Opening Day

The next day.

Xu Chuan took Bai Jing, Xu Mingwei, and his siblings by carriage to the West Market in Qingjiang County Seat.

They stopped first at the courtyard house in the West Market.

"Dad, is this the house Second Brother bought?"

"It's even bigger than our own."

Xu Chuan looked around. It was his first time there too, so he spent a while taking it in.

"It's just about big enough for the family. But once Shitou and A Yuan marry and have children, it won't be enough."

"That's true." Bai Jing smiled. "Shitou is nearly sixteen. In a few years, it'll be time to find him someone to marry."

She turned to Xu Chuan. "Is there anyone you have in mind, husband?"

"What does it matter who I like? What matters most is that our Shitou likes her."

Xu Chuan took Bai Jing's hand and stroked it. "Go see if there's a room you like. You can come stay here whenever you want."

"There's no need."

Bai Jing shook her head. "Wherever you are, husband, that's where I'll be."

Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu, brimming with curiosity, ran all over the courtyard house. Little White, the tiger cub, frolicked alongside them.

"A Yuan, take your mother and the others to the Fruit Shop in a while. I'm going out. No need to wait for me; I'll go straight there."

"Got it, Dad."

After leaving, Xu Chuan headed for the County Yamen.

"Who are you? What business do you have at the County Yamen?"

A Yamen Runner at the entrance stopped Xu Chuan and questioned him by rote.

"I'm Xu Chuan, from Dongxi Village. I've come to visit County Magistrate's Deputy Yang."

"You know County Magistrate's Deputy Yang?"

"Go let him know, and you'll find out."

The middle-aged Yamen Runner pondered for a moment, then said, "Come with me, then. If you're lying, you'll regret it."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly and agreed.

He followed the man into the County Yamen and stopped outside the deputy's study.

The Yamen Runner stepped forward and knocked. "My lord, a man named Xu Chuan is here to see you."

"Xu Chuan? Where is he from?"

"Dongxi Village."

"Let him in."

"Mr. Xu, the deputy will see you now."

Realizing that Xu Chuan was an acquaintance of County Magistrate's Deputy Yang, the Yamen Runner immediately put on a smile. He then took his leave.

"Brother Xu, it's been a long time."

"Sit. Let's talk."

Yang Zhao smiled and gestured toward a seat.

He had risen from Registrar to County Magistrate's Deputy in just a few years, thanks in no small part to Xu Chuan's strategy for caring for the people.

He had thought Xu Chuan would soon come asking for a favor, or use the Yang Household's name to lift the Xu Household to greater heights.

Instead, he had waited over five years.

The Xu Household had gained wealth enough to blot out the sky, yet its members remained as they had always been: neither arrogant nor impatient, developing steadily.

That made Yang Zhao admire them all the more.

He also understood that the Xu Household was laying foundations meant to last a hundred generations.

"You're busy with official duties. How would I dare disturb you lightly?"

"We're about the same age. When no one else is around, just call me Brother Yang." Yang Zhao added, "Have you come to ask me for help?"

Xu Chuan shook his head. "You misunderstand, Brother Yang. I've long heard how fair and selfless you are. I came today only to invite you to see my newly opened Fruit Shop. If you could write a few characters for it while you're there, all the better."

"Haha! Something so small? Of course I can."

Yang Zhao laughed, then looked at Xu Chuan. "So you're finally ready to expand the Xu Household into the county seat?"

"You must be confident you can put down roots here."

"You jest, Brother Yang. Aristocratic Clans are as numerous as hairs on an ox in the county seat, and crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound. My family is merely opening a Fruit Shop in the West Market to scrape by. How could we claim to be putting down roots?"

Yang Zhao said no more. "When does it open?"

"In a little over two hours."

"Then there's no rush. Let me finish the documents on my desk, and I'll go with you."

Xu Chuan nodded and sat calmly to one side.

Nearly two hours later.

Yang Zhao rose and cupped his hands. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Brother Xu. I'll change into ordinary clothes, then we can go. I hope we won't miss the auspicious hour."

"You're too polite, Brother Yang. Your presence alone would be an immense honor for my family."

Before long, the two left the County Yamen and headed for the West Market.

Meanwhile.

In front of the Xu family's Fruit Shop.

Firecrackers crackled without pause.

The lively commotion had already drawn a crowd, and people stopped to watch.

Several wealthy merchants well known throughout the county seat had even come bearing gifts.

Chang Haowen had arrived, but he did not show himself.

Instead, he sat by a second-floor window in the restaurant across the street, drinking wine as he watched the bustle outside the Xu family's Fruit Shop.

The maid named Xiao Mei stood beside him as usual.

"Opening in a place like the West Market? The Xu family really doesn't know how to choose a location."

"I wouldn't say that. The West Market may not be as prosperous as the East Market, but this street is full of food. After people have eaten their fill, won't they want something refreshing? Fruit is just the thing."

"They can buy a few pounds to take home and share with their families, too."

"Ah, now that you put it that way, young master, it does make sense. The Xu family planned this well."

Chang Haowen shook his head with a laugh. Looking down, he found the scene rather dull.

"Hm? Yang Zhao is here? He has ties to the Xu family too? Could the Yang Household be backing them?"

Both came from prominent families in the Commandery Seat, so Chang Haowen naturally knew of Yang Zhao.

They belonged to the same generation, though their ages differed considerably. They had only met once, when Chang Haowen was young and had accompanied his father and elder brother to the Yang Household.

"The man beside Yang Zhao looks familiar too. He resembles the Xu Mingyuan brothers. He must be an elder of the Xu family."

The corners of his mouth lifted. Suddenly, things seemed interesting.

Seeing Yang Zhao here alone made the trip worthwhile.

"Shitou, A Yuan, Charcoal Head, Xueji, Yunnu, come greet your Uncle Yang."

"Greetings, Uncle Yang."

The five Xu children bowed respectfully to Yang Zhao.

Yang Zhao looked them over. Setting aside the young Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian, the other three had a restrained radiance and were full of vigor. They stood out.

"I envy you, Brother Xu. What fine children you have. Every one of them is remarkably gifted."

"Remarkable? They're just a pack of wild monkeys raised in the countryside. They don't deserve such praise from you, Brother Yang."

Xu Mingshu was not shy around strangers. She asked curiously, "Uncle Yang, why haven't I ever seen you during the holidays?"

Yang Zhao pinched her soft cheek and smiled. "Your father and I have met only a few times, but we've admired each other for a long while. We've been friends in spirit."

"Friends in spirit? How do you become that? Can I be friends in spirit too?"

At that, Yang Zhao burst out laughing.

Everyone else was amused by the little girl's words as well.

"What a lovable little girl. I'm almost tempted to take her as my goddaughter. Would you agree, Brother Xu?"

Xu Mingshu immediately bowed with a beaming smile. "Xueji greets her godfather."

"Xueji is the only little girl in our family, and everyone dotes on her. I'm afraid it's made her rather unruly. Please don't mind her, Brother Yang." Xu Chuan shook his head with a laugh.

"She's nothing like my Hua'er, but she's delightful all the same."

"Here, a gift from your godfather."

Yang Zhao untied the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Xu Mingshu.

"It's beautiful! Thank you, Godfather."

"Brother Xu, you invited me to write something. Shall we do it now?" Yang Zhao said.

"Yes. Shitou, A Yuan, fetch the brush and ink."

"Yes, Dad."

Just as Yang Zhao began to write, a disdainful voice rang out. "Can any stray cat or dog write inscriptions these days?"

"Xu Chuan, do you take your shop sign so lightly? Shall I introduce you to a few esteemed masters of calligraphy?"

Three deep lines gathered between Yang Zhao's brows, and his handsome face suddenly turned frosty.

But he did not lose his temper on the spot. He had come to congratulate a friend, not to throw his official weight around.

Following the voice, four or five people pushed through the crowd to the front of the shop.

"Second Uncle, Gan'er, that's Xu Chuan. He's mocked the Xu Lineage and means us harm. We can't let them off easily today."

"Mao'er, say no more. I'll decide what to do."

Xu Mao's second uncle, Xu Zhen, had lived long enough to know the world. He was not someone who could be swayed by a few words.

"You must be the head of the Xu Household. I am Xu Zhen."

"So it's Second Master Xu." Xu Chuan smiled and stepped forward with cupped hands. "When I was with the Xu Lineage years ago, I often heard of your great reputation. Yet this is our first meeting."

Xu Zhen was somewhat surprised by his courtesy.

But he knew plenty of people wore smiling faces while waiting to stab someone in the back.

He did not let down his guard.