Both Song Sanliang and Qian Shi turned their gazes toward the Shachu on the east side. Song Sanliang, looking particularly nervous, asked, “What was that sound?”
Song Jiyun didn’t even bat an eyelid, her expression unchanged as she replied, “I had someone cleaning the bathroom.”
Qian Shi let out an “oh” and didn’t pay any more attention to the matter, continuing with her earlier topic: “Wealth is merely external. As long as all of you are safe and sound, your mother can rest easy.”
However, Song Jiyun was furious that Song Sanliang had schemed against her mother. She nodded to her mother in agreement, then turned and jabbed at Song Sanliang: “Uncle also knows quite a few people in the county office. Third Uncle, do you think we should discuss this matter with Uncle?”
Song Sanliang’s face instantly changed color.
He had gone to great lengths to find out who held the second brother’s seal, and before obtaining it, he had no intention of letting anyone else know where it was.
“I think it’s better not to tell him,” he forced a smile. “In matters like this, the fewer people who know, the better.”
He also took the opportunity to disparage Song Daliang: “Your uncle is someone who can’t keep things to himself. If he finds out, he’ll definitely blab about it. If word gets out that Wang Zhubu is extorting our family, we’ll all be in big trouble.”
Song Jiyun had never been one for verbal disputes—whether someone was a donkey or a horse, they’d find out by walking the walk.
She said, “Third Uncle makes a good point. As for how to handle this matter specifically, let’s all think it over carefully tonight and discuss it again tomorrow!”
Seeing that he wouldn’t get his way today, and fearing that stirring things up might alert Song Daliang and give him an advantage, Song Sanliang had no choice but to say, “Don’t think I’m just trying to scare you. If the county office really seals your family’s gate, you won’t even have a place to regret it! Don’t blame me then for not helping you! Don’t blame me for not giving you advice beforehand!”
Song Jiyun perfunctorily responded with a few words and sent him on his way.
Worried that delays might bring trouble, Song Sanliang sent someone to keep an eye on Song Jiyun, afraid she might go to the silver shop in the middle of the night to cause trouble for him.
After comforting her mother and sending her back, Song Jiyun called for Nanny Zheng.
Holding the Libo that hadn’t yet been returned to the Lifang, she told her about her mother and Song Sanliang’s intentions and said, “I see Wang Zhubu’s name is also listed here. My father must have had dealings with him during his lifetime. No matter what it takes, you must see Madam Wang tonight.
“Ask her to put in a good word for us with Wang Zhubu.
“See if we can use jewelry or antiques instead of silver.
“If not, ask if we can write an IOU.
“Within three days, we will repay the full amount plus interest.”
Nanny Zheng, distressed at the thought of spending silver, asked, “Do we have to pay interest for something like this?”
Song Jiyun smiled. “Just do as I’ve instructed.”
Nanny Zheng nodded, went to Song Jiyun’s private storeroom to fetch some items, and quietly left the estate.
Song Jiyun returned to the Shachu.
The Shachu had been transformed.
The small couch originally stored in the wardrobe had been moved out and placed under the cool, breezy window. The Man was lying barefoot on the low couch, knees bent, facing upward, holding a Huaben she had previously left in the Shachu, reading it with great interest.
When she entered, he didn’t even lift an eyelid.
It was Liu Zi who, feeling guilty, pointed at the chest and gestured “yiyaya” toward her, meaning that earlier he had tried to move the chest but accidentally made a noise.
Perhaps because he couldn't speak, he was also somewhat clumsy in his ways, but he would do exactly as she said and would never act against her wishes.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have sent him to guard the man.
In just a few moments, the man had managed to order him around… She had underestimated him after all.
Song Jiyun asked Liu Zi, "How did you think to move that chest?"
Liu Zi "said" that since she had left the man to stay in the Shachu, with the small couch placed under the window, the chest was blocking the way, making it inconvenient to come and go. So he had thought to move the chest aside.
He also grinned foolishly and scratched his head, "saying" he wanted to be like Xiang Zan, knowing what to do without her having to tell him.
Song Jiyun praised him thoroughly, told him not to let anyone discover there was a man in her Shachu, and then sent him to relay a message to Xiang Zan to bring over the evening meal.
Liu Zi patted his chest in assurance and happily went off.
Song Jiyun observed him carefully.
On the yellow rattan-colored Xibu, his bare feet were like jade carvings—not only fair and distinct in their bones and sinews, but also without a single scar or callus, as if these feet had never walked on the ground since birth.
Wait, why was the small couch padded with yellow rattan-colored Xibu?
Before she left, the small couch had clearly been padded with orchid-patterned cooling mats.
Looking more closely, it wasn't just the small couch padded with Xibu—even the Yingzhen was covered with it. It was just that she had a Yingzhen of the same-colored Xibu, and she hadn't looked carefully when she came in.
She didn't know what to say.
That yellow rattan-colored Xibu was what she used as a cooling mat in the summer.
It was custom-made in Suzhou.
It had only been taken out from the storeroom when the seasons changed.
Judging by the creases, it was still new.
He certainly knew how to enjoy himself!
"Cool enough?" Song Jiyun asked him.
He acted as if he hadn't heard, his gaze moving from left to right, then right to left, before leisurely turning a page of his book.
Song Jiyun laughed in exasperation and said, "Enjoying it? Should I invite a few masters to perform a Tanghui for you?"
Her words carried a hidden meaning, and she glanced toward the hall where she had just spoken with her mother and Song Sanliang.
The man, however, raised an eyebrow and glanced at her, showing an expression of great interest.
He really thought he was some lord!
Song Jiyun watched him coldly.
When Liu Zi helped Xiang Zan bring in the evening meal—stir-fried lotus seeds, water chestnuts, and lotus root slices; stir-fried walnuts, mushrooms, and Chinese cabbage; cucumber and black fungus salad with peanuts; Jingua Yin'er Bingtang Zhan; and a bowl of mixed-grain rice with new wheat and millet.
Their region favored spicy food, and apart from the Jingua Yin'er Bingtang Zhan, although the other dishes were vegetarian, they were all stir-fried with chili peppers.
Song Jiyun pointed to the Jingua Yin'er Bingtang Zhan and instructed Xiang Zan, "I'm saving this for a late-night snack. Take it away for now!"
The remaining dishes were all spicy.
The man held his chopsticks and didn't move for a long time.
Song Jiyun pretended not to notice.
You won't acknowledge me?
You won't tell me your name?
Fine, how am I supposed to know where you're from or what you avoid eating?
Eat it or don't!
Song Jiyun ate her meal without concern, had the dishes cleared away, changed into her sleepwear in the inner room of the outer chamber, and bathed in the bathing pool.
When she came out, the man had his eyes closed, the book thrown on the floor beside the couch, as if he had already fallen asleep.
Song Jiyun wiped her waist-length hair with a handkerchief, went to the outer hall, lit mosquito-repelling mugwort, and carefully thought about the tasks she needed to accomplish in the coming days.
It wasn't until the second watch drum sounded that Nanny Zheng finally returned, drenched in sweat.
"Miss!" She pulled Song Jiyun into the inner chamber in a fluster, saying, "What ten thousand taels of silver?! There's no such thing at all!"
This was roughly in line with Song Jiyun's expectations.
She poured Nanny Zheng a cup of tea, pressed her down onto the Xiudun, and said, "Don't rush, take your time and tell me."
Nanny Zheng was in no mood for tea at all. She said indignantly, "I finally managed to see Madam Wang.
"After Madam Wang learned of this matter, she was so startled she nearly dropped the teacup in her hand.
"She kept me for tea and went to the front courtyard herself to see Wang Zhubu.
"Wang Zhubu asked Madam to relay a message to us, saying there's no hurry about the silver. He will send someone tomorrow to invite Third Master over for a talk. He told us to rest assured and keep vigil for Master, and that the constables won't come to disturb our Master's peace."
At that moment, in the dark Shachu, the Man silently opened his eyes.