Chapter 5: Taken a liking?

The rain hadn’t stopped, drizzling softly. The eaves, corridors, houses, and vegetation were all permeated with a cool freshness.

Wen Nianyue, who was originally expected to return at mealtime, came back at noon. She had changed into different clothes from when she left, a two-piece outfit with a pinched waist and narrow sleeves, made of gold-embroidered brocade. It was both elegant and exquisite, yet simple and lightweight, convenient for her to raise her arms and turn.

Wen Nianyue had changed into these clothes at her family’s restaurant during a break in her inspection. Last night’s autumn rain had been too long and heavy, and Wen Nianyue was worried about its impact on the various silk warehouses under the Wen family’s name. She had rushed out for inspection, only realizing after leaving that her attire was somewhat cumbersome, so she had to change clothes at the family restaurant.

By rule, the Great Mi Dynasty did not allow imperial merchants to operate industries outside their specialized goods. Currently, most of the imperial silk tribute items for the Ministry of Internal Affairs were produced by the Wen family. Most of the silk shops in Weiking City, whether catering to nobles and officials or common people, were also operated by the Wen family. The Wen family focused on doing these things well. But besides these, the Yan Ping Le restaurant, operated under the Wen family’s centuries-old foundation, was beloved by scholars and refined individuals. The patrons were either wealthy or noble, and even included princes and princesses from beyond the borders. The current emperor wanted it to serve as the imperial ear, so he turned a blind eye. Even when the Wen family expanded into foreign trade and operated shops selling foreign goods, they were not stopped.

In just one morning, Wen Nianyue hadn’t completed all her inspections. After delegating the remaining work to her subordinate managers, she hurriedly returned home. She had been constantly thinking about Fu Jizhou, who had come to break off the engagement. She regretted her anger at the time, not asking more questions, and not sending someone to investigate in Qianzhou first, hastily giving the choice to Hua Ting.

Hua Ting was the dowry manager of her husband, very protective of his master. For the sake of his master and Jinyi, he dared to go against even her. She had always doted on her husband and Jinyi, naturally being more tolerant of Hua Ting. Seeing his temper grow even worse over the past few years, the last time Jinyi was accidentally knocked down by the second brother’s maid during class and her palm bled, Hua Ting was relentless, insisting that the second brother bring his maid to personally apologize to Jinyi. In the end, she had to swallow her pride and ask the second brother to come over, enduring a few sarcastic remarks from Hua Ting.

Now, Jinyi’s future husband had come to break off the engagement. How could Hua Ting, with his protective nature, tolerate this? He would likely embarrass Fu Jizhou on the spot, angrily break off the engagement, and then chase him out, leaving him to sleep on the streets and reflect on what he was worth.

Thinking of this, Wen Nianyue felt some regret, regretting her rashness. Her husband and Fu Jizhou’s father were close friends, and she and Fu Jizhou’s mother Fu Ling were fellow disciples. Even if the children’s marriage didn’t work out, they should still save face for each other.

Now it might be too late to regret, she could only try to make amends, send someone to find Fu Jizhou, escort him safely home, and write a letter to Fu Ling explaining the circumstances.

With this in mind, Wen Nianyue stepped into the inner courtyard. Zhu Sheng, who had been waiting at the courtyard gate after hearing the news early, hurried to welcome her.

“Were there any major events at home today?” Wen Nianyue asked as usual, walking ahead.

Zhu Sheng, holding an umbrella and bowing behind her, carefully replied, “Nothing major, the Fourth Young Miss came to the mansion for a visit, the Young Miss ate breakfast and went back to her room to rest, and Hua Ting arranged for Young Master Fu to stay in Qingwu Courtyard.”

Wen Nianyue’s steps faltered, she turned back to look at Zhu Sheng, her face disbelieving: “He’s staying?”

Zhu Sheng bowed respectfully before answering solemnly, “He’s staying.” Under Wen Nianyue’s somewhat confused gaze, he added, “The Young Miss hid Young Master Fu’s marriage contract, Hua Ting didn’t see it.”

Wen Nianyue held her forehead, smiling helplessly: “What does that little girl mean? Has she taken a liking to him?”

Zhu Sheng pondered for a moment, then quietly replied: “It seems so.” She even hugged him.

Wen Nianyue was speechless. She paced to a nearby pavilion and rested her chin on her hand, thinking at the stone table.

Zhu Sheng closed the umbrella and stood aside waiting. He and Hua Ting were opposites. Hua Ting thought a lot, spoke a lot, and had a more impatient temperament, while he could seem non-existent when not speaking, with a somewhat slow and dull temperament.

“That little girl really knows how to give her mother challenges,” After a long while, Wen Nianyue finally spoke, instructing, “Go and invite Young Master Fu to the study in the front courtyard.”

Zhu Sheng acknowledged, put down the umbrella, and hurried along the winding corridor to relay the message.

*

Fu Jizhou had been sitting idly in Qingwu Courtyard for several hours. His washed hair had already dried and been neatly tied up by the servants. Originally, the servant wanted to put a jade hairpin from the dressing table on him, but he refused with pursed lips, only agreeing to tie a sky-blue hair ribbon that matched his clothes.

The rain alternated between heavy and light, and his uneasy heart in the room fluctuated with the sound of the rain.

The attendant of Young Miss Wen had said she would come to apologize to him, but why hadn’t she come yet?

It wasn’t that he needed that apology, but sitting in a strange, exquisite, wealthy room in someone else’s house made him particularly uncomfortable. He thought, if only Young Miss Wen could come and take a look, so he could carefully observe her expression and gauge what kind of situation he was in now.

Just as he was lost in thought, he vaguely heard a series of hurried footsteps approaching from afar. He immediately stood up, startling the servant who was wiping a vase nearby.

“Young Master Fu, is there anything this slave can help you with?” The servant put down his work and inquired.

“It’s nothing.” Fu Jizhou came to his senses, feeling his reaction was a bit too much. His ear tips reddened as he slowly sat back down, his gaze lingering on the courtyard entrance.

The servant was about to turn around when he heard a knock at the courtyard door. Zhu Sheng entered, and he quickly went to greet him, bowing his head in respect.

Zhu Sheng waved his hand, telling him to go about his business, and quickly walked into the courtyard. Still slightly out of breath, he reported to Fu Jizhou: “Young… Young Master Fu, the family head requests your presence.”

“Alright.” Fu Jizhou concealed the disappointment in his eyes, stood up, and followed Zhu Sheng with trepidation. Along the way, he kept his head down, feeling inexplicably upset. He would have to leave now, right?

With this kind of dejected mood, Fu Jizhou was led to Wen Nianyue’s study. Zhu Sheng didn’t enter but retreated, gently closing the door.

Fu Jizhou stood still for a moment, then slowly walked towards Wen Nianyue, who was sitting in the study, head down, writing something. His steps were slow, occasionally hesitant.

Hearing the sound, Wen Nianyue looked up, put down her pen, and carefully examined the boy standing at a distance from the desk, from his stature and features to his demeanor.

Very young, with a frail build, only eleven years old. His eyes were downcast, filled with worry, but undoubtedly a beautiful child. He had changed into a long robe made of sky-blue silk, with a white round cord tied at the waist, looking fresh and much more presentable than when he first arrived.

Fu Jizhou felt Wen Nianyue’s appraising gaze and uncomfortably took half a step back.

“A’zhou, since you’ve come, you might as well stay properly. I’ll handle things with your mother, just find some excuse to put her off. After all, it shouldn’t be difficult for the Wen family to host the future husband of the eldest daughter for a short while.”

Seeing his uneasiness, Wen Nianyue spoke first.

Earlier in the morning, she had called him “Nephew Xian”, then in anger called him Fu Jizhou by his full name, and now changed to calling him “A’zhou”. Fu Jizhou felt somewhat flustered, glancing up briefly before lowering his eyes again, his heart pounding.

The Wen family head still recognized him as the future husband of Wen Jinyi, and even wanted to help him find excuses to put off his mother, letting him stay at the Wen mansion. Why was this?

Did they not want to break off the engagement? But what did the Wen family gain from this? Although his mother was the prefect of Qianzhou, it was only an external third-rank official position, while the Wen family had been imperial merchants for generations, with vast wealth. Though they had no real power in Weiking, they held a second-rank honorary title. His little mind couldn’t fathom why.

“But your identity…” Wen Nianyue thought for a moment, it wasn’t common to take in an eleven-year-old future son-in-law, it might invite gossip, “From now on, you’ll be the young master from Qianzhou. I’ll have Zhu Sheng rearrange the servants attending to you in a bit.”

Fu Jizhou was startled and bowed deeply: “This nephew was impulsive and ignorant of proper behavior today, offending Aunt. Aunt is so considerate towards me, this nephew feels uneasy.”

Seeing him acknowledge his mistakes and cautiously accept undeserved benefits, Wen Nianyue felt somewhat pleased. Although men were naturally gentle, the primary husband of the Wen family’s eldest daughter couldn’t be a spineless pretty face. Because of Fu Jizhou’s reaction, Wen Nianyue’s words became even gentler.

“You must have your reasons for today’s events, which you’re unwilling to speak of, and I won’t force you to. The Wen and Fu families have deep ties, even if just for your father’s sake, we wouldn’t mistreat you. You can stay here with peace of mind. Even if we can’t ultimately arrange a good marriage, we can still be good siblings.”

Something struck a chord, and Fu Jizhou’s nose stung. He lowered his head even more, not knowing what to say.

Seeing the boy exuding an air of sadness and grievance, Wen Nianyue’s heart softened. He must indeed have his difficulties. Although she wouldn’t ask, she still needed to investigate. How could she allow anyone to bully the future husband chosen for her eldest daughter?

“Alright, go back to Qingwu Courtyard. From now on, treat this place as your own home.” Wen Nianyue waved her hand, picked up her pen, and lowered her head to continue writing the letter to Fu Ling.

Fu Jizhou lingered for a moment, respectfully bowed again, and then turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, Wen Nianyue suddenly looked up and asked unexpectedly: “Where did Jinyi hide that marriage contract of yours?” She needed to get it back; official contract documents couldn’t be left in a child’s hands to play with.

Fu Jizhou’s cheeks instantly flushed, and after stammering for a while, he said: “In her right sleeve.”

Wen Nianyue chuckled and nodded: “Alright, I understand. You may go now.”

Fu Jizhou left quickly, his face blushing furiously. The anxiety he had felt since entering the Wen mansion suddenly seemed trivial in comparison.