Fragrant Fox

Fang Yun smiled and asked, "Brother Da Niu, who told you to call me Young Master?"

"My parents did. They said you're different now, that I can't call you little brother anymore. Now I have to call you Young Master, and once you become a Provincial Graduate, I'll have to call you Master." Fang Daniu said.

"We're family. There's no need to be so formal."

"That won't do. I can't make the Fang Household lose face. I should address you however I'm supposed to, or how could I be your attendant? My mother said the Fang Household of Ji County finally produced a golden phoenix like you, and told me to serve you well. I'll definitely bask in your light someday."

Fang Yun said nothing. His gaze fell on the three letters in his hand. Fang Daniu was right—his status truly was different now.

The sun rose, the weather warmed, and Fang Yun opened the carriage curtain. He took a copy of the Book of Rites from his book chest and began to recite softly.

Yang Yuhuan quietly watched Fang Yun. At times, the corners of her lips curved upward, rosy clouds blooming across her cheeks, though no one knew what she was thinking.

The carriage rolled onward. Whenever Fang Yun grew tired of reading, he closed his eyes to rest. After resting for a while, he resumed his quiet recitation.

After an unknown amount of time, the carriage drew closer and closer to Dayuan Prefecture. Fang Yun was reading the words, "A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen," when a white shadow suddenly darted through the window.

Caught completely off guard, Fang Yun jumped. A snow-white fox landed on his lap, carrying a thread of fragrance and a faint scent of blood, without the slightest animal stench.

Yang Yuhuan looked at the fox curiously, pity showing in her eyes. Mother Jiang's expression changed drastically, however, and she cried, "Young Master Fang, be careful! It might be a demon!"

Fang Yun's heart jolted, and he was about to throw the fox out. But the fox suddenly raised its head and looked at him with pitch-black eyes, pleading in its gaze. Then it closed its eyes, gave a faint cry, and passed out.

Under normal circumstances, Fang Yun might have tossed it away without hesitation. But he had happened to be reading, "A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen," and so he hesitated.

"A gentleman keeps away from the kitchen" also appeared in Mencius. It did not mean that gentlemen looked down on cooking. Rather, it meant that everyone possessed a heart of compassion. Unless one was a cook, seeing living creatures slaughtered in the kitchen would always make one unable to bear it, so it was best not to see that scene or hear the Mourning cries of living creatures before death. Thus, a gentleman kept away from the kitchen.

However, in an age when scholars took the field to kill enemies, the original meaning of those words was somewhat ill-suited to the times. People therefore extended their meaning, explaining that everyone had the right to eat meat, but no one should take pleasure in killing living creatures or slaughter them cruelly.

Yang Yuhuan said softly, "It should just be an ordinary fox. Even if it's a demon, it hasn't killed anyone. If a demon has killed someone, the circles around its eyes turn red, and it carries a fishy smell, like rotten fish. I've smelled it before."

After thinking briefly, Fang Yun lowered his head and examined Little Fox's wound. It seemed to have been clawed by an animal. The blood around it had already dried, and the wound had scabbed over, which meant the fight had happened at least several hours ago. The possibility of an enemy tracking it was very small, so taking it in was not particularly dangerous.

Fang Yun did not let down his guard. He poked his head out the window. The forest by the road was silent. Other carriages traveled several dozen zhang behind them, and in the direction of Dayuan City, he could already see the outline of Dayuan Prefecture's walls. Even the boldest demon beast would not dare run wild here, because the Temple of Sages within the Literary Academy stood watch every moment.

"Xiaoyun, what should we do with this fox?" Yang Yuhuan asked.

Fang Yun said, "When we pass through the city gate, we'll ask the guards. If they think it isn't a harmful demon, we'll bring it in. If it is, we'll let the soldiers deal with it."

"Oh." Yang Yuhuan wanted to save Little Fox, but Fang Yun's attitude mattered more, so she said nothing else.

Yet Fang Yun leaned down and sniffed again. This fox smelled especially fragrant.

Fang Yun immediately used Strange Book World to search. Before long, he found a travel journal by Half-Sage Chen Guanhai that mentioned the fox clan's most precious Fragrant Fox, describing it only as "fragrant all over" and "rare in this world."

Fang Yun suspected that this fox was the priceless Fragrant Fox, whose fur could be used to make Fragrant Fox Brushes.

A Fragrant Fox Brush could sell for over ten thousand taels, because using one to write War Poetry could increase its power by at least ten percent. If paired with ink made from demon beast blood, it could raise its might by more than twenty percent. The larger the Fragrant Fox, the better the effect.

Fragrant Foxes were exceedingly rare. It was said that fewer than a dozen remained in existence.

This fox was far too small. Its tail was as long as its body, yet the tail itself was only as long as Fang Yun's palm. It looked just like a little squirrel.

Fang Yun carefully inspected Little Fox's wounds again. They had all scabbed over and needed no special treatment.

When they reached the city gate, Fang Yun had Fang Daniu stop the carriage. Then he carried Little Fox down from the carriage.

Dayuan Prefecture's walls were a full four zhang tall, layered with bluestone and solid as a golden fortress. They gave one a great sense of security. It was said that a Great Scholar had overseen their construction.

Five armored soldiers stood on each side of the gate. They neither inspected passing vehicles nor collected an entry tax.

Fang Yun walked up to a soldier and asked, "I found a fox on the road and want to raise it myself, but I don't know whether it's a demon. Is there any way to test it?"

Seeing Fang Yun's Scholarly Robe, the soldier answered, "This place is covered by the power of the Temple of Sages. If this fox has any problem, the Temple of Sages will suppress it at once. You may bring it in whenever you wish."

"Thank you." Fang Yun thanked the soldier and returned to the carriage.

Fang Daniu continued driving the carriage toward the residence Liang Yuan had already chosen.

Fang Yun had never been to Dayuan Prefecture before, but no matter how prosperous it was, it could not compare to that world where commerce had flourished to towering heights. He had little interest in it. Instead, he pondered how to run the bookstore and what books he should sell first.

Yang Yuhuan was different. She lifted the curtain and looked curiously at Dayuan Prefecture. It was far larger than Ji County, with people coming and going in an endless stream.

Dayuan Prefecture was the capital of Jiangzhou and its political center. Yet Jiangzhou's military and commercial centers were not in Dayuan Prefecture, but in Jade Sea Prefecture five hundred li away. It stood at the mouth of the Yangtze River, with the Eastern Sea beyond its walls. It was a place where the Jing Kingdom traded with the sea folk, incomparably prosperous.

Liang Yuan had arrived in Dayuan Prefecture five days earlier. Yesterday, he had sent Fang Yun a letter saying that he had chosen an inexpensive detached courtyard for him to rent for three months, at five taels of silver per month. At the same time, he had found a bookstore being transferred, and they only needed Fang Yun's arrival to complete the procedures at the government office.

Following the location in the letter, the carriage arrived at Old Stone Alley, where Liang Yuan was waiting.

Fang Yun got out of the carriage and exchanged pleasantries with Liang Yuan. As they walked, they discussed the residence and bookstore in detail.

The residence was a little smaller than Fang Yun's home. It was an ordinary small courtyard, but Fang Yun did not mind. Once the bookstore became profitable, he would simply buy a larger courtyard to live in.

After tidying up a little and eating lunch, Fang Yun left with Yang Yuhuan and Liang Yuan. They first went to sign the rental contract, then headed for the Fang Household of Dayuan. He had promised to give the Fang Household of Dayuan a ten-percent share, and he also wanted to borrow their name to keep others from making trouble for him, especially the Liu Household.

The carriage stopped before the Fang Household's gate. The gate stood open, and the plaque above it bore the two words: "Fang Residence."

Fang Yun looked inside. Rather than a vast courtyard with layer upon layer of compounds, it was a garden estate.

Beyond the gate was a cobblestone path with gardens on either side. The path split when it reached a rockery, and the main garden presumably lay beyond it.

Two servants dressed in black stood at the gate. One lacked his left arm, while the other's right eye was covered by an eyepatch. Both had resolute expressions and looked as though they had once been soldiers.

Fang Yun respected Fang Shouye even more. No wonder everyone said Fang Shouye was Dayuan Prefecture's foremost hero.

Fang Yun cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, gentlemen. I am Fang Yun of Ji County, nephew of Uncle Fang Shouye. I arranged with my uncle to discuss the bookstore investment."

One servant immediately said, "The general received an urgent report yesterday and has already returned to Jade Sea City. The First Madam instructed us that when Case First Fang arrives, we are to bring him directly to see her. Please follow me."

Fang Yun said with a smile, "Thank you." Then he signaled Yang Yuhuan and Liang Yuan to follow.

The servant led the three around the rockery and into the second courtyard. Yet the second courtyard had no buildings at all. It was still filled with rockeries, flowing water, flowers, grasses, and trees. Aside from the gate they had entered through, there were three round archways each to the east, west, and north, leading to three separate courtyards.

Moreover, beyond the eastern and western courtyards were more gates, and still more courtyards.

The legendary filthy rich. As expected of a prestigious family, Fang Yun thought.

Upon reaching the third courtyard, Fang Yun finally saw the Fang Residence's main hall. That one hall alone was larger than Fang Yun's entire home, courtyard and rooms included.

At the innermost end of the hall stood two grand armchairs. Six pairs of square tables were arranged on each side, with chairs beside every table.

However, there was no one in the main hall.

The servant had Fang Yun sit in the hall, then said he would go inside to find the First Madam.

Liang Yuan secretly looked around, then said excitedly in a low voice, "Fang Yun, it looks like the Fang Household values you greatly. They brought you straight to the main hall. Anyone else would probably only be allowed to wait in a side hall. This is a prestigious family! Even ordinary Provincial Graduates have to go to the side hall when they visit the Fang Household."

Yang Yuhuan could not help nodding. Her hands rested on her knees, and she appeared very restrained.

Fang Yun, however, openly examined the main hall. As expected of a prestigious family for two generations, a household steeped in books. The hall held antique vases, calligraphy treasures, potted plants, and landscape paintings. It was elegant and simple, without a trace of extravagance.

A couplet hung on the wall:

Azure mountains at dusk, still leaning on the crimson sun, proud against wind and cloud.

The setting sun dripped blood, yet still became a vast torrent flowing toward an emerald heart.

Fang Yun could not help nodding.

"Xiaoyun has arrived? Your uncle has praised you no end. Let your aunt take a good look at our Fang Household's qilin child."

Before the person arrived, her voice did. Her tone brimmed with surprise and warmth.

The three immediately rose to their feet. Then the tinkling of jade ornaments sounded, and two young maids lifted the beaded curtain on the eastern side of the main hall. A dignified and richly dressed middle-aged woman walked in.

She wore a long red dress. She was not especially beautiful, but her lovely eyes were refined, and wealth seemed to pour from her bearing. When she smiled, she appeared exceptionally kind.

Behind her followed a slightly younger middle-aged woman in a green dress. She too wore a broad smile, though hers was far more false.

Fang Yun was unsure who the person behind the First Madam was, so he cupped his hands and said, "This nephew greets Aunt."

Yang Yuhuan and Liang Yuan also hurriedly bowed, but neither spoke.

The First Madam smiled. "What a handsome young man. No wonder Shouye has praised you so highly. Come, let Aunt have a good look at you. Oh, this is your Second Aunt. We were just speaking of you."

Fang Yun knew that Fang Shouye had a younger brother, merely an Academy Student, with a poor reputation for spending all day in brothels. This woman should be the Second Madam of the Fang Household. Concubines could only be called Aunties, never Madams.