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Tan Ting went to meet Chen Fuyou, the thousand-man commander of the Brocade Guards.
Although both hailed from prestigious clans, the Qinglong Tan family had little interaction with the Fengling Chen clan. Chen Fuyou, a military official in the capital, shared little common ground with a civil official like Tan Ting, who had risen through the imperial examinations.
To visit in person on New Year’s Day to hunt a prisoner suggested this was no ordinary fugitive. In the outer study, Chen Fuyou rose to greet Tan Ting. Though he was courteous and brought gifts, his urgency was palpable. In a few brief words, he requested Tan Ting’s help in searching the area for the "sea bandit leader."
Tan Ting had long suspected the true identity of this fugitive. Why would a mere pirate warrant such a massive mobilization of the Jinyiwei?
"Is such a critical individual truly in this region?" Tan Ting asked.
"He vanished upon entering this area," Chen Fuyou insisted. "We have lookouts everywhere; if he had escaped the perimeter, we would know. He must still be here. I must ask for Master Tan's assistance."
He spoke politely, yet he kept the fugitive’s true identity a secret. To ask the Tan clan to search for a man without revealing his background, especially if the man was armed and dangerous, put the Tan clansmen at unnecessary risk.
Tan Ting remained silent, sipping his tea. Chen Fuyou showed no intention of elaborating. Since the guest was being guarded, Tan Ting didn't press further.
Instead, Tan Ting shifted the topic. "I heard that collateral branches of the Chen family reside in this area. Have you contacted them?"
Chen Fuyou, being from the main Chen house, had naturally been staying with his local kin. He didn't understand why Tan Ting asked, perhaps fearing the man was reluctant to help. "The local Chens are few," he said. "They cannot compare to the Tan family's influence in Ningnan. We still require your aid."
Tan Ting didn't explain his motive but mentioned the incident at Liuyang Village. Chen Fuyou was surprised but reacted with immediate disdain.
"These unruly peasants! Do they mean to rebel? They have no money, and the prestigious families buy their land so they have silver to survive the winter. Yet they harbor murderous intent? The Prefectural Office should level them!"
Tan Ting’s hand froze on his teacup. He looked at Chen Fuyou, speechless.
It was the local Chen branches who had manipulated prices and oppressed the commoners. Yet in Chen Fuyou’s eyes, this was an act of charity, and the peasants were merely ungrateful "mobs." Tan Ting had intended to ask Chen to restrain his kin, but seeing this attitude, he realized words would be wasted.
Lowering his gaze, he merely stated that his clansmen would keep an eye out for bandits, then "served tea to see off the guest"—a polite dismissal.
Xiang Yi had a maid eavesdrop on the conversation. Chen Fuyou hadn't lowered his voice, so the girl caught enough to report back.
Xiang Yi had been anxious, but seeing Tan Ting return to the main courtyard with a dark face, she realized they hadn't seen eye-to-eye. Although he said nothing to her, his brow was deeply furrowed. He spoke briefly to Zheng Ji.
"Inform every household in the clan that a dangerous fugitive may be lurking. Tell them to prioritize their own safety. If they see anything, they must not act or speak out, but report immediately to the main house."
Xiang Yi mulled over his words. Chen Fuyou was hunting her brother, Gu Yansheng. But instead of ordering a search, Tan Ting had ordered his people to stay safe and quiet. In essence, he was refusing to lift a finger for Chen Fuyou.
Her heart eased. Looking at the brooding man, she found him more "human" and vivid than usual. Reassured, she secretly arranged for the family of Chun Sun to move to her brother’s farm, ensuring more eyes on the situation.
The rest of New Year’s Day passed quietly. The next day, the second day of the New Year, was traditionally the time for a wife to visit her natal home.
In previous years, Xiang Yi was too busy to go, usually having her siblings come to her. But this year was special with her brother hiding at the farm. She had told A-Yu and Ning-ning she wouldn't come due to the cold, but to her surprise, Tan Ting had already arranged the carriages.
With a complex heart, she traveled with him back to Qingzhou. The neighbors, seeing the long procession of the Tan family, gathered to watch the spectacle. Zheng Ji distributed coins to the local children as "red envelope" money, filling the streets with joy.
Yet, the neighbors wondered: if the Tans were so rich and now so close to the Xiangs, why were the siblings still living in such a dilapidated rented courtyard?
Inside the house, Tan Ting proposed moving them to a better place. But before he could finish, a cold snort came from Xiang Yu.
"Hmph. Master Tan’s sudden kindness makes me quite uncomfortable."
The courtyard fell into a dead silence. Little Xiang Ning blinked, suddenly feeling that her brother seemed very grown-up today. Zheng Ji, who was about to enter, immediately backed away in fright.
Tan Ting had expected this. He truly wanted to mend ties, but he knew his brother-in-law held deep grudges. He didn't look offended; instead, he looked at his wife.
Xiang Yi’s brows, usually as calm as distant mountains, were knit in frustration. Tan Ting knew she was about to scold her brother. In her heart, she disciplined her siblings because they were her flesh and blood; she was polite to him because he was still an outsider.
This realization made him feel stifled, but he couldn't change it overnight. He spoke before she could.
"It’s fine, it’s fine," he said, looking at her. "I just thought the house was a bit cramped. If they are used to it and don't wish to move, I can send men from the estate to renovate it."
Xiang Yi’s rebuke was swallowed back. She knew her husband felt guilty over the accounts investigation, but his repeated tolerance of Xiang Yu, even more so than his own brother, Tan Jian, exceeded her understanding. She bowed silently. "The Master need not trouble himself so."
"I must," he replied firmly.
Although Xiang Yu remained cold, he didn't say anything further. Tan Ting tried to find common ground with the boy and finally hit upon a topic.
"There is a Boyun Academy in the capital. While it mostly takes Juren (provincial graduates), recently they have allowed Xiucai (licentiates) to audit. Would A-Yu be interested?"
Tan Ting had planned this for a while, mostly because his own brother, Tan Jian, was lazy. He planned to send Tan Jian there after the New Year so he could supervise him. Since Tan Jian was his brother, so was Xiang Yu.
Xiang Yi looked up at the suggestion. Tan Ting felt a spark of hope, only for Xiang Yu to decline flatly.
"I am fine at the Qingzhou Academy. I won't trouble Master Tan."
Tan Ting was genuinely surprised. He thought an ambitious student like A-Yu would jump at the chance. He tried to explain the academy’s prestige, but the youth remained unmoved. Tan Ting saw Xiang Yi lowering her eyes, clearly wanting to speak to her brother privately. He excused himself to talk to Zheng Ji.
Once he was gone, Xiang Yi turned to her brother. A-Yu had always admired the great scholars at Boyun.
"A-Yu, what are you thinking?" she asked gently.
"I want to go," the boy admitted, "but I don't want to owe Master Tan anything. Who knows when his attitude toward you will change back? I won't let you be indebted to him because of me!"
Xiang Yi felt a surge of tenderness. But Boyun was a rare chance for commoner families who lacked the connections of the nobility.
"Sister, I might be able to get in without him!" Xiang Yu said, his back straightening. He explained that Boyun wasn't a mere puppet of the clans; they held entrance exams for talented scholars from humble backgrounds. "I am willing to try the Spring Exam on my own merit!"
The cramped room suddenly felt vast. Xiang Ning clutched her fists. "A-Yu can do it! Sister believes in him!"
Tears almost fell from Xiang Yi’s eyes. She wiped them away, smiling. "Then go and test. I believe in you."
Looking at her siblings, she remembered her elder brother's words. It felt as though hope was finally returning to the Xiang family. When Tan Ting returned and asked again, it was Xiang Yi who politely declined on A-Yu's behalf.
The days drifted to the fifth day of the New Year.
Yang Zhen had finally finished the red robe for Tan Jian, with the help of the seamstresses. On the fifth day, to welcome the God of Wealth, Tan Jian proudly wore the robe. It fit him perfectly, and his gaze toward his wife grew brighter.
Zhao Shi had no high expectations for her military-born daughter-in-law, but she was pleased enough that the girl had made a garment. Tan Rong was busy copying music scores sent by "Master Sheng" from the farm, seemingly entranced by his skill.
Wishing to show off the new clothes, Yang Zhen dragged Tan Jian to the main courtyard while Tan Ting was away. Xiang Yi invited them in for snacks, but Yang Zhen had other ideas. She drew her sword and insisted Tan Jian practice a sword dance with her in his new finery.
Tan Jian was shy, but encouraged by Xiang Yi’s rare interest, he took up the blade. He might not be a great scholar, but his swordplay was decent.
Unfortunately, their luck ran out. Tan Ting returned to the courtyard just as they were mid-dance.
He stared in disbelief at his "useless" brother. Instead of studying, Tan Jian was dressed like a peacock, dancing with a sword in his courtyard! Tan Jian froze in terror upon seeing his brother’s wide-eyed glare.
Yang Zhen, caught in the flow of her movement, thrust her sword forward. Usually, Tan Jian would dodge, but he was paralyzed by fear.
"Ah!" Yang Zhen cried out, desperately jerking her blade aside to avoid stabbing him. She missed his body, but the tip of the sword caught the underarm of his new red robe, tearing a massive hole.
Feathers and cotton padding from the lining began to flutter out.
Tan Jian stared at his ruined clothes, then at his wife’s thunderous expression, and finally at his brother’s furious gaze.
"What were you thinking?" Yang Zhen fumed. "I worked so hard on this!"
"You useless thing!" Tan Ting’s voice thundered. "Get back to your room!"
"Wife... Big Brother..." Tan Jian trembled, looking at Xiang Yi for help. "Sister-in-law..."
Xiang Yi quickly comforted him. "It’s fine, it’s fine. Go back."
Tan Jian fled, covering his head, with Yang Zhen stomping angrily behind him.
The scene was so absurd that Xiang Yi struggled to keep a straight face. When she looked up and saw Tan Ting, who had just finished scolding his brother, his anger suddenly snapped. He let out a light cough and couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing him laugh, the maids in the courtyard lost their restraint and burst into giggles. Xiang Yi’s eyes curved into crescents as she joined in.
Tan Ting, caught between annoyance and amusement, looked at his wife. She was laughing with her head down, her white teeth showing, and a faint dimple appearing on her cheek. That dimple seemed to hold some intoxicating, sweet wine that made him feel lightheaded.
He stood there, entranced, his heart skipping three rapid beats.
As she leaned down to pick up a dropped handkerchief, the snowy fur of her collar framed her elegant neck. Tan Ting suddenly remembered something.
Today... is the fifth day.
Meanwhile, in the district where the collateral Chen branches lived, Chen Fuyou was growing desperate. Days of searching had yielded nothing. The "tiger-slayer" at the Tan farm was suspicious, but reports said he didn't match the portrait.
Yet, Tan Ting’s lack of cooperation was the real obstacle. Without the Tan family's help, he would never find his man. And the Crown Prince's reinforcements would arrive soon.
Chen Fuyou realized he had to find a way, any way, to force the Tan scion to take his side.
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"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son..." Today, we join together in remembrance of Jesus’ death on the cross and the profound sacrifice that changed the world forever. Have a blessed and reflective Good Friday.
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