Chapter 20 Brother, what kind of woman do you like...?
Zhao Qin stepped forward and teased with a smile, "Miss Yu, I knew you were hard to invite. Last time we agreed to meet in three days, but if I remember correctly, this is the sixth day."
Yu Tan apologized, "Madam Zhao, this is an unexpected turn of events, and there was no other way."
Zhao Qin smiled and warmly led her into the warm pavilion.
"I have been making inquiries over the past few days, and I know that Miss Yu does not leave the mansion during the winter. Now that I have been granted this honor, there is no reason for me not to accept it."
"Madam Zhao has a huge capacity for tolerance." She followed Zhao Qin through the large courtyard, where the water was covered with a thin layer of ice, and fish could be vaguely seen swimming under the ice.
Lifting the heavy windproof curtain, every piece of furniture in the warm room was exquisite and luxurious, and two middle-aged men, one tall and one fat, were already waiting.
"Manager Zhao."
Zhao Qin sat in the main seat of the grand master's chair, his casual smile gone, and Yu Tan sat down next to him.
The Miao man stayed close to Zhao Qin, never straying more than a step away. His pale face wore a gentle smile, and his gaze never left Zhao Qin. Their relationship was ambiguous.
Zhao Qin was in his early forties, while the Miao man looked to be no more than thirty. Could their relationship be what she suspected?
Zhao Qin coughed lightly: "Managers, from today onwards, the business of trading in the Western Regions will be handled by Miss Yu. You both know Miss Yu's background and have climbed up a high branch. From now on, you must do your best to work under Miss Yu."
Zhao Qin turned to her and pointed to two middle-aged men, introducing them: "Young Lady Yu, these two are the managers of the Western Regions caravan."
The two men rose, bowed, and said in unison, "Greetings, Miss Yu."
"Young Lady Yu, I am Li Cheng from the merchant caravan, responsible for managing the caravan's personnel and horses." The tall, thin man dressed in brocade spoke first, and then handed a document to Yu Tan.
Yu Tan nodded and flipped through the pages. It contained the register of the caravan's personnel and horses, purchase receipts for the horses, and employment documents for the personnel. "Thank you for your help, Manager Li."
The short, stout man quickly handed over two thick stacks of ledgers: "Young Lady Yu, I am Song Feng from the merchant caravan. I run a business of accounting. All the general accounts of our buying and selling are here."
Yu Tan took the account book, glanced through it, and calmly placed it under her elbow. "Manager Song's accounts are quite good. Coincidentally, I also have a young lady working for me who is learning how to calculate these transactions. From now on, you can leave your accounts to Huixin."
Huixin stepped forward. She had already purchased several shops in Bianjing and had learned a lot about business. She accepted the account book from Yutan with a humble yet confident demeanor.
Li Cheng and Song Feng exchanged a glance. They had originally thought that he was working under Yu Tan, but they didn't expect that he was working under a maid. However, they dared not speak out against it.
Yu Tan smiled and said, "Managers Li and Song, please don't hold any grudges. I really don't understand this business, so I had to ask Huixin to do it for me. If we get to know each other better in the future, and Huixin has so many accounts to handle, you can each manage your own accounts, and I can just sit at home."
"Yes, Miss Yu." Only after receiving Yu Tan's promise did Li Cheng and Song Feng feel more at ease.
Huixin led them down to collect their reward money.
Zhao Qin glanced at her a few times, his eyes revealing his probing, and laughed, "Look at my memory, quickly serve tea to Miss Yu."
The Miao man bent down to pour tea for Zhao Qin and gently handed it to him.
"These are the Miao people that Zhao Niangzi was talking about?"
Zhao Qin narrowed his fox-like eyes and smiled, "Yes, Yue Lang is indeed. I wonder what Miss Yu wants with the Miao people?"
Yu Tan explained, “An elder of mine is ill. I heard that the Miao people have superb medical skills and can bring the dead back to life, so I... sought out the Miao people to treat him.”
Zhao Qin suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. Yue Lang, do you know how?"
Yue Lang shook his head. "Only a great shaman can do it. I only know a little bit, and I've been away from Miao territory for many years. Many of the Gu worms are gone... I might not be able to do it."
Just because something doesn't work doesn't mean there's hope. She turned to look at Zhao Qin, this Miao man who only listened to Zhao Qin.
Zhao Qin brought the teacup to his red lips, took a small sip, and said, "Young Lady Yu, I have shown you my utmost sincerity today. As for Ji Yushang's business..."
"If Madam Zhao has a big enough appetite, then eat as much as you can... I've already made arrangements, so I certainly won't make things difficult for you."
“No wonder I’ve made much more progress these past few days.” Zhao Qin placed the teacup on the coffee table and smiled alluringly. “Young Lady Yu, this year, Yu Shang is probably not going to have a good year. The best way out for him is probably to go back to selling fish.”
Yu Tan's fingertips caressed the teacup. She had originally thought that as long as she could get rid of Ji Yushang before her identity was exposed, she would be fine. She didn't expect it to be so fast, and she was naturally delighted.
"Cooperating with Zhao Niangzi was truly a wise move." Yu Tan turned to look at the Miao man, hoping he could help. If he could cure Wu Niang's illness, her life would have a glimmer of hope.
"Yue Lang, would you mind giving it a try?" Zhao Qin's slender fingers, painted with cardamom, affectionately linked with Yue Lang's arm.
Yu Tan told Yue Lang about Wu Niang's situation and Doctor Xue's verdict.
Yue Lang coldly reiterated: "I am not entirely confident, and I need to prepare for some time."
"How long?" Yu Tan rubbed her fingertips helplessly. Wu Niang wouldn't last much longer.
Yue Lang said, "Half a month to a month."
Yu Tan frowned and exclaimed in surprise, "So long!"
"Most of the Gu worms hibernate in winter, and I need to raise a new batch. Even if you find a great shaman, it will take this long. However, the Gu worms in Miao territory are warm and do not hibernate in winter. If you cannot wait, you can go to Miao territory."
Yu Tan was speechless at Yue Lang's words. Putting aside the fact that she was bound by the plot and could not leave Bianjing at all, even if she could really take Wu Niang away, it would take more than half a month to get to Miao territory.
Yu Tan stepped back and said, "If your Gu worms are successfully cultivated, you should send someone to inform me as soon as possible."
Zhao Qin smiled and said, "I just hope that next time it won't be so difficult to invite Miss Yu."
After discussing the caravan's affairs and obtaining the documents and account books, Yu Tan rode in a carriage across half of Bianjing to Tonghua Lane.
She left the carriage and Changming at the Imperial Academy, then winked at Huixin, who made an excuse to keep Changming occupied. She only took Lanxin to Tonghua Lane.
If Changming were to see Wuniang's appearance, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Yu Tan stood in front of the third house in Tonghua Lane. The smell of medicine inside the house was becoming increasingly bitter, and it wafted through the house to her nose.
Her heart felt bitter from the medicine.
Even Wu Niang, her own mother, only likes the real daughter?
She raised her hand and knocked on the door, but no one answered. She patiently knocked again.
The door remained closed. Yu Tan looked dejected and let out a long sigh.
Lanxin whispered, "My lady, please don't come again. Perhaps it really is just a stranger who looks similar."
"Lanxin, if you met a woman who looked extremely similar to you, would you be curious? Would you go up and ask her questions?"
Lan Xin thought about it, how could she not be curious?
"But think about Wu Niang's reaction."
"Not curious at all, and even avoiding you." Lan Xin originally thought Yu Tan was just guessing, but it turned out she was already quite certain.
Yu Tan raised her hand to knock again, but the door of the house opened with a creak. A head covered with a gray-white headscarf peeked out from behind the crack in the door and smiled: "Yaoyao, you're here. Come in quickly."
Lanxin nodded to Yutan: "This servant will stay outside, Madam, you should go quickly."
Yu Tan strode into the house. The medicine on the stove at the front was boiling, and there was a brazier further in, with some new charcoal added. The house was much warmer than the last time she came.
Wu Niang asked with concern, "Yao Yao, are you sick? Why haven't I seen you come these past few days?"
Yu Tan nodded: "I was sick and couldn't get up, so I didn't come out to see you."
Wu Niang frowned, her eyes filled with worry. "How could you be sick? Didn't Doctor Xue say that your body is no different from that of an ordinary person?"
Wu Niang gripped her shoulders with both hands and held her arms with concern: "Do you have a high fever? Have you fainted? Are you still feeling unwell? Why don't you go back? This house isn't warm enough. You should go back. Don't come out in the bitter cold of winter."
Wu Niang was lost in thought, her eyes reddening, and she was almost in tears.
"Wu Niang." She nestled into Wu Niang's arms, where the dry, warm embrace carried a comforting scent.
Wu Niang stroked her hair and asked worriedly, "Are you feeling unwell again? Let me take a look."
Yu Tan said firmly, "Wu Niang, you are very worried about me."
Wu Niang hugged her back and whispered an "Mmm".
"Wu Niang, you came to Bianjing to find me, why won't you admit it?"
Wu Niang didn't push away her embrace, but she couldn't say a word either.
This long silence had given her the complete answer.
“I’ve been free these past few days, but something came up that kept me from getting here. I found a man from Miao territory who said he can cure your illness and you can give it a try.”
Wu Niang remained silent for a while, as if two ropes were pulling against each other. After a quarter of an hour, Wu Niang gave in, "Okay, I'll try."
That's enough, even if Wu Niang doesn't acknowledge her now.
Yu Tan thought that once Wu Niang recovered and she had earned enough money, she would take her away.
Yu Tan and Wu Niang warmed themselves by the charcoal stove, chatting idly, but neither continued their previous conversation. Wu Niang placed a few potatoes near the charcoal fire, and as the fire roasted, the aroma of potatoes slowly filled the house.
Wu Niang cleaned the potatoes by removing the ash, revealing the pale yellow core: "Try it and see if you like it. We always eat it like this in winter every year."
It was obvious who "we" were. Yu Tan took a bite in a huff, her mouth filled with the soft, sweet potato flavor, which she really liked.
Wu Niang handed her a white porcelain bowl containing some seasonings, "Try it."
She broke off a small piece of potato, dipped it in the white porcelain bowl, and found it fragrant and flavorful; she liked it even more.
Wu Niang's lips curled up, her face full of gentle smiles. She looked up at her and asked, "Do you like it? Isn't it too crude and not to your taste?"
She retorted defiantly, "Who likes to eat like this?"
"I've loved eating like this since I was little." So I guessed you liked it too.
Wu Niang looked at her with a gentle smile, and her heart tightened. If her identity hadn't been switched, even if Wu Niang had raised her in the mountains, she would have been the happiest child in the whole village.
Why do we need to change it?
Why would you steal someone else's life?
She would owe Zhao Qiuci for the rest of her life.
But Wu Niang wouldn't even acknowledge her, let alone tell her the truth of what happened back then. She could only enjoy this moment of pleasure.
"Yaoyao, it's better not to come here so often."
Yu Tan stuffed the last bite of potato into her mouth, her cheeks bulging, and stared at Wu Niang resentfully, unable to utter a word.
Wu Niang whispered, "There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. If you come here often, the Marquis's mansion will find out..."
Yu Tan swallowed the potato whole. Old Madam Song went to Lingnan, and Yu He'an was wholeheartedly preparing for the imperial examination.
But given Yu He'an's cunning, if she were to run outside the mansion a few more times, he would surely guess that she was up to something. And with a closer look, or even without any investigation, he would be able to guess as soon as he saw Wu Niang's face.
Without the protection of the Marquis's mansion, she felt a chill run down her spine.
He recalled how Yu He'an dealt with Ji Yushang without even needing to lift a finger; countless people acted as his tools.
"I'll be careful. I really had something to do when I left the manor today, they won't find out," Yu Tan murmured, whether to convince Wu Niang or herself, it was unclear.
"I will stay here, I will stay here forever, you should go back." Wu Niang urged her to return to her residence.
Yu Tan said worriedly, "You must take your medicine properly and get well. Next time I leave the manor, you must be well."
"Okay, let's go back. We've stayed for so long this time."
Yu Tan was a little reluctant to leave. The next time she left the manor, she would have to wait until Zhao Qin brought Yue Lang to treat Wu Niang's illness. As long as she recovered, they would have a long time to live together.
Yu Tan left the house, and Lan Xin obediently squatted in the corner by the door, hugging her arms and guarding him.
Seeing her come out, he glanced at her suspiciously for a moment, then called out softly, "My lady."
She walked up to Lanxin and patted Lanxin's hair. "Let's go back to the manor."
What will happen to Lanxin after she is exposed?
It wasn't mentioned in the plot, but Zhao Qiuci definitely wouldn't use her people. If she stayed in the Marquis's mansion, she would probably only become a lowly maid. However, Lanxin's parents were in the Marquis's mansion, so she would be better off. There was also Huixin, Qiaoxin, and a whole house of people in Lanfang Courtyard.
She sighed deeply; she couldn't even save herself, yet she wanted to save others.
Lanxin leaned closer: "What are you thinking about, my wife?"
"If someone is a jinx, how can they avoid causing harm to others?"
Lan Xin frowned, staring at her in confusion. "Huh?"
Yu Tan patted Lan Xin's head: "You're thinking about how a clay Bodhisattva can cross a river."
Lanxin covered her head: "Wife, what strange storybook have you been reading again?"
Yu Tan shivered, peering coldly at the scene. It felt as if countless ants were crawling on her back. She turned and looked into the alley, but there was no one there.
But as soon as she turned her back, she could sense that he was always watching her.
Someone in a dark corner remained silent, staring intently at her.
She grabbed Lanxin and ran, returning to the Imperial College in half an hour. As more and more people appeared on the road, her panic subsided.
She lay on the carriage, her chest heaving violently, panting heavily, and it took her a while to recover.
"My lady." Changming held his sword with a cold face. If Yu He'an found out that he had lost Yu Tan, he would definitely be punished. "Where did you run off to?"
Yu Tan gave Changming a deep look, and she seemed to understand what Yu He'an meant.
Yu Tan, still shaken, said, "I took Lan Xin out for a walk. Just now, someone was following me in the alley, the third alley after the Imperial College."
"Please wait here for a moment, my lady. I'll be right back." Changming said with a stern face, carrying his sword as he went to check the alley.
Yu Tan stepped onto the carriage on a low stool, then stood there in a daze, clutching the hand warmer. The nauseating feeling of being spied on lingered in her mind, and she recalled the nightmare that had been haunting her.
Her captors also watched her through the gauze curtain.
Who could it be?
Could it be Ji Yushang?
Yu Tan rubbed her temples and waited for half an hour before Changming returned from the alley, shaking his head. "My lady, no one suspicious has been found."
Yu Tan said softly, "Let's go back to the manor."
*
By the time the carriage returned to the mansion, it was past noon. After having lunch at Lanfang Courtyard, Yu Tan ran to Fengxu Courtyard.
Yu He'an stood under the corridor in a white robe. The cold wind whipped his robe, making it shimmer with silver light in the sunlight. He was not wearing a crown today, but only half-tied with a silver-gray hairband. His long, black hair was draped behind him, making him look much gentler.
Yu Tan glanced at her own peach-colored cloak and Yu He'an's thin robe.
Jade Crane lives peacefully in winter, yet it is not afraid of the cold at all.
She was born in midsummer, when the epiphyllum was in full bloom. She feared the cold, but loved to be close to Yuhe An.
"Brother," Yu Tan called softly, and quickly ran to his side.
"Mm," Yu He'an responded, gazing into the distance.
She stood beside Yu He'an, wondering what he was thinking every day when he stood at this spot.
Yu He'an is dressed so lightly, isn't she cold?
She reached out and touched Yu He'an's hand. It was warm, a little warmer than her body temperature. There was no moisturizer on her hand; it was dry yet comfortably warm.
Yu He'an didn't move her hand, letting her hold it, and looked at her with her head turned to the side and her eyes lowered. "What's wrong?"
After spending more than two months together, her relationship with Yu He'an seemed to have returned to what it was five years ago. She was no longer as afraid of him as she had been at the beginning. She raised her eyebrows, pinched Yu He'an's little finger, and quickly let go of his hand before entering the study. She leaned against the wall on the low couch as if she had no bones.
Yu He'an didn't come in for a long time. The wind chimes under the corridor jingled. Yu Tan frowned. When did the wind outside become so strong? Why was Yu He'an standing outside in the cold wind?
Yu Tan got off the low couch and craned her neck to look outside. She saw Yu He'an reaching out to fiddle with the wind chimes.
It was all for nothing.
She then ignored Yu He'an and leaned against the small table, engrossed in reading the caravan's account book.
Although she still has nightmares at night, she can barely sleep for three hours. During the day, she comes to Yuhe'an to catch up on sleep for one or two hours. Her spirits are not too bad.
If she waits a while longer, even though she has nightmares at night, if she can sleep for four hours, she probably won't bother Yu He'an anymore.
Yu Tan picked up her pen and circled the strange parts of the accounts. When she had read the third page, Yu He'an walked in from the outer room and sat down behind his desk to flip through a book as if nothing had happened. His serious and indifferent appearance was no different from his usual self, as if he was not the one who had been childishly shaking the wind chimes in the outer room just now.
“Brother.” Yu Tan’s eyes hurt after looking at the ledger for a while, so he put it down on the small table and rested for a bit. “I’ve secured the caravan from the Western Regions.”
Yu He'an looked up, Yu Tan's almond-shaped eyes sparkled with tiny lights, her eyebrows were slightly raised, and the corners of her eyes and mouth were smugly upturned.
"So happy?"
Do you know how much money you can make from a single business trip?
Yu He'an asked cooperatively, "How much?"
Yu Tan proudly gestured with her fingers to indicate the number six. She was waiting for Yu He'an to respond, and she was sure that when she announced six thousand taels, she would give him a big shock. He would never guess that she could earn six thousand taels in one trip.
Yu He'an casually gave an "Oh" and then buried himself in his book.
Yu Tan had only bragged halfway through when a lump of air caught in her throat, and she called out resentfully, "Brother."
Yu He'an picked up another book, spread out the Xuan paper, picked up his brush and started writing on the paper, ignoring her.
Yu He'an's fingers were long and her finger bones were beautifully shaped. There were red marks on the back of her hand, which faded a little with each day of applying medicine, leaving only a faint lotus root pink color.
It's a color similar to the thin shirts she likes to wear in the sweltering summer; Yu He'an's blushing face probably looks like this color, but who could make him blush...?
Yu He'an's in-laws should be noble ladies from prominent families, dignified and well-mannered, a perfect match for him.
They should meet at the spring banquet, just like in the storybook. Among the young men from noble families, they will spot each other at first glance, and then things will develop naturally. Yu He'an will probably treat her with gentleness and consideration.
Three letters and six betrothal gifts, ten miles of red bridal procession... Yu Tan dared not think any further and hurriedly looked away.
"Why are you blushing? Are you hot?" Finally realizing he was hot, Yu He'an frowned. The study had an underfloor heating system and a charcoal brazier. He was hot even in his autumn clothes, while Yu Tan was carrying a brocade quilt while looking at the account books.
Yu Tan shook her head and patted her face, unable to imagine Yu He'an's gentle and considerate appearance.
"Did you get dumbfounded by looking at the ledgers?"
This sudden question interrupted her intended question. Yu Tan shook her head again, and after a long while, she remembered another question she had always wanted to ask.
"Brother, why do you never ask me why I like to pinch your little finger?"
"No need to ask." Yu He'an didn't raise his head, but his voice was unusually firm.
"Come here." Yu He'an put down his pen and beckoned to her.
Confused, Yu Tan pushed the soft quilt aside and got off the low couch. "Brother?"
"Hands out."
Although she didn't understand why, Yu Tan still reached out her hand as instructed, and Yu He'an's hand covered hers.
Yu He'an's palms were slightly calloused from holding the sword, warm and dry. The calluses rubbed against the back of her hands, and the heat from her hands flowed through her blood to her limbs and bones. The earth dragon was burning too brightly today.
Yu He'an's hand completely covered hers, and his fingers were almost a finger joint longer than hers.
Do you think my little finger will still shorten if I pinch it now?
The heat rushed to her cheeks, and she was speechless for a long time. When did Yu He'an discover her little thoughts? Why did he even know that she cursed him behind his back, wishing his fingers were shorter?
"Brother, how did you know?" This time, Yu Tan didn't want to wait for Yu He'an's answer. She climbed onto the low couch, covered her face with the account book, and pretended to be dead.
Yu He'an's soft laughter kept reaching her ears. She pursed her lips, remembering that before Madam Song left, she had told her to take good care of Yu He'an and to make him more down-to-earth.
Yu He'an was still very down-to-earth; he clearly mocked her just like he did when they were young, only pretending to be an older brother in front of his elders.
Before falling asleep, Yu Tan was still vaguely thinking that she must overcome her nightmares as soon as possible and never come to the study to find him again.
It seems she wanted to ask Yu He'an something?
She felt as if she had fallen into a viscous sea, drifting and then pulling her down; what she had clearly wanted to ask just now was...
"Brother, what kind of woman do you like? I can't imagine."
Yu He'an heard Yu Tan calling him in his sleep. He stopped writing, got up and went closer. The murmur in his dream made him freeze in place.
He stared intently at Yu Tan's small face, his thick eyelashes casting large shadows, and his eyes always looked wary and defensive when he looked at others.
When I look at him, it's always with pure trust, as if I've found the most solid support.
He was special; to Yu Tan, he was the most unique being.
He raised his hand to cover his chest.
A note from the author:
Thanks to Yi Nan, who's been lazing around on the roadside, for the nutrient solution. [Fireworks]
The promised two-in-one is here! [droopy-eared rabbit head]
Yu Tan: I was showing off halfway through, but I had to back down. How annoying.
[Lop-eared rabbit head]
The novel will be available for purchase at midnight on Tuesday. A 10,000-word chapter will be released then. Please support me! I'll give out red envelopes (cash gifts) after the novel goes live. [Go for it!]
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