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As the fall breeze grew chillier, Wei Tan kept watch over Yong Capital. In the South, Liang Chong was busy clashing with Du Rong for control of Sichuan. Wu Kun, after succeeding to the throne, maintained his hold and the peace in his lands. Meanwhile, endless reports of victory arrived from the North. When October began, Yong Capital received news that Cen Han, a General under Wei Jue, killed Tan Yao, Tan Xi’s second son. By returning the Liaodong peninsula to the Imperial Court, Wei Jue had unified the North in the Emperor’s name. This news refreshed Yong Capital like a warm spring, melting away the stagnant mood caused by the fear of the wars. A smile replaced even Madam Guo’s lost appetite. Amongst Yong Capital’s nobility, news of a new pharmacy named “Yannian Hall” spread by word of mouth. A southerner called Cai Rang, born with an honest mien, owned Yannian Hall. This pharmacy was unusual. Most other stores stocked only common herbs and at most hired a doctor. In contrast, Yannian Hall didn’t use a doctor but sold rare herbs hard to find elsewhere. Yong Capital’s doctors were the first to discover this pharmacy. Then, when the Minister of the Imperial Clan, Liang Ke, got a top-notch Lingzhi at Yannian Hall, his endless praise caused the Hall’s reputation to soar. In the past, Yong Capital’s citizens had been on edge because of the Imperial Court’s war with Tan Xi. They feared that displacement was inevitable if the circumstances turned unfavorable, and the flames of war re-surged. The markets were in a slump, and the rich were cautious, not daring to spend their money easily. But times had changed. The news of Wei Jue’s victory was an ice fisher's first chisel crack on a frozen lake, and everyone finally heaved a sigh of relief. With the army absent, and the city still under curfew, no one feasted. When the nobles and the wealthy relaxed enough to think about their fall and winter health regimen, Yannian Hall’s business boomed. This Yannian Hall was the pharmacy that I funded, and Li Shang managed. He had chosen this store, albeit small, at the street intersection. He had then bought the shopkeeper, Cai Rang, in the labor market. Cai Rang was from the South, and he had fled to Yong Capital because of the civil unrest. Desperate after losing all his money, he had no choice but to sell himself into slavery. With prior experience in business, he had cultivated a slick eloquence that Li Shang sought. Besides picking the opening day, I also suggested presenting the Lingzhi to Liang Ke. In the past, he was famous amongst the nobility in Chang’An for his fondness for health care. Supposedly, his hoard of prescriptions filled an entire cabinet. Of course, many were more famous in terms of health care, but Liang Ke’s son was the Treasurer in charge of the capital’s commercial taxes. So, although it broke my heart to give away the Lingzhi, I still felt it was worth it. As A’Yuan reported the pharmacy’s daily income, I listened carefully with growing excitement. Li Shang had evaluated each herb’s price depending on the market supply. No matter the quality, he only bumped the price a little for those rare herbs used to treat diseases. The highest-priced products were the rare and precious tonics; seeing 50 grams of Tian Ma sold for 500 yuan shocked me speechless. A’Yuan seemed skeptical too, “Something used to make soup is so expensive. Will it sell?” But to our surprise, besides the high-demand drugs prescribed by the city doctors, Yannian Halls’ best-sellers were these expensive, yet boring herbs. Before the first snowfall, Li Shang and Gongyang Gui had discussed the next trip to Yuzhang to stock goods before winter. Ruo Chan was so busy that I only saw her once after returning to Yong Capital. As the Buddhist nuns chanted scriptures in Danxia Temple’s front hall, Ruo Chan and I drank tea in the back hall. She wore a gorgeous, fox fur over her body because of the freezing weather. With her black hair half-down and her eyebrows lowered as she held the teacup, she was the picture of indolent charm. “I heard that the Eldest Young Master himself traveled to Huainan to fetch you back.” As she added water to the teapot, she gazed at me with a mild smile. “You are right.” “How was Huainan? Any of your relatives still there?” I shook my head: “Because of the long war, the township near the Old Residence is no longer occupied.” After a pause, I added: “But the ancestral hall with all the memorial tablets still stands. Young Master Gongyang gave me a pot of Qiong Su for my Second Brother.” Although the words tumbled from my mouth easily, sadness still tinged them. Ruo Chan’s face was bleak, and she didn’t speak. After a while, she patted my hand. She sipped the tea, and paused for a moment before saying, “Did you know Young Master Ji Yuan is in Yangzhou?” I froze, not expecting her to mention him. “Oh?” I sounded calm. “News spread that after Wu Kun succeeded to the throne, he appointed Young Master Ji Yuan as the Chief Clerk last month.” She looked at me, “Didn’t you hear it in the Wei Residence?” “No.” It was true; in the Wei Residence, I acted the warm and virtuous wife of the Eldest Young Master. Neither the servants nor Madam Guo, Zhou-shi, and the others mentioned Wu Kun. Even if A’Yuan knew something, she wouldn’t bring up Pei Qian in front of me after our Huainan experience. As for Wei Tan, it was even more impossible. I wasn’t sure what he thought of my past with Pei Qian, but I wouldn’t be stupid enough to bring up Pei Qian in front of him. I noticed she looked somewhat pale, like she hadn’t slept well, so I changed the topic: “Hosted many banquets?” “What banquets? I can’t afford to invite small households to this trick house. With the Prime Minister still away, the officials and nobles don’t carouse. I’m idle lately, so I’m looking for new people.” After a pause, she added meaningfully, “A’Jin, with the lack of bustle in Yong Capital, unless you go to the Qiong Hua Temple, you’ll think that the city’s nobles are all dead.” Realizing what she referred to, I flushed. She suddenly asked, “Zhong Ping has been going out again recently. Do you know where he’s going?” Startled, I wondered, ‘Gongyang Gui still hasn’t informed her about the convoy service?’ “No.” I smiled, “Why are you asking me? How would I know? If even you don’t?” “I’m just asking. He and Steward Li are very close.” “Oh?” I continued to play dumb. She stared at me and smiled, “I’ve been to Steward Li’s pharmacy, and it’s great. The shop owner has his hands full with the endless stream of people buying medicine.” “Really.” Appearing uninterested, I bowed my head to drink tea. She continued, “Steward Li fled with his family here, and still bought goods and opened a store. It must have cost him a fortune.” “Yes.” I curved my lips, “He is amazing.” As I stared at the streets on the way back, I considered Gongyang Gui. He had left home and, apparently, wasn’t always at Ruo Chan’s. A’Yuan told me that he often went to Li Shang’s house. He had already started the convoy service after returning to Yong Capital from Yuzhang. Li Shang had connected him to a merchant eager to sell his leather goods to the South. The trip finished smoothly, and he took up two more missions after returning. No matter how much he enjoyed it, he still gambled with death, the danger unpredictable. But Gongyang Gui had always been proud, unwilling to be fettered by bureaucratic affairs. This road might be his best choice if he wanted to earn his own living. By not telling Ruo Chan, he had done the right thing. When I returned to the house, Madam Guo was napping in her room. I didn’t disturb her, just speaking a few words with her maid before returning to my courtyard. A’Yuan stepped in from outside, complaining that the weather had turned freezing. Her words reminded me; Wei Tan often trained with the soldiers, and yesterday, I noticed that his winter coat was worn out with holes. While the new winter coat was being prepared, we had to compromise with something old. I needed to find his older clothes, packed away in the clothes trunk in the next room. I didn’t ask the servants to find them because, buried inside that room, was the ten catties of gold that Wei Tan had promised me. Neither of us mentioned the gold after we returned, as if it never existed. But I remembered what he had said, every word imprinted in my mind. He didn’t say he would take it back if I didn’t leave. It was only logical that the gold was still mine. As I rummaged through the clothes trunk, I glanced at the northeast corner of the room. A heap of miscellaneous bottles and jars, placed long ago, were collecting dust in the corner. I didn’t disturb them for fear of leaving fingerprints. Wei Tan, with eyes on the back of his skull, would spot them with a single glance. I ogled it for a minute before sighing and bowing my head to scour the clothes again. Wei Tan didn’t have many clothes. Even the winter clothes in storage filled only half a trunk, and searching through them was easy. As I pulled them out, a hint of the trunk’s camphor wood scent followed. Although these clothes were old, they were intact. I picked one that was close to his current size, thinking it would be just right to wear under a robe coat. When I shook it out, something inside fell to the ground. Surprised, I realized it was a silk handkerchief. Yellow spots staining its surface became plain under the light. An embroidered bright red poppy flower bloomed in its corner. When Wei Tan returned to the mansion that night, I sat on the couch, sewing and mending clothes on the couch. He saw them at a glance and walked over, “Who’s clothes?” “Yours.” I bit off the thread, pulled out the stitches evenly. “The new winter clothes aren’t ready, so I brought old clothes from the adjacent room. I’m just mending a small hole in the sleeve. Please make do for now, Fujun.” “Oh?” He smiled before taking the winter coat from my hand. As he stared at it, I noticed his expression freezing for an instant. I smiled, “I’m not sure if the size fits. Why don’t you try it out?” “No need to try,” he placed the clothes back into my hands and stroked my hair with an unchanging smile, “You are virtuous, Furen. Whatever you pick will be good.” I was about to speak when he turned around: “A’Yuan, is the hot water ready?” A’Yuan peeked in from outside, “It’s ready, Eldest Young Master.” He told me, “I’m covered in dirt from today’s training, I’ll go wash up,” and walked away. When he finally returned to the room, I was sitting on the couch after already changing. I made him sit at the mirror, grabbed a towel, and dried the water droplets on his hair. He asked, “You went out today, Furen?” “Yes, to Danxia Temple.” “Danxia Temple?” He contemplated for a moment, “The one by Yongchi Lake?” I replied, “Yes, the temple’s Buddhist nuns chanted very well.” But inside, I recalled Wei Tan’s meeting with Empress Xu back then. My hand gently wiped his temples, and I couldn’t help but look at his expression. The lines of his profile remained steady, without the slightest fluctuation. “If you enjoy listening to them, you can take me along next time.” Yeah, right—who would take you? “Alright,” I murmured. I stretched my hand to wipe his neck when suddenly, he seized my hand in his, picking me up with one long arm. Heat entangled between my lips, tongue, and neck as I gasped. With great effort, I managed to prop his chest away. I whispered, “You still haven’t changed......” He nibbled my earlobe: “No need to change, I’ll have to take it off later anyway......” He lowered me onto the couch and reached for my sash. But after a while, he froze, stopped his hand, and raised his head. My clothes hung half-open with my sash loosened, revealing another tightly wrapped belt. “I’m on my period, I’m afraid it’s inconvenient for me tonight, Fujun,” I blushed at him, grinning. Footnotes:
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I walked through Yong Capital’s gates, a full three months after the last time. As the carriage halted in front of the mansion, Wei Xian’s wife Zhu-shi, Wei Ping’s wife Zhou-shi, and Wei Gang’s wife Mao-shi, came out and smiled at me. Zhou-shi came from Hexi, and her mother’s family was a small clan in the county. Since her father’s early demise in her youth, she had followed her mother in taking charge of the family, even dealing with tenant farmers. So she spoke boldly, with a touch of rustic crudity. Yet, she knew how to please, was diligent in housework, and her occasional teasing and joking made her popular with the elders. After bowing, she stepped forward and tugged my hand. She stared at Wei Tan and smiled, “You are back, Tang Xiong. I was so envious when we heard you traveled to Huainan to pick up Tang Sao.” The more gentle Zhu-shi and Mao-shi stood behind her and stared at us, covering their laughs with their sleeves. Embarrassed, I hurriedly denied, “The three Zhou Li don’t know but Fujun had traveled there because of the war and Liang Chong’s attack on Huaiyang. It just happened that Fourth Shu and I were also there, so he picked us up along the way.” Unlike me, Wei Tan didn’t bother explaining, but he gazed at Zhou-shi and hooked his lips: “If Di Fu had joined A’Jin, I might have asked Zhong Mao to follow me to Huaiyang.” She blushed, “What nonsense, Eldest Tang Xiong. I was talking about Tang Sao.” Everyone laughed, and after greeting each other, we entered the mansion. Madam Guo sat in the main hall with Wei Rong beside her. When they saw us enter, Wei Rong stepped forward and bowed, while Madam Guo smiled, remaining seated on the couch. After all the greetings, Madam Guo asked Wei An to step forward. She sighed after examining him: “You left home without saying a word; do you know we almost flipped over Yong Province searching for you? If it weren’t for the message from your Eldest Sao, I would have sent someone to report to the Prime Minister. Your father and brothers who are away campaigning can only relax if our family is safe. How will I explain to the Prime Minister if something happens to you? In the future, how can I dare to face your birth mother at the Yellow Springs......” As she spoke, her voice trembled, and she lowered her head to wipe her tears. Wei An’s face reddened, and he raised his head to look at Wei Tan. At his signal, Wei An stepped forward and bowed deep to Madam Guo: “My unruliness has disgraced my parents. This won’t happen again, so I beg for Mother’s forgiveness.” He paused and added, “I will accept your punishment.” The brief apology was not emotive or eloquent. But since it came from Wei An’s mouth, it showed his sincerity. Madam Guo peered at him, wiped her eyes again, holding back her tears. “What punishment.” She sighed, “Won’t it be my heart that hurts if I beat you.” Zhou-shi, who was observing this, stepped in to mediate, “Madam, you didn’t eat or sleep peacefully for several days in your concern for Fourth Shu. Now that he returned safely, Madam is still talking about these sad things. Eldest Tang Xiong, Eldest Sao, and Fourth Shu have returned after a long journey, but haven’t had a drink or meal yet.” Madam Guo looked at Wei Tan and me, her expression easing a little: “I have been negligent. You had to listen to me, an old woman, complain, after your hard journey.” Wei Tan smiled, “What are you saying, Mother.” She looked at me again and said, “Young Furen, you faced many unforeseen accidents on this trip, scaring us here in Yong Capital.” “I am sorry for worrying you, Mother-In-Law. Thanks to the soldiers’ escort, and then Fujun who came to pick me up, I was safe despite the danger.” She nodded and sighed: “All’s well, thanks to the blessings of the gods. Since you are back, you should go to the temple to offer your thanks.” I bowed, “I promise.” She ordered the servants to serve the meal, and after we sat, she asked Wei Tan about Wei Jue. Wei Tan talked about the battle with Tan Xi and added: “Five days ago, I received a war report in Shangzhou; of Tan Xi’s four sons, only the second son Tan Yao remains to defend the Liaodong peninsula. Father is reorganizing the army in Yōu Province, and he wants to destroy the rest of the Tan Clan before winter.” Madam Guo nodded while the other married women murmured amongst themselves. “I heard Liaodong gets extremely chilly, with the water freezing well before winter,” Mao-shi chimed in, her expression mixed with joy and concern. Zhou-shi replied, “It’s already September. If all goes well, the army will be ready to return soon.” “God willing,” Zhu-shi prayed aloud. After the meal, Wei Tan and I withdrew, returning to our courtyard. Since the servants had cleaned it every day, it was tidy even after months of disuse. Everything seemed the same except for a new foot-high bamboo fence around the corridors. Wei Tan noticed it too and raised his eyebrows, “You planted flowers?” “Yes.” I smiled, “They were from the palace.” He walked over to the wall and gazed at the plants growing on the bamboo fence. As it was Fall now, no flowers bloomed, and only green leaves and stems covered the fence. After staring at it for a moment, he asked me, “Poppies?” “You are right. Do you recognize them, Fujun?” He didn’t answer at once, but after a moment, he spun around and replied, “My mother used to grow them.” I nodded. “Let’s go inside,” he announced, walking towards the rooms. After we returned to the Residence, I picked up my usual routine; I served my husband and mother-in-law and handled the household affairs. Madam Guo treated me the same, handing all the tasks over to me, except for the bookkeeping, the staff, and other matters of authority. I understood the reasoning behind her actions, and I never refused to do any work she assigned me. Although the trip had been tiring, I couldn’t help but feel bored with these houseworks. But I recognized it as my duty, completing them with all my heart. After Wei Tan returned to Yong Capital, he became very busy, going out either to the Imperial Court or for inspections every day. If he was at home, people visited him occasionally. Compared to our trip outside, we saw each other much lesser, meeting only later in the nights. Yet, this didn’t stop his roving hands. If he was too tired, he and I would sleep after cuddling; otherwise, “putting out the lights” and other processes were inevitable. Although sometimes the way he tormented me made me sore, I found that I gradually learned a few pleasures. For example, those hands, I loved it when they wandered over my body. Whenever they hovered over sensitive spots, I gripped them tight, not letting them move away. And then, whenever I couldn’t bear that big worm-like monster, I would bite on Wei Tan’s arm, overwhelmed by a wonderful excitement. I finally understood Zhou-shi’s and the others’ ambiguous smiles. After everything calmed in the mansion, I waited for a day before reporting to Madam Guo of my trip to the temple. She naturally agreed, and when I informed Wei Tan, he pondered for a while before asking, “Do you want me to join you?” Startled for a second, I smiled, “Aren’t you going to the Xi Liu camp, Fujun?” He returned my smile, “I almost forgot. Then I will trouble you to offer thanks on my behalf, Furen.” I breathed a sigh of relief and replied gently, “As you wish.” Li Shang’s house wasn’t far from the temple I was visiting. After paying my respects, I took a carriage and went directly to his residence. Although Gongyang Gui wasn’t there, I met Li Shang and Li Huan, the father and son pair. In the three months we hadn’t met, Li Shang’s face had darkened, and he seemed to have lost weight. Yet, he was in excellent spirits, healthier than ever. Before I could ask him how he was doing, Li Shang spoke up with a strained expression, “Furen, A’Yuan mentioned in her letter that you ran into danger in Huainan?” I gave A’Yuan a reproachful glance, and she shrank a little. “No real danger,” I smiled, “fortunately someone saved us. Just a false alarm.” I didn’t explain who came to my rescue, but Li Shang obviously knew, and he peered at me meaningfully. “Alright,” he nodded, “it doesn’t matter as long as you are well, Furen.” He then asked Li Huan to fetch several wooden boxes and opened them in front of me. Resembling makeup boxes, each grid, and every tier stocked medicinal herbs. Both shocked and happy, I asked, “So many?” Li Shang smiled: “I traveled to the supply hub in Yuzhang, near Lingnan and Jing Xiang. I searched for a former medicine dealer, and he guaranteed the best quality and price for any herb.” I mulled it over before replying, “That’s good. But Yuzhang and Yong Capital are far apart. I wonder if your journey was smooth, Steward?” “Don’t worry, Furen. We traveled by the water route this time. When the Imperial Court and Wu Zhang battled Liang Chong, the navy blocked our route. But luckily, Young Master Gongyang was wise enough to lead us to hide before a few friends helped us escape. After that, the journey was smooth. Although Yuzhang is now in Zeng Yao’s control, he is in a stand-off with the three armies of Wei, Wu, and Liang. But by relying on the location’s natural strength in defense, they enjoy peace and stability. But because the surrounding roads are inaccessible, transporting cargo is difficult, and the herb merchants are struggling to cope.” “That’s what I’m worried about too. Steward, the circumstances are uncertain as wars continue to sweep the country. Though you returned safely this time, I’m afraid it will be a different scenario next time.” “No need to worry, Furen. Young Master Gongyang has friends who have traveled on the rivers for decades. Once the ship sails forward, even the official soldiers can’t do anything.” Frankly, weren’t they just pirates on rivers and oceans? How could I trust them? I diplomatically replied, “Turns out he is so capable. I’m afraid that in the future, if we keep asking for help, Young Master Gongyang might not do us more favors. Plus, although these herbs are good products, if they are too expensive, the rich and the nobles may be unwilling to buy them.” Li Shang nodded: “I too considered this problem. So on the road, I convinced Young Master Gongyang and the others to start a convoy service.” “Start a convoy service?” I froze. “Yes.” Li Shang continued earnestly, “Young Master Gongyang doesn’t want to be an official. He is away from home with no reliable source of food and clothing. His friends have courage, but can only resort to an unsustainable piracy. I suggested they open a convoy service in the waterways to escort the goods. The fees they charge for transportation is both legitimate and can support their family.” He smiled, “But don’t worry, Furen. They guaranteed that if they start the service, they will only charge us 20% of the shipping fees for our goods.” Dumbstruck, I sipped the tea to suppress the surprise in my heart. Although Gongyang Gui was rebellious, I always assumed he, like other young noblemen, disdained engaging in business. I didn’t expect that he would accept such an offer from Li Shang. While earlier, I was unaware of the dangers of swords and wars, this Huainan and Luoyang trip was eye-opening. I disliked risk, needing at least 70-80% certainty to gather the courage to work. But Li Shang and the others were different. The thrill excited them. Was I too timid? “Don’t get shocked, Furen.” Li Shang laughed, “On the road, Young Master Gongyang told me that when you used to sell the Residence’s antiques in the market, he had met you a few times in the streets.” What did he mean “met”? He used to join me in selling them, but now he wanted to save his face? I reddened: “You knew about it, Steward?” He shook his head and laughed: “Back then, Madam told me many antiques were missing from the Residence. She suspected some servant had stolen them. When I was about to investigate, the Lord stopped me, saying they had all gone to the fox’s belly.” As A’Yuan and Li Huan laughed, my ears warmed up, but Li Shang’s smile relieved me. This was the most cheerful smile Li Shang has had since our reunion. I couldn’t help but wonder that if my Father was still alive, he wouldn’t stop Li Shang when he was so confident about doing something, right? Footnotes:
TN: Here is the next chapter! Finally huh? Thanks for your patience, everyone. And this chapter's footnotes with the 3 different terms for "sister-in-law" explains why using the original terms for these nuanced relationships makes so much more sense than the English translations. |
SANDY'S READ RECEIPTSBeginning as an avid reader, I am translating novels with the help of machine translation and online dictionaries.
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