Chapter Thirty-Three: Master Rong the Third

Early the next morning, Wei Baofu left the palace accompanied by Pearl and Linglong. She could have displayed the full pomp of a princess, but she thought it wiser to avoid unnecessary attention and gossip; rather than making a spectacle, it was better to travel quietly, for everyone’s comfort and freedom.

Seated inside the carriage, Wei Baofu gazed through the gauze curtain as they passed out of the imperial gates, feeling an inexplicable sense of relief. Even Pearl noticed her good mood.

Smiling, Pearl said, “Mistress, if you enjoy being outside the palace, you can take us out more often. Now you have the token for leaving the palace, and I’m sure Her Majesty the Empress won’t object.”

Wei Baofu nodded, her voice gentle. “Do you prefer living outside the palace as well? It’s a shame Grandmother is not free to leave; otherwise, she could join us in seeing the world.”

Linglong sensed her mistress’s melancholy and hurried to comfort her. “For the Empress Dowager, having you by her side is greater than anything else.”

Wei Baofu agreed; it was true. Yet she knew that if her grandmother could enjoy her twilight years outside the palace, she would be even happier. But the reigning emperor would never allow it—perhaps the next emperor might be more lenient.

“Has there been any word from Shunzi lately?” Wei Baofu had been absorbed in palace affairs and hadn’t paid much attention to matters outside. It occurred to her suddenly that she hadn’t inquired for some time.

Pearl smiled. “Manager Yu has sent five letters, just routine reports—nothing major has happened. Oh, and the manager you sent to Fengxiang Pavilion recently brought his family to seek you out. Linglong replied on your behalf and Manager Yu has arranged everything.”

Wei Baofu nodded in satisfaction. Her trusted aides were all capable; each manager’s reply was marked with a special sign. If it was a routine matter, Pearl and Linglong handled it themselves, empowered with considerable authority. She had no worries about their loyalty.

“I’ve devoted much care to Fengxiang Pavilion. If the manager’s wife proves herself, we’ll gain another formidable ally.” Wei Baofu valued competence above all; as long as someone had real talent, she could overlook minor shortcomings.

Linglong explained, “Manager Yu said he’s given them suitable work so they can adapt, with further arrangements to come.”

Wei Baofu nodded approvingly. “I trust you all. Remember to reply to Shunzi and tell him to train more people to succeed him. His health is poor, and as he ages, it’s harder for him to manage tasks. Besides, we’re all in the capital now, and I plan to open a club here—he’ll need to oversee it personally.”

Yu Shun, after all, was physically impaired, though he never showed it before her, but she’d heard from Granny Qian that he suffered various ailments. Staying in the capital would be easier to care for his health than running around everywhere. Her words warmed both Pearl and Linglong’s hearts; to have a mistress who cherished those around her was a blessing, and for such a mistress, they were willing to give their all.

“I’ll speak to Manager Yu, Mistress. I don’t know what a club is, but I’m sure it will make money. It’ll take some time to get started, so don’t worry about it yet. To be honest, the Empress Dowager’s guards aren’t as reliable as yours.”

Linglong spoke the truth—the contrast was obvious when both groups were together. Though the princess’s guards were fewer, their presence was commanding.

Wei Baofu glanced outside, unconcerned. “Grandmother’s guards belong to the emperor; mine are truly mine. Even if I could train them, I wouldn’t waste the effort. Now, they obey Grandmother’s orders to protect me, but if the emperor commands otherwise, they’ll abandon us. If Grandmother and I ever face real danger, we couldn’t rely on them completely. They can bluff, but little else.”

Linglong nodded, smiling. “Mistress, you see things clearly. I’m still too naive. By the way, the Crown Prince’s steward said that once your hot spring estate is settled, the Crown Prince will repay the money—he’s not delaying.”

Wei Baofu didn’t care much for the money, but she refused to let the Crown Prince profit at her expense, especially now with the Fourth Prince involved. She had to be mindful for his sake. With her purpose in mind, Wei Baofu felt a heaviness in her heart; she sensed her mother must have left her something, and it was up to her to unravel the clues. At least she was not aimless.

Lost in thought, the carriage suddenly halted abruptly. Wei Baofu was thrown forward by inertia; if not for Pearl’s quick reaction, shielding her with an arm, she would have hit the carriage wall and suffered. Linglong steadied herself and hurried to check on Wei Baofu, while Pearl, seeing her mistress unharmed, angrily lifted the curtain and stepped out.

She shouted, “Who dares block my mistress’s way? If she’s injured, none of you can bear the consequences!”

Looking up, she saw several young men in luxurious attire grappling with Ye Feng. Their bodies reeked of wine—obviously sons of officials. Ye Feng held back a young man trying to charge at the princess’s carriage, his expression grim. “I don’t care whose sons you are. If you dare to assault my mistress, I will kill you.”

As Wei Baofu’s chief guard, Ye Feng was not to be trifled with. The young man had assumed a princess traveling simply would have few guards, and any she had would be ornamental. Unexpectedly, his own servants were quickly beaten back by the guards, and he was prevented from approaching the carriage. He grew anxious.

“Bold? You’re the bold ones! You must have hidden my beloved girl—I demand to search the carriage!” He feigned drunkenness, playing the fool. He’d intended to barge in and disgrace the woman in the carriage, ruining her reputation, but couldn’t even touch the carriage.

Ye Feng saw through his act. Pearl, unconcerned with his background, stepped forward and slapped him twice. She was no frail girl; trained in self-defense by her mistress since childhood, her blows left him stunned.

“I reward you with two slaps from my mistress. If you want trouble, see if our guards will spare you.” Wei Baofu had instructed them to vent their anger but not delay too long or invite ridicule.

Pearl declared loudly, “Mistress orders these men to be sent to the Magistrate of Jingzhao, on charges of deliberately obstructing the princess. The officials will deal with them justly.”

She gave Ye Feng a look; he understood, watched Wei Baofu’s carriage depart, then personally escorted the group to the authorities. The incident was swift and decisive, leaving the offenders no chance, thanks to the many guards Wei Baofu brought.

Across the street, in the restaurant, many witnessed the scene. The Second Prince, Wei Han, was not particularly disappointed. He’d investigated Wei Baofu, knew she was not to be trifled with, and had only intended a small test—not a devious scheme. Failure didn’t bother him.

In the room next to the Second Prince’s, another observer watched with keen interest. He drained his wine and said with a smile to his attendant, “It’s been ages since I’ve wandered about—who knew there’d be such a formidable young lady about? She hasn’t even shown her face, yet her guards and maids are all tough. Fascinating, truly fascinating.”

Shanzhu dreaded seeing his master in such a mood. Whenever his master grew curious about a girl, they all had to run themselves ragged. He complained, “Third Master, you said you wouldn’t take concubines anymore—are you getting interested again?”

Third Master Rong cast a sharp glance his way; his unremarkable face somehow exuded an intimidating aura. “Who said I want a concubine? I don’t have a single one now.”

Shanzhu muttered, “True, you have none—they’ve all been dismissed. Most men enjoy having several women at once, but you only take one at a time, and when you bring her home, you don’t even touch her, just talk. With women kept in the inner quarters, what can you possibly discuss? You’ve taken three concubines, none stayed more than three months, then you sent them off. What are you after?”

Third Master Rong replied impatiently, “Do I need to tell you what I want? You’ve grown bold—who’s the master here?”

He couldn’t explain to this servant that he sought a companion who truly understood him, someone with whom he could share mutual affection. How else could he know if they suited each other without trying? Though he brought them home, he never so much as touched them; only when he found them incompatible did he let them go. He just couldn’t understand why finding someone who moved his heart was so hard.

“The old lady said, you’re twenty-five now; if you don’t find a bride this year, she’ll pick one for you herself. No matter who it is, you’ll have to accept.”

Third Master Rong absentmindedly stroked his chin, annoyed. “You mind your own business. I don’t need you meddling in mine. I don’t believe the old lady can force me into the bridal chamber.”