Chapter 52 Invitation: Are you sure you don't want a drink?
After the carriage had traveled for about half an hour, the outline of a town finally appeared ahead, with lights flickering sporadically in the deepening twilight.
"Young master, Madam Yu, we've reached Qing Shi Town soon," Uncle Wu called out from outside.
Upon hearing this, Yu Man's furrowed brows relaxed slightly. After the carriage came to a stop in front of a fairly well-maintained carriage shop at the entrance of town, she stood up and solemnly thanked Zhang Jian, who had been sitting opposite her the whole time: "Thank you, Young Master Zhang and Fifth Uncle, for your help in relieving my urgent crisis."
Zhang Jian nodded slightly in response.
Yu Man paused for a moment, then continued, "Now that we've arrived in town, I'll rent another carriage here. I wouldn't dare delay your journey any longer." Her tone was tactful, but her meaning was clear—this was the end of it, and they would part ways.
Just as she was about to get out of the car with Xiao Tao, Zhang Jian's calm voice rang out again: "This town is a mixed bag, and many rental car businesses take advantage of newcomers. I'll go with you."
Yu Man was taken aback, and instinctively wanted to refuse: "How could I dare to trouble you any further, young master? Xiao Tao and I can handle it ourselves..."
“It’s alright.” Zhang Jian had already stood up first, lifted the carriage curtain and got out of the car, his movements swift and decisive, not giving her a chance to continue refusing.
Uncle Wu chimed in with a chuckle, "Madam Yu, please don't stand on ceremony. It'll be safer if my young master accompanies you. I'll also go feed these two horses some good feed and give them some water; they're tired from the journey." As he spoke, he deftly began to untie the horses' ropes.
Having said all that, insisting further would seem pretentious and unreasonable. Yu Man had no choice but to swallow back the refusal that was on the tip of her tongue, and said softly, "Then... I'll trouble you, Young Master Zhang." She then took Xiao Tao and followed behind Zhang Jian.
With Zhang Jian by his side, the process of renting a carriage went exceptionally smoothly. His expressionless face and aloof, upright aura seemed to carry an inherent "not easily fooled" label, which made the carriage shopkeeper, who had initially wanted to raise the price, much more restrained. In the end, they negotiated a fair price for a nearly new carriage and a driver familiar with the route.
With everything settled, Yu Man stood at the entrance of the car dealership and bowed sincerely to Zhang Jian: "I am deeply grateful to Young Master Zhang for all this. I wish you success in your examinations and may you achieve great things."
Zhang Jian's gaze lingered for a moment on her lowered eyes before shifting away. He simply hummed in agreement, accepting her gratitude and blessings, without saying anything more. Then, he turned and walked towards the direction where his fifth uncle was feeding the horses.
Watching him leave, Yu Man's tense shoulders and neck finally relaxed almost imperceptibly, and she let out a soft sigh. Being with such a rather aloof and true gentleman felt like being with an elder.
"Girl, shall we go too?" Xiao Tao whispered a suggestion from the side.
"Okay." Yu Man nodded and, guided by the new coachman, boarded the rented carriage.
The interior of the carriage was simply furnished, far less comfortable than her own carriage, but having a private, undisturbed space at this moment was already a great comfort to Yu Man. The carriage started moving slowly, and she leaned against the side of the carriage, closing her eyes to rest. The fatigue from traveling for days, coupled with the tension just now, made her doze off for a while.
She didn't know how much time had passed when Xiao Tao gently woke her up: "Miss, Miss?" the coachman asked. "There are two roads ahead. One is the main road, which is flatter but longer; the other is a side road, which is shorter but bumpier. Which one should we take?"
Yu Man rubbed her temples and peeked out from behind the carriage curtain. Without much hesitation, she said, "Let's take the official road; it'll be safer." But in her heart, she thought that Zhang Jian and his group were in a hurry to take the imperial examination and would surely choose a shorter, less traveled route. They had only parted recently; it would be truly awkward if they bumped into each other on the road or at their next stop. She'd rather spend a little more time for peace and quiet.
"Alright, let's take the official road!" the driver replied from outside, turning the carriage around.
Thus, the carriage traveled at a leisurely pace for another whole day, and finally, on the afternoon of the second day, the majestic city walls of the capital came into view. It was the eve of the spring imperial examinations, and the city gates were bustling with carriages and people, forming long queues. Most of them were students and merchants who had come from all over the country, and the noise and bustle far surpassed that of the prefectures and cities.
After finally managing to slowly enter the city with the flow of people, the prosperity of the capital city came into view. Shops lined both sides of the wide streets, signs and banners fluttered in the wind, the cries of vendors rose and fell, and pedestrians dressed in all kinds of clothes jostle shoulder to shoulder. The air was filled with the mixed smells of various foods, spices and dust.
Yu Man had no time to appreciate the grandeur of the capital; her immediate priority was finding a place to stay. She had the driver find her an inn called Fengsheng near the West Market, which was a bit far from the imperial city but seemed relatively quiet.
The inn wasn't very large, but it was clean and tidy. The innkeeper, seeing they were female guests, was quite polite. When they inquired about the room rates, they learned that a superior room cost three taels of silver per night, more than three times the price of similar inns in Laizhou. Although Yu Man knew that living in the capital was difficult, she was still secretly astonished, but showed no sign of it on her face, and promptly asked for two adjacent superior rooms—one for herself and Xiao Tao, and one for the coachman.
As she paid, she casually asked, "Shopkeeper, with the imperial examinations just around the corner, it seems there aren't many students staying at your shop?"
The innkeeper, while working on his abacus, chuckled, “Is this your first time in the capital, madam? You may not know this, but while there are many scholars taking the imperial examinations, there are also many poor scholars with meager funds. Most of them stay at the guild halls in their respective provinces, where it’s cheaper and fellow villagers can help each other out. Inns like ours mainly cater to well-off examinees or merchants like you who are in the capital on business.”
A waiter wiping tables and chairs nearby chimed in, "That's right! I heard that the guild halls in the south of the city are packed to the brim these days, with five or six people sleeping on a single bed! It's so much quieter here than here."
Yu Man suddenly realized, "So that's how it is." She thanked the shopkeeper and then asked the waiter, "Brother waiter, do you know where the Gu family residence in Jinhua Hall is located?"
Seeing her generosity and the fact that she had inquired about a well-known wealthy merchant in the capital, the waiter became even more enthusiastic and gave her detailed directions: "Madam, go east after you leave the gate. After three intersections, turn north when you see the Zhuangyuanlou Restaurant. Follow Qinghe Street, which is lined with willow trees, until you see the largest and most imposing mansion with two stone lions in front of it. That's the Gu Mansion. The main branch of Jinhua Hall is right across from the Gu Mansion. Its signboard is huge; you can spot it at a glance!"
Yu Man silently noted it down, thanked him again, and then, with Xiao Tao in tow, followed the waiter to the guest room upstairs. Pushing open the door, she found the room simply furnished but clean and bright. After washing up, she went to bed early.
The next day, Yu Man got up early, carefully washed and dressed herself, changed into a light yellow silk dress that was both polite and capable, and, with Xiao Tao by her side, followed the path pointed out by the waiter the day before, and found her way to Jinhua Hall.
Jin Hua Tang truly lived up to its reputation as a renowned silk shop in the capital. Its storefront was spacious and its decor grand, with a gilded plaque gleaming in the morning light. Those entering and leaving were all impeccably dressed, and the staff were well-trained and efficient in their greetings and farewells. Yu Man introduced herself and explained that she had come at the invitation of Old Master Gu. A middle-aged man who appeared to be a manager led her to a side room in the inner hall to wait.
The tea was replaced, but the person in question was nowhere to be seen. When the steward came in again, his face held just the right amount of apology: "Madam Yu, it's really unfortunate. My master had some urgent business to attend to a couple of days ago and went to Jiangnan to discuss a big deal. His return date is uncertain. I'm truly sorry to have troubled you with this trip."
Yu Man's heart sank, but she remained calm on the surface: "It's alright. I wonder if Old Master Gu gave any instructions regarding the cooperation with Manxin Food Shop before he left? Or does your shop have any other managers in charge?"
The steward looked troubled: "This... the old master was in a hurry and didn't give any specific instructions. As for the other stewards..." Before he could finish speaking, a slightly arrogant voice came from outside the room:
"Who is it? Coming to see my dad so early in the morning?"
The curtain was lifted, and a man in his early thirties walked in, dressed in a brocade robe with a bunch of loose jade pendants hanging from his waist. His face was somewhat unkempt, and his eyes held a natural air of superiority and scrutiny. This was Old Master Gu's good-for-nothing eldest son, known as Master Gu.
The steward quickly bowed: "Sir, this is Madam Yu from Laizhou. She was invited by the old master to discuss cooperation..."
"Cooperation?" Old Master Gu sized Yu Man up and down, his gaze sweeping over her not-so-luxurious dress. He scoffed, "Talking about cooperation with my father? Talking about what? Do you think you can put your country-style food stall's pots and pans on display at our Jinhua Hall?" His contempt was undisguised. "Young lady, the capital isn't your little place. Not just any business can be considered respectable here. My father just had a whim, and you actually took it seriously? You'd better go home!"
Xiao Tao was so angry that her face turned red, but Yu Man raised her hand to stop her. She slowly stood up and calmly met Grandpa Gu's gaze: "Grandpa Gu, you are mistaken. Business, no matter how big or small, is all about integrity. Since it was Grandpa Gu who personally invited me, I should naturally accept the invitation. Now that Grandpa Gu is not here, you cannot make the decision, so please speak frankly. Why be so hurtful and lose the dignity of Jinhua Hall for no reason?"
Her words were clear and her demeanor composed, leaving Old Master Gu speechless for a moment. He was somewhat embarrassed and, in a fit of anger, said, "What a sharp-tongued little girl! This is my Gu family's territory. Who gives you the right to point fingers? Guards..."
"Sir, please calm down!" Seeing this, the steward hurriedly stepped forward and whispered urgently in Master Gu's ear, "Sir, this Miss Yu is, after all, a guest invited by the old master, and... if Young Master Chengling finds out, it might be difficult to explain..."
Upon hearing the name "Gu Chengling," Old Master Gu's arrogance instantly deflated, and a clear sense of apprehension and resentment flashed across his face. Gu Chengling was Old Master Gu's adopted son. Although not his biological son, he was exceptionally capable and highly trusted by the old man. Now, his power in Jinhua Hall was subtly threatening to challenge that of his eldest biological son.
He glanced at Yu Man disdainfully again, but ultimately didn't retaliate. He just waved his hand impatiently and said, "Alright, alright, I don't have time to waste with you guys. Go wherever you want!"
Yu Man took in the changes in his expression, feeling slightly surprised by the intimidating power of that name, but she showed no sign of it on her face. She nodded slightly, fulfilling her courtesy, and then, with the still sulking Xiao Tao, turned and left Jinhua Hall.
Stepping out of that grand gate, Xiao Tao looked at Yu Man with worry again: "Wife, this... the business deal didn't go through, what should we do?"
Looking at the bustling streets of the capital, Yu Man took a deep breath and smiled instead: "It's alright. Business that can't be forced isn't good business. Since we're already here, we can't let this trip be in vain. Come on, let's take a good look around the capital!"
The master and servant spent the entire day strolling around.
They first went to the West Market, a bustling marketplace teeming with merchants and a dazzling array of goods, from imported glassware and spices to embroidered items and lacquerware from various regions. Yu Man bought quite a few things for everyone.
In the afternoon, they strolled to the more elegant East Market, which was filled with bookstores, calligraphy and painting shops, and antique stores. Yu Man lingered for a long time in a fairly large bookstore, picking out several cookbooks, miscellaneous writings, and local chronicles that were hard to find in the prefecture. Passing by a famous pastry shop called "Gui Xiang Zhai," she went in and bought several exquisite Beijing-style pastries, intending to take them back for the shop's staff to try as well.
As the sun began to set and her legs started to feel a bit sore, Yu Man, carrying her bags of spoils, found a rather elegant teahouse built along the river and went up to a private room on the second floor to rest.
After ordering a pot of fragrant tea and some tea fruits, Yu Man pushed open the window overlooking the river. The early summer breeze, carrying the moist scent of the river, caressed her face. Outside the window, boats ply the waterway, willows sway along the banks, and in the distance, the eaves of palaces are silhouetted against the setting sun, creating a majestic silhouette. The grandeur of the capital city is laid out before her.
Yu Man leaned against the window of the teahouse, her gaze drifting aimlessly over the bustling crowds below and the boats coming and going on the river. Lost in thought, a figure in black riding slowly into her line of sight inadvertently came into view.
A bold young flower seller approached him with a flower basket, blushing as she tried to hand him a peach blossom. However, the man merely turned his head slightly, neither stopping nor taking the flower, and rode off on his horse.
...It was him.
Yu Man felt as if something had gently bumped into her chest; after a slight numbness, there was a moment of stillness.
Her gaze involuntarily lingered on that figure.
It is extremely familiar.
Even from a distance, she could clearly outline his handsome profile, his straight nose, and even the subtle curve of his neck as he slightly turned his head to avoid the flower offered by someone else—it was a look she had seen for over a decade, a look so familiar she could describe it with her eyes closed.
But it was also unfamiliar.
He seemed to have accumulated something else. She couldn't quite put her finger on it; it wasn't a change in appearance, but rather a kind of... aloofness in his demeanor.
At least he wouldn't have worn such dark clothes before.
Yu Man's thoughts drifted for a moment, but then she suddenly had a change of heart.
That's understandable, since he never said he wouldn't come to the capital to take the exam.
She put down her teacup and said to Xiao Tao, who was tidying up her things, "Xiao Tao, go and invite that young man in black riding a white horse downstairs. Tell him I'd like to invite him for a drink."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Tao was so shocked that she almost dropped what she was holding. Her eyes widened, and she stammered, "Mother, wife! This...this isn't right, is it? You said last time that we shouldn't do this kind of thing, what was it called again...right, moral blackmail!" The little girl's face turned red with anxiety.
Yu Man was both amused and annoyed by her, and said helplessly, "What are you thinking? If I told you to go invite them, just go. Why are you making so many excuses?"
Seeing that her expression didn't seem joking, Xiao Tao reluctantly put down her things and went downstairs, glancing back every few steps. Mustering her courage, she ran to the magnificent white horse, blocking its path, her head bowed low, her voice barely a whisper: "My...my lord...my wife...please come upstairs and...try a cup of wine..."
Pei Ji, on horseback, galloped at full speed, covered in dust and barely sleeping, but still couldn't catch up with Yu Man's carriage.
Upon entering the capital, he received word from his spies that she had gone to Jinhua Hall, but when he rushed there, she was nowhere to be found. At this moment, his mind was in turmoil, his face expressionless. He only wanted to find her as soon as possible, but he was repeatedly blocked by irrelevant people, and his patience was already running out.
He didn't speak, and was preparing to ride past her as he had done before, just as he had rejected the peach and apricot blossoms.
Just then, a familiar female voice, tinged with a hint of indifference and one that I had heard countless times in my dreams, drifted lightly from above:
Are you sure you don't want to drink it?
Pei Ji stopped, turned around abruptly, and looked in the direction of the sound.
On the second floor of the teahouse, Yu Man was resting her chin on her hand, looking down at him, her eyes reflecting the last rays of sunlight outside the window.
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Author's note: I just realized I set it to 9 AM tomorrow, so I quickly changed it and posted it [crying emoji].
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