BMN : Chapter 8

Upon returning to the Jin residence, Fu Ming encountered servants distributing ice to the various courtyards.

In previous years at the Fu residence, Fu Ming only received a small amount of ice during the hottest days. However, at the Jin residence, ice was used more liberally and earlier in the season.

Fu Ming instructed Ganlan to shave a large plate of ice from the bucket delivered to Fangmanting and place it in the small study. The rest, he directed them to take to the servants’ quarters.

Ganlan asked, “Master, why put it in our rooms? Shouldn’t it be by your bed to keep you cool at night?”

Fu Ming smiled, “I don’t mind the heat, and my room isn’t that hot. Your quarters, however, face the sun in the afternoon and aren’t well-ventilated. They must feel like an oven at night.”

“But this ice is meant for the masters.”

“Yes, and I am the master. I decide how to use it. Now, go ahead.”

With a firm tone, Fu Ming left no room for argument. Ganlan, knowing his character, felt a mix of difficulty and a bittersweet sense of gratitude. She called a young maid and moved the ice together.

After they left, Fu Ming asked Lu Fei if the late Madam Zhou had a younger sister. Before marrying into the Jin household, Lu Fei had discreetly gathered information about the family to ensure her master wouldn’t suffer from ignorance.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Fei replied, “The late Madam had three siblings. She was the eldest, followed by a younger brother and sister. Young Master Zhou should be about eighteen or nineteen, and Miss Zhou is around fourteen.”

Fu Ming nodded. Lu Fei then asked, “Why did you suddenly ask about this, Master?”

Fu Ming casually replied, “Just curious.”

“Oh,” Lu Fei smiled, “You might see them soon. I hear they are both quite handsome and charming!”

“Really?”

“Yes. In about half a month, it will be the late Madam’s memorial day. The Zhou family comes every year to pay their respects.”

As Lu Fei had mentioned, the Zhou family sent representatives to pay their respects to the late Madam Zhou as the lotus flowers began to bloom. The visitors were indeed Zhou’s siblings, and they were both attractive and well-mannered, making a favorable impression.

After joining Jin Yi and bringing Zhaoyan to the ancestral hall to pay respects to their elder sister, Miss Zhou was taken by Renlan, along with Zhaoyan, to the old lady’s quarters. Zhou’s brother, Zhou Chengyan, was hosted by Jin Yi and Fu Ming.

This was Fu Ming’s first time meeting external guests as Jin Yi’s consort. It wasn’t necessarily a sign of Jin Yi’s acceptance of Fu Ming’s position but rather a gesture of respect toward the Zhou family.

The three sat in the main hall, sipping tea. Grapes, sweet melons, and lychees were chilled on crushed ice, releasing a refreshing aroma.

After some small talk, the conversation dwindled. Fu Ming, noticing the awkward silence, picked up a lychee and smiled, “In the Tang dynasty, it was said that ‘a galloping horse brings a smile to the consort, unaware that it was the lychee that arrived.’ To eat fresh lychees, so many people had to rush day and night. Nowadays, with the development of water transport and preservation techniques, not just households like ours, but even ordinary people can buy a few lychees at the market.”

Zhou Chengyan agreed, “Indeed. The other day, I noticed not only a variety of fresh river fish but also seafood everywhere in the market. There were fruits from the south and various exotic items from overseas. Such abundance wasn’t seen in the old paintings of past dynasties.”

As they chatted about the bustling market and local customs, the conversation flowed naturally. Jin Yi, feeling that they might speak more freely without his presence, excused himself, leaving Fu Ming to entertain Zhou Chengyan.

After Jin Yi left, Zhou Chengyan visibly relaxed, taking a long sip of tea and exhaling deeply.

Fu Ming chuckled, “Are you afraid of your brother-in-law?”

Zhou Chengyan laughed awkwardly, “A little. When my sister was still alive, I used to visit and got scolded a few times for being mischievous.” He mimicked Jin Yi’s stern demeanor, which made both him and Fu Ming laugh.

Fu Ming, with a smile, said, “That does explain a lot.”

Zhou Chengyan continued, “Actually, my brother-in-law treated my sister and us quite well, but he’s just too serious. I respect him but don’t enjoy being around him. Brother Ming, you’re different. I won’t have to face the cold-faced gentleman alone when I visit the Jin residence anymore; it’s wonderful!”

Fu Ming shook his head, half amused and half resigned. It was surprising to hear someone so openly discuss their brother-in-law in front of the brother-in-law’s consort.

Zhou Chengyan, noticing Fu Ming’s friendly demeanor, hesitated briefly before asking, “Brother Ming, may I join you for lunch today? Just the two of us.”

“Why?”

“Usually, I have lunch at my brother-in-law’s place. But every year on this day, he spends some time in my sister’s former quarters, and afterward, he’s always in a somber mood. The entire meal feels tasteless. If he prefers my company, I don’t mind the discomfort, but I think he actually prefers to be alone. Besides, Brother Ming, you wouldn’t enjoy such a heavy atmosphere, would you?”

Fu Ming considered this and replied, “Let’s ask first. Is your brother-in-law in the late Madam’s quarters now? Is it okay to disturb him?”

“No problem. He won’t blame anyone. The late Madam’s quarters haven’t been off-limits since she passed away.” With that assurance, Fu Ming sent Lu Fei to inquire.

Meanwhile, someone had already reached the quarters before Lu Fei.

Miss Zhou had excused herself from the old lady’s quarters, expressing a desire to revisit her sister’s former residence. She dismissed her maid outside the courtyard and entered alone.

Jin Yi was indeed there. He was seated under the shade of a tree, reading a hand-embroidered scroll of the *Heart Sutra* created by the late Madam Zhou:

“Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, while practicing deeply the Prajna Paramita, perceives that all five skandhas are empty and thus attains deliverance from all suffering and distress…”

Madam Zhou had once said that Jin Yi, trained in martial arts from a young age, had a strong and upright demeanor but tended to be overly rigid. She worried about the negative karma he might accumulate from battles, even if fought to protect the country. Thus, she had painstakingly embroidered the *Heart Sutra* to encourage him to recite it regularly, cleansing his heart. Every year on this day, Jin Yi would come here to recite the sutra, a practice of self-reflection.

Today, Jin Yi wore white, a stark contrast to his usual dark attire, blending with the lush greenery, as if the pure white of his clothing and the inked characters he touched were untouched by the mundane world.

“Brother-in-law still misses my sister so deeply; if she could see this, she would smile in the afterlife.” A gentle, soft voice broke the silence.

Jin Yi looked up and saw Zhou Huanqing. He stood and offered her a seat, but she shook her head, preferring to stand. She glanced around the courtyard, seemingly torn between a smile and tears, “Brother-in-law has kept this place just as it was. I still remember when I was little, watching you practice swordplay for my sister and me here; it feels like just yesterday.”

Jin Yi replied, “Time flies. You’ve grown up.”

Zhou Huanqing nodded, “Yes, I’ve grown up. You kept a three-year mourning period for my sister, and during those three years, I grew up.”

Jin Yi had nothing to say in response, but Zhou Huanqing pressed on, “What were my sister’s last words to you?”

Jin Yi was startled, “You know?”

Zhou Huanqing nodded, “How could I not know? I was the one who asked her to entrust you with her wishes!”

“You…”

“So, all these years, I’ve been thinking you were waiting for me… waiting for me to grow up. But then, three years later, you married someone else.”

Jin Yi was silent for a moment, then said, “I failed to fulfill Siyu’s wish, and for that, I am sorry.”

“No,” Zhou Huanqing’s eyes welled up, “What you failed to fulfill was… was…” She couldn’t finish, the word “me” swallowed back. With a sigh, she continued, “I know you have your reasons.”

Jin Yi resumed his silent reading of the *Heart Sutra*, no longer responding.

Zhou Huanqing watched him for a while before hesitantly asking, “Do you know that the one you hold dear, my sister, has been insulted?”

Jin Yi looked up, “What do you mean?”

Zhou Huanqing briefly recounted the incident with Fu Ming and added, “As soon as he heard me mention my sister, he became displeased. I wanted to explain, but he dismissed her, saying the dead have weak fates and there’s nothing more to say, then left. Brother-in-law, I know you weren’t happy about marrying him, but since he’s married to you, he should respect my sister. But his disdain for her is obvious. As the saying goes, ‘Only the new are seen smiling; who cares for the tears of the old?’ If my sister knew of this, she would surely weep in sadness.”

Jin Yi massaged his temples and said, “I’m aware of this. There’s no ice here, and it’s unbearably hot. You should return to the old lady’s quarters. Everyone will be worried if you’re out alone.”

Zhou Huanqing stood silently for a moment, then nodded, “I’ll go. Take care, Brother-in-law.” With that, she slowly walked to the courtyard gate, glanced back to see Jin Yi’s back turned, and left with a downcast expression.

“Come out,” Jin Yi said.

Lu Fei, who had been hiding behind a rockery, emerged with trembling steps and knelt, “Master, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I came to deliver a message and overheard accidentally. I tried to avoid suspicion, so I stepped aside.”

Jin Yi didn’t seem convinced but decided not to pursue the matter. He simply said, “Stand up and report. Why are you here?”

“Young Master Zhou wants to have lunch at Fangmanting. My master sent me to ask if that’s acceptable.”

Jin Yi replied, “Chengyan can eat wherever he likes. Go to my courtyard and have the chef move the prepared ingredients to Fangmanting. Prepare a few extra dishes for lunch.”

Lu Fei, relieved, responded, “Yes,” and quickly left.

When Lu Fei returned to Fangmanting with a large amount of food, Fu Ming and Zhou Chengyan were already there. Fu Ming was playing a tune, and Zhou Chengyan listened intently, occasionally tapping his knee and humming along.

After lunch, Zhaoyan arrived from the old lady’s quarters, delighted to see his uncle and bringing more liveliness.

Zhou Chengyan and Fu Ming got along well and agreed to meet again.

After the Zhou siblings left the Jin residence, Lu Fei found an opportunity to tell Fu Ming what she had overheard. Fu Ming nodded but said nothing more.

Later, Jin Yi came to pick up Zhaoyan. Before leaving, he asked Fu Ming privately, “Did you meet Miss Zhou on your last outing?”

Fu Ming confirmed.

“Did you have a disagreement with her?”

“Just a child’s temper; I didn’t take it seriously.”

“She mentioned Siyu.” Jin Yi explained, “Siyu was the late Madam’s courtesy name.”

Fu Ming nodded, “She did mention the late Madam, but I didn’t respond.” The deceased had passed; if someone wanted to use them as a weapon, he wouldn’t take the bait. That was the respect he offered.

Jin Yi seemed unsure whether to believe Fu Ming’s response but didn’t press further. He called Zhaoyan over, took his hand, and left.

Ganlan, anxious for Fu Ming, said, “Master, shouldn’t you explain more? At least recount what was said with that Miss Zhou to make it more convincing.”

Fu Ming shook his head, looking calm, “What good would it do to talk more? Besides, whether he believes or not depends not on what I say but on how he views me and Miss Zhou.”

Fu Ming didn’t dwell on the incident. Instead, he thought about what Lu Fei had said about the late Madam’s entrustment. He wondered if his situation was one of “occupying a magpie’s nest,” wondering if there would come a day to return it, or if he would remain in this position forever.

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