Chapter Twenty-Five: The Return of What Belongs, Ziyuan's Love for Wealth

Three copper coins lay quietly upon the square table, two showing tails, one heads.

So, it truly was for this matter…

Facing Zhou Yuanshan’s questioning, Han Fu had already prepared his response. He smiled calmly and said, “Copper coins are much the same everywhere; your question, brother, is rather difficult for me to answer.”

“Don’t play dumb when you know exactly what’s going on.” Zhou Yuanshan’s expression grew sour as he snorted, “Zhou Qing said you gave them to him. Because of this, the wedding banquet turned into a farce yesterday, and the Zhou family was made a laughingstock.”

“Ah, those three copper coins.” Han Fu acted as if suddenly enlightened, then put on a look of regret. “I heard about yesterday’s incident as well, and was quite taken aback. I never would have thought that a well-meant gesture would lead to such an outcome.”

“A kind gesture, was it?” Zhou Yuanshan sneered, glancing at him sidelong.

No, I truly wanted revenge, to soothe my own heart… Han Fu replied with a puzzled look, “If not, then what?”

He sighed with feigned melancholy and continued, “You are not aware, brother, that I come from humble beginnings and had just entered the Zhou household. All my worldly possessions amounted to these three coins—coins I received the day the Qin family humiliated me…”

He could not quite summon the proper look of indignant grief, so he had to grit his teeth and force it.

“Never in my life had I suffered such humiliation. So I have kept these three coins close ever since, as a constant reminder.”

“That day, when my young nephew came to visit in my courtyard, I, as his elder, was obliged to offer a gift. But…”

Han Fu heaved a long sigh and shrugged helplessly.

“I searched myself completely, but apart from these three coins, I had nothing else. Who could have foreseen…”

“So, he spat at you, and not only did you refrain from reprimanding him, you even gave him money…” Zhou Yuanshan let out a cold laugh, fixing Han Fu with a penetrating stare. “Though you are of humble birth, your poetry is unmatched, and I truly admire you. You are well-matched with Mingsu. Yet, for the sake of wealth, you agreed to become a son-in-law by marriage…”

He paused, then continued, “But I never expected you to be so cunning. I see you in a new light. However, is it right to use such scheming against a child?”

Why not? It’s a lesson he won’t soon forget…

“Brother, I was new to the Zhou household then. Would it truly have been wise to scold my nephew so harshly?” Han Fu composed himself, speaking sincerely. “Besides, as you said, he is but a child. To take a child’s words to heart would be beneath an elder’s dignity. Children speak without malice or understanding—how could I possibly blame him?”

As for his real motivation in giving the coins, Han Fu was determined to deny it to the end.

He knew well that as long as he did not admit it, Zhou Yuanshan, however vexed, would have nowhere to vent his anger and would have to let the matter drop.

No one could fault him for giving a gift to a younger relative.

Zhou Yuanshan, furious yet unable to argue, laughed and said, “Enough. When I asked you here, I knew this matter would yield little. Take back your shame, then, and let it ever serve as your reminder.”

“Thank you, brother.” Han Fu cupped his hands, bowing slightly, and shook his head. “It was only a token for my nephew…”

“He does not need it.”

“Very well.” Han Fu sighed in resignation, stepped forward, picked up the three coins, and tucked them into his robe.

To have them returned to their original owner was a small consolation, truly. Even a small mosquito is still meat; Han Fu was only too pleased.

Zhou Yuanshan watched Han Fu put away the coins, his gaze lowering as he spoke with indifferent calm, “Qing’er was at fault first; I can hardly hold you accountable. But as a father, I cannot help but be angry…”

Hmm, a reasonable brother-in-law… Han Fu granted him a fair evaluation.

“But…” Zhou Yuanshan’s tone changed, his eyes fixed on Han Fu as he warned, each syllable pronounced with weight, “Do not forget your station, son-in-law by marriage.”

The words “son-in-law by marriage” were spoken with heavy emphasis, but Han Fu remained unmoved, his expression calm as he awaited the rest.

A son-in-law by marriage—so be it. It would not last forever. From the moment he agreed to this arrangement, he was prepared for all manner of contempt.

All endurance was for the sake of rising from obscurity.

He would show the world, by results, that nobility and greatness were not determined by birth.

“As a son-in-law by marriage, you must have a clear understanding of what that means.”

Zhou Yuanshan did not look at Han Fu’s expression, but continued, “Throughout history, few men have taken such a position.”

“Because, once you do, you lose your dignity and are looked down upon by all.”

“From the previous dynasty to now, sons-in-law by marriage are ranked with disgraced officials, fugitives, and merchants—the lowest of the low.”

“I say this not to insult you deliberately, but to make it clear that no matter how great your poetic talent, once you chose this path, all your gifts are buried. No one cares for you anymore, for it would harm their own reputation.”

“From now on, be prudent. Within the household, a little display is tolerable; after all, behind closed doors, we are family.”

“But outside, if you use your cunning and bring trouble to the Zhou family…I hope that day never comes.”

“If you doubt me, go out and see for yourself who would willingly befriend you.”

“Do you understand?” Zhou Yuanshan stared at Han Fu, waiting for his answer.

What sort of man was this brother-in-law? A sharp tongue but a soft heart?

His words, though harsh, were meant as sincere admonition grounded in reality.

The dull-witted might miss the true meaning, for his words were far from pleasant.

Han Fu also knew Zhou Yuanshan spoke the truth.

From the moment he entered by marriage, he had faced a dilemma.

Others looked down upon his position, unwilling to befriend him—such was human nature.

But so what?

For now, the best course was to regain some ground with Zhou Yuanshan, especially since his words were so cutting.

With this in mind, Han Fu smiled and cupped his hands. “Brother, you worry too much. A son-in-law by marriage is still a man. Moreover, I am the Zhou family’s son-in-law—there will be those willing to befriend me.”

“Heh…” Zhou Yuanshan scoffed and shook his head, about to retort when Cui’e entered.

“Master, Young Master Lu Ziyuan has arrived.”

“Ziyuan has returned?” At this, Zhou Yuanshan’s face lit up, and he quickly rose to go out.

“You may go back now,” he said offhandedly to Han Fu as he passed.

There was no one to guide him on the way back. Passing through the central courtyard into the western quarters, Han Fu heard two hearty laughs ring out.

Inside his room, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were neatly arranged, but there was no sign of Ping’er.

“This brother-in-law is quite an interesting character…” Han Fu chuckled and thought no more of it.

He chose to treat the episode in the eastern courtyard as if it had never happened, and settled down to practice his calligraphy.

He picked up the brush, calmed his mind, and pondered for a moment.

Having just entered the Zhou household, with the night deep and the wind and rain falling…

Lost in recollection, he let his brush follow his thoughts, and in a few strokes, a lyric was born.

“Last night the rain was sparse and the wind fierce,
Deep sleep could not dispel the lingering wine.
I ask the maid who rolls up the blinds—
She says, ‘The crabapples remain as before.’
Do you know? Do you not know?
It should be that the green is lush, the red is fading.”

His brushwork flowed vigorously from start to finish.

Han Fu gazed at his work and shook his head.

His Liu-style calligraphy was just beginning to take shape; it would require much diligent practice.

With that, he set aside the completed “Like a Dream” lyric, and continued to write.

The first four characters: “Strange Tales from a Scholar’s Studio.”

Meanwhile, in the eastern courtyard’s long house side wing—

Zhou Yuanshan was serving fine tea to his honored guest, a broad smile on his face.

“When did you return to the capital, Ziyuan?” Zhou Yuanshan asked.

Lu Ziyuan, the eldest son of Lu Ming, magistrate of Linjiang, was fair of face, courteous, and friendly—a fine man of twenty-three who had spent all his years in Linjiang and was on close terms with Zhou Yuanshan.

Well…not a perfect man, perhaps—he had some flaws.

At the question, Lu Ziyuan replied with a smile, “I arrived outside the city last night, entered this morning, but regrettably missed your family’s wedding banquet.”

“No matter,” Zhou Yuanshan said, waving his hand with a smile. “Tonight, I’ll play host and make it up to you, brother.”

Another meal saved for the family… At this, Lu Ziyuan was delighted, rose, and bowed. “Then I thank you in advance, brother.”

“No need for formality, haha…”

Zhou Yuanshan laughed heartily. As he did, he noticed Lu Ziyuan take out an invitation and hand it to him.

“What’s this?” Zhou Yuanshan asked, puzzled.

Lu Ziyuan explained, “In the past few days, three great scholars have arrived in Dingxing. Elder Wen seized the opportunity to organize a grand literary gathering at Lotus Garden three days from now. This is the invitation—only those with it may attend.”

So that was it.

Zhou Yuanshan, a practical man who favored action over pure scholarly pursuits, was not usually interested in such events. Nevertheless, a gathering of this magnitude was rare, and Lu Ziyuan had thought of him and brought the invitation personally—he was quite touched.

Therefore, Zhou Yuanshan’s smile grew broader as he mused, “Since it is an invitation from you, brother, I shall attend…”

“It’s for your son-in-law, Han Fu.”

At these words, Zhou Yuanshan’s smile froze. Lu Ziyuan continued, “I haven’t met Han Fu yet, and approaching him directly would be too abrupt. I must ask you, brother, to pass this on for me.”

Zhou Yuanshan’s mouth twitched, and thinking of what he’d just said to Han Fu, he felt as if he’d swallowed a fly.

He took a deep breath to calm himself and managed a stiff smile. “Very well, I’ll have someone deliver it to him.”

“Thank you, brother.” Lu Ziyuan bowed in thanks and added, “To be honest, this invitation cost me two strings of coins.”

Zhou Yuanshan knew Lu Ziyuan’s character well. Grudgingly, he summoned Cui’e and sent her to fetch two strings of coins from the accounts room, which he handed over himself.

Lu Ziyuan accepted them with delight. “In that case, I won’t trouble you further, brother.”

“I’ll see you out.”

Zhou Yuanshan felt as though his legs were filled with lead as he forced himself to the gate.

“Oh, brother Zhou, where shall we drink tonight?” Lu Ziyuan asked before leaving.

I’m not entertaining you—drink by yourself… Zhou Yuanshan swallowed the words, and instead forced a smile. “Hidden Fragrance House.”

Hidden Fragrance House—the name sounded grand, but in truth, it was a small, shabby tavern deep in an alley, the cheapest in Dingxing, frequented by porters, commoners, and all sorts of folk.

Clearly, Zhou Yuanshan had no desire to host a lavish banquet.

Yet Lu Ziyuan was unbothered, thought for a moment, and replied, “Hidden Fragrance House is an excellent choice. Brother Zhou, see you tonight.”

With that, he left, his steps light, his pace brisk.

Zhou Yuanshan looked up at the sky and let out a long, aggrieved sigh before turning back to the house.

The Lu residence—Lu family’s home in Dingxing.

Upon returning, Lu Ziyuan headed straight for the rear courtyard.

Passing through the garden, he arrived at a tranquil and elegant little courtyard.

Knock, knock, knock…

He rapped on the door and called, “Sister, the invitation has been delivered.”

“Thank you, brother,” came a gentle, melodious voice from inside.

Lu Ziyuan said, “A clear account keeps family close, but I won’t lie to you—that invitation cost me five hundred coins.”

“Put it on the account for now,” the girl replied.

“Then you owe me thirty-six strings and seven hundred forty-two coins—thirty-six strings and seven hundred forty-two coins in all.”

“I know.”