Quarrel

Zheng Shanci looked down at these items, any one of which was worth twenty years of his salary. He shook his head, “You keep them for yourself.” His heart was bleeding, but he couldn’t just accept Yu Lanyi’s jewelry for no reason.

“We’re going to Xinfeng County, so bring fewer things. If you want to spend your dowry, just bring three or four items. Bring four or five sets of clothes and shoes. Spring and summer are already over, so bring autumn and winter clothes and boots, and some of your daily necessities. The rest can be bought at the market once we get to the county.” Zheng Shanci said all this in one breath. 

He was worried that bringing too many things would attract bandits, even though Da Yan’s security was decent. Bringing so many carriages would be too conspicuous and draw attention.

Yu Lanyi’s expression changed upon hearing this. “How can so few things be enough for me to change? Besides, I’m not used to the teapots and chopsticks there. Anyway, it’s all carried by carriages, so it’s no trouble. Why do you have to fuss so much? I’m already going with you to Xinfeng County, can’t you accommodate me a bit more?”

Zheng Shanci knew it was difficult to communicate with Yu Lanyi on this matter, but he understood. He was a pampered young master from a marquis’ household, unwilling to leave these things in Shengjing and wanting to take them along. In short, he had grown attached to these items.

“How about just one carriage?” Zheng Shanci compromised further, “Bring some of the teapots and chopsticks you like. The clothing styles in Xinfeng County are different from Shengjing’s. You can try other styles when you get there.”

Yu Lanyi’s expression shifted slightly. “I’ll accompany you to choose when the time comes. The items in our residence were chosen by my father. In Xinfeng County, you’ll be in charge. Don’t you want to decorate it nicely? You can change the furniture if you want.”

“I don’t need you to accompany me. Two carriages are my bottom line. Otherwise, I’ll tell my father that you’re treating me poorly and mistreating me. See how you explain yourself to him.”

Seeing Yu Lanyi’s smug look, Zheng Shanci felt a feather tickling his heart, a mix of annoyance and helplessness. “Two carriages it is.”

Just as Zheng Shanci was about to leave, Yu Lanyi stepped forward to block him, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “I’ve never been outside Shengjing.” He clenched his fists, feeling wronged when Zheng Shanci told him to bring only a few clothes to Xinfeng County. He just couldn’t bear to leave these items behind and wanted to take them along. What was wrong with that? Zheng Shanci couldn’t even accommodate him in this small matter, yet claimed to let him be in charge when it was clearly him running the household.

Zheng Shanci said, “I’ve been there, so I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Yu Lanyi snorted softly, still a bit reluctant. “Really, only two carriages?”

Zheng Shanci almost softened, but thinking of the bustling scene outside, he shook his head. “We’ll buy more when we get there.”

Yu Lanyi was not pleased. Zheng Shanci went out to buy a copy of the Da Yan Laws. The book was cheap, and Zheng Shanci could afford it. Since he had taken the position of county magistrate half a month ago, the court had given him a month’s salary. He opened the table of contents and noted down the key points he needed to focus on. He planned to finish reading the book on the carriage so he wouldn’t be clueless when he arrived in Xinfeng County.

After talking to Yu Lanyi today, he feared there would be a sulk. He decided to buy some small items to appease him. When he went to the stalls, he realized that Yu Lanyi lacked nothing, making it even harder to choose a gift. He walked into a rouge shop, a place mostly frequented by young ladies and young masters, rarely by men. Men liked the scent of rouge but were not keen on accompanying women and young masters to shop. They’d rather spend the time drinking at a wine shop or chatting with friends.

The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up when she saw Zheng Shanci. “What kind of rouge are you looking for, young master? Our pearl powder is the best. All the ladies and young masters in Shengjing love using it for a flawless complexion with a subtle fragrance that captivates.”

“Let me take a look.”

The counter was filled with dazzling, colorful little boxes. Zheng Shanci spotted a familiar box he had seen on Yu Lanyi’s dressing table. He pointed to it, “What’s this?”

“Good eye, young master. This pearl powder is the most popular, perfect for gifting to ladies and young masters.”

“How much is it?”

“Four taels of silver.”

Zheng Shanci was stunned. Ordinary families couldn’t afford such rouge, but on Yu Lanyi’s dressing table, it was commonplace. Zheng Shanci paid for it. His lifestyle and habits were different now. Zheng Shanci thought, after all, they needed to adjust. Not for a long-term future together, but just to make things easier for both of them. He justified it to himself.

As he stepped out, he ran into Cui Ziqi, who was with a young and beautiful young master, acting intimately. Cui Ziqi greeted him with a smile, “Zheng brother, what brings you here today? I thought you wouldn’t come to a place like this.”

Zheng Shanci replied, “Just buying something.”

Cui Ziqi gave a knowing look and put an arm around Zheng Shanci’s shoulder. “Going back to appease your pampered husband?”

“Your husband has quite a temper, and he’s learned some martial arts from Yu Daren. You should avoid provoking him and serve him well for your own benefit.”

Zheng Shanci said, “He’s actually quite reasonable and doesn’t like to resort to violence.”

In front of others, Zheng Shanci still wanted to save face for Yu Lanyi.

“Listening to you, tsk tsk tsk. I have to accompany someone to look at rouge, so I won’t hold you up. See you tomorrow at the Lü Mansion.”

Cui Ziqi didn’t introduce the young master beside him, and Zheng Shanci didn’t pry. When he met the young master’s curious gaze, Zheng Shanci nodded politely and then looked away.

“Cui Daren, is this the gentleman who married Yu Lanyi?”

Cui Ziqi nodded. This was the top performer from the Nanfeng Pavilion, whom he needed to bring along for an event tonight, so he took him to the rouge shop to buy some things as a gesture of goodwill.

“This Zheng gentleman has such good manners. He doesn’t seem like the same type as Yu Lanyi.” The top performer smiled radiantly.

“They got married by chance, and it has nothing to do with you. They’re married now, so naturally, they have to live together.” Cui Ziqi noticed the top performer’s interest in Zheng Shanci and snorted, “They’re leaving Shengjing soon. Besides, with such a strong family backing his husband, and Zheng brother’s family background, how could he dare to mess around?”

“Cui Daren, you work in the Ministry of Justice and are known for understanding the law. How can you not know that men like him are the most likely to stray?”

Cui Ziqi remained silent. He had once handled a case. A clichéd story of a rich young lady and a poor scholar. The poor scholar, after gaining his father-in-law’s wealth, rose to prominence and then hired someone to kill the rich young lady. The assassin left a maid alive, who then reported the scholar to the authorities. The case caused a stir because the maid made the accusation in front of Wang Fengjun at a temple, and with Wang Fengjun’s pressure, the case fell to the Ministry of Justice. The verdict was that a heartless man had tormented the rich young lady to death.

Cui Ziqi sneered. He always felt that Zheng Shanci wouldn’t do such a thing. Maybe he would have in the past, but not now. Everyone wears their own mask, and Cui Ziqi had seen too many people. Tearful repenters, cold-blooded killers, profit-driven merchants… they all had their goals and masks, which was normal. Zheng Shanci didn’t seem like any of them. He couldn’t see through him, but he felt comfortable around him. For this reason, Cui Ziqi was willing to befriend Zheng Shanci. In this chaotic world, he wanted to find some happiness for himself, and making friends was one way to do that.

Zheng Shanci tucked the pearl powder into his chest. It could also go in his sleeve, but Zheng Shanci always felt it might fall out when he moved his sleeve. This constant sense of unease made him decide it was safer in his chest. As he passed a book club, he noticed many scholars. He realized they were having a gathering. Scholars loved to form clubs and hold literary meetings, where like-minded people could gather, make friends, and improve their knowledge. He had never participated in such a club.

Someone saw Zheng Shanci and, unaware, pulled him in with a smile, “Brother, are you here for the Weicao Society gathering?”

Zheng Shanci cupped his hands, “I’m just passing by.”

“Even if you’re passing by, come take a look. You seem like a scholarly person. Come on in.” The man in white was very enthusiastic, pulling Zheng Shanci inside.

The man in white was Du Ning, the eldest grandson of the Du family. His father was an inspector, and after taking the exam this year, he achieved second-class honors and now worked in the Ministry of Rites. He loved making friends, and the Weicao Society was founded by him and a few friends to occasionally hold literary meetings to exchange ideas and knowledge.

“So it’s Brother Zheng, my apologies.” Du Ning was surprised and smiled, “No wonder you looked familiar.”

Zheng Shanci initially thought he would feel restrained, but as he gradually interacted with them, he relaxed. There was a family of three brothers who were all avid readers and had all achieved honors, yet they remained humble.

Someone asked about governance methods. The scholars engaged in a heated debate. The atmosphere was passionate, with some clapping and laughing, others sighing with regret. In this small building, countless ideas clashed, and in the private rooms, some people hadn’t even shown their faces.

Assistant Minister Lü was there for a cup of tea. Hearing that the Weicao Society was having a discussion, he sat down to listen to the young people’s thoughts. As the Assistant Minister of Personnel, he recognized most of the young people there. The Weicao Society was something Du Ning and a few others had started, and it had gradually gained a reputation. This scene made Assistant Minister Lü stroke his beard.

Zheng Shanci cupped his hands and shared his insights, “Confucius said: ‘To govern with virtue is like the North Star, which stays in its place while the other stars revolve around it. Virtue can make the stars gather around and be called a king… Lead them with policies, align them with punishments, and the people will avoid shame; lead them with virtue, align them with rites, and they will have a sense of shame and align themselves…'”

Zheng Shanci spoke eloquently. Assistant Minister Lü leaned forward involuntarily. A hint of admiration flashed in Du Ning’s eyes. After Zheng Shanci finished speaking, many in the crowd applauded, and some cupped their hands and bowed in respect. After speaking, Zheng Shanci felt a sense of satisfaction. He cupped his hands to the crowd, his heart full of the joy of expressing his thoughts, and a smile appeared on his face.

“Brother Zheng should have joined our Weicao Society earlier,” Du Ning said with a smile. “Brother Zheng’s insights are truly admirable and enlightening.”

“Brother Zheng, join the Weicao Society.”

Initially, Du Ning had just pulled Zheng Shanci in to take a look, but now he genuinely hoped Zheng Shanci would join their Weicao Society.

“With pleasure,” Zheng Shanci agreed.

Du Ning was pleased. When Zheng Shanci returned to the residence, the lively scene was gone. A few boxes were packed and left alone in the courtyard. Zheng Shanci asked Jin Yun, “Where’s your young master?”

Jin Yun replied, “The young master is in his room, and he seems to be in a bad mood.”

Zheng Shanci nodded, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open. There was no sign of Yu Lanyi in the front room, so he walked into the bedroom, where a small lump was on the bed. His footsteps instinctively lightened, thinking Yu Lanyi was still asleep. There was a rustling sound from the bed. Zheng Shanci paused.

Yu Lanyi’s ears perked up, and he turned over again to show his displeasure. Zheng Shanci walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. “Are you still sleeping?”

Yu Lanyi grumbled. “Then I’ll wait until you wake up to talk.”

Really, sitting right there, he could just say it all at once. What was with the ‘wait until later’ nonsense, Yu Lanyi thought angrily.

“Wait, cough, cough, I’m not asleep. What do you want to say?” Yu Lanyi turned over, still angry, and looked up at Zheng Shanci.

“Today, I didn’t consider your feelings. I want to give you a gift. My salary is limited, so I don’t know if you’ll like it.” As Zheng Shanci spoke, he took out the pearl powder from his chest.

His long eyelashes cast shadows on his face, his nose was high, and his thin lips were lightly pressed together. Yu Lanyi saw the familiar pearl powder and immediately sat up, eyes wide. “You! You…”

He was at a loss for words. “I noticed the one on your dressing table was almost finished, so I asked the shopkeeper about it when I went to the rouge shop today. If you don’t like it, you can just set it aside.”

“Why wouldn’t I like it!” Yu Lanyi quickly said, then composed himself and said, “Since it’s a gift from you, I’ll reluctantly accept it.”

This was the first time an outsider had given him such an item. Oh, right, Zheng Shanci was his husband now, so he couldn’t be considered an outsider. Yu Lanyi thought in a daze, he should be considered an insider. He reached out a hand, but Zheng Shanci misunderstood. After a moment’s hesitation, he opened the pearl powder and applied it to the back of his hand.

The touch was delicate and smooth. Zheng Shanci’s hand had calluses, which were a bit rough. Yu Lanyi’s fingers were gently held by Zheng Shanci. His heart pounded like a drum, as if all his senses were focused on his fingers. After applying the powder to Yu Lanyi’s fingers, Zheng Shanci closed the lid and handed the pearl powder to Yu Lanyi.

But Yu Lanyi didn’t take it. His gaze fell on Zheng Shanci, and his fingertips brushed against Zheng Shanci’s nose, about to touch his face when Zheng Shanci grasped Yu Lanyi’s wrist. Yu Lanyi asked, “Does it smell nice?”