Chapter 21

Chapter 21

"Is this Taiyang County City?"

Xiao Qingxue peered out the window to see the city gates about ten meters high, with walls made of green stone bricks and rammed earth, looking sturdy and majestic. Soldiers in armor patrolled the walls, wielding long spears.

The name 'Taiyang City' in simple ancient characters came into view.

Below the city gate, out of three, only two were open. They passed through the central gate. Yang Dong rode ahead on his horse, infantry paving the way and cavalry guarding the sides of the carriage as they entered the main city of Taiyang County.

Xiao Luolan, along with her daughter, looked out as they entered the gate. Their view suddenly opened up to wide streets lined with shops, eateries, taverns, and inns on both sides. The streets were bustling and lively with people coming and going.

Moreover, Xiao Qingxue was delighted to see that the main streets of Taiyang County were paved with large blocks of green stone bricks. Although not perfectly aligned, they appeared very clean. Elms and willows provided shade on either side of the road, while the sounds of hawkers were incessant.

"Mother, it's so lively here," Xiao Qingxue exclaimed to her mother, while Fangyun also gazed intently, seeing such a bustling city for the first time.

"Lady Xiao, Little Mistress Xiao, our Taiyang County is one of the main cities of Youzhou. With its connection to the Xun River and numerous docks, water transport is well-developed, making it wealthier compared to other parts of Youzhou," a maid explained proactively upon seeing their interest in the city: "In recent years, Taiyang County has produced many successful imperial scholars who are now officials in Chang'an."

"It's morning now; this area is the East Market. If you had arrived an hour or two earlier, Lady Xiao and Little Mistress Xiao could have seen the morning market. It sells breakfast foods like fish slice soup, fresh meat dumplings, sesame cakes, and steamed buns with fillings, all popular breakfast items in Taiyang County."

Xiao Qingxue's eyes sparkled with excitement as she listened.

The maid timely added, "The West Market mostly has silk and satin shops, hat stores, gold and silver jewelers, along with rouge and powder vendors, and even bookstores and ink shops."

"The South Market is where wealthy merchants, foreign traders, and some minor noble families reside," the maid briefly mentioned about the South Market, without a word about the North Market.

After the maid left, Xiao Qingxue turned to her mother: "Mother, do you think the governor lives in the North Market?"

"Probably," Xiao Luolan embraced her daughter, guiding her to look outside, pointing out, "Qingxue, look, there's a foreigner over there."

Xiao Qingxue followed her mother's gesture and saw a man with deep-set eyes, a high nose, brown eyes, and long curved hair, wearing an apron and selling wine on the street, attracting a long queue.

Fang Yun finally got her chance to speak: "My lady, he's known as a 'Hu' in our Youzhou region."

"A 'Hu', I see."

Xiao Luolan watched for a while and noticed many women dressed in men's robes, accompanied by servants, strolling the streets. Some wore veiled hats and rode horses, their attire more varied than the women in Cang County. Seeing her daughter's silent admiration for these convenient robes, she guessed what her daughter was thinking.

After accounting for expenses in Cang County for horse rental and shopping, she had twenty taels left. She planned to check the prices of men's robes and buy one for her daughter.

Xiao Luolan made a mental note of this.

The carriage slowly traveled on the Qing Mountain bricks. Surrounded by solemn and imposing escorts, many passersby kept their distance, but the observers in hiding were numerous. From the carriage's entry into Taiyang Duwei's jurisdiction to its arrival in Taiyang County, observers followed one after another.

The assassination attempt on the Youzhou Jiedushi in Cang County had caused a huge stir in Youzhou. The Taiyang County Commandant Yang, with his infantry and cavalry in full armor, grandly welcomed them.

The keen-nosed aristocrats and officials of Taiyuan County sent out their servants and spies to gather information, with families connected by marriage exchanging news back and forth. The reason was not only the recent assassination attempt, but also because the Governor of Taiyuan showed no reaction to the attack on the military governor, merely claiming he was indisposed.

Particularly the Governor's supporters were almost frantic! They sent requests for audience like snowflakes into the Governor's mansion, but these seemed to sink into a quagmire, receiving no response.

Many knew from the route of the Yang Commandant that some soldiers from the Taiyuan garrison had already been stationed in the northern market of the main city, a place where officials and influential families of Taiyuan resided.

Although the Governor managed the civilians and the Commandant the military, both being almost equal in rank, the city of Taiyuan was ultimately under the Governor's control. The Commandant usually trained soldiers in the outskirts, so his current move to station troops in the city raised suspicions of a power grab.

Many in Taiyuan City were restless, especially the elite in the northern market, who sent servants every quarter hour to check on the military governor’s whereabouts.

Just when they thought the black carriage would head to the northern market, it turned towards the southern market.

The southern market was a mix of wealthy merchants, landlords, and some lesser aristocratic families of Taiyuan. While not as prestigious as the higher clans, their wealth ensured their homes were well-appointed: large, deep houses separated by walls, with each household set apart, and the cobblestone streets smoother than the main roads, making the carriage ride almost bump-free.

“Taiyuan City is quite large,” observed Xiao Qingxue with interest, looking out at the world while chatting with her mother. They had been traveling for quite a while; hadn’t they reached the Governor's mansion yet?

Xiao Luolan suddenly saw Zhou, the clan leader, riding up to their window.

"Madam Xiao, we are heading to the southern market of Taiyuan City now."

Zhou Xu, seated on his horse, informed Madam Xiao, his robust figure striking under the sunlight.

"Aren’t we going to the Governor's residence?" Xiao Luolan asked, puzzled.

Zhou Xu smiled, "After the long journey, let’s settle down first."

Xiao Luolan thought back and realized that Zhou, the clan leader, had never given a precise time for visiting the Governor's mansion. He had mentioned they would go, but never specified when.

Xiao Luolan couldn't help but take another look at Zhou Xu.

Touching his face, Zhou Xu asked in confusion, "Why does Madam Xiao look at me so?"

Xiao Luolan’s eyelashes fluttered, long as butterfly wings, “No, it’s nothing.”

Now, it was Zhou Xu’s turn to give Madam Xiao a few more glances.

The black carriage turned a corner, gradually leaving the hustle and bustle of the street behind.

It wasn’t long before the carriage passed rows of residences, their eaves and multi-tiered buildings peeking out from behind white walls and red doors.

Some who had sensed the changing winds in Taiyuan County had already ordered their servants to avoid trouble in the coming days. However, the lower-class merchants and traders, with looser household rules and less informed, curiously opened their doors to watch the carriage of Yang Commandant from Youzhou and even followed it as if passing by.

Yang Dong, the Commandant of Taiyuan County, controlled the military power. For these merchants, an audience with him was usually a Herculean task. Now, seeing his carriage in the southern market was a surprise.

A few who had met the Commandant before saw him following a man with respectful demeanor and sensed something significant, daring not to approach further.

As the carriage moved deeper, Luo Jinhu's heart raced. A somewhat renowned merchant, his mind worked rapidly: he had paid the protection fees to the officials recently, and his family’s mischiefs hadn't resulted in any fatalities. Besides, he had quickly forged a strong friendship with his neighbor, Dou Haitao, knowing well the benefits.

To connect with Dou Haitao, Luo Jinhu had spent a considerable sum.

He knew from various sources about Dou Haitao's capable son working under the judge Lang Ge Xu in Youzhou's main city. His presence was why Luo had moved next to the Dou family and befriended Dou Haitao. As for Dou's younger son, a county magistrate in a small town under Taiyuan, Luo was sure the elder brother's influence played a part.

As the saying goes, having friends in high places makes life easier, a timeless truth. The judge was under the Youzhou military governor. These intricate connections could someday cast a favorable light on Luo in Youzhou.

Watching the black carriage approach his home, Luo Jinhu’s palms sweated.

“Master, look behind,” his servant whispered in his ear.

“What!” Luo Jinhu turned impatiently, only to see a common carriage marked with the character 'Dou', clearly belonging to the Dou family.

So, the Commandant and the unidentifiable dignitary were visiting the Dou family?

Before Luo could react, the Dou family’s servants hurriedly opened their gates. He had never seen Dou Haitao’s characteristically corpulent body move so fast.

The master of the Dou house, red-faced and panting, scrambled from behind the wall to the black carriage, bowing deeply and trembling, unable to speak, then knelt, stammering, “I, I greet the military governor.”

Luo’s mind buzzed, his vision darkened, grasping his servant’s hand in disbelief!

He looked at the man at the front, with the Commandant behind him, surrounded by armed guards, all exuding the ruthless aura of battlefield veterans.

So, the military governor of Youzhou had come to Taiyuan County! And to his neighbor, Dou Haitao’s house! A joy unparalleled made Luo's knees weak and his mouth dry. He knew fortune was knocking at his door!

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity lay before him.

The blood of a merchant had him trembling with excitement, and his neighbor, Dou Haitao, was not faring much better.

Since receiving a letter from home, he felt both worried and elated. He was glad that his simple-minded second son had met the military governor, but concerned that the son had actually accepted rent from the governor's guest. Although the amount was small, it might have been better not to accept it at all.

Hearing later that the military governor was attacked on his son's official road, he was scared witless, fearing the governor might blame and either behead his son or dismiss him from office. Since then, he had been living in fear, sensing the unrest in Taiyuan County and the undercurrents of political turmoil, with troop movements and the unusually quiet governor, all like the calm before a storm.

But Dou Haitao never imagined that the military governor would actually come to his house.

When his servant ran from the back door to tell him that dignitaries were approaching in his family's carriage, Dou Haitao felt like he was in a dream. He hurriedly instructed his servants to tidy the courtyard and rushed out to greet them, staying bowed and dazed after the meeting.

Zhou Xu, on horseback, noticed the trembling in Dou Haitao's legs, similar to that of the County Magistrate, and mused about the father-son resemblance, even in the way they rushed out to greet.

“Rise,” said Zhou Xu.

“Yes, yes,” Dou Haitao replied, not daring to look directly at the military governor.

Just then, he heard a delicate laugh, breaking the street's silence. To him, it was a heavenly sound, a relief from the stifling tension.

He glanced up and saw a pretty noblewoman on the black carriage, covering her mouth in embarrassment, as if she realized her lapse in decorum.

Beside her was a beautiful, fair-skinned woman.

Dou Haitao immediately remembered the Madam Xiao and Miss Xiao mentioned in his son’s letter.

“I apologize, I didn’t mean to laugh,” said Xiao Qingxue to Dou's father. “You just remind me so much of the County Magistrate.” Their resemblance was uncanny, not just in appearance but even in the way they ran from the gate. Xiao Qingxue couldn't help but let out a laugh, which was promptly followed by a pinch from her mother.

Dou Haitao was momentarily stunned, then waved his hand, nervously replying, "Yes, I do resemble my son quite a bit."

Zhou Xu dismounted his horse, and Leishan took the reins. Their horses had been settled in the northern market by Yang Commandant's men. On their way here, the clan leader had decided not to bring too many escorts, so some were left with Yang Commandant's troops, and only a small team of ten armed guards remained, led by Leishan.

“Madam Xiao rented horses from the County Magistrate of Dou, and now that she has arrived in Taiyuan, it's only natural to return the Dou family's carriage,” said Zhou Xu.

Dou Haitao, trying to remedy his son's naive actions, replied with polite trepidation, “There was no need for you to come personally; sending someone with a message would have sufficed.”

Zhou Xu said, “The carriage has been delivered, but it still contains some of Madam Xiao’s belongings.”

As Dou Haitao was about to suggest having his servants move the items, he saw his neighbor, the wealthy merchant Luo Jinhu, desperately winking at him, almost to the point of cramping.

Knowing he wasn’t as quick-witted as these cunning businessmen, Dou Haitao pondered, then finally understood when he saw Luo Jinhu gesturing an invitation with an open palm.

“Military Governor, you must be weary from your journey. Why not rest at my humble abode for a few days?” Dou Haitao stepped back, making a grand gesture of invitation.

Zhao Qingshan, fanning himself, observed the actions of Dou's father and the merchant, smiling subtly before stepping forward, “Since Elder Dou insists, we would be happy to accept your hospitality.”

“Please come in, Military Governor, please,” Dou Haitao ushered them in.

Yang Dong couldn’t understand why the Military Governor chose not to stay in the mansion he had arranged in the northern market but instead at the home of a minor noble family in the southern market.

“Madam Xiao, we will be temporarily staying at Elder Dou's residence,” Zhou Xu informed Madam Xiao.

Xiao Luolan, accompanied by her daughter, alighted from the carriage, with Fangyun following behind them.

Xiao Luolan, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, felt a longing for a stable home.

Lady Dou, plump in stature, seeing her husband accompanying the Jiedushi, tried to suppress her excitement and quickly sent several clever servants to move the belongings of Lady Xiao and Miss Xiao from the carriage through the side gate into the mansion.

Only after the main gate of the Dou residence closed did the crowd watching from afar snap back to reality.

Only Luo Jinhua hurried back to his home.

He was determined to connect with Dou Haitao and meet the Jiedushi of Youzhou!

The Dou residence.

Dou Haitao led the way through the porter's lodge to a stable where stable boys were tending to the horses. Passing through the courtyard, they reached the main gate, where the wide red doors were wide open, leading to a tranquil courtyard.

Holding her daughter's hand, Xiao Luolan couldn't help but feel how tiring it was to enter a house in ancient times.

Dou Haitao led the Jiedushi and his entourage into the central hall, which had been perfumed and was so clean that the floor gleamed.

"Jiedushi, please take a seat."

"Lady Xiao, Miss Xiao, please be seated."

Zhao Qingshan, fanning himself, also sat down while Leishan stood guard outside with the cavalry.

Once everyone was seated, Dou Haitao and Lady Dou took their places.

Zhou Xu, noticing Lady Xiao's tired expression and the time of day, suggested to Dou Haitao, "Mr. Dou, it's getting late. Perhaps we should have lunch soon."

Lady Dou immediately responded, "Don't worry, Jiedushi. The kitchen is already preparing lunch. Do you have any dietary restrictions?"

"I'm not picky about food," Zhou Xu turned to Lady Xiao, "Do Lady Xiao and Miss Xiao have any food allergies or preferences?"

"No," Xiao Luolan shook her head, and Xiao Qingxue did the same.

After lunch, Xiao Luolan was genuinely tired.

Lady Dou, smiling, approached Lady Xiao, "Lady Xiao, Miss Xiao, please follow me. A room has been prepared for you to rest in our residence."

She led the two esteemed guests through the secondary house, explaining, "Beyond this door is the inner residence."

Walking through the long corridor, Xiao Luolan tried to memorize the route, finally stopping in front of an eastern pavilion hidden by lush bamboo.

"Lady Xiao, Miss Xiao, your luggage has been placed inside. Lady Xiao, this is the eastern pavilion where you will stay. Miss Xiao, please follow me."

Xiao Luolan, surprised that her daughter would not stay with her, called out to Lady Dou, "Lady Dou, may I know where my daughter will be staying?"

Lady Dou replied, "Just beyond these bamboo groves is the Apricot Blossom Residence, where Miss Xiao will stay."

Following Lady Dou along the corridor, Xiao Luolan saw the Apricot Blossom Residence. Realizing that the two rooms were just separated by a grove of bamboo and not far apart, she felt relieved.

"Thank you, Lady Dou."

Lady Dou, upon hearing Lady Xiao's thanks, curtsied deeply: "You are too kind."

After Lady Dou left, Fang Yun organized the items from the trunks.

Xiao Luolan, feeling tired, instructed her daughter not to wander off and to take Fang Yun with her even if she went outside. After her daughter agreed, she closed her eyes to rest.

The breeze rustled through the bamboo, casting dense green shadows, creating a cool and pleasant atmosphere.

Xiao Qingxue, seeing her mother sleeping soundly, didn't disturb her. After playing for a while and yawning, she went to the shelf bed in her room to nap.

Zhou Xu, hearing that Lady Xiao was taking a nap, took a bath, dressed in a cross-collared robe and a wide-sleeved overcoat, and then left his room.

Zhao Qingshan secretly glanced at his lord's attire, clicking his tongue at the sight of even the hair tied up with a hairpin.

Leishan silently followed behind his lord, guarding as usual. But when he saw where his lord was heading, a rare look of astonishment appeared on the usually stoic Leishan's face. After a moment, he lowered his head and entered the Jin Yu Building.

Zhou Xu sat in a high chair, listening to the endless introduction of eyebrow cosmetics by the manager of the Jin Yu Building.

Soot black, bird blue, bronze black, snail black... Zhou Xu, dazzled by the array, felt every color seemed similar, and said, "I'll take the expensive ones of each kind."

The manager, ecstatic, became even more enthusiastic in his presentation.

"Noble sir, would you like to see our shop's lip rouge and floral dew? We have all colors of lip rouge..."

"Do you have cherry color?" Zhou Xu recalled Lady Xiao under the lantern light, eating cherries, and thought cherry red could be the most beautiful.

"This red is close to cherry red."

"I'll take this one and a few other lip rouges," Zhou Xu thought, if he was buying, he should also consider Lady Xiao's beloved daughter.

"No need for floral dew." Lady Xiao had a natural fragrance about her.

"Show me the gold hairpins in the shop."

Leishan stood behind his lord, not seeing him particularly choose, just sweeping them all up with a wave of his hand.

He paid silently and left the Jin Yu Building, his hands full of purchases.

Zhou Xu selected only the most expensive and finest items, disregarding the rest, especially when it came to clothing.

Standing on the second floor of the garment shop, he was presented with dozens of styles of Ru skirts.

"Noble sir, this Chezi skirt is the latest fashion in Chang'an this summer. Made from Chezi fabric with a silk lining, the material is elastic and thick. Worn with a wide-sleeved silk robe, it feels like being enveloped by a summer breeze, negating the heat."

Zhou Xu, looking at the strikingly gold and bright red Chezi skirt, cleared his throat slightly, "This one, then."

"And all those others as well."

Leishan, with his head bowed low, nearly to his chest, had several more boxes to carry when they left again.

Back at the Dou residence, Zhou Xu, faced with an array of items, found himself in a dilemma, knowing that Lady Xiao wouldn't accept them without reason.

Zhao Qingshan, reading a book, slightly twitched the corner of his mouth.

"How should I give these away?"

Zhao Qingshan pretended not to hear.

Unable to come up with a good solution for the moment, Zhou Xu decided to visit Lady Xiao.

Arriving at the eastern pavilion where Lady Xiao was staying, he found her napping on a beauty couch, with her young maid dozing off by a hidden table.

The sunlight danced, stirring up light dust, a common occurrence in the early days of summer.

Zhou Xu stood by the window, looking at Lady Xiao, whose cheeks were flushed in sleep.

It had been a long time since Zhou Xu felt such an urgent impulse to do something.

He wanted Lady Xiao to wear the clothes, shoes, and jewelry he had bought, along with the rouge.

He imagined her in the bright gold and red Chezi skirt, a semi-transparent wide-sleeved robe, and a mud-gold shawl, looking radiant and dazzling.

Yes, he really wanted that.

And he wanted to do even more.

When Xiao Luolan woke up, not seeing her daughter, she panicked for a moment: "Qingxue?"

She stepped off the couch barefoot, and only when she found her daughter on the inner bed did her heart settle.

Xiao Qingxue, half asleep, heard her mother's voice, struggled to open her eyes, and mumbled sleepily: "Mom."

"Mommy is here, go to sleep." Xiaoluo Lan saw that it was bright outside, estimating it to be around three or four in the afternoon. She looked around and noticed that the round fan was missing, taken somewhere by Fangyun, who was also nowhere to be seen.

Xiaoluo Lan was a bit worried. She looked outside the door but didn't see Fangyun. Just as she was about to wake up her daughter Qingxue to tell her, Fangyun returned.

Fangyun's brow was furrowed, and her eyes were red.

"Fangyun, what's wrong?" Xiaoluo Lan examined her closely, relieved to see she was not hurt.

"I dozed off this afternoon and when I woke up, I found your dress ruined by a pear blossom cat," Fangyun said, her eyes growing redder as she spoke.

"Oh, don't cry." Seeing the young girl's remorse, Xiaoluo Lan comforted her, holding her hand: "It's normal to feel sleepy in summer. It's fine to nap, and the dress can be mended. Don't cry, don't cry."

"That darn pear blossom cat!" Fangyun said angrily.

"Where's the cat? I'll go have a look," Xiaoluo Lan said.

"It's in the bamboo grove," Fangyun replied, still upset. "Don't be fooled by its appearance; it's quite fierce when it tears at dresses. I was worried about the cleanliness, so I washed the dress first."

"I'll find the cat. Can you fan Qingxue for me?"

Fangyun knelt in agreement.

Xiaoluo Lan indeed found a snow-white kitten in the bamboo grove.

"No wonder it's called a pear blossom cat." Xiaoluo Lan squatted down, charmed by the adorable kitten, and cooed at it twice.

Seeing no reaction from the kitten, she thought about luring it with something. Suddenly, the kitten leapt up, landing on her knee due to its small size. Xiaoluo Lan hugged the kitten with delight.

"Meow meow!"

The kitten meowed.

"Lady Xiao." The voice of Master Zhou Zong sounded. Xiaoluo Lan turned around to see Master Zhou Zong approaching from the corridor.

"Master Zhou Zong," Xiaoluo Lan greeted.

"Where did this cat come from?" Zhou Xu asked, reaching out to play with it, but as soon as he extended his hand, the kitten meowed.

Zhou Xu lowered his hand.

"I heard from Lady Dou that your maid seemed to be crying. Has someone been bullying her?" Zhou Xu asked seriously. "If such a thing happens, Lady Xiao must tell me."

Xiaoluo Lan shook her head and briefly explained Fangyun's situation.

"So it was this little cat that caused the trouble. Maybe we should get rid of it," Zhou Xu suggested.

Xiaoluo Lan held the kitten, feeling it snuggle into her embrace and meow softly. She couldn't bear the thought: "That doesn't seem right. It's still so small. It would be nice for it to keep Qingxue company. If I find its owner, I'll return it."

"I'll have Lady Dou check if this kitten has an owner."

Xiaoluo Lan watched Master Zhou Zong leave after a few questions. Holding the kitten, she noticed it liked to climb onto her chest. She gently touched its head before taking it down.

When Qingxue woke up, she saw a cute cat in her mother's arms and couldn't resist petting it.

"We must give the kitten a bath before playing with it."

After her own bath, Xiaoluo Lan bathed the kitten with bath beans. Fortunately, the kitten was very well-behaved, even during the bath.

Xiaoluo Lan wanted to continue wearing today's dress but found an extra box in the outer room and couldn't find her dress.

"Fangyun."

Fangyun entered upon hearing the call.

"Have you seen my dress?"

Qingxue, drying her hair, hugged the little cat in her mother's arms.

"Mistress, young lady, Lady Dou heard that your dress was torn by a kitten in the mansion, so she compensated you with a new set. It’s said to be the most fashionable dress in Chang'an," Fangyun replied. "The servants from Dou's house placed the box outside the east pavilion, and I brought it in."

Qingxue opened the box and was dazzled by the brilliant gold and red colors inside. How beautiful!

"Mother, try it on for me, let me see," Qingxue excitedly said, loving to see her mother all dressed up.

Xiaoluo Lan looked at the brightly colored dress: "Isn't it too flashy?"

"Not at all, not at all. You look best in it, Mother," Qingxue said, holding her cheeks and shaking her head like a rattle drum.

"Just try it, I want to see."

Unable to resist her daughter's insistence, Xiaoluo Lan picked up the dress, a dazzling burst of gold and bright red.

Qingxue directly helped her mother into the dress.

After dressing, Qingxue’s face turned red.

Soon, Xiaoluo Lan's face also reddened.

"Maybe I should take it off..."

"Just wear it like this, Mother, you look the best!" Qingxue, looking at her mother in the splendid dress, thought she couldn't be more suited for it.

"So beautiful!"

Qingxue, like a little cat, circled around her mother, with the little white cat leisurely swishing its tail in her mother's embrace.

Xiaoluo Lan suddenly felt like she was raising two cats.

Thinking of this comparison, she couldn't help but laugh.

Fangyun added a tassel pendant to her mistress's hair, perfectly revealing her neck with the exquisite Serpent Bun.

"Lady Xiao."

Fangyun opened the door.

Zhou Xu stood not far away, holding a lantern. As the evening sky darkened, the lantern's dim candlelight softened his rugged and deep features.

Zhou Xu wanted to invite Lady Xiao for a meal.

But when he saw her standing under the eaves, he was momentarily speechless.

Lady Xiao was wearing the bold gold and red hawthorn dress he had selected for her, draped in a light, pale blue robe with wide sleeves, her Serpent Bun swaying with a mature allure.

Zhou Xu felt as if he was drowning in the shadows of Lady Xiao, her beauty enhanced by the bold gold and red, whiter than snow and smoother than jade.