He was still the same person from when we first met, who took it upon himself to treat my foot without asking.
Only caring about what he thought was best for me,
without considering my thoughts at all.
In my childhood, Mother had said: "A character is level at both ends; a balance scale does not cheat people."
For me, owing others was rather a burden.
I stood up and returned the silver notes to him. "What is this, Young Master Qin? For no reason at all, why would I take your silver?"
Seeing me so resolute, he fell silent, but his eyes turned toward the door, as if waiting for something.
Meanwhile, those debt collectors refused to leave, all of them guarding the main hall.
I gritted my teeth and quietly told Wu Bi to take the pearls to pawn.
Wu Bi hesitated. "Second Young Madam, if we pawn this treasure to pay off the Eldest Young Master's romantic debts, and the Old Madam finds out, her illness will surely worsen..."
"I know. These people are blocking the door—the shop can't do business. Go pawn them first to resolve this urgent crisis. In a few days, we'll think of a way to collect the payment for goods."
Just then, two people walked in from outside. Shopkeeper Wu hurriedly went up to greet them, cupping his hands. "Shopkeeper Qian, Shopkeeper Sun."
He turned and said to me, "Second Young Madam, these are the two shopkeepers from the Taixing firms."
I nodded.
We had just been saying that the payment from Taixing couldn't be collected; what were they doing here now?
Those two looked at me, then looked at Qin Mingxu standing beside me.
I wondered if it was my imagination, but I saw in their eyes, when they looked at Qin Mingxu, some fear, some resentment, and some helpless resignation at being unable to do anything about him.
They slowly pulled silver notes from their sleeves and said, "Shopkeeper Wu, this is the payment for those few carts of goods today. Please count it."
Shopkeeper Wu was overjoyed. He took the notes, counted them, and said, "Not a single cent missing. Thank you both."
They cupped their fists. "Silver and goods settled. Farewell."
Shopkeeper Wu saw them straight out the door. When he returned, he checked accounts with the debt collectors and settled.
Those people finally left.
The shop grew quiet.
Outside, the rain was still falling.
Winter rain in the south was very different from that in the north.
Like mist flying thick and hazy, like dew appearing desolate.
The grass was a dim color.
The two plum trees outside the door bowed their heads modestly.
I was puzzled. The attitude of the Taixing merchants wouldn't change so quickly without reason; someone must have done something.
Recalling the way they had looked at Qin Mingxu, I said, "Was it you?"
He smiled. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"What means did you use?"
He lowered his head and touched his nose. "Anyway, I'm not a good person. You don't need to know."
Then he looked left and right to change the subject. "Last time in Dongchang Prefecture, I heard people say that Miss Zhu is most skilled at painting. Miss, could you give me a painting?"
I was angered into laughter by him.
Who speaks with such confidence about not being a good person?
"I've told you many times, don't call me Miss."
He completely ignored this.
He simply refused to change.
After Wu Bi and I finished checking the account books, I stood up and walked out.
Qin Mingxu said, "Miss, I want you to paint a peony. My mother has longed to see the peonies in Luoyang City. She has never had the time. The end of the month is her birthday. I wish to fulfill my filial duty."
I stopped in my tracks.
Hearing Qin Mingxu's words made me think of my own mother.
The splendor and bustle of the world—Mother could never see them again.
When she was critically ill, she still held my hand and told me, "Sangyu, my child, your mother was born into a family of luxury, half a life of abundance, having suffered no hardship. Life and death are predestined; Mother has nothing to resent, only she worries about my child. Your father is a man without resolve. As long as Mother lives one day, you will fare well one day. When Mother is gone, what will you do..."
The days that followed proved Mother's words. Every time I think of her, it is endless longing and desolation.
I said to Qin Mingxu, "Come to collect it in seven days."
He pursed his lips. "Alright."
An hour after Qin Mingxu left, Wu Bi had inquired with the merchant guild people in Yangzhou City about what happened today.
Qin Mingxu had ordered people to kidnap the families of those two Taixing merchants and forced them to repay the money.
Presumably, before hurrying to the shop, he had made dual preparations.
First, to help me collect the payment; second, to deliver the silver notes.
Foolproof.
"Young Master Qin's methods are truly ruthless," Wu Bi sighed. "If the Second Master were here, with his scholarly air, he would never do such things."
It is said: The merciful do not command armies; the righteous do not manage wealth.
Recalling that day on the boat, when Qin Mingxu's servant colluded with bandits.
The "Tiansheng Lou" trade name spanned the world; the Qin family's business was vast. As the family head, the eldest legitimate son of the Qin household, Qin Mingxu was certainly not one to be trifled with.
As for Cheng Huaishi, he held the ideals of a scholar.
Wu Bi had told me long ago that Cheng Huaishi followed the Old Master's aspirations, his mind set solely on the imperial examinations. Business was merely a means of maintaining stability.
They were two completely different kinds of people.
Only, I owed Qin Mingxu once again.
When darkness fell, the rain finally stopped.
The bluestone road was wet, like a heart suddenly roused from an afternoon nap.
Lost and aimless, not knowing where to go.
The Eldest Young Madam had urged me several times. The Old Madam of the North Courtyard had also sent a maid to inquire. I took Xiao Yin to the small kitchen to make pastries from my hometown, carefully packed them into a food box, and only then stood up, preparing to set out.
Whether for the Eldest Young Master or for Cheng Huaishi, I had to go find Feng Gao.
He Hua draped a white overcoat over me.
On winter nights, the chill penetrated the bones.
The Eastern Depot people were all lodged at the prefectural yamen.
I took He Hua and went there.
Those young eunuchs had seen today at the Cheng residence how differently Feng Gao treated me, so they were exceptionally courteous.
They guided me all the way to a small courtyard.
A young eunuch led me to the side chamber and said, "Madam Cheng, Eunuch Feng is currently discussing matters with Prefect Liu. Please wait a moment. When he is done, he will come to see you. Eunuch Feng specifically instructed that if others come, he will not see them. But if you come, he must see you."
I signaled He Hua to take out a silver ingot and hand it to him.
"Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch. Take this to buy a cup of rough tea."
The young eunuch accepted it. "Madam Cheng is truly too polite."
"As it should be," I smiled.
After the young eunuch withdrew, I sat in the side chamber, curious in my heart about what Feng Gao and Prefect Liu were discussing.
I quietly walked to the window of the inner room.
From inside came the sound of kowtowing.
"This official's dog eyes failed to recognize Mount Tai; I deserve ten thousand deaths. Eunuch Feng, please be magnanimous and overlook this petty person's offense. If you put in a few good words for me before His Majesty, this matter will be like a gust of wind—once it passes, it's gone. What I gave Factory Chief Cao in the past, I will give to you in double... let us share the riches..."
Feng Gao's voice remained gentle and slow.
"Prefect Liu, please speak carefully. Who is this 'us' with you? Speak properly. Don't be so clingy."
"This official spoke out of turn; this official shall slap his own mouth."
He truly began to slap himself.
Feng Gao said, "Prefect Liu, burning incense and worshipping Buddha is only human nature. What to fear is worshipping at the wrong temple. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, yes, yes. This official had eyes but could not see."
"His Majesty flew into a rage upon seeing the petition. Feng serves His Majesty, so naturally in my heart and eyes there is only His Majesty. If I do not investigate clearly for His Majesty, would that not be betraying imperial grace? Factory Chief Cao offended the imperial countenance. Today's Eastern Depot is no longer yesterday's Eastern Depot. Those things he did in collusion with you—what do they have to do with Feng?"
Prefect Liu's voice carried a sobbing tone. "The case of Grain Intendant Xun involves dozens of court officials in Jianghuai. You cannot reopen the case..."
"Even if you all died, what has that to do with me?"
Feng Gao's voice was as cold and clear as winter rain.
"Feng most enjoys watching human blood. Human blood is far more beautiful than flowers."
After a long while, Prefect Liu said, "But Eunuch Feng, you were also involved..."
"Hmm?"
Feng Gao's laugh carried a bone-piercing chill.
He grabbed Prefect Liu by the collar. "If you continue to be so senseless, you won't live to hear tomorrow's rooster crow. Factory Chief Cao's former methods of torture—Feng, untalented as I am, am slightly superior."
Prefect Liu's teeth chattered. "Why must you seek justice for a dead grain intendant? Don't you like silver?"
"Of course I like silver. But His Majesty's trust is more important. Feng was castrated fifteen years ago, starting from drawing Factory Chief Cao's foot-washing water, and has struggled to reach this day. In Feng's eyes, there is no right or wrong, only weight and lightness," Feng Gao said.
"This official... this official... this official will immediately go draw your foot-washing water..."
Footsteps headed outward.
I hurriedly retreated to the side chamber.
Master Liu left trembling.
I stood up and walked forward. When Feng Gao saw me, he came out to greet me.
The depths of his dark eyes withdrew slightly, and a smile flooded his face of extreme beauty.
"Sister has come?"
"I..." I pointed at the food box. "I made Dongchang Prefecture pastries for you."
When he heard this, he was very happy. He took the food box, took one out, and began to eat. Halfway through, he childishly squinted his eyes.
"I left Dongchang Prefecture fifteen years ago; the taste of home is nearly forgotten."
Watching him like this, he seemed a completely different person from the one who had just spoken those venomous words.
"You're also from Dongchang Prefecture?"
He lowered his head. "Yes... no, not anymore... Once sold into the palace, one is naturally a person of the palace."
After a moment, he raised his head, his narrow phoenix eyes looking at me. "Sister, why have you come?"
"I... I want to beg you... spare the Cheng family..."
This was the first time in my life I had begged someone to do something, as difficult as treading on the edge of a knife.
He held the pastry, took another bite, and after a long while, said, "Why doesn't Sister simply leave the Cheng family?"