Chapter 51 The person I missed was surnamed Zhang.
As winter fades and spring arrives, the prefectural government has always been fond of indulging in refined pursuits. While there may not be a full-fledged banquet for the twenty-four seasonal flowers, there is always a small banquet held at the beginning of spring.
In the afternoon, the sun was unusually warm. The small banquet had just ended, and the ladies dressed in bright clothes came out of the flower hall in twos and threes, chatting and laughing. The jewels in their hair shone brightly in the spring sunshine.
Zhang Yun, the wife of the Chief Secretary, greeted Chen Jingshu and stepped down the stone steps together, asking with concern, "Sister Jingshu, are you going home soon? Would you like me to give you a ride?"
Chen Jingshu was summoned back from the state academy to attend the banquet today, and the carriage left after dropping her off.
Today she was dressed in a moon-white silk dress with subtle patterns, over which she wore a light blue half-sleeved garment. Her simple and elegant attire made her stand out even more among the other young ladies vying for attention. Upon hearing this, she gently shook her head and declined, saying, "Thank you, but I'm not going home yet. I still need to go to the west of the city."
Zhang Yun asked curiously, "West of the city? What are you doing there, sister?"
Chen Jingshu said calmly, "Let's have a simple meal at Manxin Food Shop."
Her voice wasn't loud, but the name "Manxin Food Shop" was quite well-known among the women of the prefectural government these days. Several young ladies who were about to board their carriages or stop to say goodbye turned their gazes toward her upon hearing this.
It was Wang Zhang who spoke again, her round almond-shaped eyes filled with surprise: "But...the restaurant that even His Highness Prince Ding once praised?"
Chen Jingshu nodded slightly: "That's the one."
The ladies exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes. Li Sanniang, the wife of the military advisor, was quick-witted and outspoken. She covered her mouth and laughed, "Sister Chen, you're quite capable! You actually managed to get a table there? My family sent people to inquire three or four times, and each time they said the private rooms were fully booked, and even the downstairs seating was booked for ten days from now. I've heard that getting to their second floor is even harder than climbing our daughters' boudoirs!"
These words elicited soft chuckles from the young ladies, their words tinged with barely perceptible envy.
It turns out that this Manxin Food Shop opened on Jinxiu Street in the west of the prefectural city three months ago, and in just a few months, it has become famous.
The shop has two floors. The downstairs caters to ordinary diners, offering inexpensive and delicious food, and is always packed. Upstairs, there are several elegant private rooms, but these are not accessible to those with money; reservations must be made well in advance, and the number of tables is limited daily. The menu is personally designed by the proprietress, making it difficult to secure a table. Coupled with the praise from Prince Ding, it has become a place that high-ranking officials, nobles, and literati of the prefecture all yearn to dine at.
Zhang Yun couldn't help but ask, "How did you manage to book it, sister? Are you perhaps acquainted with the owner?"
Chen Jingshu did not elaborate, only saying, "We are just nodding acquaintances."
She spoke subtly, but everyone present was quick-witted and immediately understood that Chen Jingshu's words, though humble, likely implied a close relationship with the employer.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the ladies boarded their respective carriages and departed. Chen Jingshu politely declined Zhang Yun's invitation to ride with her again, and instead, accompanied only by her maid, strolled leisurely along the bluestone path towards the west of the city.
A spring breeze blew by, still carrying a slight chill. Chen Jingshu walked with composure, but her thoughts drifted slightly away.
She never expected that Yu Man could do this. Three months ago, she happened to pass by that street and saw the four characters "Manxin Food Shop". She was a little surprised that Madam Yu had actually opened a shop in the prefecture.
Yu Man also noticed her and invited her in for a cup of tea, and then asked her to pick up a brush, dip it in ink, and write a few watermarks. She didn't refuse and wrote them right away. Yu Man then said that he would treat her to a simple meal after he finished preparing the recipes.
"My lady, is it really that hard to find a place like the 'Full Heart Food Shop'?" the maid Shihua asked softly beside her, interrupting her thoughts.
Chen Shanzhang was away from the prefectural government for most of the year, teaching at the academy. Chen Jingshu was the same. Her aunt, the wife of the prefect, still thought that a daughter should get married eventually, so she would call her back to attend banquets from time to time, so that she could make some close female friends.
The Chen family was neither poor nor rich; they had only two maids and a few servants.
Chen Jingshu snapped out of her reverie, gazing at the approaching entrance to Jinxiu Street, and said softly, "Things are valued for their rarity, and people are distinguished for their reputation. A word from Prince Ding is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold. Moreover..." She paused, recalling Yu Manyan, "That Lady Yu is indeed a woman of real ability."
The master and servant turned the corner and saw in the distance the two-story building with an old locust tree in front of it. Under the black plaque with gold lettering that read "Manxin Food Shop," many diners were already waiting, and their voices could be faintly heard, forming a stark contrast with the quiet official residences around them.
Chen Jingshu entered the carved partition door of the main hall of Manxin Food Shop and watched people coming and going. Waiters carried steaming dishes and moved among them. The sounds of people talking and the light clinking of bowls and plates intertwined, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Yu Man was standing behind the counter, his head down, rapidly manipulating the abacus. Occasionally, he would look up and give a few instructions to the shop assistant. His eyes and brows showed a busy but not flustered expression.
Not wanting to disturb her, Chen Jingshu was about to find a quiet corner to wait when Yu Man happened to look up and spotted her precisely. Across the noisy crowd, Yu Man's eyes lit up, a smile played on her lips, and she nodded at Chen Jingshu. Then she beckoned to a clever-looking waiter beside her and whispered a few instructions.
The waiter quickly walked across the tables and chairs to Chen Jingshu and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Madam Chen. The master invites you to follow me to the private room on the second floor."
Chen Jingshu nodded slightly and followed the waiter up the wooden staircase leading to the second floor. At the corner of the staircase hung a painting of bamboo in ink, its brushstrokes elegant and unrestrained.
The waiter led her to a private room at the end of the corridor. A small wooden plaque hung on the door, engraved with the words "Youlan" (幽兰, meaning "Orchid in Seclusion"). Pushing open the door, Chen Jingshu's eyes lit up slightly. The room wasn't large, but it was decorated with exquisite elegance. The windows were bright and clean, and outside the window was a white magnolia in full bloom in the backyard, its delicate fragrance carried on the breeze. The interior was simply furnished, with a table and four chairs made of bamboo. Several freehand landscape paintings hung on the walls, and a display cabinet in the corner held a few simple porcelain pieces and a bonsai with gnarled branches. A faint, almost imperceptible sandalwood scent permeated the air, refreshing and soothing.
The waiter quietly served tea and then brought over four exquisite snacks: a plate of amber-colored candied kumquats, a plate of snow-white and crispy cloud cakes, a plate of glutinous rice lotus root drizzled with osmanthus honey, and a plate of seemingly ordinary but fragrant braised tofu.
"Please have a seat, Madam Chen. The master will be here as soon as he finishes his work. These are some tea and snacks that the master specially prepared for you. Please enjoy them." After saying this, the waiter quietly withdrew and closed the door behind him.
Chen Jingshu sat down as instructed, picked up a white porcelain teacup, and saw that the tea was clear and bright, a fine pre-rain Longjing tea with a sweet aftertaste. She then tasted the various snacks in turn: the kumquats were sweet but not cloying, the cloud cake melted in her mouth, the glutinous rice lotus root was soft, sticky, and sweet, and even the seemingly ordinary dried tofu was extremely flavorful, with a perfect balance of saltiness and savory aroma. She thought to herself, "It truly lives up to its reputation."
About 15 minutes later, light footsteps came from outside the door, and then the door was pushed open. Yu Man walked in carrying a large tray, with a little sweat on his forehead. He smiled and said, "Madam Chen, I've kept you waiting. There are more guests today, and I really couldn't spare the time."
As she spoke, she placed the dishes from the tray onto the table one by one.
“This dish is called ‘Golden Abundance’,” she said, pointing to a plate of dishes with golden egg shreds as a base, topped with tender white shrimp and bright green peas, “for good luck. This is ‘Lotus Pond Stir-fry’, light and refreshing. This is ‘Wine-infused Herb Sprouts’, the herb sprouts are at their freshest right now. And this ‘Crab Roe Tofu’ uses fresh crab roe that was delivered this morning…”
Finally, she gently placed a small bowl of soup in front of Chen Jingshu, lifted the lid, and a warm aroma carrying the fragrance of medicinal herbs wafted out. "This lily bulb and yam stewed pigeon is specially made for you. I see that you have a calm temperament, and this soup is the most gentle and nourishing, which is suitable for you."
Looking at the table full of delicious-looking dishes and listening to Yu Man's detailed introduction, especially the soup specially prepared for her, Chen Jingshu felt a warmth rise in her heart. She was aloof and did not like to show her emotions, so she simply said softly, "Thank you for your trouble, Madam Yu."
Yu Man waved his hand and sat down opposite her: "Try it quickly."
The two ate quietly, exchanging only a few words occasionally. Chen Jingshu mentioned the gossip the young ladies had overheard outside the prefect's mansion about the Manxin Food Shop.
Upon hearing this, Yu Man laughed and said, "It's just that everyone is taking advantage of the novelty of the store's recent opening. Once this buzz dies down, it will naturally fade away." Her tone was calm, and her eyes were clear. She was not at all smug about the current success of her food stall; on the contrary, she had a clear understanding of the situation.
Seeing that she was so clear-headed, Chen Jingshu pondered for a moment, then remembered something and said, "The women of various families in the prefecture often take turns hosting small banquets. If we could host such banquets, it would be a good thing for the reputation of the restaurant." She paused, her voice still calm, "The Chen family is not of a high enough standing to host such banquets, but my aunt's family, the prefect's residence..." She originally intended to ask Yu Man if she needed her to act as a go-between, but before she could finish speaking, Yu Man interrupted her.
"I understand, thank you for your advice, Madam Chen." Yu Man's smile remained unchanged. "Such opportunities are best left to fate. A restaurant's success ultimately depends on the taste of its food and the sincerity of its customers; forcing things is not good."
Upon hearing this, Chen Jingshu swallowed the rest of her words. Looking at Yu Man's composed expression, her desire to help her seemed superfluous. Yu Man's open-mindedness and clarity far surpassed that of many young ladies she had met, and even some men.
For a moment, Chen Jingshu didn't know what else to say. On the contrary, Yu Man asked her about things at the state school, such as how difficult the courses were, how strict the teachers were, and what interesting things happened between classmates. Her tone was full of curiosity, without the slightest bit of the restraint a woman would show when talking about school.
The meal was finished in a rather harmonious atmosphere. Chen Jingshu put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and then got up to say goodbye.
Yu Man escorted her to the entrance of the food stall. Chen Jingshu paused slightly, seemingly hesitant, before finally turning around. She looked calmly at Yu Man, her tone as indifferent as ever, yet with a subtle hint of seriousness.
“Miss Yu,” she said softly, “Brother Pei… he is not that kind of person. Don’t take the gossip outside about you and him to heart.”
She was referring to the rumors circulating in the prefecture lately. It was said that Pei Ji, the top scholar in the prefecture, was engaged to Yu Man, but with the imperial examinations approaching, he was confident of success and had therefore looked down on his fiancée, a woman who ran a food stall. He had used the excuse of studying abroad to disappear, and now he couldn't even be found. He was considered a treacherous and faithless man. Chen Jingshu had heard these rumors to varying degrees at gatherings with other women at the prefectural school.
Yu Man was clearly taken aback by Chen Jingshu's sudden mention of this matter. Her smile froze for a moment, her eyelashes drooping slightly before lifting again, the previous brightness gone. She looked at Chen Jingshu, her tone gentle yet resolute:
"Yes, I know he isn't."
Chen Jingshu gave her a deep look, said nothing more, nodded slightly, and turned to leave downstairs with her maid.
After seeing Chen Jingshu off, the hustle and bustle of the food stall's lunchtime service gradually subsided. Yu Man returned to the counter and looked at the ledger, but found it difficult to concentrate. She touched her cheek and couldn't help but mutter to herself, "System, do I look like the kind of pitiful, heartbroken woman abandoned by a heartless man?"
The system's electronic voice slowly sounded: "[Host, according to big data analysis, your face is full and your features are relaxed, truly a sign of great fortune. The main issue is that, given the current situation, Pei Ji hasn't uttered a single word since sending that box of gold, silver, and pastries at the end of the year. With the imperial examinations approaching, if he doesn't appear soon… such speculation from the outside world is understandable.]"
Yu Man paused, the ink spreading into a small dot on the ledger. She put down the pen, her tone tinged with a frustration she herself didn't realize: "If he doesn't come back, so be it! I'll just earn my own money and spend it myself, opening up Manxin Food Shop all over the country. This plot could be turned into a female-centric business novel, that would be great!"
The system urged anxiously: 【…No, host! You can have both a career and a love life. A little romance can spice things up! Pei Ji must have his reasons!】
"Difficulties?" Yu Man snorted lightly, ignoring the system's rambling, picked up the abacus again, and focused his energy on the accounts in front of him.
The days slipped by quietly in the midst of busyness, and before we knew it, it was mid-March, with only seven days left until the imperial examinations in Beijing.
Yu Man originally had no intention of going to the capital. Firstly, the food stalls in the prefecture had just stabilized, and secondly... the capital was indeed far away.
However, things did not go as planned.
A silk merchant in the prefecture, who had business dealings with her and greatly admired her craftsmanship, acted as a go-between, introducing her to a wealthy merchant in the capital who was interested in collaborating with her. The merchant was very sincere, inviting her to come to the capital before the imperial examinations to discuss introducing the unique features of Manxin Food Shop to the capital.
As spring deepened in March, the crabapple trees in the backyard of the Manxin Food Shop in the prefectural capital were already covered with delicate buds. Yu Man, clutching the letter from the capital, paced around the courtyard twice before finally making up her mind.
"Someone, go and invite Madam Xue over. Tell her I have something important to discuss," she ordered in a loud voice, her tone decisive.
Xue Han rushed over, her temples still damp with the cool scent of wine from the cellar.
Yu Man handed her the letter.
“The capital… Jinhua Hall?” Xue Han took a slight breath. “That’s one of the most prestigious silk shops in the capital, and Old Master Gu is a respected elder in the business world. If we could get his guidance…” Before she could finish speaking, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at Yu Man, “However, the journey to the capital is long, and the imperial examinations are just around the corner. You’re unfamiliar with the area…”
Yu Man knew perfectly well what she meant: "Sister Xue, this is a rare opportunity. How can we give up now because of a minor setback? If we can get in touch with Jinhua Hall, it will be a great thing for our restaurant."
Seeing that she had made up her mind, Xue Han stopped trying to dissuade her and instead discussed the itinerary with her in detail. Yu Man, always thorough in her work, immediately began preparations:
"This trip will take seven or eight days at the fastest, and ten days at the slowest. I entrust the shop in the prefecture to you, sister. I have already made proper arrangements in the kitchen. The two new apprentices have a solid foundation and can prepare dishes according to the established menu. If there are urgent orders or important guests, I will need you to take extra care to ensure quality."
"Bring enough money, but not too much, so as not to attract attention. Prices are high in the capital, so prepare more banknotes and some loose change as well."
"It's best not to have too many people with you. Just bring Xiao Tao, she's clever and reliable. Also, hire an experienced and trustworthy coachman who is familiar with the routes around the capital."
“I have already written the letters to my parents and the main store in Dongqing County. If I delay for too long, please ask my sister to send them over so that they won’t worry.”
"Also," Yu Man remembered something, took out a small sandalwood box from the cabinet, opened it and found a lot of silver ingots and some loose silver inside, "Keep these, sister. If you encounter any troublesome officials or local ruffians, don't be stingy with bribes. Everything is for your and the shop's safety."
Xue Han agreed to everything, and watching her arrange things in a well-organized manner, she felt both gratified and impressed. This woman clearly had something on her mind, yet she remained completely composed when doing serious work; such composure was beyond the reach of ordinary men.
The day before her departure, Yu Man personally checked her luggage again. In addition to the necessary clothes and travel expenses, she also brought several small jars of sealed fruit wine, several packets of homemade, non-perishable spices, and her notebook for recording recipes and business insights—all of which she might need when discussing matters with Old Master Gu.
The next morning, before dawn, a nearly new blue-canopied carriage was already parked at the back door of the food shop. Yu Man was dressed in a neat lotus-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a windproof cotton cloak over it. Her hair was simply tied up in a bun, adorned only with a plain silver hairpin. Her attire was neither impolite nor ostentatious. She bid farewell to Xue Han and the others, and boarded the carriage with Xiao Tao.
The driver was a man around fifty years old, surnamed Wang. He didn't talk much, but his eyes were steady. He was a reliable person that Xue Han had specially found.
The carriage rumbled out of the prefectural city gate and merged into the official road heading north to the capital. At first, the road was smooth, and the carriage moved at a steady pace. Yu Man leaned back on the soft cushions inside the carriage, gazing at the fields flashing by outside the window, his mind a jumble of thoughts.
The capital, business, opportunities… and that person who had vanished without a trace. She shook her head, forcing herself not to think about the latter, focusing only on how to deal with Old Master Gu when she met him, and how to showcase the advantages of Manxin Food Shop.
The journey went smoothly the previous day. The following afternoon, the weather turned overcast, with layers of dark clouds pressing in, threatening a storm. Coachman Wang quickened his pace, intending to stop at the next inn.
Upon reaching a place called Luoyanpo, the official road was built along the mountainside, with a steep slope on one side and a shallow ditch overgrown with weeds on the other. Although the road surface had dried and hardened due to the rain in the previous two days, some mud was still present in the low-lying areas.
To avoid a large puddle, the coachman swerved slightly, and the wheels rolled over what appeared to be a solid surface. Suddenly, there was a sharp crack, followed by the carriage lurching violently to the right and becoming immobile. The horses pulling the carriage were startled and began to whinny anxiously.
"Oh no!" Coachman Wang hurriedly tightened the reins, jumped off the carriage to check, and his face immediately turned extremely ugly.
Yu Man and Xiao Tao were also startled by this sudden turn of events. After regaining their balance, they quickly lifted the carriage curtain and asked, "Uncle Wang, what happened?"
Wang, the coachman, squatted beside the wheel, pointing to the right rear wheel stuck in the mud, then to the connection between the wheel and the carriage, and said with a bitter face, "Master, the wheel is stuck deep, and the axle... is probably cracked! We won't be able to move for a while!"
Yu Man's heart sank, and she got out of the car. The right rear wheel was deeply embedded in the soft, wet mud, and a fresh crack on the wooden axle was a shocking sight. She looked around; dusk was falling, the weeds were lush, and there was no sign of human habitation in sight. Only the sound of the wind cutting through the forest brought a chill.
"Is it possible to repair it?" she asked, clinging to a sliver of hope.
Coachman Wang shook his head: "We need to find a town and a professional carpenter to replace the axle. Right now... I'm afraid that's difficult."
Xiao Tao panicked: "Master, we're in the middle of nowhere, and it's getting dark. It might even rain. What should we do?"
Yu Man forced himself to calm down and quickly weighed the pros and cons. Sending the coachman back to the previous post station on foot to seek help would take at least two or three hours, and traveling at night was unsafe; staying put and waiting for passing vehicles was even less likely.
"Uncle Wang," she said decisively, "you..."
She was about to instruct the coachman to find a way back to seek help when she heard a clear sound of hooves and wheels approaching from the road behind her.
A somewhat familiar question:
"Is that... Lady Yu from the Manxin Food Shop up ahead?"
Yu Man turned around and saw a blue cloth carriage parked a few steps away. Sitting on the carriage shaft was a smiling middle-aged man, who was a regular customer of her food shop and was often called "Fifth Uncle".
"Fifth Uncle?" Yu Man was somewhat surprised; their meeting here was truly a coincidence. "You are...?"
Fifth Uncle nimbly jumped off the carriage, glanced at Yu Man's predicament of being stuck in the mud, then looked at the sky, and cupped his hands, saying, "Madam Yu, what a coincidence. My young master is also on his way to the capital to take the imperial examination. As you can see, it's getting late, and we shouldn't stay here any longer. If you don't mind, would you like to share a ride with my young master? Once we reach the town ahead, we can rent another carriage."
Sharing a car with a strange man? Yu Man instinctively wanted to decline: "Thank you for your kindness, Fifth Uncle, but this..."
Before she could finish speaking, the blue curtain of the carriage opposite her was lifted by a hand with distinct knuckles. A face emerged, with fair skin, a high nose, pale lips, and a scholarly air of aloofness and detachment. It was Zhang Jian, whom she had met once before.
His gaze fell on Yu Man, showing little surprise, as if he already knew her identity from his fifth uncle's conversation with her. He spoke, his voice as calm and steady as he always was: "Madam Yu, in this desolate place, safety is paramount. Since we are traveling together, it is only right that we look after each other. There are still seats in the carriage; if you don't mind, you can take shelter from the wind and cold for now. We can make further plans when we reach the town ahead."
His reasons were reasonable, his tone was frank, and he showed no sign of overstepping his bounds. Yu Man looked at his completely broken-down carriage, then at the darkening sky, and knew that this was the best option.
Although she wasn't very familiar with Zhang Jian, the system had spoiled the plot, so she knew he was a virtuous gentleman and had her fifth uncle by her side, so she didn't need to worry too much.
“In that case… I’ll have to trouble you, Young Master Zhang.” Without further hesitation, Yu Man took Xiao Tao and his essential belongings, thanked Zhang Jian, and then, as he stepped aside to let him pass, bent down and entered the carriage.
The carriage was more spacious than it appeared from the outside, simply furnished, and exuded a faint, unidentified fragrance—quite subtle. Yu Man and Xiao Tao sat on one side, while Zhang Jian sat opposite them, separated by a small, fixed tea table.
The carriage curtains fell, shutting out the twilight and chill outside. Uncle Wu cracked the whip and gave a light shout from outside, and the carriage began to move smoothly again.
In the cramped space, no one spoke for a moment; only the rumble of wheels on the road and their soft breathing could be heard. Yu Man kept his eyes down, trying to minimize his presence. Zhang Jian also sat upright with his eyes closed, like a meditating monk; a subtle and slightly stagnant silence permeated the carriage.
The silence in the carriage was finally broken by the kind-hearted Fifth Uncle. As he drove the carriage, he laughed loudly through the curtain, "Young master, Madam Yu, the road ahead is still long. Wouldn't it be boring to just sit there? Talking will make the time pass faster."
The question was phrased perfectly. Zhang Jian, who had been resting with his eyes closed, slowly opened them, his gaze falling on Yu Man. His clear voice broke the silence: "May I ask what brings Lady Yu to the capital?"
Yu Man straightened his expression and replied, "It's some trivial business matter that requires me to go to the capital to meet with a merchant."
Zhang Jian nodded slightly, his tone calm: "I see. The dishes at Manxin Food Shop are delicious."
Yu Man was taken aback for a moment, then realized that her fifth uncle must often bring some back to the mansion, and this young master Zhang must have tasted it. A polite but distant smile curved her lips: "Young master Zhang, you flatter me. Thank you for your appreciation." She paused, then continued in a businesswoman's tone: "When you return from the spring examinations, if you have the time to visit our shop, we will certainly reserve a good seat for you."
Zhang Jian looked at her smile, his eyelashes drooping slightly before lifting again, and replied, "Very well. When I return from the spring examination, I will certainly pay you a visit." His response was equally concise and restrained, revealing little emotion.
After a brief exchange, the carriage fell silent again, but this time there was a more tacit politeness than the previous awkwardness.
Meanwhile, at the Manxin Food Shop in the prefecture, after seeing Yu Man off, Xue Han took care of the shop's affairs in an orderly manner, directing the shop assistants to clean and prepare ingredients, and everything was as well-organized as when Yu Man was there.
On the third day, after noon, as the sun began to set, the number of customers in the shop gradually dwindled. Xue Han was checking the evening menu when she suddenly heard a rapid, forceful reining sound outside the door. The horseshoes struck the bluestone slabs with a crisp, yet somewhat anxious, sound. Surprised, she put down the menu and went outside.
The light dimmed at the threshold, and a tall, imposing figure stood there, almost blocking out most of the daylight. The newcomer was dressed in a dark, close-fitting outfit, looking travel-worn, with the chilling aura of his journey still lingering on his shoulders. Xue Han's gaze first fell on the handsome face she vaguely remembered, and an old impression of the gentle and polite Young Master Pei immediately surfaced in her mind.
However, this thought was abruptly cut off by an invisible force.
Xue Han felt a chill creep up her spine silently, almost making her instinctively take a half-step back. She steadied herself, and then heard the person opposite her ask:
Where is your employer?
Suppressing her surprise, Xue Han replied politely, "Is this Young Master Pei? My master left for the capital three days ago."
As soon as she finished speaking, she caught a glimpse of a man and a horse rushing towards her from the street corner. It was none other than Wang, the coachman who had taken Yu Man away earlier, and the horse he was leading was his own!
Xue Han's heart tightened, and she forgot about Pei Ji, hurriedly stepping forward to ask, "Uncle? Why are you back? Where is the master?"
Wang, the coachman, was panting heavily as he explained, "Manager Xue, something terrible has happened! Our cart reached Luoyan Slope, and the axle suddenly broke, and the wheels got stuck in the mud. We can't go any further! There's no village or shop in sight, and it's getting dark. We're so worried!"
"Where is the master now?" Xue Han asked anxiously.
"Thank goodness! Just when I was getting anxious, a carriage came up behind us. An old servant on the carriage recognized my master; he seemed to be a regular customer at the shop. His young master was also going to the capital to take the imperial examinations, so he kindly offered my master and Tao'er a ride, saying that they would figure out another way when they reached the town ahead. That's why I hurriedly rode all day to come back and report the news, and then went to find someone to repair the carriage..."
Pei Ji suddenly interrupted Wang the coachman, asking only, "What's that man's surname?"
The coachman was intimidated by the sudden aura emanating from the man. Although he didn't know who the man in black was, he still subconsciously answered truthfully, "I... I heard the master call that young master... his surname is Zhang."
As soon as the word "Zhang" was uttered, Pei Ji didn't ask another question, nor did he even look at Xue Han and Coachman Wang again. He nimbly mounted his horse.
"drive!"
With a short shout, the black steed shot off like an arrow towards the capital, leaving Xue Han and Coachman Wang looking at each other in bewilderment.
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Author's Note: I thought I could write this much, the next chapter definitely will! [Crying emoji]
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