Chapter 112: Strange

Yan Hongwen and Zhang Zhongheng drank until they were dead drunk, lost in a blur of revelry throughout the spring night.

However, Zhang Zhongheng did not forget Yan Hongwen’s words. The very next morning, rumors targeting Liang Xiao spread across Zhonglin County. They painted Xu Ruojin as a pitiable, wretched figure and Liang Xiao as a man lower than a beast. Some even went so far as to run to the Liang family’s front gate, toss a bag of trash, and dash away, causing the Liang family no end of headaches.

Xu Ruojin, however, was unaware of these events. She had spent the entire night pondering how to help Yan Hongwen drink without getting intoxicated. It was only this morning that she finally arrived at a clear solution. It was obvious he was making things difficult for her—what kind of real solution could there be? To drink yet stay sober was clearly an attempt to toy with her. The only way to deal with such a person was with two words: act shamelessly. Since she had already been presented with the white silk of a suicide shroud, there was no need to curry favor with this Young Master Yan. Even if she were to marry into the Zhang family as the primary wife, so what? Facing Zhang Zhongheng’s face every day would be a life worse than death; it would be better to end it with the white silk.

Xu Yaohui and Mistress Yang were up early. The maids and servants scrubbed the house from top to bottom, leaving not a speck of dust on the floors. Xu Ruojin had assumed a young master of such high standing would not arrive too early, hoping to steal a nap, but before the thought could even settle, Mistress Yang rushed into her small courtyard, commanding the maids to begin cleaning.

The empty shelves in the room were filled with exquisite ornaments. Xu Ruojin’s vanity was replaced with a new one, the light gauze curtains on her bed were swapped for gold-threaded velvet, a wool rug was laid on the floor, and the cold ash in the brazier was cleared out to make room for smokeless silver charcoal.

"It’s fortunate I felt something was off this morning and came to check. Didn't I tell you to have the maids clean up? Why is it still such a mess?" Mistress Yang couldn't help but nag. Xu Ruojin curled her lip. "I was too busy thinking about how to drink without getting drunk. Besides, why would a noble guest, a young master of such status, come to my tiny, shabby courtyard?"

Mistress Yang almost blurted out that she hadn't expected it either, but she swallowed the words back. "It was your father who said earlier that Young Master Yan might want to speak with you privately, or perhaps even come to see your courtyard."

"Oh!" Xu Ruojin drew out the syllable. "So it was Father who said so."

Mistress Yang was left speechless and snorted, ignoring her thereafter.

Mistress Yang was restless, keeping Chuncao, Hongxing, Xiaoke, and Yangtao scurrying about. She even brought in two coarse-handed matrons from Xu Zilin’s courtyard. "From now on, you will serve in this courtyard. You need not return to the main house."

The matrons agreed softly, and Chuncao glanced anxiously at Xu Ruojin. Bai Mei had just been cleared out, and they weren't even sure if the courtyard was truly clean; now the Mistress was adding more people. Would life here ever be quiet again?

Xu Ruojin felt it didn't matter. The nature of her marriage would likely be settled in the next few days. Since she was obsessed with wine, she would let Chuncao keep watch, and let the others do as they pleased; she was too lazy to care.

Just as Mistress Yang finished her bustling and planned to return to the main courtyard to wait, Chen Cai rushed over to report, "Mistress, Young Master Yan has arrived at the gate. The Master says you and the Second Miss should hurry to the main hall."

"What? Already?" Mistress Yang quickly ordered the sedan chairs brought in and dragged Xu Ruojin into one. "He didn't even send word beforehand, arriving so quickly! And there are still parts that aren't properly decorated!"

Mistress Yang urged them on, and the matrons carrying the sedan had to run for their lives. Xu Ruojin, sitting inside, was shaken until she nearly vomited.

Yan Hongwen was sitting in the main hall sipping tea. Xu Yaohui sat beside him on pins and needles. He had expected Yan Hongwen to bring a message from Magistrate Yan, but Yan Hongwen said nothing of the sort, instead smiling as he brought up the topic of Xu Ruojin’s wine.

After a night of indulgence, he was in high spirits, and he felt the most exciting part of yesterday had been those three cups of wine. Even now, the aftertaste was endlessly lingering.

Xu Yaohui was cautious, choosing his words with extreme care. "If Young Master Yan likes it, I shall have Ruojin prepare a few more cups for you later... and when you return to the capital, you may take a jug as a gift for Magistrate Yan."

"Naturally. My father has even asked about it himself." Yan Hongwen glanced at Xu Yaohui. "Has Miss Xu's dowry been prepared?" He took a gift registry from Zhu Fang. "These are gifts from my father and mother respectively. The items will arrive in two days; please keep this safe, Registrar Xu."

Xu Yaohui looked at the list, feeling as if the paper were burning his hands. He left it on the table untouched. "When Ruojin comes later, I will have her take it, and she shall offer her thanks to Magistrate Yan and his wife."

"No matter. My father only hopes this matter concludes satisfactorily." Yan Hongwen looked at him. "In the final analysis, this matter is actually doing Zhang Zhongheng a favor. Why must you be so subservient, Registrar Xu? That family is nothing but a bunch of penniless wretches who only know petty tricks. With my father overseeing the marriage, they have already been shown great grace. You are too kind; won't such concession only make him more arrogant?"

"Before I left, my mother gave instructions: once Miss Ruojin marries into that family, you must also look after her constantly, so she does not suffer abuse from the Zhang family."

Xu Yaohui felt a chill in his heart. "Yes, yes, I will see to it."

"Hmm." Yan Hongwen responded lightly as the sedan chairs carrying Mistress Yang and Xu Ruojin stopped at the gate.

Watching the shadow of the graceful young girl step through the doorway behind Mistress Yang, Yan Hongwen’s gaze locked onto her instantly. Her figure was enchanting and elegant, her pretty face held a trace of unyielding confidence. Though her frame was slender, it was beautifully proportioned, and as she took small, measured steps, her body moved with effortless fluidity.

Her demeanor was not that of a common girl, but rather that of a well-bred lady of a noble house. Yan Hongwen clicked his tongue. "That dead-looking Zhang Zhongheng certainly has good fortune."

Zhu Fang coughed twice from the side, signaling him not to speak so freely. Yan Hongwen didn't care. He rose and walked forward. "Miss Ruojin?"

"I pay my respects to Young Master Yan." Xu Ruojin bowed slightly before retreating behind Mistress Yang.

Just as Mistress Yang started to step forward to exchange pleasantries, Yan Hongwen pushed her aside. "I have come today purely for Miss Ruojin’s wine. Might I have the honor?"

"Having received Father’s instructions yesterday, I have already prepared the wine for Young Master Yan. I shall instruct the maids to bring it."

Xu Ruojin showed no fear of his status. In the end, they were all just people with a nose and two eyes; could he eat her?

"No, no, no. To your courtyard." Yan Hongwen stared straight at her. "Today, I only wish to savor the wine in peace, appreciate the winter snow, and later watch the bright moon in the sky—a true enjoyment."

Xu Ruojin frowned slightly and looked at Xu Yaohui. When he gave a faint nod, she had no choice but to lead Yan Hongwen back to her small courtyard.

Along the way, Xu Ruojin pondered one thing carefully: Why did he give her such a strange feeling?