TL: Hua
Under the cover of the sound of rain, Yuan Fang whispered in Pei Xiting’s ear, “They didn’t check travelers’ identity the past few times I came here to earn money. I don’t have any identification.”
“Something might have happened. It’s fine, I’m here.” Pei Xiting reached the table in the queue and took out a small, delicate, round jade disk from his sleeve pocket.
The clerk casually looked up, but when he saw the three words “Longhe Guard,” his eyebrows twitched, and he stood up abruptly, startling his colleagues beside him, who looked at Pei Xiting with confusion and apprehension.
“Your Excellency—”
Pei Xiting interrupted with a look, saying, “We’re out on official business; no need to make a fuss.”
You Zong could have easily traveled on horseback for official business, yet he rode in the carriage with him, delaying them by a night. It was definitely not to accommodate him but rather to conveniently use him as a cover to conceal his own movements.
Pei Xiting understood perfectly and said, “These two are my attendant and colleague. No need to check them.”
You Zong’s token was different from that of ordinary Longhe Guards. If others saw it, his information would be leaked.
Pei Xiting took out his official document and said, “The official seal of the division is here; take a look.”
The two clerks dared not inquire further about someone from the Longhe Division. After examining the official document, they let them pass.
Pei Xiting beckoned one of them aside and asked, “Why is there such a strict check on entry and exit today?”
The clerk didn’t know the reason and asked the registrar of the prefecture to come over. Because Pei Xiting was from the Longhe Division, the registrar didn’t hide anything and said, “Yesterday, the third young lady of the Bai family, a merchant family in the city, was abducted by bandits. The bandits left a letter saying that if they didn’t see the Bai family’s heirloom within three days, they would defile the third young lady to death and hang her naked on the Bai family’s gate for the whole city to see. The Bai family reported this matter to the authorities. Because this involves a young lady’s reputation, the government office didn’t make a public announcement but only said that a notorious bandit had entered the city, requesting the citizens to be careful with their money. In the meantime, the authorities will also do their best to search for them.”
“Is this Bai family the silk merchant Bai family?” You Zong suddenly asked.
The registrar nodded. “That’s right.”
You Zong said to Pei Xiting, “The Bai family once produced a silk tapestry that was favored by the Supreme Emperor and named it “Mountain and River Scroll,” which was collected into the imperial palace. The Bai family’s business flourished as a result, and now it’s spread throughout Daye, making them a wealthy clan in Ningzhou. The current head of the Bai family is the father-in-law of Duke Wen, and it’s said his health isn’t very good.”
Pei Xiting gestured for the registrar not to see them off and turned to walk alongside You Zong. “My lord, what is the Bai family’s heirloom?”
The rain drizzled down. The people coming ashore hurried away quickly, leaving the street with few people. You Zong casually raised his hand to block a wet piece of clothing that floated down from upstairs and returned it to the young girl who was hurrying downstairs.
The girl was about fifteen or sixteen years old. She glanced at You Zong, and her cheeks immediately turned as pink as a peeled peach, shyly thanking him.
Pei Xiting took a few steps, and when he turned around, he could still see the girl’s infatuated gaze, so he said, “Oh ho~.”
You Zong ignored Pei Xiting’s teasing and answered his previous question, “It’s also a silk tapestry. When the Supreme Emperor visited Ningzhou in the past, he held an appreciation gathering and praised it as ‘magnificent and unparalleled’.”
“Since there was an appreciation gathering, the content of this tapestry isn’t a secret. Anything bestowed by the Supreme Emperor, even if snatched, no one would dare to buy it; instead, they’d face imprisonment. The possibility of it being for money isn’t very high,” Pei Xiting said. “To put it simply, it’s also possible that the bandit is madly in love with the tapestry and willingly used such extreme methods, offending both the Bai family and Duke Wen’s Mansion to obtain it.”
You Zong stroked the handle of his umbrella. “Perhaps what the bandit wants isn’t the Bai family’s heirloom but the Rivers and Mountains Scroll.”
“Isn’t it collected in the imperial palace…as one of the four treasures?” Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow.
You Zong paused. “You know about this?”
“Don’t deliberately bring it up to test me or interrogate me.” Pei Xiting cupped his hands towards the east. “His Highness told me personally.”
You Zong remained calm even after being exposed and said, “The four treasures of the imperial palace: The dagger Po Yinlin, the Rivers and Mountains Scroll, the Rose Pendant, and the Ancient Lotus Bead.”
Rose pendant?
Pei Xiting subconsciously touched the brocade pouch in his sleeve. Inside was the rose pendant that the Crown Prince had given him on the night of their first meeting. It was indeed warm and translucent, exquisitely carved, with a natural antique feel, worthy of being called a treasure. But the Crown Prince probably wouldn’t casually give such an important item to a stranger, would he?
You Zong said, “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” Pei Xiting came back to his senses. “If your guess is correct, we’ve arrived at a good time. Shall we go take a look at the Bai family?”
You Zong shook his head. “The situation is unclear, so we shouldn’t rush to their doorstep. I’ll go investigate the fake Third Miss Wang first. You can go sightseeing by yourself. We’ll meet at’ Willow Bank’ by the Huai River later.”
Pei Xiting nodded in agreement and told You Zong to be careful. The two parted ways at the intersection.
As soon as You Zong left, Yuan Fang said, “I always feel like he’s figured something out, but he just won’t say it.”
“It’s obvious you’re not an ordinary attendant. It would be strange if Lord You didn’t notice anything. The fact that he’s not saying anything means he wants to continue testing you, or he’s temporarily determined you’re not a threat, or it’s not yet the right time to act against you—in short, just stay a little vigilant, don’t overthink it. Sigh,” Pei Xiting lifted his robe. “It’s already getting wet so quickly.”
Yuan Fang said, “I told you to wear short clothes.”
“I only have long robes.” Pei Xiting wiggled his toes. “Let’s go buy some new clothes.”
Yuan Fang knew that this young master was not only thinking about making money and saving money but also about being extravagant and never mistreating himself. He said, “If you want to buy good-quality fabric, you can go to the Bai family’s clothing shop, called ‘Hundred Brocades House.’ I did a business deal with them three years ago. Their clothes are not bad.”
“Let’s go. You really have footprints all over the world,” Pei Xiting said casually. “What kind of deal was it?”
“After the flood that year, Ningzhou was hit by a major epidemic, and Second Master Bai also contracted typhoid fever, with a persistent high fever, and was bedridden. Everyone in the courtyard was driven out, leaving only two young servants to attend to him. At that time, his son secretly took out a thousand taels of silver to find someone to deliver medicine to his father. Although it wasn’t much for the Bai family, it was a good deal for us outlaws.”
Pei Xiting felt something was off. Although epidemics and typhoid fever were contagious, heavy rewards would always attract brave people. If simply delivering medicine could earn a thousand taels, many people would rush to do it. But Second Master Bai had to secretly take out money to hire Jianghu people, indicating that things weren’t that simple.
Sure enough, Yuan Fang continued, “This medicine delivery wasn’t something anyone could do because Second Master Bai was actually under house arrest, waiting to die, with guards everywhere in the courtyard. His persistent high fever wasn’t caused by typhoid fever but poisoning. What I delivered was actually the antidote that his son had found. Once he took the medicine, he quickly woke up, and with his son’s inside cooperation, his life was barely safe.”
“To be able to put Second Master Bai under house arrest in his own courtyard,” Pei Xiting said, “internal strife in the Bai family?”
Yuan Fang said, “Even ordinary families fight over a small piece of land, let alone wealthy merchants’ families. Old Master Bai is powerless to stop the infighting below the knees.”
Pei Xiting said, “Hey, which branch does the Third Young Lady Bai belong to?”
“The eldest branch[mfn]They are separated into branches/houses/rooms because they are born to different wives. Eldest branch -> legal/first wife, second branch -> concubine 2, third branch -> concubine 3, etc.[/mfn]. It’s said she’s the granddaughter most loved by Old Master Bai, born beautiful, with the reputation of ‘Peach and Plum of Ningzhou.’ Old Master Bai is gradually becoming incapable of handling affairs. In the past two years, the Bai family’s business has mostly been managed by the eldest son and grandson, namely Master Bai and his son Bai Yunluo, assisted by Second Master Bai. Third Master Bai is a dissolute playboy, the least valued, and doesn’t handle any affairs,” Yuan Fang said.
It seemed that there was the most “spark” between the eldest and second branches. Pei Xiting said, “Which branch did the madam of Duken Wen’s Mansion belong to before her marriage?”
“The eldest daughter of the eldest branch, Master Bai’s own younger sister,” Yuan Fang said.
The two walked through the rain curtain and entered the Hundred Brocades House on the street. A shop assistant came forward with a clean handkerchief and said, “It’s humid outside. Please wipe yourselves, gentlemen, and have a bowl of mung bean and lily soup to relieve the heat and quench your thirst.”
Yuan Fang closed his umbrella and leaned it against the ground, took the handkerchief, wiped his neck and hands, and habitually scanned the situation inside the store.
There weren’t many customers on a rainy day. Several shop assistants were cleaning, and several embroiderers were working on a square platform behind a curtain. The shopkeeper, who was fiddling with an abacus, quickly glanced at Pei Xiting and immediately judged that this young master was either rich or noble. He came out from behind the counter to serve him personally.
Pei Xiting went into the shop. The fabrics and silks were smooth and delicate, with a dazzling array of styles and colors. The displayed ready-made clothes showed excellent craftsmanship.
He walked around. The shopkeeper was very perceptive and didn’t rush to promote anything. He simply introduced the fabrics and patterns as Pei Xiting paused, his words concise, and he was very confident in his shop’s materials and craftsmanship.
Pei Xiting chose a medium-length robe with lotus-patterned green silk. The lotus flowers on the hem were soaked in a touch of snow pink, fresh and elegant, and also light and soft to the touch. He glanced at the wooden mannequin beside him and picked out a set of off-white short jackets with front fastenings. He held it up against Yuan Fang and asked, “Do you like this rice paste color?”
“I like it,” Yuan Fang commented, “but this color gets dirty easily.”
Pei Xiting rolled his eyes. “I’m telling you to wear it normally, not when you’re crawling through holes or climbing trees. If it gets dirty, wash it. If it can’t be washed clean, buy a new one.”
Yuan Fang indicated that he would listen to the wealthy one.
Pei Xiting asked the shopkeeper to get a size larger for Yuan Fang and took the clothes to the changing room to change first.
A fruit plate and snacks were placed on the long table by the window. The shop assistant also brought lotus seed and lily water. Pei Xiting took a sip while sitting on the bamboo couch. It was particularly fragrant. He pointed to the dark sandalwood robe by the wall and said, “I want that one. And please help me pick out two sets of casual short gauze shirts and shorts, something looser.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.” The shopkeeper instructed the assistant to fetch the clothes while he stood beside Pei Xiting to entertain him. “I see you two gentlemen have luggage. Are you here in Ningzhou for sightseeing?”
The shopkeeper had taken a quick look earlier. Although Pei Xiting wasn’t wearing gold or silver, he was dressed in a gauze robe with a jade band coiled around his hair. He was fair-skinned with rosy lips and white teeth, a delicate and aloof demeanor, looking like a pampered young master who had never lifted a finger. The person accompanying him, although ordinary in appearance and simple in clothing, was energetic and capable, with a pair of sharp eyes that were calm and collected, not like an ordinary person. Therefore, he speculated that Pei Xiting is likely a son of an official from another city.
Pei Xiting used a spoon to separate the lotus seeds and said, “Yes, I’m out for a stroll and passing by Jiangnan to paint the scenery.”
Yuan Fang, who had changed into his new clothes, stood beside Pei Xiting, refusing the porcelain bowl offered by the shop assistant.
Seeing this, the shopkeeper said, “We have hot tea, fruit wine, and fruit drinks in the shop. Shall I bring you something else, sir?”
Pei Xiting said, “No need to trouble yourself; he doesn’t like sweet soups.”
The shopkeeper didn’t ask further and turned to take the tray handed over by the assistant and placed it on the long table for Pei Xiting to check. After Pei Xiting nodded, he instructed the assistant to wrap it up and turned to say, “If you don’t have any relatives or friends to stay with, sir, you might consider choosing an inn near the Huai River. There are many shops and stores there, making it convenient to buy anything. In the evening, there’s also lively music and beautiful women. If you don’t like the hustle and bustle, you can consider staying in a Zen temple or a summer villa in the mountains. By the way, this is our Hundred Brocades House’s ‘Lotus Picking Note.’ With it, you can come to our shop on the day of the Lotus Viewing Festival on the 24th of the sixth lunar month to receive a lotus lantern. Although it’s not worth a lot of money, it’s a token for the festival.”
Pei Xiting took the lotus picking note and saw a painting of a dragonfly resting on a lotus flower, with a line of poetry copied in the upper left corner: “Golden oars, magnolia boat, playfully picking lotus in Jiangnan.”
He looked at the elegant and slender handwriting. “This writing… looks somewhat familiar.”
“This is the calligraphy of Fourth Young Master Zhao of the Duke Wen’s mansion.” The shopkeeper looked at Pei Xiting. “Could it be that you know him?”
Pei Xiting said, “Had a few meals and admired paintings together a few times.”
The shopkeeper was surprised and quickly said, “Sir, you are a friend of Fourth Young Master Zhao; why didn’t you say so earlier? I should have asked Young Master Yunluo to come and entertain you.”
“Young Master Yunluo is busy with the business affairs of the shop. We are just buying a few pieces of clothing; no need to trouble him.” Pei Xiting finished the lotus seed and lily water, stood up, and said, “Check out.”
The shopkeeper said, “You are a friend of Fourth Young Master Zhao; how dare I take your money?”
“You open your door to do business. I have no reason to take advantage of your shop.” Pei Xiting picked up a fan on the rack next to the counter and said, “There are many people who know Zhao Sifan. If everyone comes to your shop, how will you do business… I want this fan too.”
The shopkeeper was just about to take a box to wrap it, but upon seeing Pei Xiting shake his head, he put it back. He respectfully handed the fan to Pei Xiting, smiling as he said, “Real acquaintance or false acquaintance, and what your relationship is like—it’s easy to tell after a few words. Please pardon my boldness and wild guess: the oiled paper umbrella carried by the gentleman beside you, if I’m not mistaken, is the handiwork of ‘Li Family Umbrellas’ from Yangliu Street in Yejing. It has six bamboo ribs, and half of it is painted with flowers. They only use good bamboo, and the process is intricate with excellent craftsmanship, so the finished product is expensive and takes a long time to make. Sometimes, an umbrella can take half a year to complete, and ordinary people certainly wouldn’t be willing to spend the money and time to wait for one. Now, let’s talk about you, sir. You speak simply, act decisively, and treat your subordinates kindly. On top of that, your attire, bearing, and appearance is all outstanding. You are around the same age as Fourth Young Master Zhao and also know how to paint, so it’s highly likely that you are friends with him.”
Pei Xiting glanced at the umbrella. It was given to him by a palace attendant the last time he left the villa in Chaohua Mountain. He thought it looked nice, so he kept it, not expecting it to be a rather famous name.
“Shopkeeper, you have excellent eyes. No wonder you can be the shopkeeper of Hundred Brocade House. But I will still pay the money. I will only take advantage of Zhao Sifan to his face—”
“Are you a friend of Fourth Young Master Zhao?” A young man’s voice suddenly rang out from behind, interrupting Pei Xiting.
Pei Xiting turned around and saw a young man in plain robes who had just entered. He looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, with eyes as bright as stars. If not for the exhaustion on his face, he would surely be radiant.
A look of astonishment appeared in the young man’s eyes. He looked at Pei Xiting several times before turning his gaze to Yuan Fang beside Pei Xiting. This look was extraordinary. His pupils suddenly contracted, and with disbelief and great joy, he abruptly strode to Yuan Fang, knelt down with a “thump,” and said loudly, “Father!”
The shopkeeper and Pei Xiting said simultaneously, “Huh?”
Yuan Fang: “…”
Wait, what?
???