54
After the goods were unloaded, the managers took care of the handover with the major merchants in the city. Duan Linzhou and the other brothers from the trading crew then went to a nearby tavern to celebrate their safe return. Among them, aside from the workers hired by Duan Linzhou, there were also former bandits who had once followed Lu Chong down the mountain. Although they had since turned over a new leaf, traces of their past still lingered. Large chunks of meat and a few cups of yellow wine were downed, and the group soon broke into loud laughter and conversation.
The entire eating house had been rented out by Duan Linzhou. On the first floor, the workers from the trading crew sat at one table, while Duan Linzhou, Lu Chong, and a few other key figures sat at another. The air was filled with the rich aroma of wine.
Most of the people in the eating house were seasoned traders who spent their lives on the road, and the majority of them were either Tianqian or Zhongyong. After a few rounds of drinks, some of them began to get a little tipsy, eagerly approaching Duan Linzhou with their cups, wanting to toast him. Lu Chong laughed and scolded, “You’ve barely had a few drinks, and your head’s already spinning? If you want to drink, I’ll drink with you, just don’t bother the Boss.”
That person felt a bit aggrieved and said, “I didn’t even mean to make the Boss drink.”
Since his illness, Duan Linzhou had rarely touched alcohol. Upon hearing this, he smiled, raised his teacup, and stood up, saying, “The New Year has just passed, and things outside are still unsettled. All of you brothers have risked much to make this journey for me, and I truly appreciate your hard work.”
“Come, I’ll offer you all a cup of tea in place of wine.”
“Boss, you’re being too polite!”
“That’s right, what we do is always a risky business, we’re used to the wind and rain!”
“Here’s to the Boss!”
The managers and workers all spoke up, raising their cups and downing them in one go.
Duan Linzhou also finished the tea in his cup, and the people at the table all cheered. Flowing Light, without a change in expression, poured him another cup of tea.
Lu Chong looked at Duan Linzhou and said, “Boss, I will also toast to you.” Lu Chong sat on Duan Linzhou’s left side, raised his wine cup, and Duan Linzhou clinked cups with him, saying, “No need for formalities between us.”
Lu Chong laughed heartily and said, “I’ll drink it all.”
With that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in one go. During the meal, Duan Linzhou asked about the journey, and Lu Chong, naturally, shared everything. He said, “The road from Ruizhou to Cangzhou was relatively peaceful. I heard from the merchants that the situation in Fengzhou is already out of control.”
Duan Linzhou thought of the uprisings in Fengzhou and Longzhou but did not speak. Lu Chong continued, “Fourth Brother did mention that they encountered a few groups of refugees, but seeing that they were outnumbered and armed, they didn’t dare to take action.”
The person Lu Chong called “Fourth Brother,” is Liu Sanjiu, he was a Kunze, which surprised Duan Linzhou because it was his first time seeing a Kunze in Pinggang Stronghold. However, despite being a Kunze, he was much like a Zhongyong. It was said that years ago, he had surgically removed his Kunze gland from the back of his neck. Left with no other option, he became a bandit. When Lu Chong decided to leave the bandit life behind, Liu Sanjiu followed him into the service of the Duan family. Duan Linzhou had a high regard for this person. Although Liu Sanjiu appeared unassuming, he was ruthless, with a clear sense of right and wrong, and was known to be decisive in handling both grudges and favors.
The risk of traveling by land was much higher than by water, but Liu Sanjiu refused to take the water route and chose the land route instead. He said he wanted to see what skills the group occupying their mountain had.
Lu Chong said, “When Fourth Brother passed through Linyang Pass, he went back up the mountain and had a face-to-face encounter with those people who had taken over the mountain.” He continued, “Fourth Brother said they were just a bunch of refugees, but there were many young people among them. Somehow, they had gotten hold of a batch of swords and knives and had managed to make a bit of a name for themselves by causing trouble.”
Duan Linzhou thought for a moment, then said, “A group of bullies who fear the strong and pick on the weak wouldn’t dare target our Duan family.”
He continued, “This way, we avoid trouble. Remind Sanjiu once more, he must not act so recklessly in the future.”
Lu Chong shook his head helplessly. “When Fourth Brother goes mad, he’s like a rabid dog. He never listens to me. If you speak to him personally, maybe he’ll pay attention to a few words.”
Duan Linzhou smiled faintly and said, “When he comes back, have him come see me.”
Lu Chong replied, “Aye, it’ll only be a few days.”
After they had eaten and drunk their fill, some of the men were already drunk, and it was unclear who first brought up the topic of the rebels killing officials. One of them said, “Good kill! These corrupt officials, they should have been wiped out long ago.”
A few people echoed the sentiment, and Lu Chong instinctively looked toward Duan Linzhou. Duan Linzhou was now the Junwang Fei of Marquis Annan Mansion, married to a legitimate noble from the public officials’ ranks.
Lu Chong said, “Boss, they’re drunk and just speaking nonsense.”
Duan Linzhou gave a faint smile and said, “The corrupt officials in Fengzhou certainly deserve to die.”
Lu Chong let out a sigh of relief, and upon hearing their somewhat admiring words about the rebels, Duan Linzhou turned to him and said, “But, no matter what, the rebels are still enemies to our Ruizhou. Such talk should not be allowed again, lest it bring trouble upon us.”
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Lu Chong nodded and replied, “Yes, master.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Chong stood up and said, “Alright, everyone, shut your mouths. Is this something we should be talking about? Don’t drink so much that you forget who your parents are. If you have nothing else to do, go get some sleep.”
Those who were not too drunk became a bit more sober at Lu Chong’s words, covering the mouths of those still loudly talking about the rebels.
The banquet was winding down, and Lu Chong was about to escort Duan Linzhou downstairs. Just as they reached the foot of the stairs, they saw a young man in a fine embroidered robe, tall and elegant, stepping up the stairs.
Their eyes met squarely.
Duan Linzhou looked at Mu Peixuan and smiled. “Your Highness.”
Mu Peixuan gave a faint acknowledgment. Lu Chong also turned to look, this was the first time he had seen Mu Peixuan since Duan Linzhou’s wedding. The gates of Marquis Annan Mansion were too lofty for them to enter, so they had chosen to celebrate Duan Linzhou’s marriage with a banquet at the tavern instead.
Back then, Lu Chong and Liu Sanjiu had been standing by the tavern window, watching the red-draped wedding procession pass right in front of them. Snow was falling, and the young man on horseback wore no expression at all, there wasn’t the slightest hint of joy on his face.
Lu Chong had said to Liu Sanjiu, “Why do I get the feeling that this Xiao Junwang doesn’t seem all that happy about marrying our boss?”
Liu Sanjiu had stared fixedly at the young man on the horse, his expression dark. He tossed aside his wine jug and turned to head out. Lu Chong asked, “Fourth Brother, where are you going?”
Liu Sanjiu said nothing.
Lu Chong quickly grabbed him and asked, “What are you doing?”
Liu Sanjiu said darkly, “On his wedding day, in front of the whole city, he shows a sour face; clearly, he’s disrespecting our boss.”
Then he added, “I’ll kill him.”
Lu Chong let out a laugh of exasperation and said, “Don’t be ridiculous. This marriage was something that Boss arranged for himself.”
Liu Sanjiu silently ran his fingers over the hilt of the blade at his waist.
Lu Chong’s gaze landed on Mu Peixuan’s face. Both of them were Tianqian, one an official, the other a former bandit, natural enemies by fate.
Lu Chong openly scrutinized Mu Peixuan. Mu Peixuan met his eyes without flinching. For a brief moment, it was as if their Xinxiang also clashed in an invisible duel. Then Lu Chong, all politeness, said, “Your Highness.”
Mu Peixuan replied calmly, “Master Lu, I’ve long heard of your name.”
Lu Chong gave a crooked smile and said, “Lu has long since washed my hands of the old life. I’m no ‘Master Lu’ anymore, just a steward under the Boss.”
Mu Peixuan made no comment, simply extending his hand toward Duan Linzhou. His fingers were long and well-defined, the hands of someone accustomed to wielding a sword or spear. Duan Linzhou glanced at him, then placed his hand in Mu Peixuan’s. He nodded at Lu Chong, who raised a brow at their joined hands and said, “Young Master, Your Highness, take care on your way.”
Duan Linzhou and Mu Peixuan had already left the eating house and boarded the carriage. Catching the scent of alcohol on Duan Linzhou, Mu Peixuan frowned and said, “You’ve been drinking?”
Duan Linzhou chuckled. “Why do you sound like you’re interrogating me?”
Mu Peixuan stared at him, and Duan Linzhou laughed again. “I didn’t. Though I was a little tempted, but I still care too much about myself.”
Mu Peixuan said, “Your body can’t handle alcohol.”
Duan Linzhou let out a wistful sigh. “Back in the day, I could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. Even Second Brother Lu couldn’t outdrink me, only Sanjiu could truly drink to the fullest with me.”
Mu Peixuan thought to himself that Duan Linzhou’s alcohol tolerance must have been quite something, but hearing that nostalgic tone and how close he seemed with Lu Chong and that Sanjiu left him feeling a little jealous.
Mu Peixuan asked, “You used to drink together often?”
Duan Linzhou replied, “We used to drink from time to time, but never to the point of getting drunk, just a few small cups.”
He added, “You’ve never met Liu Sanjiu. Though he’s a kunze, he holds his liquor incredibly well, truly a thousand cups without getting drunk.”
Mu Peixuan frowned. “Who is Liu Sanjiu?”
Duan Linzhou thought for a moment, then smiled. “A pitiful, yet somewhat adorable kid. One of my most capable subordinates.”
Pitiful, yet somewhat adorable.
Mu Peixuan stared at Duan Linzhou and said coolly, “This prince would quite like to meet the kunze that Boss Duan holds in such high regard, just to see what he’s really like.”
Duan Linzhou had his eyes closed as he replied, “He’ll be back in a few days and will come see me then. At that time—” He trailed off, then suddenly realized something. His eyes snapped open, and he burst into laughter with a poof.
Mu Peixuan stiffened and asked, “What are you laughing at?”
Duan Linzhou cleared his throat and said, “Xiao Junwang, Duan has just had an idea to open a new shop.”
Mu Peixuan asked, “What kind of shop?”
Duan Linzhou said, “Specializing in…” His eyes glinted as he smiled at Mu Peixuan and continued, “Selling vinegar ah. The sour taste will be just right, perfect for dipping dumplings or pairing with dishes…”
Before Duan Linzhou could finish speaking, he heard Mu Peixuan grit his teeth and say, “Duan Linzhou!”
Duan Linzhou burst into laughter, feeling quite pleased with himself. He couldn’t resist adding fuel to the fire: “Xiao Junwang, what do you think? If it works, I’ll share half the profits with you — hiss.”
Before he could finish, Mu Peixuan had already come up to him, saying, “Good, very good.”
The carriage rocked slightly from their movements. Duan Linzhou was pinned by Mu Peixuan, trying to push against his chest, “Ai, stop it, stop it, I’m just joking.”
Mu Peixuan looked down at him from above, his smile not reaching his eyes as he said, “Wasn’t Boss Duan laughing quite happily just now?”
Duan Linzhou said, “No, how could I mock Your Highness? I am simply overjoyed to see Your Highness.”
Mu Peixuan snorted coldly. “Flattery.”
“So effortlessly charming, I wonder how many times you’ve said that to some pitiful yet adorable kunze.”
He emphasized the words “Pitiful yet adorable” with a biting tone.
Duan Linzhou couldn’t help but laugh again.
💕💞