Chapter Forty-Three: Two Paths

When Caisheng saw Gou Ye approaching, he was occupied with a customer and couldn’t leave the shop, but he immediately greeted Gou Ye, who nodded in response without speaking. Once the crowd thinned, Gou Ye walked to the front of the shop, wishing to speak yet clearly feeling uneasy. Caisheng, naturally perceptive, noticed his hesitation and asked with a cheerful smile, “Is there something on your mind, sir?”

Steadying himself, Gou Ye entered the shop, placed an arm around Caisheng’s shoulders, and said, “Caisheng, you’ve been with me for some time now. Tell me, how do you feel I’ve treated you?”

Without hesitation, Caisheng replied, “Sir, your treatment of me has been beyond reproach. It’s my fortune to work for you. If it weren’t for your discerning eye in taking over this shop, all this brisk business would belong to someone else, and I wouldn’t be earning so much silver each month.”

Gou Ye nodded, moved to a nearby chair, and continued, “Hearing you say this puts my mind at ease. Now, there’s something I must tell you. Not long ago, a promising buyer took an interest in our business. We discussed matters at length, and he was willing to pay a handsome price. In the end, I couldn’t resist the temptation of such an offer and agreed. This very afternoon, I signed the contract with him. By next month, our shop will likely have to close its doors.”

At these words, Caisheng lowered his head, disheartened. He had hoped that good days were ahead with Gou Ye, yet now it seemed everything would end so soon. Without this livelihood, what was he to do?

Seeing Caisheng’s dejected look, Gou Ye burst out laughing and went on, “Don’t worry, Caisheng. Since I promised you a livelihood, even with the business sold, I’ll see you taken care of. You have two paths before you. Although the business is sold, the shop itself remains ours. If you return the four hundred taels—no, let’s make it three hundred—the shop will be yours to run. You can go back to selling candied hawthorns as you did before. With the wages from these two months, you’ll have earned one hundred and sixty taels—eighty per month. You won’t find such pay anywhere else in the county.”

But Caisheng didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he asked, “Then, sir, what is the second path?”

“The second path,” Gou Ye replied, “is to return with me to Tumen Village. I intend to start a new business there—one that will bring prosperity to the village and some profit to myself. I’ll pay you thirty taels a month. Since your family is here in the county, you’ll have two days each month to visit them, with travel expenses covered by me. Holidays will be separate.”

Upon hearing this, Caisheng furrowed his brow and relaxed again, pondering for a long time without choosing either path. Gou Ye stood and continued, “Don’t trouble yourself. Fate brought us together, and in truth, the second path is offered with my own interests in mind. Over these months, I’ve seen your skill in both business and bookkeeping, your quick mind and tactful manner. I wish to make you my steward. In Tumen Village, you’ll live under my roof, with no charge for your meals or lodging. Any future enterprises I undertake will also be entrusted to you. But as the saying goes, a forced melon is never sweet. The choice is yours, and I won’t compel you.”

At that, Caisheng raised his head, and with great earnestness said, “Say no more, sir. I choose the second path. I will follow you. I have seen your talent, and though I’ve met many people, none compare to you—not only for ability, but for your integrity. Whether it’s toward me, Miss Yunniang, or Young Master Gushen, you’ve treated us all with sincerity. I believe that you are destined for greatness. I am past thirty now, and if I can follow you in accomplishing something worthwhile, those thirty years will not have been in vain.”

Gou Ye laughed heartily and declared, “Excellent! Since you place your trust in me, I will not let you down. As I said, no matter what happens, you will have my word.” Caisheng nodded, visibly moved, unsure why he chose the second path, but a voice within assured him that this young man was worthy of trust.

At that moment, someone called out, “Young Master Gou! Young Master Gou!” He turned to see a maid from the pleasure house beckoning him.

“Young Master Gou, my mistress invites you upstairs for a conversation,” the maid announced.

Recalling the letter Wanxiang had sent him, Gou Ye realized he could not refuse without seeming discourteous. He bade Caisheng farewell and headed toward the pleasure house.

Having experienced this once before, Gou Ye was no longer shy upon entering the establishment. The ladies waved and teased him as before, but Gou Ye simply responded with a smile and a nod, acknowledging them politely. Wanxiang was already waiting at the entrance to her chambers.

Today, she wore a long, blue dress—simple yet elegant—and on her, it lost all trace of commonness. Refined and understated, Wanxiang remained as beautiful as ever.

Gou Ye entered the room confidently, but when he heard the door close behind him, his heart skipped a beat. Wanxiang pursed her lips, stepped toward him, and smiled sweetly, “Young Master Gou, we meet again, don’t we?”

This time, Gou Ye’s expression was much more composed. He picked up a piece of fruit and put it in his mouth. “Indeed, I didn’t expect to see Miss Wanxiang again so soon.”

“So soon?” Wanxiang tilted her head, “Tell me, are you pleased about that, or not?”

She was always setting traps with her words—one could neither affirm nor deny her. Gou Ye gave a sheepish laugh, which Wanxiang didn’t press. Instead, she asked, “Have you read the poem I sent you? What did you think of it?”

“Your poem was deeply moving, touching the heart. It is my honor, Miss, to be the recipient of your latest work.”

Wanxiang shot him a playful glare, “Oh, spare me your false sincerity! If you truly felt my affection, why haven’t you come to seek me out yourself?”

Gou Ye scratched his head and mumbled, “Well, I only just arrived in the county, you see…”

Her eyes sparkled as she leaned closer to him, “So you mean, if you stay a few more days, you’ll come to see me?”

Their faces were but an inch apart; Gou Ye could feel her breath. He turned away, replying, “If I do not come myself, I’ll have Young Master Gushen invite you to a gathering. It was only with your guidance that I was able to resolve my doubts, and I ought to thank you for that.”

Wanxiang pouted with a huff, withdrawing, “I thought you’d been moved by my feelings, but no—you’re just being insincere. Still, I saw you talking with your clerk for a long time at the shop today. I suppose you’ve decided to close up, haven’t you?”