Chapter 86: A Myriad of Affairs

When Lin Tianyu arrived, he brought the imperial decree of judgment, sentencing the Salt Transport Commissioner’s entire family to exile a thousand miles away.

The Weaving Lady and Banxia accompanied them to see them off. “Fortunately, the whole family’s lives are spared. In a few years, if some grace is bestowed, you may return. The conditions in the Western Frontier are harsh, though.”

“To have our lives is already a tremendous blessing from Heaven. It’s you two families who’ve worked hard on our behalf.” Ever since their family was imprisoned, Song Mingyuan and Gan Sui had tirelessly run around for them, and even in prison, they were spared the torment of the guards. They were deeply grateful for this. Now, they had arranged for the accompanying officers, which was an even greater kindness.

“Well then, it’s getting late. Let’s not speak of these things. When you return, we’ll reunite together.” Banxia and the Weaving Lady watched them leave. On the distant city tower, Gan Sui and Lin Tianyu stood side by side.

“What are you thinking?” Lin Tianyu saw Gan Sui lost in thought.

“I’m thinking that, no matter what, I must never let my wife and child fall to such a fate.”

Li Jing was indeed skilled at investigation, quickly tracing clues to the Garden. Only the chief steward remained there, and though he had weathered many storms, he refused to give anything away, causing the case to stall.

Gan Sui, meanwhile, cared little for these affairs. He focused on demanding silver from the salt merchants. The missing taxes from last year had to be collected. Yet now, since everyone was in trouble, they realized that no matter how dear silver was, it could not compare to the price of life, so the amount was doubled.

The salt merchants thought that, with their businesses closed while in prison and the people restless, nothing could be done. But they hadn’t counted on the Salt Guild having large stocks of salt, and the Kong family, with their many business experts, quickly set the market back in motion.

Salt merchants usually dined on fragrant rice, drank rose honey, wore gold-threaded garments, and lived in pavilions and towers. At first, they gritted their teeth and tried to endure prison. Gan Sui was in no hurry. He starved them for two meals, then gave them thin gruel, barely enough to keep them alive. The group of plump, wealthy businessmen had their bellies growling and had to endure cockroaches and rats crawling nearby.

Within two days, someone couldn’t hold out. Gan Sui calmly waited half a day more, then began to state his terms. Those who paid taxes first got a discount; the later they paid, the more they owed. Each one scrambled to pay, and piles of silver flooded the prefectural treasury like water. The soldiers carrying silver walked as though floating. When the salt merchants finally returned home and counted their losses, they found the deal was ruinous. At first, paying the missing taxes would have been enough to go home, but they tried to haggle with the Prefect, only to lose half their wealth.

The clerks and deputy magistrates of the prefecture all joined in, experiencing the pain of counting money until their hands cramped. When all the silver was tallied, Gan Sui sealed it and sent it on its way to the capital, finally settling one worry.

That night, he returned home and embraced his wife, enjoying their affection. After their intimacy, Banxia teased him, saying he spent all day counting silver; anyone who didn’t know better would think silver was his true wife.

“How could silver compare to you? Look at this skin... these lips... these eyes... I could die in your arms and be content.” Banxia hadn’t expected him to cause such a stir again so soon. A couple of pushes failed to deter him; it was pain and pleasure intertwined.

Lin Tianyu was working with Li Jing on the case. Li Jing was a true workaholic, able to spring up in the middle of the night with a new idea. Lin Tianyu was exhausted and finally found a moment to let others take over, slipping away to Gan Sui’s house to play with Yuhuan and Liuguang.

The two children were learning to talk, chasing after him and calling “Uncle!” louder and louder. When younger, Liuguang was quiet, but as she grew, she became more mischievous. In her skirt of woven gold, she ran like a butterfly.

Lin Tianyu appeared rough and ready, but was surprisingly adept at entertaining children. Within days, the children’s affection for him nearly rivaled their love for their parents. They followed him to meals, to the garden, and laughter echoed during play. Banxia watched them play pitch-pot; the children’s wrists lacked strength and precision, missing by a hair each time. Yet this sense of defeat only made them play more vigorously. Banxia stood nearby until she was tired, but the three remained enthusiastic.

“All right, come drink some water and have some snacks.” The children played another round before coming for refreshments.

Banxia saw Lin Tianyu’s forehead covered in sweat and asked Xiangyu to bring him a cloth to wipe it. “I never expected you to play so well with the children.”

“They’re so interesting. I like them.”

“If you like children, why not marry and have your own, and play as much as you wish?” Gan Sui entered just in time to join the conversation.

“Soon, soon. By next year, you’ll be drinking my wedding wine.”

“Really?” Banxia was genuinely happy for him. Lin Tianyu was twenty-six or twenty-seven, which was considered quite old for an unmarried man in ancient times. “Which family’s girl is she? Have you met her? How does she look?”

“She’s Li Jing’s cousin. As for looks... she’s average, but her temperament is excellent, and she cooks delicious food.”

Banxia found his love-struck, bashful expression almost too much to bear. “When is the wedding?”

“Around Mid-Autumn next year. The Emperor has ordered the astrologers to select a date, but it wasn’t decided when I left.”

“Ah, then we’ll miss the wedding wine, and can only congratulate you when we return to the capital for our report. I’ll go to the market in the next few days; there are plenty of things girls like in Yangzhou, so you should bring some back to delight her.”

“I was thinking of buying her some things, but haven’t had the time. If you can help pick them out, that would be perfect. But as for the wedding wine, there should be no issue. The Emperor intends to recall Gan Sui next spring, once the salt merchants in Yangzhou are settled.”

“But we’ve only been here two years?” Gan Sui reflected on how quickly he had risen these years. “It seems hard to justify.”

“With so much silver sent back, it’s already a great achievement. The old fox has been moving lately. The current Grand Tutor has submitted a petition, claiming old age and requesting retirement. At this juncture, the Emperor trusts no one to fill the post, so he’s preparing to recall you early. But this is just between us; the future remains uncertain.”

“You know, I’m not eager to return to the capital. The officialdom is fraught with danger, especially at the center of imperial power.”

“There’s no escape. None of us have a way out; we can only press forward.”

Not only they, but so many companions had no retreat; yet somehow, the road ahead did not seem so frightening.

“Uncle, play! Papa, play!”

While the adults discussed weighty matters, the children cared nothing for it, happy simply to play.

No one knew what Li Jing discovered; he reported directly to the throne, but it was said he had made a major breakthrough. On his last noon before departure, at the farewell banquet, even his usually stern face softened. After the banquet, he unusually sought out Gan Sui: “Yesterday, I saw the cloth you bought for Tianyu was excellent. I’d like to bring some for my wife. Could you tell me where you bought it?”

Gan Sui hadn’t expected this dignified official to approach him for a personal matter. “My wife made the purchase. If you need any, I’ll have her pick out another set.”

“That would be most helpful. My wife likes small floral patterns, especially lilacs. She prefers lighter colors... I’ve heard Yangzhou’s Jiyun Workshop makes fine rouge and powder, but I don’t know what girls use. Could I trouble your wife to choose some for me?”

For the first time, Gan Sui saw the reticent Minister of Justice speak at length about his wife’s preferences. It seems that those who cherish their wives are not bad people.

Banxia spent an afternoon buying all Li Jing needed. The official inspected each item and thanked her repeatedly, paid, and boarded his carriage for the return journey.

After Lin Tianyu left, Gan Sui’s days grew even busier; the Emperor had given him little time. He had to reorganize the chaotic salt trade in this brief period. The Weaving Lord was little better off; besides the salt peak seasons, he had to send summer and autumn fabrics to the capital. Both often worked late into the night, then looked at each other—being an official was truly not a job for mortals.

Song Mingyuan’s household was in turmoil as well. Recently, Song Yunjian had resolved to break off with Gongsun Yuqing and focused on embroidering her dowry.

But someone carelessly mentioned Yuqing’s death to her, shocking her like thunder from a clear sky. Rumors spread that Yuqing’s death was somehow tied to her parents, enraging her. She had already agreed to obey her parents, yet they still wouldn’t spare her beloved. In desperation, she considered ending her own life. Luckily, her maid discovered her in time, leaving the Weaving Lady to grieve helplessly.

She had hoped never to mention it again, believing that with death, all sins died as well. But her daughter proved to be a devoted soul. She was forced to lay out every fact, one by one.

At first, Song Yunjian suspected her parents of deceit, but Banxia testified, recounting her eavesdropping at the mountain temple. Yunjian could hardly believe that the man she loved, nearly pledged to in secret, was such a hypocrite. Angered, she fell ill.

Her spirits sank, and illness struck like a mountain, lasting several months.

Madam Han, ever since drawing a fortune at the mountain temple, began seeking a matchmaker. Whether guided by fate or not, her daughter went out one day and encountered a robbery, only to be rescued by a stranger. At first sight, she felt an instant attraction.

The rescuer sent a proposal the following day. He was a manager in the river defense camp, young yet already of fifth rank, from a noble family. Madam Han inquired thoroughly and found nothing amiss, so the engagement was set. Perhaps a mother grows fonder of her son-in-law the more she sees him, for Madam Han always spoke of her future son-in-law with a smile.

After a year of chaos, at last, good news arrived, and Banxia was genuinely pleased for her. Both families were satisfied, and the date was swiftly chosen for the following spring. Once the wedding wine was drunk, Banxia and her family would embark on their journey to the capital.