Chapter 198 Making Trouble

What exactly Wan'er wanted was something Song Tingzhou couldn't articulate, but he had already guessed that Meng Wan didn't want to stand out too much. The fewer people who knew about his strange and whimsical ideas, the better—everything had to appear reasonable and logical.

"My wife's close friend has a great fondness for Lingnan lychees, so he asked the craftsmen who fired the cement whether they could create something to keep lychees fresh for a long time without spoiling, so they could be sent to the capital."

The crown prince was slightly surprised. "I have also tasted lychees offered as tribute from Lingnan. They must be transported over four thousand li, passing through one hundred and fifty-three water routes and post stations, preserved with ice along the way. Even so, by the time they reach the imperial palace, only three hundred remain." As the crown prince, he had received merely thirty of them. For the imperial palace to transport lychees once required such great expenditure of manpower and resources—could a mere husband like him truly achieve this?

"Brother-in-law doesn't know, but Meng Fulang is the smartest person in the world. If he says there's a way, he'll probably get it done." After three years with Meng Wan, Qin Jiao had come to believe in him almost blindly.

Song Tingzhou was still trying to downplay it. "It's all the effort of these craftsmen. My wife just had a wild idea and asked casually."

"Then I'll wait for Meng Fulang's good news." The crown prince walked down the mountain with his hands behind his back, as he looked back carrying an innate nobility.

He had studied literature and martial arts since childhood, and at sixteen he had spent two years on the border with Marquis Zhongyi. His bearing also showed the decisiveness and valor unique to soldiers. If not for Prince Lian having the support of Duke Dingxiang, he would hardly have been worth the crown prince's notice.

They entered the county town along roads of different official grades. Approaching the city gate, the crown prince took a long time to observe it. By then, the city gate and the entire Heshan county wall had long been completed. Unlike the uneven, easily collapsing stone walls, the gray cement had been evenly plastered over the entire wall, making it impossible to find a foothold to climb.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in the crown prince's eyes. "Excellent!"

Different people see different things. Song Tingzhou and Meng Wan had built cement for road construction, but the crown prince, seeing the cement-built city wall, thought more of its military use—a point Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou had not grasped.

Song Tingzhou didn't even need his waist token or identification; he entered the city by face recognition alone. The first thing visible after entering was a spacious inn standing by the road, occupying a large area. Business was fairly good, with most merchants entering or leaving the city heading straight to the inn to rest.

The crown prince only glanced at it twice before Qin Jiao immediately began explaining, "This inn was also built by Meng Fulang. Besides the front facade, there are two small buildings in the courtyard. Brother-in-law, you don't know—though it's quiet now, from after the autumn harvest to the next spring, this inn is even livelier than the Joyful Inn near the examination hall."

"Cough." Song Tingzhou cleared his throat softly, drawing the crown prince's and Qin Jiao's attention. "Your Excellency must be tired from the journey. It's best to rest first at this subordinate's residence."

The crown prince lowered the curtain. "That would be fine."

"Auntie Chang, Lord Song is back. Do you want to come back with us?"

"Oh, the shop is too busy to get away—then we'll go ahead."

After a moment of silence, Qin Jiao started greeting someone else outside, showing how much he truly loved Heshan County. He was more excited entering the county than returning to the capital.

The crown prince sat upright in the carriage. Suddenly, the curtain was lifted from outside, and Qin Jiao, skillfully riding beside the carriage, handed him a package wrapped in oiled paper. "Brother-in-law, try this. Lord Song's mother's Crispy Chicken Dish—it's delicious."

The crown prince stared at him with a deep expression, his tone unreadable. "A gentleman does not indulge in gluttony. Your sister taught you proper manners, but it seems you've forgotten them all."

Qin Jiao hung his head in shame, let the curtain fall, and dared not speak. The crown princess was a few years older than him. Qin Jiao's mother died when he was six, and his sister raised him. No matter how reckless Qin Jiao was, he always observed the rules his sister taught him.

This time, it was truly quiet, but it couldn't block the lively bustle of the streets. Families with extra money brought their family members into town to shop and watch plays.

The hawkers' cries, the aroma of food, the street performers, and the clear sound of opera drifting to their ears.

Song Tingzhou was eager to return home. Riding in the lead under the drizzling rain, he arrived at his house only to find neither his mother nor his wife at home—just a wolf lounging in the cool shade of the courtyard.

Chang Jinhua was used to her son's frequent long trips; she didn't worry like she did in Sanquan Village before she had seen the world. She finished her chores before hurrying home.

"Da Lang? Have we received guests?" As soon as she entered the gate, she saw several stern-faced guards standing outside the small courtyard usually reserved for Qin Jiao, which made her a bit anxious.

Song Tingzhou had already bathed and changed clothes. Adjusting his thin garment, he reassured his mother, "They are high-ranking officials from the capital city. They'll stay at our home for a couple of days and then leave. Just be polite, Mother—no need to worry."

Chang Jinhua felt somewhat relieved. "Then I'll get Huang Ye and buy more vegetables and meat from the market." Heshan was hot early, and muggy besides; meat and vegetables couldn't be kept long. It was best to buy fresh daily.

Song Tingzhou knew she enjoyed arranging meals, so he didn't stop her or give any special instructions. Their home was always like this—simple everyday meals. The crown prince presumably wouldn't criticize him for it.

This was Song Tingzhou: he grew more reserved and mature through various experiences, and was deeply affected by certain words from Meng Wan and Yan Changsheng.

Even as his thinking evolved and changed, he remained who he was. The Song Tingzhou who could single-handedly shut everyone out at school, the Song Tingzhou who exchanged a glance with Meng Wan under the low gate tower—a glance that held a thousand years of meaning.

One moment of heart-stopping attraction, nine years of relentless love.

"Mother, where is Wan'er?"

Chang Jinhua knew he would ask. Basket in hand, she stepped out, saying, "Wan'er is at the lotus root workshop. I'm going to the market, and it's close to his place—I'll let him know you're back."

Song Tingzhou ran a hand through his half-dry hair. "You go buy groceries, Mother. I'll go find him."

Chang Jinhua, who had already stepped past the inner gate, retraced her steps. "You've traveled such a long way—aren't you tired? Wan Geer's place is full of women and lads—what are you going there for?"

Song Tingzhou, tall and quick-stepping, had already passed her. "I'll wait for him at the workshop entrance and bring him home."

Chang Jinhua watched his hurried figure with exasperation. "Is it that urgent? Next time, just tie Wan Geer to his belt and take him wherever he goes."

Huang Ye, nearby, stifled a laugh.

—

Meng Wan no longer went to the lotus root workshop daily. Just as the sugar workshop was now entirely managed by Bi Yun, He Niang and Tang Jinshuang were both skilled at managing the workshop.

They were not like Bi Yun, whom he had personally trained and supported. Instead, they had endured years of hardship, driven to desperation and forced to fight their way out.

But the pain and torment of previous years were not false. Their days as covert prostitutes in those alleys left scars that could not be erased. Some people, seeing them living well, grew jealous and came to rip open those healed scars, leaving them bloody and raw.

"You little slut, just because you've climbed onto the County Magistrate's coattails, you think you're something special? Won't even have a drink with your big brother?" The peaceful lotus root workshop was shattered by the commotion. A dozen or so ruffians blocked the workshop entrance at dawn.

Tang Jinshuang sensed trouble. Turning, she gestured to those behind her to slip out through the small door and head to the Song family to inform Meng Wan.

But a few young workers, easily frightened, bolted toward the corner at her gesture. Such obvious movements were spotted by the thugs, who instantly grabbed them.

Among the thugs' past acquaintances was a young man named Dong Dong. He cowered behind Tang Jinshuang, his face ashen.

Chen Yunmo could be as arrogant or as low-key as he pleased. He never placed his young men or women within the county town itself. Instead, he found a remote alley in the towns of various counties, rented a small courtyard, and either made them work as covert prostitutes or run schemes to swindle money.

In either case, it was about cheating people out of money. The more they cheated, the more likely they were to get news of their families—or even see them again.

They were mired in a filthy swamp, unable to extricate themselves. The word "family" was what kept them crawling deeper into it.

Dong Dong hadn't been in Heshan County originally; he had been from a small town in Heiye County. He never expected to be the first one found. In that moment, his world collapsed. His mind flooded with shameful memories, his mind dazed. He leaned on Tang Jinshuang to keep from falling, but kept murmuring something. Only when she got closer could she hear.

"I'm not."

"It wasn't me."

"Don't force me."

"Don't come looking for me anymore."

His voice was flat, without any inflection. His pale face and pleading words made it seemed as though he had gone mad the moment he saw the thugs.

A flash of sorrow crossed Tang Jinshuang's eyes. They had just begun to let down their guard, living diligently every day—but fate seemed determined to haunt them.

"Do you know we now work for the County Magistrate? How dare you come to the lotus root workshop? When Lord Song finds out, he'll have you beaten to death!" He Niang grabbed a stick used for stirring lotus root paste and stood at the front, cursing at the group.

The thugs were prepared and unafraid. "Lord Song has been away from the county for almost half a year. Who knows if he died in some mountain crevice?"

They all burst into laughter. "Expecting the county magistrate to care about you sluts? What a joke! Now wash up and get on the bed to wait for your big brother. If you serve well, he might show you some kindness."

Another one threatened with impunity, "You streetwalkers, don't even think about running to complain. Your big brother has brothers all over. If anyone stirs up trouble, this lotus root workshop won't have a moment's peace."

Dong Dong heard all these crude words, and a sudden clarity cut through his foggy mind.

Meng Fulang provided them with food and shelter, giving them a place to settle in the lotus workshop—he would rather die than let anyone destroy all this!

In a moment of desperation, he got tunnel vision. As the thugs started scuffling with He Niang and the others, he suddenly rushed out and charged headfirst at the large vat of lotus root paste in the yard.

He Niang was shoved to the ground by a thug, who also snatched the stick from her hand. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Dong Dong’s resolute figure.

She was speechless for a moment, then let out a shrill, heart-wrenching scream, "No!!!"

The cry was so agonizing that everyone in the yard, caught up in the scuffle, instinctively paused.

But just as Dong Dong's forehead was about to strike the vat's rim, a tremendous force yanked him back. The person used all their strength to pull him back, and unable to stop the momentum, they both tumbled to the ground, rolling several times.

He Niang and Tang Jinshuang broke into a cold sweat, only then noticing a child standing at the workshop entrance, who had appeared there unnoticed.

Huzi set down his basket and ran over to help Daniu, who had a broken arm, to his feet. "Daniu, are you okay? Get up quickly."

Daniu, who was missing an arm, had exerted himself too much and was exhausted. He sat on the ground to catch his breath before standing up with Huzi’s help.

He hesitated, then reached out his good arm to Dong Dong, who was frozen on the ground. "Are you all right? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to grab you like that."

By then, He Niang and the others had come to their senses and crowded around Dong Dong, hugging him as he sobbed.

"Mister Meng, they’re the ones trying to bully people!"

Cao Geer, panting, ran in after Meng Wan and pointed at the thugs in the yard. Two years ago, Chen Er and his son were injured and spent nearly a year recovering. During that time, Cao Geer had matured a lot, working in the fields with his mother, digging up wild vegetables, raising chickens, and collecting eggs to help his father and brother recover.

The Chen family had struggled for a year, but last year, when Chen Er and Daniu recovered enough to start planting sugarcane again, their situation improved. But after the family’s upheaval, Cao Geer had become much more sensible than before. Hearing that the lotus workshop in the county was buying lotus roots, he started digging up wild lotus roots nearby to sell and supplement the family income.

Many other children did the same, though some were told by their families to stay away from the lotus workshop people, calling them "trash." The children didn’t understand what "trash" meant and even turned it into a rhyme sung at the workshop’s gate. But Cao Geer’s family was sincere, so they got along well with the workshop workers. Occasionally, even when He Niang and the others were reluctant to spend money on themselves, they would prepare some snacks and fruits for Cao Geer.

Now that there was little work in the fields and it wasn’t lotus season, Cao Geer had come because Chen Er’s watermelons had ripened. Knowing how much the workshop folks cared for Cao Geer, Chen Er had sent Daniu with the ox cart to deliver some.

They arrived early, only to find the workshop in chaos. More clever than his brother, Cao Geer immediately ran to the Song residence to find Meng Wan. Daniu, honest and soft-hearted, saw someone trying to kill themselves and rushed in to help without a second thought.

After learning the whole story, Meng Wan was furious.

"Xue Sheng, tie up these death-seeking bastards for me!"

Even though they hadn’t brought many people in their haste, Xue Sheng had martial skills, and with Daniu, a sturdy man, guarding the gate, handling them wasn’t difficult.

In no time, the dozen or so troublemaking thugs were bound tightly.

Meng Wan circled them twice, his anger mounting with each step, and finally kicked one of them to the ground in fury.

"You bastards, daring to stir up trouble on my turf—do you really think I’ve gone soft?"