowl brewed by Fang Zesheng was one where fragrance bloomed between the lips and teeth, offering a stunning experience with every mouthful. Setting down the tea bowl felt like wandering through the misty rains of Jiangnan, surveying the mountains and observing the moon.
“Exquisite, truly exquisite,” Lord Song whispered in wonder as he put down his bowl as if afraid of startling the ripples in the tea or disturbing its sweet, moist fragrance.
Wang Xiuhe distributed the remaining bowls of white froth to the other family heads who had come along.
Sitting at the tea table, Fang Zesheng looked around. He first met Fu Shangyi’s gaze and gave a subtle nod, then looked respectfully toward Tao Shikang and bowed his head in greeting.
These two heads were of his father’s and grandfather’s generation; only Hu Ruosong was of the same generation as him, meaning he was not bound by the strict etiquette of seniority.
Yet, even if he wasn’t bound by such formalities, he still had to offer a greeting.
The head of the Hu family had already straightened his attire and was about to fold the fan Fu Jingxuan had given him yesterday to return the bow when he saw Fang Zesheng’s gaze drift lightly over his face and finally land elsewhere.
……
Hu Ruosong froze, his hands dangling awkwardly. He fanned himself with his folding fan hoping to mask his embarrassment yet before the fan was even halfway open, Fang Zesheng’s gaze had already returned to him.
The head of the Hu family blinked passively, unsure of the intent. He had no choice but to close the fan once more and clasp his hands in a formal greeting.
Fang Zesheng did not like him; ever since they were children, he had been unwilling to associate with him.
He couldn’t find the reason back then, and he certainly couldn’t find it now either.
If one called him dull, he was actually a bit sharper than Tao Xianzhi; if one called him clever, he lagged far behind Fang Zesheng.
And if it were a matter of being naturally annoying, the mischievous Fu Jingxuan of those years should have been the primary target. How was it that an ordinary, mediocre, and unremarkable Hu family descendant like himself had managed to become an eyesore to the Head Merchant of the Fang family?
Hu Ruosong was bewildered. After completing the formal salutation and drinking the white froth, he slipped over to Fu Jingxuan’s side.
An occasion like this was no place for Second Master Fu to step forward. He was neither a family head nor a steward; instead, he had stubbornly carved out a spot for himself as a member of the Fang household, standing right next to Second Madam Liu.
Liu Ruyan’s face was filled with disdain, wishing she could hide as far away as possible. Seeing Hu Ruosong approach, she hurriedly yielded her spot and left with Fu Jingye.
Fu Jingxuan remained unbothered and asked Hu Ruosong, “When are you heading back?”
Hu Ruosong said, “I’ll be departing shortly.”
“Are you in such a hurry? Didn’t Lord Song invite you all to dinner tonight?”
“I can’t wait. The family business is hectic, and there are still many matters left unattended.”
After the death of the old head of the Hu family, the family had indeed been left with a mountain of messes.
Fu Jingxuan expressed his understanding and asked, “Have you made up your mind regarding that business deal I discussed with you earlier?”
Hu Ruosong pondered for a moment. “How did Tao Xianzhi respond?”
“He agreed without hesitation.”
“He has always acted without considering the consequences. If you succeed, then all is well; but if you fail, it won’t just be a matter of business anymore.”
Fu Jingxuan said, “Sometimes having too many misgivings isn’t a good thing. Why is the Tao family wealthier than your Hu family now? It’s entirely because Tao Xianzhi dares to charge ahead and gamble; he’s willing to lick blood off a blade’s edge.”
“Pfft,” Hu Ruosong chuckled. “No need to goad me. That fool probably doesn’t even know where the blade is.”
Fu Jingxuan laughed along with him. Checking the time, he raised his fan and walked toward the courtyard exit with Hu Ruosong. “You shouldn’t underestimate him.”
Hu Ruosong said, “I don’t underestimate him; I’m just a bit worried about you both. What you mentioned is no small matter. Perhaps… you should consider other methods?”
Fu Jingxuan shook his head. “This is the best opportunity. If he misses it, there’s no telling how many years he’ll have to wait again.”
Seeing the resolute look in Fu Jingxuan’s eyes; as if he could simply turn to someone else for help if refused, Hu Ruosong paused for a moment and said, “Then I will take this business. If it succeeds, I will thank you with a bucket of gold; if it fails, I will consider it a debt of gratitude you owe me.”
Fu Jingxuan was just about to nod when he felt someone pull on his sleeve from behind.
At some point, the mute uncle had pushed Fang Zesheng over. Now seated behind them, he asked with a dark expression, “Where are you going?”
Fu Jingxuan arched an eyebrow and smiled. “Just seeing off Master Hu; he has to rush back to Mingzhou tonight.”
Fang Zesheng shot a glance at Hu Ruosong, then quietly maneuvered his wheelchair to squeeze between the two people before saying with a hint of awkwardness, “I will accompany you to see him off.”
This gesture left Hu Ruosong overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, and he hurriedly said, “How could I trouble the Head Merchant Fang?”
Fang Zesheng said, “Master Hu is a guest from afar. My failure to provide proper hospitality was a lapse on my part.”
Hu Ruosong quickly replied, “Not at all, not at all.”
Fang Zesheng did not wish to say much more to him. After a long pause, he finally said, “I just heard you mention a debt of gratitude?”
“Ah?” Hu Ruosong said, “Indeed.”
“In that case, how about recording that debt of gratitude under my name instead?”
“This…”
The “debt” was merely a joke to Hu Ruosong, but he hadn’t expected Fang Zesheng to overhear and take it seriously. He couldn’t help but look at Fu Jingxuan, following up with a question: “Why should his debt be recorded under your name, Head Merchant?”
Fang Zesheng was desperate not to speak these words in front of Fu Jingxuan, yet once again his eyes fell on the folding fan in Hu Ruosong’s hand. He said with total solemnity, “He has already married into the Fang family, so he is a person of my Fang family. Never mind one debt of gratitude; even if it were three or four, I would be willing to pay them on his behalf.”
Fu Jingxuan had already taken over the wheelchair from the mute uncle. Standing behind it now, his grin seemed ready to reach his ears.
Standing to the side and observing their expressions, Hu Ruosong finally realized why Fang Zesheng held a dislike for him.
He had been close to Fu Jingxuan before and knew there was someone in his heart.
But he hadn’t realized that the other person also cared for him; willing to claim him as their own and willing to settle his debts on his behalf.
