Chapter 24: Debts of Gratitude

The old servant hesitated, sizing up He Ru from head to toe. The young man’s attire and bearing were in no way like those of a roadside beggar. Suspicion crept into his heart—had the rakes of today become so bold that, just to strike up a conversation with a lady, they would stoop to pretending to be beggars?

He Ru smiled gently and said, “Would you trouble yourself to announce us to the young lady? If she refuses to see us, we’ll simply turn and leave without delay.”

The old servant was subdued by his calm and measured demeanor. “Very well, sir. Please wait here a moment.”

The heavy gate creaked shut. Xu You cast He Ru a sidelong glance. “So just posing as a beggar gets you through the door? No doubt this Lady Zhan is a devout Buddhist, brimming with boundless compassion.”

“Does being Buddhist require boundless compassion?” He Ru was about to retort, but seeing Xu You arch a brow, he checked himself and swallowed his reply. Instead, he explained, “It’s not really a pretense… When I first arrived in Qiantang a few days ago, I was indeed wandering the streets with nowhere to go—no different from a beggar.”

“Oh?” Xu You had thought He Ru was merely putting on an act, but now it seemed he had truly fallen on hard times. “How did you end up in such a plight?”

He Ru, far from feeling any shame over his beggar’s lot, took pride in it and smiled contentedly. “It actually has something to do with you, Seventh Young Master.”

Xu You was puzzled. “What does your stint as a beggar have to do with me? Our relationship isn’t so close that I’m responsible for all your past misfortunes, is it?”

He Ru shot him a cool glance, one remarkably similar to Xu You’s earlier look. “Isn’t it because the servants of the Yuan residence demanded such exorbitant fees? To find out what you were up to in the household, I spent nearly all my money. Then, after much haggling, I managed to hire a small boat to take me to Qiantang for half the usual fare, with the promise to pay the rest upon arrival. But by then, I was penniless. I thought I’d improvise when we landed, but instead I ran into a rogue who, without a word, stripped the clothes off my back to settle my debt…”

Xu You couldn’t help but burst into laughter. “Earlier, you spoke so breezily of gathering information in Jinling as if it were the simplest thing in the world, yet you ended up destitute! For someone who has roamed the world for years, you should at least have some emergency cash stashed away.”

“When it comes to money, I’ve always lived for the day—spending what I have and earning more when I need it. It’s hardly any trouble.” He Ru cleared his throat, a touch embarrassed. “But this time, I was in such a hurry to follow you that I spent my funds too quickly and had no time along the way to earn more. When I reached Qiantang, I was afraid of missing your whereabouts, so I spent a night sleeping rough on the street. With ragged clothes and an empty belly, if I wasn’t a beggar, what was I?”

Xu You thought for a moment. “That can’t be right. When I met you, you were wearing these very clothes, not inexpensive by any means, and staying at the guest house in Zhibin Pavilion. You didn’t look the least bit hard up.”

He Ru’s gaze lingered on the tightly closed brown wooden door. “For that, I must thank Lady Zhan. Had she not passed by in her ox cart, disregarded social distinctions, and laid a thousand coins before me with her own hand, I’d have looked even more wretched when I met you.”

Only then did Xu You understand the origin of He Ru’s so-called debt of gratitude. At that moment, the main gate opened again, and the old servant said respectfully, “Gentlemen, please follow me. My lady awaits you in the main hall.”

The courtyard was exceedingly austere. Apart from a flowerbed on the left planted with a few crown imperials, wisteria, and scarlet gentian, there were none of the rockeries, flowing water, or other ornaments so common among the gentry. A narrow path of blue stone led straight to the main hall beneath a modest three-story building. Their footsteps echoed, the silence so deep it seemed they had entered a deserted world.

The old servant shuffled forward, taking quite some time to reach the building. He stood outside the door and announced, “My lady, the guests have arrived.”

“Please, invite our esteemed guests in,” came a woman’s voice, drifting to their ears. It was neither the clear, musical tone of a girl nor the sultry charm of a matron; rather, it resonated with tranquil equanimity.

Hearing her speak, though they had yet to lay eyes on Zhan Wenjun, Xu You’s first impression of her was favorable—her voice was pleasant, free of affectation or pretension.

He Ru stepped aside, allowing Xu You to enter first. For all his reputation for arrogance, he was not without social grace—only whether he was willing to make a concession to others. Once the three had entered, the old servant cast Xu You a glance from behind before gently closing the door.

The furnishings inside were even more spartan than those outside. The gray-blue palette spoke volumes about the mistress’s character—either supremely disciplined and austerely self-restrained, or innately indifferent to material things. Two plain folding screens stood alone at the back, unadorned with color or calligraphy. To the east sat a three-foot-long black bamboo couch, flanked by two small stools draped in square brocade—seating evidently prepared for the guests.

Whether as a daughter of the Zhan family or as Guo Mian’s daughter-in-law, either status would have afforded a life of luxury. Yet, from what they now saw, the household could barely be considered humble, outshone even by the most ordinary homes.

“May I ask the names and surnames of my guests?” Zhan Wenjun’s voice again came from behind the screen. Xu You glanced over but could see nothing; only a slender, graceful silhouette was faintly discernible through the gauzy curtain. He would not be discourteous—his eyes lingered but three seconds before he bowed and replied, “I am Xu You of Yixing. These are my friends, He Ru of Jingkou and Zuo Wen of Jinling. We apologize for the abrupt visit and beg your pardon.”

“Xu You of Yixing? Why does that name sound familiar…”

A second, gentle female voice—quick in pace—interrupted, “He must be Seventh Young Master Xu of the Xu family in Yixing. News spread just days ago that he was assassinated outside Jinling and killed. Unless this man before us is an impostor, he must have faked his death to escape.”

“Qianqin, mind your manners!” At this rebuke, the young woman named Qianqin fell silent. Zhan Wenjun said apologetically, “Please forgive my maid. She spends most of her time outside managing our affairs, and has grown rather blunt and unrestrained. I am not strict enough in my discipline—I hope you will be indulgent.”

Xu You began to wonder about Zhan Wenjun’s true identity. For a widow to be so well-informed of the world was unusual, but he only smiled and said, “Your maid is quick-witted and clever—it is only natural that a perceptive mistress should have a perceptive servant. I did indeed feign my death in Jinling, and now that I am in Qiantang, it is no longer a secret. I do not mind speaking of it.”

“So it is truly an honor to receive Young Master Xu,” Zhan Wenjun responded. “I live here in seclusion and cannot greet you in person, but please, do be seated at your ease.”

Xu You took the seat in the center of the bamboo couch, with He Ru and Zuo Wen to his left and right. Zhan Wenjun asked, “What brings Young Master Xu here today?”

Xu You looked to He Ru, but since he remained silent, Xu You had to answer on his behalf. “It concerns my friend here. The other night, he was the recipient of your generous gift of a thousand coins; we have come today to express our gratitude.”

“The other night…” Zhan Wenjun sounded uncertain. Qianqin whispered, “That night, my lady returned from Wu County, and as her cart passed through Qingyin Lane, she saw a beggar slumped by the wall. She stopped the cart and personally gave him a thousand coins.”

“Oh, I remember now. Yes, that did happen.” Zhan Wenjun’s shadow shifted gracefully as she turned her head toward He Ru, seated to the right of the bamboo couch. “So it is you, Young Master He? Judging by your bearing, you could hardly be a beggar, destitute and homeless. I was too presumptuous that night, mistaking you for a vagrant and offering money—please do not take offense.”

Since entering, He Ru had sat quietly, leaving all the conversation to Xu You, but now he suddenly burst out laughing. “That night when you encountered me, madam, I was indeed a beggar—clothes in tatters, stomach empty, shivering in the cold, nearly becoming Qiantang’s one and only beggar frozen to death. Thanks to your gift, I was able to buy these robes and stave off the chill, and even spend a night at Zhibin Pavilion, tasting the famous pickled greens I’d heard so much about. For this kindness, I am deeply grateful. That is why I have come today, shamelessly, not for any other reason, but to help you with a matter of utmost importance and repay this debt of gratitude!”