With the Jin household under house arrest, Zhaoyan was unable to attend clan studies with his tutors, and Fu Ming could not leave the premises. Apart from waiting, there seemed to be nothing else he could do. Thus, Fu Ming took it upon himself to teach Zhaoyan daily lessons. They had progressed through the *Thousand Character Classic* from “Vast and distant, the mountains stretch; lofty and deep, the hills remain obscure” to “The years pass swiftly, like an arrow; the morning sun shines brightly.”
Although summer was still in full swing, the trees in the courtyard had already begun to shed their leaves, signaling the onset of autumn. Fu Ming picked up a fallen leaf early in the morning and placed it in Zhaoyan’s book, feeling his mood grow heavier. Recently, he had often been distracted during lessons with Zhaoyan. Sensing this, Zhaoyan would simply cuddle up to him, resting his face against Fu Ming’s chest as if seeking comfort or offering solace. While Fu Ming was like this, Renlan found it even harder to focus on her embroidery. Although she initially believed Fu Ming’s reassurances, as time passed, her worry grew. The old lady, who was more perceptive, fell ill with anxiety, prompting Renlan to stop her embroidery and tend to her. Xinyue also spent most of her days in the old lady’s room, finding it easier to pass the time together rather than alone, lost in thought.
One day, noticing Renlan’s early arrival and her all-day presence with the old lady, Xinyue tried to persuade her, “Miss, I’m here to take care of the old lady. If you feel cooped up from all the embroidery and reading, you can join us for a chat. But staying here all day isn’t good. You still have many tasks to complete, don’t you? Didn’t you say you wanted to personally embroider everything yourself?”
Renlan took Xinyue aside to a quiet spot, her expression serious. “Sister, I have something on my mind that I don’t know how to share with anyone else. But keeping it inside is too difficult. Can I confide in you? Maybe you can help me figure out what to do.”
Xinyue nodded, her demeanor becoming equally serious. “Of course, tell me.”
Renlan sighed softly, speaking slowly, “Our family is in such a difficult situation now. I don’t know if this is just a scare or a real disaster. I… I don’t want to drag others down. While it’s not too late, I want to ask Ming ge to cancel my engagement. This way, even if something bad happens, the Tao family won’t be implicated.”
Xinyue was shocked. “How can you think that way? A young woman breaking off an engagement—how will that affect your future?”
Renlan shook her head, her expression resolute. “Given our current situation, how can I think about the future? If we can’t get through this, the engagement will be off even if the Tao family doesn’t cancel it. If we survive this, even if I have to spend the rest of my life alone, it doesn’t matter.”
“But this is a lifelong decision. How can you speak of it so lightly?”
“Sister, I haven’t spoken these words lightly. I’ve thought about it for a long time. The Tao family hasn’t withdrawn the engagement despite everything and continues to send help. They have done more than enough. Repaying kindness with kindness—this is the Jin family motto. If I only think about myself, how can I call myself a daughter of the Jin family?”
Xinyue was silent for a long time, then held Renlan’s hand. “I understand where you’re coming from, but I can’t support this decision because I want what’s best for you. However, if this is your choice, you should discuss it with the old lady and Ming gongzi. They are wiser and might offer a better solution.”
Renlan shook her head, her voice firm. “I don’t want to worry the old lady and my father any more. Once this matter is settled and my brother’s situation is resolved, everyone will know when the time is right. I just hope that by then, we are all safe and sound. My marriage or lack thereof won’t matter.”
Xinyue, eyes glistening with tears, tried to comfort her. “Everything will be alright. Heaven won’t abandon good people. Our family hasn’t done any wrong; we’ll get through this.”
Renlan smiled faintly. “I hope so.”
After paying respects to the old lady, Renlan accompanied Fu Ming to Fangmanting.
As they walked into the room, Fu Ming dismissed the maids and asked Renlan, “Do you have something you want to discuss?”
Renlan nodded and explained her thoughts and decision, just as she had shared with Xinyue.
Fu Ming, like Xinyue, was silent for a long time before sighing. “The Tao family may be merchants, but they are loyal and righteous. I believe Tao Yang never considered breaking off the engagement. But you also have a point. As your elder brother, I want the best for you. As a member of the Jin family and a friend of Tao Yang, I don’t want to see the Tao family dragged into our troubles.”
Renlan replied, “We can’t predict the future. If we hesitate too long and disaster strikes, it will be too late.”
Fu Ming thought for a moment. “I’ll inform Tao Yang of your decision. Don’t worry about it anymore. Until we reach the end of the road, we mustn’t lose hope. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.”
The next day, a servant from the Tao family delivered some medicinal herbs and supplements to the Jin household. Fu Ming asked the servant to deliver a letter he had written to Tao Yang overnight.
After receiving the letter, Tao Yang didn’t reply in writing. Instead, he found a way into the Jin Mansion. Upon seeing Fu Ming, he disregarded formalities and immediately said, “Ming ge’er, I absolutely refuse to break off the engagement.”
After calming him down, Fu Ming explained the situation in more detail, including Renlan’s perspective.
Tao Yang remained resolute. “Even if you hadn’t brought it up, we would never consider breaking off the engagement. Now that you’ve mentioned it, it’s even less likely. As Renlan said, repaying kindness with kindness—how can I betray such a good person?”
Fu Ming was touched and smiled slightly. “My sister is a wonderful person, and you’re a perfect match. I just hope heaven will favor you.”
Tao Yang responded, “If heaven allows, I’ll marry her and be with her for life. If not, she’ll always have a place in my heart. Ming ge’er, I won’t back down without a good reason. Please tell her that as long as she’s willing to marry, I’ll do everything to bring her into my home.”
Fu Ming replied, “I know your character and your feelings for Renlan. But you also need to consider the Tao family and your parents. Go home and discuss this with them, then let me know your final decision.”
After a moment of thought, Tao Yang understood the concerns and reasoning behind Fu Ming and Renlan’s decision. “I’ll return home and discuss this with my parents. We’ll let you know as soon as possible. Don’t worry.”
Within a day, Fu Ming received a response from the Tao family. He handed Tao Yang’s father’s handwritten letter and a symbolic gift from the Tao family to Renlan. As she accepted them, Renlan burst into tears.
Hearing the news, the old lady, despite her illness, smiled. “We chose the right family. Renlan, if we get through this, you must serve your in-laws wholeheartedly and be a good wife and mother to repay their kindness.” Renlan nodded with a smile. “I’ll remember your advice, Grandmother. I’ll never forget the Tao family’s kindness.”
Xinyue, standing nearby, added with a smile, “You’re a lucky one, miss. We’ll get through this, and you’ll have your happy days ahead.”
After this, Fu Ming became more determined not to wait passively. With Jin Yi still in prison, his safety, the family’s hopes, Renlan and Zhaoyan’s future—so many concerns weighed heavily on him, preventing him from relaxing.
Taking action, Fu Ming first had Lu Fei help him inventory his dowry, calculating its total value. Realizing it wouldn’t be enough to resolve the situation, he turned to Xinyue for help.
The family’s treasury contained items they couldn’t touch, including imperial gifts and funds reserved for Renlan’s dowry. Both Fu Ming and Xinyue agreed not to use these.
“What’s left, excluding necessary household expenses and social obligations, is worth over 100,000 taels of silver,” Xinyue sighed. “The Jin family may seem grand, but this is all we can muster. Ming gongzi, please don’t laugh.”
Fu Ming shook his head. “Only outsiders would find it laughable. I’m part of this family; how could I?”
Realizing her slip of the tongue, Xinyue stammered, “I’m sorry; I misspoke.”
“No harm done. I know you didn’t mean it that way. Please keep this money safe. If we need it, I’ll come to you.”
“Understood. I’ll keep it secure,” Xinyue replied, clutching the keys tightly as if holding onto a lifeline. “You can count on me.”
With the funds secured, Fu Ming still couldn’t leave the mansion, and the news from outside remained murky. The money, for now, had no immediate use.
Feeling stuck, Fu Ming turned to the household library, reading books, especially those recounting individuals entangled in court intrigue and factional struggles, hoping to find strategies to navigate the crisis.
One day, as he read Su Ziyou’s *Letter to the Emperor Regarding My Brother’s Imprisonment,* he pondered for a long time before picking up his pen to write his own letter to the emperor, titled *For My Husband in Prison.*
The letter began with the history of the Jin family’s rise, reflecting on the emperor’s kindness and grace. He detailed the family’s generations of loyalty and the emperor’s continued benevolence, acknowledging that without such imperial favor, the family might have long faded into obscurity. He emphasized that Jin Yi was the family’s only hope for continuity, and the emperor was their sole reliance. The letter was filled with appeals to human emotions and the bond between ruler and subject. In conclusion, Fu Ming thanked the emperor for the imperial marriage decree, stating that if Jin Yi were truly guilty, he would join him in death to repay the emperor’s kindness and continue their marriage in the afterlife.
After finishing the letter, Fu Ming sealed it, filled with humility and determination.
A few days later, the letter, delivered by Qi Yuanshu, a top scholar from the previous year’s imperial examination now serving at the Hanlin Academy, reached the emperor’s hands. The emperor read it, sighed, and said, “Poor man,” but said nothing more.
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