Chapter 12: The Meeting

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Meng Yunshao hurried back to Fuyao Pavilion with Su Yue; their steps quickened as if pressed by urgent matters, and soon they arrived. In truth, there was no pressing business—Meng Yunshao’s heart simply longed to return home. After days of exhausting toil—reconciling accounts at month’s end, preparing a welcome banquet, attending to the heir, and then returning to her maternal home—she was utterly drained.

She felt like a tea master at the Cloud and Water Teahouse on East Street, always wearing a smiling face, serving tea to one person, offering cakes to another, bustling about without pause. Perhaps the tea master’s work was easier, merely responding with “Certainly” and “Right away,” always courteous and kind.

Yet she had to carefully consider which words to say and which to avoid, how to treat different people—it was truly taxing. Now at last, it seemed she was released from prison, granted a moment of leisure; how could she not be anxious?

Once inside the main room, Su Yue, who understood Meng Yunshao’s thoughts best, dismissed unrelated servants and ordered fresh fruit and pastries to be brought in, brewing a pot of noble golden honey tea to warm on a small stove.

Meng Yunshao changed into comfortable, appropriate everyday wear, casually kicked off her shoes, and collapsed onto the bed, burying her face into the soft, clean quilt.

Su Yue teased her for such unruly behavior. “Good thing I closed the door just now. As the mistress of the house, it would not do for others to see you in such an unseemly state.”

Meng Yunshao rose and embraced Su Yue tightly, nestling close as she coquettishly said, “Su Yue, you are the kindest to me. Only with you can I truly be unrestrained.”

At that moment, Meng Yunshao revealed a hint of youthful coquettishness. Having married at sixteen and still under twenty, she usually appeared mature beyond her years—caring for others, handling everything with finesse.

Those unloved had no right to be young girls.

Su Yue allowed the embrace and softly said, “Mistress, rest first. I’ll have the kitchen prepare some food for you.” Meng Yunshao had barely eaten breakfast and missed lunch at the Meng residence; Su Yue feared she might suffer stomach pain again.

Meng Yunshao rubbed her cheek against Su Yue’s garment and softly said, “I’m not hungry. Bring me that medicine first.”

Su Yue glanced at her with concern. “Medicine is poison in small doses. Since winter began, your hands and feet have been cold. Though the doctor from Hu Ji Tang said it’s nothing, continually taking medicine is no good. Maybe we should stop.”

Meng Yunshao released Su Yue and said seriously, “That won’t do. But don’t worry; this contraceptive medicine is an ancestral family recipe. Though it must be taken daily, its potency is mild and harmless.”

Since sharing a room with He Zhiyu, Meng Yunshao had secretly taken the contraceptive medicine.

She possessed a prescription her birth mother had carried—an exotic formula used by nobility. Its effect was gentle and much safer than common contraceptives, causing little bodily harm. The only drawback was a slight chilliness requiring care in keeping warm.

From the start, she had sensed she would one day leave the Marquis Residence.

Whether it be divorce or death, she hoped to part with as little entanglement as possible—cleanly and clearly.

There was no deep emotional bond between her and He Zhiyu; she felt she wouldn’t deeply affect the heir. Yet if she bore a child, it would complicate matters. Though uncertain if He Zhiyu would care, a child would undoubtedly create lasting ties—an unwanted burden.

Su Yue sighed, “Though the heir is not a man of deep affection, at least he is upright and reliable. Mistress, do you truly intend to leave?”

Meng Yunshao replied, “How could I not know? If it were only the two of us in this family, his coldness wouldn’t matter. But as you’ve seen, this household is complicated and strict in hierarchy. I am like a drifting leaf—no backing from my birth family, no favor from my husband. I survive only by being virtuous and submissive, barely maintaining a foothold, just enough to avoid being trampled. I seek no wealth or power, only freedom and peace.”

Because I have but one life.

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Though in the eyes of everyone in the Marquis Residence, I am merely a lowly adopted daughter of no importance, inferior even to a concubine’s daughter—expected to be gentle and obedient, spending my life in humble submission. Though in the eyes of the noble ladies of Bianjing, my marriage into the He family is deemed a blessing from ancestors, and I should obediently seek to win my husband’s favor and serve my in-laws at all times.

But I, too, wish to live my life as I please. Though the world is harsh and being a woman is difficult, I refuse to waste my life merely pleasing others to secure survival. I long to roam freely, to witness the myriad waters and splendid blossoms of this world; even to gallop across the wilderness like a man, surveying rivers and mountains.

Just for myself, to live fully and joyfully once.

But trapped in this Marquis Residence, that is impossible.

Su Yue said no more, brewed the contraceptive medicine, and Meng Yunshao drank it.

Meng Yunshao felt nothing special, but Su Yue appeared saddened, her face heavy with sorrow.

Meng Yunshao pinched her cheek and said, “Why be unhappy? This is all part of my plan. Once I save enough money and learn the skills of commerce, we will leave the Marquis Residence. Then you may come with me or marry if you wish. If you stay with me, I will give you a shop; we will be together. If you marry, I will prepare a proper dowry and ensure no one looks down on you.”

Su Yue frowned. “I will go nowhere but stay with you. What’s good about marrying? Even the wives in this Marquis Residence seem unhappy. The second young master is mediocre, the fourth is irritable, and their wives live no better. Especially the fourth madam; I fear she suffers daily.”

Meng Yunshao smiled. “Then the two of us shall keep each other company. Quickly bring my yellow carved wooden box; let me see how much we have saved.”

Su Yue brought the box, which had two layers—one filled with valuable jewelry, the other with property deeds and silver notes.

Meng Yunshao unlocked the small floral clasp and counted the silver notes and deeds inside. There was quite a sum. Her unspent monthly allowance and a bit of leftover dowry, plus the money earned from investing in the shop, together with a shop already purchased, meant she could afford to buy another.

Having managed the estate long, Meng Yunshao knew that while money in hand was useful, it must grow sustainably to be truly viable.

In the Marquis Residence, more income came from the emperor’s rewards and ancestral holdings than from the marquis or heir’s stipends. As an orphan, she had to rely solely on herself, so she needed to find long-term, worry-free means and skills. Otherwise, no matter how much silver, it would one day be spent to nothing.

Meng Yunshao asked Su Yue, “What about that tea shop we liked, the one up for resale? More and more scholars and literati in Bianjing enjoy tea—it seems a good business.”

Su Yue replied, “It’s basically settled, and the letter of intent has been signed as you wished. But the shop owner said he is acting for someone else. For such a major transfer, you must sign with their principal. He has fully explained matters to his master; only a face-to-face signing remains.”

Meng Yunshao hesitated, “Did you sign for me? The marquis’s wife and other ladies here won’t tolerate the word ‘commerce.’ I fear if discovered, it would bring them ill fortune.”

Su Yue said, “I tried to pretend to be the owner, but the shopkeeper is savvy. As I don’t know the details, a few questions tripped me up—I couldn’t hide the truth.”

Meng Yunshao sighed. “Very well, I will go myself. I’ll cover myself thoroughly, just to avoid detection.”

...

After another seven or eight days, Meng Yunshao finally found a free moment and sent Su Yue to deliver a message. The other party readily agreed.

On the appointed day, Meng Yunshao tidied up the household matters. After the entire family had finished lunch, she quietly returned to Fuyao Pavilion.

It was noon rest time; everyone was resting in their respective courtyards. The weather was cold, and few ventured outside.

Meng Yunshao quietly changed into a modest, plain outfit, kept her head low, and left Fuyao Pavilion with Su Yue.

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As soon as they passed the main gate of the Marquis Residence, she slipped into a carriage Su Yue had prepared in advance and donned a veil.

He Zhiyu had ended his leave a few days earlier and resumed duties.

Recently, a cunning thief had struck nine households over more than a month without capture. The thief grew bolder, even striking in broad daylight. He Zhiyu had typically ignored such minor matters, but given the grave impact, he devised a plan to capture the culprit personally.

That noon, as the net closed, He Zhiyu successfully apprehended the thief and was returning to the government office. Suddenly, he noticed a carriage blocking the way, swiftly passing.

Always alert, he found the coachman anxious and paused to observe.

The carriage stopped shortly after, in front of a bustling street shop. The person stepping down, though heavily veiled and wrapped, was unmistakably his wife, Meng Yunshao. Following her was her personal maid, Su Yue.

He Zhiyu guessed his wife was handling some business regarding the shop.

He knew his parents disliked commerce, and the family relied neither on such income nor on the once fertile estates and prosperous city shops, which were neglected and casually managed.

But Meng Yunshao enjoyed managing these affairs.

She had put much effort in but initially floundered with little success.

Seeing her frustration, He Zhiyu arranged connections and paid handsomely to hire two former stewards from wealthy merchant families to assist Meng Yunshao in accounting and management. She learned and observed, gradually finding her way.

Of course, Meng Yunshao was unaware this was He Zhiyu’s doing, thinking herself simply fortunate to have met these two.

He Zhiyu did not wish her to know; he felt conflicted about indulging his wife in such sideline ventures—only wanting to prevent her from feeling too disheartened.

Seeing Meng Yunshao enter the shop, He Zhiyu considered that although his wife was resourceful, she might still fall prey to slick merchants. Yet following her abruptly was inappropriate—he was unsure how to approach her involvement in commerce.

With nothing pressing, he settled in the teahouse opposite the shop, ordered a pot of fine Biluochun tea, and quietly observed the second-floor reception hall of the shop.

The hall was spacious and transparent, allowing a clear view.

Inside sat his wife; it seemed Su Yue was not trailing behind. Another tall young man in white was conversing with Meng Yunshao. His back was turned, face unseen, but his distinguished aura suggested he was the business counterpart.

He Zhiyu found the silhouette somewhat familiar but could not recall where he had seen him before.

After a while, the man seemed restless and pushed open a window.

At that moment, He Zhiyu saw him clearly.

It was Jiang Shizhou.