005
There is no curfew in this dynasty, but the nightlife in the small county town is not very vibrant. As soon as it gets dark, doors and windows are closed and few people move around. Only some streets are still lit up and open for business, such as the street of taverns along the Yunshui River.
These shops are inconspicuous during the day, but at night they start hanging lanterns, making the whole street sway with red lights, creating a dazzling display that reflects the red glow across the lake.
Not everyone could afford to go to a restaurant, so on the other side of the river, vendors selling snacks set up a line along the riverbank, taking advantage of the lake's light, catering to ordinary people and laborers who had worked hard all day and were now drinking. The place was quite lively in the evenings.
Tieguai Li's roasted meat shop has been open at this bridgehead for many years, and its business is quite good, thanks to the customers of the restaurants and brothels across the street.
Qin Sang said she would treat them to meat, so they ate meat. After they went home and tidied up, they came out again. Anyway, the county town was only so big, and it wouldn't take long to walk there.
Tang Zian had changed into a navy blue outfit, which made her skin look even whiter and made her look more playful than when she wore white clothes during the day, which made her look like an immortal.
However, he was too thin, as if he could be blown away by the wind. Qin Sang did not like such a weak scholar. She preferred strong, tall, and imposing men, finding them to be more dignified.
He then put some meat on Tang Zian's plate, saying, "Eat more meat, and you'll grow strong."
“That’s enough,” Tang Zian said. “I can’t eat much, and besides, it’s not good to eat too much at night, it’s bad for your stomach…”
At this moment, Tieguai Li, limping, brought over the grilled meat: "What do you mean you shouldn't eat too much? If you have food, eat more! Some people want to eat but don't have any! Last night at my stall, hey, that young master had such a good appetite, and he's handsome too. He ate twenty skewers in one go and still wasn't satisfied! Hehe, Tang San Gongzi, you should eat more too, so you can grow taller!"
Tang San's face flushed slightly, but Qin Sang asked the shopkeeper, "Uncle Li, do you know the handsome young man who came to eat meat last night?"
Tieguai Li shook his head as he worked, saying, "I don't know him."
Qin Sang said, "He said he ate meat here last night and has an upset stomach today. I even treated him during the day."
“…Nonsense!” Tieguai Li muttered, his hands moving with practiced ease, but he said nothing more.
Qin Sang found it strange. Normally, when someone slanders you, they shouldn't just calmly say "nonsense" and be done with it, especially since it concerns the reputation of his family's roasted meat shop. Given Tieguai Li's loud and straightforward nature, he should have been furious and cursing him out long ago, but he was so calm...
She added, seemingly unintentionally, "He had a terrible stomachache today and went to Renxintang. He almost lost half his life. From what he said, he said there was something wrong with your roasted meat... But I said, your butcher shop has been here for many years, and the meat is always fresh. It can't be that there's something wrong with your meat. He must have eaten something else that upset his stomach."
Tieguai Li placed a plate of roasted vegetables on the table, then suddenly lowered his head and whispered, "It has nothing to do with me, it was Yang Wenhao who did it!"
Qin Sang was taken aback: "Yang Wenhao?"
Tieguai Li: "While the master and servant were teasing the monkeys by the river, he sprinkled something into the human flesh. I wanted to stop him... But you know that little tyrant. He told me it was just a laxative, nothing to worry about, but if I told him, he'd make trouble for me! I'm just running a small business here, how could I dare offend him? Well, that young master is in trouble! What, is that young master still not better?"
Tang Zian was so engrossed in listening that he forgot to eat his meat. He exclaimed in shock, "Judging from that young master's accent, he's not from our county. Why is Yang Wenhao bullying people?"
Why bully others? Qin Sang vaguely felt it was related to her. That lawless brat, just wait and see, he might set off some kind of firecracker.
She secretly observed during the day that the young master named "Lu Yao" carried a folding fan with the frame made of the finest jade, and the fan surface was stamped with a small seal. Upon closer inspection, it was the signature of Yu Shinan, a renowned calligrapher and painter of the previous dynasty. That was something extremely rare for merchant families; even money couldn't buy it.
Judging from his clothes, speech, and demeanor, and the fact that he didn't even bother to be perfunctory when naming someone, he was definitely not the son of a wealthy merchant. He was more likely from a family of high-ranking officials or nobles.
It seems this matter is not over yet.
Qin Sang, who was the one who ignited the fire, was quite worried.
Tieguai Li sighed, "Ha, does that little tyrant need a reason to bully anyone he wants? Hopefully, he'll grow up and settle down someday, or marry a strong wife to keep him in check. Miss Qin, I think you should hurry back and have your mother arrange a marriage for you, so that brat will give up!" He then laughed, "I think Tang San Gongzi is quite good. You two grew up together, a perfect match, and you know each other well—how wonderful!"
"Uncle Li...Iron," Tang San stammered nervously, "Please don't joke around. Sang Sang is a girl and can't stand gossip."
The matter of Tieguai Li has been clarified, the jokes have been made, and it's time to stop while we're ahead: "Alright, no more joking around. You guys eat well, and go home early after you're done eating."
Tang Zian glanced at Qin Sang, but Qin Sang was absentmindedly resting her chin on her hand, lost in thought.
He handed two skewers of mutton to Qin Sang's bowl: "Eat up."
Qin Sang picked up a skewer of meat and took a bite: "Troublesome."
Tang Zi'an: "What?"
****
Xie Suian was kicked out of the clinic by Qin Sangna after taking the medicine twice during the day. Now he has taken the third dose of medicine, which is so bitter that his tongue is numb. He also complained that the room was filled with the smell of medicine and yelled for Jinyun to open the window.
A cool night breeze carried the refreshing scent of the lake water, while the row of restaurants across the river remained bustling. Bored, he leaned against the window, reflecting on the day's events, and thinking that perhaps he could visit the clinic tomorrow and tell them he was suffering from diarrhea due to the change in environment…
"Qin Sang... what a beautiful name." He muttered to himself, "She's beautiful too. I've never seen such a beautiful woman on the whole trip. Hmm, she's worth painting a portrait of..." Suddenly, he looked in a certain direction and paused.
Across the river, under the bridge, in front of Tieguai Li's roasted meat stall, sat a young couple. The man was slender and handsome, and the woman, though plain-looking, was undeniably beautiful. Who else could it be but Qin Sang?
He was first delighted, then worried, and said, "Why are you together again?"
Jinyun leaned over to look: "What did you say, young master?"
"Let's go!" Young Master Xie's interest suddenly piqued. "Let's go downstairs and have a stroll!"
"Young master, you're still weak, what are you doing wandering around... Young master... oh..." Jinyun wailed, "My young master, if you don't want Jinyun anymore, just say so... Don't cut me like this..."
Xie Sui'an spat as he walked away, "Enough with the nonsense. Be careful I don't sell you off on the spot."
Jinyun had no choice but to shut his mouth and follow along, feeling utterly miserable.
After the master and servant went downstairs, they went straight out of the back door of the inn, walked along the riverbank for a while, and then went up to the bridge.
After crossing the bridge is Tieguai Li's roasted meat shop.
Tieguai Li saw the two men approaching from afar, and feeling guilty, he lowered his head and continued working, pretending not to see them.
"Oh, eating?" Xie Sui'an didn't greet him, but pulled over a small wooden stool and sat down next to Qin Sang, speaking with a warm and familiar expression.
Qin Sang and Tang Zi'an were both taken aback by this uninvited guest.
Xie Sui'an gently removed the meat skewer from Qin Sang's mouth: "I told you, the roasted meat here isn't fresh, how can you still eat it so happily?"
"!!!" Tieguai Li was furious but dared not speak out.
Qin Sang smiled and said, "What a coincidence. Young Master Lu, what brings you here? Your stomach hasn't recovered yet, so you can't eat spicy food like roasted meat... Hmm, but I see your complexion is much rosier than during the day. But don't be careless, you still need to rest more, eat a light diet, and avoid meat..."
Xie Sui'an laughed: "Of course, Miss Qin Sang's medical skills are superb. After a few doses of medicine, I'm almost fully recovered. However..."
Tang Zian: "But what?"
"However, Miss Qin Sang, you haven't thanked me yet. My illness was caused by you."
Qin Sang was taken aback, then she understood.
As expected, Xie Sui'an continued, "If I hadn't stepped in to help in that alley that day, there wouldn't be this revenge today. But although this matter was caused by you, it was you who saved me in the end, so let's call it even and we owe each other nothing."
Qin Sang chuckled, feigning sudden realization: "Ah! I only caught a fleeting glance that day and didn't get a clear look at your face. So you are Young Master Lu. My apologies..."
Xie Sui'an waved his hand: "Hey, we've already said we're even. I'm new to your esteemed place and don't know much about things. I also seem to be having some trouble adjusting to the new environment. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again in the future."
Qin Sang: "Hehe, of course, of course. May I ask what brings Young Master Lu to this humble county, and how long do you plan to stay?"
Xie Sui'an stroked his chin and thought for a moment: "I'll stay for about ten days to half a month... or maybe two or three months... Well, it's hard to say for sure. Let me tell you what I need to trouble you with, Miss..."
"..." Qin Sang: "What?"
Xie Sui asked, "Miss, your home seems to be very close to here?"
Qin Sang said warily, "It's not that far..."
"Alright, as you just mentioned, I can't eat meat these days. It's too much trouble for inns and restaurants to cook separately, so I'll trouble you to cook some congee and side dishes for me every day and send them over. After all, my poisoning was because I stood up for what was right..."
Qin Sang was taken aback, and Tang Zi'an was also taken aback, but he spoke first: "Actually, my home is closer to here, so I can help with cooking the porridge."
Xie Sui'an raised an eyebrow at him: "Who are you to her?"
Tang Zi'an blushed instantly: "Friend."
Qin Sangqing nodded to Sangzi: "I learned some self-defense medical skills from his grandfather."
“Oh…” Xie Sui’an drew out the words meaningfully, “So his grandfather is your master, so he should call you… ’Master Aunt’?? Tsk, your relationship is a bit complicated.”
Tang Zian didn't want to explain too much to a stranger, so he simply said, "In that case, I will deliver the porridge to her. Young master, you can rest assured that my family has no shortage of nourishing and stomach-soothing medicinal herbs. You will surely recover faster after drinking it."
“Hmm,” Xie Sui’an nodded seriously, but said, “It’s better to trouble Miss Qin Sang. After all, she is the one who owes a favor. If you help her, she will owe you a favor again. How long will it take to pay off all the debts? Right, Miss Sang Sang?”
Qin Sang forced a smile: "Young master is right, I've brought it to you. Although you said we're even, you're still a patient after all." She then stood up: "We've eaten, please go ahead, young master. Just don't overeat, go back and rest well. Oh right, there's a clothing store over there. Tell your servant to go there early tomorrow, it's not hard to find."
Tang Zian also stood up and handed over a handkerchief. Qin Sang smiled and took it to wipe her mouth, then bowed to Xie Sui'an and left with Tang San.
Xie Sui'an looked down at his clothes and asked in surprise, "A clothing store? What's wrong with my clothes?"
Jinyun was a little embarrassed: "There's nothing wrong with it, it's just that you vomited and had diarrhea today, so there might be some lingering smell... Ah no, not at all, it's just that I'm worried about it getting dirty... No, it's not that..."
Xie Sui'an suddenly turned around and shouted at Qin Sang, "Hey! You still don't know where I live!"
Qin Sang replied without turning her head, "Chaotianlou, I know."
There's only one decent-looking inn in the county, right by this lake; you can tell from its ostentatious style.
Xie Suian reluctantly withdrew his gaze and called out, "Boss, come here for a moment."
Tieguai quickly wiped his hands on his apron, then respectfully walked up to Xie Sui'an: "Young master, is there anything else you would like to eat? I'll bring it to you for free."
Seeing his boss's timid and submissive demeanor, Xie Sui'an felt a pang of pity and put away his fierce expression, smiling as he said, "Come, sit down for a while, let's chat. You're not busy right now, are you?"
Tieguai Li, a little flustered, clutched his apron and chuckled, "No rush, not busy right now." He then sat down as instructed.
Thinking the other party was going to ask about the food poisoning, the handsome and wealthy young man didn't mention it at all, but instead inquired about Qin Sang.
While he was worried for Qin Sang, he was also curious and asked, "Young master, you're not a local, are you? Judging from your clothes, you must be from a wealthy family. Why are you asking about the young ladies here?"
Xie Sui'an was speechless: "Can't I just ask out of curiosity?"
“Alright, alright,” Tieguai Li said, seeing that he didn’t mention the meat, he was less nervous than before and his posture relaxed a lot. He smiled sheepishly and said, “That Miss Qin Sang is already betrothed, so it’s pointless for you to ask her.”
Xie Sui'an raised an eyebrow: "She's promised herself to someone? That pretty boy from earlier? I asked, and he's not her lover, just a friend."
Tieguai Li was used to boasting and bragging when chatting with people, and now he was talking nonsense with great skill. Knowing that Tang Zian couldn't control the person in front of him, he mentioned the capital.
"Married to a wealthy family in Kyoto?" Xie Sui'an's eyebrows furrowed into a deep V-shape. "You people from this small town know any wealthy families in Kyoto? Boss, you're kidding me!"
"How could that be? The little girl wasn't born here. She was seven or eight years old when she was brought back. Her grandmother, Old Madam Qin, is a well-known noblewoman in our area. It's not that she's really rich, but she owns hundreds of acres of fertile land, and her family has no worries about food and drink. She even helps us poor neighbors during festivals."
The boss chuckled, "We've gone off on a tangent. But you asked how this Miss Qin could be betrothed to a wealthy family in the capital, right? Well, it's mainly because of this old lady Qin. She worked in the capital when she was young. You see, you can see it too. Our Miss Qin is... tsk, right? She's clearly destined for wealth and nobility. She has to be sent to the capital! Our little place can't compete with anyone. Even the county magistrate's son... sigh, I don't even want to mention that tyrant."
Tieguai Li believed that his nonsense was perfectly reasonable and enough to fool a person from another county. Besides, it wasn't a rumor spread among the neighbors, so it wouldn't damage anyone's reputation.
Besides, isn't this also to protect Qin Sang? This young master is arrogant and domineering, and he's not someone to mess with. It's a good thing to give up his idea as soon as possible. In the future, when we meet Old Madam Qin, we can brag about it. Old Madam Qin might even give him some rice, flour, and meat as a token of her gratitude.
Tieguai Li was delighted with his thoughts, and so was his smile.
Xie Sui'an indeed looked worried and began to think, biting his fingers:
They came from Kyoto, and were only brought back when they were seven or eight years old. Something doesn't seem right. Was the person Grandpa secretly sent to pick them up also sent when they were eight years old?
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