Zhou Chuanqing mounted his horse, but didn’t leave together with Wei Yang. With a flick of his riding whip, he dashed off in the direction of Sifang Town.
His voice drifted back on the wind from afar, “Wait for me a little longer……………”
Wei Yang hastily reined in his horse, cursing in annoyance, but could only wait where he was.
All the evidence and accounts regarding the gold mine had been thoroughly collected, and the main culprits were already in custody, but there were some details that only Zhou Chuanqing and his people knew.
It was always safer to bring someone back.
After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, rolling clouds of dust appeared in the distance again. Zhou Chuanqing’s horse was now carrying another person.
Wei Yang squinted to see—it seemed to be one of the subordinates who had come along with Zhou Chuanqing to handle the case.
Swinging off his horse, Zhou Chuanqing yanked the bewildered subordinate down and tossed him to Wei Yang. “A Si will go back with you. He followed me the whole time, I know he won’t leave anything out.”
A Si: “Huh??? Where am I going?”
Zhou Chuanqing patted his shoulder kindly. “Just go back to Qingyang with Lord Wei and help out.”
A Si shrank his neck at Zhou Chuanqing’s smile, speaking in his thick Shu dialect, “Back to Qingyang is fine, but why are you smiling like that? It gives me the creeps.”
“This Sifang Town is hiding gold! All of you would rather defy imperial orders than go back!” Wei Yang’s eyebrows twitched furiously, and he wished he could give them all a good beating.
“Well, there’s a gold mine buried here, isn’t there?” Zhou Chuanqing put his hands behind his back.
“Anyway, the capital will send someone to take over the mine sooner or later. We’ll just stay here to receive them.”
He pointed at the sun in the sky. “If you don’t leave now, you’ll have to camp out in the mountains tonight.”
Looking up at the sky, it was indeed getting late. Wei Yang, still fuming, mounted his horse and said, “When I get back to Qingyang, I’ll definitely file a harsh report against you all!”
Zhou Chuanqing’s expression didn’t change. He smiled and cupped his hands, “Safe travels, I won’t see you off.”
Wei Yang led his large group away, and only after they disappeared into the distance did Zhou Chuanqing leisurely ride his horse toward Sifang Town.
***
After drinking too much, Fu Huo slept all the way until evening before slowly waking up. He rubbed his brow, got up, and poured himself a cup of tea to sober up, then went outside for some fresh air.
Night had already fallen, and the courtyard was adorned with festive red lanterns. Fu Tian looked at the large “Fu” character on them, his eyes curving gently.
On.
Dai Fu was sitting under the eaves. Seeing Fu Tian come out from the inner room wearing only a thin undergarment, he hurried back inside to fetch an outer robe for him.
Fu Tian waved him off, telling him not to bother, then sat cross-legged under the eaves, cupping his face in his hands and staring intently at the lantern with the big “Fu” character.
From today on, he was no longer Wen Tian, but Fu Tian.
It was as if the tragedy of his previous life had been completely severed with the change of surname; all the bad people and things were left behind with the name “Wen.”
Standing up, Fu Tian stretched his arms in a big lazy stretch, glanced one last time at the bright red lantern, and then went to wash up and rest.
The next morning, Fu Tian got up early. After a good night’s sleep, he looked radiant and dressed himself neatly before heading to the study.
He still remembered the promise he made with Zhou Chuanqing, so he planned to read a bit first. If Zhou Chuanqing came and he couldn’t answer any questions, it would be too embarrassing.
Chu Xiangtian was, as usual, up early practicing his boxing in the courtyard. Fu Tian greeted him, his eyes curving into a bright smile that revealed a row of neat, white teeth, making him look especially lively.
“Why are you so happy?” Chu Xiangtian stopped his movements, studying him closely. He felt there was something subtly different about Fu Tian today.
Fu Tian just smiled without saying anything, his steps light as he headed to the study. “I’m going to read. If Zhou Fuzhi comes, remember to call me.” Since Zhou Chuanqing was willing to teach him, he was his teacher from now on, and Fu Tian naturally wanted to show respect.
Chu Xiangtian’s eyelid twitched. Seeing Fu Tian so cheerful made him feel a bit guilty. “Zhou Chuanqing has something to take care of… probably won’t be able to make it.”
Fu Tian’s smile froze for a moment, then his eyes dropped in disappointment. “When will he be back?”
Chu Xiangtian thought to himself that Zhou Chuanqing probably wouldn’t come back.
After all, Sifang Town was just one of countless places they’d been to; now that the task was done, there was no reason for him to stay.
If not for his own reluctance to leave this little young master, he’d probably have gone back to the border long ago.
But since he was the one who sent Zhou Chuanqing back, seeing the young master’s downcast eyes, he felt he had to comfort him. “He should be back in a while, just had an urgent matter come up.”
Fu Tian let out a soft “oh” and continued to the study. “Then I’ll read by myself for now.”
@Unlimited good stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
Even his slender back looked full of disappointment and grievance. Chu Xiangtian followed him. “Since Zhou Chuanqing isn’t here, how about I teach you?”
He’d read plenty of military books. He might not know the most profound things, but teaching the young master should be no problem.
Fu Tian looked at him in surprise and muttered softly, “Don’t tell me you’re a top scholar too……………..”
Chu Xiangtian’s expression stiffened. He reached out to ruffle Fu Tian’s hair. “Not a top scholar, but I’m good enough to teach you.” @Unlimited good stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
Fu Tian obediently sat down at the desk, but inwardly he didn’t believe it. It was rare enough to have one top scholar come out of a bandit’s nest, how could there be another?
Besides, Chu Xiangtian looked every bit the rough warrior, probably just pretending to comfort him. He decided he might as well play along, so Chu Xiangtian wouldn’t lose face, Fu Tian thought to himself.
Sitting across from Fu Tian, Chu Xiangtian looked at the stack of books on the desk. “Which one are you reading?”
Fu Tian pulled out the Yijing and laid it open in front of him. “This one.”
Chu Xiangtian’s eyelids twitched at the title. He flipped through a couple of pages—he recognized every character on its own, but together they looked like gibberish.
His head throbbed just looking at it. He closed the book and said calmly, “I think it’s better to find another teacher for you.”
Fu Tian secretly smiled, carefully observing his expression and nodding. “Mm, I’ll talk to Mother tomorrow.”
“No need.”
“Isn’t there one right here?” Zhou Chuanqing walked in slowly from the doorway, folding fan in hand.
“Didn’t Zhou Fuzhi go out on business?” Fu Tian’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Who said so?” Zhou Chuanqing looked just as surprised, his gaze sweeping casually past Chu Xiangtian, eyes narrowing slightly before he turned to Fu Tian with a gentle smile.
“Since I made a promise with Wen Gongzi, I wouldn’t break it lightly.”
Then he remembered that Fu Tian had changed his surname, so he smiled and cupped his hands, “No, from now on I should call you Fu Gongzi.”
Fu Tian stood up and returned the greeting, “Just call me Youling. Since you’re willing to teach me, I’ll respectfully call you Fuzhi from now on.” He even bowed deeply.
Zhou Chuanqing sidestepped, not letting him finish the bow. “No need to be so formal. I’m only a few years older than you. Just call me Brother Zhou.”
Fu Tian obediently called out, “Brother Zhou.”
Chu Xiangtian stood to the side, watching them push the honor back and forth so affectionately, his face darkening as he coughed to remind them there was a third person present.
If he hadn’t spoken up, it would’ve been fine. But as soon as he did, Fu Tian remembered Chu Xiangtian’s earlier lie, glared at him angrily, and pushed him out the door. “I’m starting my lesson. You go out first.”
Pushed to the door, Chu Xiangtian hadn’t even said anything when Fu Tian muttered, “Big liar,” and slammed the door shut.
Chu Xiangtian:
After all the effort of coaxing the little young master, how could he turn hostile so quickly?!
Chu Xiangtian ground his teeth, glaring at his friend who was about to give the young master a lesson, his eyes narrowing menacingly.
Inside the study, Zhou Chuanqing stayed with Fu Tian. He first flipped through all the books Fu Tian had read. The edges were worn, and the pages filled with tiny notes.
Zhou Chuanqing read a few and found that while Fu Tian’s foundation wasn’t strong, the questions he raised often went straight to the heart of the matter. He had quite a bit of unique insight.
“Not bad comprehension,” Zhou Chuanqing praised, closing the book and showing him the cover. “I’ll pick a few passages. Let’s see how well you’ve memorized them.”
Fu Tian nodded nervously, looking a little tense.
Without looking at the book, Zhou Chuanqing randomly picked a few passages for Fu Tian to recite.
Fu Tian’s reactions weren’t quick, and for the passages Zhou Chuanqing picked, he always had to think for a bit before recalling them.
Though slower, he was able to recite them word for word without missing a single character.
“How long have you been memorizing these books?” Zhou Chuanqing seemed fairly satisfied.
“Only started after the Hua Chao Festival,” Fu Tian said a bit embarrassed.
From the time he resolved to take the imperial exam until now, it had only been about a month, so to reach this level was already very clever and talented.
“Do you know what those passages you memorized mean?”
Fu Tian honestly shook his head. He’d just memorized them by rote; he didn’t really understand much of the content.
Zhou Chuanqing smiled, poured two cups of tea, and set one in front of Fu Tian. He said slowly, “Then listen as I explain it to you……”
Chu Xiangtian, bored, leaned against a tree branch outside the study. The window was wide open, and through the leaves, he could see the two inside chatting and laughing.
Seeing the young master’s smiling face made him itch with jealousy, and he found Zhou Chuanqing more and more disagreeable.
But when it came to leaving so he wouldn’t have to see it, he was even more unwilling.
He snapped the twig in his hand viciously, thinking to himself how he was acting like a jealous woman. In the past, if he liked someone, he’d have just gone for it.
But just as the thought arose, he remembered the young master’s red, tearful eyes, and all that ruthless impulse faded away.
Chu Xiangtian thought, better to take it slow. If he really made the young master cry, in the end, he’d be the one who felt the worst.
Anyway, whatever went wrong, it was all Zhou Chuanqing’s fault.
He’d finally managed to get the young master to be nice and obedient, smiling sweetly whenever he patted his head, but Zhou Chuanqing ruined it all with a single word.
Chu Xiangtian ground his teeth; sooner or later, he’d send that guy back to Qingyang.
Out of sight, out of mind.
The two inside the study kept at their lesson for as long as Chu Xiangtian lay on the tree branch outside.
Zhou Chuanqing was a great storyteller, and Fu Tian listened to one anecdote after another, becoming completely engrossed.
When he went back to the difficult text, he found he could slowly start to understand it.
He held the book in delight. Unlike before, when he relied on sheer willpower to memorize by rote, this was the first time he truly enjoyed reading.
Taking a sip of tea to moisten his throat, Zhou Chuanqing glanced outside and just happened to meet Chu Xiangtian’s sullen gaze from the tree.
Meal?
Chu Xiangtian’s face was black as thunder, and he gestured threateningly, as if to say, just you wait.
Zhou Chuanqing smiled gently, pretending not to notice the threat, and said to Fu Tian, “One must balance work and rest. Why don’t we have lunch first?”
Fu Tian looked up from his book, suddenly realizing the time, and hurriedly put down the book, asking Dai Fu to prepare lunch.
“I brought it for you.”
Fu Shuyue’s voice came as she walked in with a maid. “I heard from Dai Fu that you started lessons today, so I came to check on you and brought a few dishes you like.”
Fu Tian’s gaze fell on the four-tiered food box in the maid’s hands, and he could already smell the aroma of the food.
“What did you make, Sister?” Fu Tian sniffed childishly, taking the food box and putting it on the desk.
“All your favorites.” Fu Shuyue pinched his cheek and gently reminded him, “You never liked reading as a child. If you really can’t bear it, don’t force yourself. Mother and I just want you to be well.”
“Mm, I know.”
Fu Tian’s nose stung, so he hugged the food box and ran out to hide it, “I’m going to eat first.”
Watching his actions, Fu Shuyue’s lips curved in a smile. She bowed slightly to Zhou Chuanqing, “I’ll leave Youling in your care, sir.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” Zhou Chuanqing replied, returning the bow and making no move to leave first.
Fu Shuyue had only come to make sure Fu Tian wasn’t forcing himself. Now that she saw him so lively, she was at ease.
With an outsider present, it wasn’t convenient to stay long, so she nodded politely to Zhou Chuanqing and left with the maid.
Once they were gone, Zhou Chuanqing emerged from the study beaming. Chu Xiangtian leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and eyed him, “Why did you come back again?”
Wine.
Zhou Chuanqing opened his folding fan and waved it. “Sifang Town is a good place—much more peaceful than Qingyang.”
Chu Xiangtian snorted. Who was it before that complained Sifang Town was boring and wanted to leave? Clearly, he had other motives.
He turned this over in his mind, but didn’t expose Zhou Chuanqing’s little scheme, striding away to find the young master.
@Unlimited good stories, all at Jinjiang Literature City
Fu Shuyue’s dishes were abundant. The four-tiered food box held a soup, five dishes, and a plate of dim sum.
Fu Tian sniffed hard, asked Dai Fu to set out the bowls and chopsticks, and went out to call everyone.
Chu Xiangtian and Zhou Chuanqing came over one after the other.
After a whole morning, Fu Tian’s anger had mostly dissipated, and he didn’t bother about Chu Xiangtian teasing him earlier, calling them over to eat.
Five dishes and one soup—enough for three grown men.
Zhou Chuanqing was the teacher, so Fu Tian waited for him to pick up his chopsticks first. Chu Xiangtian eyed Zhou Chuanqing askance, his eyes full of unspoken rivalry.
Fu Tian ate happily, oblivious to the undercurrents between the other two. The five dishes, soup, and dim sum were all finished by the three men.
Fu Tian rubbed his satisfied belly, his mind whirring with little calculations.
After the dishes were cleared and the maid brought tea, he finally voiced his thoughts.
“Brother Zhou, do you have a place to stay in Sifang Town?”
Zhou Chuanqing’s lips curled as he shook his head slowly. “I’ve always stayed in the stockade.”
Fu Tian was inwardly delighted and tentatively suggested, “The guest courtyard at home is empty. If you don’t mind, you could stay here—save you the trouble of going back and forth.”
“And I can’t let you teach for free. I’ll give you a monthly stipend, the same as my allowance. Is that alright?”
“No need to be so polite.” Zhou Chuanqing half-opened his folding fan, hiding a smile. “Having a place to stay is enough for me.”
Fu Tian insisted, “I have to pay, or I’d feel bad about having you teach me.”
After a bit of back and forth, Zhou Chuanqing finally agreed to stay in the Fu family’s guest courtyard, with Fu Tian giving him two taels of silver a month as a stipend.
Chu Xiangtian: ….