Chapter 170: Turning the Tables
“Stop right there, you little demon! I call upon the powers of the Great Dharma Spell!”
“Just you wait, you little pen-in-cap. I’ll settle accounts with you later. Hmph! You’re making me so angry!”
“Haha!”
“Why did Miss Xu leave so suddenly?”
At this moment, Gao Wenyin approached carrying a small basin of hot water.
“Oh, she went to find Buddha,” Zhang Fei said with a laugh.
“Buddha?”
Seeing his playful expression, Gao Wenyin didn’t inquire further. She placed the hot water on the table and said softly, “Husband, wash your face first. Dinner will be ready soon.”
She soaked a handkerchief in the water, wrung it out, and handed it to Zhang Fei.
Such service was amazing. How could Zhang Fei not love her? He truly couldn’t live without her. He took the handkerchief and wiped his face.
Gao Wenyin secretly glanced at him and asked quietly, “Husband, Miss Xu seemed quite happy today.”
Zhang Fei handed the handkerchief back to her and smiled, “Of course she’s happy – we forced a handsome man on her!”
Gao Wenyin asked again, “So you mean, husband has already…”
Zhang Fei nodded with a smile, “From now on, you will have company.”
“!”
At the Xu residence.
“Father!”
Xu Zhiqian went straight into the hall, tears in her eyes as she looked at Xu Zun, “You… you’ve promised me to…”
“Zhang San?”
Xu Zun spoke his daughter’s thoughts.
Xu Zhiqian nodded pitifully.
Xu Zun asked, “What do you think about it?”
“Of course it won’t do!”
Xu Zhiqian immediately said, “Didn’t I tell you before? There’s nothing between Zhang San and me.”
Xu Zun said, “But Zhang San came early this morning to ask for your hand!”
“What?”
Xu Zhiqian exclaimed, “Zhang San… asked for my hand?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, her cheeks flushed.
Xu Zun recalled Zhang San’s earlier address of “Father-in-law,” and his mouth twitched slightly. He nodded, “Yes! He even said you two were already in love.”
Xu Zhiqian spat and said angrily, “Who’s in love with him? Father, don’t fall for that scoundrel’s tricks. I could tell early on he was up to no good.”
“Your marriage is a major life event. How could I make such a decision lightly?” Xu Zun said, “This matter should be your choice.”
Xu Zhiqian humphed, “I won’t marry that scoundrel.”
Xu Zun nodded and said, “Very well! I’ll have your Uncle Liu help find you a good family.”
“What? I still have to get married?”
Xu Zhiqian was dumbfounded.
Xu Zun said somewhat irritably, “You’ll have to marry someone eventually! It’s just up to you whether you want to marry Zhang San or not.”
Xu Zhiqian was caught in a dilemma. The faces of various dandies in the capital flashed through her mind, but ultimately, one face with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes shattered all others.
There truly was no harm without comparison.
Xu Zun watched his daughter remain silent, her oval face red as the morning sun, and asked, “Qian’er, are you alright?”
“I’m… I’m fine.”
Xu Zhiqian shook her head in confusion.
Xu Zun asked, “If you’re fine, why is your face so red?”
“Is… is it?”
Xu Zhiqian unconsciously touched her cheeks, feeling the burning heat. She shyly glanced at Xu Zun, seeing her father looking at her with confusion. She thought to herself that although that person had a detestable face and spoke irritatingly, his heart wasn’t bad – actually much better than many hypocrites.
Xu Zun stroked his beard and chuckled.
Xu Zhiqian asked shyly, “What are you laughing at, Father?”
Xu Zun chuckled, “You’ve already fallen for Zhang San, haven’t you?”
Xu Zhiqian exclaimed, “What makes you say that?”
Xu Zun said, “During the court case, your eyes never left Zhang San.”
“…Really?”
“I was sitting right across from you, how could I be wrong?” Xu Zun humphed.
But he’s like two different people in daily life compared to court, Xu Zhiqian muttered to herself, but defended aloud, “That… that was because I needed to hand him documents at any time, so naturally I had to watch him.”
Xu Zun asked, “So what’s your final choice?”
“!”
After much internal struggle, Xu Zhiqian’s face turned blood red, and she whispered, “If I must choose, then I… I…”
“Alright! I understand.”
Xu Zun smiled and shook his head, standing up to walk out slowly, thinking that although the sudden address of “Father-in-law” was unexpected, it actually sounded quite pleasant.
In fact, he had always admired Zhang Fei. Although Zhang Fei’s family status didn’t quite match the Xu family’s, he personally didn’t care about that. Moreover, Zhang Fei was favored by the emperor, and his future prospects were boundless.
It all depended on when Zhang Fei himself wanted to take flight.
“Qingmei, what should I do?”
Back in her chamber, Xu Zhiqian rested her jade-like face in her hands and asked Qingmei worriedly.
She could only confide in Qingmei about this.
Qingmei asked puzzled, “Lady Qian’er, didn’t you make the choice yourself?”
“How was it my choice?”
Xu Zhiqian shot Qingmei a fierce glare, “Father forced me to choose.”
Qingmei said, “Then I don’t understand.”
Xu Zhiqian asked, “What don’t you understand?”
Qingmei replied, “If you let the master help find someone, it would at least be an official of fourth rank or higher. Why did you choose Zhang San instead?”
“I…”
“It must be because you like Zhang San.”
“Shut up!”
Xu Zhiqian glared at her fiercely.
“Oh.”
Qingmei closed her mouth dejectedly.
Xu Zhiqian held her face in both hands, thinking, Do I really like Zhang San? Impossible, impossible, how could I like that scoundrel?
But seeing Qingmei’s suspicious look, she secretly humphed, I’ll go find Father now, I want to marry someone else.
She suddenly stood up, “Qingmei, you’re right. What’s so good about Zhang San? I’ll go tell Father right now to help me find a good family.”
Qingmei nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick.
Xu Zhiqian looked at her again, “Do you really dislike Zhang San that much?”
Qingmei said, “I… I follow your lead. If you dislike him, then I dislike him too.”
Xu Zhiqian gave her an approving look and turned to walk toward the door.
Qingmei hurriedly ran over to open it for her.
Just as she stepped out the door, Xu Zhiqian’s face showed signs of hesitation again.
Qingmei whispered, “Lady Qian’er.”
Xu Zhiqian glanced at the sky, “It’s getting late, Father must be resting. I’ll tell him tomorrow instead.”
“What?”
Qingmei said, “It’s only just nightfall, Master certainly hasn’t gone to rest yet.”
Xu Zhiqian gave her a sidelong glance.
Qingmei quickly added, “But Master has been busy with official duties lately, he’s probably already resting.”
“I’ll go tomorrow.”
Xu Zhiqian closed the door.
The next morning.
“Have a good day, Master.”
“Mm.”
Xu Zun hummed a tune as he walked out, his steps light.
“Good morning, Benefactor!”
Zhang Fei came running up to meet him.
Xu Zun just gave him a meaningful look.
Zhang Fei understood and grinned, “Good morning, Father-in-law.”
Xu Zun glared at him again, then sighed, “After much thought, you’re right. Only you can handle Qian’er’s temperament. I’ll entrust her to you.”
I’m more worried she can’t handle my temperament, thought Zhang Fei as he nodded, “Please rest assured, Father-in-law. I won’t let Zhiqian suffer even the slightest grievance.”
Xu Zun cautioned, “Still, you must keep her in check, don’t let her run wild.”
Zhang Fei chuckled, “I’m just being polite.” Inwardly he gloated, little girl, the tables have turned now – I’ll go set some house rules right away.
Xu Zun shook his head and asked, “What about that lady at your home?”
Zhang Fei’s smile gradually froze.
Xu Zun asked, “Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Zhang Fei blinked and carefully said, “They… one can manage internal affairs, one external affairs. They won’t conflict, and they’ll have each other for company.”
Xu Zun said, “I’m asking about their status.”
“Status?”
Zhang Fei asked in surprise, “What status?”
Xu Zun said, “What? You plan to take two wives?”
Zhang Fei suddenly realized that although ancient times spoke of men having “three wives and four concubines”, one could only have one official, primary wife, the rest being concubines. He quickly said, “Of course Zhiqian will be the primary wife.”
There was no choice – Xu Zun would never let his daughter be a concubine.
Zhang Fei didn’t care about these statuses anyway, he would treat them equally.
Xu Zun asked with some concern, “Will Lady Gao agree?”
“She!”
Zhang Fei smiled bitterly and shook his head, “I don’t think she’ll care about these things.”
His relationship with Gao Wenyin was just contractual, with no formal status since they never had a proper wedding ceremony. He didn’t feel he owed Gao Wenyin anything – his kindness to her was great, enough to last ten lifetimes.
Xu Zun nodded, “But you must handle these matters properly.”
Although he was like Wang Anshi and Sima Guang in having only one wife, they never imposed this standard on others.
Current morality allowed men to have one wife and multiple concubines – they simply chose not to themselves.
Zhang Fei nodded.
Xu Zun said, “Well, I’ll be going then.”
“Wait, Father-in-law.” Zhang Fei suddenly remembered something. “Father-in-law, the summer taxes are about to be collected.”
Xu Zun nodded, “There’s still some time left. Why do you ask?”
Zhang Fei said, “I plan to help the farmers calculate their taxes.”
Xu Zun pondered briefly, “I’ve heard Qian’er mention this too. I strongly approve, but you must be careful – it could cause many problems.”
Zhang Fei smiled, “Isn’t this why you chose me as your son-in-law? Who else would dare let Zhiqian do such things?”
Xu Zun smiled and slowly walked away.
After he left, Zhang Fei thought since it was still early, he might as well go tease Xu Zhiqian. He knocked on the door, and Uncle Rong opened it, “Oh, it’s Young Master Zhang, please come in.”
His tone carried a hint of surprise – since when had Zhang Fei become so polite when visiting their house?
Entering the courtyard, Zhang Fei said to Butler Rong, “Butler Rong, I’m looking for Miss Xu.”
Uncle Rong nodded.
Then they both stood there awkwardly.
After a while, seeing Uncle Rong standing still and looking at him in surprise, Zhang Fei suddenly realized he usually just shouted from the gate. “Oh, I’ll go find Miss Xu then.”
“Go ahead, go ahead.”
Uncle Rong nodded.
This was how you build goodwill!
Arriving at Xu Zhiqian’s courtyard, he met Qingmei. Before Zhang Fei could speak, Qingmei exclaimed, “Zhang San!”
You little girl, you’ll be my maid in the future too, hehe. Zhang Fei secretly smiled and said, “Qingmei, is your Lady Qian’er home?”
Qingmei first nodded, then quickly shook her head.
“Well, which is it? Never mind, I’ll check myself.”
“Wait!”
Qingmei rushed to block the door, flustered: “Lady Qian’er, she… she hasn’t gotten up yet.”
“Hasn’t gotten up?”
Zhang Fei said, “The sun’s already high in the sky.”
“Still speaking so crudely.” Qingmei muttered, then said, “You can tell me if you have anything to say.”
Zhang Fei thought briefly, “Alright, tell your Lady Qian’er I need to discuss promoting our tax calculation services in the rural villages with her.”
Qingmei nodded repeatedly, “I-I’ll remember, I’ll tell Lady Qian’er later, you… you can go now.”
Zhang Fei glanced at the door, chuckled a few times, then turned to leave.
Actually, he hadn’t really thought about marrying Xu Zhiqian before, but when she told him she wanted to marry someone, he was absolutely certain he didn’t want her marrying anyone else.
At a small tavern near the Imperial City gates.
Though it was still morning and the tavern had just opened, two men in official robes were already seated inside.
“Court session is about to begin, can’t this wait until after work?”
The speaker, around forty years old, was named Deng Wan, currently serving as Vice Director of the Bureau of Operations, managing maps and records.
Sitting across from him was Lu Shen, Vice Director of the Tax Bureau.
Lu Shen waved his hand, “His Majesty is holding court today, it won’t matter if we’re a bit late.”
Deng Wan smiled, “That may be true, but early morning isn’t the time for drinking!”
Lu Shen said, “I have something to discuss with you, Brother Deng.”
Deng Wan asked, “What is it?”
Lu Shen said, “Aren’t you well acquainted with that Proofreader Lu?”
Deng Wan’s expression changed as he stroked his beard, his gaze showing a hint of wariness.
Lu Shen continued, “Proofreader Lu has already taken a position at the Reform Planning Commission, and will surely be promoted soon. But he still oversees the City Tax Bureau. That’s a lucrative position. Don’t you want to compete for it, Brother Deng?”
Deng Wan smiled bitterly, “You know it’s lucrative, so many people will compete for it. Though I’m familiar with Lu Huiqing, I’m not his only acquaintance, and you know many officials are currying favor with them now.”
Lu Shen said, “I have a plan that Brother Deng could present to Proofreader Lu – you might be able to secure this profitable position.”
Deng Wan asked eagerly, “What plan?”
Lu Shen opened his mouth, then added, “If it succeeds, don’t forget about your younger brother.”
Deng Wan said anxiously, “Don’t worry about that, how could I, Deng Wan, be someone who forgets debts of gratitude?”
Lu Shen said, “You must have heard how that pen-in-cap Zhang San made thousands of strings with one loan contract.”
Deng Wan nodded, “Of course I’ve heard about that.”
Lu Shen said, “Though Zhang San drafted the contract, it was guaranteed by the government – why doesn’t the government handle the contracts directly?”
Deng Wan listened in confusion, “You called me here just for this?”
Lu Shen hurriedly said, “Don’t be hasty, let me finish. I’ve studied Zhang San’s contract – it can be standardized. If the government has Zhang Fei design these contracts, the City Tax Bureau could require all transactions to use officially purchased contracts, or the government won’t guarantee them.
This way, merchants would have to pay contract taxes, earning considerable revenue for the state while expanding the Tax Bureau’s authority. Isn’t Academician Wang’s reform aimed at enriching the treasury and filling financial gaps? Proofreader Lu will certainly agree.”
Deng Wan nodded repeatedly as he listened.