BMN : Chapter 11

The following day, when Jin Yi returned to Fangmanting, Zhao Yan earnestly apologized to him and requested a few more rounds of chess. This time, Zhao Yan was more composed. Although he still lost, he no longer blamed anyone but humbly sought advice from his father and Fu Ming.

Jin Yi felt relieved and held Zhao Yan on his lap, patiently explaining each move. It was then that Fu Ming realized Jin Yi had an impressive memory. Despite their simple games, Jin Yi could recall every move, which was quite remarkable.

Aside from dining more frequently in Fangmanting, Jin Yi also began spending an hour resting there after dinner each night. Fu Ming responded calmly, serving him tea and playing a few tunes. Jin Yi claimed to have no understanding of music, but Fu Ming found that he had a natural talent for it. Although Jin Yi couldn’t identify the pieces or understand the techniques, he could accurately grasp the emotions Fu Ming conveyed through the music, be it calm and serene or lonely and desolate.

When Fu Ming casually mentioned this to Qing Sun, the latter shook his head and said, “It’s not that the person you speak of has a talent for music; he simply understands the music. Zhong Ziqi understood Bo Ya’s music and was considered a soulmate. Perhaps these two are also ‘soulmate’.”

Fu Ming found this both surprising and amusing. Could Jin Yi be his soulmate? They didn’t know each other well, kept a deliberate distance due to their awkward relationship, and had shallow interactions. How could they be considered soulmates?

Fu Ming pondered whether Jin Yi had any close friends outside the home. Apart from family and social visits, he rarely saw anyone visiting the Jin residence, let alone a close friend. Occasionally, during brief conversations with Jin Yi, he would hear a few names, such as Minister Fan from the Ministry of Revenue, who was upright and capable, and how An Jingzhi and Jia Xuansui’s promotions and demotions left him unsure whether to be pleased or worried… These snippets didn’t provide much insight, and their conversations never delved deeper.

As the hot and cold days of July passed, the cooler August arrived, and the Old Madam’s health improved. However, her recovery was slow, and the women of the household still focused on caring for her. Given that lively events were not advisable, the Jin residence did not host a banquet for the Mid-Autumn Festival that year. The Old Madam decreed that each household could celebrate individually, with gifts distributed to everyone according to rank.

In Fangmanting, Renlan’s cheeks flushed as she turned to ask Wanlan and Cairui, “Do I look strange dressed like this?”

Wanlan reassured her with a smile, “Miss, don’t worry. When we used to accompany the master outside, we dressed similarly. You could wear a dress if you wanted, but this is more convenient. While those with a keen eye might notice, they wouldn’t point it out.”

Renlan felt slightly reassured. After Fu Ming complimented her, saying she looked like a “handsome young man,” she finally decided to go out.

The bustling capital city was lively with night markets, especially on the fifteenth of each month. That night, the Mid-Autumn Festival, the night market could stay open until late, reportedly even more spectacular than the Qixi Festival the previous month.

Renlan rarely went out and usually only visited family friends for gatherings with a few sisters. This was her first time walking directly into the street without a palanquin. However, with Fu Ming accompanying her, and the Old Madam feeling sorry for her recent caregiving duties, she was allowed to go out and enjoy herself.

This time, neither Renlan nor Fu Ming brought maids, instead allowing them to entertain themselves, though a few guards followed at a respectful distance.

Like a rural girl visiting the city for the first time, Renlan found everything fascinating. Initially, she followed closely behind Fu Ming, but gradually, the interesting stalls and the bustling crowds caught her attention, and she began to wander freely. Fu Ming stayed close, protecting her from unfriendly gazes.

The lanterns illuminated Renlan’s face, making her smile radiate and her eyes sparkle, like a long-dormant bud suddenly blossoming, dazzling and beautiful.

As Fu Ming shielded her from curious stares, someone tapped him on the shoulder. Turning around, he smiled, “Brother Le Xu!”

“It’s you! I thought I recognized you from afar. Finally, we meet!” Tao Yang greeted warmly, his joy evident in his eyes.

Hearing someone talking to Fu Ming, Renlan put down the lamp she was holding and turned around, her smile still lingering.

“Ming Ge,” she greeted warmly. In the midst of the noisy crowd, her voice seemed to resonate directly in Tao Yang’s heart, even though she was not addressing him.

Fu Ming introduced them with a smile, “This is my friend, Tao Yang, courtesy name Le Xu, a few years older than me.”

Renlan, mimicking a man’s greeting, bowed and said, “Brother Le Xu.”

Fu Ming then introduced Renlan, “This is my husband’s… younger brother, Jin Renlan.”

“To leave the Jiang and separate from the mallow, to weave the autumn orchid into a pendant”—Renlan’s name, though it could pass for a man’s, Tao Yang, with his discerning eye, immediately knew she was a woman. He also knew that besides Jin Yi, there were no other direct male descendants in the Jin family in Fu Ming’s generation, only one daughter, who must be the person in front of him. However, he maintained a natural demeanor, returning the greeting with a smile, “Little Brother Lan.” He then added, “I just rented a painted boat and was planning to enjoy the river alone. It’s a stroke of luck to meet two gentlemen. Would you care to join me for tea and music?”

Renlan looked at Fu Ming, who saw a hint of excitement in her eyes and replied with a smile, “It would be impolite to refuse your generous offer, Brother Le Xu.”

And so, the three of them headed to the river.

The rented boat was exquisite and clean, with two maids at the bow fanning and brewing tea. Inside the cabin, half-veiled by light curtains, a musician sat playing the zither. On the square table, fresh fruits were laid out, everything ready for the guests.

The three boarded the boat and took their seats in the cabin. The windows on both sides were open, allowing them to enjoy the view of the banks. The willow trees lined the river, and countless lanterns illuminated the willows, their reflections creating a seemingly endless dreamscape on the water. The distant market’s clamor became a faint murmur, like a world outside a dream. Renlan listened to Tao Yang and Fu Ming’s casual conversation, the sound of the zither, voices, and the boatmen’s calls mingling in her ears. The moonlight poured in, broken into golden fragments by the oars, sparkling in her eyes, and she drifted into a trance.

Unnoticed, the conversation between the two men dwindled. Fu Ming noticed Tao Yang was also lost in thought and coughed lightly, nudging him. Tao Yang, who had honed his composure through years of business dealings, blushed.

Fu Ming realized they couldn’t stay here long, so he bid Tao Yang farewell, preparing to take Renlan back to the residence.

Tao Yang insisted on seeing them off. As they disembarked, they noticed people stepping off the boat next to theirs.

Among them were two people Fu Ming knew—Yan Le and his husband, Jin Yi.

Jin Yi had accepted an invitation that day, and they were accompanied by Yan Le and a group of entertainers and courtesans, a grand affair.

The two groups, upon seeing each other, felt a shared discomfort.

Fu Ming was unsure whether to greet them, Renlan feared her brother’s reproach, Yan Le hesitated to speak to Fu Ming, and Jin Yi’s expression remained slightly stiff, saying nothing.

Breaking the sudden silence, one of the well-dressed men in Jin Yi’s group stepped forward and addressed Fu Ming, “You must be Fu Ming, Fu Gongzi, correct? I saw you at the wedding banquet at the Jin residence. You were dressed in red that day, quite different from today. Should I be calling you Mr.  or… Madam?”

The man’s disrespectful words made Fu Ming smile, but he did not respond. Since he had been recognized, he decided not to delay and nodded to Jin Yi, also smiling at Yan Le.

Seeing that Jin Yi had no intention of introducing him to his companions, Fu Ming prepared to leave with Renlan.

Unexpectedly, the man continued, “Since we’re fated to meet tonight, why the hurry? Earlier, we heard from Yan Le that Madam is skilled in the zither, even surpassing him. Would we be fortunate enough to hear a duet between the most renowned Fu Gongzi in the capital and the top performer?”

Before Fu Ming could respond, Yan Le interjected, “Master Cui, you flatter me. I’m just a performer and unworthy of such a comparison with Fu Gongzi.” Yan Le regretted speaking up earlier when Cui Rong had praised him as the best musician in the capital. Who knew they would run into the real deal so soon?

But Cui Rong wasn’t finished. He scolded Yan Le, “I’m talking to the Madam. What gives you the right to interrupt?”

Fu Ming responded, “The gentleman mentioned Yan Le earlier, so naturally, he has the right to speak.”

Cui Rong smirked, “Since you have such compassion for this lowly performer, would you mind performing a duet with him?”

Fu Ming certainly did not want to comply, not because he looked down on Yan Le, but because he didn’t want to give in to this man’s obvious attempt to ridicule and humiliate him.

Tao Yang stepped in to defend Fu Ming, “Master Cui, Fu Gongzi is not a performer. If he’s not willing, why force him?”

Cui Rong glanced at him and sneered, “The young master of the Tao family? This isn’t a place where you can solve things with money!” The threat was clear in his tone.

But Tao Yang wasn’t intimidated. He maintained his smile and said, “Money certainly isn’t all-powerful, and I have no intention of using it to force things. Surely, Master Cui understands this as well.”

Cui Rong dismissed Tao Yang with disdain and turned to Jin Yi, “Brother Jin, your wife has quite the high and mighty attitude. Even if he doesn’t care for my face, surely there is someone here worthy of a tune from him?”

Jin Yi’s expression changed slightly. The others in the group all looked toward another person standing by Jin Yi, who had been silent and expressionless throughout, as if observing from the sidelines or indifferent.

After a moment of awkward silence, Fu Ming suddenly smiled and turned to Tao Yang, “Brother Le Xu, could you please borrow a zither from that musician for me?”

“You…” Tao Yang began to protest, but Fu Ming shook his head and said, “Go ahead, quickly.”

Renlan, who had been standing by with her head lowered, moved to Yan Le’s side. Her voice trembled slightly, but she kept a composed expression as she asked, “May I borrow your pipa?”

Yan Le was unsure of her intentions, but she smiled, “I may not be as skilled as you, but I can play a few tunes. Let me accompany Ming Ge in a duet.”

Yan Le saw no disdain in Renlan’s eyes. He knew his status could never truly compare to Fu Ming’s. If he were to perform a duet with Fu Ming tonight, people might praise Fu Gongzi for not looking down on him, saying he was carefree and approachable. But if they spoke ill, they might say Fu Gongzi lacked decorum and lowered himself. Renlan’s status was different; though not many knew her true identity, her attire, demeanor, and the attitudes of Tao Yang and Fu Ming toward her all indicated she wouldn’t tarnish Fu Ming’s family name. Their duet would not invite ridicule.

With the zither in hand, Tao Yang was surprised to see Renlan holding a pipa but said nothing. He handed the zither to Fu Ming.

Fu Ming sat cross-legged on the grassy bank, and Tao Yang spread his handkerchief on the ground for Renlan to sit on. They performed “Pinghu Qiuyue” (Autumn Moon Over the Calm Lake), a fitting and pleasant piece.

Cui Rong was initially dissatisfied; he had wanted to mock Fu Ming rather than enjoy music. However, when the most authoritative figure among them voiced approval, he had no choice but to let it go.

As the two groups went their separate ways, Fu Ming exchanged a glance with Jin Yi. Fu Ming’s smile carried a hint of coldness, and Jin Yi felt a slight heaviness in his heart, but he said nothing and followed his companions.

On the way back to the residence, Renlan noticed Fu Ming’s silence and said, “Ming Ge, don’t be angry. I’ll talk to Grandmother about this and have her scold my brother.”

Fu Ming shook his head, “No need to bother Grandmother with this; her health has only just improved.” Renlan sighed, “You’re right, but my brother didn’t even speak up to help you. Is he just going to stand by and let others mock you? Family shouldn’t be like this, siding with outsiders!”

Fu Ming replied, “You’re too young to be sighing like this.”

“I’m just upset.”

Fu Ming chuckled, “It’s enough that you stand up for me.” As for those who sided with outsiders, did Jin Yi truly consider him family? Perhaps, in his heart, his companions were closer than family.

The schedule for BMN will be one chapter every friday , until I’m fully back ♥