Yangzhou Five
The three of them walked along the tree-shaded path towards the Zen room.
Cai Xin was still frightened by the thought of that burly man. She pulled Aruo and said coquettishly, "I was almost scared to death by him. He suddenly jumped out and yelled, and spoke incoherently. I don't know what he said..."
"Be good, don't be afraid." Aruo patted her head and turned to complain to Yiyuan, "What kind of people are your followers? Why are they just like the people from the mountain village back then?"
"Cheng... Could it be the family of Madam Cheng from the capital?" Yiyuan pondered for a moment and thought about the several families who had stayed in the temple in the past two days.
"Beijing?" Aruo was a little sensitive to this place now. "Will it be?"
Yiyuan shook his head. "Probably not. They were said to have arrived in Yangzhou in May, and they've only been here for the past few days to listen to Buddhist teachings. But be careful and don't get too involved with him."
Cai Xin nodded, lowered her eyelids, hiding the complex emotions in her eyes.
"What do you think?" Yiyuan grabbed Aruo and deliberately took a few steps behind, asking softly.
"What do you mean?" Aruo glanced at him, "When did you become so gossipy?"
"You picked up Ning Caixin after you left. When you picked her up, didn't you consider whether she had a family? You were the one who taught her to sing that little tune, right? But everyone knew it back then." They all knew it, but they had long forgotten who started it. Yiyuan snorted coldly, "The Cheng family is from an official family. If..."
"The key point is not the Cheng family's origin, but what Caixin thinks." Aruo tilted his head and smiled. If Caixin wanted to know or recognize her relatives, then she could check. If not, then there was nothing to do.
This sounds... reasonable.
After a pause, Yiyuan looked at Caixin's thin back and nodded silently.
As soon as they stepped onto the Qin Mansion's famous Qiqiao Corridor, they saw the housekeeper, Uncle Heng, leaving with several guests in brocade robes. Although they were dressed in casual clothes, they stood straight, walked at a steady pace, and had a serious look in their eyes and eyebrows.
"Who are those people?" Aruo leaned on the corridor railing and took a look, then asked the maid beside her, "They don't look like ordinary merchants."
"Miss, you have good eyesight. The one in blue is the prefect of Yangzhou. The one next to him is Lord Lin. And the one in crimson is the brother of the prefect of Hangzhou. I think he's an official in some city." The little maid looked smart and counted in Aruo's ear. "I don't know the others."
"Ruoruo?" Qin Shuang watched the guests leave, and seeing her at a glance, he called out with a smile, "If you don't stay home tonight, which inn out there is as comfortable as home?"
Aruo smiled, came over and hugged her arm, buried his chin in her shoulder, "It's just that I haven't seen Yiyuan for a long time and talked late. I'm back now."
Qin Shuang glanced at her lazily. Of course he knew that she had gone to Dayin Temple to look for Yiyuan. There was nothing in Yangzhou City that she couldn't find out, so he didn't mind her staying out overnight.
Feiyang's eyebrows were rarely gentle. Qin Shuang patted her cheek and said, "Don't run around during this period. Yangzhou is not peaceful recently."
"So many officials came to you to discuss business? What do they want to escort?" Aruo was a little curious. "No, that's not right. Shouldn't the escort be discussed with the Baiyan Gang? Aren't you in charge of the business of taking orders?"
Qin Shuang was amused by her series of questions and was pulled into the hall by her. "They are here to look for the Qin family's escort. Didn't Ah Zhi come to look for you? So they came here."
"So urgent?" Aruo was puzzled. "Is it something important?"
Qin Shuang's red lips curved slightly, and a hint of sarcasm flashed across his bright eyes. He reached out and took the tea she handed him and took a sip. "It's quite important. These people have some goods to sell."
Like other dynasties, the Great Qi Dynasty maintained strict control over the salt industry, with state-run salt and iron commerce. Salt was a daily necessity, in high demand, and the profits were substantial. Throughout history, even though privately trafficking salt was considered treasonous, some people still ventured into it for the sheer profit. To ensure civilian access to salt, the government issued salt permits to merchants, who in turn undertook official assignments, such as transporting military rations to certain areas.
The Qin family secured salt permits through the canal transport system and the salt fields operated by the Qi family, which is why Qin Fenglin was previously tricked into taking over the task of transporting government silver. The Yangzhou merchants, led by Qin Shuang, regularly interacted with Yangzhou officials. Lord Lin, the Yangzhou Salt Transport Commissioner, was an elder who had watched her grow up, and the Vice-President, Deputy Commissioner, and others frequently met and negotiated with them. The Qin family even trained a group of exceptional lean horses specifically for these exchanges.
Hearing about the shipment, Aruo thought for a moment, "Is there something going on in the imperial court recently? Is it related to the illegal salt trafficking?"
Qin Shuang nodded and smiled fondly. "Half a month ago, an imperial censor reported to the Sizhou prefect, Zhu Jiazhen, that he was selling illegal salt for huge profits. A Sizhou salt merchant testified and died in Beijing. As you know, although the salt administration is under the control of the imperial court, Jiangnan officials have been secretly reselling salt for a long time, but they just haven't brought it to light."
"Is anyone investigating the salt administration?" Jiangnan was a prosperous region, but taxes were also heavy, and internal ties were numerous. Therefore, it was not uncommon for officials in Jiangnan to collude privately and for their families to profit from their businesses. Yangzhou, in particular, had been the salt capital since ancient times, and many officials had participated in the illegal salt trade, but everyone had a sense of propriety, and so far, no one had gone too far.
"I'm afraid it's more than that." Qin Shuang flicked the tea leaves with the lid of the teapot, looking thoughtful. "They're in a hurry to ship the goods away. It seems the court is investigating privately. There are too many officials and merchants involved, so we probably won't find anything openly. Besides, reselling is not a big deal. The most worrying thing is that the investigation is not about the salt, but the people."
"What do you mean?" Aruo asked curiously, "Brother once said that there's serious collusion between officials and businessmen in Yangzhou. The Qin family is relatively sensible, but quite a few people... borrow money from the government?"
This can also be considered a private loan from the Great Qi, but are officials so bold as to embezzle local public funds to businessmen?
"These things happen in every dynasty. It's fine if we don't investigate, but if we do, I'm afraid it will be a bloody storm." Qin Shuang didn't hide anything from Aruo. She always liked capable and knowledgeable women. "The Qin family has enough funds and doesn't want to get involved in these muddy waters. But when you are in the underworld, how can you really stay out of it? It doesn't matter if I just follow the crowd, but this time I feel a little uneasy, as if there is something fishy going on in the government."
Qin Shuang had controlled the White Flame Gang for years, had numerous informants, and with the Qi family as her support, she must have known more than the average businessman. However, sometimes, being in a high position meant that many things were beyond her control. She had to be cautious with every step and have a full complement of countermeasures in place to remain invincible.
"Then...is there anything we need to pay attention to in the mansion?" Aruo was also familiar with the Qin family's business in Yangzhou.
"Silly boy, there's no need to be so nervous." Qin Shuang raised his eyebrows, a smile flashing across his eyes as he soothed her. "The salt administration has always been open, and Yangzhou's annual tax revenue still contributes the bulk of the national treasury. Even if they want to investigate, there's no need for us to be nervous. As for the rest, it's still safe for now, so there's no point in being nervous."
It seems that this is indeed the case. Could Su Zirui be here to investigate this? Aruo was a little distracted. If so, then it would be really difficult to deal with. The word "official" has two meanings. Officials in Yangzhou are unreliable, and Su Zirui may not be one of them.
"What's wrong? Ruoruo?" Qin Shuang asked curiously after seeing her holding the osmanthus cake for a long time without moving.
Aruo looked down at the cake in his hand and said, "This one doesn't seem sweet enough."
"You, don't cry about your toothache, or I'll have someone make you eat salty food from now on." Qin Shuang nodded at her forehead unhappily, then smiled and had someone replace her favorite water chestnut cake with it. He picked up a piece and handed it to her, "Open your mouth."
"Salty ones don't taste good." Aruo, who was being fed, opened her mouth and ate obediently. The two of them moved smoothly and naturally, and even the maids around them were used to it.
"By the way, the third daughter of the Lin family is getting married at the end of the month. I've prepared a gift for you. You can deliver it in person someday." Qin Shuang wanted her to reconnect with her social circle in Yangzhou, so he carefully arranged it for her. "You still remember her, right? She was always following you around four years ago."
"Fatty? She's getting married? Who is she marrying?" Aruo remembered the little fat girl who always grabbed the corner of her clothes. In the past few years, she would occasionally send her some local specialties. She was obviously still a little girl, but she didn't expect that she was already old enough to get married.
"She's already a beautiful young lady." Qin Shuang was quite touched. "She's marrying the second young master from Madam Lin's family. They're childhood sweethearts, so that's not bad either."
If Aruo hadn't been wandering around for so long, she'd probably be a mother by now. Qin Shuang looked thoughtfully at the girl, her cheeks puffed out as she ate her cake, her eyes darkening. She had heard news from the officialdom, and she was worried that something unexpected would happen, forcing the girl, who had finally found peace, to wander again.
Aruo was horrified by the look. This look was exactly the same as the one her senior brother had used to coax her into copying the martial arts technique. It was definitely not a good thing! She quickly changed the subject, "Qin Zhi should be back at the gang. I'll have someone get him over."
"No need, he will come over later. Now, you, come with me to the accounting office." Qin Shuang concealed the thoughts in his eyes, and after seeing her finish eating, he took the handkerchief handed to her by the maid, wiped her hands, and pulled her up.
"Ah? No need, I still have things to do..." Aruo was stunned, frowned in disgust, and his whole body was resisting.
Qin Shuang remained unmoved, dragging the man towards the accounting office with a determined pace. "Stop talking nonsense, let me see if your arithmetic has regressed."
"I've completely regressed..." Aruo couldn't break free, deeply hating his own lack of strength. "I can't read the account book now. A small business doesn't need an account book..."
"It's just right for you to come with me to Yan Xi Hall to study." Qin Shuang gave her a loving look, her red lips raised with ill intentions, full of charm.
It was the time for all branches to report for the whole year. Qin Shuang was in charge of the Qin family alone, and he also had to take care of the Qi family's business in Jiangnan. He wished he could do the work of two people. After all the effort, this girl came to him, how could he let her go free?
When Qin Zhi came in, he only saw two maids tidying up. He looked around and asked, "Where are my sister and Ruoruo?"
The maid in emerald clothing couldn't help but laugh and pointed in the direction of Yan Xi Hall. Qin Zhi looked sympathetic and said, "It seems that she has been busy for a few days. Is her brother-in-law still taking a lunch break?"
The girl in blue on the other side replied yes, and Qin Zhi was sincerely envious.
Back then, it was rumored that the Qi family had sacrificed their eldest son's marriage in exchange for Qin Shuang, a wealthy and powerful woman. But who knew that man was willing to be sacrificed? He was actually a little jealous of the way she acted as a gigolo.
Cai Xin always felt like someone was watching her. Although there were many people who spied on her outside, this time was different. She even felt like she was prey being targeted and hunted.
The eighth time he looked back, he saw the hundred-step staircase he had walked past. "Strange, am I just being too suspicious?"
Shaking her head, Cai Xin hugged the medicine bag tightly in her arms and turned around. The bearded man suddenly appeared in front of her, frightening her so much that she screamed and took a step back, almost falling down the Hundred Steps.
Her body suddenly felt lighter. The frightened woman looked at the endless stairs under her feet. She kicked her feet in the air, and the tightness around her waist made her turn her head stiffly.
The bearded man behind her grinned ingratiatingly, frightening Cai Xin so much that she screamed uncontrollably, "One Yuan——"
After a moment, Yiyuan brushed off the dust on his robes from the way here. With an expressionless face and eyes that showed neither sadness nor joy, he looked at the bearded man who was huddled in the corner and being scolded by Caixin. "Don't make noises for no reason. You're disturbing the tranquility of the Buddhist temple."
"Master Yiyuan, please judge for yourself! This guy has been following me for several blocks and almost scared me into falling down this Hundred-Step Staircase. It's called the Hundred-Step Staircase, but it actually has nine hundred and ninety-nine steps!" Cai Xin's pretty face flushed with anger at the thought of him carrying her like a chicken. "Tell me the truth, why are you following me?"
The bearded man was so shocked by the roar that he said timidly, "I just... I just want to see my sister."
"Bah, who is your sister?" Cai Xin stamped her feet in frustration. No wonder Aruo said that when a scholar meets a soldier, he can't explain himself. How are they similar in appearance to her?
"It's you! That song is my sister's favorite..." The bearded man stood up straight in a hurry.
"Squat down!" Cai Xin put her hands on her hips angrily. Her aura was so strong that the bearded man immediately squatted down, making the petite girl in front of him, who was not even as tall as his shoulders, look down at her.
"This... Sir, I've told you before, my last name is Ning, I've never been lost, I remember who my parents are, and I remember everything from my childhood to now." Cai Xin tried to lower her voice as much as possible so as not to look like a shrew who was about to go crazy.
"But..." the bearded man retorted weakly.
"No buts!" Cai Xin was stunned for a moment after yelling, a little embarrassed, and stamped her feet lightly, "Why are you like this? I've already told you that I'm not your sister anymore, why are you still pestering me? If you have that much time, you might as well go find your sister. That song is not only mine, but Aruo and Yiyuan can also sing it. If you don't believe me, let Master Yiyuan sing it."
Yiyuan glanced at her coldly, startling her so much that she flinched. Then he said indifferently, "Donor, Miss Caixin and I have known each other for many years. She is definitely not the person you are looking for."
"One yuan... Master, my mother just added three hundred taels of fragrant oil." The bearded man stood up and brushed his clothes.
Yiyuan's eyes turned cold. Is he such a greedy person?
"As the Buddha said, life is plagued by eight sufferings: birth, aging, sickness, death, separation from loved ones, enduring resentment, failure to obtain, and the inability to let go." Yiyuan exuded a cold and noble air, his face gentle and distant, his eyes deep as if imbued with infinite wisdom. He clasped his hands together, bowing, and spoke with a Zen-like tone, "Everyone has their own destiny. Why should you, the donor, be so obsessed with searching? Everything has its own inexhaustible cause and effect."
"We are from the same mother, so aren't we related by blood?" The bearded man looked directly at the famous master in front of him.
"If we are destined to be together, there is no need to force it. If we are not destined to be together, we will never get it." Yiyuan was neither happy nor angry, and even his eyebrows did not move.
Cai Xin felt a headache after hearing this. Aruo was right. The so-called Buddhist teachings were all a scam by charlatans. Dayin Temple was indeed dangerous. She decided to go back and help Aruo settle the score. She stuffed the medicine bag in her hand to Yiyuan and said, "Master, I'm going back first. Here are the things for you. Goodbye."
Yiyuan held the medicine bag calmly, nodded slightly, bowed to the bearded man, and turned away leisurely.
The two men went their separate ways, and the bearded man who had stopped in place straightened his back. His tall figure exuded a faint aura, which was completely different from his previous humble attitude.
He looked up at the eaves of the palace hidden in the lush green trees in the distance, and thought of his loved ones who were devoutly burning incense in the palace. A trace of struggle appeared in his eyes, "Is it...after all, I can't ask for it?"
After walking a short distance, Cai Xin suddenly turned back, seeing the tall figure shrouded in a deep sense of loneliness, and felt a pang of sadness. Aruo once said that being lost is more painful than death, because the former still offers hope. But in the vast sea of people, that slim hope gnawed at her sanity and spirit every day, leaving her with nothing to rely on.
Even if we die, at least we still have a constant longing for each other.
Thinking of her attitude just now, Cai Xin hesitated for a moment before she sighed and turned away, "Don't be soft-hearted. Sympathy is the most useless thing."
It was out of soft-heartedness that her mother sold her to that cannibal village. If it weren't for Aruo and Yiyuan, she would have become one of the corpses in that pit.
Cai Xin's song is one that all the copycats have heard, but that person's sister is probably long gone.
However, these cannot be told to others.
Things like the past should be blown away by the wind.
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