Youthful Glory

Setting out from Pang Mountain, they traveled at a leisurely pace for ten days before finally reaching Lingzhou.

Ming Tan had never left the capital before and only knew that Lingzhou was prosperous in maritime trade and abundant in beauties. It was said that during imperial selections throughout the dynasties, more women were sent to the capital from Lingzhou than from other places. The former dynasty's empress and the current Empress Dowager Su were also from Lingzhou.

It wasn't until they entered Lingzhou that she inadvertently learned from Jiang Xu that Empress Dowager Su was not just a native of Lingzhou—the Su family behind her had already gained control over most of the region.

From the previous dynasty to the present, the Maritime Trade Office in Lingzhou had always been under the Su family's sole authority. Several successive maritime trade commissioners were all from the Su faction, and the largest private merchant fleet in Lingzhou was also funded and established by the Su family. This meant that both official and private maritime trade were entirely monopolized by the Su family.

Most local officials in Lingzhou were also colluding with the Su family. Those who didn't or refused to collude would always meet untimely deaths for various reasons.

Ming Tan was stunned. "Then... aren't we in great danger?"

Her upbringing had always emphasized that women should not interfere in politics, so she never inquired about Jiang Xu's official duties. This trip south to Lingzhou was no exception—she hadn't asked what exactly his mission was. She had even assumed that since he could bring her along, there couldn't be much danger.

"Scared?" Jiang Xu glanced up at her.

Still reeling from the shock of this revelation, Ming Tan nodded honestly. But then she caught herself and quickly shook her head, forcing a calm demeanor. "With my husband here, A Tan isn't afraid. There's nothing to fear."

Though she spoke bravely, her body betrayed her—her back stiffened instantly, and she cautiously lifted a corner of the carriage curtain to peer outside.

Jiang Xu's lips curved faintly, imperceptibly, as he lowered his gaze to his book. He didn't reassure her that there was no need to worry.

Lingzhou was the Su family's last bargaining chip. They wouldn't want anything to happen to a prince of the current dynasty and the son of the Right Prime Minister on their turf. Even if someone harbored ill intentions and wanted to act, they would have to see if they had the capability.

At noon, the carriage stopped at a small town in the southwest of Lingzhou, where the group found a restaurant to rest and dine.

Seated in a private room on the second floor, Ming Tan frowned, about to remark that the Longjing tea was poor quality—mixed with stale leaves—when a commotion suddenly erupted downstairs. It seemed someone had eaten without paying and refused to settle the bill.

Ming Tan looked down and saw the manager standing firm, blocking the exit until payment was made.

But the freeloader was just as bold. Rolling up his sleeves and planting a foot on a stool, he spat crudely on the ground and shouted, "Bah! Listen here, my sister's been assigned to serve the Ninth Miss of the Su family's third branch! Once she gets her monthly pay, you think I can't cover this measly bill? My sister's highly favored by the Ninth Miss—getting me a job in the Su household is a piece of cake. Don't you dare be blind!"

...?

Since when did freeloaders get this brazen?

Ming Tan observed closely and saw that the manager actually hesitated upon hearing this.

The freeloader, noticing this, smugly grabbed half a glistening roast chicken from the table and swaggered out of the restaurant—unchallenged by the manager.

Wait, just because his sister was a favored maid of the Ninth Miss from the Su family's third branch, he could act this arrogantly? It seemed the Su family truly ruled Lingzhou like local emperors.

Ming Tan grew increasingly uneasy.

Two days later, their group finally arrived at their destination—Quancheng in Lingzhou.Upon arriving at Quancheng, Jiang Xu decided to abandon his low-profile approach and revealed his identity at the city gate checkpoint.

The prefect, upon hearing the news, hurried to the gate to personally welcome him.

"Your humble servant was unaware of Your Lordship's arrival and failed to greet you properly. Please forgive this oversight," the prefect said with trepidation. Though he knew exactly why Jiang Xu had come, he forced himself to feign ignorance and cautiously inquired, "Might Your Lordship's esteemed visit be related to official business?"

"Do my actions require prior notice to the prefect?" Jiang Xu clasped his hands behind his back, indifferent.

"Your humble servant wouldn't dare!"

The prefect's legs nearly gave way. He had known this "Yama Lord" was coming, but he hadn’t expected him to reveal his identity so openly. In all the previous cities, hadn’t this Yama Lord quietly stayed in inns? Why had he singled him out upon reaching Quancheng? He wasn’t even from the Su family!

Miserable inside, the prefect bowed and explained, "W-what I meant was, should Your Lordship require any assistance in your affairs, your humble servant will spare no effort to cooperate!"

Jiang Xu gave him a faint glance. "Then I shall trouble the prefect."

The prefect nodded, wiping sweat as he eagerly escorted Jiang Xu and his party back to his official residence, treating them to fine food and drink without the slightest neglect.

However, Ming Tan remained vigilant, refusing to touch anything without testing it for poison—even the edges of utensils. She also had the bedding and furnishings meticulously inspected.

That evening, the prefect went to great lengths to arrange a banquet at Xianquan Fang to welcome Jiang Xu and Shu Jingran.

Xianquan Fang was the largest of Lingzhou’s 180 pleasure boats, consisting of 68 interconnected vessels. The courtesans there, in both beauty and talent, rivaled those of Bieyu Tower in the capital.

Learning that Jiang Xu would be entertaining there that night, Ming Tan grew uneasy. During dinner, she hesitated several times, wanting to speak but holding back.

Jiang Xu assumed his little consort was succumbing to jealousy again. After some thought, he took the rare initiative to say, "There’s business tonight. You… needn’t worry. If the prefect’s family invites you, you may join them for some amusement." She loved lively gatherings, and after the exhausting journey, she was probably restless.

"But Husband is going to Xianquan Fang—"

"My consort should have more confidence in herself." With that, he placed a piece of meat in her bowl.

"……?"

She had plenty of confidence, thank you very much! She’d followed him all the way to Lingzhou—did he think she’d fear him bringing back some pleasure-boat woman?

Alright, she was a tiny bit afraid. If he could casually pick up a woman while she was traveling with him, she might as well give up on dignity by the time they returned to the capital.

But what truly worried her now was the Su family’s potential threat. As the saying went, a mighty dragon was no match for a local serpent. On their turf, if Jiang Xu’s mission threatened their interests, even his capabilities wouldn’t eliminate the danger.

Before Jiang Xu left, Ming Tan couldn’t help but nag, "Though Husband holds his liquor well, since we’ve just arrived in Lingzhou, it’s best to drink sparingly. Do be cautious in all matters."

She also slipped him the antidote pills she’d secretly obtained from Imperial Physician Feng before leaving the capital, whispering, "Take one if you feel unwell. These can neutralize several common poisons and sedatives."

"……"

Jiang Xu considered saying something but ultimately found it unnecessary. He simply nodded and instructed Yun Yi, "Take good care of the consort."

"Yes."

Yun Yi cupped her hands in acknowledgment.Jiang Xu's sudden revelation of his identity not only caught the prefect off guard but also threw the women in the prefect's household into a flurry of activity.

Upon learning that Prince Dingbei had brought his consort to stay in their residence, and that their lord had invited the prince and that son of the Right Prime Minister to the Xianquan Pavilion for a welcoming banquet, they couldn’t very well leave the consort unattended in the house.

Thus, that evening, the Prefect's Wife arranged a river opera performance and invited Ming Tan to attend.

The river opera was a distinctive feature of Lingzhou, originating from the One Hundred Eighty Barges of Lingzhou. Later, opera troupes refined it, creating a performance unique to Lingzhou that was only staged at night.

As the name suggested, the river opera was performed on a stage built over the water. At night, the stage was illuminated by lanterns, while clusters of floating lanterns dotted the river’s surface. The audience enjoyed the show from painted boats, savoring the cool breeze, the fragrance of lotus blossoms, and the nighttime spectacle—a truly delightful experience.

When Ming Tan received the invitation, her first instinct was to decline. In an unfamiliar place, why would she venture onto the river? Did she have too good a reputation or too long a life to spare?

Yet her refusal sent the Prefect's Wife into a panic, fearing she had been remiss in her hospitality. She personally came to extend the invitation again, her words warm and earnest.

Ming Tan had initially planned to plead illness once more, but then she recalled her husband’s earlier remark. Why had he specifically advised her to join the women of the prefect’s household for some entertainment? Could it have been a hint for her to engage with them and gather information?

Noticing Ming Tan’s hesitation, Yun Yi whispered, "Your Highness, rest assured. The Master has left two elite Jin Yun guards with us for protection."

Ming Tan glanced around.

Had he? Why hadn’t she noticed them at all?

Still, with this reassurance, she decided not to refuse further. Since they would likely remain in Lingzhou for several more days, mingling with the local women might prove useful for her husband’s mission—

The prefect’s residence was close to the Lingyu River, where the opera would be held. Along the way, the Prefect's Wife eagerly recounted the river’s origins—mostly tales of miraculous rain prayers that had given it its name. Ming Tan listened half-heartedly, uninterested.

However, the Second Miss of the prefect’s household piqued her curiosity with a remark: "Your Highness, have you heard of our One Hundred Eighty Barges of Lingzhou? Look, that brightly lit area over there is it. The Xianquan Pavilion, where the Lord and my father went, is the cluster to the right."

The Prefect's Wife immediately shot her a glare, signaling her to be quiet.

Was it something to boast about, leading someone’s husband to pleasure barges? It was already a great mercy if the consort didn’t take offense—how dare she bring it up in front of her!

Yet Ming Tan did indeed follow the girl’s gaze. In the distance, the river shimmered brilliantly under the lantern light, the rippling water reflecting a dreamlike spectacle. She imagined that if she were closer, she might even hear the laughter of women.

The painted boat arranged by the Prefect's Wife was spacious, with an Eight Immortals table already set with exquisite fruits and pastries. The night breeze drifted over the river as the boat anchored a short distance from the stage, where the actors soon made their grand entrance.

After learning that the dazzling lights in the distance marked the One Hundred Eighty Barges, Ming Tan found it hard to focus on the opera, her gaze frequently wandering toward that direction.

Just as the performance of Spring River Flower Moon Night reached its finale, Ming Tan suddenly noticed wisps of smoke rising from the distant glow of lanterns.Is this some new spectacle they've come up with over there?

She couldn't help but stare, yet the longer she looked, the more something seemed amiss. Why did it appear as though large crowds were moving about? She sat up straighter when suddenly she exclaimed, "Is that a fire over there?"

At her words, everyone watching the opera on the pleasure boat turned to look.

The distance made it hard to see clearly. The Prefect's Wife ordered a servant to row a small boat over to investigate. The boat had only gone halfway when it hurriedly turned back, the servant shouting up to the pleasure boat, "Madam, it's a fire! Over there—there's a fire!"

By now, everyone could see it without being told. The flames were leaping high and fast, clusters of smoke rising into the air. Judging by the location, it was at the far right of the bright lights—the Immortal Spring Quarter!