Yangzhou II
The slightly cool Hui cloth was used as the seat and backrest, and the spacious carriage could accommodate four people without feeling cramped. The swaying movement made Aruo, who had just taken a nap, a little drowsy.
Originally, she and Caixin were used to riding horses or walking, but Qin Shuang insisted on taking two maids with them. In order to accommodate the two delicate little beauties, Aruo and Caixin had to go out in a luxurious carriage.
Where there is land, there is only bamboo planted; where there is a home, there is no home without geese. The spring breeze blows through the city walls, and the ears are filled with music.
Yangzhou boasts a strategic location, situated at a crucial junction of the Grand Canal and serving as a hub for north-south transportation. Its local commerce and culture are both distinctive. A dazzling array of goods, scholars and scholars vying for attention, the lively cries of vendors, the aroma of various pastries, and the crisscrossing of light-veined garments all blend together to create a vibrant and bustling contemporary urban scene.
Cai Xin leaned over and gently lifted the curtain embroidered with delicate patterns, peeking out curiously. Pearl was about to speak when she saw this, but was stopped by Manju's gaze.
"Aruo, it's so lively! Are there any festivals happening soon?" Caixin had seen many markets, even going so far as to resell cloth in the northern trade fair with Aruo to earn money, but she was still amazed by the sheer prosperity. "Yangzhou is indeed a prosperous city in the south of the Yangtze River."
"Since the construction of the Daqi Canal, Yangzhou has taken advantage of its geographical advantages and has developed rapidly. Now that more people are coming to Yangzhou, everyone must be working hard to do business." Aruo lifted the curtain on the other side and lay on the cushion to take a look. "Agate, what is that?"
The maidservant paused, her expression unmoved, but she still leaned over to take a look. "That's a bridal sedan chair. It looks like a bride is getting married."
"Why are we pouring water into the bridal sedan? Does this mean that a daughter who is married off is like water poured out?" Cai Xin also leaned over. Seeing the three heads leaning together, Zhenzhu frowned and couldn't help but move closer.
"According to our Yangzhou custom, the flower bridge is raised and circled three times in front of the door. The woman's family members splash water on the sedan chair, implying that the girl should no longer miss her parents' home. They also scatter chopsticks to wish the bride to give birth to a son soon." Agate thought for a moment and said.
The three girls who were being educated looked at her with admiration, "Sister Agate is amazing, she knows so much."
Isn't this a custom? Manju glared at Zhenzhu, her ears burning. She quickly looked to the side and saw a familiar figure passing by at the opposite alley. She frowned slightly, "Hey, isn't that Chunqi, Miss Lin San's personal maid?"
"Who?" Aruo asked curiously, looking in the direction she was looking.
"Miss Yu, do you still remember? The little girl who always liked to follow behind you, Lin Ya, the third daughter of the Lin family." Agate supported Aruo's shoulders to prevent her from swaying along the carriage and hitting the wooden edge.
"That little fat girl?" Aruo couldn't help but pull open some curtains. When passing by the alley, he saw a slender figure in the alley, standing opposite a tall and strong man in blue. The two were not far away from each other, so they should be familiar with each other. But Aruo didn't know if he was seeing things, he always felt that there was something wrong with the woman's expression.
"She is so slim now. I heard she had a serious illness last year." Pearl also had an impression of this lady.
Just as I was thinking about whether to go and say hello, I suddenly heard Cai Xin call out in surprise, "Auntie Song!"
As she screamed, the carriage suddenly stopped and the girls bumped into each other unexpectedly. Agate reacted very quickly to protect Aruo, while Zhenzhu and Caixin, who were unable to react in time, threw themselves to the side of the carriage. Unfortunately, Zhenzhu hit her forehead.
"Are you okay?" Aruo suppressed his smile. Today, it was Uncle Zhong's son who was driving the carriage, so he wouldn't normally be so careless. He tilted his head to glance at him, and Manjue said in a knowing voice, "Brother Cheng, what happened?"
"Someone bumped into us." A steady voice came from outside the carriage, "Miss Yu and you guys are okay, right?"
"I'm the only one hurt..." Zhenzhu pouted, looking like she wanted to cry. Caixin rubbed her head sheepishly.
"Someone is trying to scam them?" Aruo was shocked. There was the Qin family logo on the top corner of the carriage. How could someone in Yangzhou city actually scam them?
"Aruo, it's Aunt Song!" Cai Xin pulled her and said anxiously, "I just saw Aunt Song bumping into us."
Aruo was stunned for a moment, then he pulled Caixin, lifted the curtain and walked out. His movements were so fast that Manju had no time to stop him.
In front of the carriage, a middle-aged woman in blue cloth sat on the ground, her hands tightly grasping the skirt of a middle-aged woman. The middle-aged woman had a delicate face, but there was a rare impatience between her brows.
"I beg you to tell me, where is he now?" The woman's voice was slightly choked, and her hands, which usually moved among the herbs, were shaking.
The old woman, whose face turned ugly because of her annoyance, said viciously, "I already said I don't know anymore, let me go quickly, you don't want to die, but I still want to live. Don't stop me from making money!"
Today, finally, the man at home was not around, and she was thinking about going out to gamble a few times, but she was dragged by someone and couldn't move. He kept asking questions while crying. It was such bad luck. The old woman became more and more angry. She raised her leg to kick away the person who was bothering her, but her knee hurt, and she almost fell to her knees.
"Auntie." Aruo glanced at Ah Cheng and walked over. "Are you okay?"
"Aruo? Caixin? Why are you here?" Aunt Song looked at the two in surprise. She loosened her grip on their hands, and they took the opportunity to run towards the gambling house. "Come back! You..."
Aunt Song was so anxious that she almost fell down. Cai Xin hurriedly supported her. Aruo looked up and said directly to Ah Cheng, "Stop her."
"Hey, hey, hey, who are you? Why are you stopping me?" The old woman, whose mind and eyes were full of big and small things, roared angrily.
"Madame Li, you were the one who took Xiaohu out that year, you must know..." Aunt Song pushed Caixin's hand away, staggered over and grabbed the old woman, "Where is he?"
The old woman pushed her away impatiently. "I've told you so many times, I really don't know! I don't even know you, let alone Madam Li. If you want to have a son, go find a man. Why are you looking for me?"
"No, you are Madam Li. Don't deny me. I would recognize you even if you turned into ashes!" Aunt Song was so anxious that her eyes were glaring and she refused to let go of the person's hand.
Seeing her eyes flush with anxiety, the old woman quickly shouted at Aruo and the others, "What are you all standing there for? I really don't know her. She's been hounding me these past few days asking about my son. I don't even know where my own son is, so how would I know about her son?"
Aruo and Caixin had lived in the same courtyard with Aunt Song in the capital for almost a year and had never seen her lose her composure like this. However, the woman was also very confident. A crowd had already gathered on the roadside, and there was a hint of a gathering. Ah Cheng shook his head slightly at Aruo. Aruo and Caixin stepped forward to support Aunt Song. "Auntie, don't worry. She doesn't seem to want to talk. It's inconvenient to ask questions now because there are so many people around."
"No, I finally found him. I..." Aunt Song's eyes were red and she looked flustered. "Aruo, I've been looking for him for ten years... I..."
"I won't let her get away." Aruo glanced at the door of the gambling house and held Aunt Song's hand tightly. "This is my sister-in-law's family property. Don't worry, I will find someone to watch her."
Cai Xin nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Auntie, don't be impatient. Aruo means that we need to find a quiet place to pry her open."
"This..." Aunt Song looked at the person who was stopping the old woman and was a little at a loss.
Aruo nodded to Ah Cheng. The old woman's face was filled with joy. She bowed to them exaggeratedly and said, "Girl, please take this crazy woman back home. She keeps guarding my door and asks about her son whenever she sees him. But I've never seen her son."
"Stop talking so much nonsense, aren't you afraid of losing your luck?" It was rare for Ah Cheng to encounter such a thing while driving, and he almost caused several women to be injured. He had been holding back his anger, but now he couldn't help but say it.
"Bah, bah, bah, I'll stop you from talking such a bad word!" The old woman spat at him, turned around and walked quickly into the gambling house.
Aunt Song wanted to follow, but Aruo pulled her back and said, "Auntie, please come with me first. I'll have someone watch her. You know where she lives, so she can't run away."
She looked at her, then looked at the people at the door of the gambling house, bowed to them and walked in. Aunt Song hesitated for a moment, sighed and nodded.
"Let's go to Qianlixiang first." Aruo said to Manju and others, and got on the carriage first.
Qianlixiang, the No. 1 restaurant in Yangzhou, brings together top chefs, high-end ingredients and an elegant environment. It is the favorite place for wealthy businessmen and officials in Yangzhou to show off.
In the exquisite room, Aruo and Caixin each gnawed on a chicken leg and listened quietly to Aunt Song telling her story.
Ten years ago, she left her master's school with her son, Xiaohu, to travel. That year, a plague struck Shu, and as a doctor, she naturally wanted to help. Her son was only ten years old at the time, a mischievous and active child. Busy treating him, she entrusted him to a local neighbor named Li. Unexpectedly, Li abducted her son, and by the time she discovered him, the house was empty.
Over the years, she has traveled extensively, hoping to find her son by following the smallest clues. Finally, she saw him in Yangzhou, only to find him flatly denying the connection.
"Madame Li has a mole on her left ear and a scar on the palm of her hand. I couldn't have made a mistake." Aunt Song held her forehead and said affirmatively.
"There are moles and scars, and it's been ten years. Could it be that these characteristics just happened to exist?" Cai Xin thought of the old woman's tantrum and hesitated.
Aunt Song shook her head. "When I asked her to look after Xiao Hu, I was afraid she would be infected with the plague, so I planted the Pure Heart Lotus in her body. This poison doesn't harm the human body. I've taken her pulse."
The two girls looked at each other, and Aruo thought for a moment, "If it was her, why would she pretend not to know you? Is there something else going on?"
"Is there anyone in her family who looks like your son?" Cai Xin asked, "If she really was the one who took him away, would you raise him as your own son?"
"No, she has a son, but I've seen him. He's not Xiaohu."
The old lady was certain her son was taken away by her, so there should be evidence. He was only ten years old. Children these days mature early, so how could he be taken away at ten? If the child didn't have an intellectual disability, he wouldn't just go with someone, right?
Just as Aruo was about to ask in detail, there was a rhythmic knock on the door.
Opening the door and going out, Manjue's speechless expression made Aruo a little amused, "What's wrong? What's wrong with Yiyuan?"
"Master Yiyuan sent someone to pass on a message, saying that... before going out today, he counted with his fingers and found that... it was a bad day and it was not suitable to go out, so he did not come." Agate's hope for the master was shattered once again.
A renowned Zen master in Yangzhou, barely a young man yet already profoundly versed in Buddhist theory, countless wealthy merchants and dignitaries clamored to hear him discuss Zen, and countless women in the imperial court regarded him as a deity. Yet, such a figure, when it came to her daughter... was always so childish?
"That bastard, what kind of excuse is that? Have I been absent for too long?" Aruo touched his chin and murmured maliciously, "Is the messenger still here?"
"I was just at the back door."
Aruo came to the back door of Qianlixiang and didn't see anyone wearing monk robes. "Are all Yiyuan's disciples born in the Year of the Rabbit? Why do they run so fast?"
Unlike the bustling front door, Qianlixiang, due to its vast area, has had its back door street bought out and used for incoming and outgoing goods. However, during non-delivery season, the back street is deserted.
Aruo sighed. It seemed Yiyuan wanted her to climb the 990 steps herself. She hadn't looked for Yiyuan since she came back because she was afraid of the long staircase that was called the 100-step staircase but was actually only one step away from the 1,000-step staircase.
Otherwise, let's just forget about it this time. Wouldn't it be better to let each other look forward to the next meeting?
Suddenly, a faint, strange feeling filled the air. Aruo twitched his nose and glanced toward the end of the back street. Then, subtle noises came from that direction, like footsteps, or the sound of wind stirring something.
A bad premonition struck Aruo, and she subconsciously closed the door, leaning against it to slow her breathing. After a long while, when she hadn't heard any sound, she finally opened the door a crack.
The backstreet was still quiet, as if what had just happened was just her illusion.
After a pause, Aruo opened the door and walked out. At the end of the back street was a corner. Aruo hesitated for a moment, and a strong feeling urged her to move forward.
"Strange... why is my heartbeat... so weird all of a sudden?" Aruo touched her chest. The strong heartbeat was particularly obvious in the silence. She inexplicably felt that there was something ahead, and she... had to go and take a look.
Cautiously, he peered out the street around the corner, and saw someone walking by, nothing out of the ordinary. Aruo grabbed the clothes on his chest and asked, "Is this an illusion?"
He stepped back and accidentally kicked the door beside him. The door was slightly open, and a hand fell to the ground through the crack. The white and slender fingers were stained bright red, and the black sleeves seemed to be soaked with something wet.
The corners of her mouth twitched. She had already returned to Yangzhou, but her bad luck wasn't over yet? Could she really be Conan?
Aruo calmly kicked the hand, but there was no response, which made him feel relieved. "Life and death are determined by fate, and wealth and honor are determined by God. Please don't blame me. I will ask Yiyuan to recite the Rebirth Mantra for you a few more times."
As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and left without hesitation. Let go of the calamity of helping others and respect their fate. After all, she was dead and her merits could not be blamed.
The faint moan was almost inaudible, like a cry for help, which made her stop again. She swallowed and closed her eyes in giving up.
It would be fine if it was a dead person, but if it was a living person... she really wouldn't be able to do anything.
Her fingertips pushed the door open, and a figure in black fell out, its head landing on her toes. Underneath its wet, messy black hair, one could vaguely see its extremely pale face, its hair and face caked with dirt, and its black clothing damp and grimy.
He lifted the man's cheek with the tip of his shoe, and the blood from the corner of his mouth stained the toe of his shoe. Aruo sighed and said coldly, "It seems that he can't be saved. Why don't you let Yiyuan recite the mantra for you?"
He lifted his foot lightly, and the other party tilted his head without resistance, revealing the side of his face that was not covered by black hair. His features were barely recognizable, and the familiar eyebrows and eyes startled Aruo.
"Su crazy?"
Damn it, it’s really not a good time to go out today!
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