The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 101
A restaurant?
Did this restaurant belong to the Wen family? Cui Nian lifted his head and looked around. His eyelids visibly trembled.
How very modestly he had said it.
Back in Fengcheng, the Xie family had relied on Chancellor Xie’s accumulated wealth and Second Madam’s cosmetics shop. Their accumulated wealth was greater than their profits. The Wen family relied on Second Master Wen’s seafood business, and most of their assets were not in Fengcheng. Only the Cui family had been Fengcheng’s greatest merchants, with their businesses making up sixty to seventy percent of Fengcheng’s trade.
But now? After a war in Fengcheng, the internal drain had been severe. The Cui family’s silver had all been tied up and had yet to be recovered. As a businessman, how could Cui Nian bear watching someone else make great money right before his eyes while he remained unmoved?
At the dining table, Cui Nian finally stopped arguing with Zhou Kuang and took the initiative to give way. “I do not want the interest anymore. Give me five rice and grain shops, five iron shops, all stamped properly with official seals. As for the remaining principal, use it to help me open two banks.”
He was going to stay in the Eastern Capital and make money too. Officials, imperial relatives… he did not envy them at all. Really.
In this life, he loved only money.
Asking Zhou Kuang to produce one million taels of silver all at once would indeed be somewhat difficult. Even the Crown Prince, having only just taken his position, likely could not gather it immediately either. But the shops Cui Nian mentioned were doable. Using official seals to offset the interest meant neither side would suffer a loss.
Zhou Kuang agreed. “You are not returning to Fengcheng?”
“I will run between both places. Since my brothers are in the Eastern Capital, I cannot possibly not visit. In the future, Pei… Brother Zhou and I will be in Fengcheng, while Brother Xie and Brother Zhou…”
Cui Nian looked at Zhou Kuang. It was truly awkward to say. With this reshuffling, had he somehow become the youngest among them? But being younger also had its benefits. “That is fine. I do not have a wife anyway, nor do I have the face to act as anyone’s elder brother.”
After a few cups of wine, the unwillingness in Cui Nian’s heart still revealed itself in the end. He turned to look at Pei Qing. “Brother Zhou An, only the two of us are still unmarried. Let us make a wager. Whoever finds a wife first gets to be the third brother…”
Inside, they were drinking with great enthusiasm. Wen Huai would glance over from time to time. Though his mouth was sharp, since his brother-in-law was hosting guests, he still had to help uphold his face, so all the wine and dishes served were excellent.
At this moment, he came out carrying an empty wine pot. Unexpectedly, just as he turned the corner, a young lady rushed out. Unable to stop in time, she crashed straight into his arms.
The young lady’s faint fragrance and soft warmth came toward him all at once. Wen Huai’s heart jumped wildly in fright, and he quickly stepped back several paces, apologizing again and again.
“My apologies.”
“It’s alright. It was I who failed to watch where I was going.”
The young lady’s voice was crisp and sweet. Wen Huai lifted his head in surprise and saw a hibiscus-like face. Her face was somewhat round, her complexion soft and rosy, and there were two dimples at the corners of her lips. Her features somehow seemed faintly familiar.
Certain that he had never seen her before, he quickly withdrew his gaze. “Are you looking for a seat, miss?”
The young lady shook her head. “I am looking for someone.” She glanced at Wen Huai and asked, “Where is your Young Boss?”
Wen Huai paused.
The young lady continued, “May I trouble you to lead the way for me?”
Without changing his expression, Wen Huai lowered his head and looked at himself over. He had only just arrived in the Eastern Capital, and his new robes were still being made. What he wore now was one of Uncle Wen’s garments.
“May I ask what business the guest has with the Young Boss?”
“I went out today without bringing any silver…”
These past couple of days had been brutal, and he was wary of being taken advantage of. His face turned wary, and he unconsciously straightened his back.
Seeing his expression change, the young lady hurried to explain. “It is not that I mean to refuse payment. There truly was an accident. Before I entered the restaurant, the purse at my waist was still there. But after eating one meal, it had vanished. I am not blaming the restaurant for poor management. It was my own fault for not keeping it properly. My surname is Yu, and my father is the Assistant Editor. Please put today’s meal on account first, and once I return home and fetch the silver, I will send it over…”
The Yu family… An Assistant Editor…
Wen Huai finally understood why this young lady looked somewhat familiar.
The very first case he had handled after becoming a military officer was the divorce case between the Li family and the Fourth Young Lady. A case that ended in failure. He would never forget the despairing look in Fourth Young Lady’s eyes before she left.
The young lady before him should be the Fourth Young Lady’s younger sister. So, he asked, “How is the Fourth Young Lady of your family?”
Only after asking did he feel the question was abrupt. The young lady opposite him was also startled. “You know Fourth Sister?”
“I am from Fengcheng. I once met Fourth Young Lady.”
Fourth Sister had indeed once married into Fengcheng. Those days without sunlight were something no one in the Yu family wished to mention again. The young lady nodded. “She is doing quite well. She will marry next month.”
He truly had not expected Fourth Young Lady to find another match so soon. A worry that had long pressed at the bottom of his heart finally disappeared. “Young Lady, you may return. I’ll cover today’s meal.”
“How could that be right? You are also only a server here. I cannot possibly cheat you of your silver. Little Brother, what is your honorable surname? Even if it’s dark, I’ll bring the silver over.”
Wen Huai smiled and gave his name. “My surname is Wen, given name Huai.”
“My surname is Yu. I am the sixth child in my family, and my name is Yunshuang…”
—
Wen Shuse did not return until dusk.
After being thoroughly frightened by Wen Shuse last time, Ming Wanrou had then seen the booklet that the momo had secretly slipped to her. Her entire person had fallen into terror. Completely unable to understand, she leaned close to ask Wen Shuse, “With such a small place, how can it possibly go in…”
Wen Shuse was afraid she would misunderstand her husband again. “That is why it hurts to death.”
Ming Wanrou began a new round of anxiety.
Since Wen Shuse herself had caused most of this fear, she no longer tried to persuade her. She simply sat in the bridal chamber and cracked melon seeds. She cracked seeds until dusk, and Ming Wanrou no longer kept her there. At last, Ming Wanrou realized that with Wen Shuse present, she only became even more anxious.
When Wen Shuse returned to the Xie residence, Xie Shao had not yet come back. Hearing from Aunt Qing that Cui Nian from Fengcheng had arrived, and that the group had gone to Mixian Tower at noon and had not returned since, she knew that with those men gathered together, they had most likely already drunk themselves to death inside. So, she immediately hurried to Mixian Tower.
Perhaps it had been a long time since he had relaxed like this. Imperial Grandson Zhou Kuang had drunk until he was like a puddle of mud. He was dragged out of the restaurant by eunuchs supporting him under the arms. As soon as he came out, he saw Wen Shuse, who had come looking for her husband. With his tongue thick from drink, he called out, “Sister-in-law.”
Seeing his steps swaying east and west and his face as red as a monkey’s backside, Wen Shuse could already imagine what state her husband must be in inside.
“Many thanks to Sister-in-law for speaking well of me before Miss Ming.” Once a person was drunk and happened to see the person involved, the words hidden at the bottom of his heart could no longer be held back. He grandly patted his chest.
“Sister-in-law, rest assured. Brother Xie’s illness… leave it all to me. I… I will definitely cure him…”
Wen Shuse’s expression changed. Not caring about the occasion, she thought: these two half-filled buckets of water still dared to laugh at a farmer who truly knew how to till the field?
“There is no need to trouble Imperial Grandson. My husband is perfectly well. It is Miss Ming’s side that cannot be set at ease. Even today, she is still worrying over the words Imperial Grandson said back then. But please rest assured. I have already comforted her. Whether Imperial Grandson has any unspoken difficulties or not, the morning after tomorrow, Miss Ming will still sit in the palace bridal sedan.”
Zhou Kuang stared blankly at the young lady before him, whose expression and words were both not especially friendly.
Brother Xie was not ill? What did she mean by that? What kind of unspoken difficulties could he possibly have…
Before Zhou Kuang could come back to himself, Wen Shuse said to the eunuchs beside him, “It is getting late. Eunuchs, please hurry and send Imperial Grandson back.”
Zhou Kuang had snuck out today in the first place, and he had stayed out until this hour and gotten drunk to this state. The two eunuchs beside him had long been anxious. They quickly half-dragged and half-supported him into the carriage.
By the time Wen Shuse went inside, Wen Huai was also helping Xie Shao, who was similarly drunk into a puddle of mud, out of the restaurant. Seeing Wen Shuse, Wen Huai’s face was dark. “Why don’t you come lend a hand and take him away?”
Wen Shuse cried out in surprise. “How did you let him drink this much?”
Wen Huai nearly threw the man to the ground. Xie Shao had wanted to drink himself. Was Wen Huai supposed to seal his mouth shut?
Wen Huai was full of grievance and did not want to say another word to her, lest he anger himself to death. “Where is the carriage?”
When the servant brought the bill into the small private room, only Cui Nian and Pei Qing were left inside. “The total is three thousand six hundred seventy-one taels. Which guest will be settling the bill?”
Three… three thousand taels…
Was Mixian Tower trying to rob people?
Cui Nian looked toward Pei Qing, his drunken eyes hazy. “What did he say?”
Before Pei Qing could answer, Cui Nian’s head dropped, and he collapsed onto him, no longer making a sound.
Pei Qing took a deep breath. A moment later, he struggled to take out his own purse. “Round it down. Three thousand taels. Write up an account note.” He could be drunk now, but surely by tomorrow, the wine would have worn off.
—
After Wen Huai helped Xie Shao into the carriage, Wen Shuse finally climbed in after them. She held her husband’s head and let him lie across her lap, asking with concern, “Husband, do you feel unwell?”
Her husband nodded. “Mm.”
“Then I will massage it for you.” Wen Shuse’s fingers gently rubbed his temples. “Is that more comfortable?”
“Much better.” Her husband closed his eyes, enjoying it.
After rubbing for a while, Wen Shuse finally sensed something was wrong. She did not smell any alcohol. Looking again at her husband, lying on his back in her arms, his complexion perfectly normal, without the slightest redness. She immediately understood and lightly pinched his face with her fingers. “You’re faking it.”
Having been seen through by his little wife, Xie Shao opened his eyes and smiled at her. Where was there any drunkenness in his gaze? “Your brother does not earn money easily. We cannot eat without paying. If I were awake, would tonight’s meal not have carved flesh from my body? Things are different now. Before, I was single, one mouth to feed, no worries. But now it is different. I have married a wife, so I must support my wife. In the future, when we have children, I will also have to plan for them. How can I still spend recklessly?”
Wen Shuse froze slightly, somewhat surprised. Even after knowing that neither family had truly gone bankrupt, he could still be this frugal. She sincerely praised him. “Husband truly has changed. You know how to live properly now.”
Her husband accepted such praise as a matter of course. He continued lying in her arms, refusing to get up. “How was your day at the Ming family?”
“Quite good. The Ming family arrived this morning, and with Madam Ming taking charge of the arrangements, I spent the day keeping A’Yuan company in the house, stealing a bit of leisure. In the afternoon, the Ming family’s distant relatives also arrived.”
Suddenly, she became spirited and looked down at her husband in her arms. “I saw a treasure today.”
Her husband raised a brow. “What treasure?”
“A golden fan.”
Her husband’s expression paused.
The young lady said with great interest, “Today, Young Lady Wu was holding it in her hand. From afar, it already seemed dazzling to the eyes. When I looked at it up close, it was actually made of gold. The fine golden threads were extremely even, woven into a scene of Chang’e and the jade rabbit, vivid and lifelike. I wonder which craftsman made it, to have such skill and clever hands, it must be worth quite a lot…”
Her husband knew exactly what he ought to say. Without even blinking, he said, “Buy it. From now on, whatever Wife likes, there is no need to consider it, and no need to ask me. Buy it all.”
Cui Nian envied his wealth. Wealth? To him, it still felt far from enough.
Besides, he still owed his little wife a first-rank imperial mandate.
Remembering something, he held his little wife’s hand and said in a low voice, “The former Crown Prince died on the day of the Crown Prince’s palace banquet. Before his death, on the road, he left some words carved onto a stone. It looked rather as though he had finally come to understand everything. He described his own wrongs and also mentioned the father-son affection between himself and His Majesty. The officials sent that stone into the palace. After His Majesty saw it, his health worsened even further. Now, he is only being kept alive by imperial physicians and medicine. Once the Imperial Grandson’s wedding is over, I fear he will not last much longer.”
Xie Shao was used to discussing palace matters with her. The young lady’s mind was clever as well. Each time, she understood with only a slight hint. “The Yang family is likely unable to sit still.”
Xie Shao reached out and pinched the tip of his little wife’s nose. “Wife is indeed clever. While His Majesty still has a breath left, the Yang family has already hinted several times that he should make the Noble Consort the Empress.”
Although she would not be Empress for many days, once His Majesty passed away, the Noble Consort would become Empress Dowager. At a crucial moment, she could also become someone who could restrain the Crown Prince.
Wen Shuse shook her head. “His Majesty probably will not agree.”
His Majesty had married the former Empress in order to consolidate his power in the Eastern Capital. Now that the former Empress had passed, her bones not yet cold, and the former Crown Prince had also died by crashing into a stone, even if the Emperor’s heart were cold and hard, there would still be a knot of grief within it.
At such a time, he absolutely would not raise Noble Consort Yang’s rank. The Yang family probably knew this too. They simply had no other way and were treating a dead horse as though it were still alive, planning to try their luck.
Xie Shao nodded. “Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Yang family will certainly go forward to demand benefits.”
If His Majesty did not posthumously confer the title, then after the Crown Prince ascended, the Crown Prince could still raise the Noble Consort’s rank. But throughout all dynasties, what ruler would willingly weave a cocoon around himself? Moreover, after the Crown Prince learned of his own birth, how could he possibly acknowledge another woman as his mother?
“At the last palace banquet, the Crown Prince summoned Father and me. From his meaning, he will not posthumously honor the Noble Consort. He only fears that when the time comes, the Yang family will turn hostile. The Crown Prince’s plan is for our Xie family to balance the court.”
Aside from Chancellor Xie, the Xie family had Xie Shao.
At last, her husband was willing to rise from the young lady’s lap. His expression turned serious. “I plan to take the imperial examination.”
His current position as Commander of the Imperial Guard had been obtained half through strategy and risking his life, and half through fortune. Although he had rendered merit by saving the ruler, the people in court could not yet see his talent and true ability. If he wanted to become a great official and rise to the height of power, he had to make the civil and military officials of the entire court sincerely submit. Only by taking the imperial examination again and letting everyone see his strength would he be worthy of shouldering great responsibility.
Wen Shuse rarely saw him look so solemn, and for a moment, she was taken aback.
Back then, if her husband had not gone to Fengcheng, with his intelligence and talent, he would already have finished the palace examination long ago. Now that he wanted to start again, she was not worried that he lacked the ability. She only feared he would have to endure the strange looks of his former classmates.
“Husband need not place so much pressure on yourself. For me to have the life I do now, I am already very satisfied. Husband has money, has an official post, and is also good-looking. Who knows how many young ladies see you as the ideal husband in their hearts? Everyone outside is saying that for me to marry Husband is good fortune cultivated over several lifetimes. If Husband continues working even harder, then when you become an extremely powerful minister in the future, there will only be more people coveting you. Would that not make me even more endangered?”
In the past, she had wished she could use him like an ox. Now, she finally knew how to feel sorry for him.
“Precisely because of that, I should work even harder.”
Xie Shao held the young lady, circling her within his arms. Smelling the faint fragrance on her body that always gave him peace, he said gently,
“I do not want others to look down on you, and I am unwilling to hear anyone say you are not worthy of me. Their vision is shallow, and they do not know the truth. How could they know that everything I, Xie Shao, have today is actually entirely thanks to you?”
But he could not go explaining these words to every single person. Only by winning an imperial mandate for her could she earn respect among the noblewomen and no longer suffer anyone’s cold eyes.
Although her husband was not drunk today, he had still drunk some wine. His breath slowly fell against the back of the young lady’s neck. “A man only knows how good his wife is once he’s married her…”