Chapter 7: The Wealthy Matron

Upon seeing Zhang Chulan rush over, Su Ze felt a headache brewing and thought to himself that indeed, the Northern Song dynasty was quite liberal in its customs. Unmarried women wandering the streets freely was something almost unthinkable during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

This openness also extended to marriage. For example, the current emperor’s empress, Lady Cao, had been divorced once before being selected as empress by the court officials.

Ah, and then there was Princess Fukang, who had lost her cat. Su Ze recalled that historically, this princess had a very troubled relationship with her husband’s family. She even knocked on the palace gate late at night, demanding a divorce. Eventually, Emperor Renzong had no choice but to acquiesce to his beloved daughter’s wishes, allowing her and the prince consort to live apart within the palace.

Zhang Chulan glanced at Su Ze with the same irritation.

Though Su Ze’s family was poor, Zhang Chulan’s family was not merely mercenary; there was a longstanding relationship between the two families. Yet how could her parents entrust her to a man as unambitious as Su Ze?

That was why Zhang Chulan urged him to study hard, hoping he could pass the imperial examination and then formally propose to her family. Even if he ranked lower, with the Zhang family’s wealth, they could secure an official position for him.

But Su Ze wasted his days frequenting taverns with disreputable friends and often offended other scholars with his reckless speech, which only worsened Zhang Chulan’s father’s impression of him.

While the previous incarnation of this reckless scholar might not have understood Zhang Chulan’s intentions, Su Ze, having lived two lives, saw them clearly.

“Still won’t let me in?” Zhang Chulan’s brows furrowed sharply. Su Ze stepped aside and opened the courtyard gate. Behind her, a young maid held a food box—apparently, though she scolded him, Zhang Chulan still brought him food.

In the previous life, Su Ze survived his laziness and gluttony largely thanks to this childhood friend’s care and provisions.

Inside, Zhang Chulan’s eyes brightened when she saw Yan Zhixue curled on the desk. “Aze, did you hire a cat?”

Su Ze didn’t know how to explain Yan Zhixue’s origins, so he nodded and said, “There are too many rats at home, so I hired one.”

Zhang Chulan looked around and said, “If your house is so poor that even rats are starving, how could there be a rat problem? This little tan cat is so adorable—don’t let it die on you! What do you say?”

“No way! I hired this cat; if you want one, you have to hire your own,” Su Ze refused firmly. This Yan Zhixue had been lost by a princess. Though the paint on her fur had faded, if anyone recognized her, it could cause serious trouble. Su Ze planned to keep her at home until the situation calmed.

Zhang Chulan pouted but didn’t press further. She resolved to bring some dried fish next time to ensure Su Ze wouldn’t lose such a precious little tan cat.

The maid set the food box on the table, and Zhang Chulan said, “My mother made osmanthus jelly porridge; isn’t that your favorite? I begged her to make some more for you. The lower box contains the stewed duck from Qionghua Tower, also your favorite.”

Zhang Chulan then took out two books and handed them to Su Ze.

“This one is a collection of poems by the young Master Fan. I heard from Dad that the emperor favors Master Fan and he might soon be appointed prime minister. If you imitate his poetry, maybe you’ll pass the exam.”

Su Ze smacked his lips. This lady was putting far too much faith in him.

Who was this young Master Fan? He was a frequent presence in the compulsory education literature and one of the era’s top literary geniuses.

Study his poetry? Su Ze felt overwhelmed.

Zhang Chulan added, “The other book contains recent poems by Liu Sanbian. You can study those too.”

At this, Su Ze couldn’t help but ask, “Lan, are you giving me Liu Sanbian’s poems so I’ll pass the exam?”

Zhang Chulan hurriedly said, “Of course not! Liu Sanbian’s poems are excellent.”

Su Ze rubbed his forehead. Liu Sanbian was Liu Yong, another staple of the textbooks.

“Liu Sanbian writes well, but the emperor dislikes his style. Once, an official recommended him, and the emperor said, ‘Go write more lyrics.’ In recent years, he’s been sent to remote provinces on assignments.”

Zhang Chulan looked hurt. “I didn’t know that. All my sisters say Liu Sanbian’s poems are good. If you won’t read it, I’ll take it back.”

Su Ze held onto both books and said, “Keep them.”

The books were beautifully bound, clearly not ordinary editions. If worse came to worst, he could sell them. Liu Yong’s new collection was quite popular in the taverns of Bianjing; many courtesans were willing to pay handsomely for it.

Zhang Chulan then went on with more earnest advice about studying. After she finished, Su Ze asked, “Does your family’s shop sell seeds?”

Zhang Chulan was taken aback. Her family had once run a grain shop but hadn’t sold grain for years.

She said, “We stopped selling grain long ago. Are you looking for vegetable seeds? Those are sold in the market districts. Grain seeds are hard to find within the city.”

It made sense. In Bianjing, where every inch of land was precious, some might grow vegetables in small patches but planting grain was out of the question.

Growing vegetables would do for now, Su Ze decided. He planned to visit the nearby marketplace that afternoon.

Having not kept up with her family’s changes, Su Ze was curious and asked, “What business is your father in now?”

Zhang Chulan stood with hands on hips and said, “My father’s business is huge now—we’re royal merchants!”

Su Ze was surprised. No wonder Zhang’s uncle wasn’t fond of him. The Zhang family’s business had grown so large.

Zhang Chulan explained, “Our family is related to Zhang Xiuyuan in the palace, which is why the emperor appointed us royal merchants.”

Upon hearing this, Su Ze immediately understood.

Zhang Xiuyuan was the famous Imperial Consort Zhang, Emperor Renzong’s favorite, posthumously made empress.

Overall, Zhao Zhen deserved the title “Renzong” for his self-discipline. But perhaps because Empress Dowager Liu acted as regent early in his reign, and later the strong scholar-official class limited his power, he was notably capricious regarding palace affairs.

The empress Dowager had appointed Lady Guo as empress, but shortly after Emperor Renzong took power, she was deposed. Then, at the ministers’ insistence, he married the divorced Lady Cao.

Choosing Lady Cao was natural, as the Cao family of Zhenzhou was a founding meritorious family of the Northern Song—one of the four great clans.

Both empresses were controlled by others, so Emperor Renzong sought love elsewhere.

His most favored consort was Zhang Xiuyuan.

With such a powerful patron, the Zhang family’s position as royal merchants was well secured.

Who would have thought my childhood friend was really a wealthy lady!

Having said all this, Zhang Chulan suddenly jumped up, saying, “I told Dad I was coming to inspect the shop. If I don’t go soon, I’ll be late! Aze, study hard and stop hanging out with your bad friends!”

With that, she stormed out of the courtyard.

Su Ze’s stomach growled loudly. He eagerly opened the food box.