FIMA Ch55: Living Expenses

This Tianyun Tower is considered one of the top restaurants in the capital, and being close to Qingping Temple, it is almost always reserved by the high gates and great clans during the annual ritual ceremonies.

Wang Xu also made an appointment with them here.

So, meeting Shen Changhuan here was unexpected but within reason.

Xie Changyue lightly patted Gu Siyuan, jumping down from his back.

After dismounting, ignoring everything else, he smiled lightly and walked straight towards the young man in the light red robe who had just spoken.

“Slap!” With a raised hand, a crisp slap resounded.

The air fell silent.

Gu Siyuan’s lips curved slightly.

Shen Changhuan’s face first turned pale, then his eyes showed a hint of schadenfreude.

“Xie Changyue, how dare you hit me!” The young man in question, covering his face, screamed in disbelief.

He had never imagined in his life that he would be slapped in broad daylight.

The young man was named Dan Ying, the second son of Princess Liyang. Princess Liyang, the legitimate daughter of the former emperor, had always been arrogant and domineering. Even after the current emperor ascended the throne, she remained unchanged.

Especially since the current emperor had quite a struggle and strife before ascending, with brothers and sisters dying or leaving, only a few remaining in the capital. Princess Liyang was one of the few.

The Emperor, in order to show his deep brotherly affection to the people, and also because Liyang was a woman, tolerated her a great deal. This only emboldened Princess Liyang, who would cry and cause a scene whenever something displeased her. If the Emperor didn’t agree to her demands, she would go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple and cry in front of the late Emperor’s spirit.

Over time, she almost became a tyrant in the capital.

Dan Ying, who resembled the Princess in appearance, was greatly favored since childhood.

Under such influence, his personality naturally bore some similarities. However, he was more restrained than the Princess, bullying only those of lower status and wealth, mocking them for being scheming and restless.

As a result, among the upper echelons of the capital, he even gained a reputation as a straightforward and candid person.

More than a year ago, when Dan Ying came of age, the Princess excitedly rushed into the palace to ask the Emperor to grant her son the title of County Lord.

Of course, no matter how much she cried and caused a scene, the Emperor did not agree.

The Emperor was not made of clay; his tolerance for her had almost reached its limit over the years. The idea of making her son a County Lord was preposterous, especially since even the sons of the Emperor’s brothers hadn’t been granted such titles.

A County Lord had rank and received stipends. To bestow such an honor on someone of his character, did the Emperor think the state treasury was too full?

This was one reason why Dan Ying spoke rudely to Xie Changyue today. He had been denied what he sought, yet this country bumpkin received it so easily. How could he tolerate that?

Xie Changyue loosened his slender, fair fingers and looked coldly at the person in front of him. “I’ll beat you up for mocking a County Lord personally appointed by the Emperor. Are you expressing dissatisfaction with the Emperor? Are you… planning a rebellion?”

Dan Ying’s face changed drastically, his anger instantly turning to fear. “You… what nonsense are you talking about? When have I ever… been dissatisfied with the Emperor…”

Although he was indeed unhappy with his Imperial uncle when he heard about Xie Changyue’s appointment, he absolutely couldn’t express this aloud.

Xie Changyue tilted his head slightly, squinting at him with a faint tone, “Then why don’t you hurry and get out of the way? What are you blocking my path for? I thought you were very dissatisfied.”

Dan Ying’s mind went blank, and he moved aside hesitantly.

Gu Siyuan, watching his partner’s performance, walked over with a hint of a smile, took his hand, and led him upstairs to Tianyun Tower. He whispered, “Truly worthy of a County Lord, so imposing. I’m really scared.”

Xie Changyue immediately turned his head and wrinkled his little nose at him, looking proud and adorable.

After they left, Shen Changhuan frowned slightly, looking at Dan Ying beside him: What a fool!

Usually, he was sharp-tongued and sarcastic towards the sons and daughters of ordinary officials, making many cry. But now, scared stiff by Xie Changyue.

However… he still had his uses.

He stepped forward, worry written all over his face, grabbing Dan Ying’s hand. “A-Ying, are you alright? Has Changyue gone mad? If the Princess finds out, who knows how angry she’ll be?”

Dan Ying’s face flushed, and he suddenly came to his senses, realizing what he had just done.

His eyes burned with anger, gritting his teeth. “Good… good Xie Changyue, a country bumpkin’s bastard, dares to humiliate and bully me like this. Hmph, just wait, if he doesn’t kneel and apologize to me, I won’t be a Dan.”

After speaking, he turned and walked down the street.

Today, in front of everyone, he lost all his dignity. If he couldn’t get it back a hundredfold, who knew how people would mock him. He’d never be able to show his face in the capital again.

Shen Changhuan stood at the entrance of Tianyun Tower, watching Dan Ying’s furious back as he walked away in the setting sun, his expression changing subtly, a slight smile on his lips.

Just then, the sound of “neighing” came, and Xiao Jingchuan and Shen Changye jumped off their horses.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Jingchuan frowned and asked, “What happened? I saw the Princess’s son running away angrily.”

He looked at Shen Changye with an inscrutable expression.

Everyone knew that the Princess’s son had recently taken a liking to Shen Changye, with romantic feelings evident.

Shen Changye looked disdainful.

Shen Changhuan blinked, his face clearing up with a smile as he asked, “Why are you only here now? I’ve been waiting for a while.”

Shen Changye looked at Xiao Jingchuan.

Xiao Jingchuan shrugged helplessly, “Mother held me up with a lot of talking before I left.”

“Oh.” Shen Changhuan nodded and said no more, pulling them into the building behind him.

After Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue went upstairs to the second floor.

Wang Xu stood up and waved at them, and they immediately walked over.

The second floor wasn’t a private room but had many small partitions made of folding screens around the stairs and railings, providing some privacy while still enjoying the lively atmosphere above and below, fitting this place’s style.

After Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue sat down, Wang Xu immediately mocked, “Look at you two, always saying I get into fights in the capital. With your trouble-making skills, you’re no less than me. Just wait, the Princess dotes on her son Dan Ying the most. She might soon go to the palace to complain.”

Xie Changyue glared at him indignantly.

Gu Siyuan sipped his tea and calmly asked, “From your words, it seems you have a lot of experience dealing with the Princess.”

Wang Xu winked mysteriously, “What do you think?”

Gu Siyuan put down his cup and said flatly, “I won’t say.”

“…,” Wang Xu was speechless.

After a while, he said angrily, “Don’t you have any curiosity?”

Xie Changyue proudly raised an eyebrow at him, “My husband isn’t as childish as you.”

Wang Xu spread his hands, “Fine, I won’t beat around the bush. Before I left for Wuqing County, I beat up the Princess’s chubby son Dan Xiong twice.”

Gu Siyuan finally asked, “And then, did she go to the palace to complain?”

Wang Xu nodded, “Of course.”

“…” Gu Siyuan.

Why did you sound so proud?

Wang Xu indeed looked very proud. “I tell you, don’t believe those who say I’m a troublemaker. Some people deliberately smear my reputation. I only beat up those who deserve it. I beat that fat Dan boy twice—once because he rode his horse down the main street and injured a vegetable farmer without compensating him, and another time because he was bullying a seven- or eight-year-old girl at a teahouse. Really, beating him to death wouldn’t be too much.”

Gu Siyuan nodded, “You did the right thing.”

Wang Xu beamed, “I knew you would understand me.”

Gu Siyuan looked at him and persistently asked, “So, what happened after she complained?”

“…” Wang Xu sighed and continued, “Then, the next day, my father, the Minister, came back from court and gave me a few lashes, grounded me for a few days. What else could he do, let that fat guy beat me up too?”

Wang Xu’s family background was different and not very relevant.

Gu Siyuan lowered his eyes in thought and asked, “By the way, do you know why that boy has such animosity towards Changyue? The emotions in his eyes are too intense, not just a simple case of defending Shen Changhuan.”

Xie Changyue looked at her husband, puzzled, “Hmm, is that so?”

Wang Xu was shocked, “Seriously, you’re asking me? How would I know? I’m a man; am I supposed to go around digging up gossip between gers?”

“I might know.”

At this moment, a gentle male voice came from the partition behind them.

The three turned their heads to look back.

Two tall figures emerged from the partition.

“Fiv…” Wang Xu’s eyes widened, standing up and almost calling out before quickly correcting himself, “Cousin, and… brother.”

Gu Siyuan recognized one of them, having met him briefly a few months ago in Huangyang Village.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, cupped his hands, and said, “I’m all ears.”

Hearing this, the two men smiled faintly.

After a while, only the three of them remained in the partition. Wang Xu patted his chest, “Fortunately, we didn’t do anything else today. Why is my brother out here?”

He looked at Gu Siyuan and said, “Hmph, you have some pull.”

Gu Siyuan glanced at him lightly, “That only means your standing in your family is quite low.”

Xie Changyue immediately covered his mouth and laughed, “Hehe.”

“…” Wang Xu.

How could there be someone in this world who was more annoying than himself?

Suddenly, there was a loud sound of gongs and drums outside the building.

The festival procession had begun.

The three exchanged a glance and simultaneously walked toward the nearby window.

It was already past the evening.

In October, night fell early, but today the capital was brightly lit.

A cold autumn wind blew, but through the crowd, there was no trace of chill.

Not far from the Yongding River, various fireworks soared into the sky, and countless pleasure boats with lanterns filled the river, with the sound of silk and bamboo intermingling.

Around the wide ritual altar, cheers rang out, almost lifting the roof.

Standing by the window, Xie Changyue couldn’t help but jump up and down in excitement.

Gu Siyuan, his expression unchanged, quickly extended his hand to block the window, fearing that his partner might accidentally fall out in his excitement.

After some time, Xie Changyue’s excitement subsided a bit, and he pulled Gu Siyuan, ready to sit back in their partition and drink some tea.

At this moment, a male voice called out, “Changyue?”

Gu Siyuan and Xie Changyue turned their heads towards the source of the voice.

It was Shen Changhuan, Shen Changye, and Xiao Jingchuan, with the voice clearly belonging to Shen Changye.

Xie Changyue squinted his eyes and greeted, “… Second Young Master Shen?”

Shen Changye’s face fell slightly, his voice cooling, “Changyue, I’ve heard you returned to the capital. Why haven’t you visited the Marquis’s mansion?”

Ignoring his cold tone, Xie Changyue continued, “I’ve already sent someone to convey my greetings to the Marquis’s mansion. Perhaps the young master is unaware? As for meeting in person, it’s really unnecessary. Since the beginning was a mistake, it’s best to end it cleanly. That’s why I left decisively upon learning the truth.”

Hearing this, Shen Changye’s face darkened further.

Shen Changhuan stepped forward, seemingly unable to bear it, “Changyue, how can you say that? After all these years of teaching and nurturing, the Marquis’s mansion and our parents’ kindness, are you going to disregard it all?”

Hearing this, Xie Changyue looked at him with a peculiar expression.

“So, did the Xie couple in Huangyang Village treat you badly, not giving you the warmth of teaching and nurturing? If not, why don’t you visit them?” Gu Siyuan lifted his eyelids slightly and asked Shen Changhuan.

Shen Changhuan’s words faltered.

Because the Shen family matriarch had a peculiar temperament, she disliked the Xie family and didn’t want him to associate with them; also, Xiao Jingchuan’s mother was extremely rigid, thinking country people were crude and rude, so she didn’t want him to have much contact with the Xie family.

Moreover, his returns were for other secretive matters, not to visit the Xie family. So, his few returns to Huangyang Village were all done secretly, known only to Xiao Jingchuan and a few others.

However…

He looked at Gu Siyuan in confusion. This person clearly encountered him once in the countryside; why bring this up now to shut him up? Did he already know he wouldn’t dare admit it?

On the other hand, Shen Changye frowned and said coldly, “The Xie family are mere farmers. How can they compare with the Marquis’s mansion?”

Gu Siyuan sneered, “I didn’t know that parental affection could be ranked by nobility or baseness. Tsk, maybe it can be. After all, back on the cliff, the Xie family was willing to sacrifice their own son Changyue for their adopted son Shen Changhuan; not to mention, Changyue’s biological mother died saving Shen Changhuan.”

“So, who should really be grateful for their upbringing? Who should be the one to visit?”

The Tianyun Tower was filled with the children of high-ranking families from the capital. They had heard rumors about the child switch in the Suining Marquis’s mansion. Now, piecing together bits and pieces from the conversation, they couldn’t help but start discussing.

“Tsk, so there’s such a backstory… The Xie family has really been kind to Shen Changhuan.”

“Did the Xie family treat him better than their own? And Shen Changhuan returned to the Suining Marquis’s mansion without a second thought, without any reluctance?”

“Tsk, one is a marquis’s mansion, the other is a farmer’s home, isn’t that obvious?”

“If that’s the case, when Xie Changyue left the marquis’s mansion, letting Shen Changhuan return, didn’t that show he wasn’t clinging to wealth? And the Shen family is still not satisfied?”

“They didn’t stop him when he left, but now that he’s been made a county lord, they talk about nurturing affection. Are they trying to leverage their kindness for a reward? Haha…”

Seeing the unfavorable atmosphere, Shen Changhuan quickly softened, speaking earnestly, “It’s not like that. I am very grateful to the Xie family, and the Marquis’s mansion is not trying to leverage their kindness. Changyue grew up in a noble place. How could he not know the situation in the mansion…”

“Hmph, the Marquis’s mansion is big and wealthy; they wouldn’t care about such a small reward.” Shen Changye, already exasperated, didn’t expect Gu Siyuan to be so blunt, revealing these secrets in public.

“Oh, I see. You two brothers say the Xie family can’t compare, and the Marquis’s mansion is grand and noble. So, you think Changyue spent a lot more money growing up than Shen Changhuan.”

Gu Siyuan paused, looking at the two brothers, “So, did you come to collect living expenses from Changyue today? How much exactly? You know, Changyue just came into some money recently.”