The liveliness of a port determines a city's prosperity. Although the current Daqing Dynasty cannot compare to its peak era, it still enjoys national wealth and abundant resources. As the very heart of the Daqing Dynasty, the capital's port naturally bustles with ceaseless activity and crowds.
Hua Zhi did not deliberately dress in men's clothing, but neither did she attire herself as a noble young lady. Borrowing a set of Ying Chun's clothes and making slight alterations to her face, she confidently blended into the crowd.
Nian Qiu and Xu Jie, following closely beside her, were so anxious they broke out in a sweat, desperately shielding her in the middle, afraid she might be jostled or bumped.
Hua Zhi first wandered around the dock, listening to the shouts and calls as she watched goods and people boarding and disembarking. She observed the laborers in tattered clothes, their backs bent under the weight of heavy cargo, struggling to make a living, while foremen held their chins high, arrogantly urging them on. Her heart remained calm.
It wasn't that she couldn't change this situation, but that she must not. No matter where one is, people must adapt to the rules rather than vainly attempt to alter them, because rules involve not only the interests of those in power but the entire era itself.
If certain actions were taken rashly, the beneficiaries would be those who control capital, while the already impoverished common people would find survival even more difficult. Unless, of course, she were the one who decided the rules, the one who determined how the cake was divided.
And she had never aspired to become such a person. So all these years, she had stayed indoors, neither listening nor looking, remaining unaware and content within her small world.
"Miss, the ship is over there," Xu Jie said, pointing to a large vessel not far away.
Hua Zhi looked over. It was indeed a large ship, bigger than the two nearby combined. Scanning the entire port, that was likely the largest ship there. At that moment, laborers on the shore near the ship were already leaning on their carrying poles, craning their necks and waiting. For them, such a deep draft surely meant a big job.
As the three approached, Xu Jie hesitantly asked, "Would the young lady like to board the ship? There's no wind today, and the ship has a deep draft, so it shouldn't rock much."
"Let's go aboard." Hua Zhi took the lead, walking onto the gangplank.
Xu Jie had initially worried the young lady might be afraid—after all, there was water below, even if it was shallow. What young lady wouldn't fear falling into the water? It wasn't just about whether she could swim.
But such worry lasted only a moment. Seeing the young lady walk as steadily as if on solid ground, even more sure-footed than himself, he could only hurry after her, not daring to recall how he had behaved the first time he boarded a ship.
The people on the ship had all gathered on the deck to wait when they saw Xu Jie leading others aboard. Upon realizing it was two young women, they whispered and gossiped for a while. However, once the group actually boarded, they all fell silent. Who knew? This might just be how people from the capital conducted themselves. Besides, they still hadn't been fully paid—better not cause trouble.
"This is the managing young lady from our estate. After she inspects the goods, payment will be settled. Please be accommodating and wait outside for a moment."
Meaning they shouldn't follow, right? The group, all first-timers in the capital, exchanged glances and nodded one after another.
Descending into the ship's hold, their eyes met with golden-yellow citrus fruits everywhere. Hua Zhi walked around, occasionally picking one to peel and taste a segment. About seven or eight out of ten were sweet, and the remaining two or three, though slightly sour, had a natural tartness that was still quite acceptable.Seeing the young lady remain silent, Xu Jie grew uneasy and attempted to break the silence, "Before loading the goods onto the ship, I personally inspected them. The stems were still green, indicating they hadn't been picked long. With the strong winds on the waterway, we opened the cabin doors daily for ventilation. Though they're not as fresh as when first loaded, they should still be considered quite fresh."
"Not bad." Hua Zhi clapped her hands lightly and looked at the anxious Xu Jie. "Since you know the task was well done, why be afraid? Would I find fault with you?"
"I wouldn't dare..."
"I'm not blaming you. A job well done is just that—no one will nitpick. I'm not that difficult to serve. Go rent some carts. Do you know the way to the estate in the southern part of the city?"
"Yes, I've been there twice."
"Deliver everything there."
"Yes." Xu Jie turned to leave but had taken only two steps when the young lady added, "Check how many carts are available at the dock. If there aren't enough, go to the cart rental."
"Understood."
Nian Qiu covered her mouth and giggled. "Even when our young lady is kind, her kindness feels aloof and distant."
"Your standard for kindness is far too low," Hua Zhi remarked with a light laugh. "Go settle their payment."
"Yes."
As Nian Qiu went to handle the payment, Hua Zhi disembarked and strolled leisurely around the dock.
The dock offered a full view of all facets of life. She moved through the crowd like a passerby, untouched by any joy or sorrow.
Another ship docked, but seeing it was an ordinary passenger vessel, she quickly averted her gaze and headed toward an area wafting with the scent of the sea. In this lifetime, she had yet to taste seafood.
On the deck of the passenger ship, The Heir watched her unhurried figure until the vessel steadied, then withdrew his gaze and murmured, "Group One, head to the Hu residence. Group Two, follow me."
"Yes."
Taking one last glance from his elevated position, he saw her disappear into the crowd, utterly disregarding the constraints imposed on women, acting with unbridled freedom.
Was she relying on no one recognizing her at the dock? The Heir mounted his horse, recalling how she had scarcely left her home for years. Likely, not just the dock, but even the city streets held few who would know her—especially since she concealed her appearance.
He thought back to that rainy night, to her strikingly cold and sharp beauty.
By the time Nian Qiu found her young lady and pulled her from the crowd, she was nearly in tears. If the young lady returned smelling like this, even without the other masters fuming, Ying Chun would surely reprimand her!
"I had the vendor wrap some dried seafood. Go pay for it."
"How can something that smells so foul be allowed inside..."
"Would they dare bar me from entering?"
Nian Qiu fell silent. Who would dare prevent their mistress from entering? Especially now that the young lady managed the household. But this stuff was truly...
Dismissing her teary-eyed maid, Hua Zhi sniffed her sleeve. The odor wasn't strong; it would fade with a walk.
Located in the north, the capital favored meat far more than fish. Among the noble families, only those mindful of health ate fish regularly, while many others used it merely for broth.
As for these dried seafood transported from the far south, typically only the poor bought them to enhance their meals. With little demand, few dealt in such goods, and only occasionally would a ship carry some. Happening upon them today, Hua Zhi wasn't about to pass up the chance. If only there were fresh sea fish—the thought alone made her mouth water.Nian Qiu held a large bundle of items as far away from herself as possible, her face crestfallen as she said, "Miss, this is just too much."
"Don't eat any when it's ready then."
How dare Nian Qiu doubt her young lady's talent when it came to food? Fu Dong's remarkable skills had been honed under the young lady's guidance, so these things should actually be edible, right?
Nian Qiu's face twisted in conflict, but she firmly suppressed the words "I won't eat it" in her heart. Ahem, she'd have to taste it first before deciding.
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