Chapter 41: Fu Rui's Astonishment, the Turmoil in Qinghe

The sky had already fallen completely dark.

Inside the Fu family residence, everyone was gathered around the fire.

"Let that unfilial son die out there! Why should he come back at all?" Grandfather rarely wore such an expression of anger, but at this moment, hearing Erlang’s words and seeing Madam Zhang weep, he could hardly contain his rage.

So all the savings and household wealth the Fu family entrusted to Dalang, Fu Hong, was only to see him become an outlaw?

What rebellion! It turned out to be nothing more than joining a notorious bandit!

"If he’s gone to be a bandit, then why hasn’t Dalang returned?" Madam Tao, seeing her elder sister-in-law shedding silent tears, hurried to soothe her back and looked toward her husband with a frown.

"Elder brother said he wanted to try his luck in Hailing County, to join other scholars in pledging themselves to Li Zitong. He claimed that Li Zitong is generous and treats people well, calling himself Grand General in Hailing County, recruiting famous men from all over, and many are vying to serve him," Fu Rui explained to his wife.

Fu Rui’s own face was drawn. These past two months of running about, the bitter cold, and his brother’s troubles had left him utterly exhausted.

"Generous, is he? What I’ve heard is that Li Zitong is a treacherous man who breaks his word," Grandfather muttered resentfully.

Within the room, Fu Zihou, Fu Zhi, and Madam Tai all remained silent.

Watching their grieving mother rise and leave for her room, even Fu Zhi and his wife Madam Tai felt resentment toward their father, Fu Hong. Why hadn’t he returned to Tiao County to see his mother, if only for a moment?

"I’ll go check on Sister-in-law," Madam Tao said quietly to her husband, Fu Rui. They’d been apart for nearly two months, and though many words pressed on her heart, now was not the time.

Good-heartedness invites bullying. Since Fu Rui started doing business, whether at home or after moving to the village, they’d suffered much contempt. The Fu family always tried to reason with others, but what they got in return was often only harsh words and ridicule.

She herself was not good with words, nor was her elder sister-in-law. Yet in the end, as the eldest daughter-in-law, it was Madam Zhang who had to act the shrew.

Over the years, Madam Zhang had fiercely protected her family, and Madam Tao had seen her glare during arguments.

Now, learning that Dalang Fu Hong was unwilling to return even to see his wife, Madam Tao’s heart ached for her, mixed with some indignation.

"Come, let’s go too," Fu Zhi said, worried, and glanced at his wife Madam Tai. They both rose to go comfort Madam Zhang.

The room soon held only Grandfather, Old Liu, Fu Rui, and Fu Zihou.

"Father, what exactly happened here while I was away?" Fu Rui asked, his eyes taking in the room, recalling the house, the front and back courtyards. He could hardly believe it.

Especially after seeing the large sacks of grain, piles of firewood, and even the woolen quilts and fine cloth—none of it lacking.

How was it that the Fu family in Tiao County now lived better than before?

"No need to ask so much. It was all a misunderstanding! Tomorrow you’ll go to the Li residence—remember to visit your Aunt, and take Zihou with you! Were it not for her looking after us, we’d have starved and frozen by now!" Grandfather waved his hand, his expression a bit awkward as Old Liu and Fu Zihou looked over. He gave his instructions.

"You’ve just returned—haven’t you tried the wine Zihou brewed? Zihou, go fetch some for your father and Old Liu!" Grandfather quickly directed Zihou away.

Old Liu, catching Fu Rui’s gaze, almost spoke, but at the mention of wine, his old face broke into a smile. He gestured for Fu Rui to drink first, to talk as they drank.

Inside the wooden house, when Fu Zihou brought out the wine, Fu Rui was surprised. No wonder, aside from the stench he’d noticed earlier in the courtyard, there had been a faint aroma of wine.

Looking at the yellow wine in his bowl, Fu Rui’s eyes filled with astonishment.

When Old Liu recounted how, years ago in the village, the old man they’d thought a charlatan might truly have been a sage of farming, Fu Rui was dumbfounded. He looked to his father and Old Liu in disbelief.

With lingering doubts, Fu Rui cautiously sipped the wine.

Under the watchful eyes of Grandfather, Old Liu, and the others, a burst of heat flowed down his throat, pure and fragrant, filling his mouth and nose.

In a single instant, Fu Rui’s eyes widened as he stared in disbelief at the wine in his bowl.

Old Liu and Grandfather, seeing his dazed expression, couldn’t help but laugh. When they’d tasted it the first time, hadn’t they reacted the same? It was simply unbelievable.

"Zihou! You’re saying the old master returned to the village once, saw you still seeking the grain script, and, moved by your sincerity, taught you the art of brewing?" Fu Rui snapped out of it, looking at his son.

"Yes, Father," Fu Zihou answered quietly. The mysterious old man had been spoken of for years; he didn’t mind repeating it. After all, he’d grown up at home—who would doubt him?

"Don’t ask too much. A man of that caliber bestows his teaching—it’s Zihou’s good fortune! Spread it around, and it would be his undoing," Grandfather scolded, his face flushed.

To Grandfather, such a sage passing on his secret was a blessing to the Fu family. The old man must have spent his life searching for the original grain, and, feeling his end near, chose to teach Zihou. Whether that sage still lived or not, since he wished to remain unknown, the Fu family would keep his secret.

"Truly a man of greatness," Fu Rui murmured, recalling all the years of misunderstanding as he gazed at the wine. His feelings were complicated.

He had never tasted such fine wine before, and as a merchant, he understood well what this meant.

"Master, rest assured. Young Master has already asked the Cui family of Qinghe to contact the Xie family of Chen Commandery," Old Liu said, noticing Fu Rui’s anxious look. He explained how Fu Zihou had made the acquaintance of the Cui and Xie scions.

Upon hearing this, Fu Rui looked up in astonishment, then at his son.

The Cui family of Qinghe? The Xie family of Chen Commandery?

Impossible. In just two short months, he hardly recognized his own son.

Both families were renowned gentry in their respective commanderies! During his years of business up north, he’d understood what such connections meant.

How could his own son, from the humble Fu family, have befriended their heirs?

He’d only told his son to look after the family!

Yet, though he’d been gone less than two months, at that moment, seeing Fu Zihou, Fu Rui realized his son was now fully capable of supporting the family—even more so than he himself.

…

The next day.

When Fu Zihou arrived at the Li residence with Fu Rui and Madam Tao, the Old Madam of the Li family, along with Zhangsun Nungui and Li Cha, all gathered in the main hall.

The Old Madam and Zhangsun Nungui were anxious that Fu Rui might dislike Li Cha, who was born with a disability.

So the Old Madam turned to Fu Zihou. "Zihou, why not take Cha’er for a stroll in the attic?"

Fu Zihou saw the loving smile and understood their concern—she and his aunt were worried his father would object. He nodded.

"Then, Granny Li, Aunt, Father, Mother, I’ll take Cha’er out for a walk," he said. Seeing his parents’ approving smiles, he turned to Li Cha.

Zhangsun Nungui whispered something to Li Cha, who then rose, paid respects to the Old Madam, and, blushing furiously, greeted Fu Zihou’s parents.

Fu Zihou clearly saw that as Li Cha saluted his parents, her ears and cheeks were flushed bright red.

He’d thought Li Cha might be upset by the Old Madam’s arrangements, but apparently Zhangsun Nungui had said something to make her shy.

Regardless, seeing Li Cha wear the expensive hairpin he’d given her put him in a good mood.

Up in the attic, as Fu Zihou began to teach Li Cha, although she could not speak, she nodded in response, and he was endlessly patient, instructing her word by word.

From morning until noon, time slipped by unnoticed. Fu Zihou even wondered if his parents had already left, when suddenly footsteps echoed from outside the attic and a woman’s voice called out.

"Trickster… Young Lord Fu, the appointed day draws near—why aren’t you at home making preparations?"

Recognizing Cui Wenjin’s voice, Fu Zihou and Li Cha both looked up as she entered.

Fu Zihou sensed Cui Wenjin seemed particularly displeased with him, which confused him. Hadn’t their last meeting gone well? Why did she now glare at him as if she wanted to tear him apart?

"Everything is ready. We can depart in five days," Fu Zihou explained.

"Ready, are you?" Cui Wenjin stared at his calm demeanor, grinding her teeth, longing to expose him on the spot. But no, that would be too easy for him. Remembering she was in the Li residence, she restrained herself—she’d wait until Fu Zihou left Tiao County to give him a thrashing.

Her skills might not match Li Qiong’s, but surely she could handle the slender Fu Zihou?

"Does Miss Wenjin have any… questions?" Fu Zihou asked gently, sensing her hostility.

"No questions! In five days, we’ll head to Liyang together!" she snapped, turning away in a huff.

At that moment, a servant appeared, bringing Cui Yuzhe to the attic.

Fu Zihou was surprised—Cui Yuzhe looked pale and anxious, as though something terrible had happened.

Before Fu Zihou could rise to greet him, Cui Yuzhe, breathless, turned to his sister.

"Little sister, news from Qinghe—bandit Zhang Jincheng ambushed and beheaded Magistrate Liu. He’s now attacking Qinghe County. Assistant Prefect Yang Shanhui is leading the city’s troops in defense! We’d best stay in Tiao County for now and not return!"

After warning her, Cui Yuzhe noticed Fu Zihou and hastily saluted, his composure gone, eyes filled with worry.

At the table, Fu Zihou returned the salute, watching as Cui Wenjin’s face changed, and she frantically questioned her brother about their parents and relatives.

Fu Zihou frowned slightly.

Zhang Jincheng—wasn’t he supposed to attack Ping’en first?

He vaguely recalled that Zhang Jincheng had captured Ping’en in March, massacred the city, and only then turned on Wu’an and Qinghe.

What had caused him to attack Qinghe ahead of time?