Sheng Chumu thought for a while before answering, “Nanny Xi said that her childhood name was Yanzhi.”
Third Madam cried out loud, “Aiya! My uncle lost contact with his daughter in the past. Wasn’t her name also Yanzhi? She must be my pitiful older cousin. Elder Sister, we finally have news of you after you left all those years back. My pitiful uncle longed for you till the day he passed.”
Sheng Chumu rubbed his nose in order to hide the smile that he was trying to conceal. “Third Madam, please do not be sad. Today, we have found each other. If Nanny Xi were to know of this in the afterlife, she will indeed be very happy.”
Third Madam pretended to fake cry as she patted Sheng Chumu’s arm. “You don’t have to treat me like a stranger. From now on, we are one family. You can call me Third Aunt.”
Sheng Chumu improvised, “Third Aunt.”
Third Madam exclaimed, “Then you – err –” She did not know his name.
Sheng Chumu reacted quickly, “Third Aunt, you can just call me Chumu. The guest inns in this entire city are fully occupied, I am currently troubled on where I should go for the night.”
“If you do not mind, we have a few empty rooms…” Third Madam did not even stop to consider the strange circumstance and enthusiastically welcomed him.
This was exactly what he wanted and Sheng Chumu replied, “I don’t mind!”
Third Madam’s eyes flickered as she turned around and called out, “Aunty Chang, quickly get someone to clean up the guest rooms. Inform the kitchen to prepare a good dinner. Oh yes, hurry and get Young Lady to come out and greet Brother Chumu!”
Sheng Chumu got excited thinking that he was about to meet Fu Rou.
The drizzle came to a halt as the residence bustled with activity. Fu Rou sat by the window, working on her embroidery of an eagle. She turned a deaf ear to the commotion outside.
Ziyun informed her that Third Madam had acknowledged a relative. He was a young lord from a duke family and she had prepared a banquet to celebrate the occasion. Fu Rou found it a little strange but could not be bothered and told Ziyun to close the windows.
All of a sudden, the doors to her room were flung open and a young man walked in. His demeanor resembled Fu Rou. He was tall, well-built and pleasing to the eyes.
Fu Rou immediately shot to her feet and grabbed the feather duster. She headed straight for the young man.
“Fu Tao, you have really outdone yourself this time!” This younger brother of hers had been learning martial arts on Jiuhua mountain. He finally completed his studies and left the mountain when he got into trouble and even caused someone's death. Because of him, Fu Rou had to ‘trick’ the Chen family for their money.
Fu Tao dodged his sister’s feather duster as he pleaded, “Second Sister, let me explain!”
Fu Rou fumed, “You went to Jiuhua mountain to learn martial arts. Was that all for you to have a love rivalry? And you even caused a person’s life?”
Fu Tao reacted quickly as he grabbed onto the feather duster. However, Fu Rou’s deathly look scared him so much that he hastily let go and could only continue hopping around.
“There was a group of local ruffians. They were bullying a young lady who was forced into becoming a prostitute in order to earn money to bury her father. I could not stand it, that's why…Aiyo!” Fu Tao grimaced as the feather duster whacked his leg, “I merely stood up for her and then the group pounced on me to beat me up. Pitiful me could only return a single punch. Who knew that that scoundrel could not even take a hit? He was the one that smashed a wine jar against my head first. I still have cuts on my head.”
Of course, Fu Rou would not really hit him but simply scolded. “You caused so much trouble and made our family pay the compensation of five thousand taels. You still dare to argue?”
Shouting and wincing, Fu Tao escaped out of her room. When Fu Rou chased after him into the yard, Fu Tao had disappeared. She was angry but she also wanted to laugh. She knew that Fu Tao’s personality was pure and good. If not, she would not have gambled with her happiness on the line to help him out.
At this moment, the sound of a flute filled the air. Fu Rou could not help but fall into a slight trance as she tilted her head up to look up at the night sky. Fu Rou’s features were illuminated by the moonlight.
“Yan Zifang, is that you?” Was she mistaken?
Fu Rou sighed softly at the moon, “If that really is you, please give me a reply.”
The man behind the fake mountain stared fixedly at Fu Rou and eventually imitated an eagle, giving out several ‘hoots’ in response.
Under the moonlight, traces of emotions flicked in Fu Rou’s eyes as an innocent smile appeared on her face. “Do you remember that eagle from before? You caught it for me to play.”
The eagle hooted once again.
“We have played together ever since we were young. So many years have passed, and you have never once visited me in my dreams. Why have you thought of me today?” Fu Rou’s expression was dreamlike. “If it is because of the wedding, you can rest assured. I will not go to the Chen Residence and I will not marry anyone else in the future. Around me, there are only incompetent people that lust for beauty. Perhaps there are really men who are well-rounded in both literature and martial arts, but I, Fu Rou, will not have a chance to meet them.”
“Ah ah ah!” Sheng Chumu fell down in front of Fu Rou. His limbs splayed out.
“Who are you?!” Fu Rou was stunned as she quickly backed off.
* * *
1. The seven acceptable reasons in Ancient China for divorce include: disrespect to parents, no children, wanton, jealousy, having a foul disease, being too talkative or stealing.
Chapter 2.2: Recognizing Kin
“My lord, did you manage to see it?” Junhui was loyal and quickly rushed out to help him get out of this sticky situation.
“Keep quiet.” Sheng Chumu thought Junhui was asking if he had seen Fu Rou and quickly shushed him.
“See what?” Fu Rou assessed the tree before looking at the wall in her garden. She became suspicious.
Junhui answered, “My lord was star gazing, he does this every day.” While he helped Sheng Chumu up, Junhui gave him an eye signal. “You said that the Great Star will shift towards the south tonight and you had to climb the tree in order to see it properly. So, did you manage to see it?”
Sheng Chumu came to a sudden realisation. “Oh! The Great Star, of course it has shifted, but the shift is not very obvious. If you don’t focus, you won’t be able to tell the difference.”
Fu Rou believed him slightly, “You know how to read constellations?”
Sheng Chumu pretended to be humble, “I know a little. The Duke Lu is a family of generals. We lead troops to war, so we have to know geography. As they say, stars guide us in the night and the sun guides us in the day. If ever there is an obscure day, then we will use the south-pointer.”
Fu Rou suddenly came to a realization. “Oh, you are the relative that Third Madam acknowledged today.”
Sheng Chumu bowed, “My name is Sheng Chumu, I apologise for scaring you, Lady Rou.”
Fu Rou was astonished, “How do you know my name?”
Sheng Chumu reminded her, “We met yesterday, in front of the Chen Residence.”
Fu Rou remembered and thought that it was too coincidental.
“Here’s your flower.” Sheng Chumu thought that he was pretty suave as he took out a fresh flower.
“A fresh flower will wither once it leaves its stalk. This flower is vibrant and fresh, it is not my flower.” Fu Rou did not take it. She then turned and headed back into her courtyard, closing the door.
Sheng Chumu was slightly disappointed as he watched her head in.
Junhui assessed his performance and gave a thumbs up. “My lord, your performance is so much better this time. You are much cooler than when you tried to attract Lord He’s daughter.”