Chapter 92 Old Friends: The Last Carnival of the Five Great Wards of Rongdu
The steaming hot fried cakes were freshly made, causing a stir in the long queue. Guan Ye craned her neck to look, but the fryer had changed. Where was Song Mian? Guan Ye fidgeted with her fingers, calculating. Song Mian said he was supposed to have the 20th of each month off, and today wasn't one of them. Confused, she was already at the front of the line when she couldn't help but ask, "Where's your usual fryer?"
"You mean Song Er?" The shopkeeper, who was counting money, looked up.
Song Er? Guan Ye already understood. "It's the one I usually see. How would I know his name?"
"That's him." The shopkeeper looked disgusted. "He's been blind these past few days, taking in several counterfeit copper coins. I only found out when I went to the money exchange that the coins had been confiscated and there was no compensation. Song Er, I kicked him out yesterday."
"Gone?" Guan Ye realized her lapse in composure and quickly added, "It's just a few copper coins, it shouldn't be that serious..."
The shopkeeper was clearly getting impatient. He waved his hand, indicating that Guan Ye shouldn't block the stall if she wasn't going to buy anything. "My employees, what right do you have to tell them what to do? Buy it or leave."
The fried cakes smelled delicious, and Guan Ye was indeed quite hungry. Seeing that this man was arrogant and had driven Song Mian away with just a few coins, she was furious. She glared at the shopkeeper, turned around, and left.
Where could Song Mian go? Guan Ye recalled the first time she met Song Mian on the ship. He leaned against the towering mast, letting the salty sea breeze brush against his thin face, staring at the unpredictable road ahead, as if he were lost in chaos. But when he noticed that the ship's servant was secretly watching him, he immediately straightened his back against the wind, and his slightly sunken eyes shone with a spirit.
Guan Ye had heard Song Mian mention to others that his ancestors had been high-ranking officials. Although they had fallen on hard times, his grandfather still had many colleagues in the court. He was certain that if there was a general amnesty, he could return to Rongdu. Whenever he talked about this, Song Mian would radiate a light that he himself was unaware of, as if he could already see the golden python flag fluttering on the city walls of Rongdu, and stride confidently down the bustling avenues of the imperial city.
He could jump into the unfathomable sea without hesitation. Guan Ye couldn't imagine how he struggled to survive in the waves, or how he trekked back to Rongdu with great difficulty. Once such a proud young man from an official family, he now barely made a living by selling fried dough cakes, and now he couldn't even afford that.
What do the mistakes of family members have to do with their descendants? The world is vast, yet under the imperial city, is there not a place for an innocent young man to hide? Thinking of this, Guan Ye felt indignant and became even more determined to find Song Mian. However, Rongdu was too big, and she was not familiar with the area. Where should she go to look for him?
Guan Ye wandered aimlessly for half a street when she suddenly heard someone say, "There's a steamed bun shop in the East Market that you're sure to love." Guan Ye's eyes lit up, and she asked passersby for directions to the East Market.
The East Market was far less bustling than the West Street. There were only a few pedestrians along the street, and not many shops were open. Looking around, there didn't seem to be any sign of Song Mian. Just as Guan Ye was about to leave in disappointment, she suddenly saw a gaunt figure sitting on the street corner. His old clothes were stained with oil. When the cold wind blew, the figure shivered involuntarily, just like Song Mian when he was frying cakes and getting burned by hot oil.
"Song Mian?" Guan Ye called out to the retreating figure.
The person standing there shuddered, hesitated, and didn't turn around.
Guan Ye slowly approached and softly called out again, "Song...Er?"
"Oh." Song Mian grinned, revealing his teeth, his thin face bearing a humble and ingratiating smile. Upon seeing Guan Ye, the smile gradually faded, tinged with self-mockery and helplessness. "What are you doing here?"
Guan Ye plopped down next to him. "Didn't you say there was a steamed bun shop in the East Market? I wanted to eat steamed buns, so I came here." She glanced at Song Mian as she spoke. "You're here to buy steamed buns too?"
“I want some too.” Song Mian swallowed. “I’m sick of eating fried cakes every day. Steamed buns help to cut through the oil. I come to buy some every few days.”
Guan Ye jumped up, took out the copper coins Pei Bi had given her, picked out a large steamed bun, walked back to Song Mian's side, broke off half of it and stuffed it into his hand, "Eat it while it's hot."
Song Mian stared blankly at the steamed bun in his hand for a long while. Seeing Guan Ye taking a big bite as if nothing had happened, he broke off a small piece and put it in his mouth, chewing it slowly and tenderly.
"How did you know... my name is Song Er?" Song Mian couldn't swallow the chewed bread for a long time.
Guan Ye calmly ate her steamed bun, "You forgot? Someone called you that the other day. It's not uncommon for people to hide their identities. Don't worry, I understand."
"Oh..." Song Mian finally swallowed, then suddenly tensed up again, "The day you bought the fried cakes, did someone really call me that?"
Guan Ye raised an eyebrow and glanced at him, saying, "Otherwise what? How would I know?"
Song Mian thought it made sense, buried his head and ate most of the steamed bun, then hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm not going to work at that shop anymore. Look at me covered in oil, I feel greasy, it's really pointless."
Guan Ye seemed to be waiting for him to say this, and laughed, "I wanted to say last time that it was a waste of your talents to fry oil cakes. I still remember how proud you were back then."
"Really?" Song Mian's cloudy eyes suddenly lit up. "You still remember?"
Guan Ye tilted her head and looked at the faint, dim light. It must be the last bit of pride Song Mian had left. Guan Ye nodded heavily, stuffed the last bite of the steamed bun into her mouth, and dusted the crumbs off her palm.
“I, Song Mian, shouldn’t have done this.” Song Mian looked at Guan Ye, who was dressed in a smart and neat outfit, with envy. “Who would have thought that Xingguo Fang could be summoned back to Rongdu? I, Song Mian, can also live a different life.”
Guan Ye tilted her head. "So, you want to sell steamed buns?"
Song Mian laughed loudly, "You cunning Guan Ye, trying to make fun of me indirectly." Stopping his laughter, Song Mian regained some of his usual composure, pondered for a moment, and said, "I won't lie to you, I really can't keep doing this fried dough cake business anymore. Everyone says Rongdu is paved with gold, and I didn't believe it at first, but for several days now, there's been a wealthy Western Region man across the street from my shop. He drinks the finest Daughter's Red wine, eats the most expensive family-style dishes, and his extravagant spending attracts attention. A foreigner can make a name for himself in Rongdu; my ancestors, Song Mian, were at least third-rank officials." Song Mian held up three fingers, his voice becoming louder as he spoke, "So I plan to…"
"—Let's go to the Western Regions and try our luck?" Guan Ye interjected.
Song Mian almost choked to death on the steamed bun, but he was nearly choked to death by Guan Ye's mouth. "I'm thinking of changing jobs."
"What are you going to do?" Guan Ye asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.
Song Mian stared blankly for a while, then said dejectedly, "I haven't decided yet, but there's no rush. I'll tell you when I've thought it through."
Guan Ye originally thought that Song Mian might want to come to Xingguo Fang to find a job, but seeing that he was completely at ease and hadn't thought about it at all, Guan Ye realized that she had been thinking petty and felt a little embarrassed. However, she hadn't been in Rong for long and was completely clueless after leaving Xingguo Fang. She wanted to help her fellow passengers, but she was powerless to do so.
As dusk approached, Song Mian stretched and stood up, looking back at Guan Ye with a puzzled expression, "Aren't you going back?"
"And you?" Guan Ye asked softly, "Where am I supposed to find you later?"
Song Mian rubbed his full stomach, took a few steps and said, “I have a place to stay. The shopkeeper even let me stay a few more days. So, if you need to find me, go to the bookstore in front. I often go there to read when I have time off. Five coins can keep you from morning till night, and ten coins can keep you overnight. They also provide steamed buns and a pot of coarse tea. It’s a rare and good place.”
Watching his figure drift away in the night wind, Guan Ye felt a pang of sadness. Song Mian was strong-willed, and he was still like this even today.
As night fell, the lights of Rongdu's streets shone brightly again, stretching for miles. Shopkeepers and servants bustled in and out, preparing for the night's business. Pedestrians thronged the streets, strolling in groups, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere. Along the long river, as night deepened, the windows of taverns reflected the shadows of people clinking glasses. In the kitchens, stoves crackled, meat sizzled, and fragrant steam rose. Waiters, white towels draped over their shoulders, deftly carried freshly cooked delicacies, calling out, "Excuse me, excuse me!" with practiced ease, placing the still-greasy plates on the square table by the window.
Perhaps it was because the steamed buns were bland and she was hungry, or perhaps it was because the waiter's smile was too obsequious, but Guan Ye couldn't help but glance at the window a few more times. And what she saw was another familiar face that haunted her. Guan Ye turned to leave, but couldn't move.
"—Today is truly bizarre." Wan Qixi waved his hand to signal the shopkeeper not to stand in front of him, his eyes already catching Guan Yan peeking at him from outside. "Didn't you go back to Xingguo Ward? Was there nothing to do in the ward? Why were you allowed to come out and stroll around the market?"
Guan Ye bit her lip. A breeze was blowing tonight, and the aroma of the hot dishes on Wan Qixi's table wafted straight into her nose. She wondered what good they were, but the smell made her stomach rumble. She had already eaten half a steamed bun, which wasn't filling enough, but she was getting even craving more...
"I... was just passing by." Guan Ye stubbornly insisted, but swallowed involuntarily. Her big eyes glanced at the chopsticks Wan Qixi was extending, curiously picking up what dish it was. "I'm going back now."
"I see." Wan Qixi slowed down, stirred the food on the plate a few times, picked up a piece of meat, and stopped abruptly just as she was about to put it in her mouth. "Have you ever had Rouge Goose Breast?"
Guan Ye shook her head honestly. There are countless delicacies in the world that we haven't tasted before, so who would care about this?
"Come in and sit for a while." Wan Qixi raised an eyebrow at Guan Ye. "It's better to meet by chance than to arrange to meet. Since we've met twice in one day, we should have a drink together."
Guan Ye didn't want to bother with this treacherous man, but now that he was looking at her with bright eyes and a magnanimous demeanor, he didn't seem like he was playing a trick on her. If she insisted on refusing him, it would make Xingguofang seem petty. Under the bright lights and in front of everyone, what did he think he was going to do to her?
Guan Ye didn't hesitate. She pushed open the door and strode into the tavern. She pulled out a long chair and sat down opposite Wan Qixi. Wan Qixi seemed to have expected her to accept the invitation. He opened the empty wine bowl and filled it for Guan Ye. "People from Xingguofang must know how to drink."
Guan Ye picked up the wine bowl, and the aroma of the wine wafted towards her. It was mellow and lingering, and she could tell from the smell that it was a fine old wine. Then she glanced at the fried cake shop not far away and realized that the Western Region man who drank good Daughter's Red wine every night, as mentioned by Song Mian, must be Wan Qixi in front of her.
"Even eating so well all by themselves?" Guan Ye glanced at the table full of dishes. "Are these small vendors from the ghost market trying to rise to the top overnight?"
Wan Qixi smiled slyly, "When luck is on your side, you can find gold even in water. Drink this with me, and I'll share some of my good fortune with you." Seeing Guan Ye holding her bowl without moving, Wan Qixi moved closer, "Guan Ye, aren't you going to offer me a toast?"
Guan Ye pondered for a moment, then raised her bowl to him, tilted her head back and drank a large gulp. The spicy liquor exploded in her mouth, causing Guan Ye to grimace and frown, which amused Wan Qixi into laughing heartily.
Guan Ye, she is Guan Xiaotian's daughter. Looking at the girl drinking with him at the same table, Guan Ye doesn't resemble her father. Guan Xiaotian is as tall and robust as an iron tower; wielding his hammer, he seems capable of carrying the entire Tianhu Workshop. He has thick eyebrows and large eyes, and sports a full beard, appearing fierce, yet his temperament is not as reckless as other masters. When working, he is focused; when resting, he is gentle; and when discussing swordsmanship with his sister, he is like a wild horse, galloping freely across the wilderness of forging.
Wanqixi had met Guan Ye's mother. In fact, Guan Ye looked more like her mother. Wanqixi remembered that everyone called her mother Dou Niang. Dou Niang wasn't particularly beautiful, but she had a unique charm and a rare resilience between her brows. She was born into poverty and had been grinding tofu on West Street since she was a child. After her parents passed away, the teenage girl single-handedly supported her family's tofu stall. Guan Xiaotian loved tofu pudding and would go to West Street to buy it whenever he had free time. Over time, they developed feelings for each other and waited for several years before asking his master, Uncle Song, to arrange a marriage for them.
That joyous occasion was arranged by the Lu family for Guan Xiaotian. The banquet was held at the Tianhu Workshop's foundry, with about twenty tables set up. Besides Tianhu Workshop, the other four workshops in Rongdu also sent congratulatory gifts. Guan Xiaotian had achieved fame at a young age, and by his early twenties, he was already one of the top foundries in the Great Jin Dynasty. Wan Qixi remembered that on the day of the banquet, his father, Lu Nian, was genuinely happy. After several rounds of drinks, he stood in the center of the foundry, holding a cup, and said:
"The casting techniques of Jin can be seen in Rongdu, the casting techniques of Rongdu can be seen in Tianhu, the casting techniques of Tianhu can be seen in Xiaotian, and Xiaotian's sword can break through the army with one strike."
Everyone cheered. After the wedding banquet, Guan Xiaotian became known as the world's number one blacksmith, enjoying unparalleled fame. That day was also the last celebration of Tianhu Workshop, the five major workshops of Rongdu, and the Jin Kingdom's weaponry.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
