Chapter 19 The Boy Who Cried Wolf
The sun and moon alternate, life goes on and on. The sleeping town is awakened by the sunlight, the empty stalls welcome their owners, and the streets and alleys are gradually filled with the bustling sounds of people.
After having breakfast, Dai Li once again pulled Yun Rong onto the carriage that led them out of the mansion.
If a person who doesn't exercise regularly suddenly changes their routine, they will almost certainly experience muscle soreness that night. This soreness won't disappear overnight, and their legs will still feel weak and sore the next day.
Yunrong sat blankly in the carriage, her body moving with the carriage, but her soul seemed to still be in the mansion.
Dai Li knew she was extremely unwilling, but she pretended not to see it.
"Sister, where's your belt? I haven't seen you wearing it today." Yunrong suddenly realized that Daili's waist was empty.
Did I lose it again?
Losing it is fine, it will allow her to owe her another favor. However, if she remembers correctly, when Dai Li returned to the manor yesterday, she was still wearing a robe around her waist…
Dai Li paused for a moment, then sighed: "After I got back to my room yesterday, I found that the string holding my bracelet was loose and about to fall off. Qin Changgeng happened to be there at the time, and he saw it and inevitably said a few words to me. I had lost it once before without telling him, so I felt guilty and put the bracelet away properly as he suggested. That's why I didn't wear it today."
Yunrong asked out of curiosity, but after hearing her explanation, she had no more doubts.
Today, the two went to a bookstore first. Dai Li waved her hand, and before the bookstore owner could even split his mouth in laughter, she bought many paintings and calligraphies that were said to be the last works of a certain master.
After leaving the study, they walked around Taipei City. On the way, they passed by Ruixiang Silk Shop, which they had visited the day before, and Dai Li pulled Yun Rong inside again.
Yunrong was very puzzled, "Didn't we come here yesterday? Why do we have to come again today?"
Dai Li: "I don't know if I heard correctly, but I think I heard someone say yesterday that there would be new products today, so I went in to take a look."
Yunrong tried hard to recall.
New arrivals? Is that true?
When she left yesterday, she didn't hear anyone mention that new materials had arrived today.
Concentrating intently on her memories, Yunrong didn't notice that Daili had already gone inside and casually chatted with a maid. Five steps away from her, another person looked at her, made eye contact, and then nodded slightly.
Not long after, Dai Li returned. "Sister Yun, I misheard yesterday. Ruixiang Silk Shop didn't have any new arrivals today. But since they're not here, let's go check out other silk shops."
Even though they had only walked through two places, Yunrong's legs were already sore and weak. Her resentment and impatience surged up like bubbles in a swamp.
What's there to see? These fabric and silk shops are all pretty much the same. If you really like a particular material, just let the shopkeeper know. They'll deliver it to your home as soon as it's available. Why bother coming all the way here yourself?
Or perhaps she truly lives up to her reputation as a favored concubine, lacking both composure and dignity, and possessing the shallow knowledge of a frog in a well.
"Sister Yun, are you tired again?" Dai Li suddenly asked.
Caught off guard by the call, Yunrong, preoccupied with her own thoughts, froze for a moment. When she came to her senses, she couldn't help but feel delighted: "I am indeed a little tired. How about we go to the teahouse for a short rest?"
Dai Li walked out with her, but when they got into the carriage, she said, "The food at Mingyue Residence is quite good. Sister Yun, you have been in Nankang County for many years and have seen a lot. Are there any other high-end inns like Mingyue Residence in the county?"
Yunrong rarely heard Daili praise her, so she was quite happy to give some pointers, "There are two other places, Qingfeng Tower and Youlan Courtyard, both of them are good."
"Youlan Courtyard is a nice name. Let's go there. It should be more elegant than a regular teahouse," Dai Li instructed the driver to change course.
Both Mingyue Residence and Youlan Courtyard are located in the East Market, but they are situated at opposite ends of the street.
Yunrong and Daili entered and, just like yesterday, booked a room to enjoy a sweet treat. As before, Daili, delighted by the food, spent money to extend the room's stay.
A quarter of an hour later, Dai Li left Youlan Courtyard with her maid and guards, while Yun Rong stayed in the post station to rest.
Not long after leaving Youlan Courtyard, Dai Li stopped. She turned to a square-faced guard among her entourage and said, "Go back to Youlan Courtyard and take over from the one with the black mole on her jaw next to Sister Yun. You don't need to follow me."
"But Your Excellency said..."
"Last night Qin Changgeng told me that I was in charge of what I did when I went out to play. What, didn't he inform you?" Dai Li's face turned cold.
Whether it was the intimidating sound of the name "Qin Changgeng" coming from Dai Li's mouth, or the fact that the square-faced man knew something about the inside story, he hesitated for a moment before bowing, accepting the order, and turning back.
After replacing the only soldier who belonged to Qin Shaozong, Dai Li turned around and returned to Beishi.
On the way to Beishi, Dai Li casually pointed to Dingxiang and instructed her, "Dingxiang, go back and tell Sister Yun that if she has rested enough and wants to come find me, she should go to Xinglong Silk Shop before Shenshi (3-5 PM) and to the Human Market after Shenshi. I will definitely be at those two places. After you're done, bring me a portion of Youlan Courtyard's rice cakes. Be careful when you take them, and don't be clumsy and break them."
The carriage was fast, and they had already entered the North City area. At this point, Dingxiang could only walk back, and with this round trip, she wouldn't be able to return to Daili's side in a short time.
Since her master had given the order, Dingxiang could only follow instructions.
There were three bodyguards and two maids accompanying her. After Dingxiang was sent away, only Taoxiang remained as a maid.
Since the silk shop was a place with many young ladies, the guards could no longer follow Dai Li closely, so they were ordered to stay in the bookstore.
Dai Li then started trying on clothes again. After trying on one set, she said to Tao Xiang, who was standing next to her, "Tao Xiang, go and see if those three have been kicked out of the bookstore next door. If the bookstore owner doesn't like them, take them to the bookstore where I bought the painting before. You were with me then, so the owner must recognize you. He did a pretty good deal with me before, so he definitely won't refuse your request."
Tao Xiang was filled with doubt upon hearing this.
When will this spoiled Lady Dai ever show any consideration for her servants?
Just as the suspicion arose, Dai Li said again, "If people find out that those three guards who were driven out and are now standing like wooden stakes in the street are my servants, where will I put my face?"
Tao Xiang: "..."
Tao Xiang's doubts vanished instantly, realizing that she had been overthinking things; this ancestor would never judge others by her own standards.
“But Madam, if I leave, you will be all alone here, which is not appropriate,” Tao Xiang said in a low voice.
Dai Li scoffed, "What's wrong with that? I'm right here in this silk shop, I'm not going anywhere. If you can't find me outside, I'm definitely inside trying on clothes, so don't bother me, just wait. I'm not stupid, why would I give up the comfort of being waited on and go outside by myself?"
Tao Xiang thought about it and realized it made sense. This mistress was the most spoiled; she only knew how to order others around instead of doing things herself. However, despite thinking this, she still hurried along, wanting to go and return as quickly as possible.
As Dai Li watched Tao Xiang's retreating figure, the mockery and impatience on her face slowly faded away, like a faded ink painting.
The fable of "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" is well-known to all, and the first time the boy cries out, it is usually taken very seriously. However, if it turns out that nothing serious happened afterward, then the caution and vigilance will be much less when the boy cries out a second time.
Just like yesterday when she parted ways with Yunrong at Mingyue Residence, the other party was hesitant and worried. Today, the same thing happened again, and Yunrong agreed much faster than yesterday.
The maids and guards who were sent away today were understandably on edge, as this was the first time they had cried wolf.
Logically, she should have cried wolf a few more times to help Tao Xiang and the others desensitize themselves, but she didn't have time.
Tomorrow is the last day of her "Gui Water" period. She must leave Nankang County tomorrow. If she doesn't leave by tomorrow, the day after tomorrow...
After choosing a dress, Dai Li selected a clever-looking maid from the silk shop to accompany her inside.
After the door closed, Dai Li took out some silver coins from her small purse, weighed them in front of the other person, and said, "Answer me a few questions truthfully, and these will be your reward."
"Please speak, Madam," the maid said immediately, her expression turning serious. Earning money just by saying a few words—she certainly couldn't let such a good opportunity pass her by.
Dai Li: "There are several ferry crossings around Nankang County. Where are they located?"
The maid said, "There is only one ferry crossing, located four miles east of the city, called Baimajin."
Dai Li was deep in thought.
A ferry crossing indicates that there is only one major river nearby, suggesting that there were no other major rivers near the Hutuo River in this era.
Four li is about a half-hour walk, or two quarters of an hour. In times of peace and prosperity, walking for half an hour outside the city would be fine, but this ferry crossing is in the east of the city, and there is a dilapidated temple in the east where refugees live. Walking alone outside the city at dusk is not a wise move.
It's better to be safe than sorry.
It's better to play it safe.
But before that...
"Are there ships departing from Baimajin to other places every day?" Dai Li clenched her fists, her palms sweating, terrified that the maid shook her head and said no.
The maid nodded and said, "Yes. There is a large population in Nankang County, and boatmen and fishmongers can make a profit, so they will appear at Baimajin regardless of the weather."
A huge weight lifted from Dai Li's heart. "Is the departure time for the long-haul route around 10 PM?"
The maid nodded again, "That's right. Boatmen usually set sail at the end of Shen Shi (3-5 PM). If it's any later, the city gates will be closed, and no passengers will be able to leave the city. Also, it's advantageous for long-distance ships to set sail in the evening; you might arrive at your destination by the time you wake up."
The purpose of operating a boat to carry passengers is to make money, so naturally, they try to attract as many passengers as possible.
Dai Li tossed the silver coins in her hand to the maid, and seeing the maid's delighted expression, she took out another handful of silver coins: "I have a simple business deal to discuss with you. If you are willing, I will promise you a generous reward after the deal is done, which will ensure that you will have no worries about food and clothing for the next few years."
The maid was thrilled by the money in her hand. "Please speak, Madam. If I can do it, I will not refuse."
Dai Li: "I have a distant relative who will be setting off for Baimajin after 3 PM tomorrow. Please help her arrange a donkey cart, whether it's a merchant's cart or a bodyguard's cart, the cart must be properly arranged. The cart should wait for her at the street corner of Donghe Street from 3 PM until 3:45 PM, and then leave after picking her up."
A small purse was tossed over, and the maid quickly caught it with both hands.
Dai Li: "This is a deposit. After deducting the cost of hiring a driver, there will still be a lot left. After the matter is completed, I will give you more than three times this amount of money."
The maid nodded repeatedly, holding the small purse, clearly more concerned. "One of the servants in charge of transporting the cloth at the silk shop is a distant cousin of mine. I will certainly arrange everything for you to go to Baimajin. I just don't know what your distant cousin looks like, Madam?"
“She has dark skin and many moles on her face. She often wears a veil to cover her blemishes when she goes out, so she is not hard to recognize.” Dai Li handed her a small bamboo slip with half of the black character “车” on it. “This is a token for taking a ride. You give it to the driver, and my distant relative will take the other half to find him. Put the two halves together as proof.”
The maidservant solemnly accepted the bamboo strip.
"Click." The fitting room door opened.
Soon after, Tao Xiang returned. Dai Li tried on two more dresses and ordered several bolts of fine fabric before leaving.
At 3:30 PM, Dai Li returned to Youlan Courtyard with her guards and maids, and went back to the mansion with Yun Rong, who looked radiant after sleeping in her room.
More than an hour after they left, a woman wearing a veil and carrying a bundle appeared in the Youlan Courtyard.
"Shopkeeper, Madam Dai has a package that needs to be stored..."
*
Having eaten dinner out, Dai Li returned home and immediately instructed Tao Xiang and Ding Xiang to prepare water for a bath. A tough battle lay ahead tomorrow, so a relaxing bath was essential for a good night's sleep to recharge.
"Madam, the water is ready," Tao Xiang said.
Dai Li loosened her belt and took off her clothes, then heard Tao Xiang say, "Madam, has your menstrual flow stopped? Do we still need to prepare menstrual pads for you?"
"Click." The wooden hinge of the outer room door turned.
Dingxiang had just gone out to get some fruit, and Taoxiang hadn't had time to lock the door, so it opened with a simple knock.
Dai Li's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.
Dingxiang hasn't been gone long, so she shouldn't be back so soon. Could it be...?
A note from the author:
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tomorrow! !
See you tomorrow night at 9 PM ∩_∩
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