Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 840

Chapter 840: Chunlan

In the study, Fusheng stood there dumbfounded for a while, only leaving hastily when the sweeper came in.

The next day, some of Fusheng’s people knew he was leaving, but before he could figure out how to tell Chunlan, she came looking for him first.

Fusheng lived alone, but the servants’ quarters were all in a row. As soon as Chunlan arrived, several onlookers gathered outside. They were all on good terms with Fusheng, and one of them teased, “Sister Chunlan, you’ve brought all these bags and packages. If you’re so worried, why do you not go with him yourself?”

“You lot, go away. Here’s some osmanthus candy. Take it and eat it. I will not leave Madam’s side. Do not be noisy here.” Chunlan smiled and took out the candy, distributing it to the servants at the door. After dismissing them, she went inside and opened the bundle she had brought. “I’ve heard everything about you from Madam. I heard it’s damp and remote in the mountains. These two clothes were made for your birthday, but since you’re leaving now, take them with you. I did not have time to make so many shoes, so I had someone buy four pairs. The mountain roads are rugged, and shoes wear out quickly.”

“These two packets are food. Some I got from the small kitchen, and some I made myself. It’s a good thing that Master is sending you to earn your future. You must work hard, so when you return to the capital, I can treat you to a welcome feast.”

…

Chunlan rambled on and on but did not notice Fusheng’s continued hesitation.

It was not until Chunlan sat down to drink tea that Fusheng finally called out, “Chunlan.”

“No manners! Did I not tell you to call me ‘sister’?” Chunlan glanced at Fusheng. “Alright, alright, you’re leaving anyway, so I will not say anything more. But this is not good. You cannot act like this outside. It’s only because I have a good temper that I have not gotten angry with you.”

Chunlan remembered when Fusheng first arrived at Madam’s courtyard. He was much shorter than she was, thin and small, but his eyes were very bright. Madam asked her to arrange accommodations for Fusheng. At that time, Fusheng was like a little mute, answering only one question after three. Chunlan did not pay much attention to Fusheng at first, but as time went on, she noticed that Fusheng was always alone, and she gradually felt pity for him. Thinking that he had no family, she thought it would be good to take care of a younger brother, so she continued to do so.

Fusheng pursed his lips, hesitating for a long time. “Chunlan, I…I heard many people have proposed marriage to you. Is that true?”

“Of course it’s true.” Chunlan smiled confidently. “Sister is beautiful and a capable maidservant to Madam. So many people want to marry me. Why are you asking this? Are you going to introduce someone to me, too?”

Seeing Fusheng’s face turn red, Chunlan quickly waved her hand. “Do not introduce anyone to me! Even if the Jade Emperor came, I would not marry. What’s so good about marriage? It’s better to stay by Madam’s side. Madam has a good temper, does not cause much trouble, and life is much more comfortable.”

“You really do not want to get married?” Fusheng’s face flushed slightly; he did not know whether to be happy or worried.

“It’s not that I do not want to get married at all; it’s just that I have not found anyone I like.” As she said this, Chunlan’s cheeks felt hot. “Oh dear, why am I talking to a child like you about this? Hurry up and pack your things. Let me know when you’re leaving, and I will see you out of the city.”

With that, Chunlan left the room.

Watching Chunlan’s departing figure, Fusheng’s legs felt like they were filled with molten iron; he could not take a single step.

After a long while, once no one was visible outside the door, Fusheng gave a self-deprecating laugh.

This departure could last for years, and he did not know when he would return. Besides, the mines were dangerous; if something happened to him, it would have been better not to confess his feelings.

With a long sigh, Fusheng began to pack the things Chunlan had brought.

Meanwhile, Chunlan had just returned to the courtyard when An Zhi saw her.

“I heard from Cuisi that you went to deliver things to Fusheng?” An Zhi asked.

“Yes,” Chunlan said generously, coming over. “I treat him like a younger brother. Now that he’s going out to make his way in the world, I’m happy for him. But the mine is really far away; otherwise, I would have liked to send him there.”

An Zhi put down her needlework. “If you want to send him now, I will agree. Do you want to go?”

“No, I realized today that he’s a head taller than me. Now that he’s grown up, I should not cling to him. Besides, what will happen to the residence if I leave?” Chunlan took the needlework from her madam and then looked at Cuisi’s needlework. “You silly girl, how come you still cannot embroider well after practicing so many times? Look, it should be like this…”

An Zhi saw that Chunlan showed no other affection, so she did not say anything more.

When Fusheng left, Chunlan could not see him off. Since he was going south to do business, he did not want too many people to know, so he left at night.

When Chunlan woke up the next day, Fusheng was nowhere to be seen. She angrily cursed several times.

When An Zhi heard Chunlan cursing, she teased her, suggesting that Chunlan go after him, which made Chunlan sullen for a while.

After Fusheng left, Liang Chen’s case was still unresolved.

It was not that being involved with the Xu family was difficult, but rather that Pei Que had uncovered the backing of a casino on the outskirts of the capital, in which Liang Chen had a stake.

This made the case a bit more complicated.

The casino on the outskirts of the capital was completely raided by Pei Que.

However, apart from Liang Chen and a few other minor figures, no one else was found to be operating it.

But the casino, capable of holding hundreds of people, was incredibly luxurious; Pei Que could not believe that no one else was backing it. The trail ended with Liang Chen, so he sent men to investigate his home. When Pei Que’s men arrived, they discovered that Liang Chen was not from the capital. He only had a few concubines and an infant daughter in the capital; the rest of his family lived in his hometown.

When Pei Que’s men arrived at Liang Chen’s hometown, the locals said that the Liang family had all perished in a fire. In other words, they could not find Liang Chen’s family.

This meticulous investigation prompted the Prefect of the Capital to summon Pei Que that very night.

“Minister Pei, how about we close the Liang Chen case for now?”

“Sure,” Pei Que agreed. “They’ve set a trap, making us go around in circles with Liang Chen, but we are just going in circles in a dead end. We will not find anything more with Liang Chen, so let’s close the case first and let them think we are giving up. Close the case tomorrow and subtly hint at the Xu family’s involvement. This matter should not just keep us busy.”

The Prefect of the Capital was the only person Pei Que could still hold his position in the prefectural government after his exile. Hearing Pei Que’s words, he immediately understood what he meant. “Rest assured, I guarantee I will force the Xu family to divert their attention. Besides, Liang Chen died in Minister Xu’s study; that alone is enough for the people and officials to discuss.”