Chapter Forty-Five: Who Was at Fault

Chapter Forty-Five: Who Was in the Wrong

“What sin are they asking to be forgiven for? Do they even have the face to beg for forgiveness? Give each of them three months’ wages and send them away.” The excitement of dining with his idols was swiftly swept away by disgust and anger; without a second thought, Zhang Qian waved his hand decisively, acting purely on instinct.

“Yes!” Ziju responded crisply, but her feet remained still. She bent forward, scooped up a spoonful of sobering tea with a pure silver spoon, and gently brought it to his lips.

“Hm?!” Reclining on the wide-backed chair, Zhang Qian did not accept her service and frowned impatiently.

The little maid’s hand trembled; she quickly withdrew the tea and spoon, explaining softly and carefully, “Young master, please don’t be angry. I didn’t mean to disobey you. As for handing out wages or dismissing servants, that’s usually the steward’s responsibility.”

“Then just go inform the steward! Is it that difficult?” Having drunk some yellow wine while entertaining guests, Zhang Qian’s reactions were a bit sluggish. After hearing her explanation, he propped himself up and ordered impatiently.

“The steward… the steward is kneeling right outside the door!” Never before scolded by Zhang Qian, Ziju was so frightened she set down the tea and retreated several steps, bowing with tears in her eyes. “Young master, please don’t be angry. I’ll go at once, right away!”

“Forget it!” Only then did Zhang Qian realize the steward was presently kneeling outside, awaiting his fate. He cast an apologetic glance at Ziju, who looked like a startled sparrow, and waved his hand again, “Just call Ren Quan in. He’s more familiar with these matters than either of us. Leave the sobering tea here—I’ll drink it myself when it cools.”

“Yes!” Ziju curtsied carefully and hurried out to summon him. As she left, she nearly tripped on the threshold, almost falling headlong.

“Be careful, miss!”

“Ziju, be careful!”

“Ziju, do you need help? Leave it to us!”

…

Outside, a chorus of concerned voices followed, their flattery barely concealed. It was clear that, as Zhang Qian’s only trusted confidant, Ziju was no longer seen as a mere maid by anyone in the Zhang manor. Whether the matters were large or small, there was always someone eager to serve her.

“Opportunists,” Zhang Qian muttered, clearly hearing the servants’ reactions from inside. He couldn’t help but purse his lips and shrug.

Living in the twenty-first century, untouched by the abuses of the workplace, Zhang Qian still retained the pride typical of a university student, and he looked down on such sycophancy. Having grown up lonely and bullied by his peers, there was inevitably a trace of cynicism in his nature. Now, under the dual influence of wine and anger, these qualities surfaced more openly than ever.

The scenes of the day’s troubles replayed in his mind, each one more vexing under the influence of yellow wine and his own mood. The servants in the yard—opportunists, every one. The tenant farmers in the manor—cold-blooded creatures. When Steward Cui, with Zhang Ren and Zhang Fu, went to the neighbors to collect a debt, the others merely watched the commotion, not one stepping forward to speak a word for the Wang family.

And as for Lady Wang Tian—she was no better. Though the family was already in dire straits, she refused to let her eldest son work the fields but sent her daughter away to pay the debt instead!

What kind of mother does that? Aren’t all children equally dear? Even if she favored sons, how could her heart be so lopsided?

And the eldest son of the Wang family—your mother is about to send your sister off like a beast of burden, and you don’t even speak up? As the eldest, with your father ill, shouldn’t you do something…?

“Young master, Steward Ren has arrived!” Fortunately, Ziju returned with Ren Quan quickly; otherwise, given more time alone, Zhang Qian might have ended up dwelling on every fault of those around him.

“That was fast?” Zhang Qian opened his eyes sluggishly, then quickly sat upright and gestured with a smile, “Please, Steward Ren, have a seat. There’s something I’d like your help with. What happened to your head? Why is it bandaged?”

“I hurried back this afternoon for the medicated oil, and a tree branch scraped me off the horse.” Ren Quan steadied himself and bowed with a wry smile. “Thank you for your concern, young master—it’s just a scratch, nothing serious.”

“A tree branch scraped you off the horse?” Zhang Qian was puzzled, then suddenly straightened, slapping his forehead. “My memory! I’d forgotten entirely.”

That afternoon, the household guard, Ren Wu, had ridden the Sun family’s horse to meet everyone and replaced Ren Quan in delivering the medicated oil. At the time, Zhang Qian had been annoyed, thinking Ren Quan unreliable for taking so long and needing to switch couriers midway.

Only when Ren Wu explained that Ren Quan had fallen from his horse did Zhang Qian realize why such a short trip took over an hour even on horseback. In that moment, he felt both sorry for Ren Quan and secretly relieved; had the medicated oil arrived sooner, he might not have had the chance to invite the legendary He Zhizhang and Zhang Ruoxu to his home. In his happiness, he’d completely forgotten about Ren Quan’s accident.

Now, recalling all that, Zhang Qian felt a pang of guilt. Rising and rubbing his forehead, he apologized softly, “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t hurried you back for the medicated oil…”

“No, no, young master, please don’t say that!” Ren Quan waved his large hands like windmills in front of him. “It wasn’t your fault at all. That old master He—he’s the top scholar of the Yimao year, a true literary star reborn. Normally, even our master can’t get close to him at banquets… Actually, I’ve never had the honor of even seeing him from afar. For me to run an errand for such a man is a blessing I could never have dreamed of. I was so thrilled, I took a shortcut and forgot about the branches overhead!”

“So you’re a fan of He Zhizhang, too!” Zhang Qian felt a sudden kinship with Ren Quan, recognizing a kindred spirit. Outwardly, though, he continued to apologize with a wry smile, “Still, you were hurt because of me. Ziju, bring two strings of copper coins—give them to Steward Ren when he leaves.”

“No, no!” Ren Quan was both shocked and delighted, waving his hands again. “I couldn’t possibly accept your reward. You saved my old master’s life; my whole family is deeply grateful. Even if you asked me to risk my life for you, it would be my duty. How could I accept such a reward just for running an errand?”

He truly meant it. Though the Ren family appeared wealthy and powerful, everything depended on Old Master Ren Qiong. His children were far from able to shoulder the family business or act independently, and the inner household was anything but peaceful. Should Ren Qiong pass away one day, the family would likely fall into chaos before his body was even cold.

If it came to a dispute over the estate, given Young Master Ren Chong’s abilities and temperament, it would be a miracle if the family’s manor outside the city could be preserved. The loyal retainers, regardless of where their loyalties lay, would be the first to be purged by Madam Ren after any “defeat”: either sent off to the frontier to open trade routes or simply cast out to fend for themselves.

Such things, however, Ren Quan could not speak of openly. Ever since Zhang Qian had snatched Ren Qiong back from death’s door, Ren Quan’s attitude toward him had changed entirely.

Previously, though Ren Quan had addressed Zhang Qian as “Immortal Master” and shown outward respect, he was more intrigued by Zhang Qian’s odd dress than genuinely deferential—mostly, he’d hoped to fob off Young Master Ren Chong with a “master” of some sort, so he’d stop searching for other charlatans. Otherwise, not only would Ren Chong embarrass himself, but his retainers would be shamed as well.

But now, Ren Quan sincerely respected Zhang Qian as a true master—grateful that he’d saved the Ren family at a critical moment, and that he’d “enlightened” Young Master Ren Chong, inspiring him to focus on real work rather than endlessly fantasizing about magical arts and flying swords.

“Steward Ren, don’t be so formal. This isn’t a reward, it’s for your medicine! I’m unfamiliar with the area and don’t know where to find a doctor. Take the money, buy some medicine, and get yourself a chicken to nourish your body!” Zhang Qian had no idea Ren Quan’s attitude had changed so drastically. Seeing his refusal, he quickly added with a smile.

“A chicken doesn’t cost that much!” Ren Quan stepped back with a bow. “Young master, please don’t put me in such a difficult position. Even in Chang’an, a chicken doesn’t cost forty coins. I truly wanted to run that errand for Master He, and for you as well. If I took your reward, I’d feel ill at ease—and my young master would surely punish me for it!”

“Take it, I insist! I’ll explain to Ren Chong myself.” Zhang Qian refused to retract his offer, smiling as he continued, “Besides, I need your help tonight. To be direct: when you came in, you saw people kneeling outside. In a moment, find Ziju and give each of them three months’ wages, then send them away. I don’t want to see them again today, and Ziju isn’t suited to handle it herself.”

“Thank you, young master!” Realizing Zhang Qian had tasks for him, Ren Quan dared not dally further and bowed deeply.

“No need for such formality,” Zhang Qian replied with a smile, stepping aside.

After so long in the Tang Dynasty, Zhang Qian had come to understand local customs. Even as the lord of the manor, if he were not Ren Quan’s master, it would be improper to return his bow. Otherwise, it would not only be awkward for onlookers, but could also be seen as a sign of deep displeasure, hinting at coming reprisals.

After expressing his thanks, Ren Quan didn’t immediately go about his errand, but instead stepped forward and advised earnestly, “Young master, forgive me for speaking out of turn. I’ve heard about what happened this afternoon. If the steward and his men are dismissed just for collecting a debt, it may not be wise.”

“He wasn’t collecting a debt—he was after someone else’s ox!” The wine’s effects had faded, but Zhang Qian suppressed his irritation and replied in a low voice.

“Still, if he isn’t punished at all, other tenants might follow the Wang family’s example, all finding excuses to delay their rent. Though your family is wealthy and can afford to lose a little, if you show weakness, the tenants will think you’re easily bullied. If they skip the rent this time, next they’ll help themselves to mulberry leaves from the fields. After that, they’ll start eyeing the grain in the barns—after all, if borrowed goods never need to be repaid, only a fool doesn’t take advantage!”