"Master!" Two maids immediately responded from outside.
"What time is it? When did Grandpa leave?" Lanqin looked at the brazier in the room, where there were still some embers that hadn't burned out.
"Master left with Young Master Du early this morning, instructing us not to wake him," Si Hua said, hurriedly pulling up the mosquito net. Shui Ling was already helping Lan Qin put on her shoes.
"Xuchang is a famous ancient capital. Shall we go to the market in Xuchang today?" Lanqin thought about how she had enough money, two maids to serve her, and a bodyguard with high martial arts skills to protect her. She was happy just thinking about it.
"Eunuch Su said that he will accompany the master to the Prime Minister's residence in Xuchang today," Si Hua said.
"Didn't Su Peisheng go with Master to serve him?" Lanqin got up from the bed, preparing to wash up.
"Master insisted on keeping Eunuch Su here, saying he was afraid the master would wander off." Shui Ling brought over a basin of hot water to help Lan Qin wash up.
Lanqin could almost see Fourth Master there, instructing them to keep a close eye on her. She smiled and said, "Look how nervous he is, as if I'm the one who likes to run around."
Seeing that the Fourth Master cared about Lanqin, the two maids were naturally happy and said with smiles that their master always cared about her.
By the time Lanqin finished breakfast, it was already past Chenshi (7-9 AM).
"Master, everything is ready. Let's go, it's getting late!" Si Hua said to Lan Qin as she walked in from outside.
"Have Eunuch Su and Gesang already had breakfast?" Lanqin asked with concern.
Si Hua and Shui Ling exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Master, they've been up for a while now and are waiting for you!"
Seeing the helpless expressions on the two maids' faces, Lanqin smiled and said, "Let's go!"
Sangge drove the carriage, with Su Peisheng sitting outside and Lanqin and two maids inside, heading towards the Prime Minister's residence in Xuchang. Xuchang is an ancient capital; Cao Cao established the capital of the Wei Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period there. Today, Lanqin was going to the Prime Minister's residence, which was where Cao Cao lived.
"Master, look! There are so many interesting things for sale on the street!" Shui Ling looked out the carriage window and saw the small stalls along the street. Because it was winter, everyone outside was wearing gray cotton robes, with few bright colors. However, there were still many people setting up stalls to sell things along the street.
Lanqin looked out the car window and indeed saw some items selling local specialties from Xuchang.
"Why don't we stop and go to the street to take a look?" Lanqin suggested.
“Okay, it’s good to see the local customs and culture of Xuchang,” Shui Ling said.
After the carriage was stopped, the two maids, Si Hua and Shui Ling, got off first and helped Lan Qin out.
"Eunuch Su, would you like to come with us to take a look?" Lanqin asked Su Peisheng.
“This servant must follow the concubine. This is what Master has instructed,” Su Peisheng said immediately.
"What about Gesang?" Lanqin asked impatiently. Looking at Gesang's cold face and tall, robust figure, she was really not used to having him around.
“This servant must stay with Consort at all times, as Master has instructed,” Gesang said, sniffing the air with an air of authority.
Lanqin had no choice but to say, "Alright, Gesang, you take the carriage over there first, and then come with us to that street to take a look."
Gesang nodded, then led the carriage over to the place where the horses could be tied up.
“Eunuch Su, I remember you once said that you seem to be from Xuchang, right?” Lanqin turned to Su Peisheng and said.
"Oh, thank you so much, Consort. You still remember that my hometown is Xuchang," Su Peisheng said with a smile, bowing his head.
"Eunuch Su, don't you want to go back to your hometown for a visit?" Lanqin asked.
"Well, this old servant has no time to go back to my hometown," Su Peisheng said, but he clearly longed to go back and visit.
“Eunuch Su, why don’t you let Gesang take you back to your hometown? Si Hua Shui Ling and I will just stroll around here; nothing will happen,” Lan Qin said.
“That won’t do, that won’t do. Master has instructed this old servant to stay with Consort at all times. This old servant will not go back for the time being,” Su Peisheng said.
“Eunuch Su, we’re right here, not far from the inn. We’ll head back when we’re tired of shopping, so don’t worry. Why don’t you go back by yourself and let Gesang come with us?” Lanqin said. She really didn’t want to go shopping with a eunuch and a cold-faced coachman. It would be better to let Su Peisheng go back to his own home first. As for the coachman, she could just have him guard the carriage.
“Consort, it’s still not advisable. You’re unfamiliar with Xuchang; what if you get lost? This servant cannot leave your side even for a moment.” Su Peisheng disagreed.
Seeing that Su Peisheng refused, Lanqin had no choice but to say, "Then you and Gesang can wait at the teahouse over there. It's really inconvenient for the three of us women to go shopping with you."
“Yes, Eunuch Su, why don’t you and Brother Gesang go and wait over there?” Shui Ling said.
“Consort, this street is only a short stretch. Once you’re done walking around, just turn back. We can see you from where we’re sitting.” Su Peisheng, being from Xuchang, was very familiar with this street. He knew that anyone entering this street would have to turn back to exit, so he felt reassured. He and Gesang could simply sit outside the teahouse and keep an eye on the exit.
“Alright, then you and Gesang go wait over there. I, Sihua, and Shuiling will just stroll around for a bit and then come out,” Lanqin said.
After saying that, Lanqin and the other two walked along the bustling street. They looked at the strange and wonderful things being sold on both sides of the street with great interest, looking at this and that, and were very happy.
"Master, look, this fan is quite nice." Si Hua took a liking to an antique fan.
"Sihua, this is for men. Are you planning to buy it for Young Master Du?" Shui Ling teased.
"Shui Ling, you little brat, if you keep making a scene, I'll tear your mouth apart!" Si Hua said, feigning anger.
Two maids were laughing and joking on the street, while Lanqin smiled and pulled them along as they strolled around. They came to a place with books and inkstones, and saw many inkstones, brushes and the like displayed inside.
"Master, do you want to buy this?" Shui Ling asked quickly when she saw Lan Qin looking like she wanted to go in.
"You can buy one for me, Si Hua. If you really want to give one to Young Master Du, this would be a good choice," Lan Qin teased Si Hua.
"Master!" Si Hua stamped her foot.
“Alright, let’s go in and take a look. Even if we don’t buy anything, we can still admire the scenery and broaden our horizons,” Lanqin said.
The two followed Lanqin inside, where they were stunned by the beautiful, antique-style inkstones. She couldn't believe how exquisitely crafted these dark inkstones were.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
