Zhenshu, also curious, gently pushed open the door to the brothel's bedchamber. Zhenshu hid behind the gauze curtain and saw men and women, barely clothed, playing drinking games outside the beaded curtain. She immediately spotted Tong Qisheng; he was still dressed very well and was holding a small, pointed object while drinking. Zhenshu noticed the pointed object was decorated with velvet and wondered why there was velvet on the wine cup. Then a woman wearing only a bodice snatched the object, saying, "Give me back my shoes!"
Tong Qisheng pulled the prostitute into his arms, and even took her small shoes to fill a wine cup, saying, "I, Tong, am only after your three-inch golden lotuses."
The prostitute playfully slapped Tong Qisheng and said, "I've heard you have a lover in this East Market whose feet are bound even smaller than mine. Is that true?"
Tong Qisheng smiled without saying a word. Zhen Shu recalled the stench from the shoes of women with bound feet; though she couldn't smell it from a distance, she still felt nauseous. She covered her mouth and pushed Yu Yichen, whispering, "Let's go!"
Once outside in the corridor, Zhenshu asked Yu Yichen, "Are those prostitutes inside your spies?"
Yu Yichen nodded. Zhenshu then said, "In that case, could you ask that prostitute to kick them out of there today?"
Yu Yichen replied with a "yes," and then asked, "Are there any acquaintances of yours inside?"
Zhenshu nodded silently and went downstairs first. Downstairs, the two pimps, seeing Zhenshu still holding the scroll, clasped their hands and asked, "Young manager, why haven't you handed over the painting and calligraphy?"
Zhen Shu also clasped his hands in return and said, "That young master Zhang does not have enough money and cannot pick up the goods for the time being."
She said goodbye to the two pimps and went outside, instructing Hua'er, "You guys stay across the street and keep watch. When you see that young master Zhang come out, you must drag him back to the small building in the backyard of the mounting shop."
The apprentices agreed and stood guard opposite with their backs turned. Zhenshu then went straight back to the mounting shop.
Inside the mounting shop, Song Anrong and Zhao He had just seen Zheng Zhensheng off and were appraising the few pieces of calligraphy he had left behind. Zhenshu sat behind the counter for a while, drank some water to moisten her throat, and then Hua'er said, "Young Master Zhang has arrived."
She first went to the inner room to invite Song Anrong, and the two of them went into the backyard together. She then lowered the door from the inside before going upstairs. Zhang Rui, reeking of alcohol, sat in a chair yawning and rubbing his eyes, with Su Shi and Zhenyuan standing beside him. Zhenxiu and Zhenyi had probably been sent to the attic, as the door was wide open, but they were not in the inner room.
Song Anrong sat down and asked, "Why did you call me up?"
Madam Su poured herself a cup of hot tea and handed it to Song Anrong, saying with a wronged expression, "These two little ones have caused some trouble recently."
Song Anrong glanced at Zhang Rui, then at Zhenyuan, and asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"
Zhenyuan wept silently, and Madam Su bit her handkerchief, saying, "It's just a little early. I'm afraid it will be able to cover up by March next year..."
Song Anrong's expression suddenly changed drastically. He glared at Zhenyuan and asked, "Are you pregnant?"
Zhenyuan and Madam Su both nodded, weeping. Song Anrong's hands went limp, and a cup of hot tea fell into his lap. Madam Su quickly came over with a handkerchief to wipe it, saying, "Father, what's wrong?"
Song Anrong trembled all over, and after a long while, he slammed his fist on the table and pointed at Zhenyuan, saying, "Your grandmother's mourning period is not over, and you actually..."
Madam Su quickly pressed his hand down and said, "It's my fault, it's my fault for not stopping them."
Song Anrong suddenly stood up, and Zhang Rui hurriedly covered his head to avoid it, but he fell straight backward. Zhenshu quickly helped him up and called out, "Father! Don't rush, let's discuss it slowly, okay?"
Su and Zhenshu poured water on Song Anrong and patted his back until he recovered. Then, Song Anrong pointed at Zhang Rui and said, "You lecherous scoundrel!"
He searched around but found nothing, so he grabbed the teacup from his arms and smashed it down. Before Zhang Rui could cover his head, a two-inch-long gash appeared on his forehead, and blood gushed out. Zhenyuan rushed over to protect him, saying, "Father, it was your shameless daughter who did this. Please scold me."
Song Anrong, pressing his throbbing temples and enduring the dizziness, pointed at Su Shi and said, "I told you to take care of the children in the backyard all day long. Have I ever shortchanged you on money? Have I ever taken care of you? You just watch the children for me like this, you..."
Zhenshu quickly patted Song Anrong's back and advised, "Father, now is not the time to talk about this. The important thing is how to keep this from eldest sister? What should we say to the Zhang family?"
Song Anrong then sat down again and asked Zhang Rui, "Go back and call your brother and other respectable members of the Zhang family to come and settle this matter first. Then I will find a way to send you out of the capital to hide."
Zhang Rui lifted his robe and ran down, saying, "Father-in-law, my two elder brothers don't care about my affairs, and as for the Zhang family patriarch, I can't get a word in edgewise with him. I'll just handle my own affairs myself."
Upon hearing this, Song Anrong was so angry that he almost fainted. After holding back for a long time, he finally said, "Fine, I will send you out of the capital to hide immediately."
Zhang Rui kowtowed and cupped his hands, saying, "Father-in-law, it's not that I'm unwilling, but I've just become a disciple of Wang Canzhi, and I'll be taking the imperial examination on the first day of the third month next year. If I leave the capital, I'll have to wait another three years to take the exam, and I can't wait that long."
Madam Su also came to advise, "Why not rent a house in the capital..."
Song Anrong glared at her fiercely, which made her fall silent before she said again, "No, you must leave the capital. Although Consort Rong has now abdicated and become a Dowager Consort, Zhenyu is the wife of a Marquis, and Changcan and Changgui are still minors. We cannot let our branch of the family tarnish the reputation of the entire Song family."
Seeing that Song Anrong was bringing up these old-fashioned matters, Zhang Rui said, "Now that Consort Rong of the Song family is confined to the inner palace, she has long ceased to manage affairs. Dou Wu is a problem, his wife is a difficult one. Perhaps we should send Zhenyuan out of the capital alone, and bring her back after next year's imperial examination and the one-year mourning period. I must participate in the imperial examination next year, that cannot be changed."
Zhenshu couldn't help but interject, "How can she survive if we send her out of the capital alone?"
Zhang Rui said, "It's just a matter of spending a little more money to hire an old woman to watch over things, and that will be fine."
Jung-won bit her lip and cried, "I'll just smash it off myself, so as not to make everyone else suffer."
Song Anrong slammed his hand on the table and pointed at Zhang Rui, saying, "You must leave the capital. I can pay for it, but you must leave the capital to stay with Zhenyuan."
Zhang Rui scratched his nose and said, "That's fine, but you'll need your father-in-law to give me a few thousand taels of silver to buy some things I need before leaving the capital. The Tartars have been invading us many times, and prices are high. I'm afraid I won't be able to afford it if I don't have enough money."
Secretary Zhen remembered that he had asked for money this morning, and even though he had verbally agreed, he still wanted money. Fearing that he would take the money and spend it all at that drunken brothel before hiding away, she pointed at Zhang Rui and said, "If you want to leave the capital, I will find someone to take care of the estate, courtyard, and house you stay in. What money do you need?"
Zhang Rui crawled over to Zhen Shu's feet and said, "Second sister, you can't move an inch without money. You are a wealthy man now, so why can't you give us some alms?"
Chapter 62 Preparing Gifts
Zhen Shu gritted her teeth in anger but couldn't kick him. She glanced at Song Anrong and saw that Song Anrong's face had changed in his rage, just like when she came out of Wuling Mountain that day. He seemed a little dazed. She was both in pain and angry, but she still had to coax Zhang Rui, saying, "You can go ahead with peace of mind. I will have my eldest sister keep the money."
Zhang Rui knew he couldn't leave today, and besides, he was now heavily pregnant and worried about the Song family, not him. So he got up, dusted off his robe, picked up a chair, and went to rest.
Seeing Song Anrong's face change drastically, Zhenyuan felt a pang of pity. She knelt down in front of him and shook him, saying, "Father, why don't you get some medicine to get rid of the evil spirit in my womb? Even though my reputation is ruined, what's wrong with me becoming a nun?"
Song Anrong helped her up and said, "How can you say such things? Those potent drugs will harm your body. You must not use them. It is all my fault for neglecting you all these years. I have been too greedy for my own pleasure and have failed to discipline you properly. I have truly let you down!"
After saying this, tears streamed down his face, and he covered his face and wept.
Su and Zhenyuan also started crying, while Zhang Rui, annoyed by the noise, simply buryed his head in the crook of his neck. Zhenshu, watching the chaotic family, let out a long sigh and remained silent for a long time.
Within a few days of this, Zhenshu was responsible for handling all the arrangements for Zhenyuan's departure from the capital. The estate and house in the suburbs of the capital were rented by a calligrapher who practiced calligraphy, commissioned by Song Anrong. He and Zhao He personally inspected the property on horseback before making the decision. Zhenshu had all the bedding, clothing, and daily necessities prepared in the East and West Markets, and hired a donkey cart and a young apprentice to be taken to the estate for preparation. Since it was just before the twelfth lunar month, Zhenshu also went to the back gate of the Yu residence to inform them that there were matters at home and she could not come to the residence. Only then did she hurriedly rush to the East Market.
These days, wherever Zhang Rui goes, he is always accompanied by two young apprentices, which makes Tong Qisheng extremely envious. Although he is now wealthy, he only has one servant, while Zhang Rui suddenly has two.
Since last night, Zhenshu had repeatedly instructed her to keep the money safe and not to give Zhang Rui even a single extra copper coin. She also told the two apprentices to keep a close eye on Zhang Rui and not let him run away. As she left, she kept reminding them, "If he takes the money, he will surely run away. Although I didn't give him much, Uncle Zhao will send it to you every month. Just relax and take care of your pregnancy, and don't cry all day long."
Just as Zhenyuan was about to get into the car, she suddenly threw herself into Zhenshu's arms and said, "Sister, I'm so ashamed, regretful and speechless for dragging you all down like this."
Zhenxiu, who rarely comes downstairs, said upon hearing this, "Hurry up and get in the car. I really regret doing such a thing."
Zhenshu pointed at Zhenxiu with one finger and glared at her coldly. After a while, Zhenxiu snorted coldly and went upstairs with her small feet.
Zhang Rui also rode a horse, with Zhao He and Song Anrong flanking him on either side. He leaned over the horse and glanced at Zhenshu, then suddenly bent down and said, "I've long heard that Second Sister and Tong Qisheng have a past relationship. She treats him differently from others, casually handing him thousands of taels of silver. But when it comes to me, Zhang Rui, I don't get a single penny?"
Zhenshu had seen their decadent behavior in the Drunken World, and she pointed at him, saying, "I knew you were greedy, but I didn't know you were so shameless. If you dare to act arrogantly again, I'll have someone cripple your manhood and make you a eunuch."
Zhang Rui had never heard a woman say such things before. Zhen Shu pointed at him with one finger, and Song Anrong and Zhao He stared at him from afar with eyes like knives. Behind them stood several junior apprentices with gloomy faces. He swallowed and thought to himself: I, Zhang, will remember this grudge for now.
The carriage moved on, and Zhenshu followed, seeing Zhenyuan off all the way out of the East Market. She spoke for a long time through the window, instructing Zhenyuan not to be deceived by Zhang Rui again, and telling her to take good care of herself during her pregnancy, eat and sleep well, and that she would visit her sometime later. Only when they were absolutely far away did she release Zhenyuan's hand and watch from afar.
For Zhenyuan's sake, Madam Su was determined to find a high-ranking husband, but now, without even a formal title, she was to retreat to the farm. Zhenshu watched the departing carriage and muttered to herself: "The talented scholars and beautiful women in storybooks, their vows of eternal love, their mutual affection—it's all a lie. Real men are either after money or lust. Tong Qisheng from Huixian is like that, as are Zhang Rui, Du Yu, Dou Keming, and others from the capital. Regardless of social status, rank, or education, they are all the same."
She sighed and turned around, only to see Yu Yichen standing behind her, wearing a smoky gray fur coat, also looking in the direction she was looking. The snow-white fur on his collar contrasted with his pale face and crimson lips, making him quite handsome. However, the wooden hairpin in his hair seemed a bit too plain. Zhenshu quickly calculated that it was the third day of the twelfth lunar month, and then said with a humble smile, "I went to the manor to inform them that I have something to attend to today and cannot go."
Yu Yichen said, "I know, but I had nothing to do today, so I thought I'd come out for a walk. Maybe I'll run into the young manager, which would be a pleasant surprise."
Zhenshu waved her hand and said, "I'm exhausted and need to go back and get a good night's sleep. Not only today, but I can't come either, because I need to take inventory and organize the goods for the New Year holiday, and I also need to send those apprentices home to visit. You have to forgive me this time."
She didn't say anything more after she finished speaking, afraid that if he got hold of her, she wouldn't be able to escape, so she simply turned around and ran. After running a long way, she still couldn't let go of him, so she looked back and saw that he was still standing in the same place, motionless and watching her from afar.
Zhenshu hardened her heart and still turned and ran away.
As Yu Yichen walked back, he bumped into Mei Xun and frowned slightly, saying, "I was just strolling around here, why did you follow me?"
Mei Xun stood respectfully with his hands at his sides and said, "Yesterday, a young eunuch from the front courtyard came to report that someone under Dou Kechang, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, had inquired about your whereabouts when you traveled to the Daxia River area last year?"
Yu Yichen then became alert and asked, "What did the junior eunuch answer?"
Mei Xun said, "We brought people who were under Xu Xiu's command at the time. The eunuchs in the front courtyard were unaware of this, but since he reported it to me, he probably didn't say much."
Yu Yichen lowered his head and looked up, saying, "Lord Dou is a tough nut to crack. I originally wanted to let him go, but if he is so impatient, I have no choice but to deal with him."
Last year's events at the Great Xia River involved Yu Yichen's personal motives, which he concealed even from Emperor Li Xuzhe. Inviting the Tartars into the pass was a capital offense of treason, and such a matter could not be leaked. But he acted with great secrecy; how did the news leak out?
Today, the mounting shop was locked with its doors paneled down. Zhenshu went straight back to the small building in the backyard and saw Madam Su sitting in a chair, holding an invitation in her hand and handing it to her, saying, "We've been so busy these days that we forgot. Zhenyu gave birth to a daughter in September and is now celebrating her 100th birthday. The invitation is for us to attend."
Zhenshu slapped her forehead and said, "That's right. She gave birth in September, and we didn't even send her anything or visit her. We were afraid she might harbor resentment."
Madam Su said, "Who says otherwise? Although she married well and had a large dowry, she can't rely on the one in the palace now. The ones who can help her are still us, her relatives from the concubine line. If she doesn't go, the other branches of the Marquis's mansion will laugh at her."
Zhenshu said, "Fortunately, Zhenxiu sewed a lot of things and sent them over those days, otherwise the other sisters-in-law would have laughed at her for having no one in her family."
Madam Su then asked Zhenshu, "Should we bring Zhenxiu along too, so she can apologize to Zhenyu?"
Zhenshu shook her head and said, "It's Zhenyu's big day, so let's forget about it. I'll go and say a few words on behalf of Zhenxiu. If she softens her stance, then we can have Zhenxiu go instead."
Madam Su sighed, "I was just thinking that the Marquis's mansion would probably invite many young gentlemen to the grand banquet, so that Zhenxiu and Zhenyi could get to know each other."
Zhenshu raised her voice and said, "Since Zhenxiu has already made a betrothal to Tong Qisheng, keep a close eye on him and make sure he doesn't end up like Zhang Rui. As for how many young noblemen there are outside, we are not good enough for those from high-ranking families, and those from low-ranking families are only after some money and dowry. What's so interesting about them?"
Perhaps her words were a bit too harsh, because Zhenxiu pushed open the door and came out angrily, saying, "It's just that little thing. When my elder sister did it, you went out of your way to help her. Why are you being so sarcastic when I did it? Did I also get pregnant? Or have you not let go of Tong Qisheng yet?"
Zhen Shu said, "It's not that I can't let go, I'm just saying that if you really want to live with him, you should keep a close eye on him. He's spending money recklessly all day long, and I'm afraid he might go astray."
Zhenxiu sneered, "You think you're so rich that you have money to give us charity? But I don't care. I'd rather earn money by sewing and cutting needles than be like you and show my face to make money."
Madam Su clapped her hands and said, "We just saw one off, and now they're arguing again. Do you think I'm not tired enough already?"
Zhenxiu went back to her room and slammed the door shut. Zhenshu also went back to her own room. Madam Su sat in the living room, spreading her hands and saying, “I raised you all to this age, did I ever have a single bad intention? Did I never put in the effort to raise you? You’re all like debt collectors, none of you can give me a moment’s peace. It’s clear I’m unlucky. If only I could have a son…”
She cried alone outside for a long time. Zhenyi came out, wiped away her tears, and helped her into the house.
Zhenshu was calculating the gifts she needed to prepare for her visit to the Marquis's residence the next day, counting them off on her fingers. Suddenly, she had a jolt of realization, remembering Zhang Rui's earlier words: that she treated Tong Qisheng differently from others, giving him several thousand taels of silver at a time. She thought to herself that Tong Qisheng's family only had a scholar grandfather and a few acres of land, barely enough to make ends meet. But the two times she had seen him in the capital, he was dressed like a young master from the capital. Where did he get the money?
Perhaps Zhen Shuzhen did take the silver notes, but instead of keeping them for herself, she secretly passed them on to Tong Qisheng long ago.
☆, Chapter 63: One Hundred Years Old
If that's true, it's no wonder Zhenyu's men couldn't find the Song residence even after razing it to the ground, and it's no wonder Zhenxiu left with only a few clothes. The money had already been transferred out.
But now that Tong Qisheng is living in a decadent place like "Drunken World," the money Zhenxiu worked so hard to earn will likely end up in her hands. Thinking of this, Zhenshu felt a pang of anxiety. If she reminded Zhenxiu, she feared she might misunderstand. If she didn't, she feared she would end up like Zhenyuan. She rubbed her agitated head for a long time before finally pounding the bed and sighing, "Let's see if the sky falls and kills us. Now I'm going to get some sleep."
After a good night's sleep, Zhenshu unlocked the door, took out two silver notes, and intended to go to the silver shop next door to buy some things for Zhenyu's child. As soon as she stepped out the door, she saw Zhenyi standing outside, smiling and swaying. She asked, "Would you like to come with me?"
Zhenyi ran over and said, "I want a jade bracelet too."
Zhenshu took her hand and said, "That thing looks old-fashioned. It's better to make a pair of silver ones, which are clear and elegant."
Zhenyi pouted and said, "No wonder everyone says you're stingy. How much is silver worth? I definitely need jade."
The two of them chose a gold lock from the jewelry store, a pair of gold bracelets and necklaces for children, and Zhenyi also got some useless things for herself, spending a total of thirty taels of silver. She sighed as she counted the silver notes, "These days, money really flows like water."
The jewelry store owner chuckled, hands behind his back, "Young Manager Song makes a fortune every day, why would he be afraid to spend a little money?"
Zhenshu smiled and shook her head in farewell. The next morning, she brought Zhenyi, who was dressed up like a flowerpot, to the Marquis of Beishun's residence. Because Zhenyi also had bound feet, they had to hire a carriage. Although Dou Keming was the fifth child and Zhenyu's family was not as powerful as theirs, Dou Keming was still the most favored in the Marquis's residence, and Zhenyu was very wealthy. Moreover, this was their first child, so many people came to congratulate them.
Zhenyi and Zhenshu entered the Marquis's residence. Zhenyi pointed to a woman in front of them wearing a blue fox fur coat and said, "Good second sister, why am I not grown up yet, but I can wear such clothes?"