Chapter 57 Good Things Are Coming (Part 7) Focus.
When Xie Yicheng saw the cunning glint in her eyes beneath her curved eyebrows, and recalled her audacious words and actions, alarm bells immediately went off in his mind.
This little rascal is bound to spout some outrageous nonsense again.
He reacted quickly, raising his hand to lightly cover her mouth, his palm touching her soft, slightly cool lips, which tickled.
"We'll talk about it when we get home."
Ye Mu, with his mouth covered, was not annoyed at all. Instead, she let out a muffled chuckle in his palm, her eyes curving into crescents, her joy at her successful prank almost overflowing.
She mumbled indistinctly, her breath hot against his palm, "Xie Yicheng, what did you think I was going to say?"
She wouldn't be that stupid.
How could those private words, meant only for whispered conversations between two people, be spoken in this messy back alley?
The scene is bustling with people, and the surrounding area is filled with oxcarts and horse-drawn carriages picking up passengers.
Ye Mu reached out her other hand and mischievously tugged at his already red earlobe. "But what are you thinking?"
Her fingertips rubbed and twisted, causing Xie Yicheng to shudder slightly behind her ears.
He released his hand from her mouth, took a half step back, raised an eyebrow slightly, and asked leisurely, "So what do you want to say? I'm all ears."
Ye Mu smiled and said, "I wanted to ask how you knew I would come out through this back door? Fuyou Pavilion has several side doors."
Xie Yicheng glanced at her indifferently.
He naturally wouldn't say that he noticed the door when he saw her and Jiang Si leaving together in an oxcart that day.
This reason involved someone he didn't want to talk about, so he just turned his head to the side and said, "When I came here in the afternoon, I saw that most of the people who worked here entered and exited through this door after work, so I guess you should be one of them too."
"So clever," Ye Mu praised with a smile.
If he could guess the "bad ideas" she was thinking right now, that would be true intelligence; she wouldn't even need to point them out to him.
She noticed that his gaze kept glancing towards the other side of the alley, so she looked in that direction and was surprised to find an unfamiliar blue-canopied oxcart parked quietly not far away. Its neat and orderly appearance, so out of place with the surrounding messy environment, immediately caught her eye.
Xie Yicheng slightly raised her chin, gesturing for her to come and take a look.
Ye Mu's almond-shaped eyes widened as she took a few steps closer, growing more and more astonished as she looked. This was actually for her?
This little car is really beautiful.
With its green canopy and embroidered curtains, vermilion tassels and silver bells, the carriage frame, with its rolled-up canopy and ornate hub, resembles a small house, covered with fine blue and white silk, its edges trimmed with a dark blue brocade border about an inch wide. The canopy is round like a bow, providing shade from the sun and rain, and exuding elegance.
On the left and right are two exquisite sill windows, lined with semi-transparent mica gauze, which ensures privacy without blocking light and airflow.
Two tassels made of alternating lapis lazuli and white jade beads hung in front of the window, making a clear and pleasant sound as the car moved.
The oxen pulling the cart were also carefully selected.
Its fur is pure black like satin, with a diamond-shaped white badge on its forehead, like a natural mark. Its horns are wrapped in engraved silver sheaths, and a red gold bell hangs from its neck. When it moves, the bell rings out in a deep and resonant tone, without sounding hurried.
The yoke and bracing were both woven from supple cowhide, and the entire body of the vehicle was painted in dark paint. There were no superfluous decorations on the sides, just like its understated nature.
"This oxcart must be expensive, right?" Ye Mu asked, his mouth slightly agape in surprise.
This was clearly designed to suit the tastes of those aristocratic families who enjoyed refined conversation.
Her father, Master Ye, used to prefer traveling by oxcart, saying that the ox's gait was more steady than that of a horse.
The vehicle is spacious and can be decorated as a mobile elegant room. Laundry can be laid out, and tea sets and incense burners can be set up. One can leisurely enjoy the scenery along the way, or have tea and philosophical discussions with companions.
This is precisely the leisurely mode of transportation most favored by the elite, who pursue a carefree and leisurely lifestyle.
Ye Mu walked halfway around the car, touching the smooth paint here and the cool silver ornaments there, still somewhat incredulous, "Is this rented? Or..."
"I bought this today, and from now on, I'll pick you up and drop you off at work."
Indeed, it looks completely different from the shoddy goods rented from outside carriage rental shops.
Ye Mu stared blankly at the obviously valuable oxcart, feeling a warmth in his heart, but also a sense of worry. "Xie Yicheng, are you done with this?"
Xie Yicheng smiled. "Not quite."
He lifted the curtain and helped her into the car. "The private property my father left me before his death, though not an immense fortune, is enough to live out the rest of my life in peace."
In his early years, Xie Yicheng traveled around with his father, and his father covered all the expenses.
My father was easygoing and disliked worldly affairs, but he dared not entrust his money to Chang Sui. He always joked that he was afraid Chang Sui would abscond with the money, "and then the two of us would have to squat by the roadside begging for alms."
Thus, the trivial matters of bookkeeping and managing the silk naturally fell into Xie Yicheng's hands. After his father turned forty, fearing that he might become confused one day, he wrote a will early on, transferring all of his private property to Xie Yicheng's name.
At that time, however, he was a recluse. After his father's death, he handed over the box full of land deeds to the Xie family and severed all ties with the secular world.
Until he decided to return to secular life and set foot in the Xie family mansion, the ancestral tablets stood solemnly. Facing the clansmen with different expressions, he listed out the properties that had been returned to him years ago and demanded them back without missing a single one.
It is not that I covet gold and silver.
Rather, from the moment Xie Yicheng decided to walk towards her, he knew that while the robes of a monk are easily shed, the storms of the world are hard to withstand. He needed a foundation to stand on and the power to protect others.
Of course, he had considered that if he couldn't get it back, he might be beaten to death, but when he thought of her courage to stand in front of everyone and speak up for women, Xie Yicheng asked himself how he could continue to be the old monk who only knew how to lower his head and be timid and yielding.
As she said, how can you know you can't succeed if you don't try?
"Indeed, you get what you pay for." Ye Mu leaned against the carpeted carriage, the cushion beneath him soft and thick. As the oxcart swayed gently, it felt like lying in a flowing dream, far more comfortable than an ordinary horse-drawn carriage.
A smile touched her eyes and brows as she leaned forward slightly, saying, "I really must thank you, Mr. Xie."
"Why don't you try lying down, Madam Ye?" Xie Yicheng's unhurried voice came from the front. He held the whip and drove the ox with ease, as if he were driving spring clouds rather than an oxcart.
Like a carefree immortal.
Ye Mu smiled and lay down, the soft blanket beneath her supporting her comfortably. She sighed, "It's really comfortable."
"Look at the top of your head again."
Ye Mu looked up and was stunned. The black car roof was adorned with soft starlight. She exclaimed, "Xie Yicheng, how did you do that?"
Xie Yicheng did not turn around, but only looked at the long street ahead. His voice came softly with the sound of hooves, "It's just some tricky crafts. They embed semi-transparent fluorite inside the tarpaulin, cover it with a light white gauze, and when the light shines through, it looks like a galaxy."
He asked, "Do you like it?"
How could I not be happy?
Sunlight filters through the gauze and stone, revealing a corner of the Milky Way hidden within this small space. As the oxcart sways gently, the halo of light ripples slightly, tranquil yet dazzling.
Ye Mu knew he spoke lightly, but this required a lot of thought; the arrangement of the starlight, the selection of gauze and stones—everything had been carefully considered.
"He should be richly rewarded."
Hearing her words, Xie Yicheng knew she was overjoyed, and smiled as well, "What will you reward me with?"
"Young Master Xie, are you sure you want me to say this here?"
Xie Yicheng listened to her vague words, the phrases lingering on his tongue, and then he discerned a different meaning. A heat suddenly rose from the thin skin behind his ears, and his neck and back stiffened slightly. "No."
Ye Mu chuckled as he saw the blush spreading rapidly from the base of his ears, his ears growing even hotter.
This oxcart was so wonderful that Ye Mu, who had been hesitant to go to Suzhou Prefecture, was gently swayed by the soft felt and starlight, and was delayed several steps back.
No wonder people always say that beauties ruin a country. Ye Mu used to think that attributing the blame for the downfall of a country to a beautiful woman was just a cowardly and absurd way for scholars to shirk responsibility.
But at this moment, seeing him blush and feel flushed after being teased by her seemingly ambiguous flirtation, she herself felt dizzy and realized that she had finally understood.
Lost in thought, Ye Mu suddenly remembered something and hurriedly said, "Oh, there's Gui Xiang Zhai up ahead. I still need to go and buy Zi Jing a bowl of almond milk."
The moment the oxcart came to a stop in front of Guixiangzhai, it attracted countless stares.
This carriage was large and spacious, with a blue felt carriage and natural-colored wooden shafts, exuding a sophisticated and understated elegance that made it stand out among the ordinary carriages.
People in line turned their heads to look, and whispers drifted into their ears.
"Look at this car, it's really impressive..."
"The young man driving the carriage is quite handsome..."
"This ox is quite spirited; it's probably worth several tens of taels of silver..."
"It must be from a wealthy family. Ordinary people probably couldn't even find a place to park it..."
Ye Mu looked up at Xie Yicheng, who was queuing up. His straight back seemed to freeze for a moment, as if he had heard every word. He turned his head and gave her an innocent look.
He clearly hadn't expected this.
On the way back after buying almond milk, Ye Mu looked at the spacious carriage and worried, "Yes, this oxcart is nice, but both of our houses are small. How are we going to put it away when we get back?"
Leaving it at the alley entrance, not to mention the dew and frost at night, its conspicuous appearance makes one uneasy; it's likely to be stolen that very night.
“If all else fails,” Xie Yicheng pondered, “I will rent the empty little courtyard next door to the west tomorrow. For now, we’ll make do with it and take the ox to my kitchen to settle it.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Mu almost burst out laughing.
To rent a yard just for an oxcart?
He's really something.
Moreover, she knew that the small courtyard on the west side was even more cramped and dark than the place where Xie Yicheng was currently living. It was never sunny and was always damp. Niu'er probably wouldn't want to stay in such a place either.
"Never mind, let's go home first and discuss it with Mother and Zijing. We'll surely come up with a solution." Ye Mu suppressed his thoughts.
Unexpectedly, even if they wanted to rent the west courtyard, they couldn't.
As soon as the oxcart reached the alley entrance, the normally docile ox, looking at the narrow, deep alleyway that could only accommodate two people side by side, snorted loudly, pawed the ground with its hooves, and then, no matter how Xie Yicheng gently urged and guided it, simply bent its front legs and lay down steadily on the bluestone slab at the alley entrance, remaining motionless despite being urged.
Ye Mu and Xie Yicheng looked at each other in bewilderment.
Does this ox also find the temple too small?
Helpless, Ye Mu had no choice but to get out of the car first. As soon as her feet touched the ground, she heard a greeting, "Madam Ye, you're back from work?"
Looking up, I saw it was Feng Yan, with two servants beside him carrying boxes and baskets with their heads down.
"Mr. Feng?" Ye Mu was somewhat surprised, looking towards the alley where people were carrying things into the small courtyard opposite his house on the west side. "Is he showing a house to a guest?"
“It’s already rented,” Feng Yan rubbed his hands together, a smile on his face but with a hint of embarrassment. “It’s the one across the street on the west side.”
Ye Mu was speechless for a moment.
That dilapidated, damp, and deserted house actually had someone renting it? Xie Yicheng now has a new neighbor.
Seeing her expression, Feng Yan was afraid she would misunderstand, so he quickly waved his hand and said, "It's not that I'm making money by forcing him to rent it."
Feng Yan said, "To be honest, Madam Ye, this time it was my former employer, the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo, who came to me personally. He said that a friend of his had taken a fancy to this place. I tried my best to explain the disadvantages of this house, which is cold and damp facing north and has been in disrepair for many years. But the heir came again the next day, saying that his friend insisted on renting it."
The friends of the Duke of Zhenguo's son must be either rich or noble. Why would such a person condescend to live in such a shabby alley and dilapidated house? Feng Yan's heart pounded, but he dared not delve into it. He could only smile bitterly and say, "As for the reasons, I, a mere broker, really dare not ask too much."
Upon hearing this, Ye Mu assumed that the nobleman might have some unspeakable difficulties or simply wanted a quiet place in the city, and did not think much of it.
Her gaze swept across the alley, where several neatly dressed maids were bowing their heads as they went in and out, clearing out the old and worn-out belongings that the original owner had piled up and stacking them haphazardly in the corner, while the newly brought-in trunks were elegant and tidy.
Ye Mu muttered to himself, "Judging from this, this new neighbor seems to have quite a bit of influence."
She stroked the bull's head; the healthy bull was still lying comfortably at the alley entrance, its tail swishing leisurely.
Feng Yan, being a businessman, was adept at reading people. Seeing her gaze lingering between the oxcart and the narrow alley, he immediately understood and offered her a suggestion: "Madam Ye, are you worried about this fine horse and carriage? Go east along the street, just a short distance away, there's a place called 'Anda Carriage and Horse Shop.' The courtyard is spacious and dry, and they specialize in boarding livestock and storing rental vehicles. They also have staff on duty at night. It costs about twenty copper coins a day. Although it's not the cheapest, it's a hundred times safer than leaving it at the alley entrance."
This solved the immediate problem.
Ye Mu's worried expression vanished instantly, and he sincerely thanked Mr. Feng, saying, "Thanks to Mr. Feng's guidance, he has been a great help."
"It was nothing, no need to mention it." Feng Yan waved his hand, his smile becoming more natural. "I passed by Gui Xiang Zhai on my way here and saw that their new maltose was quite good, so I bought some. I also brought you a bowl of their new almond milk and left it at your home."
Xie Yicheng, who had been standing silently to the side, glanced indifferently at Feng Yan.
Gui Xiang Zhai is a thriving business, and you always have to queue whenever you go. I just got back, and it's quite a distance from Yuqian Lane. The word "by the way" seems a bit too deliberate.
When Feng Yan was met with his gaze, it was as if he had only just noticed him. He hurriedly composed himself, bowed and put his palms together, and said respectfully, "I did not see Master Wen Kong here. My apologies, my apologies."
"Manager Feng, there's no need for such formalities," Xie Yicheng said coldly. "I have already returned to secular life, so there's no need to mention my Buddhist name anymore, and I'm even less worthy of the title 'Master'."
Upon hearing the sound, Feng Yan finally looked up to take a closer look.
Xie Yicheng was extremely tall. When he lowered his head earlier, he only felt a shadow pressing down on him. Now, looking up, he seemed like a lone pine tree standing on a cliff, exuding a quiet pressure.
The twilight perfectly outlined his clear profile; his once shaved head was now covered with a layer of stubble, rugged and unfamiliar. He stood side-by-side with Ye Mu, the carefully crafted oxcart parked quietly behind them, a familiarity and tacit understanding flowing between them that was difficult for outsiders to penetrate.
A sense of astonishment flashed through Feng Yan's mind. He lowered his eyes and suppressed all his curiosity.
"Manager Feng's idea is excellent, it has solved our current predicament, thank you very much." Xie Yicheng said politely.
When he turned to Ye Mu, his tone naturally softened, "Fourth Sister, it's getting late. I'll take the carriage to the carriage shop to settle in first. You should go home and rest."
The words "Fourth Sister" made Feng Yan's eyelids twitch slightly. This monk who had returned to secular life even knew Ye Niangzi's nickname, which meant that the two had a very special relationship.
He felt disappointed and hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "I dare not thank you. Please continue with your business. I'll be going now."
Having said that, he turned and left hastily.
Ye Mu witnessed the entire scene. Only after Feng Yan had walked away did she turn her head and leisurely look at Xie Yicheng, who was inspecting the yoke. She smiled and pursed her lips, "Xie Yicheng, I just realized—"
Xie Yicheng didn't stop moving, only uttering a single questioning sound from her throat, "Hmm?"
"Your possessiveness," Ye Mu drawled slightly, "wasn't it this strong?"
"I don't."
"Then why did you call me Fourth Sister in front of Mr. Feng?"
He shouldn't have had designs on you.
"Then who should?" Ye Mu met his gaze without flinching or avoiding it, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Xie Yicheng finally turned her face, stared at her for a moment, then hummed softly, leaned over and took the almond milk from the car through the window, and handed it to her.
The ox seemed to realize it no longer needed to squeeze into the narrow alley; instead of lying down, it stood up and obediently flicked its tail. Xie Yicheng sat back in the carriage, holding the reins, but his gaze remained fixed on her. "You're not allowed to eat what he bought."
Still saying you don't?!
Ye Mu felt a ticklish sensation on her heart, as if she had been gently scratched by a feather. Holding the almond milk, she watched him drive the oxcart slowly towards the east side of the street before returning to her own courtyard.
At the dinner table in the evening, the oil lamp cast a dim light, and the dishes were simple and home-style.
Ye Mu picked up a piece of green vegetable with her chopsticks, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke softly, "Mother, the master mentioned today that the Suzhou branch is almost ready. They want to transfer me there to be the head accountant. What do you think..."
"That won't work."
Before she could finish listening, Madam Liu put down her chopsticks and frowned. “How far is Suzhou Prefecture? You’re a young woman, unfamiliar with the place and with no relatives or friends. How can you go there? At least we can take care of you in the capital.”
"Mother, don't worry," Ye Mu had anticipated this and softened her voice to comfort her, "Isn't there an older brother working in Suzhou Prefecture? It's like having a relative to look after you. Besides..."
She timely offered the most practical advantage: "The employer said that the salary will be doubled based on the rates in the capital."
Zijing, who had been eating quietly, suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide open. "Didn't you say the monthly salary was six taels? Doubled... wouldn't that be twelve taels?"
She clicked her tongue in amazement. "Goodness, this is more than many minor officials in government offices earn!"
Ye Mu thought to himself, "Finally, I've managed to cover up the underreported monthly salary that I made to avoid having to explain it."
Her face remained calm, tinged with a hint of helplessness. "The master is very kind to me. He said that I am in charge of this position, which carries heavy responsibilities, so it is only right that I am given more. However, it is not twelve taels, but thirty taels."
"Thirty...thirty taels?! Five times the original price?!" Zijing put down her chopsticks, turned around and walked into the room. "Miss, you should also bring your spring and autumn clothes, right? And your little pillow too?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Mu couldn't help but smile.
Liu was also clearly taken aback by the number, and the look of opposition on her face was replaced by hesitation.
Throughout her life, she had grown disillusioned with marriage, spending half her life confined to the inner quarters, her joys and sorrows dependent on her husband's every whim, ultimately ending in despair.
That's why she was more clear-headed than anyone else, and she hoped that her daughter could take a different path, not to place all her heart and soul and future hopes on the love of a certain man, but to use her own hands and brain to make a living in a real way.
It's already rare for a woman to have a proper job, let alone such a generous and stable income. Moreover, this is a recognition of Ye Mu's abilities. Liu silently stirred the rice in her bowl, finding it difficult to easily say no.
Seeing this, Ye Mu pressed her advantage, "Mother, do you remember what Grandfather said to me when I was ten years old, after he heard that I was in charge of the family accounts? He said, 'My daughter, if you were a boy, you would surely be a man of great talent. But what does it matter if you are a girl? If you have a broad mind and a wide perspective, you can also act like a man and live up to your lifelong ambition.'"
Ye Mu smiled and said, "Perhaps this is the opportunity my grandfather was talking about to broaden my horizons. I also want to see how far I can go."
Even so, she was not entirely unmoved.
The warm lights in this courtyard, the company of my mother and Zijing, the joy of Fuyou Pavilion, and Xie Yicheng—all of this creates a sense of tranquility that I cherish.
But the Crown Prince's words today still echoed in her ears. She shouldn't, and couldn't, be so preoccupied with worldly affairs and indulge in the tranquility of her own little world.
Looking at her daughter for a long time, Madam Liu finally sighed and said with relief, "If it is such a good opportunity, it would be a pity to miss it. But how can I be at ease if you are all alone? Otherwise, Zijing and I will go to Suzhou Prefecture with you, so that we can at least look after each other."
"No."
Ye Mu shook her head. This journey was not smooth sailing. It was shrouded in mystery and lurked with unknown dangers. Bringing her mother and Zijing would not only be a guarantee, but would also become a weakness, making her feel restricted.
With her mother staying in the capital and Xie Yicheng looking after her, she felt more at ease. Besides, since she was working for the Crown Prince and had gone to Suzhou, the Crown Prince would surely protect her close relatives, both morally and logically.
She couldn't say these things outright, so she just gave the most ordinary reason: "The boss said that the branch is newly established and the rules are strict. We are not allowed to bring our families to live with us, in case of trouble. Besides, the journey is long and your health cannot withstand the bumpy ride."
After listening, Liu remained silent for a moment, then asked, "Have you discussed this matter with Xie Yicheng?"
"Not yet," Ye Mu lowered her eyelashes, hiding a hint of guilt, but her tone was exceptionally obedient and dependent. "Isn't it necessary to get your approval first, Mother? Only when you agree can I think about the next step."
Looking at her daughter's lowered profile, Liu saw that her skin was radiant in the candlelight, and that she had lost her girlish innocence and revealed a more mature and composed demeanor.
She smiled. "You silly child, you didn't really come here to ask your mother for advice. You've already weighed the pros and cons clearly in your mind. What you just said wasn't a discussion, it was clearly an announcement. You've already made up your mind to go, haven't you?"
yes.
In fact, she was determined to go; hesitation, weighing the pros and cons, and reluctance could not stop her ambition.
“Mother has agreed, hasn’t she?” Ye Mu raised her eyes. “Then shall I talk to Xie Yicheng about this now? We’re discussing serious matters, so A-Jing doesn’t need to come along, does she?”
Liu glanced at her, remained silent, and only said, "It must not be past 9 PM."
"knew."
Ye Mu left his own courtyard with a smile, entered the opposite gate, and closed the door tightly behind him.
The matters being discussed were serious, but the things being done were not so serious.
Xie Yicheng had just returned after arranging the oxcart and was washing his hands by a wooden basin with his back to the door. In a corner of the room, a charcoal brazier was lit, dispelling the chill of spring.
This was clearly prepared for her, and he wasn't afraid of the cold.
The room was warm and cozy. Ye Mu took off her coat and hung it on the rack by the door, wearing only a light jacket. She moved closer to him, looked up at him, and smiled, "Xie Yicheng, how did you know I would come?"
"Didn't you say you were going to reward me?"
Ye Mu's smile deepened, and she tiptoed to give him a peck on the lips. "Here you go."
However, just as she was about to back away, her waist was suddenly grabbed by a strong arm, which forcefully pulled her back to his warm body.
Xie Yicheng lowered his head, his gaze fixed on her smiling lips, and asked slowly, "What kind of generous reward is this?"
Her lips must be under a spell to fascinate him so much.
"Then how do you determine that?" Ye Mu smiled brightly. "Tell me."
Before she could finish speaking, he lowered his head and kissed her, his deep desire instantly stealing her breath. His breath was cool and hot. Ye Mu let out a soft hum, her fingers unconsciously gripping the side of his shirt, feeling the tight heat beneath the fabric.
He had just washed his hands, and his palms were still damp and cool. When he touched her back, that slight coolness made Ye Mu tremble slightly, and she pressed her hands closer to his burning chest.
Perhaps men are born with a natural talent for this; how come they improved so much after just one night?
Ye Mu vaguely remembered that he had mentioned erotic novels yesterday. How did he know that the novel was erotic? He must have read a few lines. Surely he couldn't have refused to look at it when the abbot threw it to him.
Imagining him standing before the abbot, his face stern and aloof, yet his fingertips turning the pages of a sensual book... Ye Mu couldn't help but laugh at the thought.
Xie Yicheng's kiss lingered on her ear, and noticing her distraction, he gently sucked on her earlobe. "Ye Mu, concentrate."
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