Liu Ruyan plucked a grape, popped it into her mouth, and, smiling, said, “It’s still early, much too early.”
Wang Xiuhe said, “It’s not early. You have worked hard for many years; it’s time for you to enjoy the blessings of being the madam of the household.”
Liu Ruyan smiled but remained silent as if she felt she couldn’t speak too bluntly and let others know of her desire to take charge.
Wang Xiuhe took her hand. “If Cheng Xiqiu is truly gone, I’m afraid your Fu family won’t have an easy time in the tea market.”
Liu Ruyan replied, “That’s true. My husband’s nature demands a partner who can take charge and make decisions on his behalf.”
Wang Xiuhe said, “Isn’t that person you?”
“Haha,” Liu Ruyan laughed. “Sister Xiu, you’ve spoken right to my heart.”
“However, it is truly not easy to gain a foothold in the tea market nowadays.” Wang Xiuhe shifted the conversation, saying worriedly, “Just look at the Lin and Wei families; they’re all watching greedily, eager to edge into the ranks of the Four Great Families. If Madam Cheng truly passes, I worry the Fu family will face danger too.”
Liu Ruyan said, “Indeed. If that truly happens, my family will find it difficult to even win at the tea-whisking competition.”
Wang Xiuhe patted her hand. “You can rest easily on that point, Ruyan. You and I are the only two women in the tea market. As long as we support each other, we can certainly stabilize the current situation.”
Liu Ruyan teased, “I’m not satisfied with the current situation. My Fu family is only ranked fourth, while your Wang family is first ah.”
Wang Xiuhe was delighted by the words “Wang family” and laughed, saying, “What are you talking about, Ruyan? We call each other sisters now. What does the first or fourth matter? If we support each other in the future, what’s to stop me from letting you have the top spot and helping you ward off the Tao and Hu families?”
Liu Ruyan asked, “Is Sister Xiu speaking the truth?”
Wang Xiuhe said, “Of course it’s the truth. However, there is one thing right now that I need you to help me with first…”
Liu Ruyan asked, “What matters?”
Wang Xiuhe said, “I heard that besides the tea trade, the Fu family also runs another business?”
Liu Ruyan said, “Indeed, there is another small business.”
“Then look, why don’t we cooperate on it? How about that?” As Wang Xiuhe spoke, she leaned in and whispered into her ear.
Liu Ruyan was stunned upon hearing this. “Does Sister Xiu truly trust me that much?”
Wang Xiuhe nodded. “We are as close as sisters; I naturally trust you without a doubt.”
Fu Jingxuan did not go straight home after leaving the ferry crossing but instead took a detour to wander through the flower and bird market.
The flower and bird market was bustling; not with the voices of people, but it was filled with the chirping of birds. Second Master Fu’s gaze fell on two birdcages, but he paid no attention to the white-eyes the shopkeeper was eagerly promoting; instead, he focused on two swallowfish of strikingly unusual colors swimming in a tank.
One green and one purple, they were truly beautiful to behold.
So, he decided to buy them, bargaining with the shopkeeper for quite some time before finally sealing the purchase. Little did he expect that on the way back, San Bao would trip while carrying the water bowl, sending those two precious swallowfish tumbling onto the ground, where they began to roll their eyes in the dry heat.
The Second Master noticed there was still some distance left to cover. In a fluster, he grabbed a piece of porcelain that still held a few drops of water, carefully placed the fish inside, and dashed toward the Fang residence beneath the blazing sun.
“Quick, quick, Uncle Zhou! Help me prepare a porcelain bowl with water!”
Fang Zesheng was reading and glanced outside upon hearing Fu Jingxuan’s voice. Before he could even spot him, the study door burst open.
The Second Master’s face was flushed red, and he was stomping his feet in anxiety while cradling something in his hands. Having heard the commotion, the mute uncle went to prepare a water bowl and rushed in, thinking something terrible had happened. Upon seeing what was in his hands, he understood immediately; he held up the bowl and let him place the two dying swallowfish inside.
When the fish entered the water, they nearly sank to the bottom. After a long moment, they flicked their tails and finally came back to life.
The Second Master finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was dripping with sweat, and his inner clothes were already soaked through.
Fang Zesheng watched him for a while, turned his wheelchair over, and handed him a cup of water. “Aren’t you going to wash up?”
Fu Jingxuan pulled out his fan to cool himself. Seeing the two fish swimming happily, he ordered San Bao, who had just run back, to prepare hot water. He took the towel handed to him by Fang Zesheng and wiped his forehead. “Then I’ll go wash up. Keep an eye on these two fish for me; call me immediately if there’s any problem.”
Fang Zesheng said, “Let Uncle Zhou watch them.”
“Huh?”
“Your hair is also damp with sweat. Come to the courtyard in a bit, and I will help you wash it.”
The Head Merchant spoke these words plainly without a flush to his face or a glance at Fu Jingxuan at all.
By mid Shenshi[mfn]Around 4:00 PM.[/mfn], the sun was no longer so scorching.
Second Master Fu had bathed and changed into a clean set of inner robes before arriving in the courtyard looking refreshed.
The mute uncle had set out a basin of warm water for him, resting it on a stone stool beneath the osmanthus tree. Fang Zesheng took a seat beside the stool, while a thick prayer mat had been laid on the ground right in front of him. Fu Jingxuan stepped forward and seated himself on the mat, leaning back against Fang Zesheng’s legs, tilting his head so the tips of his hair could dip into the water.
Fang Zesheng scooped up some soap pomade, worked it into his hair, and began massaging it in with careful attention.
Perhaps because he could not see the other party’s eyes, Fang Zesheng was much more relaxed. After washing for a while, he wrung out the long ends of the hair and let Fu Jingxuan hold them himself. He then raised both hands to hold the crown of Fu Jingxuan’s head, gently guiding him closer to the basin before taking a wooden ladle from the stone table and slowly pouring water over his hair, little by little.
The water temperature was just right with a slight cool breeze blowing by. The Second Master squinted his eyes, not yet having had his fill of the comfort, when the Head Merchant had the mute uncle bring over a long dry towel to wrap around his hair.
Fu Jingxuan looked up at him and said with a smile, “We could wash a bit longer.”
Fang Zesheng shook his head. “You must not indulge in the coolness for too long.”
Fu Jingxuan shrugged while waiting for Fang Zesheng to pick up the already prepared peach-wood comb to help him brush his hair.
Half a stick of incense later, the Second Master’s hair was dry.
Sitting in his wheelchair, Fang Zesheng leaned forward slightly to gather a handful of strands with one hand while using the comb to smooth the hair at Fu Jingxuan’s temples.
Fu Jingxuan remained still, though his eyes flicked around. The moment Fang Zesheng reached for the crown of his head; he subtly tilted his head to the side.
Today, Head Merchant Fang had left most of his hair flowing down his back, fastening only a single thin braid at the tip. As he reached to lift the crown, Fu Jingxuan took the chance to grab a lock of it before tying a knot to bind their hair together.
When Fang Zesheng turned back, Fu Jingxuan was dangling the knotted locks back and forth while grinning like a mischievous seven or eight-year-old child.
“Does the Head Merchant know what this is called?”
Fang Zesheng froze for a long moment, glancing at Fu Jingxuan before quickly averting his eyes. “I don’t know.”
Second Master Fu raised an eyebrow and swung around, draping himself over Fang’s unresponsive legs. “This is what they call a ‘hair-bound husband and wife’.”
“Whose love is beyond doubt.”
