Chapter 54: “What?”

Chapter 54 "What is it?"

Jiang Congyan instructed Ruo Lan to invite them in and then asked Si Zi to fetch A Mao.

There were quite a few people—about seven or eight, both men and women. Jiang Congyan also saw a familiar face, a girl she had seen on her first day at the royal court.

She still had her hair braided into small plaits today, tall and slender, wearing a neat nomadic-style dress with small leather boots, a horsewhip tucked at her waist, looking very lively.

Her eyes were big, clear, and bright, her skin wasn't particularly fair, with a touch of highland red on her cheeks, but she looked very cute.

That night it was a bit dark, and Jiang Congyan couldn't see clearly, thinking she was around seventeen or eighteen. Now, upon closer inspection, her eyes still held a hint of youthfulness, perhaps not yet that age, just tall and well-developed.

Jiang Congyan gave her a quick glance before looking at the others.

Among the other seven, there were two women and five men, all dressed quite splendidly, wearing gold and silver rings and bangles, and brooches crafted from gemstones. Both men and women mostly had their hair braided into small plaits, though the women's hair was adorned with brightly colored ribbons.

Seeing the newly married Han Princess, the Khatun of the Xianbei tribe, they hesitated for a moment, perhaps recalling they were here for trade and needed her favor, and finally placed their hands on their chests, bowing slightly.

"Greetings, Khatun."

It wasn't a particularly grand gesture, but it showed respect.

Jiang Congyan sat upright behind the table, calmly accepting their greeting, she extended her arms and sleeves, and gently raised her hand. "Please, no need for formalities. Have a seat."

They looked up in surprise—this Han Princess could speak their Xianbei tongue?

Jiang Congyan noticed their confusion and smiled, "I only began learning Xianbei on the way to the royal court, I'm not very good at it, just a little, and still learning."

They felt the Han Princess was being modest. She said her Xianbei wasn't good, but from the Liang State to the royal court, it had only been a few months, and she could speak so fluently. Even the clever Tuo Bahuai might not have been able to do that.

Before coming, they had worried that this Han Princess, holding onto her status as a central plains royal, might look down on them from the grasslands. Now, hearing she had taken the initiative to learn Xianbei, they felt a bit reassured. Seeing her gentle face and sincere smile, not putting on any airs, they let down some of their guard.

They sat down in two rows on the chairs nearby, glancing at each other, until finally an older woman, about forty or fifty, spoke up, "Khatun, we wanted to ask if you still have any of the sweets you scattered at your wedding yesterday? We would like to trade some cattle and sheep for those, and also for the spices used in roasting lamb."

Yesterday, the Han Princess's camp had also roasted lamb, but they used some kind of magical spice that made their lamb exceptionally flavorful, making everyone's mouth water.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much lamb, each person only got a small skewer, and before they could really taste it, it was gone.

Both the sweets and the spices were tantalizing, so early this morning they couldn't help but gather together to discuss trading with the Han Princess.

They had plenty of cattle, sheep, and horses, as long as the Han Princess's demands weren't excessive, they were willing to agree.

"Please, don't rush," Jiang Congyan said gently.

At this moment, A Mao was also brought over.

Jiang Congyan beckoned her to come to her side, and A Mao's eyes lit up, quickly running over, standing obediently beside her, looking up at her with big, dark eyes, as if she could only see her lady.

Although Jiang Congyan could understand much Xianbei, she was still afraid of missing something, especially when communicating with these nobles, so she had A Mao keep an eye out for her.

Then she shook her head at the group, "It's not that I don't want to trade with you, but the journey from the central plains was arduous, and we couldn't bring much. Plus, some were destroyed during the chaos caused by Huo Bineng and Wudati Hou, so I really don't have much left. Because yesterday was the wedding, and in our central plains, it's customary to share on joyous occasions, that's why I shared the little sweets and spices with the Xianbei warriors."

Meaning no trade?

They understood the implication in her words, their faces falling, one of the more impatient ones even stood up.

"Not even a little? We could trade for just a small amount."

The speaker was a man in his thirties or forties, with reddish-brown hair, a thick beard, tall and robust, his light green eyes wide open, looking like a military man.

Jiang Congyan looked at them, her brows furrowed, her expression troubled.

The group's hearts tightened too. Seven or eight pairs of eyes eagerly fixed on her, hoping she would say what they wanted to hear.

Jiang Congyan finally sighed and called Ruo Lan over. "Go fetch some sugar and spices."

Everyone then saw the Khatun's servant walk inside and soon return carrying a small wooden box.

Ruo Lan placed the box on the table and opened the lid.

They craned their necks to look inside.

Jiang Congyan said, "This is all I have left. Since you are all the king's subordinates, if you really want it, I can give you some without needing to trade." Just this little?

Upon hearing that the Khatun was willing to give it to them for free, they felt no joy. It was simply too little, not even a few pounds total, and when divided, each person would only get a handful. What good would that do?

If they hadn't tasted it before, they might not have been so eager, but once their mouths had experienced such deliciousness, they couldn't stop craving it.

As nobles, they had no trouble getting enough food, but if they could trade some livestock for such delicacies, they would agree without hesitation.

Especially since they had children at home who had tasted the sugar yesterday and were now throwing fits, demanding more.

"Thank you, Khatun," they said dejectedly.

Jiang Congyan offered an apologetic smile.

"Khatun, is there any other way we can get sugar and spices? Can we go to the Central Plains to buy more?" the young woman suddenly spoke up.

She stood out in the group, as the others were likely in their twenties or older, while she was much younger.

Jiang Congyan's eyes flickered. She hesitated.

The older woman caught the hint, and her eyes lit up. "Khatun!"

Jiang Congyan raised her hand to signal her not to get too excited, then explained slowly, "I bought these spices from Western merchants when I was in Liangzhou. However, as you all know, many Western regions are now controlled by the Xiongnu, and the trade routes to the West have been cut off. Fewer merchants are willing to travel now. I bought these spices a long time ago on a rare occasion, and whether we can get more in the future is unclear. It depends on whether any merchants are willing to take such a great risk."

Trade profits were huge, and the Western merchants carried large amounts of goods and gold. Naturally, the Xiongnu saw them as easy targets to plunder, leaving them with neither wealth nor life. Thus, fewer were willing to travel between East and West.

Hearing this, they all frowned.

The Xiongnu were already their mortal enemies, and now they had seized control of the Western regions, cutting off trade routes and preventing them from buying spices. How awful!

Hmph, one day the king would kill Wudati Hou and defeat the Xiongnu. Then they would not only possess the vast grasslands but also be able to trade with Western merchants for all kinds of goods.

"As for sugar, although we don't have any now, we might have some in a while," Jiang Congyan added.

Their spirits rose, and they looked at her in disbelief, as if they couldn't believe such good news.

"Khatun, how long do we have to wait?" they eagerly asked.

Under so many intense gazes, Jiang Congyan remained composed. "That depends on the king's decision."

"Why?"

"Among my servants, there is someone skilled in sugar-making. If the king can allocate me a small piece of land to build a workshop, we could make sugar within a month or two."

Ah, the Khatun could make sugar herself!

This way, they could exchange for as much sugar as they wanted!

The group seemed to already envision a bright future, "The king will surely agree, and we’ll make sure of it."

Jiang Congyan nodded, "Yes, I hope everyone on the grasslands can enjoy sugar."

Finally, Jiang Congyan had Ruo Lan divide the sugar and spices into portions, wrap them in straw paper, and personally handed them out after standing up.

The last portion, she gave to the little girl.

Under the cover of her wide sleeves, she discreetly slipped the girl some extra sugar.

The little girl’s eyes widened, and her mouth fell open.

Jiang Congyan winked, signaling her to stay quiet, and the girl quickly shut her mouth, her round face adorable.

Jiang Congyan took a liking to the girl for no particular reason—she just found her pleasant.

She liked lively, spirited girls like Si Zi; their energy was infectious.

Her earlier words had set the stage, steering the conversation where she wanted—a small reward.

The group thanked Jiang Congyan once more, bowed respectfully, and left content.

Before leaving, the little girl glanced back at the beautiful Khatun, clutching the sugar tightly.

Ruo Lan saw them out and returned only after they were gone. "My lady, you’re truly foresighted," she said.

Jiang Congyan chuckled, leaning lazily on the couch’s armrest and rubbing her sore waist. "If such tempting bait doesn’t work, I’d be in tears."

"My lady, should I gather the team to discuss construction now?"

"No rush. The sweetener we’ve given will keep them interested. First, let’s settle the craftsmen team and inform Tuo Baxiao about the land."

There’s a lot to deal with—many small tasks. We’ll tackle them one by one, starting with the most pressing.

That afternoon, Jiang Congyan handled more minor tasks and felt tired. Despite sleeping long the night before, she was still exhausted.

She even wondered if Tuo Baxiao had done something while she slept—why else would she feel so drained, like a mortal sapped by a demon in a folktale?

If so, Tuo Baxiao must be some kind of dog demon.

She decided to nap and told A Chun to wake her later.

In her bedroom, she sent the maids away and retrieved a white porcelain bottle from a drawer beneath her jewelry box.

She shook out a black pill, no larger than a fingernail, resting in her pale palm and giving off a faint medicinal scent. She poured half a cup of warm water and took the pill.

This wasn’t her first time taking it; she’d started two days prior.

The emergency contraceptive was harsh on the body, but Zhang Fu had tailored this for her—seven pills a month, taken after her period for maximum effect.

Jiang Congyan thought it resembled later-generation birth control pills—less damaging and more effective.

Of course, all medicine has risks, and this was no exception, but it was the best Zhang Fu could manage.

After taking the pill, she returned the bottle to the drawer, only to notice Lingxiao had slipped in and was watching her, letting out a couple of calls.

"How’d you get in here?" Jiang Congyan stroked its head and neck, and it purred in delight. "Yo!" it chirped.

Lingxiao has been acting remarkably human-like lately, without losing control or harming anyone unnecessarily. Jiang Congyan allows Lingxiao to come and go freely in the tent. The maids don’t stop Lingxiao when they see it, and sometimes Lingxiao even tries to sneak in at night, as if to say, "I want to come in too."

After petting Lingxiao for a while, Jiang Congyan was ready to sleep, but Lingxiao wasn’t satisfied and kept nudging her for more, nearly knocking her off the bed entirely.

"..."

Lingxiao has grown so big and strong now, yet it still acts like a little baby.

"Yo!" Lingxiao gazed at her with its round, sparkling eyes.

"Alright, alright, I'll pet you some more," Jiang Congyan coaxed Lingxiao helplessly.

Even a bird can be particular. Lingxiao loves having its neck petted, but it only wants Jiang Congyan to do it, not the maids. It’s a sweet but troublesome habit.

...

"Alright, go play by yourself now," Jiang Congyan said, finally calming Lingxiao down, though she was exhausted. She could finally lie down and rest.

But Lingxiao didn’t leave. Instead, it lay down on the floor beside the bed, as if to keep her company or stand guard.

Jiang Congyan glanced at Lingxiao and let it be.

——

Tuo Baxiao returned from his journey and made a beeline for the royal tent. When he lifted the curtain, he found the tent empty, with none of her belongings in sight.

He frowned and immediately turned to hurry toward her sleeping tent.

The tent door was wide open, and he strode in, his sharp eyes sweeping the room. He found her in the study, sitting by the window reading a book.

The girl had slender shoulders, a slim waist, and a long, delicate neck. Her head was slightly bowed, her dark hair framing her face. Though she sat casually, leaning slightly forward, she exuded a natural elegance and grace.

The warm light bathed her, and her pale blue wide-sleeved dress highlighted her ethereal beauty, like a serene blue hue on a snowy mountaintop. The crimson hair ribbon and belt added a perfect touch of vibrant color.

Tuo Baxiao was momentarily stunned, his green eyes narrowing as he locked his gaze on her.

"You moved back?" His voice was low, neither angry nor happy, but with a hint of suppressed emotion.

Jiang Congyan sat in the armchair, much shorter than him. He stood tall in front of her, his imposing figure exuding authority.

She slowly put down the book, raised her head, and revealed her fair face, nodding gently at him. "Yes."

"Why?"

"I find the setup in my sleeping tent more comfortable, so I moved back."

"That's the only reason?"

Jiang Congyan looked puzzled. "What else would it be?"

Tuo Baxiao: "..."

He thought she might be angry with him, especially since she had repeatedly said "no" last night, but he...

Then he justified himself—he had only taken her twice. From Chang'an to the royal court, he had waited nearly three months, holding back for so long. Finally, after getting married, he only released twice on their wedding night. There was probably no man on the grassland more pitiful than him.

Hearing her explanation, Tuo Baxiao felt relieved. Then he noticed her soft cheeks, glowing with a translucent, crystalline quality in the faint light, like the tender flesh of a peeled fruit, glistening with a honey-like sheen, tempting him to take a lick.

He bent down, unable to resist reaching out, but just as his hand was about to touch her cheek, she gently swatted it away.

The girl dodged his touch, leaning back with her long, slender, pale neck, her meaning clear—disdain!

"..."

Tuo Baxiao, reluctantly, clenched his fingers and stared at her.

Jiang Congyan was initially a bit afraid of him, but now she had become bolder. She could usually argue with him over trivial matters. If he provoked her, she wouldn't hold back either. After all, no one wanted to kowtow every day, and even if she did, he might not necessarily like it.

Tuo Baxiao sometimes truly hated her spoiled and delicate demeanor, yet he couldn't do anything about it.

He was deeply attracted by her delicate beauty and her aloof and icy demeanor—a combination of traits that were both contradictory and strangely harmonious, something he had never seen in anyone else.

There was only one of her in the world, and now she was his.

Thinking of this, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Tuo Baxiao didn't force her anymore. He nonchalantly pulled over a nearby chair and sat down. Suddenly, he thought of something and said, "Isn't your Liang State emperor very particular about etiquette? Why are all your furnishings Hu-style?"

When he entered earlier, he noticed that the room was mostly furnished with high-legged Hu-style furniture, while the low tables and couches typical of the Central Plains were nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Congyan: "..."

She suspected he was intentionally teasing her.

"The emperor has his ways, and I have mine," Jiang Congyan said calmly. "What, does the king think I don't live up to the image of a Liang State princess you had in mind? If you prefer the low furniture of the Central Plains, I can have it arranged."

Her last sentence was clearly a veiled jab.

"Feisty," he said, though that wasn't his intention.

Jiang Congyan glared at him, expecting nothing pleasant from him.

Tuo Baxiao took her glare in stride, even seeming to enjoy it. He stretched out his long legs, leaned back in his chair, and laced his fingers behind his head, gazing at her intently as if she were a rare and precious flower.

Under his gaze, Jiang Congyan's cheeks flushed, and she lost focus on her book. She peeked outside and realized it was almost time for dinner. She stood up and asked him, "Are you hungry? Should we eat?"

Tuo Baxiao nodded with a smile.

After dinner, it was time to retire.

Jiang Congyan didn't notice the darkening gaze in the man's eyes above her. She went out to call A Fei to set the table.

There was still some lamb left from the lamb slaughtered yesterday. Besides the lamb pancakes made in the morning, Zhu Da Niang had prepared braised lamb chops, cumin lamb, and a pot of mountain delicacy lamb soup for dinner. She also steamed some buns, made lamb dumplings, and stir-fried some seasonal vegetables. The rich aroma was appetizing.

Tuo Baxiao had long known that the Han people were creative with their food, but he was still impressed after tasting it. "The chef you brought is better than those in Chang'an."

"If you like it, just ask them to prepare it," Jiang Congyan replied.

She thought to herself that it was all thanks to her love for food in her past life.

Because of her illness, there were many things she couldn't eat, and the more she couldn't eat, the more she craved them. With the internet being so developed, she often watched food videos. The bloggers made everything look so delicious that it made her mouth water, but she could only watch helplessly as she couldn't reach through the screen. She watched so much that the websites kept recommending more, and over time, she remembered a lot—spices, sauces, pastries, cakes, and more.

When she was in Liangzhou, she enjoyed experimenting with these things. She brewed common sauces and vinegars and mixed the available spices, managing to recreate most of the flavors.

In this era, stir-frying wasn't yet popular. Most food was boiled or roasted, partly due to the scarcity of oil, which made it unaffordable for ordinary households, and partly because ironworking technology wasn't advanced enough. Making iron pots was still a high-end skill, and without the proper cookware, stir-frying naturally didn't catch on.

A few years ago, when she was researching food, she took advantage of her grandmother's birthday and instructed Zhu Da Niang to prepare a feast of dishes they had never seen before. Her grandparents were astonished—they had lived for decades and had never tasted such food. As for her siblings, they nearly fought over the dishes, and afterward, they constantly surrounded her, hoping to get more. It wasn't until Zhu Da Niang taught the other chefs that she finally had some peace.

All in all, that birthday banquet was incredibly festive, and even now, she found it amusing to recall.

However, the cost of stir-frying was too high, and only the wealthy could afford it. Later, she found a way to collect some spices to make marinated dishes and even opened a food shop in the city. Despite the high prices, her business thrived. The affluent were more than willing to splurge on food. Later, she also opened several pastry shops, including one in Chang'an, and earned a considerable amount of money.

If she were just an ordinary wealthy family, the money she earned would be enough for her to live comfortably. However, she aimed to aid the Liangzhou army by covertly stockpiling grain, so these profits could only play a minor role.

She needed to devise more strategies to bolster her own strength, especially by finding ways to control the trade of bulk commodities, in order to support an army.

After dinner, Jiang Congyan rested for a while to digest, then washed up. She wasn't quite ready for sleep, so she took a book and sat on the kang to read.

She had only read a few pages when suddenly the man embraced her from behind, his large, warm hand pressing against her waist, and his warm breath brushing against the back of her ear.

Jiang Congyan instinctively shrank her neck, her body trembling, and the book in her hand fell onto the kang.

She tilted her head to avoid him, but there was no escape. She was completely encircled by him from behind, firmly held by his strong arms.

"Why are you like this again?" Jiang Congyan said, tilting her head, her hand grabbing his arm, but to no avail.

"Like what?" Tuo Baxiao nibbled on her fair earlobe, gently grinding it between his teeth, and responded in a low, deep voice, his breath thick and intense, "We are husband and wife now." So anything is permissible.

Last night, he only got a taste, far from being satisfied. He had been waiting for tonight.