Chapter 11. This little girl has it tough. ...
If one harbors doubts, one will inevitably seek verification. If the other party were a man, this matter would be much easier to handle. However, she is a woman, and she is in charge when the puppeteer is not present. In the current situation, it is best not to offend her.
Lu Min was a man who knew how to weigh the pros and cons. Even though he was unconventional in court, he was still a gentleman when it came to women. When the woman was about to undress in front of him, he panicked a little. The moment she lifted her blouse, he turned around and said awkwardly, "I was just asking casually. This is... too much."
Shi Mi, with his hands casually stretching out his clothes, laughed frankly, "Grand Tutor, this is a golden opportunity! If you don't look now, you won't be able to get me to take my clothes off again tomorrow." As he spoke, he took half a step closer, "Why don't you take a look?"
Lu Min stood solemnly, his ears gradually turning red, and said stiffly, "No need, please take care of yourself, young lady."
Shi Mi regretfully gathered his clothes and sighed, "I originally thought that I could prove myself and gain the Grand Tutor's trust, but it turns out that the Grand Tutor is still too bound by worldly conventions. With so much experience and knowledge, how could he be afraid of a woman taking off her clothes?"
"It's not that I'm afraid, it's that I don't want to offend the lady." He glanced at her and saw her leaning closer again, so he quickly moved away and went to the window.
"Whatever you say, Grand Tutor is like a lonely moon in the sky, and a lonely moon needs no accompanying stars. It's getting late, and you've had a long day. Get some rest. I'm leaving now."
She shuffled out the door and saw Ran Dian and the others peeking around in the corner of the room from afar. She went over and asked, "What are you doing? Spying on us again?"
Ali Dao pursed his lips and remained silent, while Yan Dian pressed, "Ami, did you really take off your clothes and let him see them?"
Shimi said, "What? Do you doubt the craftsman's skills and worry that he won't make it exquisite enough?"
Ran Dian, being the most intelligent of the three, argued, "You can't even see Jing Zhang. He's a man, and you're a woman."
Shi Mi was pleased to hear this. "Ran Dian, you're getting smarter and smarter. Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to let someone take advantage of me for nothing. I have an inner garment under my outer robe. I'm just testing him. If he dares to look, I'll gouge his eyes out."
The three immediately rubbed their hands together, eager to fight. "If you want to fight, call us."
Many people don't understand the true power of the Yanren (傅人). To think that those Yanren with the faces of former dynasty generals, easily defeated, are the greatest weapons of the Yanshi is to seriously underestimate them. Truly practical Yanren can attack or defend. When they have nothing to do, they can sweep the courtyard. But once the pins behind their ears are removed, they become unstoppable killing machines, seeking only to achieve their goal and disregarding the consequences.
Shi Mi waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no... I was just saying, and he really didn't dare to look."
Ali Dao was still more concerned about his own fate. He walked around to Ran Dian and said to Shi Mi, "A Mi is getting married, and I'm going with her."
Shi Mi was somewhat troubled. "This mansion also needs someone to guard it. If we all leave, what will happen to Yan Shi?"
Ali said, "The master and several servants keep it locked in the chest; they will take it out when they need it."
Shi Mi then realized, "That makes sense!" Her eyes darted around, and she began to sigh again, "You are following me, and the heavy responsibility rests on my shoulders. It's really not easy for me, a little girl."
Fortunately, the Yan people also knew to say "thank you for your hard work." With everything settled, Ali Dao was finally relieved and asked Shi Mi if she would be getting married the next day.
Shimi turned around and looked at the room where Lu Min lived. The window was lit up, like a slightly open eye in the darkness. "There's no time tomorrow. I have to be his maid for a few days first."
"Why?" Ran Dian asked in surprise, "Weren't you supposed to be a lady? How did you become a maid?"
It wasn't because of a difference in status; the Yan people didn't distinguish between high and low, noble and base, only about following orders step by step. They were simply wondering if the change in title meant a change in duties. The roles of a lady and a maid were different; the lady ate and slept with them, while the maid was for washing clothes and cooking.
Shimi told them not to worry, "First be a maid, then a lady, it won't cause any problems. I haven't been back to Baiyujing for a long time, going into the city with him will save us some trouble."
Yan Dian is good at grasping the key points: "It's 'returning,' not 'going.' Is your home there?"
Oh dear, the Yan people have become quite intelligent; they're really troublesome. Shi Mi gave a vague and perfunctory reply, "I lived there when I was little, but I moved away when I got a bit older. Alright, alright, I'm not going to say anymore; I have to go back and pack my things."
She walked away, her slender waist swaying gracefully in the lamplight, like a beautiful snake, and slipped into her bedroom.
Packing... what to pack...? She tapped her fingertip, circling the earth's center. Important items could be transported after securing accommodation; for now, she only needed to pack clothes and valuables. So she spread out a cloth and threw in two sets of clothes and her only two hairpins. That was all; she carefully tied a knot, letting it hang lightly on her shoulder. When they met the next day, it didn't look like they were going on a long trip, more like they were going for a picnic in the countryside; her bag contained only two flatbreads.
Ran Dian and his men were even more efficient. The Yan people didn't need food or drink; aside from their clothes, they had no other daily necessities. Standing upright in the courtyard, three pairs of eyes watched the Grand Tutor appear in his solemn robes and hat, and eagerly asked, "Are we leaving now?"
The reply they received was disappointing. Lu Min said to Shi Mi, "These Yan people cannot be taken away."
Shi Mi was surprised, "Why not? They are my right-hand men. What family doesn't have a few maids accompanying their bride?"
Lu Min frowned and said, "I haven't come to marry you yet, so where would you get any maids? You can take them with you when the day comes, but I must remind you, young lady, that the world outside this mansion is full of strangers. It's risky for them to be out there. If they are discovered, it will cause a lot of unnecessary trouble."
Shi Mi chuckled inwardly. He always believed he was different from them, worrying that the presence of Yanren around him would eventually bring trouble upon him. Being prepared was good, but wasn't it also self-deception? Fortunately, she was magnanimous; she agreed to whatever he said. "Then we won't bring them this time. Too many people will make it inconvenient to enter the capital."
Lu Min breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for your understanding, young lady."
Shi Mi raised his hand and said, “I haven’t finished speaking yet. You can leave them out this time, but you must bring them next time. If the Grand Tutor finds it inconvenient, please prepare a secret room for me in the Jiuzhang Mansion. That way, they can stay by my side. They don’t have to show up unless the Grand Tutor gives the order.”
This is already a huge concession, and what she asked for is not excessive. Lu Min showed a faint smile, "We will do as the young lady says."
This would be a win-win situation for everyone. The Lirenfang estate isn't a long-term solution; it will eventually be taken over. If everything here could be transferred to Jiuzhang Prefecture, that would be the best arrangement, making this forced marriage worthwhile.
Ali Dao and his companions were quite disappointed, but Shi Mi comforted them, saying, "Wait a few days, and I will return to Zhongdu to pick you up."
They were still extremely unwilling, saying, "We'll just stay by their side and serve them; we won't cause any trouble."
“What kind of maidservant is this, ordering people around?” Shi Mi patted them on the shoulder one by one. “You may leave now and await my message.”
Three pins were quietly tucked into his sleeves. Shi Mi turned around and called to Lu Min, "Alright, it's all settled, let's go."
Lu Min turned to look at the puppets. They had become unusually obedient and stopped bothering him, obediently stepping aside.
Shi Mi walked to the door, removed the latch, and forcefully opened the door. Bai He Liang, who was sitting on the steps outside, stood up abruptly upon hearing the noise, bowed respectfully, and called out, "My Lord."
Lu Min stepped out of the threshold. The gate of this mansion was his gateway to life. Before he came, he was in excruciating pain, as if he had been stabbed by knives and axes. When he left, he had been reborn and was free from pain.
The wind brushed past his temples, still chilly, but he no longer hesitated, and could even slow his pace to savor this ordinary life he hadn't experienced in many years.
Everything was alright, there was still hope. His heart calmed down, and Wu Xi gracefully stepped onto the crimson lacquered footboard. Suddenly, he remembered something, stopped, and turned to ask Bai Heliang, "Has everything been as usual at Jiuzhang Prefecture these past few days?"
Bai Heliang said, "Everything is operating as usual. Cen Shenji is using the lord's order to dispatch the Six Guards, and none of the Six Guards generals have any objections. However, Cao Fu of Gaoyitai is on his way to Xuecheng. When he passes through Zhongdu, he sees that the lord is not in charge of Jiuzhang Prefecture, and seems to have some complaints."
“Cao Liang?” He chuckled. “Whether I’m in charge of Jiuzhang Prefecture or not is none of his business.”
As for the Gaoyitai, Shimi had heard of it. When the Prince of Yan established the reign title Tongwei and called himself the Holy Yuan Emperor, he set up the Gaoyitai to assist the emperor and make decisions, modeled after the most glorious dynasty of the old dynasties.
The Gao Yitai (High Council) has one Grand Secretary, two Second Grand Secretaries, and several Assistant Grand Secretaries. It's currently unknown which Grand Secretary Cao Liang is, but Lu Min remains firmly in his position as Grand Secretary; even though he spends most of his time in Chong'an City, no one can replace him.
Relying on his high merits, he only collects his salary without doing any work; even she wouldn't be satisfied with that. Therefore, Shi Mi could understand that Cao Fu. It was rare for him to pass by, and the Grand Tutor wasn't there. If he had made more trips, he could probably have confirmed that Cao Fu was often scheming and shirking his duties.
Bai Heliang escorted the Grand Tutor into the carriage. He looked up and saw the young woman who had carried the lantern that night standing in front of the carriage. Sure enough, it was the light that made her look bright and lively in the daytime, unlike the eerie atmosphere she had that night.
With a small bundle slung over his shoulder, it seemed he was going to travel with her. He bowed respectfully and said, "I have prepared another carriage for you, young lady. Please come with me."
Shi Mi said there was no need, "We can just squeeze in." With that, she lifted her skirt and prepared to board the carriage.
As it turned out, the guard was so convinced of the Grand Tutor's idea of riding alone that he blocked her way, saying with difficulty, "It's very inconvenient, please take another ride, young lady."
Shi Mi smiled, her eyes crinkling, "Your lord has been eating and staying at my residence for several days, spending every day with me, inseparable. Now you want me to take another ride? Is this how the people of Jiuzhang Prefecture cross the river and then discard the bridge?"
The person in the car finally spoke up, "Let her get in."
Bai Heliang had no choice but to awkwardly withdraw his hand.
Shimi said that was right, "My family is related to the Grand Tutor. Why don't you take a look at what's written on the lintel?"
Bai Heliang, of course, knew that the plaque read "Lu Residence." He had long heard that there were relatives of the Grand Tutor in Liren Lane, and that the Grand Tutor had stayed there for several days, presumably to spend more time with his family. In fact, he was certain that this young woman was family, but to ride in the carriage with her, he needed the Grand Tutor's permission. Now that the Grand Tutor had given his word, he would know how to handle things in the future. He took two steps back, gestured for the young woman to enter the carriage, and quickly jumped onto the crossbar. With a crack of his whip, he drove the carriage straight towards the gate of the neighborhood.
Shi Mi sat by the window, her hands gripping the glass as she looked out. The wind from the snow-capped mountains stung her fingers, and she pulled the glass into her sleeves, asking Lu Min, "Will we stop at Nightless City on our way to Shangdu?"
Lu Min leaned against the armrest, intently rotating his wrist, and said with his eyes down, "It depends on how fast we walk. If we walk at a leisurely pace, we should arrive around nightfall. If we walk in a hurry, we'll reach the next town much earlier."
Shimi blinked. "Can we walk more leisurely? Rushing too fast is bad for your health. The bumpy ride will make my bones feel like they're going to fall apart. I'm afraid my back will hurt."
There were people outside the car, and walls have ears; she knew to be discreet, so she took it upon herself and walked slowly, also for his sake.
To everyone's surprise, the man was not very appreciative. "I am going to the capital to meet the Emperor, and I cannot afford to be delayed on the way. If you wish to travel, we can find another opportunity later. This time is not an option."
Shimi looked at him helplessly for a long time, took a breath as if to argue, but then let it out. Oh well, this man is hard to talk to; she knew it would turn out this way. Nevertheless, she still gazed towards the direction of Never-Sleeping City. "I heard that after the Yan Dynasty was established, the night view of Never-Sleeping City was made very beautiful. There's a wealthy merchant there, known as the Marquis of Never-Sleeping, who single-handedly runs half of the brothels and entertainment district. Don't you really want to go see it?"
Lu Min had never been interested in these things, and replied indifferently, "I don't want to."
“How could I not think about it? A young and strong man…” Suddenly noticing him looking at her, she snapped back to reality. “Right, I can’t lead you to a place like that.” But that didn’t stop her from still looking regretful. “I heard that paper lanterns are made into huge lotus flowers, and at night, boats pass under them…”
Lu Min frowned, glancing at her infatuated expression, and emphasized again, "I bear a heavy responsibility and dare not act recklessly."
"I know, I know." Shimi propped his chin up, impatiently wiggled his fingers a couple of times, and murmured in a drawn-out tone, "Sigh, I really want to go and see."
A note from the author:
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200 small red envelopes~
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