Chapter 28: Spreading and Growing Wildly Like Weeds
He didn’t respond. Wen Yu spoke softly, “Auntie and the others have been found. They’re safe, just very worried about you.”
Xiao Li remained silent, his elbows resting on his knees, both hands covered in bloodstains. His knuckles were either torn open or bruised with varying degrees of abrasions.
He seemed to want to swallow all the pain alone in the howling wind and snow-filled silence.
Wen Yu stopped speaking as well, quietly standing with him for a while. Noticing a wound on the back of his hand where the flesh had split open and was dripping blood, she set down her umbrella and crouched, tearing a strip of fine white gauze from her skirt. Her fair, slender fingers lightly touched the back of his hand as she wrapped the gauze around his palm.
The cold wind stirred her dark, long hair, a strand seemingly brushing faintly through Xiao Li’s fingers.
A trace of coolness, like cupping a handful of water that evaporated in an instant.
After tying the gauze securely, Wen Yu lifted her eyes, clear as the moon, and said gently, “Let’s go back.”
She was always composed and serene, like the breeze brushing past in early spring—gentle, yet possessing an unyielding strength that allowed new sprouts to emerge from cracked soil.
After returning, Xiao Li fell ill from a combination of injuries and illness after hastily arranging Hou Xiao’an’s funeral.
Their original home had been smashed to pieces by Huo Kun’s men. Madam Zhou ordered several guest rooms to be cleared in the manor, using the convenience of the manor physician treating him as a reason to move Xiao Li’s family there.
She publicly claimed it was because Xiao Li had contributed by holding off Huo Kun, but it was also partly due to Wen Yu referring to his family as her benefactors.
Wen Yu no longer stayed with Xiao Huiniang and the others. Given the unstable situation and her imminent journey south, she had many important matters to discuss with Zhou Jing’an and his wife. Staying in Madam Zhou’s courtyard, surrounded by her trusted aides, made it easier to discuss matters without fear of eavesdropping.
Otherwise, she would have to fabricate excuses to deceive Xiao Huiniang every time she came to the main courtyard.
Madam Zhou publicly stated that she admired Wen Yu’s embroidery skills and had temporarily kept her as a maid.
Xiao Huiniang was naturally happy for Wen Yu.
Wen Yu hadn’t refused to reveal her identity to the Xiao mother and son out of reluctance, but because the more people who knew she was in Yongzhou, the greater the danger—both for her and for them.
After what the Xiao family had been through, Wen Yu assumed they would want to live a peaceful, ordinary life. She also hoped they would be safe and prosperous from then on, free from further entanglement in such conspiracies.
She asked Zhou Jing’an for a favor, requesting that their status be changed from low-born to commoner.
Zhou Jing’an naturally agreed. Impressed by Xiao Li’s martial skills and courage in holding off Huo Kun’s men alone, and knowing that Xiao Li was concerned about his elderly mother and likely unwilling to join the army, he considered offering him a position as a Manor Guard.
However, whether Xiao Li would accept the job would only be known after he recovered and was asked himself.
Wen Yu also asked Zhou Jing’an to help contact her personal guards, but there had been no news. Zhou Jing’an, aware of the critical situation in Fengyang and that further delays were impossible, selected a group of elite soldiers from the manor guards to escort Wen Yu south.
While helping Wen Yu inventory items for the journey, Madam Zhou handed her the financial records uncovered after the Han and He families were purged, saying, “My husband said you may dispose of these assets as you see fit.”
Wen Yu skimmed through the accounts and found the two families’ assets astonishingly large. She hurriedly declined, “This wealth is equivalent to two or three years of Yongzhou’s tax revenue. It should be added to the Yongzhou treasury.”
Though still smiling faintly, Madam Zhou’s expression darkened slightly. “Thanks to your presence, Yongzhou narrowly avoided disaster. But Pei Song’s influence grows daily, and Yongzhou… we don’t know how long it can hold out. If this money goes into the treasury, and if Yongzhou falls someday… it will end up in Pei Song’s pockets.”
She looked at Wen Yu and said, “My husband’s intention is for you to take this money. Coincidentally, both families kept dual account books. The official records will only show the surface accounts. No one will know about the hidden funds.”
Hearing this, Wen Yu understood the careful consideration behind Zhou Jing’an and his wife’s actions. She felt the weight of her responsibility clearer than ever before.
She stood up and bowed solemnly to Madam Zhou. “On behalf of my father and the Great Liang, I thank you and Lord Zhou for your kindness.”
Madam Zhou quickly helped her up. “Your Highness, there’s no need for this. You humble my husband and me. He has been restless, unable to aid the Prince trapped in Fengyang. If he can contribute even slightly financially, it will ease his mind.”
Wen Yu said, “The Wen family will surely eliminate the traitors, restore order to the land, and bring peace and prosperity to all under heaven.”
Madam Zhou wiped her tears with a handkerchief and smiled. “My husband and I await that day.”
The money confiscated from the He and Han families couldn’t possibly be transported in silver carts, nor could it be exchanged for banknotes.
When true war arrives, silver becomes as worthless as stones. Only supplies are real “wealth.”
Before heading south, Wen Yu had to convert this money into goods and transport them first.
With the Han and He families fallen alongside Huo Kun’s downfall, the Xu family now dominated Yongzhou’s merchants.
Fengqing Pavilion.
When Madam Xu pushed open the door to the private room, her face was almost blooming like a flower. “It’s been so long since we last met at the Governor’s residence. I’ve been wanting to properly thank you, but never found the opportunity. I assumed you were very busy and didn’t dare disturb you rashly.”
Wen Yu knew the Xu family must have been extremely busy lately, seizing the chance to acquire the Han and He families’ shops and properties at discounted prices. Madam Xu’s plump, fair face seemed to have slimmed down a bit, though she still glowed with vitality—likely due to “good fortune lifting the spirits.”
She poured tea for Madam Xu and said, “I can’t claim to be busy. You flatter me.”
Madam Xu noticed her wrist tilting slightly as she poured, a clear stream of water flowing from the purple clay teapot spout. The tea entered the cup with little noise and without causing ripples. Her wrist lifted slightly, the water column thickening slightly. When the cup was nearly seventy percent full, she gradually pressed down, lifting her wrist to cut off the flow.
This "Phoenix Nods Thrice" tea-pouring technique was executed with skill and ease.
Madam Xu grew even more curious about her identity but knew better than to ask questions she shouldn’t.
If this person could approach her with half of the Han family’s account books and reshuffle Yongzhou’s merchant landscape, she could easily take back the benefits she’d given if Madam Xu overstepped.
Holding the teacup, Madam Xu beamed. “Then I’ve truly been remiss. I should have invited you out for a meal sooner.”
Wen Yu said, “You’re too kind. I merely embroidered a fan cover for you.”
Madam Xu understood the underlying meaning—to keep the matter of the account books confidential.
She quickly chuckled. “Your embroidery skills have earned Madam Zhou’s admiration. Now that you’re a favorite of Madam Zhou, if you put in a good word for me, I’ll certainly remember your kindness.”
Wen Yu wore a veil, a faint smile in her eyes.
This was the advantage of speaking with intelligent people.
She said, “I also enjoy dealing with straightforward people like you. I have another business proposition. I wonder if you’d be interested.”
Madam Xu immediately brightened, raising her teacup. “Just say the word. As long as my Xu family can manage it, we’ll handle it beautifully for you.”
Wen Yu said, “I’ve heard the Xu family made its fortune in silk and tea. Now that you’ve taken over the He family’s canal transport business, I’d like your ships to exchange silk and tea for grain and medicinal herbs when passing through various prefectures.”
Madam Xu’s hand, holding the teacup, paused. “The scale of this business you’re proposing is not small.”
Wen Yu lifted her eyes, glancing at Madam Xu with an almost imperceptible smile. “Fortune favors the bold, doesn’t it?”
Madam Xu laughed along with her. “You’re absolutely right. With the chaos of war outside, isn’t grain and medicine the most valuable? Even if we can’t acquire those scarce goods, hoarding silk and tea means we can sell them slowly over time, no matter how long they’re stored!”
She asked Wen Yu eagerly, “How much do you intend to purchase?”
A small opening in the window let in a cold breeze that dispersed the white mist rising from Wen Yu’s teacup.
Her gaze remained gentle as she looked at Madam Xu, yet it somehow made Madam Xu feel unable to meet her eyes. She heard Wen Yu say, “I’ll buy all the silk and tea the Xu family currently has. For the portion exchanged for grain and medicine along the route to Pingzhou, I’ll pay an additional twenty percent.”
The Xu family now monopolized all the shops in Yong City. What the Xu family had represented the entire current stock of Yong City.
This was a huge windfall deal. Madam Xu was overjoyed, even forgetting to drink her tea. She hurriedly said, “Deal! I’ll have the Xu family’s merchant team personally escort the shipment for you.”
Pingzhou bordered Southern Chen and hosted the largest tea-horse market in the southern part of Great Liang. All north-south merchant caravans traded goods there.
Madam Xu had no doubts about Wen Yu shipping the goods to Pingzhou.
Wen Yu said, “After the Xu family’s cargo ships depart, I’ll pay half as a deposit. When the merchant ships reach Pingzhou and my people verify the goods are undamaged, I’ll pay the remaining balance. How does that sound?”
“This…” Madam Xu seemed hesitant.
Wen Yu’s clear, cold eyes lifted. “You needn’t worry. I intend to establish a long-term business relationship with you. The merchant ships and escort teams are all your own people. You must allow me to report back to my master.”
Madam Xu didn’t know who this “master” was, but since even Madam Zhou relied on her, her master must be even more formidable. She quickly smiled apologetically. “I naturally trust you. You’re my goddess of wealth!”
Hearing the term “goddess of wealth,” Wen Yu was momentarily stunned.
But she quickly masked her emotions and said, “I need this batch of goods urgently. I’ll trouble you to prepare them for me first.”
Madam Xu stood up, chuckling. “Then I won’t disturb you further. I’ll go take care of your matter!”
After Madam Xu left, Wen Yu walked to the window, pushed open the wooden shutters, and looked out at the drizzling rain mixed with snow. She reached out and caught a tiny snowflake.
Back then, Xiao’an had also called her “sister goddess of wealth.”
That young man was already gone.
Parting by death was sometimes like being cut by a blunt knife—the heart-wrenching grief passed quickly, but something would occasionally trigger a sudden memory of that person.
It wasn’t exactly sadness, but a certain phrase they’d said or something they’d done would become vividly clear in that moment, making one’s heart feel heavy and stifled.
Xiao’an, Xiao’an… why couldn’t you have had a lifetime of peace?
Wen Yu took a shallow breath of the cold air outside the window. She thought that even she, who hadn’t known Hou Xiao’an for long, found his death hard to accept. She wondered how Xiao Li had been coping these past two days.
Just as this thought crossed her mind, she glanced down and spotted a familiar figure leaning against the wall across the street, arms crossed.
He was also looking at her.
They gazed at each other briefly across the flying snow for two breaths.
A waiter returned to the private room to refill the teapot.
Xiao Li sat in the seat previously occupied by Madam Xu.
Due to his unhealed injuries, his features seemed less sharp than before, his complexion somewhat pale. Like a wolf that had retracted its fangs, at first glance, he no longer evoked fear with his ferocity, instead highlighting his handsome looks.
Xiao Huiniang had been the top courtesan at the Drunken Red Chamber in her youth. His appearance, inherited from her, was naturally exceptional.
Wen Yu poured tea for him calmly and asked, “When did you arrive?”
Xiao Li answered frankly, “When you left the manor.”
She looked at him.
He said, “I came out to handle some matters and happened to see you from afar. I wasn’t intentionally following you.”
Wen Yu said, “If you have questions, ask them.”
Xiao Li then said, “My mother and I being able to regain commoner status… was it because of you?”
Wen Yu had expected him to ask about her meeting with Madam Xu, not this. She paused for a moment before replying, “You made contributions that day, and Lord Zhou also values your talents.”
So her influence was indeed involved.
Xiao Li said, “Thank you.”
Wen Yu merely said, “Auntie has been kind to me. Why thank me?”
Though they had been polite to each other before, their words hadn’t carried this sense of distance.
An invisible boundary seemed to have emerged, noticed by both.
After a brief silence in the private room, Wen Yu turned to look at the snow outside and changed the subject. “Lord Zhou intends to offer you a position as a Manor Guard. Though it may not hold great prospects, it should be more stable than your previous work at the gambling house. In the future, when Auntie wants to arrange a marriage for you, it likely won’t be as difficult.”
Manor Guards were selected from military households with clean backgrounds. They didn’t have to fight on the battlefield but, being directly under the Governor and responsible for guarding the manor, received generous monthly pay. It was a position many sought but couldn’t obtain. Yet she said it didn’t hold great prospects.
Xiao Li wanted to laugh but found he couldn’t.
He asked, “Can I still know who you are?”
Wen Yu looked at him and said, “If knowing could cost you your life, would you still want to know?”
Xiao Li met her gaze without flinching. “If it’s only my head at risk, then I still want to know.”
Wen Yu seemed to hesitate slightly before finally reaching up and slowly removing her veil.
The cold wind from outside rushed in, stirring the loose strands at her temples. The iron horses under the eaves jingled.
The daylight and snowscape seemed to dim in that instant, leaving only that lotus-jade face capturing all the beauty in the world.
Rumors circulated that a few years ago, the son of the Yushan Count from Hexi, after catching a distant glimpse of Hanyang Princess at a banquet in the capital, returned home lovesick. This was not without basis.
The brightest pearl of Great Liang, her countenance possessed the splendor of a peony and the purity of a lotus bud.
After being separated from her guards, Wen Yu had done her best to conceal her appearance. But without disfiguring her face to the point of severe allergic rashes, she had still attracted the attention of human traffickers.
Now, that breathtakingly beautiful face was fully revealed before Xiao Li’s eyes. He could only hear the thunderous beating of his own heart, one pulse louder than the last.
She… looked like this?
The feelings he had previously suppressed with great effort now seemed to spread and grow wildly like weeds.
Her gaze remained as gentle as ever, yet it felt as distant as mountains and rivers. She said, “My surname is Wen, given name Yu. My title is Hanyang.”
OpenNovel