Chapter 7 — On the night of the wedding, he said we were just husband and wife in name, I quietly wrote a letter of separation

We finally stopped walking. I turned around and stood at the door frame, looking at him. At such a distance, I can still clearly see the red blood in the bottom of his eyes. The husband who had never stepped foot in the main courtyard for three years was now standing under the harsh sunlight, like a drunk who had finally discovered that he had lost something.

“Chu Hoai Can.”

He was stunned when I called him.

“That night when you signed the rules, did you ever think I would leave?”

I asked him.

"For three years of sleeping in Thien Vien, have you ever thought I would leave? The whole table asked if I was physically sick or not, while you bowed your head to drink, did you ever think I would leave?"

He opened his mouth, but couldn't answer a word.

"You never thought about it. You always thought that I was just a loving daughter, climbing high and marrying into the Chu family. There was no other way other than patience."

"You think that if I just persevere for three years, waiting for the day you turn around, I will thank heaven and earth."

I laughed softly.

“But Chu Hoai Can, from beginning to end, you never asked me if I was willing or not.”

“Nguyen Aggregates…”

“No need to see off anymore.”

I turned around and stepped onto the carriage. Treasurer Tran himself drove the carriage. Seeing that I was sitting firmly, he gently swung the whip. The sound of horse hooves rang out. At the beginning of the alley, a few neighbor women poked their heads to look over. Someone recognized me and started pointing, and I could faintly hear the sound of gossip.

"Is that the young lady of the Chu family? Why did you carry your luggage and go out?"

“I heard they broke up.”

“If you're the mother's owner, why would you leave like this?”

“Who knows, maybe we will be abandoned.”

I didn't pull down the curtain, nor did I explain. In the car was an oil-paper umbrella prepared by Treasurer Tran. Outside the window the sunlight was beautiful, the sky was clear blue without a trace of rain. When the carriage passed by Uan Ky Tu Phuong, the treasurer Tran spoke outside:

“Dong master, the sign was hung up just the other day, and many regular customers said it was very beautiful.”

I lifted a corner of the car curtain. A brand new sign hangs above the shop, four bright yellow painted words appear... Tran Ky Uan Phuong.

“Let me come in and take a look.”

The carriage stopped in front of the shop. I grabbed the jewelry box and jumped out of the car, and just happened to encounter a silk merchant from Suzhou. Shopkeeper Tran introduced me as Dong Gia, the other person's eyes immediately lit up, saying that Uan Ky's embroidered screens in Su Chau were sold out. I listened, the corners of my lips gradually curled up. Three years ago, when I was sitting in a palanquin to marry into the Chu family, the palanquin was shaking and shaking, my heart was filled with confusion and insecurity. But now, holding my inheritance and walking on the main street, the bright sunlight shines straight down on my head, making people sweat so hot, yet my heart feels extremely peaceful. The windows on the second floor of Tu Ward are wide open facing the street. The autumn light slanted in, shining on the wall, making the whole room bring a gentle warmth. Treasurer Tran brought this month's orders.

"In Suzhou, fifty more embroidered screens were ordered. There was also a shopkeeper of a silk shop who had just arrived from Hangzhou. He came to see the goods the day before and ordered a hundred on the spot."

She flipped through the books.

“This month the flow of silver has exceeded eight hundred taels.”

I took the book and turned it page by page via. Every income and expenditure is clearly recorded, the concubine's wages are distributed according to the month, and even the loss of silk is clearly and transparently recorded. Three years ago I spent a hundred taels of silver as capital, now the amount of silver in the store's books has increased nearly ten times.

“Treasurer Tran has worked hard.”

We close the book.

“At the end of the year, profits are divided in the ratio of four-six, you four, I six.”

She was stunned.

“Dong master, I said before that it was three or seven…”

"You've been managing the store for the past three years. These four parts are what you deserve."

We push the books back.

"Just change my portion into a bank check and bring it to the new house in the eastern town after the new year."

Her lips moved slightly, it took a long time before she softly said "yes". His eyes were a little red, but he quickly turned his head to ask Xiao Er to make tea. Leaving Tu Phuong, we go to the east of the town. The new house is not big, just a small courtyard with two rooms, half smaller than the main courtyard of the Chu residence, but in the yard is a pomegranate tree, with green pomegranates hanging on its branches. Thu Hoa was cleaning the window sill in her room. When she heard footsteps, she ran out, with a streak of gray dust on her face.

"Young master... Dong sir! You're here!"

“It's okay to call you... sister Uan.”

I walked into the yard and looked around.

“The furniture hasn't arrived yet?”

“The shopkeeper Tran said he would deliver it the day after tomorrow.”

She wiped her hands, her eyes sparkling.

"This servant has already told Ton Tham next to her that she will go to the market to choose curtain fabric tomorrow."

I stood in the yard for a while. The leaves of the pomegranate tree were rustled by the wind, and from far away outside the wall, the sound of a small merchant's sales call could be heard, mixed with the laughter of a certain family's children. This mansion was purchased by me.