Chapter Thirty-Two: Countless Stars

After the county magistrate Qin and Madam Zhu left, Gou Ye was furious, cursing loudly. This was the first time Yun Niang had witnessed such a state from him, and she couldn't help but be startled. Gu Shen, too, looked bewildered.

Soon after, Gou Ye gave Dali a couple of silver taels, instructing him to take care of the villagers who had not yet departed, and the three of them returned indoors, stepping into the study. Gou Ye's expression was grave and he remained silent; it was the first time since arriving in this world that he had been threatened in such a manner, and he was deeply unsettled. Seeing him in this state, Gu Shen hurriedly asked what had happened. Gou Ye did not hide anything from them and recounted the conversation he'd just had with Madam Zhu.

Upon hearing it, Yun Niang was filled with anger, but considering their opponent was a person of power, she advised Gou Ye to avoid confrontation for now and not provoke them. Gou Ye pondered for a while, his discomfort easing somewhat, then asked Gu Shen, "You say my business is novel, but it's not especially profitable; that's the truth. Even if I gave it to them, it wouldn't earn as much as their current enterprises. So what are they really after?"

Gu Shen thought for a moment, nodded as if he'd figured something out, and replied, "Heh, I think I understand. Gou Ye, didn't you just say it yourself? Aside from being new, it's the novelty. The court is divided into two major factions: the royal clan and the gentry. Both sides, seeking to consolidate their political power, try to win over powerful merchant families for support. To stay ahead, every three years, a new merchant family is chosen. This merchant family, with the backing of their faction, can reap greater profits. Now that the Emperor has lifted the sea ban, whether it's maritime trade or dealings with the Chen Kingdom, it's an incredibly lucrative venture. Whoever gets the support of a faction gains the right to participate in these profitable trades."

Gou Ye found this interesting; it was very much like modern bidding. Gu Shen continued, "But as that Zhu Ling said, competition in the capital is fierce. It's not just about whose business is better, but about the strength behind each merchant family. Many merchants travel from afar to enter the capital's commercial circles, only to be pushed out within a few years. They think being a local tycoon is enough, but they don't realize they're facing merchant families—commercial groups formed by multiple forces. Their wealth barely qualifies them to enter such circles."

"You still haven't said how this relates to my business. I never wanted to join any merchant family," Gou Ye said.

Gu Shen, growing animated, continued, "In the capital, there are more than ten merchant families, each powerful in its own right. It's hard to distinguish which is stronger. This season one earns more; the next, another takes the lead. That's how it goes..."

Gou Ye suddenly understood. "Oh, I get it. So, to gain a faction's support, you need something novel to catch their eye. My business, unique in all of Ming, is perfect for that. But I have another question: you say a new merchant family is supported every three years. Doesn't that mean the chosen family is already the strongest? What's left to compete for?"

Gu Shen laughed. "Exactly, Gou Ye. You're the freshest bargaining chip. As the saying goes, don't put all your eggs in one basket. If a faction lets one family monopolize things, there's always the risk of trouble, the Emperor's displeasure, or subsequent suppression. So every three years, there's a rotation, a sort of fair distribution. That's why Zhu Ling is so eager and pressuring you for your business—because next year is the third year, and the selection is coming up. The Zhu Jin family is anxious."

Gou Ye could hardly believe his modest business could have such significance. He hesitated, torn between holding firm and relinquishing his enterprise to protect himself.

After a lively day and seeing off the guests and Gu Shen, Gou Ye returned to his room with Yun Niang and her mother. When they first moved into this house, the suggestion to live together was met with strong opposition from Gou Ye's mother, who, though she accepted Yun Niang's relationship with Gou Ye, found it inconvenient for the three to reside together and worried about gossip. Gou Ye explained repeatedly that it was no different from having rooms in the east and west wings, but Yun Niang's mother remained unconvinced.

Eventually, Gou Ye enlisted the village chief's help to persuade her, and the mother and daughter agreed, on the condition that they would return to their original home at the first sign of discomfort.

Late at night, Gou Ye's mother, exhausted from the day's events, took her medicine and went to bed early. Gou Ye and Yun Niang had arranged to meet at the stairway after her mother fell asleep.

It was their first time meeting late at night, so both felt somewhat nervous. Gou Ye scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, and suddenly said, "Yun Niang, come with me. I'll take you somewhere."

Yun Niang, unsure of his intentions, followed him to the storage room on the second floor. Gou Ye went to the ladder inside and beckoned, "Yun Niang, let me help you up. Just climb; there's a hatch above. Push it open and go up first—I'll follow."

Gou Ye helped Yun Niang up the ladder, and by chance, his arm encircled her slender waist. Even through her clothes, he could feel her softness. Yun Niang was quite shy, knowing Gou Ye was taking advantage, and hurried up.

The night sky was like a veil, studded with countless diamonds, as if sprinkled with diamond dust and spread across the heavens. The two sat on the rooftop, enchanted by the mesmerizing night, the silence of the earth broken only by the occasional chirp of insects, making it all the more pleasant.

Yun Niang lay in Gou Ye's arms, playfully counting the stars above. "Brother Gou Ye, why is it that when the moon appears, so many stars disappear?"

Gou Ye knew the scientific reason, but it hardly suited this atmosphere to explain that the moon's reflected sunlight obscured the stars. So he replied, "Because the moon needs to rest too. When it's resting, its children—the stars—come out to take its place."

"So the stars are the moon's children. But my mother told me that when people die, they become stars in the sky. She said my father is up there watching over me."

"Your mother is right. See that brightest star? That's your father, watching over you. I may not become a star, but I'll always protect you, just like your father."