Chapter 21 – Abacus

After leaving the residence, Xu Chun didn’t return to the Duke’s mansion; instead, he headed straight for Bamboo Branch Workshop. Unexpectedly, he found it empty. Liu Shun hung his head and reported, “Our Ninth Master said he had been away from home for too long. Now that his eyesight has improved, he has returned to take care of some family affairs. He’ll visit again when he has time in a few days.”

Xu Chun glanced at the room where Wu Xingxue’s belongings, originally brought by Wu Xingxue and Liu Shun, were no longer present. Though he knew the two servants were exceptionally competent, a sense of emptiness rose within him. He was aware that once Brother Nine’s eyes recovered, he wouldn’t stay here anymore. But considering how it seemed Brother Nine had been pursued and was now returning home, would he encounter new dangers?

But… Brother Nine didn’t trust him. Even now, he still didn’t know where Brother Nine lived, why he was so melancholic, or what kind of enemies he had that forced him to hide. Yet, Brother Nine refused his help. The days he had spent with him were already a stroke of luck.

He handed the package to Liu Shun. “Please deliver this to Brother Nine. Say… I accidentally obtained this fur coat today, its color suits Brother Nine well. It’s still cold, please ask Brother Nine to take good care of himself.”

Liu Shun took it with a smile on his face. “Yes, I will certainly deliver it. Our Ninth Master said that when he comes again, he wants to see the homework Your Highness has written. Please don’t slack off on your studies.”

Xu Chun said dispiritedly, “I will heed Brother Nine’s teachings. Whenever Brother Nine comes, just send someone over to inform me. If there’s anything he needs, or if he requires Doctor Zhou again, you can pass on the message.”

Liu Shun’s face was full of smiles. “Understood.”

Xu Chun then ordered Chunxi to reward him, but Liu Shun didn’t dare to accept it, firmly declining. After tidying up the remaining things, he left.

Xu Chun hadn’t expected Brother Nine to leave so suddenly. His heart felt empty. Remembering that he still hadn’t reported about his cousin to his mother, he could only drag himself back to the mansion to consult with her.

The next morning, Xu Chun personally went out to escort Sheng Changzhou into the mansion. First, he met the Old Madam and Lady Sheng, delivering gifts. Then, he met Duke Jing, who saw Sheng Changzhou. Afterward, he instructed Xu Gu and Xu Chun to entertain Sheng Changzhou.

Xu Chun led Sheng Changzhou back to his courtyard, ordering a small banquet set up in the warm pavilion. They drank a few cups, and Xu Gu soon excused himself after sitting for a while. Not long after, Lady Sheng finished attending to the Old Madam and hurried back to see Sheng Changzhou.

Sheng Changzhou rose and made a bow. After they greeted each other, they exchanged pleasantries and inquired about the safety of their journey. They also asked about the health of their elders. Lady Sheng’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Changzhou, there’s no need to be formal. Since it’s rare for you to come to the capital, stay a few more days. Let Youlin show you around. This is also a good opportunity for you to properly teach your younger brother.”

Sheng Changzhou laughed. “I’m ashamed. Youlin’s appearance and conduct are outstanding. Yesterday, when I spoke with him, I realized that my knowledge is no match for my cousin’s. Moreover, he respects Aunt so much, Grandfather would certainly be pleased.”

Lady Sheng laughed. “It’s merely a wish for health and safety. By the way, I almost forgot. A few days ago, I got some fresh and beautiful pattern books. I’ve had them sorted out to take back for Changzhou, for his aunt. Chun, go to my room and have Qingqian fetch them for you.”

Xu Chun agreed and left. Indeed, he went to Lady Sheng’s courtyard. Qingqian was Lady Sheng’s chief maid, also a house-born servant of the Sheng family. Seeing Xu Chun wanting to take the patterns, she was somewhat surprised. She smiled. “Your Highness, please go back first. Once I find them, I’ll personally deliver them to the young master.”

Xu Chun sat there motionless, sipping tea. “Sister, take your time. Mother must have something private to tell Cousin, that’s why she came up with an excuse to send me out. The Sheng family has all kinds of patterns, why would they bother sending me to fetch these?”

Qingqian chuckled. “Your Highness is too clever. How will we servants act in the future? Everything is seen through by Your Highness’ eyes.”

Xu Chun said, “Sister, you’re the most intelligent and capable person by Mother’s side. Why be humble? Sister, I’m still lacking a capable head manager. When do you have time to help me manage things?”

Qingqian smiled. “If Your Highness wants a capable manager, just ask Lady. There are plenty of capable people. Why would you need a servant like me to do the work?”

Xu Chun said, “My mother deals with such large accounts every day. My little businesses shouldn’t bother her. I wouldn’t dare snatch away a person useful to Mother either. In the end, it would be bad if they unwillingly came to me. Sister, it would be best if you secretly look for someone suitable and quietly tell me.”

Qingqian said, “There are a few people. Since Your Highness has given instructions, I’ll ask them about it when I have time.”

Xu Chun smiled. “Thank you, Sister. When it’s done, I’ll treat you to a new play.” Looking up, he saw another chief maid, Baibi, walking in with a basket. Seeing him, she was surprised. “Didn’t they say Cousin came? What is Your Highness doing here instead of accompanying Cousin?”

Qingqian laughed again. “Another one rushing him off. Lady is talking to Cousin. Perhaps there’s some business matter she wants Cousin to discuss with Old Master. It’s rare for Your Highness to come over. Baibi, hurry up and bring good tea.”

Xu Chun knew that Qingqian was tactfully explaining to his mother what they were discussing privately, worried that he might have a rift with his mother. He simply smiled. “As long as it’s tea made by Sister Baibi, it’s good tea.”

Baibi said, “Why not serve the best tea to Your Highness first? I think Your Highness should go over soon. I vaguely heard that Second Miss and Third Miss peeked from behind the screen when Cousin arrived and were moved. Just now, Aunt Zhou and Aunt Song went to pay respects to Old Lady. Unexpectedly, they ran into each other. Both were awkward. In the end, they stuttered and merely greeted Old Lady. Aunt Song couldn’t resist asking if the Sheng family’s Cousin had arranged a marriage yet. Old Lady is hard of hearing and didn’t hear clearly. The two aunts were embarrassed and didn’t continue asking. The attendant by Old Lady’s side told me as a joke. I immediately understood; they had our Sheng family in mind.”

Qingqian was greatly surprised and laughed. “If the two aunts really wanted to scheme for this, they should have come to flatter our Lady. Why did they go to Old Lady? Old Lady always says that the Sheng family is a merchant family. Usually, she only talks about marrying Second Girl and Third Girl to men with official ranks. Even if the two girls fancy Cousin’s character, and the aunts want money, Old Lady won’t agree, right?”

Baibi sneered. “In this mansion, they only remember Lady when they need money. Usually, they curry favor with Old Lady. Naturally, they feel that if Old Lady speaks up, Lady must listen. They’re probably just thinking of another chance to make money. Huh.”

Qingqian suddenly laughed. “Why have you started calling her Lady?” She kept giving Baibi signals not to criticize the master.

Baibi sneered. “When I first served Lady, I was young. Watching the servants in the mansion report matters, they called Lady Bai ‘Madam’. I thought about calling our Second Lady ‘Madam’. As a result, I was ridiculed by the wet nurse beside Miss. She said that ‘Madam’ could only be called by a lady with a title, over thirty years old. Even if Second Lady is a Duchess, she cannot be called ‘Madam’ until she gets a title. Now that Young Master has strived to earn a title for Lady, I’m going to call Second Lady ‘Madam’ in front of them. I’ll make those lowlifes furious!”

Even Xu Chun couldn’t help laughing. “Sister Baibi, you have quite a temper. Come, sit down and have a cup of tea.”

Baibi glared at him. “Young Master isn’t thinking of a way to remind Cousin when you go back?”

Xu Chun said, “Although Cousin hasn’t married yet, Grandfather and Uncle and Aunt must have plans. Besides, Mother definitely won’t agree. If Mother doesn’t agree, they can’t marry him. After all, Mother is their birth mother.”

Baibi said, “Afraid Old Lady will pretend to be sick again.”

Xu Chun said, “All these years, whenever Mother makes up her mind, has Grandmother ever made Mother budge? I remember when Grandmother wanted to take Sister to serve by her side, Mother bought four chief maids for Grandmother and didn’t yield. Also, when Aunt on Eldest Uncle’s side wanted to arrange for her nephew to work at our Rongqing Hall, Mother didn’t give in.”

Baibi sneered. “Young Master doesn’t know that when Lady first married in, Old Lady didn’t allow Lady to go outside and mingle. Our Lady was straightforward: The Sheng family accompanied me in marriage to the capital, so they provided fifteen shops, silver houses, and estates as dowry. But these must be under my control. Otherwise, the family could only send nephews to oversee them. If Old Lady insisted on keeping me at home, I could only tell the family to send a nephew to take over.”

This was the first time Xu Chun had heard this story. He hurriedly asked, “What happened later?”

Baibi said, “Old Lady naturally didn’t want to let go, saying she would send a capable family member to assist Lady. However, after a few days, he embezzled five hundred taels of silver and sold the master’s estate privately, then fled. Later, he was caught by the authorities and brought back. Old Lady lost face and never mentioned sending someone again.”

Xu Chun was astonished. “That was a retainer of the Duke’s mansion. Was he really so shallow-sighted?”

Baibi smiled. “Naturally, Lady had her methods.”

Xu Chun hurriedly asked for specifics. Baibi and Qingqian couldn’t help but explain in detail. Just as they were getting lively, Huama walked in. Seeing Xu Chun, she smiled. “Is Your Highness here because Lady has some instructions? These two girls are just idling around chatting. Why aren’t they hurrying to run errands for Your Highness?”

Xu Chun stood up and smiled. “Mother doesn’t need to blame them. Mother was giving Cousin some private instructions. I came over to fetch some patterns and am going back. Where are you coming from, Mother?”

Huama said, “I just came from the front. Duke called me over and indirectly asked if Young Master Changzhou has arranged a marriage. I only hedged and said that I vaguely heard a few years ago that he had discussed a marriage in Minzhou. I honestly don’t know. I’ll report to Lady and decide accordingly.”

Baibi burst out laughing. “Which aunt relied on her favor to gossip in front of Duke? I think our Duke, having Lady as his cash cow, isn’t enough. Now, he wants to be the father-in-law of the Sheng family’s head of the household.”

Huama’s expression changed as she glanced at Xu Chun, scolding Baibi. “Are you criticizing the master?”

Xu Chun laughed. “Mother, don’t blame them. I think Father may really have this idea. Later, you should persuade Mother well and politely decline.”

He stood up, took the bundle of patterns, and chatted with Qingqian a bit more before leaving.

Huama hurriedly sent him out. Seeing a small maid following, she returned with a stern face to Baibi. “I’ve told you repeatedly not to speak ill of Duke in front of Little Highness. You all disregard my warnings. Watch me report to Lady today and punish you properly!”

Baibi sneered. “Why bother pretending everything is fine? Doesn’t Highness know what kind of man Duke is? Who in the entire capital doesn’t know Duke’s reputation for neglect? This courtyard is filled with concubines, bedmates, illegitimate sons, and daughters. I think Highness knows very well.”

Huama angrily said, “What do you know? No matter how clear, he’s still Highness’ biological father. A blood relative whose bones are connected even if broken. In the future, when Highness grows up, if father and son unite, and he becomes distant from Lady, blaming you wicked servants for sowing discord, directly beating and selling you, it would only take a word. In this capital, killing a servant is merely a note to the authorities to settle it. Old Lady and Eldest Madam are still there. You court disaster with your mouths. Don’t blame me for not warning you!”

Qingqian hurriedly stepped in to mediate. “Mother, don’t be angry. Highness understands very well. He runs those businesses outside and doesn’t hide anything from Lady but doesn’t tell Duke. However, he still shows respect to Duke when he sees him. It’s just lip service. I think Highness is very insightful. His heart is clearly inclined towards our Lady.”

Huama sighed. “What do you understand about Lady and Highness…” Her face showed some bitterness, but she didn’t continue, only saying, “Today, Duke asked me that if Second Master can take out a hundred thousand taels of silver at once, since Young Master Changzhou is the eldest grandson of the main branch and inherits the family business, he must have a grander hand. I wonder if there are any business opportunities that could allow him to invest a share.”

Baibi chuckled. “Just as I said, the abacus beads are clattering to the sky.”

Huama said, “Lady is already struggling enough. Can’t you two stop talking?”

Baibi turned around and walked in. “Mother, don’t lecture Highness every day. Highness cares about Lady. Lady also gives Highness everything. I don’t believe Highness will lose his conscience in the future. Although we came to serve Lady later than you, who accompanied her since childhood, I only know that you’re being overly cautious every day. On the surface, you’re being prudent, but in reality, you treat Highness as an outsider, guarding against him like a Xu family member. Doing this, I think Highness is truly hurt!”

Huama stood in the room, dumbfounded, unable to speak for a while. After a moment, she said to Qingqian beside her, “How would you understand!” She stomped her foot. Qingqian sensed there was something she wasn’t telling, so she asked, “I think what Baibi said makes sense. What grudges can there be between mother and son? If there are any misunderstandings or rifts, it’s better to resolve them early.”

Huama sighed wistfully. “You’re young and don’t understand Lady’s difficulties. We’ll talk about it later.”