Yuzhou (Part 3)

"Huh? This?"

Qu Linghan pointed to the only bed in the room, observing Bai Hui's expression.

"Well, I feel pretty safe right now. Why don't you sleep on the floor?"

As he spoke, Qu Linghan picked up a quilt.

"Come on, boss, I'll lay it out for you myself."

She carefully observed Bai Hui; the dim yellow light outlined his angular profile, and his long, thin eyelashes drooped slightly.

His slender eyes suddenly lifted.

Then there were no other actions.

Thank goodness, Qu Linghan thought Bai Hui was about to scold her.

Perhaps because they were too tired from traveling, the two fell asleep as soon as their heads hit the bed.

The dream was peaceful, and the night passed.

As the rooster crowed, the three officially embarked on this battle.

"Brother Zhaoming, what are we doing today?"

"Yeah, we're up so early, and there's not a soul on the streets. Where are we going?"

"Go find a tailor shop."

Qu Linghan stretched and asked, "Why are we going to the clothing store?"

"I'll make you some clothes."

"I?"

Bai Hui nodded.

Qu Linghan thought he had misheard.

"oh."

Why bother buying her new clothes?

In order not to hold Bai Hui back during this trip to Yuzhou, Qu Linghan specifically only brought one change of clothes.

A man's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

The three of them soon arrived at the clothing store, which was empty.

It's the same as the inn where we came from.

Why is there hardly anyone here?

Qu Linghan asked Bai Hui in a low voice.

You'll find out tonight.

"OK."

That sounds pretty exciting. I'll wait and see tonight.

Qu Linghan walked to the counter where the fabrics were displayed, including floral brocade, antique-style satin, and moon-scented brocade... a dazzling array of choices.

Where are we going tonight?

"Restaurant".

"Is it what I think it means?"

"yes."

"Alright, if it succeeds..."

Qu Linghan didn't continue speaking, his gaze sweeping over Bai Hui out of the corner of his eye.

"If it succeeds, the principal and the profit are up to you."

"You'll listen to everything I say?"

"Hey, what are you guys talking about? I can't understand a word you're saying."

Liu Ziju looked completely bewildered.

"Don't let the child listen to this."

"Oh, fine, I won't listen then."

"Alright! Then I definitely won't ruin your plans."

Qu Linghan snapped his fingers.

"Where's the boss? Could you please come here?"

The boss, who had been lying on the chair, finally stood up.

Qu Linghan sighed inwardly, "Lie down, lie down, just like this."

"Young lady, what would you like?"

"Suzhou brocade, apricot-colored brocade, dark floral gauze... and this purple patterned cloak, tailored to my size. Can it be finished today?"

The boss was secretly delighted; it had been a long time since he had received such a big customer.

Suddenly something felt off.

"What!? Do it today."

"Yes, before sunset. I want it."

"Uh, uh, could you please grant me one more day? You see, I'm getting old, this..."

The boss stroked his slightly graying beard.

"Are there any other clothing stores open around here? Preferably those that sell ready-made clothes? I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"Young lady, are you perhaps from out of town? What is the situation in our Yuzhou?"

The boss sighed as he spoke, and whispered something to Qu Linghan and the other two.

“When Prefect Cui of Yuzhou took office, he was diligent and conscientious at the beginning, and we common people lived a prosperous life.”

"It wasn't just one day when it was said that a very important person had arrived. From then on, Prefect Cui's true nature was fully revealed."

"He's lazy and greedy, abducting women. And with the natural disaster, nobody dares to go out! Especially not our clothing shop. I'm so old, barely surviving. Sigh."

"These days, only brothels and taverns, those places of debauchery and revelry, are popular!"

"As you saw when you came, the snow had just begun to melt, and there were still frozen corpses on the road."

Alas, Qu Linghan felt sorry for the people of Yuzhou.

She looked up at Bai Hui; his expression remained unchanged, but his fists clenched even tighter.

Qu Linghan knew that Prefect Cui's affairs were definitely not as simple as they seemed.

The powerful figures involved behind the scenes may be right here at the foot of the capital.

Unseen, unreachable.

…

"Never mind, boss, I won't trouble you any further."

"Do you have scissors, needle and thread, and ruler here?"

"Yes, young lady. Come with me."

Qu Linghan had Bai Hui pick up the several bolts of fabric he had chosen and then followed the shopkeeper upstairs to the second floor.

Some parts are dilapidated, and cobwebs have even grown in the high corners.

However, the tailoring tools were wiped clean.

"Sister Ling Han, what are you going to do?"

Liu Ziju and Bai Hui looked at Qu Linghan together.

"Don't say anything, just wait."

Afterwards, Qu Linghan thanked the boss and the meal officially began.

Qu Linghan quickly grabbed the soft ruler from the table and traced the outline of the garment on the rough paper with his fingertips.

Then he took several pieces of silk from Bai Hui's hand, and his scissors moved quickly and steadily, making the edges so neat that there were almost no rough edges.

The scissors followed Qu Linghan's hand, moving with the ease of a water snake.

Liu Ziju kept exclaiming "Wow!" and "Fantastic!"

Even the shop owner was stunned.

He repeatedly praised Bai Hui.

"Your sister is really capable! I've never seen a woman who can tailor such exquisite garments in such a short time in all my years of life."

Liu Ziju leaned close to the boss's ear.

“That’s my sister-in-law.”

"Haha, they're a young couple! You're lucky, kid!"

About five or six more hours passed.

Qu Linghan carefully picked up the finished clothes from the wooden board and showed them to the people sitting in the rest area.

"It's done, it's done! Wait for me to go and try it out."

"Boss, where's the fitting room?"

"there."

Qu Linghan walked in the direction the boss pointed.

…

"I've changed! How is it!"

The snowflakes melting under the eaves outside the window turned into water and fell down in a soft patter. Qu Linghan's voice fell like a bell along with the water droplets.

It fell into Bai Hui's eyes.

The bright young girl before me wore a flowing robe that hugged her curves, the gauze trim swaying in the sunlight, the hem sweeping the ground as she walked.

The pearls around her neck and the light blue handkerchief complemented each other perfectly, highlighting her gentle complexion.

The face without makeup seemed even more refined than the face with makeup.

"Yes, it suits you very well."

"Is it merely a matter of suitability?"

"It looks absolutely stunning! Sister Linghan, when did you learn tailoring?!"

The moment Qu Linghan came out of the fitting room, Liu Ziju instantly became her little fanboy.

"Just a genius designer! I have many more shining qualities, you'll see them in time."

"Let's go, Bai Hui, let's go to a restaurant for dinner. I'm so hungry."

Qu Linghan waved his hand, fanning himself.

She was so engrossed in making clothes that she was now hungry, sleepy, and hot.

"Let's go! Brother Zhaoming, Sister Linghan looks so beautiful, we have to go out for a walk!"

"Hey, Bai Hui, don't forget to pay."

"Yes, I won't forget."

"Let's go."

The boss checked the silver Bai Hui had given him: one, two, ... ten!

"Oh, thank you so much! Come again anytime!"

"good."

The three of them were walking towards the restaurant.

"Can't we just pick any restaurant? Does it have to be the one you mentioned?"

"Yes. Definitely."

"Hey, Liu Ziju, we're not here to eat, drink, and have fun."

"oh."

As they were walking, Qu Linghan was suddenly drawn to the hairpins in a shop.

"Wow, Bai Hui, the hairpins in this shop are so pretty!"

"You really like it?"

"Yes! I really like it."

"Boss, I'll take it."

Qu Linghan carefully inserted the pearl-adorned hairpin into her hair bun.

"So, Bai Hui! Is it pretty?"

The pearl tassels on the hairpin made a crisp, clinking sound as Qu Linghan swayed.

Qu Linghan's eyes seemed to hold stars.

"Yes, it suits you very well."

Liu Ziju: "Didn't you say you didn't want to eat, drink, or have fun?"

The three finally arrived at the restaurant, and just as Liu Ziju was about to go in, a burly man stopped him.

Who is it?

Bai Hui calmly walked up to the burly man.

"You dare to stop Prefect Cui's men?"

He then took out a jade pendant, and the burly man who looked like he was not to be trifled with immediately changed his tone.

"It was a petty person who was blind. Please forgive me, you are a magnanimous person. Please come in."

Qu Linghan and the other two then tactfully went inside.

As soon as he entered, Qu Linghan smelled a strong scent of pollen.

"Oh my, aren't we eating? Why does this perfume smell so strong?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Hui immediately grabbed Qu Linghan's hand.

"Keep it down."

Qu Linghan immediately covered his mouth with his free hand, but fortunately the music in the restaurant drowned out his words.

The sound of complaining.

"Come with me."

Qu Linghan obediently followed Bai Hui and sat down in a spot very close to where the actors were performing on the first floor.

As soon as Fang sat down, the waiter enthusiastically approached Bai Hui.

"Sir, what would you like to order? We have everything here!"

"Don't worry! The wine is good! The food is good! And the women are even better."

The waiter's voice carried a hint of lewdness.

Qu Linghan found it quite amusing. She immediately took Bai Hui's arm.

The waiter nodded immediately after looking at it.

"I understand, I understand."

"I'm not in a good mood today. Just bring me a few servings of the restaurant's signature dishes."

Strangely enough, the moment Bai Hui uttered his cold voice, his sense of authority instantly rose several levels.

"Yes, sir, please wait a moment, I'll bring it right away."

"Brother Zhaoming, why does he call you 'Lord Official'?"

What do you think?

Bai Hui picked up the teacup and pretended to accidentally spill water.

Water overflows when it is full.

After being an official for a long time, one naturally loses sight of those rules and regulations.

Shen Ziju nodded.

"But, Brother Zhaoming, where did you get your token?"

"And how do you know this is where those officials work?"

"Zhao Shizhong stole it."

"As for restaurants, use your eyes to judge."

"Wait, who is Zhao Shizhong?"

Qu Linghan was somewhat puzzled.

"That slightly older child."

"What about the restaurant?"

Liu Ziju couldn't wait any longer.

"The road we came from was desolate and deserted, but this restaurant is brightly lit."

That's how it is.

"Here it comes, Your Excellency. The dishes are served; these are all the best things from our area."

Liu Ziju, like a tiger that hadn't eaten for days, picked up the plate and started putting it into his mouth.

"Is it tasty?"

"tasty!"

After listening, Qu Linghan picked up his chopsticks and prepared to start the activity.

Suddenly, a pair of hands reeking of alcohol landed on her shoulders.

"Little beauty, come and have a drink with your brother."

Qu Linghan's eyes widened.

Before he could react, Bai Hui pried the man's hand off.

"Who are you?"

Hahahahahaha.

"In the territory of Yuzhou, may I ask who I am?"

I'll tell you today.

"I am Cui Hongju, the Prefect of Yuzhou!"

Bai Hui feigned being startled and quickly flung Cui Hongju's arm down from mid-air.

"It is Prefect Cui! Please forgive my abruptness, and I beg you to be magnanimous and forgive me."

Choi Hong-ju let out another disgusting laugh.

"Forgive? Forgiveness is certainly possible."

He placed his hand on the tassel of Qu Linghan's pearl hairpin and gently stroked it.

"But you, my wife..."