Crimson Leaves: Chapter Eighteen – Nightfall Descends

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Mrs. Fang complained, “I know, you remind me every day—I’m not a child.” Though she was complaining, her tone was tinged with affection. She had been frail and frequently ill since childhood. Before marrying Fang Wei, she even considered breaking off the engagement to avoid burdening him, but only gave up at his persistent insistence. After their marriage, most of their savings went toward medical treatments for her, yet Fang Wei never complained. For Fang Wei, who had lost his parents early, it was Mrs. Fang who gave him a home. The two depended on each other; though their life was modest and hard, their love was deep.

Fang Wei patted her head. “You little scatterbrain, how could you remember if I didn’t remind you?”

Mrs. Fang shook her head to free herself from his hand and poured the herbs from the medicine bag into a ceramic pot. Suddenly, she remembered something. “Have you spoken to your master about the raise yet?”

Fang Wei’s expression changed instantly, but Mrs. Fang, facing away, didn’t notice. He answered vaguely, “Not yet.”

Mrs. Fang said, “You need to tell him soon. I can’t help much at home, and we rely entirely on your salary. It’s almost all gone…”

“What if I can’t be a constable anymore?” Fang Wei suddenly interrupted.

Mrs. Fang turned around. “What?”

Not knowing why he blurted that out, Fang Wei forced a smile when he saw her displeased face. “Nothing, just joking. I’ll probably be late tonight—don’t wait up. Take your medicine and go to bed.” Without waiting for her response, he turned and left.

At Li Fu’s doorstep, he led a young girl out from next door at Aunt Wang’s house. Aunt Qian walked them to the door and said goodbye to the girl, “Be a good child and remember to come to Auntie’s for dinner tonight.”

The girl was about four or five years old, thin and sickly-looking, but alert. Holding Li Fu’s hand, she happily recounted the fun she had at Aunt Wang’s. Li Fu’s wife had died shortly after childbirth due to severe hemorrhaging. If not for a neighbor, a fellow mother who kindly shared her breast milk, the child likely wouldn’t have survived. Now that Li Fu was employed at the Wang estate, the child was cared for by Aunt Qian next door.

Li Fu watched the girl swinging her legs while sitting on the edge of the bed, his gaze gentle as he occasionally smiled warmly at her stories.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Wang estate lit up one lamp after another. To prevent surprise attacks from Tang Haiqiu, the steward had instructed the servants to double the number of oil lamps, lighting the courtyard as brightly as daylight. Gu Lifu adjusted his clothes and said, “Where did you two go today? Don’t tell me you obediently did whatever Xiao Hong wanted, running errands?”

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Niu Er, smelling strongly of alcohol, chuckled lewdly, “With money comes the pleasures of life. I had a wonderful day, though I wish our boss were here.” His tongue was still a bit numb.

Gu Lifu laughed and scolded, “If I were really here, would you even dare to spend money like that? You’d be drinking plain water by now instead of wine.”

Li Fu replied calmly, “I drank tea for a while and then went home to see my daughter since there was nothing else to do.”

Gu Lifu’s smile faded. “You only get to see her every ten or fifteen days. When you finally have the chance, you should go see her. Is the child doing well?”

Li Fu nodded. Gu Lifu finished getting ready and stepped outside. Niu Er and Li Fu passed by him, and more than ten estate guards stood tensely in the courtyard, all watching Gu Lifu. Clearing his throat, Gu Lifu spoke sternly, “There’s been trouble in the house. As guards, we bear responsibility. Though the master has yet to speak, I have confessed my faults to him. I hope none of you feel burdened. We are still in danger, so everyone must stay alert, strengthen defenses, and prevent any further incidents.”

The guards responded in unison, “Yes, sir!” Gu Lifu paired them off, assigning patrol areas. At his command, the pairs dispersed.

Li Fu and Niu Er were paired together, walking through the courtyard with torches. Niu Er still smelling of wine, lamented, “It’s a pity you didn’t go today. That little Peach Blossom is like a living bodhisattva, giving freely with her body. The tricks she performs under the bed are utterly intoxicating…”

Li Fu responded absentmindedly. Passing the east wing courtyard, two guards stood at the gate, grimacing and wearing tired expressions. Li Fu greeted them, “Still holding up?”

One replied with a weary face, “We’ve stood all day. My legs feel like they’re filled with lead.”

Li Fu patted his shoulder. “Hold on, the next shift will be Niu Er and me.” His gaze drifted toward the main room, peering through an open window but seeing no sign of Wang Shihan.

As they left the east wing and neared the kitchen, voices grew louder and the aroma of food wafted out. The cooks bustled preparing the evening meal. Suddenly, Li Fu clutched his stomach in pain. Niu Er was surprised, “What’s wrong with you?”

Li Fu groaned, “I must have eaten something bad outside today. The cramps are unbearable.”

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Niu Er said, “Do you need to go to the latrine? Go ahead; I’ll wait here.”

Li Fu said, “Thanks, I won’t be long.” Clutching his abdomen, he hurried away. Niu Er yawned, glanced around to ensure no one was watching, and sat down by a flowerbed, squinting slightly.

Behind him, Li Fu appeared quietly. He carefully slipped past Niu Er and headed for the kitchen. The Wang estate’s kitchen was spacious, with five or six stoves. With over a hundred household retainers, feeding so many mouths required a dozen or more cooks working simultaneously. Two smaller stoves were specially for the Wang Chengjian family’s meals, tended by a chef brought from Suzhou, since the Wang family hailed from there and preferred Jiangnan flavors.

As Li Fu appeared at the kitchen door, the head chef noticed him, setting down his knife and wiping his hands on his apron. “Guard Li, what can I do for you?”

Li Fu said gravely, “Chef Lu, has Guard Niu spoken with you?”

Lu was surprised. “No, he hasn’t. What’s the matter?”

Li Fu raised his voice, “Everyone, stop what you’re doing.” The cooks put down their utensils and looked at him. “Guard Niu is outside waiting for you. He has something to tell you all. Please come outside so we can talk.”

Lu, sensing something unusual—aware of last night’s events—signaled the others to set down their spatulas and knives and followed Li Fu outside with a rumble. Li Fu stayed at the back, waiting for the crowd to disperse. Then, he suddenly pulled a porcelain bottle from his chest, unscrewed the cap, and quickly sprinkled its powder into the pots on the stoves. The heat rapidly dissolved the medicine, and he hurriedly worked his way from one stove to the next. By the time he finished with the last pot, the bottle was empty.

Calming his pounding heart, he tucked the bottle away and hurried after the others.

Niu Er, dozing lazily outside, head bobbing as if about to fall asleep, suddenly heard approaching footsteps. He snapped open his eyes, startled to see more than ten people walking toward him and leapt up in alarm. When he recognized Chef Lu leading the cooks, he grumbled, “You scared me half to death, damn it!”