Chapter 362: Chapter 352 Yangzhou
Fengyu and Chunlu spent most of their time in the cabin, only stepping onto the deck late at night to breathe in fresh air. By chance, they overheard the crew discussing how the river had risen sharply this year, the water level visibly higher. After the third day, the rain was unrelenting, strong winds whipped across the Bei River, and the boat rocked dangerously, several times seeming as though it might overturn.
Nuanyang and several of the personal guards, unused to traveling by water, grew increasingly anxious about potential dangers. They advised Fengyu to disembark and opt for the land route instead of continuing down the river. However, taking the land route would consume too much time, so Fengyu decided to take the risk and stay on the water. The torrential rain persisted without respite day and night, and Fengyu furrowed her brows as she watched the water level continue to rise, her heart filled with concern.
The Bei River was a critical canal artery, typically well-maintained and rarely prone to flooding disasters. The most flood-prone area around Yanyang was the Liujiang section, stretching from the southern part of Zhongzhou to Jiangnan. These two great rivers – the Bei River and Liujiang – did not intersect but both passed through Zhongzhou and onward to Jiangnan. If the water level of the Bei River had risen so high, could Liujiang be at risk of flooding? Floods occurred sporadically in Liujiang and were notoriously complex to manage. Even minor floods wreaked havoc on downstream towns, so dedicated governmental offices in Jiangnan were tasked with managing and controlling the Liujiang River.
Watching the torrential rain, Fengyu’s heart grew heavier. Nuanyang and the personal guards, unfamiliar with river travel and hampered by the storm and heavy winds, began to suffer from severe seasickness from the second day onward. They vomited incessantly, unable to retain any food, and within a few short days, Nuanyang’s face had grown gaunt. Fengyu and Chunlu fared slightly better, though Fengyu still felt dizzy from the constant swaying of the boat.
The farther they traveled south, the lighter the rainfall became, and the calmer the boat moved. Fengyu disembarked at Lanzhou Port, as the Bei River did not lead directly to Yangzhou. From Lanzhou Port, they needed to travel by land to reach Yangzhou, or transfer via another port to journey further by water. Looking at Nuanyang and the guards, Fengyu decided to take the land route to spare them further suffering.
Lanzhou was already within the territory of Jiangnan; the overland journey to Yangzhou from there was only two days. Fengyu and her companions spent one night in Lanzhou. Fengyu disliked Lanzhou – as a child she was abducted and passed through this city, leaving her with a deeply unpleasant impression. All these years later, it seemed Lanzhou had changed little; however, compared to the Twelve States, the cities of Jiangnan were markedly more vibrant and bustling.
Mingling commerce, and throngs of visitors.
The climate was warmer than the Twelve States as well. Fengyu tossed and turned, unable to sleep well, her heart preoccupied with her grandfather’s illness. Nuanyang dispatched a personal guard ahead to Yangzhou to investigate Mr. Su’s condition. If an emergency arose, he was to send word promptly to warn against any potential trap or ambush targeting Fengyu.
Chunlu and Nuanyang went out to procure a carriage and essential supplies for the journey. At first light, they set out for Yangzhou. Midway, the guard who had been sent ahead returned, bearing confirmation of Mr. Su’s grave illness.
In addition to the dire news of Mr. Su’s health, the guard relayed troubling developments concerning the Su Family’s Trading House.
Since the fall of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, even with Mr. Fang overseeing matters, Mr. Su’s standing in Jiangnan’s commercial circles had significantly diminished. Fengyu had followed Xie Xun in defecting from the Capital City and was now occupied in the West Continent with commerce and agronomy. This led Jiangnan’s merchants to begin picking sides. The imperial court maintained deep control over Jiangnan, and businessmen, ever profit-driven, were reluctant to switch allegiances too easily.
Though Emperor Yuan Hui had never issued an edict to confiscate the Feng or Su families’ assets, Mr. Su had been increasingly isolated and ostracized within Jiangnan’s business community. During the peak of the Marquis Zhenbei’s influence, no one in the Yanyang business circles dared to touch Mr. Su, and everyone sought to curry his favor. In Jiangnan’s marketplaces, there had been no rival to stand against Mr. Su. Yet with the fall of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, and Xie Jue and Xie Xun rebelling, compounded by Fengyu’s involvement with the brothers in establishing trade in the West Continent, Mr. Su’s position had become precarious.
Many were glad to add flowers to the brocade, but few extended timely aid.
Mr. Su had come face-to-face with the ever-changing warmth and coldness of human relationships, enduring the fickleness of society. In these past few months, the unity of Jiangnan’s business circle had fractured into two factions. The Su Family’s Trading House faced intentional and unintentional harassment from the Governor of Jiangnan, resulting in severe losses.
As Fengyu listened to the short but cutting report from the guard, her heart grew heavy. Her grandfather, now elderly and long respected by others, had never been one to bow down. To face such upheaval in his later years must have been an immense blow to his spirit.
"Is anyone within the clan giving him trouble?"
The guard shook his head. "Word of Mr. Su’s critical condition has already spread. The Su family has closed its doors to visitors, and there hasn’t been any discord within the clan."
Fengyu nodded and instructed Nuanyang to speed up their pace. Hurrying along, they finally arrived at Yangzhou City by sundown. Yangzhou was the wealthiest city in Jiangnan, a hub of salt merchants and canal transport, with merchants so rich they transformed the city into a paradise of decadence. As they approached Yangzhou, the city exuded the tender charm and sublime elegance of Jiangnan Water Towns.
It was Nuanyang’s first time in Yangzhou, and he couldn’t help but exclaim, "Our West Continent is like a beggar’s den in comparison, isn’t it?"
Chunlu chuckled, though exaggerated, it wasn’t entirely wrong.
The Su Mansion occupied a vast area in the southeast, located in the most prosperous residential district of Yangzhou City. With high gates and red tiles, an old pagoda tree adorned with red lanterns stood at the entrance. The main doors of the Su residence were shut, and guards were stationed outside. Fengyu and her party entered the city in secrecy, avoiding attention. Their carriage stopped at a stealthy side entrance to the Su family estate.
The side entrance was secluded, with a deep and tranquil courtyard devoid of people. Chunlu went forward to knock. An elderly woman answered, "Who’s there?"
Chunlu held up a token. The old woman gasped and then noticed Fengyu alighting from the carriage. "Third Miss..." she exclaimed.
Fengyu smiled gently. "Nanny Liu."
Nanny Liu was overjoyed, her face lighting up as she hurriedly ushered them inside. Beyond the side entrance lay the Su Family Garden, with rockeries, a winding bridge, and lotus ponds. Along the path stood human-height brass columns adorned with silk lanterns. Their flickering light blended with the shimmering of the water, creating an otherworldly tableau. Passing through the winding corridor, the winter blossoms in the garden were in orderly bloom, and this elegant, opulent Jiangnan residence exuded quiet luxury, its secluded paths filled with fragrant flowers.
It took nearly two full quarters of an hour to walk from the side entrance to Mr. Su’s old residence. Housekeeper Su emerged in haste upon seeing Fengyu. "Third Miss, you’ve finally returned. The old master has been thinking of you and your two sisters constantly. It’s good that you’re home, it’s good!"
Housekeeper Su had served as Su Ming’s study companion from childhood, and though their relationship was one of master and servant, they were as close as brothers. Several of his children now held positions within the Su Family’s trading operations, one even passing the scholar’s examination and establishing an academy in Yangzhou with widespread recognition. Despite his children’s achievements, Housekeeper Su had loyally remained by Su Ming’s side for decades, never leaving his service.
"Grandpa Su, I’ve entered the city in secret. My identity is sensitive – please ensure that no one from the household speaks a word of my arrival to the outside world."
"Rest assured, Miss. Once the letter was sent, I anticipated that you might return discreetly, so I gave the servants leave. Only trusted people remain in the residence now; you need not worry."
"Thank you, Grandpa Su. I’m going to visit my grandfather now."
"The old master just took his medicine and fell asleep."
"That’s alright, I won’t wake him."
Fengyu removed her fur-lined cloak, washed her hands, and stepped lightly into the room. The air inside was thick with the pungent scent of herbal medicine. Mr. Su, now in his sixties, had a square, dignified face. Just two years ago, when Fengyu last saw him, his hair was still jet black. Now, streaks of white mingled with his thinning hair, and his illness had left him alarmingly frail. Fengyu felt her heart ache as she seated herself on the small stool by his bedside.
"Grandfather..."
Fengyu’s voice was soft. Mr. Su, never a deep sleeper, opened his eyes in surprise upon seeing her. "Ayu? Am I delirious from the illness, or am I really seeing Ayu?"
"Grandfather, it’s me!" Fengyu’s reddened eyes brimmed with emotion. She sat on the bed, and when she saw Su Ming struggling to rise, hurried to retrieve a soft cushion to prop him up. "Take it slow," she said gently.
As she helped Su Ming into a sitting position and lit the lamp, the room brightened. Su Ming broke into a violent coughing fit. Fengyu poured a cup of warm water for him, but her sharp eyes caught sight of the blood-stained handkerchief he was trying to conceal. Her heart constricted with panic – how had his condition deteriorated so much?
Su Ming’s gaze was filled with longing and reluctance as he looked at Fengyu. Though they had been separated for two years, his affection for her had not waned. Fengyu swallowed her sorrow, but just as she was about to speak with her grandfather, his expression darkened. "Azheng has absolutely no sense. Why did he send word to you? Do you know the danger of Yangzhou right now? How could he let you risk coming here? If the State Mansion finds out you’re here, how will you escape? You must leave immediately; seeing you one last time is enough for me. Don’t linger another night."
If it had been his daughter, Su Yuejiao, who returned, he would not have driven her away. But it was Fengyu.
Fengyu was now inseparably tied to the Xie brothers. The State Mansion would undoubtedly use her death to gain favor with Emperor Yuan Hui. How could he dare let her remain in Yangzhou?
"Grandfather, don’t worry," Fengyu said in a calm and gentle tone. "Grandpa Su has already dismissed the household servants. No one will know of my presence in Yangzhou. Focus on recuperating. Once your health has improved, I’ll leave."
"Grandfather... I won’t recover!" Su Ming’s voice was serene, as though he had come to terms with life and death.