Chapter 114 Lord Bai, You’ve Worked Hard

Chapter 114: Lord Bai, You've Worked Hard

After the ghost opera, A Chan and Chen Hui had wontons at a nearby stall.

The owner's cooking skills were ordinary, but the portions were generous. With many people coming and going to watch the ghost opera, business was booming.

After finishing their wontons, they went to a nearby stall to buy candied fruits and sesame brittle. Next to it was a mask stall. A Chan, a piece of sesame brittle in her mouth, curiously eyed the ghost masks hanging there.

Most customers buying ghost masks had young children at home. According to the owner, if a child cried at night, hanging a mask by the bed could scare away unclean spirits, a method said to be very effective.

A Chan found the masks quite unique and, after much hesitation, picked the largest one, which was as big as a shield in her hands.

The ghost mask cost a full hundred *wen*. The owner hadn't expected her to choose the one that had been unsold for so long and happily handed it to her, even throwing in a palm-sized mask as a gift.

When they returned to the post station with the masks, they happened to run into a group of Jiaozhou officials who were just taking their leave.

The prefect at the front didn't put on airs. He took a careful look at the masks and asked with a smile, "Did you ladies go to watch the ghost opera?"

A Chan replied, "Yes, we just came back from watching it. It was truly remarkable."

"Exactly! Operas elsewhere can't compare to Jiaozhou's ghost opera," the prefect said proudly, clearly an ardent enthusiast. While praising it, he didn't forget to disparage other regions' operas.

At that moment, Bai Xiuming approached.

Seeing him, the prefect immediately became solemn. "This official will take my leave now. Lord Bai, please don't trouble yourself."

Bai Xiuming nodded slightly. "Safe travels, Magistrate Liu."

A Chan stepped aside to let the local officials exit the post station first before carrying her mask inside.

After a few steps, she backtracked to Bai Xiuming’s side and offered an ingratiating smile. "Bai Xiuming, where’s my room?"

Bai Xiuming glanced at her. "You disappeared as soon as we got off the boat. I thought you weren’t planning to come back."

"As if I wouldn't! Even when I was out having fun, you were on my mind the whole time. Here, this is a gift for you." With that, she shoved the enormous mask into Bai Xiuming’s hands.

"A gift?" Bai Xiuming looked down at the unexpected gift, not quite understanding its purpose.

A Chan explained earnestly, "This is a Jiaozhou specialty ghost mask. Hang it by your bed to ward off evil spirits. The bigger the mask, the better the effect. Of course, I had to buy the best one for you."

Her expression clearly begged for praise.

Chen Hui, standing not far away, silently averted her gaze, thinking that the mask seller had never mentioned the latter part. If he had half of A Chan’s eloquence, he wouldn’t have to worry about unsold masks.

Bai Xiuming turned the mask over and examined it. The mask was fearsomely crafted. Its effectiveness in warding off evil spirits was uncertain, but hanging it by the bed could easily terrify anyone in the middle of the night.

Nevertheless, he accepted the "elaborate gift." Holding the mask in one hand, he said to A Chan, "Come on, I’ll show you to your room."

A Chan immediately followed, thinking to herself that this man was growing more tractable by the day.

There were simply too many people this time. Although the Jiaozhou prefect had vacated nearby residences around the post station for the Bright Mirror Bureau’s use, rooms were still scarce.

Tonight, A Chan would be rooming with Chen Hui.

A Chan didn't mind. Though the room was simple, it was clean, and the bedding was new.

After escorting them to their room, Bai Xiuming was about to leave when A Chan suddenly tugged his sleeve.

He turned back. "Yes?"

"What time are we leaving tomorrow?"

"At the beginning of the *Si* hour (9 AM)."

"I’ll be back on time," she said, deciding to wake up early the next day to explore a bit more.

"Going out to play again?"

"How can you call it playing? I’m…" A Chan thought for a moment before finding the right term, "observing local customs."

Bai Xiuming quirked a smile. "And what have you observed?"

"The sesame brittle in Baofeng County is delicious." With that, she opened the oil-paper package on the table, picked up a piece of sesame brittle, and offered it to him, staring at him expectantly.

Bai Xiuming glanced at the candy, then opened his mouth and took it.

When Bai Xiuming stepped out of A Chan’s room, several Bright Mirror Bureau guards who hadn’t yet returned to their rooms saw their superior holding a strange shield-like object in one hand and chewing on a piece of candy—a remarkably casual demeanor.

They couldn’t help but stare a few extra seconds, but a cold glare from Bai Xiuming sent them scurrying.

That night, A Chan slept soundly. After disembarking, she no longer felt the queasy rocking sensation of being on the boat.

She woke up before the *Chen* hour (7 AM). After their morning ablutions with Chen Hui, they left the post station.

While eating wontons the day before, she’d heard that the lamb soup at Sun’s in Baofeng County was excellent. Located on the street next to where the ghost opera was performed, she decided to try it.

By the time they arrived, it was already quite late. Sun’s Lamb Soup was packed. Seeing two unfamiliar customers, the proprietress led them to a corner table where another woman was already seated.

The woman was slender, with her hair tied in a simple bun and no makeup. Her complexion was poor, completely pallid.

Soon, the proprietress brought two bowls of lamb soup, one of which contained only sheep’s blood.

Noticing the woman across from her eating a flatbread, A Chan asked for the same, only for the proprietress to explain apologetically that the shop only served steamed buns, not flatbread.

Hearing their conversation, the woman looked up and suddenly spoke. "If you don’t mind, I can share a piece with you."

Her voice carried an ethereal quality—one that was hard to forget after hearing it once.

"You must be Master Yu," A Chan said with certainty.

The woman’s lips curved in a strained smile. "You recognize me?"

"I watched your performance yesterday. Your voice is beautiful, and the ghost opera was wonderful," A Chan praised sincerely. "But there’s no need for the flatbread. I can just have the steamed buns."

"Your accent doesn’t sound like you’re from Jiaozhou," Master Yu remarked.

A Chan explained, "We’re from the capital and are on our way back. We passed through Baofeng County last night and happened to catch a ghost opera."

"What a coincidence. I’m originally from the capital too. Given this fate, consider the flatbread a gesture of goodwill. Please don’t refuse."

With that, Master Yu pushed the oil-paper package containing two pieces of flatbread toward her.

Seeing her sincerity, A Chan accepted graciously. Master Yu didn’t seem to be just being courteous.

After the brief exchange, both fell silent. A Chan sat down and took a few sips of the soup. The lamb broth was indeed delicious, and the crispy flatbread paired wonderfully.

After eating half of the flatbread, A Chan looked over at Master Yu, who was also eating. However, she didn’t bite directly into the bread but instead tore it into bite-sized pieces.

Her movements carried an innate grace, distinguishing her from everyone else in the room—yet it appeared effortless.

This manner of eating was something Ji Chan had been trained in. On certain occasions, if many well-bred young ladies carried themselves this way, failing to do so would invite whispers about one's poor upbringing.

Recalling the rumors she had heard the previous night, A Chan couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity about the background of the Master Yu before her.

"I heard that after this performance, Master Yu will be traveling with the troupe to the capital to celebrate His Majesty's birthday?" A Chan asked, starting the conversation.

The news had already spread among the common folk, so it likely wasn't anything too sensitive.

Upon hearing A Chan's words, Master Yu replied unhurriedly, "That's just people being kind. It's not for His Majesty's birthday—our troupe was invited to the capital by Prince Ying'an.

When His Highness passed through Jiaozhou, he became fond of ghost operas and couldn't forget them after returning to the capital. He wished for us to perform a few shows there. With His Majesty's birthday approaching, our troupe was recommended—it's just an opportunity, nothing more."

With that, she glanced up at A Chan. "You don't strike me as ordinary. Do you know of Prince Ying'an?"

A Chan didn't deny the implication, merely nodding. "I've heard a little, though not much."

This prince had always kept a low profile. The only thing memorable about him was his notorious for being henpecked—his household had no concubines, only one son and one daughter.

The son amounted to little, but the daughter had married well. It was said she had caught her husband among the examination graduates, and now he had risen to become the Vice Minister of Personnel.

Reining in her wandering thoughts, A Chan smiled. "With Master Yu's skill, success is guaranteed."

"Thank you for your kind words. Should the opportunity come, I’ll invite you to a performance in the capital."

"If Master Yu comes to the capital, I wouldn't miss it."

Master Yu finished her lamb soup, bid A Chan farewell, and left.

A Chan watched her go before finally looking away.

"Yesterday, seeing Master Yu's ghost mask, I truly thought she had a ghastly face. I wonder how it was done—so realistic!" A Chan couldn't help but remark to Chen Hui.

Chen Hui, however, paid little mind to that. Those who earned the title of "Master" among the common folk all had their own secrets—not for outsiders to know.

Instead, she said to A Chan, "Her coloring was off—there was something eerie about her."

A Chan had also noticed her pallor but had no explanation. "Perhaps she accidentally picked it up somewhere?"

Ordinary people who often walked at night could easily be tainted by yin energy. Ghost operas, performed after dark, occasionally attracted wandering spirits—nothing too unusual. Some sunshine should clear it right up.

Chen Hui nodded, agreeing with A Chan's reasoning.

When the two returned to the post station after their meal, the Bright Mirror Bureau guards were already packing. Seeing A Chan and Chen Hui return, someone guided them to a carriage at the rear of the procession.

The carriage was spacious and comfortable, apparently fitted with shock absorbers—no worse than the one they had arrived in.

Around mid-morning, the group finally set off.

The journey lasted a full ten days. When A Chan finally saw the capital's gates, it felt like a lifetime ago.

Before she knew it, nearly a year had gone by since she first arrived in the capital.

Autumn in the capital was much colder than in Xiling. A Chan's clothes were too thin, and even sitting in the carriage, she felt a chill. Fortunately, she would be home soon.

At the city gates, the procession stopped.

After a brief wait with no progress, the sound of hoofbeats approached. A Chan lifted the carriage curtain and leaned out, spotting Bai Xiuming riding up beside them.

"What's the matter up front?" A Chan asked.

"Nothing to worry about. Someone's blocking the way," Bai Xiuming said dismissively before adding, "Once we enter the city, I'll see you escorted straight home."

"Alright," A Chan nodded.

Likely, the obstruction involved someone of high status—perhaps related to the Prince of Xiling. Such matters were best left alone.

But then, she had a thought, and she beckoned Bai Xiuming closer.

"Something else?"

He leaned down, and she stretched halfway out, murmured in his ear, "Do you think the Marquis of Jinyang and his wife were so eager to marry their daughter into the Shen family because they had some underhanded connection with them?"

She was well aware of the Shen family's connections to the Marquis of Jinyang—Bai Xiuming had personally investigated the matter, so the information was reliable.

But now things were different. The Shen family had fallen from grace, and even Xue Ying had been executed. Why was the Marquis of Jinyang's household untouched?

Bai Xiuming glanced at her. "Is that all you wanted to say?"

As he started to pull away, A Chan hastily grabbed his lapel and pulled him back, protesting. "I'm not finished yet."

"Go on, then."

"Will you be very busy after returning to the capital?"

"My schedule will be full. Why?" he asked.

"What if I want to see you?"

"See me." Bai Xiuming met her gaze. "Why?"

"Do I need a reason to see you?" she shot back, as though it were obvious. Of course, she wanted to see him.

As for why? A Chan pondered briefly before concluding it was simply habit. Lately, she had seen him constantly. Suddenly not being able to would be strange—wasn’t that normal?

She hadn’t had this problem before leaving the capital. It was all Bai Xiuming’s fault!

Bai Xiuming was momentarily taken aback, a faint smile in his eyes. "Have the Bright Mirror Bureau guards ever stopped you?"

"I’m not going to the Bright Mirror Bureau. And why should I be the one to seek you out?"

Bai Xiuming immediately acquiesced. "Then let me invite you to my residence another day? I have a pond of dragon carps—very beautiful. I’m sure you’d like them."

Dragon carps—the name alone was enough to delight A Chan.

His answer somewhat satisfied her. She lifted her chin slightly. "I’ll think about it."

Bai Xiuming’s expression softened further, but then A Chan asked, "And the Marquis of Jinyang’s family?"

Even now, she remembered.

Bai Xiuming chuckled. "They'll be arrested soon and investigated thoroughly."

A Chan gave his chest an approving pat. "Lord Bai, you've worked hard."

From inside the carriage, Chen Hui, who had been listening to their exchange, suppressed a smile. Thank goodness Bai Xiuming was only imperial kin, with no claim to the throne.

Otherwise, he’d make a terrible ruler.