Fulang’s Little Inn C1

Chapter 1

In the third month, an unseasonable cold snap arrived.

Drizzling rain fell for three to five days straight, and the weather turned cold again.

Shu Rui rose early that morning, shivering from the chill.

Outside, the sky had not yet fully brightened, yet he did not dare delay. He quickly added a gray-white padded jacket over his plain cotton clothes, did a simple wash and grooming, and headed toward the main house.

Under the eaves, rain pattered steadily. The rooster at dawn crowed several times. Shu Rui stood waiting in the room for about the time it takes an incense stick to burn before the woman in a blue padded jacket trimmed with fur finally emerged from the inner room.

The woman was plump in figure, her skin smooth and fair—by all accounts, a handsome appearance.

Only, it seemed she had not rested well the night before. There was a faint dark shadow beneath her eyes, and without powder, she looked somewhat haggard.

Seeing her, Shu Rui lowered his gaze and respectfully greeted, “Aunt.”

Madam Jiang sat down amid his restrained gaze, unhurriedly taking a sip of warm tea.

After a moment, she spoke. “Calling you here early this morning isn’t for anything urgent. It’s just that you’ve grown up now, and there are some things you ought to be able to hear.”

She did not ask Shu Rui to sit. Pausing briefly, she continued, “You’re eighteen this year, already at the age to discuss marriage and start a family. When your uncle was alive, he doted on you the most. More than once, he told me he wanted to find you a good match in the future.”

“It’s just that he lacked the fortune for it—he left so suddenly, without having the chance to plan things properly for you.”

As Madam Jiang spoke of her deceased husband, she could not help lifting her handkerchief to dab at the corner of her eye. Her eyes moistened, and her heart felt heavy as well.

Yet grief was grief—she did not forget the matter at hand.

From beside the handkerchief, a pair of shrewd eyes swept toward the young ge’er standing before her.

Fair-skinned, with proper brows and eyes, Shu Rui bore a faint resemblance to her late husband. They said nephews resembled their maternal uncles, and indeed, it was true.

Yet looking at this pleasing face, she felt no surge of tenderness from remembering her husband—only displeasure.

Seeing Shu Rui standing there with hands folded, head slightly bowed, restrained and obedient, an attitude easy to grasp and control, she put away her handkerchief and continued.

“Though your uncle has passed, I, as your aunt, am still here. His unfulfilled wishes—I will see them completed for him.”

Shu Rui listened quietly, saying nothing.

Since his uncle’s death, he had known he no longer had any backing in this household.

His aunt had never liked him. Now that no one shielded him anymore, she was sure to find fault with him. Yet after his uncle passed, he had grown ever more cautious in his words and actions, believing he had given no handle for reproach.

What he did not expect was that his aunt intended simply to send him away.

It had only been a year since his uncle’s passing.

“A matchmaker came by the other day,” Madam Jiang said. “She spoke of the Wu merchant from the town—the one who deals in bolts of cloth and silk. His fulang passed away more than three years ago. He is a man of deep feeling and loyalty, and was willing to remain faithful to his late fulang.”

“But a merchant household is large, with extensive business. One person cannot manage everything alone. His family urged him, and only then did he agree to seek a virtuous one to help manage the household.”

“You’re fortunate,” she added. “This Wu merchant has high standards. The matchmaker went many times without success, yet he happened to take a liking to you.”

Hearing this, Shu Rui could not help lifting his eyes toward the woman on the chair.

He had never expected his aunt to find him a decent match—but he had not imagined she would try to marry him off to the Wu merchant.

It was true that the Wu merchant owned a well-known leather shop in town, with a spacious estate, and was said to have businesses in both the county and prefectural cities, possessing considerable wealth.

But the man was already past forty, close to fifty.

Moreover, Shu Rui had long heard rumors of his lecherous and improper conduct—there had even been people from the pleasure quarters coming to his door to make trouble. How could he be as virtuous as his aunt described?

Such a den of wolves—how could he go there?

Shu Rui said, “Aunt has taken such pains for my sake; I truly should not trouble you further.”

“It’s just that my uncle passed away not long ago. In life, he treated me exceedingly well. I wish to observe mourning for him for two more years before discussing marriage…”

Madam Jiang frowned slightly upon hearing this.

“I know you are filial. But marriage is the most important matter for you now. If you delay such a life matter to mourn your uncle, I fear your uncle would be uneasy even in the afterlife.”

“A good place like the Wu family is rare. Only when the rest of your life is settled will your uncle truly be at ease.”

Shu Rui remained clear-headed and refused to be led along. “What Aunt says is right—good matches are hard to come by. But Second Brother has yet to settle his own marriage. With elders and juniors in order, how could I go before him?”

“If there is such a good family, Aunt might consider Second Brother first.”

His tone was gentle, his demeanor respectful.

Yet Madam Jiang heard it as thinly veiled resistance and grew irritated, her tone changing sharply.

“Your second brother’s affairs are not for you to concern yourself with! The elders are taking pains to arrange a good marriage for you, and you still dare to pick and choose?”

Shu Rui lowered his voice. “It is not that I am being picky. My uncle has only just passed. I have no heart for marriage. I beg Aunt to grant me this small filial wish.”

Seeing Shu Rui deflect again and again, Madam Jiang grew thoroughly displeased and raised her voice.

“When you were seven and your parents died, your uncle took you in and raised you as his own—he even favored you over your elder and second brothers.”

“Now that your uncle is gone, the family’s main pillar has collapsed. Life is no longer what it once was, and we can no longer afford to keep supporting you.”

“If you are truly filial, then obediently marry over there. That way, you will not waste the years of care your uncle gave you!”

These words made Shu Rui’s brow tighten.

When Madam Jiang brought up his upbringing, he knew she was angry beyond restraint.

A debt of upbringing was as heavy as a mountain. Arguing over it would only give others leverage to fault him. He was long used to this and simply closed his mouth.

“Enough. You may go.”

Seeing Shu Rui fall silent, Madam Jiang waved him away impatiently.

She had called him here to inform him—not to ask his opinion.

Shu Rui said nothing, bowed, and left her room.

Outside, the rain had not stopped. Gray mist hung heavy, and the newly sprouted branches in the garden blurred into the haze.

Returning to his room, he felt it was even colder than when he had gone out.

The more he thought about what happened today, the more wrong it felt. Why would his aunt suddenly think to marry him off to the Wu merchant?

Even if what she said was true—that his uncle had been the family’s pillar, that they had relied on his private school for income—after his death, the school dissolved, and the household did indeed lose a source of earnings.

Yet the family had never relied solely on the private school. The Bai family owned much land and was considered a respected gentry household in the area. Their resources were hardly so thin that life could not go on.

When his uncle was alive, the Wu family had once sought to form ties, but his uncle found the man’s character improper and kept his distance.

During festivals, when the Wu family sent generous gifts, his uncle accepted none of them.

He had even instructed the household not to accept Wu family gifts privately.

How could his aunt not know all this? Yet barely a year after his uncle’s death, she was not only associating with the Wu family—she even wanted to form a marriage alliance.

Unable to sit still, Shu Rui rummaged through his chest and found a bamboo-jointed white jade hairpin. Gritting his teeth, he went out.

He waited outside the kitchen for Nanny Li, who served in Madam Jiang’s room.

The servants attending Madam Jiang might not speak freely, but Nanny Li’s second son was about to marry—she must be short on money these days.

Madam Jiang had never been generous. Even the household servants privately called her stingy.

If he spent a little silver, perhaps Nanny Li would be willing to speak.

The old woman carried a basket of hot coals freshly scooped from the stove.

The countryside was cold, and with continuous spring rain, her aging bones could not withstand it. After delivering Madam Jiang’s meal, she seized a moment to warm herself by the fire.

As she stepped out of the kitchen, she saw Shu Rui waiting outside.

“Why is Rui-ge’er here? Did you come to warm some food?” she asked politely.

Though she knew Madam Jiang disliked Shu Rui, when Master Bai was alive, he doted on him.

This cousin-ge’er was always gentle and kind to the servants, and he cooked excellent soups, often sharing them. Naturally, they did not make things difficult for him.

“I heard there’s a happy event in Nanny Li’s family,” Shu Rui said. “The weather’s been cold, and I haven’t come out much these days, so I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you.”

Nanny Li’s face lit up.

“It’s nothing worth mentioning, yet you still remember it.”

“Marriage is a great event in life,” Shu Rui said. “Your second son is outstanding—he must have found a virtuous young lady. The two of them will surely be filial to you, and in the future, you’ll enjoy a life of ease.”

Nanny Li beamed. Who would not be pleased to hear praise for their child?

At her age, she lived only for her children’s and grandchildren’s blessings.

Seeing this, Shu Rui glanced around, and when he saw no one nearby, he slipped the hairpin from his sleeve into her arms.

“There’s nothing else to offer for such joyous news. Please don’t mind that the gift is small.”

A cool weight settled into her palm. Looking down, Nanny Li saw a fine white jade hairpin. Her old eyes flashed with delight.

Such warm, lustrous jade—though the design was simple, the material was excellent. It was worth at least a string or two of coins.

She had served Madam Jiang for many years and had never received anything this good.

Recently, many people in the household had given her gifts, yet Madam Jiang, the mistress, pretended not to know. When Nanny Li mentioned her son’s wedding, Madam Jiang said some pleasant words and rewarded her with only twenty coins.

Even the kitchen girls had given five coins each.

Compared to that, Shu Rui’s hairpin was worlds apart. She immediately understood—Rui-ge’er had something to ask.

Holding the hairpin, she lowered her voice. “Rui-ge’er, this gift is far too valuable. How could I accept it? You’re about to be married yourself—keep it for your own use.”

Shu Rui saw her say this, yet she did not return the hairpin, instead holding it carefully in her hand.

Just as he had expected.

He smiled faintly. “A valuable gift has its reason. Nanny Li deserves it.”

The old woman asked, “Does ge’er have some matter to ask of me?”

“To be frank,” Shu Rui said softly, “Aunt called me in today. For what reason—I imagine Nanny Li already knows.”

He continued, “My uncle has passed, and my marriage troubles Aunt. She has chosen a family for me, and I am deeply grateful. Yet I am confused. When my uncle was alive, he disliked dealings with the Wu family. Why does Aunt now think of marrying into the Wu family?”

Nanny Li fell silent. She had guessed Shu Rui came about the Wu marriage.

Though she sometimes pitied him, she served Madam Jiang and did not wish to get involved.

Seeing this, Shu Rui gently supported her arm. “I know Nanny Li is in a difficult position. I do not ask you to do anything for me. I only wish to know the reason, so I may know how to conduct myself in the future.”

Lowering his gaze, he added sadly, “To say something unpleasant—my uncle is gone, and in this household…”

He did not finish the sentence, but continued, “In the past, Nanny Li pitied me. That is why I dare say things to you that I would not say to others.”

“Seeing you like this makes my heart ache,” Nanny Li said, also showing sorrow.

Seizing the moment, Shu Rui tucked the hairpin further into her sleeve. “Just think of it as letting me be a clear-headed person. Take this hairpin and add it to your second son’s wedding gifts—wouldn’t that be good?”

Nanny Li was moved.

She was not one greedy for wealth, but with her son’s wedding approaching, this was precisely when she needed money.

Such money delivered to her doorstep—how could her heart not stir?

After a moment, she glanced around and pulled Shu Rui into the room.

“On the day of the master’s funeral, the Wu family patriarch came to pay respects. At the funeral feast, the Wu merchant took a liking to you at first glance.”

“He held back at the time, but recently sent several chests of goods to speak with Madam Jiang.”

Sitting cross-legged on the kang, Nanny Li said, “Madam originally did not want to agree. When the master was alive, he disliked the Wu family. But this time, the Wu merchant was truly sincere—he was determined to form a marriage alliance.”

Lowering her voice to Shu Rui’s ear, she whispered, “The Wu merchant said that if the marriage could be arranged, he would provide a vast sum of silver to open a path for the eldest young master—to secure him an official post.”

Shu Rui’s brow tightened.

His eldest brother had passed the child scholar exam when young, but with his uncle only a private tutor, he could not advance further.

Now nearly thirty, he had spent years studying at home without securing any position.

Outwardly, he was a refined and elegant scholar; inwardly, he was a useless ornamental pillow.

Seeing too many handsome scholars over the years, Shu Rui had developed a fixed prejudice against such men.

Noticing Shu Rui’s expression change, Nanny Li tried to smooth things over for Madam Jiang.

“When the master was alive, he supported the whole family. Now that he’s gone so suddenly, Madam cannot sleep soundly day or night. If the eldest young master could truly obtain a post, the household would not be so anxious.”

She comforted Shu Rui. “Madam is doing this for the family. Don’t blame her.”

“In my view, the Wu family is wealthy. If ge’er marries over, you’ll never lack food or clothing—it would be better than life here. And besides, you would go as the principal wife. With the Wu merchant owing such a favor to the eldest young master, wouldn’t Madam have to rely on you in the future?”

Shu Rui sneered inwardly.

That Wu patriarch had come to mourn yet still had the mind to pick someone out at the funeral hall—he truly was no decent man.

Still, Shu Rui knew that “taking a liking” was merely a pretext. Even a lecher would not marry someone just for looks. The Wu merchant wanted ties with the Bai family for their local reputation, to borrow the gentry’s influence.

Naturally, the most stable choice would have been the second brother—but Madam Jiang would never agree. Thus, he turned to Shu Rui instead.

And for her son’s future, his aunt was willing to disregard her late husband’s wishes and ally with the Wu family.

Though emotions churned within him, he did not reveal them before Nanny Li.

“Hearing it explained this way, it makes sense. Aunt must have thought me young and spoke lightly. I understood only vaguely. Now, hearing Nanny Li’s words, my heart is settled.”

Holding Nanny Li’s hand, Shu Rui said, “I must thank you for explaining everything so clearly.”

Seeing Shu Rui learn the reason without causing a scene, Nanny Li felt relieved.

“Young master is too kind. In the future, when you marry into such a wealthy household, don’t forget this old woman.”

“Of course,” Shu Rui replied.

When he returned to his room, rain had begun to fall again.

He heard a few chirps from swallows. Looking up, he saw that the nest under the eaves—at some point—was now full of fledglings, their feathers grown, already able to fly out and forage on their own.

Shu Rui stood under the eaves and watched for a long while.

Author’s Note:
[Cheer] The story begins!