Gu Heng injured
Pei Qingwu gestured for Gu Heng to wait in the corridor, while he followed the servants through the moon gate to a quiet and elegant side hall.
Zhao Jue had changed out of his guest clothes and was standing in front of a map of Longyou, deep in thought. Seeing Pei Qingwu enter, he turned and smiled, pointing to a couch beside him: "Master Pei, please sit. Thank you for today's matter."
"You flatter me, Your Excellency," Pei Qingwu said, sitting down with his robes drawn up, his demeanor composed. "It is my duty, and I dare not accept your thanks."
The servants brought two cups of freshly brewed tea, then withdrew and gently closed the door.
Zhao Jue didn't beat around the bush, lightly tapping his teacup with his fingertips: "At the banquet, everyone declined, but you were the first to respond, and the amount was not small—five hundred shi of millet. For your shop, that's no easy feat. I'm grateful, but I also have a question..."
His gaze was clear as he looked at Pei Qingwu: "Is your action solely to alleviate the urgent need for military supplies, or is there another reason behind it?"
Pei Qingwu had anticipated this question. She lowered her eyes slightly, looking at the tea leaves floating in her cup, and said frankly, "Your Excellency's judgment is clear for the public good. Only when the border troops are stable can the trade routes be unobstructed, and only when Qin Prefecture prospers can Sushan Market stand firm. This is the principle of mutual dependence. As for personal matters..."
She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and bright: "I do have a selfish motive."
"Oh? I'd like to hear more about it."
"Your Excellency is hosting a banquet for the merchants, ostensibly to appreciate the autumn scenery, but in reality to raise funds for grain. If no one responds, or only a few do, what will Your Excellency do next?" Pei Qingwu said slowly, "Should we forcibly requisition grain? Or impose a quota? Either way, it will inevitably breed resentment and damage the harmony between officials and the people, which is not what Your Excellency desires."
“I will be the first to agree. The amount is enough to encourage others to follow suit. This will not only relieve your urgent needs and prevent you from resorting to desperate measures, but it will also earn Sushan Small Market a reputation for being ‘sensible and considerate’ in your presence and in Qinzhou City. This money will be donated to the border troops and also buy long-term stability for my own shop. Weighing the pros and cons, I think it is worthwhile.”
"Moreover, when I was imprisoned and troubled by my former husband's family, it was the magistrate who made a wise decision to allow me to establish my own household. Later, when I was repeatedly framed, it was the magistrate who stood up for me. As a person with a conscience, I am grateful and will naturally help the magistrate out of his predicament."
Zhao Jue listened quietly, his admiration growing stronger.
"As expected of Master Pei," Zhao Jue praised. "You see things more clearly than many men. They only focus on the immediate loss of money and supplies, but they don't see the possibility of the border falling and the war spreading. When everything is destroyed, how can mere money and supplies compensate for it?"
He paused, then added, "However, your selfish motives are so open that no one can find fault with them."
Pei Qingwu smiled faintly: "In business, it's human nature to seek profit and avoid harm. However, 'profit' also varies in magnitude and duration. I've merely chosen a path that seems to involve sacrifice, but is actually more secure in the long run. Besides..."
Her tone was slightly somber: "If it can alleviate the suffering of the soldiers at the front from hunger and cold, I will feel at peace."
Zhao Jue remained silent for a moment, then solemnly said, "Regardless of the circumstances, your kindness and the soldiers of Longyou will remember it." He then changed the subject, "However, I have also made preparations for what you are worried about. Today's banquet is the first step. If it really doesn't work out, the prefecture will try to transfer grain from neighboring prefectures or use some of the grain stored in the Ever-Normal Granary. We will not sit idly by, nor will we engage in short-sighted practices that would discourage the merchants."
Pei Qingwu's heart stirred, and he stood up and bowed: "Your Excellency's benevolence is a blessing to the people of Qin Prefecture."
After saying a few more casual words, the sound of a night watchman's drum came from outside the window.
Knowing it was getting late, Pei Qingwu rose to take her leave: "Your Excellency is busy with many affairs of state, and I would not like to trouble you any further. I will now return to prepare for the financial matters."
Zhao Jue also stood up: "Alright, I will send the Registrar of Household Affairs to discuss the specific handover details with you tomorrow."
He escorted Pei Qingwu to the entrance of the side hall, watching him meet up with Gu Heng under the eaves, before his figure disappeared into the deepening twilight of the courtyard.
When Gu Heng saw Pei Qingwu come out, he immediately stepped forward, unfolded the dark blue silk cloak with gray squirrel fur in his hand, and draped it neatly over Pei Qingwu's shoulders.
Instantly, a warm feeling enveloped Pei Qingwu's entire body.
"Why did you think of bringing a cloak?" Pei Qingwu asked with a smile, adjusting his clothes.
Gu Heng explained, "It's almost autumn now, and the nights are windy, so I prepared a jacket before going out, in case my employer catches a cold."
"Aheng is so thoughtful."
Pei Qingwu said it casually, but Gu Heng blushed and lowered his head.
In order to get back to the shop before curfew, Gu Heng had hired a carriage in advance. Since they hadn't arrived yet, he accompanied Pei Qingwu to wait.
Pei Qingwu had a cloak, but he didn't, and at this time of year, just as Gu Heng had said, the temperature difference between day and night was great, and when the wind blew, it was bone-chillingly cold.
Seeing him shivering slightly from the cold, Pei Qingwu asked with concern, "What's wrong, Aheng? Are you cold?"
"It's okay, I'm not cold."
"Nonsense, they're all shaking." Pei Qingwu looked around and found a wonton shop still open, so she pulled Gu Heng inside: "Come on, let's hide here and have a hot bowl of food."
The shop assistant, who was already getting lazy and was wiping the table half-heartedly, finally stepped forward when he saw people come in: "Please come in, gentlemen. What would you like to eat?"
"The shop offers wonton soup, freshly steamed glutinous rice, and freshly made mutton fat and chive blossom sauce to accompany your meal."
The waiter eagerly announced the names of the dishes.
Pei Qingwu thought for a moment and then said, "Give me two bowls of wonton soup, a plate of sliced tender scallions, a dish of pickled celery, and a dish of minced grass carp."
She ordered carefully, taking into account both main dishes and meat and vegetables, as well as appetizers.
"Alright!" the waiter replied loudly, turning to instruct the kitchen staff.
Before long, a plate of thinly sliced Qiangzhu① was served, accompanied by a small dish of bright green chive blossom sauce, and snow-white sashimi mixed with tempting vinegar celery and minced meat②.
Finally, two bowls of steaming hot wonton soup were served.
The soup, served in a large, rough earthenware bowl, was clear and bright, with a few specks of oil and bright green scallions floating on top. The wonton wrappers were as thin as silk, revealing the color of the filling inside.
The two bowls were slightly different: one bowl had a darker filling, while the other had a more pinkish filling.
Although it was a banquet hosted by Magistrate Zhao, such occasions have never been for people to eat their fill. At this moment, both of them were a little hungry.
"Come on, Ah Heng, eat quickly."
Pei Qingwu moved the darker-colored bowl in front of him over, scooped up a piece with a spoon, blew on it, and carefully bit into it.
The first bite is a rich meaty flavor, seemingly made primarily of mutton, but it has a slightly gamey smell, and the meat isn't chopped finely enough, with an uneven distribution of fat and lean meat.
She chewed it a couple of times, then frowned slightly.
"Boss, is it not to your liking?" Gu Heng hadn't eaten and had been watching her expression closely. Seeing this, he asked.
"Perhaps the mutton was overcooked, or there weren't enough spices; it's a bit gamey." Pei Qingwu put down her spoon, her gaze falling on Gu Heng's bowl. "What kind of filling is in your bowl?" she asked curiously.
Gu Heng replied, "The waiter said this bowl contains chicken mixed with some fresh shrimp paste, and a little bit of crushed dried scallops to enhance the flavor."
"I...I want to try it..."
After saying that, Pei Qingwu smiled sheepishly.
Gu Heng smiled and pushed his bowl over, saying, "Why are you being so polite with me, sir..."
Pei Qingwu reached over with a spoon, scooped up a wonton from the bowl, and put it to her lips.
This bowl is different.
The first taste is the rich and fresh flavor of the chicken soup, followed by the tenderness of the chicken and the bouncy texture of the shrimp paste. The salty and fresh flavor of the dried scallops blends perfectly, creating distinct layers of taste. It is far more refined and palatable than her bowl of pure mutton.
She swallowed the wontons without saying a word, but glanced at Gu Heng and then at the two bowls of wontons.
"Can I have another one? Just one, it's really delicious..."
Gu Heng understood her thoughts perfectly, and the curve of his lips became even more pronounced: "Why go to such trouble? If the master doesn't mind, you can use my bowl."
As she spoke, she very naturally switched her almost untouched bowl of wontons with the one in front of Pei Qingwu, and pushed the plate of pickled celery closer to her to cleanse her palate.
Pei Qingwu was pleased and did not refuse, saying only, "Then, Aheng, you can have this bowl of mutton. If you don't like it, you can order something else."
"It's alright, I like it no matter what," Gu Heng replied, lowering his head to eat the bowl of mutton wontons that had been rejected, his expression calm and without the slightest reluctance.
The two shared the stew with a few side dishes, and then ate the wontons that had been switched, leaving almost no soup.
After eating the hot food, my whole body felt warm, and the chill I had picked up in the corridor was completely dispelled.
Just as I finished paying and stepped out of the shop, the carriage I had hired arrived at the street corner.
Just as Gu Heng was about to lead Pei Qingwu over, an unexpected change occurred.
From the dimly lit alleyway beside them, a disheveled, ragged woman suddenly burst forth. Her eyes were bloodshot, her face contorted, and she clutched a gleaming meat cleaver tightly in her hand. She screamed shrilly, "Give me back my son! You vile woman, Pei! Pay for my son's life!"
Before he finished speaking, he pounced on Pei Qingwu like a mad tiger.
The incident happened so suddenly that Pei Qingwu was stunned and froze on the spot.
In a flash, Gu Heng, without thinking, suddenly turned to the side, pulled Pei Qingwu tightly into his arms, and turned his back to the madwoman.
"Well!"
A muffled groan escaped as the sound of a dagger piercing flesh was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
Gu Heng's body trembled violently, but he protected Pei Qingwu even more tightly.
The madwoman seemed to be stunned for a moment after her successful attack, but was then overwhelmed by rage. She tried to stab again, but was stopped by the driver and the waiter from the wonton shop who had come out after hearing the commotion. She screamed and struggled incessantly.
Pei Qingwu felt Gu Heng holding her tightly in his arms, his cool, refreshing scent lingering around her nose.
And the stench of blood that quickly spread.
She was horrified and was about to struggle to see when Gu Heng raised his uninjured arm and gently covered her eyes with his warm palm, blocking out all the possible bloody scenes.
"Don't be afraid, boss, don't look..."
His voice trembled slightly with pain as he breathed into her ear.
Before him lay a warm darkness, and in his ears came the madwoman's shrill cries, the gasps of passersby, and Gu Heng's steady breathing.
Pei Qingwu's heart was pounding like a drum. After calming down, she finally took Gu Heng's hand and asked, "Let me see if you're alright... Where's the doctor? Has anyone called for one?"
Gu Heng was deeply stabbed in the back, a large flower of blood blooming from the wound, a gruesome sight. Fortunately, his clothing was thick enough today, otherwise…
The more Pei Qingwu looked, the more frightened he felt.
"How could you be so foolish? What if... what if..."
Gu Heng smiled and reassured, "I was originally a guard protecting the master..."
"Alright, stop talking. Save your energy." Pei Qingwu's voice was tinged with a sob.
As she spoke, she tore off half of her sleeve and pressed it against Gu Heng's wound, trying to stop the bleeding.
Then she turned around to see who the madwoman who had tried to hurt her was.
The madwoman's hair was disheveled, making it difficult to discern her features at first glance, but Pei Qingwu still recognized her.
"The Liu family?"
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