Chapter 17: Farewell

On the road to Wanqu City, Fu Zihou watched the dense woods flanking the narrow path with wary eyes. Whenever a passerby appeared, he would quietly size them up, betraying no emotion. These days, famine was rampant everywhere and refugees were countless; no one could know if a band of robbers might suddenly spring from the roadside thickets, or if desperate refugees might target travelers, launching an attack under the cover of night.

Before parting, his father had solemnly warned him: once you leave the village, without the protection of the clan leader and the Zhao family, any refugee could turn into a villain. You must not let your guard down for an instant.

“Zihou! Zhì!”

Suddenly, a commotion arose behind them, the faint sound of hooves drifting on the wind. At first, the Fu family paid little heed, but as a shout rang out, they all stopped and turned.

When they saw it was the Zhao brothers leading a group of riders toward them, the Fu family exchanged puzzled, uneasy glances. After all, a corpse was still buried in the Fu household. Though well concealed and pressed under a bed, making discovery unlikely, the thought lingered: if the Zhao brothers had come to arrest them, only Fu Zhì and Fu Zihou might escape—none of the others stood a chance.

“Hyah!”

As the Zhao brothers drew near, the old patriarch glanced nervously at Tai and Fu Zhì, while Zhang and Tao gripped their bundles tightly.

“Brother Han, Brother Gu, what brings you here?” Fu Zihou, noticing his family's anxiety, slung his bundle over his shoulder and walked forward to greet the Zhao brothers, stopping a few steps away and bowing with cupped hands.

The relationship between the Zhao and Fu families had been cordial of late; from the brothers' demeanor, it was clear they meant no harm, which eased Fu Zihou’s heart.

Elder Liu, observing Fu Zihou’s actions, understood his intent. He did not approach, but instead kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, ready to lead the Fu family to safety should trouble arise.

“We too are heading to Wanqu City today,” Zhao Han explained as he reined in his horse, dismounting and breathing a little heavily. “We heard from villagers you’d left early, so we hurried to catch up and travel together—for safety’s sake, with so much unrest and your family burdened by baggage and womenfolk.”

Behind them, the Zhao household retainers, who had jogged all the way, were likewise panting, though their daily drills had helped them keep pace.

Zhao Han cast a look around. “With so many dangers about, it’s safer to travel together.”

As he finished, Zhao Gu, already dismounted, led his horse over. “Our father heard you were going to Tiao County and would need a travel authorization from Wanqu City. The Prefect of Huaiyang is kin to our family, and both of us are well acquainted with the magistrate. It’ll be much easier for us to fetch the documents on your behalf.”

At that moment, looking at the Fu family and especially at the young Fu Zihou, Zhao Gu felt a pang of curiosity. He recalled how, when their father heard the Fu family was leaving, he’d quickly instructed the brothers to catch up and offer their help. Rarely did their father show such concern for ordinary villagers; in the past, only scholars or renowned heroes had ever merited such attention. Ever since that rainy night when Fu Zihou brought a sword to their home, their father had taken special interest in the Fu family—even considering marrying his sister to Fu Zihou.

“What?” “You’ll fetch the travel pass for us?”

The Zhao brothers’ offer left not only Fu Zihou but the rest of the Fu family astonished. Why would the Zhao family go to such lengths for them? They had neither fame nor fortune, and what little wealth they’d had was already taken by Fu Hong. What could the Zhao family possibly gain?

“Leaving without a word is already shameful enough. How could I trouble the Zhao family further?” Fu Zihou shook his head at Zhao Han, feeling unworthy of such kindness.

“Don’t be so formal!” Zhao Han, older than Fu Zihou by many years, strode over, grabbed the bundle from Fu Zihou’s shoulder, and, ignoring his protests, tied it onto his own horse. “Auntie!” he called, heading straight to Zhang and Tao to help load their burdens as well.

Fu Zihou could only look on in speechless gratitude, glancing at Zhao Gu, who smiled and patted his shoulder. “No need for thanks,” Zhao Gu said, and went to help as well.

“Master Zhao, this is too much!” the old patriarch said, leaning on his cane, embarrassed by the help.

“It’s nothing,” the Zhao brothers replied, waving off his concerns and loading the bundles onto their horses, while instructing their retainers to help push the wooden cart.

Seeing their cheerful efficiency, Zhang’s face lit up with delight. “Just look at the young masters of the Zhao family, still thinking of their neighbors even after we’ve left the village…”

Zhang spoke with a broad smile, but as she looked at Fu Zihou, her grin vanished. “And compare that to your teacher, who didn’t even see us off this morning!” she said sourly, praising the Zhaos while disparaging Liu Zhiyuan, whom she clearly resented.

“With the Zhao brothers’ help, once we reach Wanqu City and get the pass, we’ll be on our way in no time—so much less hassle!” Zhang’s smile was irrepressible as she imagined the scene: while others queued at the yamen, the Fu family would receive their documents straightaway. Then everyone would know her family had connections—they weren’t like those other refugees!

Freed from her burdens, Zhang felt lighter than ever and, seeing her sister-in-law Tao likewise relieved, took the opportunity to relieve Tai of her bundle and hand it to Zhao Gu. Zhao Gu, seeing his aunt’s straightforward manner, only laughed and tied up the baggage himself.

Hearing Zhang’s complaints, Zhao Gu grew curious. Had something happened between Fu Zihou and his teacher?

“Must you bring that up again?” Tao chided, tugging at Zhang’s sleeve.

The Zhao brothers, too, looked to Fu Zihou for an explanation.

“It was I who declined my teacher’s invitation and wasted his good intentions. He was angry, and rightly so—he is not to blame,” Fu Zihou explained, addressing not just the Zhao brothers but the retainers as well. He understood the brothers’ character; they were proud and upright, never one to gossip, but the retainers often mingled with the villagers.

“Still…” Zhang began, but Tao’s tug silenced her.

Relieved, Fu Zihou turned to the Zhao brothers. “When you return to the village, please convey to my teacher that I will explain myself when next we meet. And… I humbly ask the Zhao family to continue protecting him. I will repay this kindness someday.”

Zhao Han nodded earnestly. “With the Zhao family here, what happened that night will not happen again.”

Zhao Gu, though silent, looked at the younger Fu Zihou with newfound respect, at last understanding why their father had insisted they help the Fu family. Although their sister had not married Fu Zihou, it was clear the Fu family’s gratitude was heartfelt.

Their father had offered no money, no lavish banquets, no promises of advantage—yet Fu Zihou was deeply moved. In matters of dealing with people, Zhao Gu realized he was far behind his father.

No wonder, he thought, that even the retainers and roughest villagers spoke of his father with such respect.

With their loads now borne by horses and the cart pushed by retainers, the group set off in comfort for Wanqu City. Zhao Gu chatted with Fu Zhì, reminiscing about past hunts—every tale of misadventure sparking laughter and animated gestures, as if they could have let the others go ahead, stayed back to hunt, and still caught up later.

Meanwhile, Zhao Han spoke with Fu Zihou and the old patriarch, explaining their journey’s purpose: the brothers were to attend the Xie family’s wedding banquet in Wanqu City.

“The Xie family? The Xies of Chen Commandery?” the old patriarch exclaimed, his face full of surprise.

Even Elder Liu was taken aback at the mention of the Xie family. For the older generation, the name “Chen Commandery” evoked only one association: the illustrious Xie clan. Thirty years ago, Huaiyang had replaced Chen Commandery in name, but the Xie family’s fame remained undimmed.

Though calamity and massacre had struck the Xie family time and again—from Sun En, Liu Yu, to Hou Jing—and unlike the Wangs, their branches had not migrated north, the Xies had nonetheless survived, diminished but still a noble house.

“Is this the Xie family so renowned that even the emperor once took pride in having them oversee court ceremonies?” Zhang asked, clearly intrigued.

Lacking noble birth herself, Zhang knew such families only from hearsay, and now, upon Zhao Han’s confirmation, her curiosity was piqued.

“So which family’s daughter are the Xies marrying? A clan of that stature must offer a lavish bride price,” she pressed on.

Zhao Han, seeing everyone’s interest, answered as they walked. “My father said the bride is from the Yang family. I don’t know the details, but the dowry alone is said to be five hundred thousand coins.”

“Five hundred thousand!” Zhang nearly stopped in her tracks, eyes wide. The old patriarch, Tao, Fu Zhì, and Tai were no less astonished.

When Fu Zihou had paid his teacher’s respects, a string of five-zhu coins had seemed a generous offering. What would five hundred thousand look like? How many chests would it fill? And that was just the silver, not counting the other gifts.

Such was the scale of marriages among noble houses—almost frighteningly grand.

Fu Zihou, too, was stunned. The Xie family’s history was filled with misfortune, yet, as his teacher had mentioned, its leaders were now Xie Wen, a young general in Chang’an, and Xie Daohong, an elder serving as the Grand Minister of Finance and Marquis of Yangxia.

To marry, and offer five hundred thousand coins! And that was just the cash, not the other gifts. The Grand Minister of Finance truly had wealth.

That position, established in the Liang dynasty, oversaw the treasury, customs, and taxes; the Deputy Minister managed state construction, metallurgy, and dyeing. By the Sui dynasty, the office was responsible for treasury disbursements and trade taxes, subordinate to the Ministry of Revenue.

Clearly, this immense dowry was provided by Xie Daohong for the alliance with the Yang family.

Thinking of all this, Fu Zihou could not help but recall the sixth daughter of the Li family. Though the Lis had declined, they remained a gentry house in Tiao County. The Xies' marriage to the Yangs, with such a dowry, would surely be the talk of the aristocracy for years. But the Li family’s sixth daughter, bound to him by betrothal, would come to the Fu family empty-handed.

“Zihou, let me be clear with you first!” his aunt’s voice suddenly cut through his reverie.

He instinctively looked at her and saw Zhang regarding him with a sly, sarcastic look. “We have nothing in the Fu family. Don’t you even think of selling our things to provide a bride price for the Li family. I won’t allow it! The sixth Li daughter was born with a defect and cannot speak. And you—look in the mirror! The Xie family is the Xie family, but you’re just a Fu. At our best, we were a county-level noble house; the Xie family, even in decline, is still a prominent clan...”

As Zhang rambled on, Fu Zihou could only smile wryly. He had merely been pondering the contrast between the Xie wedding and his own engagement, but his aunt had immediately guessed his thoughts.

Her words, though perhaps meant to protect the family’s interests, stung everyone present—the old patriarch, his cousin Fu Zhì, and even his mother, Tao.

While his sister-in-law tugged at Zhang’s sleeve, she kept up her tirade, as if afraid he might scheme to sell off the family’s property.

“The Li family? Born with a defect, unable to speak?” the Zhao brothers asked in amazement.

Realizing her slip, Zhang hastily fell silent. The rest of the Fu family glared at her, and she forced an awkward smile, pretending to listen to the conversation ahead.

When Zhao Zi had come to propose the match, Fu Zihou’s uncle was already gone, plotting rebellion. Fu Rui, wanting to refuse, had not even named the prospective bride. In her anxiety to prevent Fu Zihou from attempting a bride price, Zhang had forgotten herself.

“The Li family of Tiao County?” Zhao Han guessed at once. He had heard from his father that, aside from the Gao family, there were several noble houses in Tiao, including the Lis. Their head, Li Gang, had once served as Assistant Minister at court but had long since retired, leaving the family diminished.

But why, he wondered, had Zhang said the Li family’s daughter was born with a defect? Marrying a woman with such a misfortune was considered highly inauspicious.