Chapter 34 Meeting
Because he had something on his mind, Fu Yunxiu was somewhat absent-minded during lunch in the afternoon.
The meal was ordered from a small restaurant outside. Although it couldn't compare to the luxury of a big restaurant, the taste was good. Most importantly, they were willing to deliver the meal to our door, which saved them a lot of trouble.
Mantou brought the food into Aman's room, moved a table and chairs over, and the three of them ate together.
Ah Man's cheeks were flushed after she had made her relationship with Fu Yunxiu clear to Zhao Hu. Now, when she saw Fu Yunxiu, she didn't even dare to look at him.
Although she entered Wutong Garden as a maidservant, it was still quite embarrassing to admit it.
Moreover, Zhao Hu said those things when he left.
Mantou, oblivious to Aman's unease, continued telling her about what had happened while selling paintings that day.
When Aman heard that Fu Yunxiu's painting had been bought by someone who knew art, she was genuinely happy for him.
What's more, that's a hundred taels of silver! She probably couldn't earn that much even if she sold vegetables her whole life, but the young master earned it with just one painting.
"Young Master is truly amazing." Aman showered him with compliments, her whole body beaming like a flower. In the past, Fu Yunxiu would have been infected by her joy, but now, he really couldn't smile.
Fu Yunxiu nodded perfunctorily, and Aman immediately noticed that something was wrong.
"What's going on?" Aman asked Mantou in a low voice.
There was no point in hiding it, so Mantou simply told him about Wu Dao's later request.
“This is a good thing,” Aman said after listening attentively. “It can make up for the regrets of my childhood. This is something that so many people would love to do.”
What's there to hesitate about?
Aman didn't understand.
"But..." Mantou frowned, unsure of what to say.
Seeing that Mantou couldn't speak, Aman turned to ask Fu Yunxiu, "Does the young master want to go?"
Fu Yunxiu looked at Aman's clear, watery eyes and remained silent.
Actually, he didn't know either.
If you don't go, the regret will linger; but if you do go, the regret might turn into disappointment.
Whether you go or not, it seems there will be no good outcome.
“But I think you should go, young master,” Aman said, seeing his dilemma.
The firm tone prompted Fu Yunxiu to ask, "Why?"
Aman explained her thoughts, "Young Master doesn't want to go simply because he's afraid he won't be able to paint the picture that Master Wu envisions, and he'll be disappointed. Or perhaps it's because he heard Master Wu say 'lacking in youthful spirit,' and he's afraid of being disappointed himself. But Young Master, is anyone unchanging?"
Aman succinctly revealed the key point.
Fu Yunxiu hadn't expected that Aman could see through his heart just from a few words from Mantou, which made him feel very uncomfortable.
Fu Yunxiu's expression darkened slightly. He felt both annoyed and somewhat expectant. He asked, "So? What are you trying to say?"
"What I'm trying to say is that everyone grows up eventually. The youthful spirit of our youth will eventually turn into something else as time goes by, just like how Young Master Wu became Master Wu. The young master has changed, and so has the artistic conception of his paintings. Isn't that a perfectly normal thing?"
Aman looked at him and said seriously, "So, young master, you should go and see Master Wu. Not for any other reason, but just to give the regrets of your youth a perfect ending. What do you think, young master?"
After Aman finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence. Fu Yunxiu did not speak, his clear black and white eyes remaining indifferent as always, revealing no emotion. After a long while, he finally spoke, "Let's eat first."
Having said all that, Aman couldn't offer any more advice and could only hope that the young master would think it through himself.
After dinner, Fu Yunxiu locked himself in his room and refused to be served any steamed buns.
Mantou couldn't be sure what her young master was thinking, so she could only pin her hopes on Aman's words, hoping that her young master would listen to them and come out of his predicament.
On the surface, this matter seems to be just the young master's fear that his painting skills are not as good as they were in his youth, but at a deeper level, it is actually a clash between the young master now and his spirited self from his youth.
He hopes that the young master can move on and reconcile with his younger self.
Mantou stood in front of the door, looking at the tightly closed door. He turned his head and met the equally worried Aman's gaze across from him, and sighed helplessly.
Well, he'd better go water the vegetable garden first.
As the moon rises above the willow branches, the sounds of cicadas and frogs create a charming atmosphere in the quiet courtyard.
The candle on the table flickered, and Aman leaned against the bed, staring blankly at the darkness outside.
The young master has locked himself in his room for almost an hour.
They didn't make a sound or turn on the lights, and I had no idea what they were doing inside.
Aman even wondered if she had spoken too presumptuously and displeased the young master.
Just as Aman was conducting his eighth self-analysis, the tightly closed door to the east-facing room finally opened.
Mantou had been waiting outside. Hearing the commotion, he immediately stood up and asked with concern, "Young master, are you alright?"
"It's late, let's light a lamp," Fu Yunxiu said.
"Yes, young master." Mantou took out a tinderbox from his pocket, went into the room, and lit the candles one by one in the dark.
The room suddenly brightened up, and Fu Yunxiu, looking at the flickering candlelight, suddenly said, "Mantou, find me a nice set of clothes!"
“Young master,” Mantou’s eyes lit up, and he immediately understood what he meant, “you are willing to go.”
Seeing how excited he was, Fu Yunxiu felt a little embarrassed and gave a soft "hmm".
Aman is right. He should indeed give a satisfactory ending to the regrets of his youth, and he should also face his imperfect self now.
*
In order to ensure that her young master would not lose face in front of others, Mantou searched through the wardrobe and finally found a piece of clothing that suited his taste.
Although it's last year's style, the material used is extremely expensive Yun brocade, a single piece worth a fortune.
Mantou still remembered that this outfit was a gift from the second young master to the young master on his birthday last year.
However, because the clothes were too formal in style and too bright in color, the young master never used them and they were kept at the bottom of his trunk.
This is perfect for wearing this time.
When Fu Yunxiu saw that Mantou had found this set of clothes, he looked somewhat resistant. After putting on the clothes, he showed an indescribable expression.
He has never worn such brightly colored clothes since he was born.
“But I think they all look great, right, Aman?” Mantou tried to get Aman’s approval.
Looking through the window at Fu Yunxiu's dark red casual clothes, Aman couldn't help but admire how well Mantou knew how to choose clothes.
I used to always see the young master wearing moon white or smoky blue clothes, and I always thought he was a noble person as pure and aloof as snow. But today, this dark red outfit makes him look extraordinary and refined. Paired with his face, he is simply captivating, just like a fairy in a storybook.
Aman was stunned without even realizing it.
When Mantou didn't hear a reply from Aman for a long time, he turned around and saw that she was completely stunned. He couldn't help but call out, "Aman, Aman, I'm talking to you."
"Oh, oh," Aman snapped out of her daze, her face turning as red as an apple. She quickly looked away and mumbled something incoherent, "Beautiful, beautiful."
Fu Yunxiu was trying hard to get used to the clothes, so he didn't notice Aman's discomfort. Under Mantou's repeated insistence, he finally had to compromise.
In the morning, Mantou had already met with Wu Dao's servants and arranged to meet at Zuixianglou in the afternoon.
Fu Yunxiu arrived a quarter of an hour early as agreed, only to find Wu Dao already waiting in the private room.
When the waiter led them in, Wu Dao was refilling tea. The moment he saw Fu Yunxiu, he was completely stunned and didn't even notice the tea spilling out.
"Oh dear," fortunately, the steward Zhao, who was serving nearby, was quick-witted and took the teapot from his hand, taking out a handkerchief to wipe the tea on the table. "What's wrong, sir?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing." Wu Dao came back to his senses, realizing that he had been a bit out of line. He smiled and waved his hand, then stood up and looked at Fu Yunxiu. "This must be Young Master Yun. Please take a seat, please take a seat."
The surname "Yun" was given to Wu Dao's servant by Fu Yunxiu through Mantou. Wu Dao knew that Fu Yunxiu did not want to reveal his full name, so he did not press the matter.
The man in his thirties looked at him with nothing but admiration, which made Fu Yunxiu wonder if he had been exposed.
But considering that he had never met Wu Dao, Fu Yunxiu felt it was impossible.
He nodded to Wu Dao and was pushed by Mantou to sit down in the inner room.
"I never expected that Young Master Yun would have difficulty walking. I've troubled you quite a bit this time." Wu Dao glanced at Fu Yunxiu's legs, but only for a moment before looking away. "If I had known this would happen, I should have paid a visit myself."
"Mr. Wu, you flatter me." Sensing the sincerity in his words, Fu Yunxiu smiled and felt even more certain that he had come to the right place.
This Mr. Wu was indeed a painting fanatic, just as rumored. He treated anyone with a talent for painting, regardless of their status or wealth, with courtesy.
Fu Yunxiu glanced at him and cut straight to the point, "I heard from the page that Master Wu invited me here today because he wants me to commission a painting."
“Yes,” Master Wu nodded, and poured Fu Yunxiu a cup of tea and handed it to him. “When I saw Young Master Yun’s painting that day, I felt that it had the same artistic conception as Young Master Fu back then, which is why I made this request.”
Master Wu smiled憨厚ly, “Don’t laugh at me, Young Master Yun. When I was young, I really admired Young Master Fu’s paintings. It’s just a pity that I was born into a merchant family and had a lowly status, so I could never meet Young Master Fu. Later, when Young Master Fu stopped painting, I regretted it for a long time. Today’s action can be considered as making up for the regret of that year.”
Master Wu spoke earnestly, his eyes filled with regret as he recalled the past. Fu Yunxiu was moved by his words, but also more worried. "I never imagined that Master Wu was such a sentimental person. It's just that my painting skills are too shallow. I'm afraid I can't capture what Master Wu is thinking, let alone the elegance of Young Master Fu back then."
"It's alright. Everyone is different. Even the same person will have different moods and the artistic conception of their paintings. Painting is all about following your heart. Young Master Yun, you can be free and unrestrained."
When Wu Dao said this, his eyes flashed with a sharp, meticulous light, which made Fu Yunxiu feel as if he had been seen through.
But he still pretended to be calm, feigning relief, and said, "In that case, I am relieved. May I ask what kind of painting Master Wu would like to have painted?"
"I would like Young Master Yun to paint a 'Spring River, Flowers and Moon' picture for me." Wu Dao's concise description left Fu Yunxiu momentarily speechless. "That's all?"
“That’s all,” Wu Dao said with a smile and shook his head. “I only have this one request. As for the rest, Young Master Yun is free to do as he pleases.”
Since the other party was so generous and easygoing, Fu Yunxiu naturally couldn't say anything more and could only nod, "Then when does Master Wu plan to take it?"
Wu Dao laughed heartily, "Since I said I would let Young Master Yun do as he pleases, then Young Master Yun can ask for it whenever he finishes painting it."
He tilted his head slightly and gave a wink to Steward Zhao, who was standing to the side. Steward Zhao understood and took out a purse containing money from his sleeve and handed it to Master Wu.
Master Wu took it and pushed it in front of Fu Yunxiu, saying, "This is the deposit. Once the painting is finished, Young Master Yun, just tell me how much you need to pay."
The purse was half-open. Mantou glanced at it and saw that it contained four fifty-tael silver notes, which was two hundred taels in total.
The deposit alone is so much; it seems that Master Wu is truly sincere in wanting the young master's painting.
Mantou was happy, and so was Fu Yunxiu, but he didn't accept the money.
Fu Yunxiu pushed the purse forward, "Since Master Wu values freedom and spontaneity, then I will be casual this time as well. Master Wu, please take back this deposit for now. If you trust me, we can discuss other matters after the painting is completed, how about that?"
“Then naturally we will do as Young Master Yun says.” Master Wu laughed heartily. “I didn’t expect Young Master Yun to be such a free and easy person. In that case, I, Wu, will offer you a cup of tea instead of wine, as a way of making friends. I hope Young Master Yun will do me the honor.”
"That's great, hahaha!" Fu Yunxiu raised his glass, clinked glasses with Wu Dao, and laughed heartily.
In this situation, Mantou's mouth was practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.
He had never seen the young master laugh so heartily since his legs became crippled.
It seems that coming today's invitation was the right decision.
Mantou stood to the side, watching Fu Yunxiu and Wu Dao chat and laugh, from calligraphy and painting to astronomy and calendar, and the smile on his face never faded.
After several rounds of conversation, the two finally bid each other farewell with reluctance. Wu Dao saw Fu Yunxiu off and only looked away after watching him get into the carriage.
Butler Zhao followed behind him the whole time, and only after the man had gone far away did he slowly walk up to him.
"The master seems to like this young master Yun very much?"
Mr. Wu didn't speak, but the smile on his face said it all.
"But isn't it too risky for you, sir, to let him paint like this? What if he can't capture Young Master Fu's charm?"
“How could that be?” Wu Dao smiled, his face unfathomable. “In this world, I’m afraid no one understands Young Master Fu better than him.”
Butler Zhao was stunned for a moment, then realized what he meant and his eyes widened in surprise, "Master means..."
Mr. Wu nodded, agreeing with his idea.
In fact, he knew the identity of that young master Yun as soon as he entered, and his subsequent conversation made him even more certain.
"But Master has never met that Young Master Fu?" Steward Zhao had served Wu Dao since childhood, so he naturally knew everything about him.
"Some people don't need to know each other; their innate temperament is something that ordinary people can't reach."
"But if he is Young Master Fu, why doesn't he show his true identity instead of hiding it?" Butler Zhao didn't understand.
Moreover, that Young Master Fu is the legitimate son of the Marquis's mansion and is highly regarded by everyone in the mansion. Yet, judging from his attire, his clothes are still last year's style, and his carriage looks like it was rented.
“Every family has its own troubles,” Wu Dao sighed. “As long as you’re human, you’ll have difficulties.”
"Should I send someone to investigate?" said Steward Zhao.
“No need,” Wu Dao waved his hand. “If he doesn’t want people to know, then we should respect that. There’s no need to investigate everything so thoroughly.”
Wu Daoli stood by the window, watching the passersby outside, his shrewd eyes revealing a wisdom that saw through everything.
On the carriage, Fu Yunxiu was unaware that his identity had been exposed.
Although Wu Dao was a businessman, he was also well-versed in poetry and literature and had a vast knowledge of literature. This was the first time Fu Yunxiu had met someone he could talk to so easily, and the smile on his face almost never stopped.
Seeing his genuine smile, Mantou was also happy and couldn't help but exclaim, "It seems that Aman is right. Young Master should go out more and meet more people."
Mentioning Aman, Fu Yunxiu recalled the resentful look on Aman's face when they left earlier that day.
She really suffered during this time as she was recovering from her injury.
Hearing the growing noise outside, Fu Yunxiu asked Mantou, "Is there a market up ahead?"
"Yes," Mantou didn't know why her young master would suddenly ask this, but she still answered, "What's wrong, young master? Is there something you want to buy?"
"When we get to the front, I'll have the driver stop for a bit, and I'll get out and take a look," Fu Yunxiu said.
The coachman received orders and stopped at the market entrance. When Mantou rented the carriage from the carriage shop, he had mentioned his young master's situation, so the shop specially provided a carriage that could accommodate a wheelchair. It also had two extra planks compared to ordinary carriages. These planks could be opened when needed and folded up when not in use, and they could also be used to secure the wheelchair in the carriage, making it very convenient to get in and out.
Mantou pushed Fu Yunxiu off the carriage and asked the driver to wait there for a moment.
Fu Yunxiu couldn't find what he wanted at the market entrance, so he had Mantou push him inside.
After walking for a long time, Fu Yunxiu finally found his target.
A snow-white fluffy ball of fur, with long ears, a flat nose, and a pink three-lobed mouth—what else could it be but a rabbit?
Fu Yunxiu stepped forward and asked the vendor, "How much did you pay for this rabbit?"
"Thirty coins each, no bargaining," the vendor said enthusiastically. "Gentleman, take one. These are all full-term rabbits, easy to raise."
As he spoke, the vendor picked one up and placed it on Fu Yunxiu's lap.
When it came into contact with strangers, the little rabbit curled up into a ball, piling up on his lap like a little snowball, which was adorable to look at.
Fu Yunxiu reached out and teased the rabbit. Seeing that it was not injured, he gestured for Mantou to pay.
After receiving the money, the shop owner kindly advised, "This rabbit is a little shy since it just got back, and it might not eat. Don't worry, just give it some tender grass, and it will eat once it gets used to its surroundings."
Mantou pushed Fu Yunxiu into the carriage, and even after the driver drove off, he was still in a daze about his young master getting out of the carriage specifically to buy a rabbit.
"Young Master?"
"This is for Aman." Knowing what he was going to ask, Fu Yunxiu gave the answer directly.
“But that day when Zhao Hu gave Aman the rabbit, didn’t you say you didn’t like furry things and wouldn’t let him keep one?” Mantou said.
Fu Yunxiu remained expressionless. "So it was bought for Aman, to keep her from bothering me with her constant chatter."
Mantou glanced down at Fu Yunxiu, resisting the urge to roll his eyes.
Young master, if you simply withdraw that finger you were using to tease the rabbit, I will believe you.
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