The carriage carrying the three soon stopped in front of a manor gate. Zhu Hua first excused himself to Fu Tian, then asked the steward to escort the two inside to rest.
He nervously directed the servants to carry in the two pots of Peonies.
Fu Tian and Chu Xiangtian followed the steward to the main hall to rest. After the servants served tea, they withdrew to the side to wait.
Chu Xiangtian looked around with interest. He had long heard of the Zhu Family in Fushui Commandery.
The weapons produced by the Zhu Family—almost ninety-nine percent—were delivered into his hands, though the quantity was far too small and could only outfit his personal guards for a rotation.
He had mentioned to the Emperor several times the need to increase the weapon supply.
He had heard that the Emperor sent envoys to recruit craftsmen multiple times, but the Zhu Family always claimed limited manpower.
The annual demand from the court was simply too great for them to fulfill. The court took the opportunity to send their own artisans to learn the techniques.
The Zhu Family showed no secrecy, but the weapons forged following the court’s methods were always inferior to those of the Zhu Family.
Chu Xiangtian had only heard the name but never met the person—he never expected to meet the head of the Zhu Family here in the small Nanming Commandery.
After carefully settling the two Peonies, Zhu Hua hurried to the main hall.
Upon entering, he cupped his hands and apologized, “My apologies for keeping you both waiting. I simply could not entrust their care to the servants.”
Fu Tian politely replied it was no trouble.
“I’ve already sent for preparations for a banquet. Please stay here for lunch,” Zhu Hua said with a bright laugh.
Since the preparations were underway, Fu Tian did not refuse and nodded in agreement.
Zhu Hua sincerely thanked Fu Tian. The chef had put great effort into preparing the meal; although not extravagant mountain delicacies or seafood, the ingredients were all quite valuable, and the flavors were excellent.
The meal was enjoyed by both host and guests. During the feast, they reintroduced themselves properly, formally establishing their acquaintance.
Zhu Hua handed a name card to Fu Tian, saying, “Brother Fu, I imagine you do not lack for wealth or goods. Let me owe you this favor for now. If you ever need assistance in the future, do not hesitate to seek me out. I will do my utmost.”
Fu Tian took the card respectfully and exchanged a few more words with Zhu Hua before excusing himself, claiming some friends were waiting, so he needed to leave first.
This time Zhu Hua did not keep anyone to see them off and politely escorted them out. Just before leaving, Fu Tian remembered the two Peonies and had an impulse to check on them once more.
He suddenly changed his mind and said, “Would it be convenient to take another look at the two Peonies before we go?”
Zhu Hua was naturally delighted and cheerfully led them to the backyard to see the Peonies.
The two Peonies had been carefully placed in the backyard. Their large and deep pots were half buried underground, with only a small part exposed.
The Wei Zi, clearly bitten by insects, looked far less spirited than in the morning, appearing a bit wilted.
Yao Huang anxiously kept calling to it, “Wei Zi, Wei Zi, Wei Zi… talk to me.”
Wei Zi drooped its head, feeling miserable all over. “Stop yelling! I’m not going to die.”
Yao Huang replied softly, “Oh…”
After a while, it called again: “Wei Zi, Wei Zi, Wei Zi…”
Wei Zi didn’t want to respond anymore and remained silent.
Not making a sound, Wei Zi’s silence only made Yao Huang more anxious. When Fu Tian leaned closer, he heard Yao Huang calling repeatedly.
Fu Tian’s mouth twitched as he pretended to examine Wei Zi’s branches and leaves.
Suddenly, Wei Zi spoke quietly, “When you touch me, the pain goes away.”
Its roots had been damaged by insects. Although not fatal, the pain was sharp and recurring, sapping its strength even to speak.
Yet, when the person before it touched it, the pain in its roots seemed to ease considerably.
“Touch me more,” Wei Zi whispered hopefully to Fu Tian. The handsome man had been the first to notice the insect damage, so Wei Zi hoped he understood its request.
Fu Tian, who had been about to withdraw his hand, paused, then carefully stroked the stem and leaves again.
Wei Zi comforted by the touch, hummed softly, its voice sounding much livelier.
Feigning a thorough inspection of the entire Peony, Fu Tian listened to Wei Zi’s humming and told Zhu Hua, “No major problems. Just take good care of them going forward.”
Zhu Hua was overjoyed. He was already convinced Fu Tian was an expert at cultivating Peonies, so hearing no serious issues eased his mind.
As they left, Wei Zi was reluctant to part with Fu Tian and shyly asked if he would take it home. Fu Tian’s mouth twitched as he pretended not to understand and walked out with Zhu Hua.
Zhu Hua arranged for their escort to the inn, where Wen Ji and the others were waiting in the main hall. Fu Tian explained the situation, and everyone was relieved and went back to rest.
Chu Xiangtian studied Fu Tian’s profile and felt there were more and more things about this young master that he couldn’t figure out.
Crossing his arms, he suddenly asked, “You also grow Peonies? How come I never saw that when you were at the Fu Family?”
Fu Tian’s heart skipped a beat. He clenched his jaw tightly and answered nervously, “That was a long time ago. After the Wei Zi died, I stopped raising them.”
Seeing Fu Tian’s unmasked anxious expression, Chu Xiangtian understood that the young master was definitely hiding something.
But judging by his nervous demeanor, he chose not to press further and simply said, “Oh,” and dropped the matter.
He did not ask more, allowing Fu Tian’s little heart to flutter back down.
After resting one night at the inn, early the next morning, they set out for Sifang Town.
There had been six of them coming here, but only four were returning. Xiao Qiao stayed behind to take over the two rice shops in town, and Chang Xi insisted on staying to accompany her; he did not return.
Waving goodbye to the two, Fu Tian pulled down the carriage curtain as the carriage swayed and headed toward Sifang Town.
After being away for several days, they were finally going home.
***
They took their time returning, the carriage stopping and going, and after nearly three hours arrived at the Fu Family estate.
Upon receiving the news, Fu Youqin and Fu Shuyue rushed out anxiously to greet them.
Fu Tian got down from the carriage, hurried over to Fu Youqin, then stopped and scratched his face with a smile, “Mother, sister, I’m back.”
Fu Shuyue touched his cheek and sighed, “You’ve lost weight again.”
“Where have I lost weight?” Fu Tian instinctively touched his own face.
He’d actually been quite happy these days—he had cleared out the pests from the shops and even managed to eat two more bowls of rice at meals. How could he have lost weight?
“Mother, are you feeling better now?”
Fu Youqin said, “The doctor came by and said it’s nothing serious.”
The three of them stood at the gate talking for a long time before realizing there were still two guests waiting, so they smiled and invited them inside.
The kitchen prepared a banquet to welcome and celebrate Fu Tian’s return. During the meal, Fu Tian carefully recounted all that he had accomplished this trip to Fu Youqin.
Fu Youqin’s expression was mixed with anger and relief.
Angry because she did not expect these people to be so brazen; relieved because Fu Tian had handled everything in just a few days, even identifying the key players before returning.
This was far better than she had anticipated.
“By the way, Mother,” Fu Tian said, “I have one more idea. Since we’re talking about it, I might as well mention it.”
“Li Steward begged me for mercy and confessed the shops and warehouses connected to him.”
Fu Tian pulled a thin sheet of paper from his waist and spread it out. It was sent to him earlier by an envoy from the County Magistrate, listing Li Steward’s confessions.
There were five names listed—four shop stewards and one deputy steward of the Sifang Town warehouse.
“I plan to gather them all and reexamine the stewards. Those who pass the test will stay; those who fail… will be replaced.” As for the corrupt pests, they will be caught publicly to show others the consequences.
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