Chapter 37: Marriage Alliance

Second Master Wen guessed correctly that Shangguan Ruyu must have stayed overnight here yesterday.

It wasn't that he blamed Shangguan Ruyu for having "a preference for men"—if he had chosen an actor or a male courtesan, it would have been considered the refined interest of a noble gentleman—but his partner was Ming Shanyue.

His father had said they were nothing more than cousins who had played together since childhood, and their relationship was simply closer than most.

Not necessarily.

Although Ming Shanyue was only a third-rank adjutant, he came from the Duke of Dingguo's manor and enjoyed the Emperor's respect and trust. Shangguan Ruyu was the only son of Princess Yanghe and Shangguan Yunqi, and was extremely favored by the Empress Dowager.

Forget him—even his father wouldn't dare provoke these two.

No matter how much indignation boiled in his heart, Second Master Wen dared not show it. He cupped his fists and smiled, "General Ming is too polite. I shall have to ask for your guidance another time."

Shangguan Ruyu said to Ming Shanyue, "Let's go together. I need to enter the palace to see my Imperial Grandmama."

The three of them rode out on horseback.

On the streets, those who recognized Ming Shanyue and Shangguan Ruyu saw them riding together so early in the morning and immediately began to let their imaginations run wild, gathering in small groups to whisper and gossip.

Although the three could not hear the discussions, they could see the suggestive expressions on the people's faces; however, both Ming Shanyue and Shangguan Ruyu remained completely indifferent.

Second Master Wen could do nothing but feel a heart full of bitterness.

Upon reaching a fork in the road, Second Master Wen cupped his fists to bid them farewell.

Second Master Wen was a seventh-rank battalion commander in the Flag Guard, and had taken three days of leave because his wife was in labor.

He galloped home and went straight to the main courtyard.

Wen Shu, the fourth Miss of the Wen family, was leaning in her mother's arms, chatting and laughing softly; her sweet, delicate voice drifted out of the window.

Seeing her son return so quickly, Madam Wen asked, "Is General Ming not at the manor?"

Second Master Wen glanced at his sister and sat down without a word.

He was deeply indignant. Such a beautiful sister was already betrothed, yet Shangguan Ruyu still dared to act so insolently right in front of him.

Seeing that her brother had something to discuss privately with their mother, Wen Shu rose to take her leave.

Second Master Wen recounted what he had just witnessed and added, "Mother, I fear that if Sister marries Shangguan Ruyu, she will suffer grievances."

Madam Wen's face darkened with anger as well.

It took a long time for her expression to soften. She looked up and said, "Men are all reckless in their youth. Do you think I don't know about the things you do behind your wife's back? That marriage alliance was something your father plotted for a long time; it was not just for your sister, but for your eldest brother and you as well."

"As long as your sister bears a few more boys after marrying into that house and keeps an open mind, all the wealth and glory of that manor will be hers."

"But my sister has that illness."

"That illness isn't incurable. Haven't I been constantly looking for someone to treat it?"

***

Beifu Avenue was bustling with crowds and lined with shops, very prosperous.

On this street, there were two small pharmacies and one modest-sized medical clinic.

This area was very close to Beian Ward and had a large population.

It would be a good place to open a clinic.

They bought two bags of tonic medicine at the pharmacy and bought one pound of osmanthus cake and one pound of malt candy for Feng Buqi.

They also went to the agency to inquire.

The two houses they had looked at last time had both been sold, but two new single-entry houses had been listed. Both were in Beian Ward, and the two houses were even next door to each other.

Previously, they had been occupied by the two sons of a merchant who were in urgent need of selling due to business losses.

Such houses usually cost over five hundred and twenty taels, but because they were being sold in a hurry, if both were bought together, the total would be nine hundred and fifty taels of silver.

The agent said, "It's truly a bargain. I've been in this business for twenty years and have never seen such good houses sold so cheaply. I don't have that much money myself, otherwise, I would have bought them."

Feng Chuchen was also tempted.

Gathering her strength, she had the agent lead them on a tour of the properties.

The houses were a fifteen-minute walk from Xihe Gate, located in the last alley of the street, occupying the first and second plots.

Behind the houses was a small river, where many residents went to wash clothes and vegetables.

There was a private school in the preceding alley.

Both courtyards consisted of three main rooms with two side rooms, three rooms in the east and west wings, and four entrance rooms; the layouts were essentially identical.

The courtyards were paved with bluestone, with a stone table and four stone stools in the center. In front of the main rooms of the first courtyard, a pomegranate tree was planted, while an apricot tree stood before the main rooms of the second.

In front of the entrance rooms, there were two old camphor trees respectively, with a clothesline in the middle and two wintersweet trees in the corners.

Though the courtyards were not large, they were neat and clean.

The tiles were eighty percent new, gleaming with a greenish hue under the sunlight.

Feng Chuchen was extremely satisfied.

If she bought them, she would use the first courtyard as a clinic and the second as a residence.

After further bargaining, the price for both houses together was reduced to nine hundred and twenty taels.

She had over eight hundred and eighty taels in savings, and with the eighty taels she earned today, she would still have money left over to renovate the houses after the purchase.

As for the clinic, she would wait until she passed her formal physician examinations.

Feng Chuchen said, "I will pay a ten-tael deposit first, and I will return the day after tomorrow to pay the full amount and process the deed."

She felt unwell and needed to rest at home for a day.

Auntie Wang liked the idea as well, her eyes crinkling with a smile.

Upon returning to White Horse Village, the entrance to the Feng house was very lively, with eight craftsmen busy at work.

Two figures stood before a pile of stones, gazing longingly toward the capital.

One was Feng Buqi, and the other was Datou.

Feng Chuchen and the other woman got off the vehicle.

Feng Buqi ran toward them, saying, "Sister, I missed you! I couldn't sleep well all night."

His voice carried a hint of a sob.

Datou ran behind Feng Buqi.

Auntie Wang hurriedly said, "Young Master, stay back a bit."

Feng Buqi skidded to a halt, looking worriedly at his pale sister. "Sister, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Auntie Wang laughed loudly and said, "The young lady used the Yin Spirit Needle and is exhausted."

Feng Buqi jumped excitedly. "My sister is the most capable! Just as capable as Great Aunt!"

Auntie Wang, who had not entered the delivery room, took a piece of osmanthus cake and stuffed it into his mouth.

After bathing, Feng Chuchen walked out of the kitchen with her hair loose.

She was extremely tired and let her brother lead her by the hand to rest in bed.

After eating egg noodles and drinking a bowl of tonic, she let Banxia dry her hair. Feng Chuchen slept until the sun began to set before waking up.

Feng Buqi sat by the bedside, watching her quietly.

Datou sat squatting by the bed, looking at her with incredibly gentle eyes.

Feng Chuchen reached out her hand, and Feng Buqi wiggled his little bottom up to the bedside to grab her hand.

In this life, she had no blood relation to this brother, yet they were as close as biological siblings.

Datou let out two heavy breaths with his long tongue, and Feng Chuchen patted its head again.

Feng Buqi pouted and said, "Sister, Old Lady Wang is too wicked. She's spreading rumors about you in the village, saying it's bad luck for a young lady to go and deliver babies, and that whoever marries you will be cursed. I wish I could shut her foul mouth. And Zhao Shitou's grandmother said those things too."

Feng Chuchen had already prepared herself for this when she decided to practice medicine.

"Don't be angry, little brother. When Great Aunt was a midwife, she didn't just face insults, she was even beaten, yet she was still honored by the Emperor as the 'Mother of a Thousand Infants.' Let those people say whatever they want; there is no need to stoop to the level of ignorant old women."

Feng Buqi pleaded, "Sister, don't go into the delivery room anymore. If they need medical treatment, make them come out to be treated."

Feng Chuchen decided to speak plainly to the little boy to correct some of his perceptions.

(End of Chapter)