Perfect Match – CH 042

Chapter 42

At Cixin Hall.

Zhu Huang, with his swift legs, returned from the money exchange in no time.

He exchanged the large denomination banknotes from the capital for smaller denomination banknotes from Xi’an Prefecture and a large bag of loose silver. Deng Ruyun, seeing him bring the money back so easily, was genuinely worried he’d be targeted and robbed.

But she already knew of Zhu Huang’s abilities. However, Deng Ruyun carefully examined the money he had brought back.

“Why does this look like more than three hundred taels?”

Zhu Huang chuckled, scratching his head as he glanced at his master. “It’s five hundred taels.”

Deng Ruyun: ?

She knew this Physician Fu had more than that. Could he just hand over eight hundred taels if she borrowed them?

Deng Ruyun could not help but glance at Bai Chunfu, who, having been humiliated by Zhu Huang, could only helplessly explain to her.

“Looks like I misremembered. It turns out my fortune is not three hundred taels; it’s five hundred taels.”

He said, glancing at Zhu Huang.

“Thank you for your trouble, Zhu Huang, carrying so much money.”

Zhu Huang repeatedly said it was not trouble at all, but under his unfriendly gaze, he hid behind Deng Ruyun.

Deng Ruyun found it amusing but played along, not exposing anything. She simply said that the money would stay with them for now, and she would go back and sort out her own finances. Inspector Sun would be coming to Xi’an Prefecture on business in three days, and she would pay the money then and properly take over Cixin Hall.

As for the physician, she still wanted him to work for her.

The man readily agreed without mentioning it, and Deng Ruyun left shortly after.

But after she left, Shen Xiu lingered at the alley entrance for a while. Looking at “Physician Fu” with the capital’s accent and then at the young apprentice beside him, who seemed to have a martial arts background, he sensed that the people his mistress had encountered were probably not ordinary.

However, Shen Xiu could not immediately figure out who these two were or why they were there; he could only investigate further.

*

That day, Deng Ruyun, following someone’s instructions, returned home early.

The maid in the courtyard said he had gone back earlier, but apparently, finding her not there, he had gone out again.

Deng Ruyun first went to the side courtyard to prepare medicine for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, she asked Xiuniang to boil water for her. Having been covered in soot from the fire at Cixin Hall that morning, she decided to wash her hair to feel more comfortable.

She was used to doing this herself and did not need anyone’s help. But just as she wrung out the water from her hair twice and looked up, someone quickly wrapped a thick towel around the top of her head.

Deng Ruyun initially thought it was Xiuniang, but the way the towel was wrapped was so haphazard, as if it wanted to cover her entire head.

She could not help but turn around and see that it was Teng Yue.

For a moment, their eyes met, and they both paused for a moment.

The warm steam from her long hair fell in front of them. A single drop of water, having slipped through the net, slid down her temple without her noticing until it dripped onto her shoulder. Only then did she come to her senses and look away.

As soon as she looked away, Teng Yue felt a void in his heart.

But he did not leave, only saying it was too cold, “You should hurry back to your room and dry your hair.”

After he finished speaking, he ordered two more basins of charcoal to be lit in the room, then came back and softly asked her.

“Shall I help you dry it?”

Deng Ruyun did not want his help and shook her head. “Thank you, General. No need; I can do it myself.”

Her words were ordinary, but to Teng Yue, they sounded like she was retreating step by step, creating a large distance between them.

“Yunniang…” he could not help but call out to her.

But once the words were out, he did not know what to say next.

Deng Ruyun was also afraid he would say something she could not respond to, so she did not answer him for a moment.

Only two unsure heartbeats echoed in the quiet winter room.

Teng Yue did not say anything that would put them both in an awkward position. He only said, “I think I heard Linglang come back from Chengfeng Garden.”

Teng Xiao liked Linglang very much, especially her sweet little mouth. She often said, “If only Mother could speak half as well as little Linglang, I do not know how cheerful I would be.”

Deng Ruyun could not respond to this, and Teng Yue helplessly told her not to talk nonsense.

Linglang herself said, “Linglang does not speak sweetly; she just tells the truth. Besides, Aunt Xiao is very kind. The other day, she gave Linglang a slingshot, and she did not even need to aim much before hitting a mouse. Now there are no mice anymore, so no one dares to bite Linglang’s toes!”

These words made Teng Xiao overjoyed. She hugged her and kissed her affectionately. Every day after school, she would take her back to her Chengfeng Garden. Since Linglang came, the sky over her Chengfeng Garden was always clear and sunny.

Deng Ruyun thanked Teng Xiao for helping her take care of the child.

It was getting late, and Linglang had just returned from Chengfeng Garden.

Teng Yue went to check on her in the courtyard, occasionally bringing her into the room.

The little one sweetly called out “Auntie” twice, and seeing her aunt drying her hair, she came over to help.

Deng Ruyun sat on the other side of the couch, tilting her head as she dried her hair. Linglang knelt between them, helping her, while Teng Yue sat behind Linglang, wanting to help but unable to.

Although separated by the little one, the distance between him and his wife seemed shorter.

However, her gaze rarely fell on him; even when it did, she would quickly look away.

After she dried her hair, she got up and went to another room, leaving Teng Yue with a tangram puzzle, playing with Linglang on a small table.

But Linglang was clearly interested in his sand table, so Teng Yue carried her to the desk and showed her the terrain, mountains, rivers, and corridors of the area inside and outside the pass.

Although Deng Ruyun was on the other side of the room, she constantly noticed someone glancing in her direction. The gaze, though seemingly furtive, carried a hint of resentment.

It was as if he were a wife she had married but had not treated well; the pitiful, resentful look was unbearable.

But Deng Ruyun was determined to distance herself from him, to create a distance.

Only in this way could everyone be better off after she left.

For two days in a row, he left his post early and went home. Perhaps sensing she did not want to talk to him, he brought Linglang back from Teng Xiao’s place, playing with her and talking to her.

Teng Xiao was somewhat unhappy, but she could not argue with Teng Yue, so she could only let him take Linglang away.

With Linglang around, the tension between them was indeed less.

And on this day, Deng Ruyun gathered all her money and had Xiuniang take it, preparing to go to Inspector Sun’s office to properly acquire Cixin Hall. Xiuniang held the money she had painstakingly saved, saying, “This money is all that the young lady has worked so hard to save. If we give it all away, our savings will be gone, and we will only have enough left for food.”

Aunt Juan was not bothered by the family’s empty coffers. “Let’s tighten our belts this year-end. Once the shop is up and running and we pay off all the debts, we should start making money around next spring or summer.”

Do not underestimate the shop’s size; it would earn far more than just making and selling medicine.

With this shop, there would be a steady stream of income. Deng Ruyun said to Aunt Juan, “You can start looking at small houses in the nearby counties. The houses do not need to be big, just in a stable location.”

Aunt Juan readily agreed but then smiled and said, “But we just bought Cixin Hall; where would we get the money to buy a house right now?”

Deng Ruyun did not reply, only saying they’d look first.

The crisis involving Teng Yue and Prince Enhua’s Mansion was resolved. On her side, Xue Dengguan and her uncle and aunt had all met their respective fates. Their arranged marriage was built on the crises of both sides; now that the crises were over, although Teng Yue’s next bride was still in mourning, their early divorce, giving him a year or two to remarry, was perfectly timed.

If things went this way, perhaps Old Madam Lin would allow her to leave in the latter half of next year.

As long as Old Madam Lin felt she had fulfilled the contract, she would naturally give her the agreed-upon money, which would then be enough to buy the house…

However, she feared something might go wrong with the contract, and what would happen then was uncertain.

She decided to put these concerns aside for now and sent Xiuniang with the money to Cixin Hall.

But when the money arrived, Inspector Sun was temporarily held up and sent word that the transfer could be finalized later that afternoon; there was no rush.

Deng Ruyun trusted Inspector Sun quite a bit. Seeing that she had some free time and there were not many people around at midday, she simply said to the person who wanted to lend her money, “I will treat Physician Fu to lunch.”

As soon as she said this, Zhu Huang immediately popped his head out, “Can I come along too?!”

Deng Ruyun smiled. “Of course, I really need to thank Brother Zhu Huang for what happened last time.”

If it were not for Zhu Huang running errands for her, how could the bandit leader have been caught, let alone received the extra reward money from the government, which allowed her to take over the shop today?

As she spoke, she led him to a mutton restaurant not far away.

This mutton restaurant had a bright and spacious entrance, was crowded with customers, and naturally, the prices were quite high.

Bai Chunfu asked Deng Ruyun, “Are you sure you want to go here? This place is too expensive; we cannot usually afford it.”

Deng Ruyun thought to herself, “He’s seen all sorts of things in the capital. How could I possibly take him to a roadside eatery?”

She glanced at him. “I am afraid this place is not luxurious enough; Physician Fu would not be satisfied.”

The man quickly said no, “No, I was just worried about Master Liang spending too much.”

He did not reveal his identity at all, but Deng Ruyun was already very grateful that he lent her money at this crucial moment, so she naturally did not bother with any more pleasantries.

Upon entering the restaurant, Deng Ruyun immediately ordered two large platters of their specialty mutton.

As soon as the two platters of mutton arrived, she saw Zhu Huang’s eyes light up.

Then Zhu Huang thanked her sincerely and immediately began eating the mutton.

Not only were Deng Ruyun and Xiuniang shocked, but even Bai Chunfu was stunned for a moment. After regaining his composure, he could not help but tap Zhu Huang on the head.

“I do not expect you to bring me honor, but do not embarrass me, alright? Have I been starving you?”

Zhu Huang had already devoured three lamb chops in that short time, and he repeatedly denied it.

“You have not starved me, but I have not had a full meal in months!”

Deng Ruyun found this amusing and quickly ordered two more plates of meat.

Seeing the child looking like a hungry wolf, she could not help but say to the person pretending to be poor in disguise:

“It’s one thing for Physician Fu to go hungry himself, but Zhu Huang is still growing; he needs to eat meat.”

As she said this, Zhu Huang nodded beside her.

Bai Chunfu just wanted to kick him back to the Shaolin Temple.

He could not help but explain to Deng Ruyun, “I really have not mistreated him.”

He saw that although she agreed, she still handed two large pieces of meat to Zhu Huang, who ate them with his mouth full of oil.

At this rate, would he not eat her out of house and home in one meal?

She’d probably emptied her savings trying to buy the shop; after treating them to this meal, how much would she have left?

Bai Chunfu certainly had plenty of money to lend her, but she probably would not accept it, and it would not be convenient for her to ask.

He could not resist kicking Zhu Huang under the table.

To his surprise, Zhu Huang cried out in pain, looking at him with a pleading expression, but still talking.

Even if she could not see, she knew what was going on, and she pleaded with him, “Let Zhu Huang eat it; it’s rare for him to eat meat.”

That’s it. Bai Chunfu felt utterly helpless; his lifelong reputation had been completely ruined by this brat.

But whatever he said only made things worse, so he could only think of settling the bill later.

However, halfway through his meal, just as he found an opportunity to leave, she followed him out.

“Do not dare pay secretly; this meal is my treat.”

“But what money do you have?” Bai Chunfu asked her with a smile.

She was taken aback by his question but replied, “I still have enough for a meal of mutton.”

She was about to go downstairs to pay the bill when someone behind her suddenly called out to her.

“Yunniang, do not be so polite with me.”

Deng Ruyun paused and turned around.

Bai Chunfu did not know why he had called her by her given name; he only came to his senses when she looked at him in surprise.

Perhaps because everyone knew her true gender, she was not wearing any dark or yellow powder on her face today, and a beam of light shone in from the carved window in the stairwell.

The soft winter sunlight shone on her face, making her complexion appear even whiter and more beautiful.

Bai Chunfu’s heart skipped a beat, but under her curious gaze, he could only hide his reaction.

“What I mean is, Master Liang, do not be so polite with me. That kid Zhu Huang can eat the food of three people by himself; it’s really too much.”

She said it was no problem, “We can afford to invite a few more people.”

He had no choice but to let her pay. However, the meal ended late, and everyone went back to get the money and headed to Inspector Sun’s small residence in Xi’an Prefecture.

The residence was not large and was located in a secluded alley.

Bai Chunfu had Zhu Huang guard the money, and he accompanied her. Just as they arrived in the alley, they saw Inspector Sun escorting out a man who looked like a shopkeeper. Although the man was only a shopkeeper, Inspector Sun treated him with great courtesy.

“It’s not that I do not want to sell the shop to Yanchun Hall; it’s just that a friend happens to want it, and I cannot very well refuse a friend’s request, can I?”

Upon hearing this, Deng Ruyun realized that the man Inspector Sun had escorted was the shopkeeper of Yanchun Hall.

Yanchun Hall had previously wanted to buy Cixin Hall Pharmacy, and they would not mind if the pharmacy burned down. However, it was clear that she and Inspector Sun had made a prior agreement, so the manager of Yanchun Hall could only leave in a carriage.

The crowd moved to the side of the road, but as the carriage passed by, the people inside glanced out.

At the entrance of the Sun Mansion, Shopkeeper Qin stood beside Inspector Sun, looking somewhat worried.

“They offered such high prices twice, but you did not sell. Will this not offend them? Yanchun Hall is, after all, property of the Prince Qin’s Mansion. The Prince Qin’s Mansion is not to be trifled with!”

But Inspector Sun replied, “The Prince Qin’s Mansion cannot force a sale.” He looked in the direction the carriage had gone. “I am more at ease not selling to them. I’ve always disapproved of Yanchun Hall’s arrogant and domineering behavior in Xi’an.”

Just then, Deng Ruyun and her group turned the corner and walked over.

Having witnessed the commotion, Deng Ruyun felt deeply grateful to Inspector Sun. Her immediate priority was to settle the shop matter quickly, lest anything untoward happen.

She nodded to Inspector Sun as she approached, when suddenly the sound of hooves approached.

The sound startled Deng Ruyun. Looking up, she saw Teng Yue standing right before her.

Deng Ruyun was greatly surprised.

The man, having spotted her, dismounted and walked straight towards her.

Teng Yue, seeing her look at him with surprise, felt a tightening in his chest.

The man standing beside her took a half-step forward, as if to shield her behind him.

A thousand horses galloped through Teng Yue’s mind in an instant.

In the deep alley, the sand and gravel rustled in the wind. Deng Ruyun only saw Teng Yue staring straight at her, oblivious to Inspector Sun’s approach to greet him.

She dared not avoid him any longer and could only step forward.

As she walked towards Teng Yue, Bai Chunfu’s side immediately emptied. He silently pursed his lips, saying nothing.

Deng Ruyun bypassed Inspector Sun and stood before Teng Yue. “General, what brings you here?”

Seeing everyone else present, she gently tugged at his sleeve. “Let’s talk over there.”

Teng Yue, greeted by her and her tugging at his sleeve, felt slightly calmer. He glanced at Bai Chunfu from afar, then took her hand in return before walking aside with her.

“What brings you here, General?”

Seeing her still asking, Teng Yue’s anger, mixed with resentment, surged.

He tightened his grip on her hand.

“You still ask me what I am doing here?”

She made and sold medicine and ran her business and shops—none of these things mattered, but she was short of money and could not scrape together any, yet she had not even thought to ask him.

Of the thousand taels he had given her before, she had not touched a single penny, and now, short of money, she had not even mentioned it to him, only coming to this physician, “Fu Chunbai,” to borrow money.

She borrowed money from that man and even treated him to a meal in the street, but when she saw him on the street before, she had not even taken the initiative to greet him…

Teng Yue tightly gripped her hand and pulled her to his chest. “Do you know who he is? And yet you are on good terms with him?”

Deng Ruyun’s hand ached from his grip, and she only said, “What are you saying, General?”

When did she become on good terms with someone?

But Teng Yue suddenly spoke.

“Do you know who he is? The so-called physician from Zhili is just a front. He’s the sixth master of the Bai family of Fengxiang, the legitimate son of the Grand Princess Ningfeng. He’s here in Shaanxi on the Emperor’s orders to assist the Imperial Medical Academy in collecting rare and precious medicines. I do not know why he’s hiding his identity and practicing medicine in this small pharmacy.”

Even more, he did not know why this Sixth Young Master Bai would covet someone else’s wife.

Upon hearing this, Inspector Sun, Shopkeeper Qin, and the others all looked at Bai Chunfu in disbelief, especially Shopkeeper Qin, whose head was practically about to explode.

But Bai Chunfu was not surprised that Teng Yue had investigated him so thoroughly. He was just looking at Deng Ruyun’s hand, which he was holding so tightly, yet she had not struggled at all.

Now that Teng Yue had revealed his identity, she blinked and turned to look at him. Bai Chunfu just stood there, letting her look him over.

He never revealed his true identity, but he showed no intention of deceiving her.

Deng Ruyun was stunned. She had guessed he might be wealthy, but she never expected him to be the “Sixth Young Master Bai” that Yang Youling and Huang Yudai had mentioned.

But now, she looked up at Teng Yue.

“But General, I only borrowed money from this…this Sixth Young Master Bai.”

“But why did you not ask me when you needed money, Yunniang?” This question hit the nail on the head. Deng Ruyun paused, but he asked again.

“You not only borrowed money from him, but you also treated him to a meal.”

Does she…like him?

He did not ask the question aloud, still caught in the unanswerable question.

She remained silent, but Teng Yue’s heart suddenly sank.

At this moment, Bai Chunfu spoke.

“Who I am is unimportant. What’s important is that today is the day Master Liang takes over the pharmacy from Inspector Sun. This is a major event, and we cannot afford to delay it, can we?”

Upon hearing this “Sixth Young Master Bai” speak, Teng Yue immediately sensed that this man had no good intentions whatsoever.

If he stopped her, he would surely disappoint Yunniang; if he did not, would Sixth Young Master Bai still have to lend her money?

But Teng Yue called Tang Zuo, who was following behind, forward. “Give three hundred taels to cover Madam’s expenses.”

Upon hearing this, Deng Ruyun instinctively wanted to say “no.”

She had already received money from Old Madam Lin; how could she take his money again?

But before she could utter the word “no,” Teng Yue stared at her.

Deng Ruyun was caught in a dilemma, but Bai Chunfu said, “Since I just accepted Master Liang’s invitation to dinner, I naturally have to do things for Master Liang.”

He called Zhu Huang and said, “Give the money to Shopkeeper Qin.”

Zhu Huang stepped forward.

But Teng Yue’s gaze fell on Shopkeeper Qin.

Shopkeeper Qin dared not accept Bai Chunfu’s money any longer. He quickly took a step back and stared directly at his employer, Inspector Sun.

For a moment, the eyes of everyone in the alley darted around.

Inspector Sun had not expected that after seeing off the Prince Qin’s men, he would be greeted by General Teng, and he even had the Sixth Young Master Bai from the Grand Princess’s family brought up.

Inspector Sun broke out in a sweat. After a moment’s thought, he suddenly said,

“I do not want this shop anymore. It’s free; I will give it to Madam!”

There was no future for him and her, but if he gave her a shop, would she remember him forever?

Inspector Sun could not help but glance at Deng Ruyun a few more times, but those glances felt like two sudden gusts of wind, one sharp and piercing, the other gentle yet dagger-like.

General Teng and Sixth Young Master Bai both glared directly at him.

Inspector Sun: “…”

The already thin, bright winter sun was half-blocked by a heavy cloud, making the alleyway even colder.

Some offered to contribute money, some offered to lend money, and some simply refused to sell.

Deng Ruyun had not expected such a simple matter to escalate to this point.

She paused for a moment, then spoke.

“I do not want Cixin Hall anymore.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the entire narrow alley fell silent.