pacification
The northern street of Mujing's inner city was even more bustling and noisy than the quiet night after curfew. Shops and high-rise buildings lined both sides of the road, and vendors of all kinds hawked their wares. The crowds were so dense that Lin Xu felt somewhat tired after traveling north from the Lin residence.
Since it was daytime and she was worried about being noticed, she covered her face with a thin veil, wore a simple plain silk gauze, and paired it with a light beige shawl before going out.
Zhu Ling followed beside her, and the two avoided the crowds along the way, slowly making their way according to the clues that Zhi Yuan had given them that day, until they finally arrived at the intersection of North Street.
What comes into view is the Bihua Tower, where lanterns hang high in front of the gate, and even during the day, guests are always coming and going.
Zhao Qi's whereabouts have somehow become connected with Bihua Tower?
Lin Xu's lips twitched involuntarily.
She glanced back at Zhu Ling, who also looked puzzled. Although they didn't know the reason for the delay, they could only look around and find a relatively secluded teahouse to sit and wait.
The shopkeeper seemed very honest. Seeing that the two women were not regular customers, he enthusiastically recommended the shop's best-selling Fuliang tea and several dishes of tea snacks and fruits. The tea was fragrant, refreshing, and mellow, with a long-lasting aftertaste. She hadn't drunk farm-style tea in a long time, but she suddenly found it delicious. It was in no way inferior to the tea that nobles and marquises usually drank, and it even had a touch of rustic charm.
The tea-flavored pastries are also quite good. Freshly cooked sugar-coated chestnuts are peeled, sprinkled with glistening sugar frosting, and still steaming hot. A light bite reveals a mouthful of fragrant, soft, and chewy texture.
She then tried a piece of jujube paste and osmanthus pastry. It was smooth and creamy, with a sweet jujube paste filling mixed with layers of osmanthus fragrance. After chewing, a faint milky flavor lingered on her lips and teeth, making it an unforgettable taste.
Zhu Ling rarely left the mansion, and with a childlike spirit, everything she saw and heard was new and exciting. After tasting a piece of square pastry, she praised it highly.
Lin Xu glanced at her face, which was covered with crumbs of pastry, and couldn't help but laugh, "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you here."
With so many troubles lately, it's rare to see her young mistress in such a good mood. Zhu Ling couldn't help but raise her face coquettishly and say:
"I'm just happy for you, Miss. You have finally received the imperial decree to marry the man you love. This is the greatest joy of all! I'm so happy that I've even had a better appetite these past few days."
Lin Xu sipped his tea quietly, a slight smile playing on his lips.
After waiting for a while, the two found the tea and snacks at the shop to be really delicious, so they ordered another pot of tea and then three or four plates of red bean paste dumplings, crispy pastries, and a plate of freshly baked steamed buns filled with syrup.
The two women sat facing the street, their view of the intersection obscured by bamboo curtains. Though they waited for a long time, all they saw in front of the Bihua Tower were a constant stream of frivolous playboys or pot-bellied merchants. The tower was filled with sensual pleasures, but the tall and stern-faced Zhao Qi was nowhere to be seen.
Lin Xu held his teacup, his eyes lowered, his thoughts churning.
Knowing Zhiyuan's personality as she did, she would never leave such a confident message unless she had solid evidence. So even though she had doubts, she simply watched the endless stream of carriages and horses outside the window.
Just as her teacup was about to be emptied, she caught a glimpse of a very burly figure flashing past at the southeast corner of the intersection in the distance.
She gently put down the cup in her hand.
Zhu Ling, who was enjoying her meal, noticed Lin Xu's unusual expression and understood what was going on. She wiped her hands, left a few coins on the table, and reluctantly glanced back at the half-eaten red bean paste dumpling before following Lin Xu out of the teahouse.
Lin Xu quickly avoided the throng of people, gently pressing the brim of her hat with one hand to prevent her veil from coming undone.
The burly figure disappeared not in front of the Bihua Tower, but in a small alley just across the street. The alley was narrow and crowded, with dilapidated blue tiles and gray walls on both sides. She and Zhuling barely avoided a puddle of sewage, and before they had gone far, they were covered in mud.
Zhao Qi was born into the Dou family and was transferred to the Central Martial Arts Academy to work at the training ground. Although he was not rich, his monthly salary was certainly not small. How could he be confined to such a dilapidated place?
She was wondering if she had just imagined it when she heard two people whispering nearby in the once quiet alley.
It was a man and a woman talking in hushed tones.
"When are you going to stop bothering me?"
The woman's voice was alluring, and she spoke in a very low voice, but if you listened carefully, it seemed to be mixed with gritted teeth and hatred.
The man seemed to be taken aback for a moment before speaking:
"I've already saved quite a bit, plus what I've saved from scrimping and saving before. If I save for a while longer, I should be able to buy your freedom in no time—"
The woman sneered upon hearing this, and instead interrupted the man without any mercy:
"Redeem me? Zhao Qi, you only have so little silver, how can you redeem me? I could earn more than that by sleeping in Bihua Tower for one night. Those guests are all important figures in Mujing City. Take a piss and look at yourself in the mirror, and stop bothering me!"
"But it will be tiring nonetheless... After all, we're from the same hometown and old acquaintances, I can't just watch you..."
The man's voice gradually faded away.
The woman then chuckled:
"Watching me fall into such a state? Zhao Qi, I told you from the beginning that those of us in this line of work are not benevolent. You, a mere martial arts guard, are not someone to be trifled with."
The woman's voice softened, followed by the clinking of metal objects, and then her voice seemed to gradually fade away as if muffled by cotton wool.
“Take these pieces of jewelry back with you. I won’t accept them. Keep them and sell them to get money. Find a respectable family and don’t keep thinking about me.”
Zhao Qi pleaded in a hoarse voice, "Qingqing—"
The sound of the woman's footsteps could be heard gradually fading into the distance, disappearing completely into the far end of the alley.
The two parted on bad terms. Right now, it wasn't appropriate for them to stay and eavesdrop. Lin Xu looked around, struggling to find a place to hide, when she heard another, slightly heavy footstep approaching their location.
Before she and Zhu Ling could dodge, a tall man walked towards them. It was none other than Zhao Qi, the martial arts guard who had shown them kindness in their past life.
Compared to his spirited demeanor when he was on duty at the martial arts arena, Zhao Qi now looked dejected, with a bit of stubble on his face, appearing rather disheveled. He had been walking briskly, but stopped when he saw Lin Xu and the other person ahead, then looked wary and said:
Who is on the road ahead?
The alley was narrow, so the two of them must have overheard everything he and Qingqing had said.
Lin Xu glanced at Zhao Qi's hand, which was instantly on the hilt of his sword at his waist, but calmly smiled softly:
"Brother, please don't be nervous. I was just trying to do you a favor. I got lost in the capital for the first time and that's why I wandered into this alley."
A gentle breeze stirred, lifting a corner of the thin veil covering her face, revealing half of her red lips and jade-like face, exuding captivating charm.
Zhao Qi looked away, his expression indifferent, and turned to leave.
Mujing is full of high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants from other places who gather here to trade. Although the woman in front of him is simply dressed, her words and actions clearly show that she is rich and noble. He usually takes favors from people and does things for them, so he has long understood the principle that there is no need to say too much. Besides, he is in a bad mood today and is too lazy to pay attention to other people.
However, just as he brushed past the veiled woman, he heard an extremely clear and cold voice drifting from beneath the thin veil:
"Brother, please don't take offense at my words. I overheard your conversation just now. Miss Qingqing is genuine and frank, without any pretense. She is a rare and lovely young lady."
Zhao Qi, who had already strode forward, paused and then turned back to look at her.
The two were very close, and Lin Xu could clearly see the murderous intent flash in Zhao Qi's eyes. His already rough face looked even more fierce. Even Zhu Ling, who was standing behind her, was startled by the bright color of the blade in Zhao Qi's hand.
The two women were unarmed today, and they were in a narrow alleyway next to a bustling city. If they angered this man and were killed in the street, their bodies might not be discovered until they were completely cold.
Zhao Qi said in a muffled voice, "Don't meddle in other people's business."
The woman, however, did not back down. Through the thin veil, one could vaguely see her red lips slightly parted, revealing a faint smile. She spoke calmly and composedly:
"Seeing injustice on the road is not exclusive to heroes; even a weak woman can have a chivalrous heart. I am a merchant from Lincheng who came to Mujing to do some business. I was moved by what I heard my elder brother and that young lady Qingqing were saying. I can't stand seeing people's affections go to waste. Is young lady Qingqing at Bihua Tower? I will pay the ransom for my elder brother today."
Zhao Qi looked down at her as if in disbelief.
"This ransom is a full three hundred taels of gold. Even if it's not an exorbitant price for you, we're complete strangers. Why would I be so kind?"
Zhu Ling said at the right moment, "Helping someone live is better than building a seven-story pagoda. My master is a man of great loyalty and righteousness, and he can never stand seeing lovers separated."
A glimmer of light flickered in Zhao Qi's eyes; Lin Xu knew it was a sign of his inner turmoil. However, after a moment, Zhao Qi's expression turned somber as he said:
"No need. This money was obtained through dubious means, and I will not accept it."
Lin Xu had already anticipated Zhao Qi's words, which was exactly what she wanted to hear. So she calmly took a step back and tidied her slightly disheveled sleeves.
But on the plain robe, the cuffs were adorned with exquisite and neat patterns. They were auspicious cloud patterns made of gold thread wrapped around red velvet and carefully woven into several strands. Compared to ordinary patterns, the auspicious cloud pattern was further enhanced by symmetrical double spirals of seven colors around the auspicious cloud, making it exceptionally beautiful.
Zhao Qi had served in the Dou household for several years, and with just a glance, he understood that this man was connected to his former master! He hurriedly lowered his head, his voice becoming more respectful:
"What connection do you have with the Dou family in the south of the city?"
A very soft sigh came from behind the veil.
"But I still hope to get some connection with the Dou family."
A gentle breeze lifted a corner of the thin veil, revealing a glimpse of the woman's elegant and alluring beauty behind it, yet her eyes were filled with worry.
Although Zhao Qi was no longer on duty in the Dou residence, he still knew something about his former master's affairs. And then he heard the woman in front of him say in a very soft voice:
"...It's just that I admire that person, so I try every means to get closer to him. I not only find out all his likes and dislikes, but I also imitate them every day to remind him of him, thinking that this way I can get closer to him...Isn't the feeling of loving someone so humble and ridiculous?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qi, who was already bowing, lowered his head even further.
The news that the second young master of the Dou family was betrothed to Miss Lin by the Empress has been circulating widely these past few days. Dou Yanxun is a free spirit and has no interest in the young lady at all. It is said that he was forced to marry her by her, and even went to the palace to kneel for a long time before he finally obtained the Empress's favor and was able to fulfill his wish.
Now, this Miss Lin has surpassed Zhang Zixu and become the most infatuated woman in Mujing City. He has naturally heard a lot of those vulgar rumors circulating in the streets.
In the end, we're just two pitiful souls adrift in the world...
Zhao Qi spoke in a low voice, his tone filled with respect and admiration: "Miss Lin's devotion is truly rare these days, and I admire it greatly. Please do not underestimate yourself, Miss Lin."
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