Fu Tian’s brows were tightly furrowed.
He knew that although his mother appeared gentle on the outside, she was actually very strong-willed.
She would rather shoulder things alone and keep quiet than let him or his sister worry.
But they were a family—what couldn’t they face together?
He reached up to rub his brow, calming the turmoil inside him for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, “I understand. Mother needs to rest and recuperate. I’ll find a way to handle the shop affairs.”
Fu Ji hesitated for a moment. “But the situation with the shops…”
“You should know everything about the shops, right, Uncle Ji?” Fu Tian looked up, his gaze gradually firming.
“Tell me everything again. As for the accounts that haven’t been tallied yet, I’ll figure something out.”
Fu Ji bowed and explained everything he knew in meticulous detail.
There were twenty-eight shops under their supervision. The nearest were two in Sifang Town, one in the south and one in the north.
The remaining twenty-six were scattered across various towns in Nanmíng Commandery, with the largest two rice shops both in Shangming Town.
Shangming Town was the center of all Nanmíng Commandery. Because it was close to the north, anyone traveling north from south of Shangming Town had to pass through it.
That made it the most prosperous and affluent town in the commandery. With its vast area, large population, and convenient access to the north, it attracted many merchants.
The two shops in Shangming Town were their main focus.
The Fu Family’s rice shops had been around for decades, renowned for their honest dealings. The rice was always weighed fairly, never mixed with anything else or short on measure.
Their reputation was always excellent, and for decades, nothing had ever gone wrong.
Other shops might have losses from time to time, but for these two, it was almost impossible.
But now, the impossible had happened. Moreover, the other shops that had been losing money year after year were, more or less, all near Shangming Town or had dealings with it.
This couldn’t help but arouse suspicion.
If they wanted to find evidence, the best place to start was with these two shops.
First, because they’d been operating for so long, there were years of accounts to compare; second, it would serve as a warning to the other shop managers.
Carefully memorizing everything Fu Ji said, Fu Tian glanced outside at the sky, then got up to check if his mother had woken up.
They’d been talking in the study for over an hour. When they came out, it was already noon.
At the door, they ran into Qing Bi, who was carrying a bowl of plain congee. Seeing them, Qing Bi smiled and said, “Madam is awake. She just asked where Young Master went.”
“Really?” Fu Tian instantly brightened and hurried inside.
Sure enough, Fu Youqin was awake, propped up on a pillow at the head of the bed, while Fu Shuyue carefully helped her drink water.
Though she was awake, after all that exhausting work, her body had been pushed too far. Now that everything had come crashing down, she felt completely drained, her voice weak even as she spoke.
Passing the cup to her daughter, Fu Youqin turned and saw her anxious younger son striding in. She managed a faint smile. “Where did you go?”
“Li Qingnian came to see me, so I went out to deal with him.” Not wanting to bring up more worries at a time like this, Fu Tian casually used Li Qingnian as an excuse.
Fu Youqin didn’t think much of it and chatted with him for a bit. Just then, Qing Bi brought in the congee, and Fu Tian took it to feed his mother.
The medicine was still brewing, so she needed to eat some congee first to avoid hurting her stomach on an empty stomach.
After finishing the bowl, a bit of color returned to Fu Youqin’s face.
Seeing both her children watching her anxiously, she offered a few words of comfort before exhaustion overtook her again and she drifted off to sleep.
Fu Tian gently removed the pillow behind her back, carefully laid her flat, tucked in the covers, and then gestured to Fu Shuyue to speak with him outside.
Leaving Qing Bi to care for their mother, the siblings walked out together. Fu Shuyue looked at her brother’s tightly pressed lips, a bit puzzled. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
Fu Tian briefly explained the shop situation to her. “We can’t let Mother handle everything alone. I’ll find a way to deal with the shops, but you’ll need to take care of things at home.”
While their mother was recovering, it was best not to trouble her with household matters if possible.
Fu Shuyue hadn’t expected that this was why she was called out. She looked a little surprised, then gently ruffled Fu Tian’s hair after realizing. “Will you be able to handle it?”
Fu Tian bit his lip and nodded. “Uncle Ji will help me too.”
“I’ll take care of Mother and the household. You just focus on your part,” Fu Shuyue replied softly.
***
After dividing the tasks, Fu Tian asked Fu Ji to take him to the study to check the accounts.
Behind the study’s screen sat a large wooden chest. Fu Tian hadn’t noticed it before, but looking closely now, he saw that the area behind the screen was filled with account books.
The ones already checked were set outside; those in the chest were yet to be tallied. Fu Tian glanced through them—his mother had only managed to get through less than half in all this time.
He bent down and took out a book, flipping through a few pages. Every line was packed with numbers—he couldn’t understand a thing!
With a troubled sigh, Fu Tian asked, “There’s so much—did Mother check all these by herself? Why not get a few accountants to help?”
Fu Ji shook his head helplessly.
“It’s not that we didn’t want help, but we don’t have any accountants we can trust. If we made too much noise, word might get out. So Madam had no choice but to handle it all herself.”
Fu Tian pursed his lips. That meant getting outside help wasn’t likely. He let out a deep sigh, truly at a loss. It seemed he would have to learn how to read the accounts himself.
Suddenly, a name popped into his mind. Fu Tian’s spirits lifted at once—maybe he could try asking Zhou Chuanqing for help.
After quickly informing Fu Ji, Fu Tian ran off toward Dongyuan.
Zhou Chuanqing and Chu Xiangtian were playing chess in the courtyard. When Chu Xiangtian saw him coming, he tossed a chess piece onto the board and looked over with concern. “Is Aunt alright?”
“The doctor said she’s just exhausted. She’ll be fine with some rest,” Fu Tian replied.
Seeing the worry on his face, Chu Xiangtian frowned. “If she’s alright, why are you still frowning?”
Fu Tian forced a smile and turned to Zhou Chuanqing. “I’d like to ask you for a favor, Brother Zhou.”
Zhou Chuanqing hadn’t expected this to involve him. He tossed his chess piece back into the jar. “What can I help with?”
Fu Tian felt a little embarrassed. After all, Zhou Chuanqing was a Tanhua Scholar and had already agreed to be his tutor—it was a lot to ask for more.
But after hesitating a moment, he steeled himself and spoke up.
“Could you teach me how to read the accounts?”
He hadn’t expected this kind of request. Still, seeing Fu Tian’s expression, Zhou Chuanqing raised an eyebrow.
“Why do you suddenly want to learn to read accounts? Are you going to take over the family business?”
Fu Tian nodded slightly and briefly explained the shop situation, his eyes shadowed with worry.
Seeing him like this, Chu Xiangtian felt a pang of sympathy. Before Zhou Chuanqing could speak, he ruffled Fu Tian’s hair. “Zhou Chuanqing knows everything. He’ll teach you.”
Fu Tian’s eyes lit up as he looked at Zhou Chuanqing with hope.
Glancing lightly at Chu Xiangtian, Zhou Chuanqing smiled kindly. “Alright.”
Fu Tian pulled the account book he’d brought from his sleeve, eager. “Can we start now?”
He looked at Zhou Chuanqing with pleading eyes, like a pitiful little animal. Chu Xiangtian clicked his tongue quietly, then pushed Fu Tian into a chair by the table and moved the chessboard aside.
“He’s got plenty of time. Anytime is fine.”
Zhou Chuanqing’s mouth twitched as he glanced at Chu Xiangtian again, then sat down across from Fu Tian and took the account book to look over carefully.
The account book Fu Tian brought was actually recorded very clearly. Zhou Chuanqing flipped through it quickly and didn’t find any problems, so he started teaching Fu Tian how to read the accounts.
Chu Xiangtian lounged against the pavilion’s post with a blade of grass in his mouth, arms folded, his gaze drifting over the Little Marquis’s back.
Watching, his heart ached even more. After all that had happened to the Fu Family, the Little Marquis must be terribly worried.
He used to cry so easily—one squeeze and his eyes would turn red. But ever since coming down from the mountain, except for that one time he got drunk, Chu Xiangtian hadn’t seen him cry again.
He’d always been afraid to see the Little Marquis cry, but now he thought maybe crying a bit was better than bottling it all up inside.
With a soft sigh, seeing the two still focused on the account book, Chu Xiangtian wandered out, strolled along Xidajie, and finally found a shop selling Pear Pine Nut Candy.
The candy was crystal clear and round, its sweet aroma wafting from afar. He bought a pouch, wrapped it in lotus leaves, and headed back satisfied.
The accounts weren’t hard to understand, but the more complex parts couldn’t be learned in a short time.
Zhou Chuanqing marked the key areas for Fu Tian to focus on, then taught him a simplified Bead Abacus method. Fu Tian clumsily worked the abacus as he checked the books.
Fortunately, his memory had improved greatly since his rebirth.
He could remember what he saw quickly, and after trying the calculations twice, he’d mostly grasped the method, though he was still slow and awkward.
Clutching the account book, Fu Tian thanked Zhou Chuanqing gratefully.
Seeing how obedient and sensible Fu Tian was, Zhou Chuanqing couldn’t help but think of his own troublesome younger brother. If only he had a brother like this, life would be so much easier.
Chu Xiangtian returned just in time to see Zhou Chuanqing’s hand reaching for Fu Tian’s head. His face darkened, and he gave a loud cough.
The bandit chief was back. Zhou Chuanqing paused, then patted Fu Tian’s shoulder instead. “If there’s anything else you don’t understand, you can always come ask me.”
Fu Tian nodded and thanked him again, then turned to leave, but Chu Xiangtian stopped him and shoved the little pouch of Pear Pine Nut Candy into his hand.
Fu Tian looked at him in confusion.
“Pear Pine Nut Candy.” Chu Xiangtian tapped the frown between his brows. “Don’t go around frowning like a little old man all the time.”
Fu Tian touched his forehead, looked at the candy in his hand and at the much taller man, and suddenly understood. He hung the pouch at his waist and gave them a soft, warm smile. “Thank you both.”
“Go on,” Chu Xiangtian stepped aside, knowing Fu Tian was anxious and didn’t delay him further.
Fu Tian pressed his lips together, his eyes sparkling, then dashed off with the account books in his arms like the wind.
He went straight to the Great Study in the main courtyard, carried out a portion of the unfinished account books, and, following Zhou Chuanqing’s instructions, checked them page by page.
If anything seemed off, he recalculated.
After struggling through one book, Fu Tian moved to the next, and gradually his speed improved. The quiet study was soon filled only with the crisp clicks of the abacus beads.
Dinner was brought to the study by Dai Fu. Not seeing anyone come out, Dai Fu peeked in and found Fu Tian buried in the account books. Not daring to disturb him, Dai Fu quietly set the meal beside him.
Fu Tian had been poring over the accounts for nearly two hours. When he finally looked up, it was already dark outside. Rubbing his dry eyes and massaging his wrist, he caught the scent of food.
There was a food box by the desk, and to keep it warm, a small stove was set underneath, with the box resting over hot water.
Fu Tian took out the food box—three dishes and a soup, all still steaming.
He quickly filled his belly, called out for Dai Fu to remember to collect the stove and food box, then buried himself in the accounts again.
Dai Fu came in to clean up, and, worried about the dim light hurting Fu Tian’s eyes, added two more candles before quietly leaving.
***
Chu Xiangtian kept an eye on the courtyard gate, but even after midnight, there was no sign of movement. The Little Marquis hadn’t returned all night.
Frowning, he headed to the main courtyard and found the Great Study’s door. Inside, the lights were still blazing, and a slender figure was cast against the window paper.
Chu Xiangtian gently pushed the door open. Fu Tian didn’t even look up, completely absorbed—one hand flipping pages, the other working the abacus.
He wanted to speak up and tell Fu Tian to go rest, but seeing him like this, Chu Xiangtian hesitated. In the end, he said nothing, just quietly kept him company.
The candles on the desk burned lower and lower, wax tears piling on the holder. Busy until the latter half of the night, Fu Tian finally couldn’t keep going—he yawned, his head nodding with drowsiness.
Forcing himself to read a couple more pages, he still couldn’t last. Clutching the account book, he slumped onto the desk and fell asleep from exhaustion.
Chu Xiangtian sighed, stepped forward, and tried to wake him to go sleep in bed. But Fu Tian was too tired, burying his face in his arm in annoyance.
Seeing he wouldn’t wake, Chu Xiangtian gently pulled the account book from his grip, set it aside, blew out the candles, and picked Fu Tian up to carry him back to Dongyuan.
Jostled, Fu Tian grumbled in protest and snuggled deeper into Chu Xiangtian’s arms, hiding his face.
Patting him soothingly, Chu Xiangtian carried him to his room and laid him gently on the bed.
As soon as he hit the bed, Fu Tian rolled to the inside, curled up into a ball, and kept on sleeping.
With some effort, Chu Xiangtian straightened him out, removed his outer robe, and checked his hands. After a whole afternoon and night of working the abacus, Fu Tian’s fingers were slightly swollen.
Chu Xiangtian frowned, fetched hot water to clean the ink from his hands, then applied an ointment for blood circulation and bruising, massaging them gently.
The Little Marquis was delicate. After all that abacus work, his fingers were already swollen. If not massaged well, his wrists would probably ache the next day.
He spent nearly half an hour massaging Fu Tian’s hands and wrists, then tucked them under the quilt. Chu Xiangtian lightly poked his face and muttered quietly, “You really know how to make people worry.”
Fu Tian mumbled in his sleep and turned his back to Chu Xiangtian.
Chu Xiangtian smiled, gently closed the door, then made his way to the stables, saddled a horse, and rode off toward West Mountain Stronghold.
The sky was just beginning to lighten. By the time he raced up the mountain, the sun was already peeking over the horizon. The stronghold folk were early risers—the chief and strategist weren’t around, but that didn’t affect their daily life.
The men had gone to the fields, while the women were letting out chickens and ducks and starting their chores.
Seeing Chu Xiangtian return, the villagers greeted him in surprise. He strode over to Xiao Qiao’s house—the door was open, but she wasn’t inside.
He asked around and learned she’d gone to the riverside to do laundry at dawn, so Chu Xiangtian went to find her there. He spotted Xiao Qiao wringing out clothes with rolled-up sleeves.
“Did the chief need me for something?” Xiao Qiao deftly wrung out the clothes and put them in a wooden basin, carrying it as she walked back, talking to Chu Xiangtian.
“Mm.”
Chu Xiangtian said, “I want to ask you for a favor.”
Xiao Qiao’s father had been an accountant before he died, and Xiao Qiao had picked up the skills from a young age. She now handled all the stronghold’s accounts.
Since Fu Tian didn’t have a trustworthy accountant, Xiao Qiao was the perfect person to help.
Thinking of how the Little Marquis had struggled to keep his eyes open while still pushing himself to check accounts, Chu Xiangtian knew he needed to find some capable helpers.
There was no reason for the master of the house to work himself to the bone over the books.