BMN : Chapter 7

As she entered the courtyard, Renlan’s attention was immediately drawn to a pomegranate tree. The fiery red blossoms adorned the lush green branches, with a few small fruits hidden among the leaves. The mossy stones beneath gently received the occasional fallen petals.

In a corner, a spring quietly bubbled, creating ripples that hinted at fish playing beneath. The willow trees dipped their branches toward the water, as calm and gentle as the person reading beneath them.

Lüfei, who was feeding fish nearby, noticed Renlan standing across the small pond with her two maids. She stood up with a smile, saying, “Young lady, you’ve arrived?”

Fu Ming, hearing this, also looked up and greeted, “It’s hot outside. Come inside and have a seat, Sister Renlan.”

As they walked inside together, Renlan remarked with a smile, “Though it’s hot outside, Brother Ming’s courtyard is pleasantly cool.”

The maids pulled up a light green bamboo sunshade as Renlan entered. Glancing around the room, she added, “Yan’er says Brother Ming’s place is like a fairy’s abode, and it indeed feels that way. That screen, in particular, caught my eye; it’s wonderful. I had no idea we had such a treasure in our family.”

Fu Ming, finding Renlan’s demeanor warm and unpretentious, responded without reservation, “The screen is indeed from the family, but I painted the artwork on it.”

“Is that so? Brother Ming, you have a wonderful talent for painting. The way the image opens from narrow to wide gives a refreshing sense of spaciousness. It’s truly a pleasure to have it here.”

Renlan, being just over ten years old, still retained some youthful innocence. Her insightful comments surprised Fu Ming. Seeing her admiration for the screen, he smiled and offered, “If you like it, Sister Renlan, I can give you this screen.”

Renlan was momentarily taken aback but then shook her head, saying, “Though I like it, I think it suits this room best. My chamber couldn’t accommodate such a grand scene.”

This girl, like young Master Zhaoyan, was gracious enough not to covet others’ belongings despite her appreciation. Fu Ming thought that the Jin family had done well in teaching their children such values.

However, Renlan wasn’t willing to miss out on Fu Ming’s artistic talents, so she smiled and asked, “If Brother Ming has the time, could you paint a screen for me?”

Such straightforwardness without pretense could also be considered a sign of good upbringing.

Even if Renlan hadn’t asked, Fu Ming had intended to do something like this. Since marrying into the Jin family, he had found few who truly connected with him. If given the chance, he wanted to turn nominal family members into real ones. He responded, “Of course.”

Hearing Fu Ming agree so readily, Renlan thanked him with a smile and said, “Brother Ming, I came today with a request.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“The items you brought me last time were delightful. Although I’ve had others bring me things from outside before, they rarely suit my taste. Brother Ming has a keen eye. So, if you go out again, could you pick up a few more things for me?”

Fu Ming nodded in agreement.

“Here’s some money for now. If you spend it all, I can send more.” Renlan handed Fu Ming a small purse of loose coins from Cairy.

“These are just small trinkets; they don’t cost much,” Fu Ming said, not taking the money.

Renlan insisted, “Once or twice, it’s fine, but I hope Brother Ming will bring me more things in the future. If you don’t accept, then I can’t accept gifts from you anymore.”

Understanding her reasoning and recognizing Renlan’s character, Fu Ming accepted the purse.

Renlan was pleased and smiled, “That’s better. Though women can go out now, our household has strict rules that women can’t go out without reason. So, I must rely on Brother Ming.”

This rule, said to have been established by the old lady, was something Fu Ming had heard about. Although he felt a bit sorry for Renlan, she seemed to accept it as normal, so he made no further comment.

As they found themselves at a loss for words, Wanlan entered with a plate of fruit. Taking the purse from Fu Ming, she admired the embroidery and asked with a smile, “Did you embroider this yourself, young lady? Such intricate and delicate work!”

Renlan replied, “It’s just a way to keep busy, something to put effort into.”

Fu Ming commented, “My maid loves embroidery.”

Renlan asked for Wanlan’s name, and upon realizing they both had “Lan” in their names, she was not offended but delighted, inviting Wanlan to do embroidery together when they had time.

Soon, Zhaoyan arrived, making Fangmanting livelier than ever. It wasn’t until sunset that Renlan, holding Zhaoyan’s hand, left together to dine with the old lady.

On the way, Zhaoyan asked Renlan, “Auntie, will you visit Fangmanting often?”

Renlan, with a hint of regret, replied, “Though Brother Ming is my brother-in-law, he is still a man, so I can’t visit often.”

Zhaoyan responded with a disappointed “Oh.”

Renlan teased him, “Even if Auntie can’t often go to Fangmanting, Yan’er can come and play with Auntie. You haven’t come to see me lately, forgetting your aunt because of your uncle. Auntie is very sad!”

Zhaoyan thought for a moment and replied, “Then from now on, I’ll go to see Uncle Ming one day and Auntie the next, okay?”

“That would be wonderful!” Renlan laughed, “You’re such a good boy, Yan’er.”

They arrived at the old lady’s quarters, their cheerful demeanor bringing joy to the old lady. Upon learning they had come from Fangmanting, she made no further comments, except to invite Fu Ming for tea and snacks the next day. After returning from the old lady’s place, Lüfei commented with a smile, “The old lady was not particularly warm today, but it’s a good sign.”

Wanlan added, “With such good character, our young master will surely win the old lady’s favor over time.”

Fu Ming initially wanted to say that, as a man, he didn’t need to seek favor, but considering his situation, he held his tongue. After all, if the person managing the household respected him, his servants wouldn’t have to live in constant fear.

Before his next outing, Fu Ming hurriedly finished painting a screen for Renlan. This time, he painted a set of four panels depicting the passage of time: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, returning to spring again. The colors were simple and gradually shifted, subtly portraying the changing seasons. In the corner, he inscribed a line of poetry:

“Watching all things calmly, each season brings its joy.”

Renlan loved it and immediately placed it in her room.

By then, the long rains had cleared, and summer had deepened.

Fu Ming ventured out with Bai Hua once more.

They left early, with the sun barely risen and dew still on the grass. The streets were already bustling, with vendors selling soup, various buns, fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood. The lively calls filled the air, marking the start of a busy day.

Fu Ming stopped at various stalls, buying an assortment of breakfasts: soybean porridge, steamed cakes, filled dumplings, fried noodles, fried fruits, and four-colored buns. Bai Hua carried two full hands of these, and Fu Ming also held some. They hurried to the orphanage, carrying the aroma of food with them.

The orphanage children, not yet having eaten, were in the courtyard practicing martial arts. Seeing Fu Ming arrive, they rushed to greet him, but the breakfast in his hands saved him from being overwhelmed.

After the meal, Fu Ming spent an hour reading “The Thousand Character Classic” with the children, explaining the meaning of “墨悲丝染，诗赞羔羊” (Ink laments the dyeing silk, poetry praises the lamb). He simply explained the meaning without lecturing the children on morality. Most of the children at the orphanage were abandoned girls or disabled children, facing difficult futures. Fu Ming’s father had been one of the luckier ones, but even then, his life had been far from easy. Many of Fu Ming’s childhood friends had not fared well. The future was uncertain, and all Fu Ming could do was care for them in the present and offer some potentially useless blessings.

Sun Zangyong hosted Fu Ming for lunch in his room and personally brewed tea afterward.

The tea, in a black cup, was like a vast landscape contained within a small space. The aroma was light, the taste initially bitter but sweet afterward, with a lingering fragrance. It was a long-awaited moment for Fu Ming, fulfilling a wish he’d held for some time.

Leaving the orphanage, it was still early, Fu Ming suggested they stroll around the market. Bai Hua, of course, had no objections.

They entered the bustling marketplace. Despite the heat, the vendors were enthusiastic. Carts selling iced desserts, cold lychee soup, snow-frothed drinks, and purple perilla drinks moved through the crowd, very popular. Fu Ming bought two bowls of cold lychee soup, a clear, jewel-like treat served with crushed ice, dried plum, and ginger juice, refreshing them in the morning breeze. Bai Hua quickly finished his, praising its taste, finding it especially delightful since it was given by his master.

After finishing the cold treats, Fu Ming wandered into a toy shop that seemed popular, thinking he might find something interesting for Renlan and Zhaoyan.

The shop was busy, the staff overwhelmed. Another young lady, about fourteen or fifteen, accompanied by maids and guards, entered alongside Fu Ming. The shop assistant hesitated on who to serve first, and Fu Ming gestured for him to assist the lady. She nodded in thanks and followed the assistant, while Fu Ming browsed on his own.

The shop was filled with a variety of items, from imitation weapons to board games, puppets, and various novelty items. The variety was mesmerizing.

The young lady, examining a flower gourd toy, overheard whispers nearby: “Isn’t that the young master from the Fu family? It’s been a while since he was last seen.”

“Which young master from the Fu family?”

“The one who married into the Jin household.”

…

Setting down the toy, the girl signaled the assistant to attend to new customers, then approached Fu Ming, speaking softly, “So, this is the famous young master of the Fu family.”

Fu Ming didn’t recognize her or know how she identified him, so he smiled slightly and replied, “Indeed, it is.”

She gave a cold smile, “A man enjoying toys meant for women and children?”

Her tone and words were rude, and Fu Ming sensed her hostility. He stepped away, not wanting to engage further.

However, the girl persisted, moving closer, “What, did I anger you? Even though you’re now a consort and no longer need to act like a man, how can you disregard your husband’s family’s reputation, visiting such places? Even if you disgrace yourself, given your notorious reputation, how will this reflect on my brother-in-law and the Jin family? If my sister were still alive, there’d be no place for you in the Jin household.”

Brother-in-law? Sister? Fu Ming realized she must be related to Jin Yi’s late wife. Whether her concern was genuine or self-serving, he couldn’t tell.

Since they were related, Fu Ming decided to speak up, “Thank you for your concern. However, while toys are often loved by women and children, some have intricate designs. Besides, don’t underestimate the taste of women and children.” With that, Fu Ming picked up a few items he had selected and went to the counter to pay.

This encounter dampened his mood, as he didn’t want to run into Miss Zhou, who clearly harbored ill feelings towards him. Fu Ming, with Bai Hua in tow, headed back to the Jin residence. After crossing the crowded bridge and walking along the willow-lined riverbank, he heard faint singing and music. Looking up, he saw a familiar figure leaning on a railing, looking in his direction. Seeing Fu Ming, the figure waved. Fu Ming smiled and waved back but didn’t stop, continuing on to the Jin residence.

Author’s Note:

“Watching all things calmly, each season brings its joy.” – Cheng Hao, *Casual Poems in Autumn*

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