Chapter 3: A Graceful Woman Uses Power to Alleviate Worries. The young lady is kind; she will surely...
The winding corridors of the painted boats are adorned with fluttering silk fabrics that appear and disappear in the breeze.
Cui Fuyu slowly walked through the corridor, her vigilance heightened. She thought that since the other party was willing to pass on a message to her, they probably didn't intend to harm her, but one should always be wary of others.
Youdefang is the rightmost of the three painted boats. The painted boat where Princess Chaohui held her elegant gathering today is the Caiyan Boat in the middle, and the Gongxian Boat is on the left.
She walked all the way to Youdefang, looking around to see if any suspicious people would appear, but to her disappointment.
Cui Fuyu arrived at the private room on the third floor. When she saw the Wuwei private room, she consciously slowed her pace and approached slowly. As she passed by the next room, she heard people talking about a secret deal.
She was careful and didn't go into the Wuwei private room. Instead, she tiptoed into another private room, gently closed the door, and pressed her ear close to the wooden wall. Since the entire pleasure boat was made of wood, the soundproofing was poor, and she was able to hear some things.
It seems to be referring to the recent uproar over the illegal salt case. Her father had mentioned that the emperor took this matter very seriously, as it involved salt administration and salt mines, and the law enforcement department was investigating it rigorously.
"The Enforcement Department has already found clues about smuggled salt. They've actually found Liu Wang, and it looks like they're about to trace it back to me. How can I just sit here and wait to die!" A middle-aged voice came out. "Li Sibu of the Salt Post Road was also arrested yesterday. I might be next. I have a wife, children, and elderly parents. Please, young master, save me."
Another voice, addressed as "Young Master," sounded very young. He comforted them, "Don't panic, this matter will be over soon. This morning, Li Sibu took all the blame, and those involved in the salt smuggling have been dealt with. If you hadn't shown mercy back then, none of this would have happened. Have you done the rest of the tasks the master assigned?"
"Thank you for saving my life, young master. Rest assured, the Ministry of War has been instructed, and the connections have been established. We are just waiting for your orders." The middle-aged man hesitated, deliberately lowering his voice: "But what are your orders regarding the Cui residence?"
When Cui Fuyu heard the words "Cui Mansion," her heart skipped a beat. However, the person on the other end spoke very softly, and she only caught the gist of what was being said, missing much of the actual information.
What is the relationship between private salt trade, the Ministry of War, and the Cui family?
Her father was just a civil official, and he was loyal to the emperor. How could he possibly do anything harmful to the court?
Cui Fuyu dared not think too much about it and calmed herself down to continue listening.
"There's nothing else going on for now, so let's put the Cui family aside for the time being. Keep the smuggling operations low-key. How can we keep those salt mines a secret?" the young master said. "We should keep in touch with the Ministry of War. Smuggling money is a slow way to make money. I've heard that the Ministry of War is developing a new type of weapon. If you have any way to get the blueprints or even just a prototype, that would be helpful."
The person on the other end pondered for a moment, then agreed, "It shouldn't be a problem. I happen to have someone I've placed in charge of this. Young master, shall we meet at the clothing store again?"
"No need. Send someone to take you to a villa outside the city, and someone will take care of the arrangements."
The young master straightened his clothes, intending to leave, but was stopped again. The other person still seemed uneasy: "Is it safe for you, young master? Should we continue to conceal our presence?"
"Princess Chaohui is holding a poetry gathering here today, and half of the wealthy families in the capital are here. It couldn't be more peaceful here."
The young master seemed to have thought of something and chuckled softly, "It's time to go see my cousin."
With a creak, the door opened, and someone came out from the other side.
Cui Fuyu quickly moved to the door, poked a hole in the paper window covering the door, and squinted to peek out. She saw the back of a man in blue, but after thinking for a long time, she still couldn't recognize whose young master or son he was, so she gave up.
The people next door had just left, and Cui Fuyu didn't dare to go out. She wandered around the room boredly, and only went out when she felt it was about time.
Cui Fuyu opened the door, looked outside to make sure no one was there, and then rushed out of the room. She walked quickly without looking around, afraid that someone would notice her abnormality. Her heart was pounding. As soon as she returned to Caiyan Pavilion, she quickly drank a few sips of water to calm herself down, not caring about whether she was dignified or not.
Seeing this, Ju Ning quickly patted Cui Fuyu's back to pat her back and comfort her, "Miss, what's wrong? Why are you acting so flustered?"
Cui Fuyu shook her head, saying that she had just gotten lost and had to come back in a hurry.
Zhu Jin chuckled after hearing this: "Then you'd better take it easy."
Cui Fuyu asked, "Did anything happen at the poetry gathering? Did anyone leave?"
Juning has the best observation skills and is also very thoughtful.
She shook her head slightly: "Nothing happened."
Cui Fuyu nodded thoughtfully. She had something on her mind and wanted to return to the Cui residence as soon as possible. She said to Zhao Xuansi, "Xuansi, I have something to attend to at home, so I'll be leaving now."
Zhao Xuansi feigned regret, yet remained playful and cheerful: "There was supposed to be singing and dancing tonight, which you would love, but unfortunately you won't be able to see it."
After Zhao Xuansi finished speaking, she winked at Cui Fuyu, hinting that she should reconsider staying.
Upon seeing her expression, Cui Fuyu instantly realized that this song and dance was no ordinary performance, but she was too busy to appreciate it at the moment. Normally, she would have been thoroughly enjoying it, so she declined and shook her head.
Zhao Xuansi had no choice but to let her leave, promising to feast her eyes again next time.
Cui Fuyu nodded, feigning seriousness, and then left Caiyanfang with Juning and Zhujin.
As Cui Fuyu left Caiyan Pavilion, she turned around and saw the Cui family's carriage. Just as she was standing on the footstool, she heard someone calling her name.
On the Caiyan boat, Su Zhiyao and Liang Xiaoyun were happily painting, chatting and laughing, occasionally giving each other pointers.
Chi Yanzhou remained seated throughout, sipping his fine Quqing wine, until someone handed him a note.
Upon seeing this, Chi Yanzhou's already expressionless face paled even more, and he abruptly stood up and walked outside.
No one cared when he left.
The note handed to him read: Your mother is critically ill. If you return home now, she may be saved!
Chi Yanzhou ran out of Caiyanfang like a madman, but suddenly remembered that he had come by Liang family carriage. His family's Jiuxiangfang was in the far west of the city, and it was too late to run back. In his great anxiety, he saw Cui Fuyu, as if he had grasped a lifeline.
He thought: The young lady is a good person, and I will definitely repay her in the future.
"Miss Cui, please help me."
Chi Yanzhou abruptly tugged at Cui Fuyu's sleeve, already somewhat saddened, his eyes slightly red: "Please, Miss Cui, help me."
Cui Fuyu stood on the carriage, looking down at him with an aggressive gaze. Looking into the red eyes, he felt a pang of pity, and at the same time, a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips.
"Alright, Young Master Chi."
In an instant, Cui Fuyu figured out how to force this pitiful young master Chi.
Upon hearing this, Cui Fuyu immediately instructed the coachman to untie the horse and saddle it: "Go and untie the horse; there are saddles inside the carriage."
She then asked Chi Yanzhou, "Can you ride a horse?"
Driving from here to Chengxi Ninth Alley is too slow.
Chi Yanzhou hesitated for a moment, then finally said weakly, "I'm not really good at it."
But in fact, he had never ridden a horse!
Cui Fuyu nodded gently, "Then I'll take you riding."
After speaking, Cui Fuyu smiled and stepped on the stirrups of the saddle, leaping onto the horse.
She reached out her hand to Chi Yanzhou: "Come on up."
Chi Yanzhou hesitated, but thinking of his critically ill mother at home, he couldn't care about anything else. He placed his hand in Cui Fuyu's palm and let her pull him onto the horse.
As soon as he mounted his horse, he fell behind. A woman's fragrance wafted into his nostrils, a faint, delicate orchid scent that was very pleasant. He imagined it was a precious perfume. He lowered his eyelids, his emotions, which he hadn't had time to control, were interrupted.
He heard Cui Fuyu ask, "Where do you live?"
Cui Fuyu had already taken the reins, ready to go, looking like a valiant female ruler.
"There is a river at the entrance of Lane 9, and the Chi family's house is diagonally opposite the bridgehead."
Cui Fuyu nodded and ran out for a short while before returning to throw the jade token at Ju Ning, saying, "Go and invite the most skilled physician, Dr. Chu, from the Imperial Hospital."
Without waiting for Juning's reaction, she spurred her horse and galloped westward towards the city.
Worried that the poor little guy couldn't take it, Cui Fuyu wrapped his arms around her waist and said, "Hold on tight, don't fall."
Without waiting for Chi Yanzhou's reaction, he whipped the horse again, making it even faster.
Fortunately, it was nearing dusk, and there weren't many people on the street.
Cui Fuyu's dark hair fluttered in the wind, and the fragrance of her body surrounded Chi Yanzhou, with occasional strands of her hair brushing against his face.
He held Cui Fuyu loosely, feeling a little uncomfortable. He anxiously fidgeted with his fingers, staring at her back. Suddenly, he felt that the red dress made her skin look even whiter than snow.
Cui Fuyu was unaware of his thoughts. She thought that since this person was not well-off, helping him now would be a way of making friends.
Given this person's character, having incurred such a huge favor, he will definitely find a way to repay it.
Cui Fuyu patiently drove the horse while also keeping him in mind, and the two remained silent for a moment.
The street scene flashed by, leaving the houses and stalls behind, and the few pedestrians who heard the sound of horses' hooves made way for them.
The bustling street gradually became deserted, and after a quarter of an hour, they finally arrived at the Chi family's residence. What should have been a journey of more than half an hour was taken by Cui Fuyu in a quarter of an hour.
With Cui Fuyu's help, Chi Yanzhou dismounted. In his panic, he rushed home without even taking care of his physical discomfort.
The Chi family home was very simple. There was a small tree in the yard, a simple fence around which two hens were kept. The house was divided into three parts: the main hall in the middle for eating and entertaining guests, the left side for Chi's mother's living quarters, the right side for Chi Yanzhou's study, and he himself lived in a small side room next to the kitchen. The whole yard and house were kept very clean.
Cui Fuyu followed closely behind Chi Yanzhou. The room of Chi's mother was filled with a strong smell of medicine. As soon as Cui Fuyu entered, he frowned slightly and gently covered his nose with his hand.
However, Chi's mother, who should have been resting in bed, lay unconscious with her eyes closed, her face ashen, clearly on the verge of death.
"Mother~ Mother~ Mother, wake up."
No matter how Chi Yanzhou called out to him, he couldn't get up.
"Try pinching the philtrum," Cui Fuyu kindly suggested upon seeing the situation.
Chi Mu's breathing became weaker and weaker, almost to the point of exhaling more than inhaling.
Chi Yanzhou sat on the edge of the bed and picked up his mother. Hearing Cui Fuyu's words, he pinched her philtrum and his eyes welled up with tears: "Mother, don't abandon your child. Your child hasn't had a chance to properly honor you."
Cui Fuyu could also understand the pain of losing a loved one and wanted to comfort him, but then she heard a commotion outside.
An older female doctor, carrying a medicine box, had just stepped off the carriage when Juning urged her, "Dr. Chu, please hurry."
The female doctor, Chu, quickened her pace silently. "Where is the patient?"
Cui Fuyu came out to greet her, "Aunt Chu, she's inside, and the situation isn't very good."
Cui Fuyu has been treated by this skilled female doctor from Chu since she was a child.
The female doctor, Chu, quickly put down her medicine box upon entering the room and hurriedly took the patient's pulse. Her previously tense face relaxed, and she smiled. "Fortunately, it was a sudden attack of an acute illness, but it was discovered in time. There is still hope! I will write a prescription first, and then give the patient a few acupuncture treatments to wake her up."
The female doctor from Chu wrote down the prescription and handed it to Juning, saying, "Prescribe two courses of treatment first, and then prescribe some ginseng slices. The patient is weak, so soak the ginseng slices in water to help him recover."
Juning accepted the prescription, glanced at her young mistress subconsciously, and, having received her approval, immediately turned and went out to buy the medicine.
Chi Yanzhou settled his mother on the bed and then followed Cui Fuyu out to the main hall.
Cui Fuyu had just sat down to rest when he was surprised to see Chi Yanzhou lift his robe and kneel down.
Chi Yanzhou had a serious and focused expression on his face, unaware that he was very close to the young lady, and that his knees were even pressing against her skirt.
Chi Yanzhou took out his family's ancestral jade pendant and presented it with both hands: "If you ever need my help in the future, Miss, you can use this jade pendant to find me. I will do anything to meet your needs."
"I would gladly die ten thousand deaths."
Cui Fuyu looked down at him with interest and repeated a sentence. Although her expression was not visible, the sizing in her eyes revealed her thoughts.
She's someone who follows her own heart; empty fame means nothing to her.
Especially after experiencing everything that happened in the dream, Cui Fuyu became even more certain that she should live in the present moment!
Chi Yanzhou didn't notice her change; he was only thinking: Why hasn't the young lady accepted his jade pendant yet?
Then he added, "Yes, I would gladly die ten thousand times over."
Cui Fuyu chuckled, "Alright, these are the words of Young Master Chi himself."
She still took the jade pendant. Its quality wasn't as good as the beautiful jade in her storeroom, but it was warm and lustrous.
——
After a long while, Physician Chu came out. "Alright, the patient has woken up. As long as he takes the medicine, there shouldn't be any major problems. However, he is too weak and should not overexert himself. He needs to rest well. He should soak one ginseng slice in water and drink it every day. He should not be greedy and should not be stingy by dividing it in half. He should soak the whole slice. After drinking the ginseng water, he should slowly nourish himself. I will write down some precautions for you later."
Chi Yanzhou listened attentively, nodding frequently. After Doctor Chu finished explaining, he couldn't wait to go into the inner room to visit his mother.
Mother Chi looked at him lovingly, and with difficulty, she managed a smile: "My son."
This one sentence completely shattered Chi Yanzhou's composure.
With tears streaming down his face, Chi Yanzhou choked back sobs: "You must take good care of your health, raise our child to high school, and then we'll bring you back to enjoy your retirement."
Outside, Cui Fuyu helped Doctor Chu pack up her gold needles. "Aunt Chu, thank you so much this time."
"You should stop bothering me. I saw your maid rushing to find me, I thought something had happened to you." Doctor Chu said unkindly, and after packing her medicine box, she started writing down precautions.
By the time Chi Yanzhou came out, Physician Chu had already left.
Cui Fuyu pushed the paper forward, "This is what Aunt Chu left for you. Take good care of yourself according to the instructions."
Next to the paper was a pile of medicinal herbs and high-quality ginseng slices.
Chi Yanzhou looked at the things on the wooden table and suddenly felt deflated, extremely vulnerable at that moment.
Seeing his state, Cui Fuyu said she would leave, giving him some personal space to calm himself down.
As Chi Yanzhou watched Cui Fuyu's departing figure in red, a ripple of emotion stirred within him...
A note from the author:
----------------------
Chi Yanzhou: The engagement gift, Miss, you've accepted it (Yay!)
Cui Fuyu: Forcefully love the poor little thing.
Me: I love reading good-looking articles, so I'll write more!
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