Chapter 29
"To Southern Chen, for marriage alliance, to borrow troops..."
Xiao Li had speculated countless times about her identity, but never once considered the imperial family.
She appeared delicate and fragile, yet carried no air of arrogance. Instead, she possessed more resilience than common-born women.
Calm and intelligent, widely knowledgeable, no matter what circumstances she found herself in, she could handle them with composure, showing tolerance and compassion.
Like mist and clouds in the sky, condensed into rain falling down, yet unafraid of the dirt in the mud, because the mud could never trap her. She would eventually turn back into mist and clouds, returning to the sky once more.
In that sudden moment, Xiao Li understood the fluster he had always felt when looking at her before—he had always known he couldn't hold onto her.
What could possibly trap a bright moon, or capture a handful of mist?
It couldn't be trapped, nor captured.
Now, this final answer felt like a heavy hammer that had been suspended for a long time, finally falling down.
A muffled shock, a dull, suffocating pain, a leaden heaviness pouring into every limb and bone.
Unexpected, yet seemingly destined.
He withdrew his gaze, dark lashes lowering, his sight fixed on the teacup before him. He no longer looked at that stunning jade-like face he felt unworthy to behold in this lifetime, only asking: "Is it the 'yu' from the 'A Yu' you mentioned before?"
Wen Yu said: "The 'Yu' from 'holding fine jade.' A Yu... is my childhood name."
A young woman's childhood name was typically known only to those close to her. Revealing this to him stirred some slight unease in Wen Yu's heart, but it lasted only a moment before her gaze quickly regained its composure and frankness.
Xiao Li nodded hastily, unsure what to say.
Huaijin Woyu?
He hadn't heard this phrase before, nor did he know which characters she meant.
Outside the window, snow fell in fine, scattered flakes, with tiny snow particles blown by the cold wind into the teacup before him. Xiao Li silently watched the snow particles dissolve in the tea, never lifting his eyes again.
Born in a brothel, growing up doing hard labor in prison, collecting debts in gambling houses to make a living—he had never complained about any of it, never felt that heaven was unfair.
But in this moment, he thought, why was he illiterate?
She had told him her name, yet he didn't know it.
The distance between them was as vast as that between clouds and mud.
Yet within his lowered line of sight appeared a slender, jade-white finger. Its pale pink fingertip dipped in tea, meticulously writing a character in small regular script on the table with each stroke particularly neat. The owner of that hand said gently, "This 'Yu.'"
Xiao Li's chest felt tight and choked. He stared at the character written in tea for a long time, as if memorizing a pattern, striving to remember the shape of that character. After a long while, he finally said, "It must be a name that suits you well."
Before Wen Yu could respond, he added, "From Luodu to Fengyang, one should take the Huainan route. Why did you detour to Jiannan?"
This time, Wen Yu didn't answer him immediately.
After a long silence from her, Xiao Li looked up to see Wen Yu gazing out the window at the wind and snow that had unknowingly grown heavier.
Her profile was like jade, her eyes reflecting the distant snowy mountains, making her gaze appear somewhat lighter.
She said, "I'm not going to Fengyang."
"I'm going to Southern Chen, for marriage alliance, to borrow troops."
When the two stepped out of Fengqing Tower, the snow was falling heavily, and the wind was blowing fiercely, making it difficult to use an umbrella.
Xiao Li glanced at the sky and said, "The snow is heavy. Shall I escort you ahead to hail a carriage back?"Wen Yu said, "I can manage on my own. Didn't you say you left the estate to attend to business?"
The wind blew so fiercely it was hard to keep one's eyes open. Xiao Li subtly shifted his stance, shielding Wen Yu from some of the wind and snow, and replied, "It can wait a little while."
Wen Yu murmured a soft "Thank you."
They walked side by side, the edges of their robes brushing lightly against each other in the biting wind.
Xiao Li asked, "When do you plan to depart?"
Wen Yu knew what he was referring to and answered, "In two days at the latest."
Another gust of cold wind swept through, and suddenly, a loud crash echoed from above.
Before Wen Yu could react, she saw snow cascading down like pouring sand. In an instant, an iron-like grip seized her arm, yanking her forcefully to the side. Her back pressed against a stone wall as a tall figure enveloped her completely. The scents of soap and bitter medicinal herbs flooded her senses.
She had no time to speak before crumbling snow spilled down her neck. The bamboo canopy, weighed down by heavy snow, collapsed onto Xiao Li's back, eliciting a muffled groan from him.
Wen Yu hurriedly asked, "Are you all right?"
Xiao Li braced his elbow against the stone wall above her head, creating a gap of less than an inch. Using his own body as a barrier, he shielded her entirely, yet restrained himself from making any physical contact.
Hearing her question, he tilted his head slightly downward. His face was pale, and part of the bamboo canopy still pressed against his back. His slightly heavy breath brushed against her thin veil as he said, "I'm fine."
But Wen Yu detected the strain in his voice and knew he must have been injured by the snow-laden canopy.
Worried, she also became acutely aware of their proximity. With him leaning slightly forward and her looking up to speak to him, even with the veil between them, their breaths seemed to intertwine.
After his reply, Wen Yu lowered her head and turned slightly to the side. Yet, the warmth of his breath still tingled against her earlobe, sending a faint, prickling sensation through her.
She furrowed her brow slightly and looked outward. "Why hasn't anyone come to clear this bamboo canopy away?"
"The heavy snow collapsed the bamboo canopy outside the eaves! Hurry and rescue them!"
Shop assistants from the nearby stores, hearing the commotion outside, rushed out and were horrified by the scene. They quickly called for help to remove the broken bamboo poles.
However, the entire row of shops along the street had erected bamboo canopies due to exterior renovations, making the cleanup a massive task.
Trapped deep within the debris, they couldn't get out immediately. The snow on Wen Yu's neck had melted, dampening her clothes and sending a chill through her. She raised a hand to brush the snow away, but the movement only caused more snow to slip inside her collar.
The icy cold trailed from her nape down her spine, melting against her warm skin. Wen Yu shivered from the cold.
Noticing this, Xiao Li hesitated before saying, "You... don't move."
He lifted his hand, which had been hanging at his side, and brushed away the snow piled on her shoulders and collar. But for the snow that had slipped inside her neckline, he couldn't simply reach in to remove it.
Instead, he retrieved a Suzhou embroidery handkerchief from his inner robe and gently wiped the moisture away. His knuckles accidentally brushed against the skin of her neck—cool to the touch, smooth and luminous like fine Xing kiln porcelain.
Chilled by the snow for too long, her fair skin had taken on a faint blush. A strand of hair, loosened during the chaos, draped over her shoulder. Her eyes were half-lowered, her dark lashes slightly upturned, creating an aura of both delicate charm and cool detachment.Xiao Li's fingers curled slightly as he withdrew his hand and said, "It's done."
Wen Yu lowered her gaze and thanked him.
The workers moving the bamboo shed finally reached them, lifting the broken bamboo that had been pressing on Xiao Li's shoulders. The shopkeeper asked with guilt and anxiety, "Are you both alright?"
Xiao Li pushed himself up and stepped back, wiping the snow from his neck. "I'm fine."
Other civilians who had been trapped under the bamboo shed were now being rescued, moaning and groaning around them.
Wen Yu had fallen silent due to their earlier close contact, but hearing his response, she still said, "You should visit a physician."
Xiao Li merely replied, "I'm hardly injured, no need for a doctor. Your collar is soaked through—you should be careful not to catch a chill. Go back to the residence first and change your clothes."
As he spoke, he led Wen Yu to the intersection ahead to hail a carriage.
After securing one and helping Wen Yu inside, she lifted the curtain, looking at him with unspoken words before saying, "You should take better care of your own health."
Xiao Li smiled at her. "I know, I'm really fine."
Then he gave the driver the address.
As the driver flicked the reins to depart, he chuckled and chatted with Wen Yu inside: "Is that young master sweet on you, miss?"
The carriage rocked along the street, separated only by the curtain. Wen Yu seemed momentarily startled by the driver's words, then calmly replied, "No."
The driver laughed. "Then it's likely you just don't know it yet."
The voice from inside remained extremely faint: "No."
After a pause, she added, "We merely work together at the Governor's residence."
Her reply was so detached it showed no trace of shyness from being teased. The driver was taken aback and said, "This old man misunderstood then."
The carriage continued forward. Wen Yu leaned her head against the wall, occasional gusts of wind blowing the curtain open, revealing snow-filled streets in her eyes.
Not a ripple stirred in her gaze—nor could it.
Xiao Li walked in the opposite direction, his figure nearly swallowed by the wind and snow.
Passing by Old Ge's storytelling stall, he approached.
Old Ge was rubbing his hands together while packing up. Spotting Xiao Li, he waved dismissively. "No storytelling today."
Xiao Li said, "I'm not here for that. I wanted to ask you about a character."
Old Ge looked up strangely at Xiao Li, his messy, grizzled beard dotted with blown snowflakes. "What character?Xiao Li crouched in the snow before the stall and clumsily traced the character "Yu.""
Old Ge tilted his head, studying it carefully before saying, "This character? It's pronounced 'Yu'!"
Xiao Li looked down at the character. "I know it's 'Yu.' What does it mean?"
Old Ge stroked his disheveled beard, swaying his head. "Yu, it means beautiful jade, or the radiance of jade. It's a fine character indeed."
"And what does 'embracing scenery and holding jade' mean?"
Old Ge stared at him, his expression growing even stranger. "You boy, have you buried yourself in books today?"
Despite his words, he explained: "Jin, like Yu, refers to beautiful jade and virtue. To embrace jade in one's bosom and hold jade in hand—isn't that the meaning of noble virtue?"
Xiao Li finally understood which characters Wen Yu meant by "embrace" and "hold."
Yu was indeed a name very fitting for her.He brushed his palm over the character "Yu" drawn in the snow, as if burying a secret deep within his heart. Tossing a copper coin to Old Man Ge, he said, "Thank you."
Old Man Ge picked up the coin, watching the young man's figure disappear back into the wind and snow, shaking his head as he muttered, "Strange."
—
After returning to the Governor's residence, Wen Yu had just changed her clothes when Madam Zhou brought over the list of guards selected by Zhou Jing'an, along with an inventory of the luggage prepared for her.
During their conversation, upon learning that Wen Yu had already exchanged the silver for goods through the Xu family and transported them out of Yongzhou, Madam Zhou couldn't help but sigh in admiration: "The Princess is truly thoughtful. Using the Xu family's silks and tea to transfer the silver, then exchanging them for grain and medicinal herbs along the way not only saves manpower for escorting the funds but also avoids alerting Pei Song by purchasing large quantities of grain and herbs in one place. However..."
She paused, her tone tinged with concern: "The private silver hidden by the Han and He families likely isn't enough to cover the silks and tea you plan to buy from the Xu family... Even if we exchange the goods for money in Pingzhou to make up the difference, the quantity is too large. Not only will local merchants take advantage of our unfamiliarity to drive down prices, but most of them also have established suppliers. It might be difficult to liquidate the goods quickly..."
Wen Yu replied: "I specifically want the Xu family to be unable to liquidate the goods there themselves—that way, nothing will go wrong."
Madam Zhou understood that Wen Yu feared the Xu family might betray their agreement and sell the goods independently upon realizing Pingzhou was a place where goods could easily generate profit. Yet, her own concerns were not trivial either.
Just as she was about to speak further, Wen Yu said: "Ordinary merchants may not be able to handle such a large quantity of goods, but the local government taking over won't be a problem."
Madam Zhou was momentarily stunned before her worries turned to delight. She lightly tapped her own forehead: "Look at me, stuck in a dead-end train of thought! How could I have considered the Princess as an ordinary merchant?"
Ordinary merchants might fear being stuck with unsold goods, but local governments would not.
Pingzhou bordered Southern Chen—such a strategic location would naturally be guarded by Changlian Wang's trusted aides.
With just half the capital and without deploying any manpower, Wen Yu had managed to stockpile goods that would at least double in value.
After discussing other matters, Madam Zhou asked before leaving: "Since the Princess is departing, would you like to bid farewell to the Martyr and his mother?"
Wen Yu's gaze, which had been scanning the guard list, paused briefly. "Of course," she said.
—
At dusk, she knocked on the door of the western courtyard where Xiao Huiniang and her son resided.
Xiao Huiniang came to answer the door. Delighted to see Wen Yu, she eagerly invited her inside, chattering: "Since you started working for the Governor's wife, I feared you'd be too busy and didn't want to disturb you."
She studied Wen Yu for a moment before saying: "You look thinner—have you been overworking yourself lately?"
Wen Yu smiled in response: "Not at all. Madam Zhou is kind and treats me very well."
Xiao Huiniang pulled her down to sit, saying: "The Governor's wife has the heart of a bodhisattva. I pray for her family's wellbeing every day."
Wen Yu smiled: "That's very thoughtful of you."
She handed over what she was carrying: "The Madam, in her benevolence, knows I worry about my parents and has permitted me to go find them. I came today to bid you farewell."
Xiao Huiniang's lips parted slightly, her expression full of reluctance: "So soon..."
Wen Yu lowered her gaze: "While parents live, children should not travel far. I've been missing for so long—they must be sick with worry by now. I dare not make them wait any longer."Xiao Huiniang said with a touch of melancholy, "Indeed..."
Her gaze fell upon the items Wen Yu had handed her, and she was startled to find a land deed among them. "Why are you giving these to me?" she exclaimed in alarm.
Wen Yu replied, "Auntie, for your kindness in taking me in that day, A Yu has no way to repay you except with these worldly possessions. This shop was acquired with the earnings from my embroidery work and rewards given by the madam. You can use it to run a small business, or if you lack the energy to manage it, you could rent it out."
Xiao Huiniang hurriedly refused, "This won't do! Take it back quickly. A young woman traveling alone will have many places to spend silver along the way!"
Wen Yu grasped Xiao Huiniang's hand, urging her to accept it. "Please allow me to express my gratitude. The shop is already secured, and I'll be leaving Yongzhou soon. Holding onto the deed would be of no use to me."
Xiao Huiniang's eyes reddened as she wiped her tears with her sleeve. "You child... what am I to do with you?"
Wen Yu insisted, "Just accept it."
She then handed over a box of medicinal oil. "Second Master seems to have some bruises. Could you please pass this medicinal oil to him?"
After a pause, she added, "I heard from the prefect's wife that even the household guards are taught to read and write. If he's willing to stay and work at the residence, it would be a good position for him."
Xiao Huiniang sighed, holding the medicinal oil Wen Yu had given her. "He went out at noon and hasn't returned yet. Who knows what he's up to."
"You should just call him by his name from now on. Referring to a young lad as 'Master' is rather laughable. Previously, because he worked at the gambling house and became sworn brothers where he ranked second, Xiao An and the others called him Second Brother."
Mentioning Xiao An brought fresh tears to Xiao Huiniang's eyes. "What a fine child he was... gone just like that..."
Wen Yu gently patted Xiao Huiniang's back. "The dead cannot return to life. Please restrain your grief and accept the inevitable."
After leaving the west wing, Wen Yu glanced up at the sky.
It was almost You hour. Had he still not returned?
Yongzhou Prison.
The sky had darkened, and light snow drifted down through the skylight.
Xiao Li crouched before the cell, watching the mad old man devouring a roasted chicken, his long beard glistening with grease. "Old man, eat slowly. No one's going to take it from you."
The mad old man's beard had grown as long and wild as his unkempt hair, making him appear no different from a savage.
Hearing this, the chains on his wrists seemed to come alive, snaking through the gaps in the prison bars to lash out at Xiao Li. "Who taught you such disrespect for your elders?" he snarled coldly.
Xiao Li caught the chain and tossed it back, accustomed to such behavior. "If you keep hitting people with that chain, there'll be no roasted chicken on my next visit."
The old man then burst into mad, cackling laughter that soon turned into something resembling sobs. "Huan'er, come! Huan'er, roasted chicken! Hahahaha, roasted chicken!"
Clutching the chicken he had bitten into with numerous tooth marks, he continued wolfing it down.
A passing jailer spat in disgust at the sight. "This old madman has grown even crazier over the years."
Xiao Li stood up and handed some silver pieces to the jailer. "He's probably just getting old. Please bear with him, brother. I noticed the dried grass in his cell is moldy—could you replace it with fresh bedding later?"
The jailer smiled. "No problem."
He asked casually, "Who is he to you? I've seen you visiting him for several years now."Author's Note: Feeling muddle-headed from illness, so writing has been slow. Sorry to keep you darlings waiting! I'll try to make this chapter extra chunky. Sending red envelopes to all of you in the comments section~
Special thanks to the little angels who sent support or nourished me with nutrient solutions between 2023-12-13 11:59:44 and 2023-12-14 18:11:55~
Thanks for the landmines: Mu Yun. (2); jenniferCA, Xiao Xiao, tutu, Qing Shan Bu Gai (1 each)
Thanks for the nutrient solutions: Ye (50 bottles); Hong Ge Man Man (27 bottles); Yi Zhi Wa Wa (24 bottles); Yun Zhao Zhao (16 bottles); Qiu Yue Bai (10 bottles); Ni Ni, Zhi Zhi Bu Zhi Zhi (6 bottles each); San Dian Ji, Yi Hou Ai Chi Zhu Zi (3 bottles each); 65140677, Ke Yi Bei Lu Si, Xiao Xiao Zi Yan, 39874609, Sui Sui Tao Yan Sui Sui, dakoubangzhu, Bo He Xiang Qi, Pang Hu Li, Bu Gu Bu Gu Ha Ha, Mu Zi Shuo Shu, kfpy_L, Ke Ke Ai Chi Tao, Xia Le Chang Yu, Xie Zi Shu Kuang, Luo Jia Shan Man Bu Zhe, Chun Chen Xi Jun, 27428371, Stella, testtest (1 bottle each)
Many thanks for your support - I'll keep working hard!
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