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"She is Song the Matchmaker..." Qin Sang stared at the person and took the opportunity to ask, "Worry-Free Island, what kind of place is it exactly? Is it scary?"
"Well, actually I don't know what Worry-Free Island is. I've only heard about it occasionally. Do you know anything about it?" Xie Wu asked Xie Sui'an.
Xie Sui'an took a sip of tea, feigning profundity: "You can understand."
Xie Wu rolled his eyes: "I just don't know. How can you possibly find out?"
Xie Sui'an put down his teacup: "Join their so-called treasure appraisal event, and you'll find out."
Xie Wu: "What meeting?"
Just then, the waiter came in with cups, plates, and bowls to serve the dishes. Hearing this, he smiled and asked, "Are you talking about the Worry-Free Treasure Appraisal Meeting, esteemed guests?"
Xie Wu hurriedly said, "What treasure appraisal event? I've never heard of it."
The waiter glanced at her, his smile full of meaning: "You're a woman, it's normal that you haven't heard of it."
Qin Sang immediately understood and asked, "Does this Worry-Free Island truly refer to an island, or is it a code word for some other place?"
"I wouldn't know that. How could someone of my rank be worthy of such information? I only overheard nobles mentioning it casually over drinks. I don't know the specifics." The young man chuckled and steadily placed the stacked bowls and cups on the table. "Please enjoy your meal." He then respectfully withdrew.
Xie Wu was clearly not very interested in this, as he was already attracted by the food on the table. He earnestly urged, "Sang Sang, come and try this thin-skinned bun. One bite and you'll be filled with broth!"
Qin Sang obediently picked up a steamed bun, but still thinking about Wuyou Island, she turned her head and asked Xie Sui'an, "Why didn't you join the Wuyou Treasure Appraisal Club? It sounds like it's very interesting."
Xie Sui'an snorted coldly and picked up a steamed bun as well: "In Kyoto, not every meeting is easy to attend, and not all meetings are good meetings. Do you understand what I mean?"
What's so hard to understand? Just from Song Jinhe's demeanor last night, one could deduce that Wuyou Island wasn't a good place. Therefore, any so-called treasure appraisal event related to Wuyou Island must also be a den of vile creatures. It's just... she really wanted to know if there were any clues worth uncovering behind these vile creatures.
She looked up at Granny Song, who had gone up to the second floor, and wished she could follow her up and see who the old woman had met with today.
Now, she's willing to stick her finger into any filthy cesspool and stir it up, hoping to find some important clues or uncover some important figures. After all, this is Kyoto, and anyone you randomly encounter on the street could be a member of a wealthy or noble family.
As for the connections between wealthy families, it's like a spider web; if you follow one end, you can always find the end you want.
After having morning tea, the three of them left the teahouse and were then led by Xie Wu to a clothing store.
Kyoto's clothing styles are naturally the most fashionable of the moment, and the shop Xie Wu frequented was a ready-made clothing store that catered exclusively to dignitaries. Whether it was the finished products, the fabrics, or the craftsmanship, everything was of the highest quality.
As summer approaches, the fabrics displayed in the most prominent places are mainly light and airy chiffon, in colors such as pale yellow, light pink, and moon white... with elegant and understated hues.
Xie Wu was generous and led Qin Sang to buy a lot of things, and had the master tailor make several dresses for her. He also said that he would be attending Princess Yuan Zhao's birthday banquet in a few days and asked the shopkeeper to expedite the process.
Then they went to a jewelry store and a perfume store, where they bought quite a few things.
While marveling at the prosperity of Kyoto, Qin Sang also occasionally saw little beggars wandering from place to place.
Seeing her show sympathy for the beggars, Xie Sui'an patted his folding fan and reminded her, "Don't feel sorry for these beggars just because they are dressed in rags. They have their own way of life. The court has long built orphanages and has properly settled those who can be settled. Those who are left out are those who refuse to be settled. They are much richer than those peddlers."
Qin Sang was a little disappointed. She had been hoping to bribe a group of beggars to gather information for her, but it seemed that someone had already done it.
Before they knew it, it was noon, and Xie Wu led Qin Sang to eat mutton. But as soon as they entered, this sociable noblewoman from the capital encountered an acquaintance, probably the daughter of some high-ranking official, whose attire was quite elegant.
The girls were extremely excited. Xie Wu introduced Qin Sang to them, and they all looked at her with scrutinizing eyes.
Qin Sang noticed that the people looking at her were a mix of amazement and disdain, so she simply greeted them politely.
Xie Wu seemed to have something to say to someone, so he temporarily entrusted Qin Sang to Xie Suian: "You guys go order some food and snacks first, I'll go talk to someone and then I'll be right back."
After the person left, Xie Sui'an tapped his palm with the handle of his fan and chuckled.
Qin Sang: "What?"
Xie Sui'an pointed with his fan in the direction Xie Wu left: "She's the most gossipy one, always making a fuss. You should avoid associating with her."
Qin Sang smiled and said, "Really? I think it's quite good." Gossip about rich girls is also very useful.
After a pause, he said, "Shall we go inside and wait for a while?"
The waiter led the group into a private room, which faced the street and offered a view of the bustling cityscape.
The maids and servants were all left outside, leaving only the two of them inside, and they remained silent.
Xie Sui'an personally poured tea for the two of them before asking, "How is it?"
Qin Sang: "What do you mean, how?"
"Kyoto, how do you feel now that you're here?"
Qin Sang picked up her teacup and looked out the window: "It's only been two days since I arrived, but the capital city is so prosperous that even Quzhou Prefecture can't compare."
"You actually compared Kyoto to Quzhou?" Xie Sui'an was speechless. "Kyoto is the capital of our dynasty. People from all directions come to pay tribute, and hundreds of countries come to offer congratulations. It is the richest city in the world. What rare treasures and curiosities doesn't it have? How can a mere prefecture compare?"
Qin Sang paused for a moment, then laughed: "Yes, I was too naive. The capital city is unparalleled in the world!"
Xie Sui'an raised one eyebrow, feeling that her words sounded perfunctory no matter how she looked at them, and said, "Otherwise what? Our dynasty has been established for two hundred years, the current emperor is diligent and hardworking, the monarch and his ministers are of one mind, the people live in peace and prosperity, the elderly are cared for and the young are supported, and the widowed and orphaned are all taken care of. Tell me, where in the world is there a place more prosperous than my capital city?"
Qin Sang sneered inwardly, thinking to herself, "You're nothing but a frog in a well, how could you possibly know that there's more than just your Nanwu Kingdom in the three thousand worlds? Not to mention the future, even now, it's not as perfect as you imagine."
Is the emperor diligent? Are the ministers of one mind? Are the people living in peace and prosperity? I doubt it.
She smiled, too lazy to refute him, and after a pause asked, "Then what about the Crown Prince now, the heir apparent of the Southern Kingdom? What is his temperament? Is he capable of shouldering great responsibilities in the future?"
Xie Sui'an raised an eyebrow again, thinking to himself that this little woman was actually concerned about national affairs and worried about whether the crown prince would be able to fulfill his duties in the future.
Even students of the Imperial Academy wouldn't dare to discuss the crown prince of a country, yet she was ignorant and fearless.
However, he still lowered his eyes and drank his tea, saying, "The Crown Prince is gentle, diligent, upright, and respectful to scholars; he is an excellent heir apparent. But all of this is none of our business. You'd better not ask others about these things. In the capital, one must be careful with one's words and actions, understand?"
Qin Sang smiled and nodded obediently, but then said, "In a few days it will be Princess Yuanzhao's birthday banquet. I wonder if I will have the honor of meeting the Crown Prince and seeing if he is as kind and upright as you say."
Xie Sui'an's expression became somewhat strange. He stared at Qin Sang for a long time before saying, "The Crown Prince is already married. His wife is gentle and virtuous, and comes from a prestigious family."
Qin Sang was taken aback: "Hmm. So?"
“Sigh,” Xie Sui’an sighed, “I really didn’t need to tell you all this. Don’t ask around, and you’d better stay by my side and not be so bold as to be curious about everything.”
Qin Sang said, "In a prominent family, men and women naturally sit at separate tables. If I were to follow someone, it would be Sister Wu. What does it have to do with you?"
Xie Sui'an slammed the teacup down on the table: "...Su Yun'er, I've noticed that you've changed so much in the past few years. I remember you weren't like this when you were little. When you were little... you were clearly timid and cowardly. Even a small insect could scare you to tears..."
Qin Sang remained calm, lowering her eyes as she said, "You yourself said it was when I was a child. Now that time has passed, do you still think of me as that spoiled girl who knows nothing and is afraid of everything?"
This time, it was Xie Sui'an's turn to be taken aback.
Yes, times have changed, and everything is different now.
Not only are they different, but she also clearly came back with a purpose this time.
How could she still be the little girl he used to boss around seven years ago? She is Qin Sang now.
The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment, and Xie Sui'an felt a strange pang of sorrow, as if all his thoughts had ultimately been wishful thinking on his part.
“Things are indeed different now,” he said, staring at her. “So, you’ve come back this time to overturn the Su family’s case?”
He looked intently into her eyes, trying to see her emotions. Qin Sang felt as if she were locked in place. She stared at Xie Suian without blinking, unsure of what to say.
Someone like Xie Sui'an should continue living his carefree life as a young master. He is well protected, unaware of hardship, and ignorant of hatred. He has someone to protect him, so he should continue to be an innocent boy and continue to live his carefree life as a noble young master.
At this moment, Yu Guangzhong saw a familiar bright red again.
She turned her head and saw a voluptuous woman walking slowly and leisurely towards her not far from the window.
It's Song the matchmaker again, what a coincidence.
Seeing this, Xie Sui'an also turned his gaze out.
But it was clear that Granny Song was in a very good mood, humming a little tune as she strolled around, stopping and starting, picking and choosing among the vendors.
Suddenly, a woman appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Song the matchmaker's sleeve.
The woman looked haggard, her anxious eyes filled with tears, and she spoke urgently to the matchmaker, Song.
Song the matchmaker frowned impatiently, trying several times to pull her hand out of the man's grasp but failing. Finally, her expression changed, and she pouted and whistled.
Then, guards who had been secretly following her appeared and dragged the unreasonable woman away.
Upon seeing this, Qin Sang and Xie Suian exchanged a glance. The meaning was clear: she was merely a slave trader, yet she was constantly accompanied by bodyguards? What kind of level of protection was this!
The two quickly looked out the window again and saw the woman being dragged along the street, crying and shouting at Song the matchmaker. Her voice was so mournful that it broke one's heart.
Qin Sang also overheard a few words—
"Give me back my son!"
"You damned bastards who exploit innocent girls for sex, you deserve to die a horrible death! I'm going to report you to the authorities!"
"Help! Is anyone there? Murder!"
Passersby stopped to watch out of curiosity, but none of them offered to help.
Qin Sang felt a chill in her heart, thinking that this capital city was too cold-hearted. When she looked at Xie Suian again, she saw that he was completely unmoved and poured the wine that had just been served.
The waiter set out the wine and then served the dishes one by one, quickly filling the table with a dazzling array of food.
The woman's pitiful cries seemed to still echo in her ears. Qin Sang said calmly, "Where is Sister Xie Wu?"
Xie Sui'an then stood up: "I'll go call her."
After Xie Suian left, Qin Sang summoned Ling Ding and whispered some instructions to him. Ling Ding then went downstairs to carry out the order. Later, Xie Suian brought Xie Wu back with him.
The atmosphere changed as soon as Xie Wu returned.
In high spirits, her voice was cheerful and lively: "Oh, all the dishes are served! Quick, Sangsang, you must try this roasted venison. It's one of their specialties. One bite and your mouth will be filled with fragrance that you won't forget for three days. The cook at home can't make it taste like this. And this rice wine, it's mellow and fragrant, you must try it!"
Just as Xie Wu was about to pour wine for Sang Sang, Xie Suian placed his long fingers on the wine glass in front of Qin Sang and said, "Third sister, she doesn't need to drink."
Xie Wu's eyes widened: "Why? She's already of marriageable age, she can get married, so why can't she drink?"
Xie Sui'an placed the wine glass upside down on the table, tapped it lightly twice with his slender fingers, and said in a calm voice, "It's okay to drink at home, but not outside." He then glanced at Qin Sang, "Who knows how much she can drink or what her behavior is like when she's drunk? Maybe she'll go on a rampage when she's drunk."
"..." Qin Sang smiled slightly, not bothering to argue with him, but reached out and took the wine glass in front of him, handing it to Xie Wu: "Here, let me have a taste."
"...!!" Xie Sui'an felt that her pride had been trampled on, and looked at her in disbelief.
Xie Wu beamed, seemingly oblivious to Xie Sui'an's gritted teeth, and cheerfully said, "Oh, it's just rice wine, how can it make you drunk? Go away, don't spoil our fun. Come on, Sang Sang, let me fill your glass!"
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