Chapter 35: Settling Accounts After Autumn

Proofread By : Mim

Tang Xinyi was kneeling on the floor when he heard those words, and there was surprise on his face. Thoughts quickly flew by his mind. Could there be a incredible person in Taiyuan? Else how could one be able to provoke such anger from the Crown Prince. However, on his trip to Taiyuan, he had not neglected anyone…

As Tang Xinyi was unable to figure out the reason, he continued to prostrate on the floor and confessed his guilt humbly, “It is this servant’s fault. This servant is stupid and did not know what mistake was done. May Your Highness clarify.”

“When you were in the city, did you bump into… a child?”

Tang Xinyi thought back for a moment and vaguely remembered, “Your Highness is actually referring to this incident?” He was even more surprised now. Tang Xinyi’s surprise was beyond words and when Qin Yi saw it, his face became cold as he stared at him without saying a word.

Tang Xinyi’s hands and feet became cold, and his back couldn’t stop sweating. He once again bowed his head respectfully onto the ground, “This servant was eagerly looking for Your Highness at that time and was thus negligent. It is this servant’s fault. If a human life is impacted, this will damage Your Highness’ reputation.”

“Tang Xinyi, you often follow me out to the borders and chase those Tatar barbarians down so you should know that it is not easy for the commoners living on the borders. I stand guard at the border of Great Yan to ensure peace for the people, so I do not want to see anyone from the Eastern Palace treat lives this lightly in the country. Otherwise, I will treat you all the same way I do the Tartars.”

At this moment, none of the servants in the room could stand any longer, they all knelt on the ground, no matter where they were. Tang Xinyi kowtowed three times, speaking with his face almost touching the floor, “It is this servant that deserves to die. This servant will go and receive the punishment now.”

Tang Xinyi was after all a meritorious subordinate so after Qin Yi sounded him out, he did not continue to make him lose face. He turned back to read the military reports and as he saw the reports handed over by two subordinates, he said lightly, “Get up.”

Tang Xinyi thanked him and slowly stood up before the rest of the people followed suit. Tang Xinyi hunched over and waited for a while as he did not dare to make any decisions as the Crown Prince had not said a word. Sure enough, after Qin Yi approved a few military reports, he started to ask without any thoughts, “Who else did you meet when you were in Taiyuan?”

Tang Xinyi carefully pondered upon Qin Yi’s intention. Was the Crown Prince testing him to see if he had formed any cliques? Tang Xinyi replied carefully, “This servant only saw the Marquis of Changxing. That day, this servant had bumped into the young lady of the Marquis of Changxing, so it was not good to do nothing.”

Qin Yi sneered, “It is good that you know that. What did the Marquis of Changxing say?”

Ah? Tang Xinyi became even more confused. What was this? What did the Crown Prince want to hear? Even Tang Xinyi, who had been stationed in the Inner Palace for many years, could not understand his master’s thoughts. He could only guess as he spoke, “The Marquis of Changxing said that everything was alright, and also asked this servant about Your Highness.”

Qin Yi placed his brush down forcefully and raised his head to look at Tang Xinyi coldly. These servants just kept on repeating and did not speak to the point. He could only ask, “You mentioned that you bumped into the young lady of the Marquis of Changxing. what happened?”

“It is the same incident as that with that child.” Tang Xinyi thought that the Crown Prince did not understand the connection and quickly explained, “It is this servant that rode the horse too quickly when a child suddenly ran out into the middle of the road. This servant could not stop in time and could only forcibly turn the horse’s head. That young lady of the family moved very quickly and pulled the child away. This young lady of Marquis of Changxing is interesting. When this servant was leaving, that young lady even dared to glare at this servant.”

“Ha.” Qin Yi laughed and retorted, “Why? You cannot be glared at?”

Chu Jinyao even dared to glare at him so how could Tang Xinyi have any objection?

Tang Xinyi noticed that his master’s tone was not normal and his sweat trickled down like a stream. He quickly lowered his head, and his waist was almost bent to the ground, “Naturally can be glared at. It is this servant’s fault. This servant should be punished.”

When Qin Yi heard Tang Xinyi’s submissive words, he finally became lenient and let him go to receive his punishment. “Alright, you can withdraw. Go and receive the military rods yourself. If I learn that you all cooperated and worked together to deceive…” Qin Yi did not continue speaking but Tang Xinyi already understood.

“This servant dare not. This servant bids farewell to Your Highness. May Your Highness receive ten thousand blessings.”

Xiao Linzi stood stunned on the side. Just what did Tang Xinyi do to make the Crown Prince this angry? According to the Palace rules, there were fake and genuine rods given. With Tang Xinyi’s position, the eunuch dealing with punishment would not dare to really beat and just executed it for the sake of appearance. In fact, other than the Crown Prince, there were no other masters in the Palace that dared to make things difficult for Tang GongGong.

Upon receiving the full force of twenty military rods, even if Tang GongGong had inner martial arts, it would not be easy to endure.

Tang Xinyi faced the Crown Prince as he backed out of the room. He was a servant and it would be disrespectful to turn his back to His Highness. Upon walking away, Tang Xinyi then quietly turned around and walked quickly towards the door.

Just as Tang Xinyi was about to exit the door, he heard the Crown Prince speaking suddenly, “Stop.”

Tang Xinyi immediately stopped and turned around before standing respectfully, “What order does Your Highness have?”

“Receive the twenty military rods upon your return. Go to Taiyuan now and do something for me.”

*****

Qi Desheng personally watched as the worker locked the warehouse and went back to the store to inspect it again. After ensuring that there were no omissions, he then put his hands behind his back and walked slowly to his residence.

He let the servants change his clothes before asking about his precious son and sent everyone off so that he could go to the study to settle accounts.

He had been a merchant for many years, and the ancestral fortune had more than doubled under his hands. During his grandfather’s generation, the Qi family was only a small fabric merchant on the streets, but now they had branches opening up all over Shanxi, with three shops in Taiyuan alone. Qi Desheng’s talent in business had superseded his grandfather and father, that he even achieved what his ancestors had never dared to dream of. It was a pity that even though he was able to move unhindered in the business world and was considered a well-known figure, he was stuck in the area of heirs.

He was over forty years old and did not have a single child under him. Not to mention a son, there was not even a daughter, making him feel desperate. Fortunately, that ten thousand taels of temple donations were not in vain. When Qi Desheng was forty-two, his fourth concubine suddenly got pregnant. Qi Desheng was overjoyed and when the child was born, and was verified bloodline, he immediately promoted the fourth concubine to be his official Madam. The mother’s honour increases as her son’s position rises. How could his only child be raised by a concubine?

Thinking up to here, Qi Desheng was somewhat scared as his only seedling was almost taken back by Heavens two days back. Fortunately, that Young Lady of the residence of Marquis Changxing was nimble and acted fast, else, he too would have followed along. Speaking of which, that rootless eunuch was sure vicious to even dare to scare his only seedling. Up until now, Bao-er had nightmares at night.

Qi Desheng sighed as he pushed the doors open. He then clicked his tongue, “Why are the lights not lit? These servants are getting more and more unruly…”

After Qi Desheng got used to the darkness of the room and could see things, he swept his eyes around and fell onto the door with a slam as his legs had gotten weak.

“… Eunuch?”

Tang Xinyi was sitting on the center chair with a dead-pan face in the darkness, making it very bizarre. Qi Desheng was terrified upon seeing it and said quiveringly, “GongGong Eunuch, why are you here? Are you here to get filial piety? Please wait a while, I will get it right away!”

Qi Desheng was about to open the doors to retrieve gold and treasures when Tang Xinyi said, “Stop.”

With that word, Qi Desheng dared not make any move as he looked at Tang Xinyi tremblingly. All the experienced merchants in this dynasty would be able to cry in fear at this moment. Tang Xinyi said, “I turned my nose up at your things. Come over here, I have some instructions for you.”

“Eunuch actually doesn’t want money?” Qi Desheng did not know if he should worry or not and could only speak with a smile on, “To be able to do things for Eunuch, it is this little one’s fortune! It is just that one does not know what Eunuch wants to do?”

The next day Chu Jinyao went over to Madam Zhao’s place to report before returning to her room and did needlework by the window. Now that her hands were suddenly no longer tight, she not only had money, but also lots of silk, threads and colourful fabrics that could fill two entire chests. Previously, she had nothing on hand and thus was unable to do anything, but now that she had suddenly become wealthy, Chu Jinyao had the mood to make the clothes she liked.

She used to fiddle with these things in the past, but unfortunately, the Su family was poor and thus the sisters’ clothes had to be sewn and mended until it could no longer be worn. Upon returning to the residence of Marquis Changxing, the Chu family had money, but none of it belonged to her as she relied on the common fund, so how could she have excess fabric to fiddle around with? Now, things had finally improved. She had two boxes of fabrics, so no one could criticise whatever she did.

Chu Jinyao sighed as she threaded the needle. Just two months ago, she might not have dared to imagine that one day she would be able to own thirty silver taels and two chests of fabrics. However, it was a pity that Qin Yi was no longer around and she had no way to tell him these things. The even sadder thing was that other than Qin Yi, Chu Jinyao had no one else to share such things with in this big household.

As Chu Jinyao thought about it, she became somewhat lost in thoughts. The curtain suddenly parted and Jiegeng’s voice sounded, “Young Lady, Old Madam Chu has sent someone to look for you.”

Chu Jinyao returned to her senses immediately. She placed the needle into the thread basket and straightened her clothes before walking out. “Why is Grandmother suddenly looking for me? Is there anything important?”

The maid that was bringing the message smiled and said, “Young Lady will know when she gets there.”

Chu Jinyao was filled with a stomach-full of doubts as she entered Rong Ning Hall. When she had just entered the courtyard, she noticed a pile of things stacked in the courtyard. The maids were surrounding the red wooden chests and upon seeing Chu Jinyao, they called out in a crisp voice, “Old Madam, Fifth Young Lady has arrived.”

Gu Momo had long heard the voices and lifted the curtain for Chu Jinyao as she smiled, “Fifth Young Lady has arrived! Old Madam is just talking about you.”

Chu Jinyao looked at Rong Ning Hall’s layout. No matter how she saw it, it seemed that there were guests, so if guests had visited, why would she be mentioned? She entered the room and saw the guest and said unexpectedly, “Manager Qi?”

“Yes. It is me!” Manager Qi stood up and cupped his hands, Chu Jinyao also greeted back. Old Madam Chu smiled and beckoned for Chu Jinyao to come over, “Manager Qi has specially come to visit and insisted on thanking you in person.”

When Chu Jinyao heard that it was about this matter, she spoke hurriedly, “Manager Qi is being too polite. It was just a slight effort of lifting one’s hand, there is no need to keep it in your mind.”

“Young Lady has saved my only son who I have been blessed with in my old age. To Young Lady, it is just a slight effort of lifting one’s hand, but to me, it is a kindness that is as great as Heavens.” Qi Desheng stood with a grateful smile on his face, it was of no wonder that he could be able to expand his business till this big. He continued, “Wealth is a secular matter, but Young Lady saved my little son, so how could some chests of things be able to pay the matter off? I understand that Young Lady has a noble status and does not lack such things, but as I am a lowly merchant, I am unable to come up with anything apart from these vulgar things. If Young Lady does not despise, please accept them.”

Chu Jinyao followed Qi Desheng’s hand gestures and looked out of the window. Only then did she realise that all the seemingly heavy chests outside were actually for her! Terrified, Chu Jinyao quickly said, “It cannot be done. I have already received Manager Qi’s items, how can I accept such valuable gifts?”

Qi Desheng said instead, “If Young Lady refuses to accept them, then one would really look down on me. Even though I, Qi Desheng, am a merchant, I know the meaning of a drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring. Not to mention that Young Lady has shown great kindness to my family! If Young Lady does not accept it, then it is to make me an ungrateful person without a heart at all.”

(a drop of water shall be returned with a burst of spring: Even if it was just a little help from others, you should return the favour with all you can when others are in need.)

As such words were already spoken till such a state, what else could Chu Jinyao say? Old Madam Chu saw that Qi Desheng was very determined to gift Chu Jinyao and only lamented in her heart that he was indeed the General Manager of the Qi family, that he could maintain such a position in returning a favour. Old Madam Chu then said, “Since it is Manager Qi’s sincere intention, you can just accept it.”

Old Madam Chu had spoken, so Chu Jinyao could only comply. She watched with a flustered heart as the people put the boxes together, and carried each of them towards her courtyard. When Qi Desheng saw that Chu Jinyao was finally willing to accept the things, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He then rubbed his hands together and said to Old Madam Chu, “Old Madam, I have another matter that I want to say to Fifth Young Lady.”

Old Madam Chu was surprised. It was not over yet? Upon seeing Qi Desheng’s posture, it did not seem to be fake so she nodded lightly, “Bring Manager Qi and Fifth Young Lady to the smaller room to talk.”

Gu Momo complied and led them to the smaller room. As Chu Jinyao and Manager Qi sat in the smaller room, although it was said that unmarried females could not meet up with outside males, Qi Desheng was a merchant and over forty years old, thus he was considered as Chu Jinyao’s elder. Moreover, it was broad daylight and there were maids guarding within a few steps, with Old Madam Chu watching over outside, so there would not be anyone that would gossip. When Qi Desheng sat down, he said, “Fifth Young Lady, to tell you the truth, after you saved my son, I was unable to sleep well for the next few days and kept on dreaming about funeral matters. After discussing with my wife, it was decided that I have to make a trip to the Marquis Residence. May Fifth Young Lady not blame me for the sudden visit and bother.”

Chu Jinyao stood up and bowed slightly. “How would one dare.”

Qi Desheng continued, “Those things just now are all taken out from the storeroom and used to fill up Young Lady’s trousseau. As Young Lady has yet to be engaged, it is already offensive for me to speak of such things. However, no matter what was said, the rationale is as such. There is no harm in having more money at one’s side. May Young Lady not laugh at me for being crude with words.”

Chu Jinyao smiled. “Manager Qi spoke reasonably. I understand.”

Manager Qi was indeed a clever person. Currently, there were indeed many literary people who would look down on merchants, finding that they were filled with the stench of copper and would be even ashamed of speaking about money. However, Chu Jinyao was someone who had endured hardship, so how could she not understand the importance of money? No matter what the saints said, having money at one’s side was the most important matter.

“Since Young Lady understands, then it is easier to handle. I have given Young Lady these treasures and to put it bluntly, I am grateful of Young Lady’s kindness and gifted some wealth to Young Lady. However, there is a saying, to sit idle and eat, and in time one’s whole mountain of fortune will be used out. Thus, I have newly opened up a shop and would like to invite Young Lady to be a shareholder.”

When Chu Jinyao heard that, she was stunned for a while before she said, “Is Manager Qi joking?”

“How can this be a joke! I am really sincere in asking Young Lady be a shareholder. Even though the monthly income might not be much, it is still able to let Young Lady earn some packet money. Young Lady does not need to worry about the seed money as before I came to the Marquis Residence, I have already split your gifts into two, one part was carried to Old Madam Chu, and the other half was converted into shares, I have brought the documentation over.” After speaking, Qi Desheng took a stack of paper out, “Take a look Young Lady, it is all here.”

Chu Jinyao looked at Qi Desheng faintly, she almost thought that Manager Qi had lost his mind. These merchants were very particular, and there were some that were willing to return the favour so Chu Jinyao was able to understand when Qi Desheng wanted to gift her a generous thank you gift. However, who would gift another a part of their living income? Much less that she was an outsider and had saved Manager Qi’s son by coincidence. One feared that even if Manager Qi’s brother were to lend a hand, he would not do such a thing.

Chu Jinyao was full of discontent but did not know where to start. In the end, she could only smile and say, “Manager must be joking.”

Chu Jinyao felt that Manager Qi had said all that on purpose, so that it showed that he knew how to show his gratitude and repayment, and if she agreed, then it would be a joke. When Qi Desheng saw that Chu Jinyao did not take it seriously, he quickly said, “Young Lady, how would a merchant joke about such matters? You must take it seriously as I truly want to gift you the shares. That new store also does fabric business, with a splendid overall layout and even comes with a manager and accountant. It is just that I am unable to think of new ideas and gradually overshadowed by other shops, thus would like to invite Young Lady to help. One has heard that Young Lady has nimble hands and knows how to work around these fabrics. It happens that Young Lady has no income and thus this is killing two birds with one stone. This is good for both parties!”

The reasoning sounded logical, but Chu Jinyao felt that there would not be such a good thing under Heavens. There was no need for her to contribute resources or energy and even any money, and there was someone who would rush to share profits with her? Chu Jinyao did not believe that there would be such foolish people. Qi Desheng saw that Chu Jinyao still did not believe him and became so anxious that he almost jumped up. Chu Jinyao looked at Manager Qi’s earnest eyes, it did not seem that he was joking, thus she could only stand up and say, “I dare not act arbitrarily. Let me ask the elders.”

Qi Desheng quickly agreed. Chu Jinyao then went out to speak to Old Madam Chu about the matter, and she was surprised upon hearing it. Is Qi Desheng crazy? How could anyone generously use their shop to return a favour?

Qi Desheng, once again, explained to Old Madam Chu earnestly and even showed the contract to her. Old Madam Chu read through it a number of times to make sure that Qi Desheng was not playing any tricks. It seemed that he was serious in letting Chu Jinyao become a shareholder, giving free money. Old Madam Chu was a little unsure and tested, “This Old One is very moved by Manager Qi’s enthusiasm. It is just that one does not know what Manager Qi plans to do?”

“There are no plans except to just repay Fifth Young Lady.” Manager Qi was afraid that Old Madam Chu thought that he had other bigger plans and quickly raised his hand to swear, “May Old Madam Chu and Young Lady rest assured. I will use my Qi family’s shops to swear that if I use this matter to set a trap for Fifth Young Lady, I will deserve to be scolded by everyone and be unable to maintain the family business.”

A merchant’s reputation was the heaviest oath. Old Madam Chu and Chu Jinyao looked at each other and felt a total loss. Old Madam Chu had no other choice but to reply, “Since Manager Qi insists, then this Old One will accept it first. Whenever Manager Qi changes your mind, just come to find this Old One.”

“One is a businessman, so how could one do such a thing!” Qi Desheng looked at the contract in Old Fury’s hand. “This one is truly grateful towards Fifth Young Lady and wants to do the best to make one’s benefactor’s life better. One dares not say about other matters but at least, one would not feel grievances on money matters.”

When Old Madam Chu heard it, she understood Qi Desheng’s hint, implying that these were for Chu Jinyao. Old Madam Chu was inevitably a little unhappy to be thought as such by others, but at the same time thought that it was normal for a merchant to be cautious. Thus Old Madam Chu placed the stack of deed documents into Chu Jinyao’s hands, “These are given to you by Manager Qi, so you should keep it first. You must not disappoint Manager Qi’s gratitude.”

Chu Jinyao could almost feel her palms getting hotter as she was holding these things. The last time she went out, she had seen the Qi family’s fabric shop and was thinking when she would be able to have her own silk and satin shop. In the end, it was realised like this?

In the evening, Old Madam Chu deliberately discussed the matter with Marquis Changxing. Marquis Changxing read through the contract carefully and even waited for several days, but Qi Desheng did not make any movements as if this was really what he requested, which was to send money to Chu Jinyao.

Did the Qi family’s General Manager change to a charitable industry?

The news that Qi Desheng came over to gift Chu Jinyao things was soon spread to the entire Marquis residence. In order to quell any upcoming troubles, Old Madam Chu specially instructed Chu Jinyao not to speak about the matter of the shop. Chu Jinyao was not stupid. These few chests were so big, so she had no way of hiding them, as for the documents regarding the shop, how could she tell others about the shop and agreement?

Just the few mahogany chests that she carried in were enough to make others jealous, without knowing what was inside. If the rest knew that she had a way to make money for life, wasn’t she asking for trouble? Chu Jinyao understood the saying that wealth must not be revealed.

Under the light, Chu Jinyao’s fingers moved dextrously and in a short while, she had completed a network of knots. She used the new strings to change the jade pendant, “Qi Zi, do you know that there is a real fool in this world. That person actually gave me a lot of things! I thank you for your auspicious words and truly changed the threads with gold!”

As Chu Jinyao spoke, she started laughing. She placed the jade pendant upright on the table and under the light, the golden threads shimmered, making the lustrous jade look even more eye-catching. She looked at the jade pendant but the smile on her face started to fade quickly. “I finally have the ability to change a new knot for you, but you are no longer here. I wish you were still here. See, now there are a lot more people in the inner courtyard that are monitoring me. I suddenly gained a windfall, so how could I not attract attention? In the courtyard, Momo Sun and a few maids are all eager to take action, Grandmother’s attitude towards me is very strange and Chu Jinmiao does not even bother to hide her malicious intentions anymore. I am now like a three year old child, walking through the market with a thousand taels of gold in my hands. Qi Zi, I am very scared. Where are you?”

After Chu Jinyao finished speaking, there was no voice in the room afterwards, there was only the candlelight dancing by itself. She chuckled self-deprecatingly as she spoke softly, “I should have known that this jade pendant is already a dead thing. When you’d see me being neglected by the maid, you’d always come out to help me, how can you sit back and ignore when I am encountering a life threatening danger? Where did you actually go that you could not even say goodbye to me?”

She paused for a while before continuing, “If you were here, you would definitely say that I have to resolve my affairs by myself with my brains. You always say this but privately would want to solve everything for me. I have always known that. However, other than being monitored by others and being conspired for my wealth this time, in the future, I would encounter difficulties of managing a household, difficulties from a Mother-in-law, husband taking in concubines… Do I have to do all these alone?”

Chu Jinyao knew that there were no answers to her words. Qin Yi’s brief appearance at her side had allowed her to see the vastness of the skies and then it disappeared from her world without a glance back. For him, she was just a small mistake in his life, but for Chu Jinyao, Qin Yi was the saving grace of her long and quiet boudoir life.

“Although I still don’t know where have you gone, you will definitely live well.” Chu Jinyao finally put the jade pendant away and placed it close to her heart, “I will also live well. You have taught me so much, so how can I waste your hard work? I finally have my own shop. Even though it is only some shares, it is still considered half an owner. I can finally bring Older Sister Su Hui over.”

“Look. My wish has come true. Yours will also come true.” Chu Jinyao suddenly felt that the flames in front of her were flickering, and she quickly blanked her eyes. When everything became clear again, Chu Jinyao stood up and spoke softly, “Zi Ze, good night.”

In the windy night of Great Yan, the city walls were lit by torches and tightly guarded.

“Your Highness, we have seen through the night attack from the Tartars, so one thinks that they would not dare to approach tonight. As it is windy late at night, please head back to rest first.”

Qin Yi looked at the bottomless depths of the desert with a solemn face. Today, the Tartars had engaged a small cavalry group and attacked city gates at night. If he were not suddenly patrolling the city walls, they would have fallen for the trick. Qin Yi wanted to wait till the middle of the night, but the Tartars were crafty and shameless. They would attack those unprepared and run away once they were done in attacking. It was indeed annoying. However, since Qin Yi’s body had just been woken after being ill for some time, he really could not keep up all night. Thus, no matter how unwilling Qin Yi was, he could only nod, “All right. You all should be careful and not let them take advantage.”

“Yes. Sending Your Highness off.”

Qin Yi walked along the wall in the dark like a hidden beast. The torch beside him jumped suddenly and Qin Yi stopped as he seemed to be in a thought.

“Your Highness, what is wrong?”

Qin Yi recovered to his senses. Why did he feel that he heard Chu Jinyao’s voice? Qin Yi shook his head and his voice was blown away by the night wind as soon as he spoke, “It is nothing. Perhaps it is truly time for me to rest.”