Chapter 45 He Xingzhao, are you burning money...?
Two male voices spoke in unison.
Xie Huaijin turned around in surprise, and He Zheng was standing outside the door.
After saying this, He Zheng rushed in and snatched the Spring Festival couplets from Yu Mingshu's hand, picked her up with one hand and put her on the ground.
Xie Huaijin was dumbfounded. How dare He Zheng embrace a young woman in front of everyone? Did he not know any manners?!
Yuan Yi witnessed this scene and, being always outspoken, immediately scoffed, "A brute from a military family."
He Zheng seemed to have just remembered that there were still people in the courtyard. He turned around with a cheeky grin and smiled brightly: "Xie Sanlang, I'm a bit taller than you. I'll do this job. You don't mind, do you?"
“Of course.” Xie Huaijin chuckled, then raised his chin meaningfully. “How come I remember the Marquis of Anyuan’s residence isn’t in Yongning Ward? And He Erlang was also expelled from his family?”
"I've come to offer New Year's greetings, is that not allowed?"
Seeing He Zheng's smug look, constantly turning around while putting up the couplets, Yu Mingshu couldn't help but poke him with a feather duster, "Are you all grown tall but blind? You've put them all up crooked!"
"Don't rush, I'll fix it right away."
Seeing that he was focused on his work, Yu Mingshu turned to Xie Huaijin and asked, "Why is Xie Sanlang back? Aren't you staying at the Xie residence for the New Year?"
Xie Huaijin's eyes darkened. "They will never truly accept me, so why should I go out of my way to be humiliated?"
Perhaps because they shared a similar plight, Yuan Yi gave him a deep look.
"It's good that you've figured it out." Yu Mingshu was really not good at comforting people.
"It's not too late to understand now." He Zheng finished pasting the couplets and patted the gold dust off his hands. "You used to listen to everything Xie Ansheng said. People who didn't know better would think you were his dog."
Seeing Xie Huaijin's face stiffen, Yu Mingshu couldn't help but kick He Zheng, "How can you talk like that?"
“During the six months I endured this stigma, the insults I received from others were far more nasty than this,” He Zheng said quietly.
Yu Mingshu was taken aback. Meeting his slightly aggrieved eyes, she belatedly felt a little guilty.
The victim was He Zheng. Even if Xie Huaijin wasn't the mastermind, she was still an accomplice. She had no right to advise the victim to reconcile with the accomplice.
So she opened the simple insulated box on the table, handed over a plate of fragrant braised food, and unconsciously softened her tone: "Are you hungry? Try this braised duck feet."
"You did this?"
"I instructed Saburo to do it."
Yu Dan protested: "Is that called guidance? That's clearly ordering people around!"
He Zheng said happily, "Then I'll take it as you made it. The craftsmanship of the God of Wealth at Fengyang Tower must be astonishing."
Yu Dan laughed angrily: "You two are in cahoots! I'm going to sue you for exploiting your younger brother!"
The three mothers inside the house looked at the scene in the yard, each with their own thoughts.
Zhang's gaze remained fixed on her son, and she couldn't help but frown. In terms of age, Yuan Yi was about the same age as the other children, but because of their seniority and teacher-student relationship, he was always a step away from them.
She could tell that Yuan Yi wanted to talk to Ming Shu, but the He family boy was sticking too close, and no one else could get close.
Fortunately, the Marquis of Anyuan still remembered that they had a young master. As evening approached, Jing Hong urged and pleaded with He Zheng to come back, which relieved Xie Huaijin and Yuan Yi.
Once the others had gone some distance, Yuan Yi said to Yu Mingshu with a serious expression, "He Zheng has no sense of propriety in his actions. If you continue to indulge him, your reputation will be ruined by him sooner or later."
Xie Huaijin looked on in surprise: You can sow discord like this?
Yu Mingshu had grown accustomed to Yuan Yi's constant lecturing and attributed it to the occupational hazard of a teacher, thus showing understanding.
…
The Yu family had no relatives in Chang'an, and the Wu family had even fewer connections in the capital. So Yu Mingshu and Yu Dan stayed at home from the first day of the Lunar New Year, unlike the two unlucky neighbors who had to go around visiting relatives and friends for the New Year.
Both the Xie and Zhang families are large clans with incredibly complex interpersonal relationships. Just imagining their New Year's greetings made Yu Mingshu feel like she was about to die.
On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, a considerable commotion was heard from the back street, as if someone was moving.
Yu Mingshu still carried the habit he picked up in Yong'anfang. Whenever he heard a noise, he would want to see what was going on. So he put a wooden box under the back wall, climbed up the wall and looked out. To his surprise, he found that his new neighbor was an acquaintance.
Upon learning that He Zheng had bought the house behind the building and planned to move in during the Chinese New Year, Yu Mingshu was speechless with shock.
After a while, he leaned over the wall and cursed, "He Xingzhao, are you burning money?"
He Zheng came in from outside and sighed softly: "Some friends drift apart as time goes by, and some friendships fade as time goes by. You live next to Xie Huaijin and Yuan Yi, and you see each other every day. If I don't take the initiative, I'm afraid I won't be your best friend anymore."
Yu Mingshu wanted to ask him if he had never heard the saying, "If love between two people lasts forever, why should they be together every day and night?"
Then he realized that he had never heard of it.
He Zheng was still eagerly waiting for her response, but unexpectedly, Luo Yan's words called him away.
"Young lady! Physician Zhou has come to wish you a Happy New Year!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Yu Mingshu turned around and headed to the front yard to greet the guests.
He Zheng hurriedly shouted, "Zhou Fuling is a guest, but I am? Are you going to leave me here to go find her?"
Yu Mingshu laughed in exasperation: "Come in through the main entrance before you speak!"
…
After some time apart, Zhou Fuling seemed to have suddenly blossomed. The timid and bitter look she used to have was gone from her face. Instead, she had the air of a court lady, similar to Yang Leyi, which showed that she was doing well in the Eastern Palace Medical Office.
Yu Mingshu pulled her to sit down, and Qingque brought over two servings of milk tea.
“We have no relatives in Beijing, and we rarely have friends or colleagues from our school visiting us. We don’t have much food prepared in the kitchen, but this milk tea is freshly brewed, so please don’t mind it.”
“I don’t mind at all. I love all the tea drinks that my sister has researched.” Zhou Fuling said with a smile. “At the beginning of the new year, everyone else has gone home to visit their relatives, but I dare not have any connection with that family I used to live with. After thinking about it, the only person in the whole of Chang’an that I really want to visit for the New Year is my sister.”
"Didn't your maternal grandparents dote on you?"
"If they could protect me, how could Zhou Qi have dragged me back back then?"
That makes sense when you think about it.
Yu Mingshu, wanting to change the subject, asked about her work: "By the way, how many staff members are there in the Eastern Palace Medical Department? Last time we met at Fengyang Tower, I didn't feel comfortable asking you in front of such an important person. Are your superiors and colleagues easy to get along with?"
Zhou Fuling said, "The only proper physician in the Eastern Palace Medical Bureau is Physician Zhong. The other three are like me, who usually assist our master. They are just nominally physicians, which sounds better when they leave the palace. Our master is kind, conscientious and responsible, and treats us female physicians very well."
Hearing this, Yu Mingshu frowned slightly. "Are all of you female healers?"
Zhou Fuling immediately understood why she was puzzled and explained with a smile: "His Highness the Crown Prince is not yet married, but one day he will have to take a concubine. The imperial physicians spend most of their time serving the concubines, so it is naturally more convenient for a female physician to do so."
"I see." Yu Mingshu thought to himself that the Liang royal family was quite progressive in some ways, at least they wouldn't make a misdiagnosis caused by the imperial physicians not daring to touch the concubines directly to avoid suspicion.
"Only Imperial Physician Zhong can make house calls at the Crown Prince's Palace. Could it be that she works year-round and is on call at all times?"
“That’s true.” Zhou Fuling nodded.
Yu Mingshu silently lamented the miserable lives of cattle and horses, then became even more curious and asked in a low voice, "Then Physician Zhong's monthly salary must be very generous, right?"
“I don’t know about that,” Zhou Fuling said. “However, the Crown Prince is young and healthy, and rarely summons the imperial physicians. My master only needs to go to check his pulse once every other day. Most of the time, he stays in his room teaching students and pursuing knowledge.”
"The Crown Prince doesn't like to get sick, so does that mean you apprentices won't have any opportunities for real combat?"
“There are dozens of palace maids and eunuchs in the East Palace. When they get sick, they also have to come to us for medical treatment.” Zhou Fuling shook her head and said, “I have been in the East Palace for half a year now. I have gone out of the palace with His Highness the Crown Prince and I have also prepared medicine for His Highness, but I have never had the opportunity to examine His Highness. My master said that she did odd jobs for fourteen years before she got ahead. I am worried that I will not be able to endure it.”
Yu Mingshu understood; this perfectly matched her stereotypes about life within the system.
"There's plenty of time ahead." With a soft sigh, she raised her cup and bowed to Zhou Fuling. "In any case, I wish you all the best in the New Year and great success in your career."
"I also wish you all your dreams come true, sister," Zhou Fuling replied with a smile.
As the two were talking, Luo Yan led in another guest.
It was entirely expected that He Zheng would come through the main entrance, but what Yu Mingshu didn't expect was that Cui Hongli would also be making a visit today.
She immediately got up to greet him, then slapped her forehead in annoyance, "I forgot, I should have gone to wish the shopkeeper a Happy New Year."
Cui Hongli smiled broadly: "Why are you being so polite with me? I'm not here to wish you a Happy New Year."
Yu Mingshu raised an eyebrow: "So you've come to ask for the spring new product formula?"
"You guessed wrong." Cui Hongli's smile deepened, and without keeping her in suspense, she readily explained her purpose, "I plan to open a branch in the East Market after the New Year, and I'm thinking of going to look at the shop in the next couple of days. If you have some free time, would you like to come with me?"
“No problem, I’m getting really bored at home anyway,” Yu Mingshu readily agreed.
Seeing that she had things to do, Zhou Fuling got up and took her leave, returning to the palace.
He Zheng crossed his arms and looked at Yu Mingshu, "You went out with her, what about me?"
He seems like a lonely, resentful woman confined to her chambers.
Yu Mingshu suddenly had this strange thought and almost laughed out loud.
She pointed to the bedroom on the west side, "Yu Dan is at home, go find him."
After leaving home and getting into the carriage, Cui Hongli saw a resentful figure through the window and chuckled, "I'm afraid He Erlang will hold a grudge against me."
Yu Mingshu was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"Can't you tell? He's obviously after you." Cui Hongli said excitedly, then whispered in Yu Mingshu's ear, "I have a feeling that He Erlang is interested in you..."
Upon hearing this, Yu Mingshu remained silent for a moment, not thinking too much about how true or false it was. The important thing was not to let Cui Hongli have any wild thoughts, so he said, "He is always warm to his friends. He was the same way to Sanlang before he knew me."
"You really are clueless!" Cui Hongli said, exasperated.
Feeling vaguely aware that he had become an emotionally oblivious bookworm in the other person's eyes, Yu Mingshu was a little annoyed. He couldn't help but blurt out his true thoughts halfway through.
"Even if He Zheng has other ideas, if he doesn't say them, am I supposed to go out of my way to ask him?"
If He Zheng really had something on his mind, what good would it do if she asked him? She had no intention of walking into a trap and being trapped in the inner quarters. She would never "marry" into the He family according to the marriage customs of Daliang. Would the Marquis of Anyuan's mansion agree to let her youngest son marry into the Yu family?
There is an even more awkward possibility: perhaps He Zheng didn't even think about it that way. If he suddenly asked such a question, wouldn't he be unable to remain friends?
After hearing her analysis, Cui Hongli calmed down. "Your concerns are not unreasonable. It's just a pity that He Erlang is exceptionally handsome and has a great physique..."
"You can even tell he has a good physique?"
"Is that even a question? That kid is tall and slender, and even his robes can't hide his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and upright chest. It's this kind of physique that's more athletic than a scholar but not as rugged as a warrior that's most appealing!" Cui Hongli said with great enthusiasm, then suddenly sighed with regret, "It's just a pity he was born into such a family."
Yu Mingshu clicked his tongue in amazement: "This is the first time I've ever heard someone complain about the Earl's family background."
"It's precisely because it's too good that I say it's not good."
"If he weren't the son of the Earl of Anyuan, but just a commoner..."
Before Yu Mingshu could finish speaking, Cui Hongli interrupted, "Then I'll definitely snatch him first! Fengyang Tower is in dire need of a waiter who is both handsome and strong."
Yu Mingshu was speechless, and gave her a thumbs up, saying, "A role model for us all."
The Fengyanglou branch is located at the westernmost end of Dongshi Yiheng Street, right next to Pingkangfang, a bustling area with numerous restaurants.
Yu Mingshu didn't know much about opening a shop, so he just followed Cui Hongli around the whole time, listening to her bargain with her former boss, and finally drafting the contract and paying the deposit.
After finishing their business, the two strolled around the streets. Yu Mingshu asked curiously, "Why did you decide to open a shop in the East Market?"
Cui Hongli paused slightly, then spoke leisurely: "Ever since you sold me the tea recipe, many officials and dignitaries have joined the guests of Fengyang Tower. I thought that most of the nobles in the capital live in the northeast. If we open a branch in the East Market, the business might be even more prosperous. In addition, the provincial examinations for the imperial examinations will be held in two months, and students from all over the country will be coming to the capital and staying near the East Market. I want to take this opportunity to promote the reputation of Fengyang Tower, which will also help other businesses in the clan."
Yu Mingshu exclaimed sincerely, "Manager, you are a born businessman."
Cui Hongli glanced at her, and Yu Mingshu suddenly realized that the shopkeeper had once been the daughter of an official; if her family hadn't fallen on hard times, she would never have ended up as a merchant. Her words sounded less like a compliment and more like an insult.
"What I mean is that you have a great business sense, you know how to make money, and you'll succeed at whatever you do."
“I think I understand now. You’re probably the only one in the entire Liang Dynasty who truly respects merchants.” Cui Hongli smiled gently.
As one approaches Pingkangfang, the road becomes increasingly crowded with scholars carrying baskets of books and holding scrolls of scriptures; these are all students from various regions traveling to the capital for the imperial examinations. Their clothing and footwear clearly reveal the disparity between their rich and poor.
As early as the end of October, candidates from the provinces began to arrive in the capital. In the two or three months between the end of the year and the next year's examination, these people were either busy submitting their examination papers and paying respects to their teachers, or indulging in wine and women and enjoying the prosperity of Chang'an.
In contrast, the students of Chang'an Academy only relaxed for a few days before and after the holidays, and their study habits were actually a hundred times better than those of the candidates from the provinces who went to the capital for the imperial examinations.
The uneven distribution of candidates who ultimately pass the imperial examination each year makes it difficult to say whether this is due to the influence of their preparation state in the later stages of the exam.
Looking at the examinees on the street, Cui Hongli said mockingly, "The next two months will be quite a spectacle for the Xie and Zhang families. It's strange, really. Both are prominent families, but the Yang family is clearly more accomplished in scholarship. I really don't know why these examinees don't visit the Yang family, but instead go to the Xie and Zhang families."
Yu Mingshu smiled and said, "The Yang family has a clean and upright reputation, and they closed their doors to guests early this morning. I heard from Mr. Yuan that after His Highness the Crown Prince's birthday banquet, Master Yang moved directly to a small courtyard in the suburbs of the capital, saying that he would not return until before the examination."
At this point, she suddenly stopped, took Cui Hongli's arm, and hid behind a jewelry stall.
The stall owner gave her a strange look, glanced at her warily, and used his arm to block the hairpins and rings on his stall.
Cui Hongli asked curiously, "What's wrong? Is there someone you have an enemy up ahead?"
"Not exactly enemies, but close enough," Yu Mingshu said in a low voice, staring intently at the inn not far ahead, thinking to himself, "What a small world."
Outside the inn, Zhou Qi was holding the hand of an old woman, with a large bundle slung over his right arm. The old woman smiled and occasionally spoke to the two scholars in plain clothes following behind her.
The two scholars, one old and one young, were hunched over with more white hair than the old woman, while the young one, not yet of age, was pulling the old woman's hand and looking around.
Based on her vague memory, Yu Mingshu recognized the old woman as the matriarch of the Yu family, who was also her and Yu Dan's grandmother.
Old Mrs. Yu gratefully grasped Zhou Qi's hand and said, "Young Master Zhou, we are so grateful to have you here today. Otherwise, the three of us, being unfamiliar with this place, would probably have had to sleep on the streets!"
"It was nothing," Zhou Qi said politely. "Besides, I have a special relationship with Ming Shu, and her grandmother is also my elder. It is only my duty to take care of my elders."
"An extraordinary friendship?" Old Mrs. Yu pondered these four words repeatedly, her eyes subtly shifting as she carefully examined Zhou Qi's clothing and appearance. In an instant, her attitude changed.
“Even among siblings there is a distinction between close and distant relatives, let alone our two families who are merely neighbors.” The old lady reached into her pocket, took out a string of copper coins, and handed them to him. “I never owe anyone favors. Consider these thirty coins as a token of my appreciation for your trouble. Please accept them, young man.”
Zhou Qi's smile froze, and he refused to accept the money no matter what.
Hiring a servant outside Chang'an to carry the luggage into the city would cost 100 coins per trip, but Old Madam Yu thought she could get rid of him with 30 coins.
The two men pushed and shoved a string of copper coins back and forth for quite a while. The boy behind the old lady couldn't resist and snatched the coins, stuffing them into his pocket. "Grandmother, Brother Qi said he wouldn't accept money. Why make things difficult for him? We can always repay this favor in the future."
Grandma Yu glared at him fiercely, "What do you know, you brat..."
Zhou Qi breathed a sigh of relief and said gently, "Madam, you must be tired from your long journey. Please settle down for now. I will find out where Ming Shu and the others have moved to, and then I will take you there for a family reunion."
…
Once Yu Mingshu understood the situation, he immediately rushed home to warn others.
Wu Qiuniang's hand wobbled as she held the brown sugar ginger soup. She put the cup down, and her expression gradually became serious.
"Of the two the old lady brought, the older one should be your uncle. As for the younger one, perhaps... Yu Yan?"
Upon hearing this name, Yu Mingshu pursed her lips to keep from laughing out loud.
After a moment, he suppressed his laughter and repeated the unfamiliar name, "Yu Yan?"
“It’s the one who was adopted into our family, your second uncle’s child.” Wu Qiuniang’s tone was very dissatisfied.
Isn't that the real Yu Erlang? What's he doing here?
"Could it be that they've heard that Yu Erlang has become famous in Chang'an and want to steal my sister's honors?" Yu Dan suddenly burst in, slamming his hand on the door, and said indignantly.
Very likely.
Wu Qiuniang said, "Although the old lady does not know that we have moved to Yongningfang, she knows that Sanlang is studying at Chang'an Academy. I am afraid that she will cause trouble at the academy in a couple of days and spread some bad rumors. In my opinion, we should go to the inn tomorrow to pick him up and talk things out face to face."
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