Chapter 6

Chapter Six

Noble families have their own customs for arranging marriages, and merchant families have their own assessments for suitors.

To an outsider, the content of these assessments is far from easy.

With this set of answers in hand, Sir Song was sure to break through the ranks tomorrow, clinch first place, and become the son-in-law of the Qian family. The only question was, “Sir Song, can you read?”

It was the first time in his life someone had asked him such a question, and a flicker of offended pride and aloofness flashed instinctively in the young lord’s cold eyes.

Qian Tong understood immediately.

Though a warrior, Sir Song’s refined and delicate features betrayed his intelligence—it was clear he could read. “Sir Song, memorize these answers tonight and recite them as they are tomorrow.”

“It’s late; I won’t keep you from your memorization.” Qian Tong spread out the sheet of fine paper and gently laid it on his arm, then bent down to pick up the lantern by his feet.

As she stood, a cold bronze sword suddenly appeared at his neck.

Through the glow of the lantern, Qian Tong looked up at him, her pale eyes showing no hint of fear in the night, only a vague confusion.

Song Yunzhí reminded her softly, “The antidote.”

The sword did not leave its sheath. Qian Tong straightened and, with slender shoulders, nudged the blade aside, flashing him a relaxed smile as she whispered, “I tricked the young lord. Sir Song’s poison doesn’t need the antidote for now.”

In just one day, this young lady had left an impression on him of cunning and guile.

Song Yunzhí raised his sword again, pressing it against her neck to block her path.

Qian Tong asked, puzzled, “What now?”

Song Yunzhí said, “Who are you, and where is this place?”

This woman had drugged a child, sent a warning to the woodcutters at the alley’s entrance to trap them in a dilemma, thereby forcing their allegiance. Later, she used money to lure them with empty promises and planted a poison insect to hold him hostage when he let down his guard.

A flawless plan.

Clearly meticulous and sly, if she was to infiltrate the Qian family by turning their own schemes against them, he had to take the initiative in questioning her identity.

He thought she might try to deceive him again and hide her true name, but instead, she answered with a radiant smile, “My surname is Qian, given name Tong, nineteen years old, born in the Year of the Tiger.”

She looked at him with hopeful expectation.

Such detail was unnecessary.

The young man’s ink-black eyes darkened with thought; after a moment, a flicker of surprise and disbelief crossed his face as he looked at her, “The Qian family of Yangzhou’s Four Great Families?”

Qian Tong nodded. “Yes. Does that please you, sir?”

The young lord, proud and dignified, upon learning she was an heiress, showed no intention to flatter her. After a brief silence, he stubbornly said, “I don’t think being held hostage is something to be happy about.”

To this, Qian Tong could not argue. “You will be glad later.” His good days lay ahead.

Having endured so many shocks in one day, Qian Tong feared frightening him further and decided to save the best news for after his triumphant victory tomorrow.

Sir Song said no more, silently sheathing the bronze sword.

That was right.

He sought wealth, and she had it, capable of offering him a brilliant future. He had no reason to refuse.

Qian Tong liked dealing with clever people, but then remembered someone less clever. Suddenly inspired, she turned to the young lord standing behind, seeing him off, “How about I find a job for young Sir Song?”

Before he could answer, she said, “He leaves tonight.”

“And that’s final.”

From thought to action, she gave no one a moment to object, seeming to disdain wasting even a second on them. Her threat was unmistakable.

Before Song Yunzhí could respond, she picked up her lantern and went to the door, instructing her maid, “The freight department is short a bookkeeper; young Sir Song is quite suitable.”

Holding a life in her hands, she was utterly reckless.

Inside, Song Yunzhí waited, soon hearing Shen Che’s distant roar approaching, “Why should I go?”

“You female thief, don’t get too arrogant!”

“It’s already dark. How can I go when I can’t see the road?”

“No need to worry, young lord. Someone will guide you.” Fu Yin escorted him to the door, granting a quarter-hour for farewells.

With a snap, Shen Che closed the door, grinding his teeth as he complained to Song Yunzhí in a low voice, “That female thief wants to send me on a task. Who does she think she is?”

He paced the room in anger.

“You should go,” Song Yunzhí said after a moment’s calm.

Walls have ears; they could not speak plainly. Song Yunzhí hinted, “Lady Qian is giving you a chance to hone your skills. Becoming an accountant was always your dream, wasn’t it? Now that it’s fulfilled, isn’t that good?”

Shen Che understood the subtext clearly.

His purpose in coming to Yangzhou was not forgotten.

The Four Great Families had reigned for years and were not easily toppled. Today, by chance, he had entered the Qian family—a rare opportunity. Yet despite such a fine residence, he had not spent the night there.

“What kind of work did Lady Qian assign to Sir Song?” Shen Che asked, curious, wanting to be kept away.

Song Yunzhí glanced at the sheet of paper on the table. He still hadn’t guessed her purpose and said simply, “Answering questions.”

Both being wanderers, the young master Song had been poisoned and suffered even more than Shen Che. Yet Shen Che noticed the difference in treatment between them. With a glance at Song’s face, he warned again, “Sir Song, be wary of this woman.”

Such a charming young master, beloved by all—he must not be taken advantage of by a merchant girl.

Song Yunzhí nodded. “I know. You be careful yourself.”

A mere merchant girl, however wicked, could not truly kill a man hardened by war. Serious matters took precedence. Shen Che bowed slightly to Song and left with Fu Yin.

The night returned to silence.

After a servant brought in a basin of water and closed the door, Song Yunzhí did not look at the paper. He changed into his clothes and lay on the soft bed. Once picky about beds, his sleeping improved after joining the army. Yet the day’s upheavals made sleep difficult.

Only late into the night did he force himself to close his eyes and rest.

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window. Hearing footsteps, Song Yunzhí rose cautiously.

A servant knocked at the door. “Sir Song, have you risen?”

He opened the door, and the servant handed him a tray with a set of brocade robes. “Please change, sir. After breakfast, I will take you to the front courtyard.”

——

Qian Tong sometimes admired the skills of the women in the backhouse.

Ordinarily, sending them two miles to check on a salt well would exhaust them, yet overnight they had conjured nine young masters for her.

Each was a relative, every one could be called cousin.

Lady Qian had ‘grieved’ the loss of the match with the prefecture magistrate’s family and had not slept well. Now with a dark bruise under her eye, she came to the front hall, surrounded by the third and fourth madams and several concubines from their branches. After flattering each other, the pain in Lady Qian’s heart eased, and she began to enjoy the praise.

Lady Qian said, “First, anyone who enters the Qian family must have a quick mind.”

“Exactly...” came the chorus of agreement.

“Looks can’t be sloppy either.”

“Second sister-in-law, don’t worry. Our sister Tong has great looks; the suitors she’s matched with can’t be bad...”

In the garden of the front courtyard stood a pavilion with three open sides for ventilation, used for summer cooling and winter snow viewing. Today, Lady Qian and several women sat within, gazing at the painted corridor opposite.

The fine bamboo edges were lacquered crimson, curling under the eaves. Morning light streamed in, illuminating the murals inside like palaces in the heavens.

Beneath the corridor was a row of seats separated by landscape screens. Each had a wooden table with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones neatly arranged.

Nine men were already seated.

The women’s eyes flicked between the young masters and Qian Tong, secretly watching to see which one held her attention.

Qian Tong looked at no one and did not cluster with the others. Standing beside a pillar, half bathed in spring sunlight, her gaze wandered aimlessly toward the moon gate at the entrance.

That morning’s clothes brought by the servant were made of Shu brocade. With no peers at home, Qian Tong had ordered the robes overnight, but Sir Song did not change; he still wore yesterday’s green robe.

A handsome man does not care for clothes. He walked on the cobblestone path beneath blooming flowers, the sunlight seeming to favor him especially. The warm yellow glow paved his way; compared to him, the painted corridor was less dazzling.

“Which family is that from?” Lady Qian was the first to notice and asked. The women behind exchanged suspicious glances.

The young man followed the servant to the corridor and suddenly turned back to glance at the young lady standing beside the pillar. He did not hide or look away—his gaze was brazen and lingered for a long while.

The women’s eyes shifted between the two, their faces darkening with surprise and displeasure.

They were not one of their own.

Lady Qian stared curiously at her daughter’s shy smile, then called out, “Sister Tong, don’t you mind standing in the sun?”

The servant reminded the young man, “Sir Song, please take your seat.”

After some struggle, he followed the servant to his place.

Lady Qian announced that these were cousins from the third and fourth branches, somewhat displeased, “Good looks aside, manners cannot be lost.” Fearing others’ disappointment and loss of spirit, she reassured them, “To enter the Qian family, skill is still the most important.”

The women’s expressions brightened with renewed hope.

Song Yunzhí arrived last, seated at the innermost spot. Seeing the brushes and ink on the table, he guessed the Qian family was selecting talent today, though he did not know for what.

The woman surrounded by others on the platform must be Lady Qian.

With the family head absent, the position chosen was likely not important. Just as he thought this, a maid’s voice whispered from the next table, “Third Madam told you to answer carefully. Answer well and you will enjoy wealth and honor for life; answer poorly and this connection will be severed forever.”

“Tell Aunt not to worry. I will not disappoint her.”

Song Yunzhí was somewhat surprised.

Before he could think further, a steward appeared with the servant at the corridor, handing out the test papers and announcing loudly, “Time is one incense stick. Please begin.”

A sheet of fine paper was placed beside Song Yunzhí. He reached out to take it.

As salt merchants, the Qian family’s test would surely involve accounts and knowledge of salt’s trade and qualities. With his current knowledge, he did not need to preview the answers.

Yet looking at the paper, the questions were not what he expected.

The incense began to burn slowly. All the young men wrote diligently, but Song Yunzhí’s pen slowed and finally stopped halfway.

“You didn’t look at the answers last night?” a voice suddenly said nearby.

Song Yunzhí paused, turning to see the young lady who had come up behind him.

She had arrived just in time.

He wanted to ask her: why kidnap him? What was her purpose?

Qian Tong did not look at him, her gaze fixed on his paper. Frowning, she said, “Wrong.”

The question read: “A tree bears ripe fruit. Six birds fly to it. A hunter appears and kills one bird with a slingshot. How many birds remain?”

Song Yunzhí chose option A: None remain.

“This one,” Qian Tong said, pointing with a finger tinted with peach blossom rouge to the choice “five.”

Though it was not the main point, Song Yunzhí could not agree with her.

“Trust me,” Qian Tong explained. “Birds die for food; men die for wealth. This question tests your courage. Wealth lies in risk. One bird died, but the remaining fruit can be divided more. If they all flew away, it would be a pity...”

Song Yunzhí’s eyes grew colder and disdainful. His pen stayed firm—he had no intention to change his answer.

“Oh?” Qian Tong sensed something. She grabbed his sleeve, moved his arm away from the paper, and saw the rest of the sheet blank. “The incense is nearly half burnt. Why have you only answered one question?”

Song Yunzhí looked at her. He meant to ask: how should one answer? She should take a good look at what the questions were...

—“If your wife and your parents-in-law disagree, whom do you choose?”

—“Are you opposed to marrying into your wife’s family?”

—“What is your view of the identity of a Qian family son-in-law?”

“You really didn’t read the answers.” The young lady was calm, not surprised as he expected. After a brief glance, she pointed out the correct answers one by one.

Song Yunzhí’s icy eyes sparked like fire as he stared at her.

Seeing him frozen, Qian Tong reached out, grabbing the pen from his hand.

Her fingers enclosed his as if wrapped in warm jade. Song Yunzhí’s ear flushed; he instinctively pulled away, “Let go!”

Qian Tong refused, her tone firm, “You will answer when I tell you to.”

If it was a contest of strength, he could not lose. He steadied his elbow, immovable as a mountain. “Please, Lady Qian, be honest with me. If I am chosen today, for what position?”

Position? There was none.

Would son-in-law count?

Seeing his reluctance, Qian Tong grew displeased. Wasn’t she good enough? A wealthy merchant’s daughter, not unattractive. Yet he showed no joy and still hesitated?

“Sir Song, do you think I went through all this trouble to kidnap you, not have you do hard labor, not send you to haul goods in the mountains, and even made you clothes overnight, for no reason? Haven’t you guessed? Why ask me again?”

Don’t be ungrateful.

She had been watching him for a long time. Had he not remained still, she wouldn’t have come here in front of everyone to personally guide him.

Qian Tong looked at him with an expression that said, “You don’t know what’s good for you.”

Song Yunzhí did not know what to feel, only that this woman’s face was likely the world’s greatest liar—pure and flawless in appearance but with a deceivingly complex heart.

Cunning, absurd, shameless.

Remembering Shen Che’s hesitant gaze before leaving last night, a flush spread from his ears down beneath his collar. His expression and voice were calm, “I cannot agree.”

“Why not?” Qian Tong asked, puzzled.

Song Yunzhí thought: only a free-spirited merchant would dare ask “why.”

Marriage is a great affair, requiring parental consent and formal betrothal rituals. But these conditions clearly did not apply to a wandering poor youth like him.

The Great Yu was still recovering; countless people starved. For those making a living outside, earning enough for a meal and silver was already good. No well-off girl would want to marry him.

Let alone be favored by the daughter of the Qian family, worth millions—a dream for many young men. Otherwise, so many would not crowd to this place.

He had no reason to refuse, yet he could not answer.

Seeing his silence, Qian Tong suspected he was playing coy. “Do you know that poison insect?” she asked.

She released his pen, leaning down to look into his resisting eyes seriously. “It’s unique, very expensive.” Noticing his worsening expression, she continued, “It’s in your body now, and it can never be removed.”

She did not lie. She had paid dearly to buy the insect from foreign merchants and spent many hands kidnapping him today.

These were costs.

She never did business at a loss or wasted effort. He was no longer who he was before; she had to make him realize his value now. “Sir Song, you have this priceless insect inside you. Are you afraid I would mistreat you?”

What was she saying?

Song Yunzhí was stunned. He realized he understood none of her words.

Out of the corner of his eye, Lady Qian strode over angrily.

Qian Tong no longer wasted words. From her sleeve, she took out a sheet of the same paper as on the table.

“Had I known Sir Song was so hesitant, I would have prepared this in advance.”

Before he could react, Qian Tong turned and waved to Steward Cao in the passageway. “Uncle Cao, the young master wishes to submit his paper.”

As he moved to grab it, Qian Tong raised her skirt and leapt from the steps of the corridor into the passage, half her body propped on the table, lips pressed tight and glaring.

Voices of protest and murmurs erupted instantly.

“Why him?”

“Isn’t this blatant cheating?”

“Where did this shameless pretty boy come from...”

Never before had Song Yunzhí heard such insults. His head buzzed; once more, he thought of killing this woman.