PCA Chapter 72

Over the next few days, Su Cen wandered the streets idly, gradually piecing together the local situation.

 

The Wang family’s salt shop stood directly across from the Jia family’s, and each morning, the two shops would coordinate their prices before opening for business. Despite the high prices, the shops were bustling with customers. In a city as vast as Yangzhou, everyone needed salt, and the private salt merchants simply couldn’t meet the city’s demand. Coupled with the officials’ crackdown, the supply of private salt had sharply decreased, leaving the people no choice but to grit their teeth and pay exorbitant prices for official salt.

 

The rising salt prices had ripple effects—teahouses and restaurants had raised their dish prices by several copper coins. Those who couldn’t afford salt looked pale and weak, some even exhibiting symptoms like facial swelling, nausea, and vomiting.

 

It was time to meet He Xiao.

 

Coincidentally, it was also Wang Laoye’s sixtieth birthday celebration. With Su Lan’s standing in Yangzhou and his connection to He Xiao, he was naturally on the guest list, giving Su Cen the perfect opportunity to tag along.

 

The birthday celebration of Yangzhou’s leading salt merchant was, unsurprisingly, a grand affair. Half of the city’s merchants were in attendance, and the banquet extended into the courtyard. Only the most prominent guests were invited to dine in the inner hall.

 

Thanks to Su Lan, Su Cen didn’t have to brave the cold outside.

 

“Zi’an,” a voice called as soon as they entered the inner hall.

 

Su Cen turned to see a man dressed in a robe adorned with auspicious grass and cloud patterns. Despite the intricate design, his demeanor was poised and steady. His neatly trimmed mustache added an air of sharpness. With a smile, he approached Su Lan and said, “Zi’an, why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

 

This must be the He Xiao who had stirred up so much in Yangzhou.

 

Su Lan paused and smiled. “You’ve got enough on your plate today. I didn’t want to trouble you.”

 

“It’s true, I’ve been running around non-stop. I was planning to greet you at the door,” He Xiao said, giving Su Lan a familiar pat on the shoulder. “Please, have a seat. I’ll join you shortly… And this is?”

 

His gaze fell on Su Cen, a fleeting chill of wariness passing through his eyes.

 

Su Cen, meanwhile, was sizing him up with interest.

 

Su Lan introduced, “A distant relative of mine, Li Xu. He’s never been to Yangzhou, so I brought him along to broaden his horizons.” Then, turning to Su Cen, he added, “Zi Xu, this is the Brother Lan Fu I told you about.”

 

Su Cen smiled faintly and cupped his hands in greeting. “I’ve heard much about you.”

 

He Xiao smoothly replaced his wariness with a warm smile. “If you’re Zi’an’s brother, then you’re my brother as well. If the servants don’t treat you well, just let me know.”

 

Su Cen gave a slight nod before following Su Lan to their seats in the inner hall.

 

The male and female guests were seated separately, with the women dining in the inner courtyard. Yue Wanqing excused herself to join the women, but as she headed toward the courtyard, she ran into someone who immediately began chatting warmly with her. Before long, the woman’s gaze repeatedly darted toward Su Cen, prompting Yue Wanqing to tease her with a laugh and whisper something softly.

 

Su Cen had barely settled in when Yue Wanqing returned, announcing that the ladies in the inner courtyard had kicked a shuttlecock onto the roof. Since all the servants were busy in the front hall, and it wasn’t proper for a group of women to climb up, she had come to ask Su Lan for help.

 

Su Lan chuckled helplessly, his expression full of indulgence. Offering an apologetic smile to the others at the table, he was just about to rise when Yue Wanqing interjected, “I didn’t think this through. You have company here. How about… Zi Xu goes instead?”

 

“No problem, I can—” Su Lan had already stood up when Yue Wanqing shot him a meaningful glare. Realizing her intent, he quickly corrected himself, “Ah, right, I can’t leave just now. Zi Xu, why don’t you go?”

 

Su Cen silently rolled his eyes. That was some seriously clumsy acting.

 

The Wang family’s residence was grand and imposing. Following Yue Wanqing, he passed a screen wall, traversed courtyards, and walked through a small moon gate. Yue Wanqing finally said, “Wait here. I’ll go find someone to bring a ladder.”

 

After she left, Su Cen took a few steps back and glanced at the roof. Naturally, there was no shuttlecock up there.

 

At his age, he was already of marriageable age. When he was in the capital, the court’s explicit prohibition against officials engaging in commerce meant his elder brother and sister-in-law couldn’t introduce him to any merchant families’ daughters. Now that he had returned under the pretense of being dismissed from office, with his career seemingly at a standstill, they were likely planning to marry him off first.

 

This place was nothing like the desolation of the north. The courtyard boasted a lush osmanthus tree in full bloom, surrounded by verdant grass, giving off an air of refined charm. It seemed like a classic setup for a “chance encounter in a garden.”

 

Su Cen was contemplating how to find an excuse to leave when he heard approaching footsteps. He straightened his posture, preparing to handle whatever came his way.

 

However, the person who arrived wasn’t some delicate beauty. Instead, a man stormed in through the moon gate, shouting, “Xiao Chan, listen to me! I only went to Jade Pavilion to listen to music…”

 

Su Cen clicked his tongue twice in his mind. That excuse was far from original. Claiming to have gone to a pleasure house just to listen to music? Some might believe it, but this man…

 

The newcomer froze momentarily upon seeing Su Cen, then quickly replaced his surprise with a look of disdain. “Why is it you? Where’s Xiao Chan?”

 

Su Cen sighed and smiled helplessly. “Sorry to disappoint you, Second Young Master. It’s just me here.”

 

“She clearly came this way!” Jia Zhen, the Jia family’s second young master, impatiently stepped forward and shoved Su Cen, intending to check if someone was hiding behind him. Unbeknownst to him, there was a flower step right behind Su Cen. Losing his balance, Su Cen stumbled backward. On instinct, he grabbed Jia Zhen, dragging him down as well. Both of them ended up tumbling into the flowerbed.

 

The fall left them both dazed, rubbing their heads and backs as they tried to recover. Just then, a soft gasp came from the moon gate.

 

Looking up, they saw a girl of about seventeen or eighteen standing there, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. Her face was flushed with embarrassment, but her eyes sparkled with unconcealed excitement. Stammering, she said, “You… you two continue. I didn’t see anything.”

 

Su Cen and Jia Zhen: “…”

 

Jia Zhen scrambled to his feet and took a few steps toward her, hastily explaining, “Xiao Chan, listen to me! I don’t even know this guy. I’m here for you!”

 

Xiao Chan glared at Jia Zhen, clearly disgusted by his attempt to deny involvement. Instead, she turned her gaze to Su Cen with a bright smile and asked considerately, “Are you all right, young master?”

 

Su Cen stood up, straightened his robes, and replied politely, “Thank you for your concern, young lady. I’m fine.”

 

Xiao Chan looked at the man before her. Not only was he courteous and elegant, but his features also exuded a natural charm and grace. Clad in pristine white robes, he was the epitome of refinement. Internally, she sighed, lamenting that all the handsome men in the world seemed to favor “male companionship.” Feeling a surge of misplaced sympathy, she rolled up her sleeves, pointed at Jia Zhen, and asked Su Cen, “Did he bully you? Tell me, and I’ll stand up for you!”

 

Su Cen thought to himself how peculiar the imaginations of sheltered young women could be these days. Meanwhile, Jia Zhen was glaring at him, gesturing wildly with exaggerated expressions, even drawing a finger across his neck in a threatening manner.

 

These two really were a pair of comedic troublemakers.

 

Su Cen chuckled lightly and said, “It was just an accident. I truly don’t know Young Master Jia.”

 

“Really?” Xiao Chan pouted slightly, her disappointment evident as she muttered, “What a pity.”

 

She glanced around the area, muttering to herself as she walked away, “Sister Wanqing lied to me. She said there were rainbow butterflies here, but there’s not even a caterpillar.”

 

After the others left, Jia Zhen finally let out a sigh of relief and reluctantly said to Su Cen, “Thank you.”

 

Su Cen nodded slightly and, after circling around the moon gate, took a couple of steps before noticing Jia Zhen following him, stammering, “Do you know the way out?”

 

Su Cen glanced at him. “So, you’re lost?”

 

Jia Zhen stubbornly retorted, “How could I possibly be lost? I just… didn’t feel like finding it.”

 

Su Cen smiled lightly and continued walking ahead.

 

By the time they exited the inner courtyard, the front hall had already begun its feast. The sound of clinking cups and lively chatter filled the air. The two chatted along the way and became somewhat familiar. Jia Zhen pulled Su Cen to a secluded small table, unwilling to squeeze in with the important figures inside.

 

Once they settled, Su Cen found that Jia Zhen wasn’t as annoying as he had initially thought. Jia Zhen began chatting incessantly, mentioning that Xiao Chan was the second young lady of the Wang family. When she was younger, she looked like a monkey, but in recent years, she had grown into a beauty. Jia Zhen had taken a liking to her and planned to marry her, though his father was never fully satisfied with the match, so the marriage was still far from certain.

 

Su Cen raised an eyebrow. “Then why did you go to the pleasure boat to try to hire Miss Qingchen?”

 

Jia Zhen lifted his chin proudly. “What man doesn’t have a few concubines? Xiao Chan will be the first wife, but that doesn’t mean Qingchen can’t be a concubine.”

 

“All men have concubines?” Su Cen responded skeptically. “There are plenty of men who practice monogamy. For instance, Xun Lingjun, known for his talents, had only one wife throughout his life. The founding emperor of the previous dynasty favored only Empress Wenxian. Moreover, there are cases like Wen Zhenggong, whose wife did not conceive for thirty years yet he refused to take a concubine. How can you say all men must have multiple wives?”

 

Jia Zhen waved his hand dismissively. “Enough, enough, you’re quick with your words, and I can’t argue with you. Besides, the people you’re talking about are all high-ranking figures. I’m just an ordinary man—what’s wrong with taking a concubine?”

 

Su Cen narrowed his eyes slightly. “What if Xiao Chan and Qingchen don’t get along?”

 

“Huh?” Jia Zhen scratched his head. “I hadn’t thought of that. Well, never mind, it’s too early to worry about that. We haven’t even started yet.”

 

Su Cen relaxed his sharp expression and lightly tapped his chopsticks against his bowl of rice. “The Jia family and the Wang family are well-matched. Why does your father oppose marriage?”

 

“I’m not sure,” Jia Zhen said, picking through a plate of vegetables with his chopsticks. “Maybe it’s because my father doesn’t like He Xiao. You probably know, my older brother passed away two years ago. My father probably thinks that if I marry into the Wang family and become related to He Xiao, it could be detrimental to the Jia family business.”

 

Su Cen’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Is your father worried that He Xiao might take advantage of this to embezzle the Jia family assets?”

 

Jia Zhen paused for a moment, then leaned in closer to Su Cen, lowering his voice. “You don’t know how much things changed in Yangzhou after He Xiao arrived. The officials who used to look down on us merchants now treat us differently.”

 

Jia Zhen pointed to the large pile of congratulatory gifts in the warm hall. “See that coral bonsai with the jade inlay? It’s signed by Huating Mountain, but everyone knows that our Yangzhou governor, Lord Xue, is from Songjiang’s Huating County. And that painting of five bats bringing longevity? It was painted by Hu Shangren, the ‘Saint of Painting.’ He and the commander, Cao Ren, are both from the same hometown. So even though the officials aren’t here, they still show He Xiao some respect. My father may say he doesn’t like him, but I think he’s actually a little afraid of him.”

 

Su Cen turned his gaze back to the banquet. Despite it being his father-in-law’s birthday, He Xiao was the one greeting guests at each table. He had a well-practiced smile, and his every gesture was poised and graceful, effortlessly navigating the social interactions.

 

It seemed that He Xiao noticed his gaze. He turned and made eye contact with Su Cen, raising his cup in the air across the crowd.

 

Su Cen didn’t avoid or shy away, raising his own cup in response and taking a small sip.

 

“Doesn’t he look quite presentable?” As soon as Su Cen turned his head, he heard Jia Zhen sneer. “You’ve all been fooled by his appearance. I’ve seen how ruthless he can be.”

 

Su Cen raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

 

Jia Zhen leaned in closer. “This probably happened two years ago. I came to the Wang family to find Xiao Chan, and I got… well, lost. I don’t know how I ended up where I did, but suddenly I heard footsteps. Just as I was about to go out and ask for directions, I heard a cat’s wail.”

 

“Xiao Chan’s older sister, the eldest young lady of the Wang family, had a tabby cat that she cherished dearly. The whole family treated it like an ancestor. He Xiao liked to tease it, but the cat didn’t care for him. Later, I found out that the cat was actually afraid of him.”

 

“During spring, the cat would cry out, disturbing people’s sleep, but that’s normal, right? Cats do that. The thing is, He Xiao turned around and went to a secluded spot. I watched him strangle the cat to death with his bare hands, and his face didn’t show a single expression. He just killed it with no hesitation.”

 

Jia Zhen shivered, rubbing his sleeves. “I was hiding behind a flower wall. After he buried the cat, he looked over in my direction. I don’t know if he saw me, but the look on his face at that moment, I’ll never forget it. He wasn’t just killing a cat—he could kill a person too, without a second thought.”

 

Su Cen pondered for a moment before asking, “May I ask how your older brother passed away?”

 

“You suspect He Xiao killed my older brother?” Jia Zhen waved his hand. “No, that’s not it. My brother caught a chill. At first, it didn’t seem serious, but it eventually invaded his lungs and no medicine could help. All the doctors in Yangzhou came to see him, but even if He Xiao had some great abilities, he couldn’t possibly have bribed all the doctors in the city, could he?”

 

Su Cen nodded silently.

 

After the banquet ended, Su Cen immediately called Qu Ling’er into his room and told him to find out from Xiao Hong if there were any slow-acting poisons that could mimic the symptoms of a cold.

 

The timing of the death of the Jia family’s eldest son was too coincidental. It happened in the second year after He Xiao arrived in Yangzhou. After his death, the Jia family was left with only an elderly man and a useless younger brother, and with He Xiao’s connections with the officials, the Jia family was left at his mercy.

 

Qu Ling’er had once said that Xiao Hong was skilled in poisons. If He Xiao wanted to use poison to harm someone, the most secretive and convenient way would be to use the Secret Door to obtain the poison.

 

Once Qu Ling’er reluctantly left, Su Cen called Qi Lin over and clasped his hands together. “I need you to go to He Xiao’s ancestral home. I want to know every little detail about him.”

 

T/N: Happy New Year everyone!!!! 💫💫

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