Chapter 778: Frigid Breeze, Firmly Kept Promise [Thank You

Late June,

It had been over ten days since Lu Xiaogong of the Marquis Lu household unveiled his hand-cranked rotating fan.

The height of summer had arrived,

and if one walked outdoors after the hour of Wu (after 1 p.m.), the air felt dry and scorching.

Clothes soaked in sweat would dry quickly after just a few moments in the sun.

Under such relentless heat, even the previously cool nights had grown hot enough to keep people tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

As Xu Zaijing trained in his own courtyard, the officials of the Great Zhou were already walking toward the palace.

When they lined up at the palace gates, the stifling, windless heat forced most to tuck their ceremonial tablets into their belts, remove their official caps, and pull out handkerchiefs to wipe the sweat from their foreheads.

Sheng Hong, clad in his crimson official robe, did the same; as he wiped his brow, he said to a colleague beside him: “This weather is unbearable.”

“Indeed! Once we enter the hall, it’ll be better—the ice blocks placed inside will surely make it cooler than out here.”

Sheng Hong nodded vigorously: “Exactly!”

He then replaced his official cap.

Afterward, he stood quietly waiting.

Soon,

the eunuch’s voice rang out at the palace entrance, and the assembled ministers filed in one after another.

As Sheng Hong entered, he noticed the lighting seemed odd and glanced around—he saw that the usual candle stands now bore lantern covers.

In the dim glow, a tall, metallic object, nearly a man’s height, stood along the walls of the hall.

Besides Sheng Hong, other ministers had also noticed it; with the emperor not yet arrived, they began whispering among themselves.

"Director Sheng, do you know what that new object is?" a colleague whispered.

Sheng Hong’s eyes flickered with recognition, but he still shook his head: “I don’t recognize it. I have no idea what it is.”

The colleague in the candlelight nodded and added: “I wonder if His Highness will attend today’s court session.”

“He will surely come,” Sheng Hong smiled.

“His Majesty arrives!”

At the eunuch’s cry, the murmurs instantly ceased.

After bowing and paying respects, the emperor smiled and said: “My loyal ministers, you have surely noticed the new device in the hall today—it is a rotating fan newly presented by the Ministry of Works. Try it out today and see if it helps dispel the heat.”

Zhao Fang, standing beside the emperor and craning his neck, turned his gaze toward the side of the hall.

Tall, strong palace guards, two to a group, began turning large wheels resembling the counterweights used to raise city gate drawbridges.

The Ministry of Works and the palace bureaus were never short of skilled, ingenious craftsmen.

With high-ranking families in the capital funding the project, and with the principles of gears and wheels applied, the fan built for court sessions was exquisitely crafted beyond compare.

This fan seemed to have drawn from palace experience—it blew cool air, clearly containing ice, and even carried the faint scent of flowers.

As the cool breeze swept over them, the ministers’ summer heat seemed to vanish instantly.

The lanterns in the hall were also affected; the candlelight within their covers flickered slightly.

Several elderly ministers in purple robes, seated near the fan, closed their eyes against the breeze, their beards swaying gently.

After enjoying the coolness for a moment, the Grand Chancellor bowed and spoke loudly: “Your humble servant thanks His Majesty for his benevolence toward his ministers.”

As he spoke, the Grand Chancellor knelt to the ground.

The other ministers, seeing this, quickly followed suit.

That morning,

Jiyin Alley,

the Sheng family’s study courtyard,

the sun blazed fiercely, the heat intense.

The cicadas on the trees outside seemed irritated by the heat, their shrill cries continuous.

Inside the courtyard, cicada noise was nearly absent—because Xu Zaijing and Gu Tingye had climbed the trees themselves and plucked each summer cicada from its branch, “killing it on the spot.”

Inside the house,

the newly updated rotating fan stood motionless in the corner, untouched.

The three desks beside Lan’s were empty—Minglan and Rulan had gone to the country estate, and Moelan had suffered heatstroke and did not come.

Xu Zaijing, dressed in a light-colored thin robe, sat behind his desk, a damp towel draped around his neck; he fanned himself gently while listening to the tutor Zhuang’s lecture.

When a dry, hot draft blew through the room, the damp towel or his sweating skin brought him a refreshing chill.

“Good! Everyone, take a short break—eat melon and drink water to cool down.”

“Yes, Tutor!”

After the students responded, Qi Heng, fanning himself with his folding fan, instinctively glanced several times toward Minglan’s seat.

Seeing the empty chair, Qi Heng sighed faintly with regret.

The servants of Xu Zaijing and the others hurried forward to collect their masters’ handkerchiefs and carried them to the side, dipping them into a bucket of cool well water.

Then, water-soaked melons and sweet melons were brought out, cut open, and passed around to everyone.

Tutor Zhuang, holding a wedge of melon, looked at his students, waved his hand, and said: “I’m going to rest under the bamboo grove outside. You may relax as you please.”

Hearing this, everyone replied, “Yes.”

After Tutor Zhuang left the room, Gu Tingye immediately gestured to his personal attendant, Zhi Que.

Zhi Que rushed to the rotating fan, gripped the handle, and began turning it vigorously.

The students gathered before the fan, feeling the cool breeze, and sighed with relief.

Xu Zaijing looked down at Chang Zhen, who was too short to feel the breeze except at the top of his head, and casually swept him up into the air.

Observant Bu Wei quickly brought over Moelan’s stool and placed it beneath Chang Zhen’s feet.

Xu Zaijing glanced at Chang Zhen’s feet, still not properly on the stool, and said dryly: “Bu Wei, go get Minglan’s stool.”

Bu Wei replied, “Yes,” and quickly replaced the stool.

Chang Zhen, seeing this, sheepishly smiled at Xu Zaijing and stood on the stool to enjoy the breeze.

Two days later,

Taking advantage of the morning coolness, the matriarch returned from the country estate with the two Lans to the Sheng household.

At the precise hour of Si (after 10 a.m.),

the sunlight outdoors had grown harsh.

In the back courtyard,

Shou’an Hall,

the matriarch sat on a Luohan chair, holding a cooling drink, and looked questioningly at Sheng Hong below her: “Hong’er, did you stop the rotating fan in the study?”

Fang Mama, who had been fanning the matriarch, also looked over in surprise.

Sheng Hong, about to drink his beverage, paused immediately and nodded with a nasal tone: “Yes, Mother.”

Meeting his mother’s inquiring gaze, Sheng Hong set down his teacup and said: “Mother, His Majesty is benevolent—he recently installed several rotating fans in the court hall. You know of this, correct?”

The matriarch nodded.

Sheng Hong continued: “The craftsmen of the Ministry of Works are remarkably clever—they devised a method of inserting copper tubes into ice blocks and blowing air through them. The hall became extremely cool.”

“Then why did you stop the fan in the study?” the matriarch asked, puzzled.

Sheng Hong shook his head: “Mother, you don’t know—perhaps because some ministers sat too close to the fan, the wind was too cold. After several days, several senior officials caught a chill.”

“A chill?”

Sheng Hong nodded: “Yes, Mother—a chill.”

As he spoke, Sheng Hong rubbed his nose, feeling unwell himself.

The matriarch paused, then said: “These senior ministers simply overindulged in the coolness. The hall is so cold, while the outer offices are sweltering—those of advanced age will inevitably suffer from the sudden shift.”

“You’re right, Mother. That’s why the court hall has now stopped using ice entirely—only well water is used. Tutor Zhuang is of the same age as the senior ministers, so I ordered the fan in the study stopped.”

“Hmm,” the matriarch said. “I do enjoy cool rooms in summer, but you should have asked Tutor Zhuang’s opinion first. Those who know will say you care for his health; those who don’t will think our family is stingy with ice.”

Sheng Hong was stunned, then nodded: “Mother is right. I didn’t think it through.”

The matriarch smiled: “Good. Hong’er, you must also take care of yourself.”

“Yes, Mother,” Sheng Hong rose and said.

Looking up at the nodding matriarch, he added: “Then, I’ll go to my study now.”

“Go.”

On the other side,

in Weirui Pavilion,

Wang Ruofu fanned herself with a round fan, pursed her lips, and frowned at her daughter Rulan: “Ruer, how long have you been at the country estate? How did you get so tanned!”

Liu Mama, looking at Rulan’s darker complexion, wore a look of concern, and cast a reproachful glance at Xi Que beside her.

Feeling Liu Mama’s silent accusation—“How did you fail to protect Fifth Miss?”—Xi Que, whose own skin had also darkened, lowered her head in embarrassment.

Rulan scratched her cheek sheepishly, then turned her eyes and said: “Mother, I have to practice horseball with Sixth Sister! Horseball can’t be practiced indoors—we must go to the wheat field at the estate. With the sun so strong, how could I not get tanned?!”

“Really?” Wang Ruofu asked Rulan.

“Of course it’s true! Why would I lie to you?” Rulan replied confidently.

Hearing this, Liu Mama sighed helplessly.

“So you practiced horseball in the wheat field?”

“Yes!” Rulan nodded.

Wang Ruofu tapped Rulan’s forehead in exasperation: “Do you really think I’ve never been to the estate?”

Ruolan froze: “Huh?”

“I grew up under your maternal uncle’s care—I ran wild all over the estate! Right now, they’re harvesting summer grain; the threshing floors are all taken up. Where would you even practice polo?”

Ruolan fell silent, recalling Minglan’s antics on the estate, then corrected herself: “Um—I was riding my horse, dragging the stone roller to help with the harvest!”

Wang Ruofu glanced at Ruolan: “Hmph! Didn’t you go chasing crickets under the blazing sun?”

Hearing this, Ruolan frowned and looked toward Xique.

Xique kept her head down, offering Ruolan not a single glance.

“Don’t look. I guessed.” Wang Ruofu sighed again. “Stay inside for a few days. You’re so dark—how can you compare to the maids from Lin Qige?”

Wang Ruofu continued: “If the young marquis sees you like this, he’ll find you unbearable.”

Ruolan, wanting to argue, bit her lip and nodded helplessly.

Wang Ruofu cast one last look at Ruolan, then turned and walked out.

Aunt Liu gave Xique a look meaning “Take care of Fifth Miss,” then hurried after her.

Outside the room, Wang Ruofu fanned herself: “They’re all young girls—Mingya’s complexion hasn’t changed a bit, but Ru’er? Look at her, burned black!”

“Madam, Fifth Miss is still at that innocent, carefree age,” Aunt Liu smiled. “Back when you were her age, didn’t you climb trees to catch birds and wade into rivers to catch fish? Fifth Miss is just like you!”

Hearing this, Wang Ruofu gazed outside, her eyes filled with memory. She whispered: “Those were the days—carefree. My uncle and aunt doted on me, and there were none of the rules I had to follow after returning to the Wang household.”

Aunt Liu smiled.

“What’s the Wei family up to lately?” Wang Ruofu asked.

“Madam, Little Miss Wei has been embroidering nonstop—she says Ming’s aunt is pregnant, so she’s making things ahead of time.”

“Oh!” Wang Ruofu was surprised. “Minglan’s aunt getting pregnant so late?”

“Isn’t that the truth!” Aunt Liu said. “When the main household heard the news, they gave her a red envelope and told her to rest at home!”

Wang Ruofu frowned: “Hmph, so she won’t get her usual stipend?”

“Little Miss Wei says the stipend will still be paid!”

“The main household is truly kind,” Wang Ruofu said, fanning herself.

Before Aunt Liu could reply, Wang Ruofu looked outside and said: “Go, send more ice to the schoolhouse. With this heat, Bai’er might break out in heat rash again!”

“Yes, Madam!” Aunt Liu hurried to comply.

Evening came.

The scorching sun sank below the horizon; the temperature dropped slightly.

As darkness fell,

lanterns flickered to life across Bianjing, and by night, the areas near the grand inns and brothels were even livelier than by day.

East of the imperial palace,

beside the moat, lanterns on the palace walls cast reflections on the water.

To the north lay the street outside Donghuamen; to the south, not far away, lay Pan Lou; to the east, the bustling Old Caomen Street.

Faint sounds of revelry drifted from all three directions, making this place seem all the quieter, more serene.

In the back courtyard of the Chai household,

Qiusheng Garden,

bright lanterns hung beneath the covered walkway, and maids occasionally passed beneath them.

Beyond the walkway, the grass and trees lay in darkness, crickets chirping softly.

In the main house of the courtyard,

from outside, the doors and windows glowed brightly from the candlelight within.

Inside, cool and refreshing,

a gentle breeze stirred the thin curtains.

Chai Zhengzheng sat behind the table, candlelight illuminating her as she studied Wei Fangzhi standing nearby.

She glanced again at the ledger in her hands and said softly: “Fangniang, do you remember how long you’ve been in my garden?”

Wei Fangzhi, without her pipa, dressed only in summer attire, lifted her head and looked at Chai Zhengzheng behind the table: “Miss, it’s been about three years.”

Chai Zhengzheng smiled and nodded: “Good. All this time, I checked the silver used to redeem you—these past few days—and it’s been fully repaid. There’s even five thousand guan left over.”

Before Wei Fangzhi could speak, Chai Zhengzheng continued: “This deal turned out well.”

Wei Fangzhi nodded.

Chai Zhengzheng glanced at Yunmu, who understood at once, turned, and brought over a prepared wooden box.

“Since you’ve fulfilled your part, I must fulfill mine,” Chai Zhengzheng smiled. “This box contains everything you need to restore your free status. Take a look.”

Yunmu glanced at Chai Zhengzheng, stepped forward, and gently offered the heavy wooden box to Wei Fangzhi.

Wei Fangzhi, who had performed before the imperial court without a tremor, now breathed rapidly.

She reached out, fingers brushing the exquisite wooden box, then looked up at Chai Zhengzheng.

Seeing Chai Zhengzheng’s smiling nod, Wei Fangzhi took the box, lowered her head, and knelt slowly to the ground. “Fangniang bows in deepest gratitude to Miss.”

Wei Fangzhi had grown up in the music bureau; she had seen too many fates of the women there.

Even brilliant talents like her predecessors, once their beauty faded, were lucky to marry merchants.

That Yang Luoyou had ruined her own face to gain a sliver of freedom—had it not been for the chance encounters with the Viscount Zhu family and the Yongyi Marquis household, her life might have been far worse.

She was a commodity, drained of every last value by the music bureau and brothels, then discarded like trash.

Wei Fangzhi knew that, on her own, she could have remained popular in a brothel for five or six more years—the value extracted from her would far exceed tens of thousands of guan.

That meant freeing her from her lowly status was unimaginably difficult—not something just anyone could accomplish.

And these documents? They couldn’t be bought with mere tens of thousands of guan.

Kneeling and bowing in thanks was not excessive.

Behind the table, Chai Zhengzheng looked at Wei Fangzhi, more beautiful than ever after three years, and smiled: “Rise.”

Beside her, Yunmu smiled and reached out to help Wei Fangzhi to her feet.

Seeing Wei Fangzhi in tears, Chai Zhengzheng smiled: “You’ll still live and work in my shops. Why act like it’s a farewell? Don’t cry.”

“Yes, Miss,” Wei Fangzhi took a deep breath, smiled through her tears like a pear blossom wet with rain.

“Go.”

Chai Zhengzheng smiled.

Watching Wei Fangzhi’s retreating figure, Chai Zhengzheng took a deep, wistful breath—perhaps mourning the passage of time.

Then, as if remembering something, she glanced toward the bedroom, and a smile returned to her lips.

(End of Chapter)