Chapter Forty-Seven: Merry Christmas 2014

Originally, Zhang Mingzhi had invited Captain Fan Ying to join them for dinner, but Fan Ying declined, citing pressing official duties. As they parted ways, Fan Ying repeatedly invited Ding Li and Zhang Wu to gather when they had time, to drink and talk at leisure.

"Second Master! This honored guest you mentioned earlier—who exactly is it?" After walking a while, Zhang Wu recounted in detail everything that had happened on his way over, then recalled the previous topic, scratching his head as he tried in vain to figure out who could be worthy of being called Zhang Mingzhi's distinguished guest.

"Hahaha! Actually, it’s not exactly an honored guest!" Speaking of this guest, Zhang Mingzhi was in particularly high spirits, laughing heartily. He then looked at Zhang Wu with feigned sympathy, deliberately pausing before shaking his head helplessly. "Ah Wu! Our family's young lady has returned!"

"What?!" Zhang Wu immediately jumped back a step, staring at Zhang Mingzhi with a wary expression. He glanced at the faces of the many attendants nearby to confirm Zhang Mingzhi wasn’t joking, and from Zhang Mingzhi’s demeanor, he realized this was no jest.

"How could it be? So soon?" Once the truth dawned, Zhang Wu shook his head in disbelief, his face showing how much he wished it wasn’t true. But with the facts before him, his features soon twisted up miserably as he pleaded with Zhang Mingzhi, "Second Master! Maybe I should go back first? There’s no spare room at the manor right now—I’ll go ahead and prepare a place for the young lady to stay..."

"Don’t even try it! Still thinking of running away?" Zhang Mingzhi grabbed Zhang Wu’s arm, as if afraid he’d turn and flee at any moment, then laughed as he tried to reassure him. "Don’t be scared! My sister’s not a tigress—she won’t eat you, will she?"

Hearing this, Ding Li finally understood: the young lady they spoke of was Zhang Mingzhi’s own sister, Zhang Yurou. Ding Li had heard a few things, but seeing Zhang Wu’s reaction, he began to suspect that the name Yurou—meaning gentle—was rather ironic, especially considering Zhang Wu’s next words, which confirmed it even more.

"Yes, Second Master, you’re right—the young lady is certainly no tigress!" Zhang Wu nodded emphatically, but then twisted his mouth into a grimace and added, "But even a tigress would probably run off if she saw our young lady coming!"

"Hahaha! You rascal—saying that about my sister right in front of me! Are you looking for a beating?" Zhang Mingzhi burst out laughing at this, clapping Zhang Wu on the shoulder, then leaned in close and whispered mischievously, "Ah Wu! My sister asked for you by name. Do you think I could refuse her?"

"Second Master! Can you really bear to send me to my doom?" At this, Zhang Wu wailed, clutching Zhang Mingzhi’s arm and refusing to take another step.

"Ah, brother! There’s nothing I can do!" Zhang Mingzhi sighed heavily at the sight, shaking his head in helplessness. "If you don’t go, then it’ll have to be me! What other choice do I have?"

"Second Master, I’ve followed you for so many years—if not for achievements, at least I’ve put in hard work! You can’t just leave me to die!" Zhang Wu was nearly in tears, as if Zhang Mingzhi’s decision truly meant a death sentence.

"Ah! If you want to blame anyone, blame your loose tongue back then!" Zhang Mingzhi was unmoved by Zhang Wu’s words. After a moment’s thought, he cast him a look full of pity and sighed, "Ah Wu! Don’t forget, my sister remembers perfectly well that four years ago, you were of one mind with Old Master when he first proposed the marriage alliance with the Cao family!"

"I—wasn’t that just a casual remark, thinking my words wouldn’t matter? Besides, the old master asked me, how could I go against his wishes?" Reminded of the past, Zhang Wu immediately shifted all blame onto Old Master Zhang Kuang. He recalled that four years ago, when the Cao clan was just rising, Zhang Kuang had wanted to combine forces through marriage, intending to betroth his daughter, Zhang Yurou, to Cao Xiangming, the eldest son of the Cao family.

But Zhang Yurou’s temperament was just like her brother’s—worthy of being siblings. Even under her father’s pressure, she never yielded. In the end, with Zhang Mingzhi’s secret help, she escaped from Fuxu Harbor aboard a Zhang family merchant ship and traveled the world.

After Zhang Kuang’s proposal, major families including the Yangs and Lis had different opinions, and while the matter was deadlocked, Zhang Kuang once sought the opinion of Zhang Wu, who had followed Zhang Mingzhi since childhood. At that time, Zhang Wu feared the old master above all, and his life belonged to him—naturally, he answered as the old master wished.

Because of this, before leaving, Zhang Yurou vowed that if she ever returned, she’d settle the score with Zhang Wu. Her willful and unruly nature was famous throughout the Zhang family and even all of Guangzhou, but she’d been abroad for years and thus faded from memory.

"Whether your words mattered or not, whether you meant them or not—it’s none of my concern!" Zhang Mingzhi adopted an unsympathetic stance, ignoring Zhang Wu’s excuses. After a moment, he softened slightly, lowering his voice in apparent concern. "Ah Wu, I’ll tell you a secret: my sister has changed a lot since she came back! But even so, I dare not vouch for what she might do. I tried probing her, but she just gave me a string of cold laughs in reply!"

"Ah!" Zhang Wu wailed again, gazing mournfully at Zhang Mingzhi, unsure if this warning was sincere or meant to scare him. He glanced down at his own injuries and quickly clutched Zhang Mingzhi’s arm, begging, "Second Master, look at all these wounds—no matter how gentle the young lady is, she’ll still take half my life! For the sake of all my years of loyalty, give me some advice! If I can survive this, I’ll owe you my life!"

"Oh, give it a rest! If I were your parent, would I have to find you a wife too?" Zhang Mingzhi chuckled as he pushed Zhang Wu away, but he did stroke his chin in thought. "Ah Wu, there is a way—although..."

"Although what?" Seeing Zhang Mingzhi hesitate, Zhang Wu hurried forward to press him, "Second Master, tell me! Whatever it is, I’ll do it if it gets me through this!"

"Actually, it’s not that hard to solve. You just need someone to take your place. As long as my sister has someone else to focus on, you’ll get through this unscathed!" Zhang Mingzhi frowned in thought, his expression grave—he’d already met with Zhang Yurou and couldn’t think of a better plan.

"Find a substitute?" Zhang Wu was stumped, the spark of hope in his eyes quickly dimming again. Money might work wonders, but he was certain this wasn’t something that could be solved with cash. Still, he was unwilling to give up, scratching his head furiously and scanning those around him for a candidate. Anyone he looked at immediately shrank back, fearful of being dragged into the mess.

"Brother Li!!" Suddenly, Zhang Wu’s eyes lit up. He cried out, grabbing Zhang Mingzhi and pointing at Ding Li, who looked a little lost to the side, shouting excitedly, "Second Master! Brother Li! He’s perfect!"

"What is it?" Ding Li, distracted the whole way by how to help the mother and child he’d just taken in, looked up at the sound of his name. But seeing Zhang Wu’s excitement, he instinctively stepped back, eyeing him with suspicion. "What’s this about me being perfect? What have you two been plotting?"

"Nothing, nothing!" Zhang Mingzhi’s eyes also lit up at this. After all, Zhang Wu was his trusted brother, and he didn’t truly blame him for what happened years ago. Now that they had a candidate, Zhang Mingzhi didn’t hesitate to join Zhang Wu in ‘setting up’ Ding Li, quickly shaking his head with a smile and giving Zhang Wu a meaningful look.

Seeing this, Zhang Wu played along seamlessly, also shaking his head and relaxing considerably. He waved to Ding Li and explained, "Brother Li! Nothing at all, you just seemed lost in thought, so we called you back. That’s all. Come on, let’s head home—it’s been a whole day and we haven’t eaten!"

"Yes, yes! Let’s get something to eat first!" Zhang Mingzhi joined in cheerfully, turning to call everyone back.

"Really? Then why does it look like something’s up?" Ding Li muttered in confusion, unable to put his finger on the reason. He could only follow along, but he noticed something: the Zhang family attendants around him were quietly discussing something, occasionally casting him complex glances. More than that, Ding Li could sense something in their eyes—sympathy, perhaps pity, and a few looks that were particularly inscrutable.

The Zhang family merchant guild was worthy of its reputation as the local leader. As Zhang Wu explained, Ding Li learned that in Fuxu Town alone, the Zhangs owned three large manor houses, with several medium-sized residences for the guild’s higher-ups. Aside from several branch shops in the city, most of their business was handled down at the harbor.

In the eastern part of the city stood a mansion right beside the East Garrison. Its golden nanmu signboard above the gate and the pair of vermilion doors made the manor’s prestige clear at a glance. Even the soldiers stationed at the East Garrison included the mansion’s surroundings in their patrol route.

The broad street before it was several yards wide, but apart from the soldiers on duty and the family’s retainers at the gate, it was utterly empty of passersby. The sight left Ding Li, a newcomer, utterly astonished.

After all, Fuxu Harbor was heavily populated, and while the town itself was large, to see such a quiet and secluded spot in the bustling heart of Fuxu was a testament to the Zhang family’s deep-rooted power—even the regular army patrolled here.

"Second—Second Master, I think I need the privy..." As they reached the stone steps outside the mansion’s gate, Zhang Wu, despite having a plan, felt his legs trembling at the sight of the looming entrance. He suddenly stopped with an excuse, clearly ready to bolt if his scheme failed.

"Don’t even try! Should I tell the young lady you need the privy?" Zhang Mingzhi immediately shot him a glare, threatening him with undisguised menace.

"No, no need! The feeling’s gone!" Zhang Wu didn’t dare argue further, quickly waving his hands and forcing a sheepish smile. He couldn’t be sure whether Zhang Yurou, after so many years apart, would actually chase him down to the latrines, so he drooped his head and trudged after Zhang Mingzhi into the manor, deliberately slowing his steps as though hoping to delay the inevitable.