Chapter 33#

Ningzhou: Little Pei Goes South of the River#

You Zong hadn’t lied; the Document Office had very little daily work to speak of, and with such a diligent, efficient, and fast-working superior as Lu Mang, Pei Xiting—who was nominally a document clerk but in reality more of a dedicated artist for the Crane Cage Bureau and the Crown Prince himself—was exceptionally happy, spending almost every day slacking off.

Here he was in the Document Office, sipping iced coconut water and eating a small half-watermelon that had been chilling in the well, idly flipping through an introductory book on the guqin. He planned to learn the instrument, not to master it or even dabble extensively, but just to learn one piece—the one the Crown Prince had played on Chaohua Mountain that day, “Clear Dew on the Lotus Pond.”

Regarding this sudden lofty aspiration of his, Yuan Fang had once interviewed him: “What are you after?”

Pei Xiting’s motivation was simple. The image of the Crown Prince playing the guqin that day lingered in his mind, refusing to dissipate. The background music had become inextricably linked to that beautiful scene, the melody echoing in his ears, persistent and unending.

Yuan Fang didn’t get it, and Pei Xiting couldn’t quite explain it either. Doing something doesn’t necessarily require a very clear reason; if you want to do it, you just do it.

Although Lu Mang was audacious enough to secretly write stories about the Crown Prince, he didn’t know that his subordinate was audaciously harboring such reveries about His Highness. He kindly suggested, “You really should find a reliable teacher. Otherwise, you might go down the wrong path without even realizing it.”

“I plan to first look over the basics of guqin and some sheet music, then find a teacher to instruct me. That way, I won’t go to the teacher completely clueless,” Pei Xiting said, a little regretful. When he was a child listening to his grandfather play, he’d just sat nearby playing with mud instead of soaking up the edification .

Lu Mang, sipping his lotus seed soup, said, “When it comes to the guqin, Fourth Young Master Zhao is quite good.”

Pei Xiting replied, “The autumn provincial exam is coming up. I don’t want to disturb him.”

Lu Mang had forgotten about that and asked curiously, “Aren’t you preparing for the autumn exam?”

“I plan to work at the Crane Cage Bureau until I retire… until I’m old and gray,” Pei Xiting said, scooping up a spoonful of watermelon.

This job had face, prospects, and most importantly, plenty of opportunities for slacking off. The boss was good, the benefits were good, and there were no complicated interpersonal relationships or environments. It was perfect. Only a fool would leave.

Lu Mang smiled and said, “I’m the only seventh-rank official in charge of the Document Office. As long as I don’t leave, you’ll always be without a rank.”

“Rank and power aren’t always directly proportional anyway. I don’t care about rank at all. I just care about the face and environment of the Crane Cage Bureau. As for the imperial examinations,” Pei Xiting shrugged, “I’m not very interested. Taking exams for nine whole days—it’d ruin a person.”

Lu Mang couldn’t argue with that. Exams were indeed grueling. Every time at the examination hall, there were many candidates who, due to weather, food, mood, or other reasons, couldn’t keep up physically and fainted. For scholars who wanted to enter officialdom or change their fate through the imperial exams, this hardship was nothing, but from Pei Xiting’s perspective—someone clearly uninterested in entering officialdom through exams—it was completely unnecessary to suffer for no reason.

Pei Xiting flipped through the book pages, using a small brush to mark and doodle. He was fairly serious until someone called him out.

Standing in the pavilion outside the Document Office was none other than Yu Shaoyun.

Pei Xiting walked over and cupped his hands. “Commander Yu.”

Yu Shaoyun got straight to the point and directly conveyed the imperial command. “His Highness orders Document Clerk Pei to go south of the river.”

What could an artist do south of the river? Paint, naturally. The south was in its plum rain season, damp and misty. Under the hazy rain, the white walls, black tiles, green waters, and willow banks all took on another ethereal, dreamy quality.

Pei Xiting said, “I’ll go back and tender my resignation to Chief Clerk Lu.”

Yu Shaoyun took a pouch from his sleeve and handed it to Pei Xiting. “Five silver ingots for your travel expenses.”

“Thank you for His Highness’s sponsorship. I’ll bring back paintings that will satisfy His Highness.” Unexpectedly, there was a travel allowance. Pei Xiting accepted the pouch without ceremony. As he returned to the Document Office, he happened to run into You Zong.

The Bureau was secretly pursuing the fake Wang San and had finally tracked her to the Jiangnan East Circuit area.

“I need to go to Ningzhou. Take care of Bureau matters for me for a while. Same old procedures.” You Zong often went out on business before, so he simply gave Lu Mang a brief explanation.

Lu Mang agreed readily but was puzzled. “Just a fake Wang San, why does the Director need to go personally?”

“This person flees all over, throwing off the Bureau’s trail with several diversions. She must have accomplices helping her. The situation is unclear, so it’s best I go myself,” You Zong said.

Pei Xiting, listening nearby, asked, “Director, could you take me along?”

Although Lu Mang didn’t know about the Crown Prince’s command, he was all for letting his subordinates gain experience in the field. “I can approve it,” he said.

You Zong asked, “Do you want to go for a job or for fun?”

“Commander Yu just came by. His Highness ordered me to go south of the river to paint,” Pei Xiting said. “You know my current situation. I’m sure plenty of people are watching me. It’d be safer if I stick with you.”

You Zong chuckled. “So I’m your bodyguard now?”

Pei Xiting gave a modest smile. “If you don’t mind, I could also help you out. Besides, His Highness gave me a lot of money. If you stick with me, I’ll cover your food and lodging.”

“That works,” You Zong said. “But I’m going on business. Travelling with me isn’t a spring outing, so don’t complain about being tired.”

Pei Xiting swore he wouldn’t complain and would follow all of the Director’s arrangements. You Zong nodded and agreed, saying they’d leave the city after dark.

After finishing up his tasks, Pei Xiting returned to his courtyard to inform Yuan Fang not to come along.

Yuan Fang asked, “Why?”

“Can’t you leave the capital?” Pei Xiting said.

Earlier at Baiyou Mountain, Yuan Fang had mentioned wanting to pull off that “hide in plain sight” trick. Maybe that was really why he wanted to stay in the capital, but it might only be one reason.

Pei Xiting had no intention of prying into his secrets. “I’ll be travelling with Director You. Safety is guaranteed. You don’t need to follow me. Stay and watch the house.”

Yuan Fang watched Pei Xiting’s busy back and was silent for a moment before saying, “You Zong is going on business. He can’t protect you every second. I said before that I can’t leave the capital because I wanted to be hidden in plain sight, but also because I’m hiding from someone. The capital is too big and too bustling. You can run into an official on any street. There are too many rules under the emperor’s nose. I used to hate it here most of all, so I thought hiding here would be unexpected. But I still got found.”

He was opening up to Pei Xiting, so Pei Xiting asked, “An enemy?”

“No.” Yuan Fang thought for a moment. “Probably a creditor.”

“From what you said earlier, this creditor is an old acquaintance, someone who knows you well.” Pei Xiting was a little worried. “He found you. Now what? Will he use violent means to collect the debt?”

“He won’t kill me. I just don’t want to go back with him.” Yuan Fang said, “I’ll go pack my bag.”

Pei Xiting didn’t refuse again and asked, “You’ve never fought with Director You, have you?”

“Don’t worry. He’s never seen me.” Yuan Fang went back to his room, quickly packed a floral-print bag, tucked his dagger into his boot, picked up a stick, and slung the bag over his shoulder to load the cart.

About a quarter-hour later, You Zong returned to his own courtyard, quickly packed his luggage, and locked the door.

It had been rainy in the south lately, so Yuan Fang put two umbrellas on the cart. They met face to face, and he bowed. “Greetings, Director You.”

You Zong had long known that Pei Xiting’s courtyard had a servant, but this was the first time he’d seen him. He gave the man a couple of looks without saying anything and stepped onto the carriage.

Yuan Fang reached up and pressed down his straw hat, his brow furrowing slightly. Those two glances from You Zong were light but seemed to see right through a person.

A hand pressed on his shoulder. He stepped aside to let Pei Xiting board the carriage, then folded up the footstool, sat down on the driver’s seat, and drove the carriage toward the city gate.

Inside the carriage, Pei Xiting sat facing You Zong and asked, “Aren’t you bringing any capable subordinates?”

You Zong was flipping through a travel journal to pass the time and said, “Aren’t I bringing you?”

“I didn’t expect you to think so highly of me,” Pei Xiting said, catching the teasing note in You Zong’s voice. He raised an eyebrow. “Alright, I’ll do my best to share your burden.”

You Zong didn’t confirm or deny.

Midway, the carriage stopped. Pei Xiting said, “Director, please wait a moment. Allow me to take leave from my family.”

Soon, Pei Jintang, having received the message, came out and spoke to Pei Xiting in front of the carriage. “How does a document clerk end up with a long-distance assignment?”

He was so jealous!

“Here,” Pei Xiting handed a banknote to Pei Jintang. “Two hundred taels. Take a hundred for yourself, and give the other hundred to Qing Lingling for me.”

Pei Jintang was baffled. “Why are you giving me money? Why are you giving Qing Lingling money? No wait, when did you even meet Qing Lingling, and why are you exchanging money with him?”

“Don’t eat too much at meals, and don’t ask too many questions. Didn’t you run out of money?” Pei Xiting sidestepped Pei Jintang’s attempt to return the money. “Just consider it my commission. While I’m away, keep an eye on my mother for me.”

Pei Jintang might not know everything about Pei Xiting, but he knew one thing well—Pei Xiting hated repeating himself and had no patience for going back and forth on one matter. He folded the two banknotes and tucked them into his belt. “Alright, I’m latched onto a sugar daddy now. Don’t worry. With me around, just go on your assignment and relax.”

Pei Xiting didn’t say more and turned back to the carriage.

Yuan Fang drove off, and Pei Jintang added a final instruction: “Be careful. Don’t trust strangers when you’re out. There are a lot of swindlers out there. Watch out or they’ll fleece you down to your pants!”

“Got it. Go back.” Pei Xiting replied through the window, then closed it and turned to face You Zong’s gaze. “Director, feel free to ask whatever you want.”

You Zong said, “Why didn’t you say goodbye to your father and mother?”

Pei Xiting hadn’t even thought of that. If he had stepped into the Pei residence, then according to protocol, he couldn’t bypass the head of the family and the principal wife to take leave only from Bu Suying. He hadn’t seen his father since he transmigrated, and as for Madam Wang, he simply couldn’t be bothered to listen to a long lecture.

“It’s getting late. I didn’t want to disturb Father and Mother or waste too much time. We need to get moving. Second Brother will pass on my message anyway,” he said.

You Zong said nothing and quietly drove out of the city.

The small carriage smoothly merged into the night, punctuated by occasional cicada chirps. Pei Xiting yawned, placed his pillow inside, and lay down.

With You Zong and Yuan Fang accompanying him, Pei Xiting could have slept soundly, but compared to a bed, the carriage was very uncomfortable. Bumps shook away his drowsiness twice, so he finally sat up, fumbled a packet of sleeping powder from his bag, swallowed some, quickly stashed the paper packet, and passed out.

You Zong: “…”

He picked up the packet that had fallen onto the tea table, glanced at Pei Xiting’s serene sleeping face, then turned his gaze to the carriage door.

Yuan Fang seemed to sense something. He paused his drinking and instinctively reached for the dagger in his boot.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze, stretching long, until the sound of page-turning came from inside the carriage. Yuan Fang took another drink of water and tied his waterskin back up.

From the capital to Ningzhou by carriage, even nonstop, would take about half a month. So the next day, after waking up, Pei Xiting shouldered his small bag and painting box and went with You Zong onto the waterway. With a favorable wind, they arrived in Ningzhou right in the season of “a river of misty grass, the whole city filled with willow catkins.”

“It’s like a steam bath…” Pei Xiting muttered on the boat, taking off his thin outer robe and draping it over his arm as he followed You Zong off the ship.

Two umbrellas—Pei Xiting handed one to You Zong and held one up as they stepped ashore.

On the shore stood two rows of constables in straw raincoats and conical hats. There was a shed nearby, under which two clerks were checking the identities of those disembarking. Pei Xiting looked through the rain curtain; at the dock for boarding, there was also an official rain shelter.

The rain muffled sounds. Yuan Fang leaned in and whispered to Pei Xiting, “The last few times I came here to earn money, there was no check. I don’t have any credentials.”

“It might be because something happened. Don’t worry, I’ve got this.” Pei Xiting queued up to the table and took out a small lapis lazuli medallion from his sleeve.

The clerk glanced up casually. When he saw the words “Crane Cage Guard,” his eyebrows twitched, and he shot to his feet, startling his colleague, who also stood up, looking blankly and nervously at Pei Xiting.

“Higher—”

Pei Xiting cut him off with a look. “I’m on official business. No need to make a fuss.”

You Zong could have ridden a horse for his task, yet he had taken the carriage with Pei Xiting, wasting a night. It wasn’t to accommodate him, but to conveniently use him as a cover to hide his own whereabouts.

Pei Xiting saw right through it and said, “These two—one is my attendant and guard, the other my colleague. No need to check them.”

You Zong’s token was different from an ordinary Crane Cage Guard’s. If someone saw it, news might leak.

Pei Xiting presented his official document. “Bureau’s seal and stamp. Have a look.”

The two clerks didn’t dare to interrogate someone from the Crane Cage Bureau in detail. After checking the document, they let him through.

Pei Xiting called one of them aside and asked, “Why the strict checks at the ferry today?”

The clerk didn’t know the reason. The prefecture’s chief clerk was summoned. Because Pei Xiting was from the Crane Cage Bureau, the chief clerk didn’t hide anything. “Yesterday, the third young lady of the Bai family, a merchant household in the city, was kidnapped by thugs. The kidnappers left a letter saying that if the Bai family’s heirloom wasn’t handed over in three days, they would humiliate Third Young Lady Bai to death, hang her naked on the Bai family’s gate, and let the whole city watch. The Bai family reported it to the authorities. Since it involves a young lady’s reputation, the yamen didn’t announce it publicly. They only said that a major bandit had entered the city and asked everyone to be careful with their valuables. We’re doing our best to search.”

“This Bai family—are they the silk merchant Bai family?” You Zong suddenly asked.

The chief clerk nodded. “Exactly.”

You Zong said to Pei Xiting, “The Bai family once produced a silk tapestry painting that caught the eye of the Grand Supreme Emperor. He named it ‘Mountain and River Scroll’ and had it collected in the Imperial Palace. The Bai family’s business flourished from then on, spreading across the Great Ye Empire until now, making them a wealthy clan in Ningzhou. The current head of the Bai family is the father-in-law of the Duke of Wenguo. I hear his health isn’t very good.”

Pei Xiting gestured for the chief clerk not to escort them further, turned, and walked alongside You Zong. “Director, what is the Bai family’s heirloom?”

The rain pattered down. People disembarking hurried away with quick steps. There were few people on the street. You Zong casually raised his hand to block a wet piece of clothing that fell from an upper floor and handed it back to a young girl who came rushing downstairs.

The girl was about fifteen or sixteen. She took one look at You Zong, her cheeks instantly flushing like peach blossoms, and shyly thanked him.

Pei Xiting walked a few steps, turned back, and saw the girl still gazing after You Zong in a daze. “Ooh,” he said.

You Zong didn’t respond to Pei Xiting’s teasing and answered his earlier question. “It’s also a silk tapestry painting. When the Grand Supreme Emperor visited Ningzhou back then, he held an appreciation gathering and praised it as ‘dazzlingly splendid, second to none.’”

“Since there was an appreciation gathering, the content of that tapestry isn’t a secret. Something that earned the Grand Supreme Emperor’s inscription—if someone stole and sold it, no one would dare buy it. They’d just end up in jail. The motive is unlikely to be money,” Pei Xiting said. “To put it simply, it’s also possible the thugs are madly in love with that tapestry and are willing to use such extreme methods to offend the Bai family and the Duke of Wenguo’s mansion.”

You Zong rubbed the umbrella handle. “Maybe what the thugs want isn’t the Bai family’s heirloom, but the Mountain and River Scroll.”

“Which is collected in the Imperial Palace… the Four Treasures?” Pei Xiting raised an eyebrow.

You Zong paused. “You know about that?”

“Don’t test me deliberately by saying that, and don’t interrogate me,” Pei Xiting cupped his hands toward the east. “His Highness told me personally.”

Exposed, You Zong remained composed. “The Four Treasures of the Imperial Palace: Breaking the Downpour, Mountain and River Scroll, Rose Pendant, Ancient Lotus Pearl.”

Rose Pendant?

Pei Xiting subconsciously touched the brocade pouch in his sleeve. Inside was the rose pendant the Crown Prince had given him that first night. It was indeed warm and smooth, exquisitely carved, with a natural aged trace—truly a treasure. But would the Crown Prince casually give such an important item to a stranger?

You Zong said, “What is it?”

“Nothing.” Pei Xiting came back to himself. “If your guess is correct, we’ve arrived just in time. Do you want to check out the Bai family?”

You Zong shook his head. “The situation is unclear. It’s not prudent to visit abruptly. I’ll go investigate the fake Wang San first. You go and enjoy yourself. We’ll meet later at ‘Willow Bank’ by the Huai River.”

Pei Xiting nodded, told You Zong to be careful, and they parted ways at the intersection.

As soon as You Zong left, Yuan Fang said, “I always feel like he’s figured something out, but he just won’t say it.”

“You don’t look like an ordinary attendant at all. It would be strange if Director You didn’t notice anything. The fact that he doesn’t say anything means he’s either going to keep testing you, or he’s temporarily judged that you’re no threat, or it’s not yet time to make a move on you. Anyway, just stay alert. Don’t overthink it. Ah,” Pei Xiting lifted the hem of his robe, “got wet so quickly.”

Yuan Fang said, “I told you to wear short clothes.”

“I only have long robes.” Pei Xiting wiggled his foot. “Let’s go buy new clothes.”

Yuan Fang knew this young master’s character—always talking about earning and saving money while still spending lavishly and never stinting on himself. “If you want good fabric, we can go to the Bai family’s ready-made clothing shop, called ‘Hundred Brocades Row.’ I did a job for them three years ago. Their clothes are really good.”

“Let’s go.” Pei Xiting chatted casually. “Your footprints are everywhere. What kind of job was it?”

“That year after the floods, there was a great plague in Ningzhou. Second Master Bai also caught typhoid fever, with a persistent high fever, bedridden. He was confined to his room for recovery. Everyone in the courtyard was expelled, leaving only two servants to attend him. At the time, his son wanted to find someone to deliver medicine to his father, so he secretly took out a thousand taels of silver. It wasn’t much to the Bai family, but to us in the martial world, it was still a decent deal.”

Pei Xiting felt something was off. Although plague and typhoid were contagious, a heavy reward would surely bring forth brave men. If it was just delivering medicine for a thousand taels, plenty of people would have jumped at the chance. But the fact that Second Master Bai’s son had to secretly hire a martial artist meant the matter wasn’t that simple.

Sure enough, Yuan Fang continued, “Delivering the medicine wasn’t something just anyone could do. Because at that time, Second Master Bai was supposedly bedridden, but in reality, he was under house arrest, waiting to die. The courtyard was full of guards. Second Master Bai’s illness wasn’t really typhoid, but a continuous high fever caused by poisoning. What I delivered was actually the antidote his son had procured. After taking it, he woke up quickly, coordinated with his son, and barely managed to save his life.”

“To put Second Master Bai under house arrest in his own courtyard,” Pei Xiting said, “internal strife in the Bai family?”

Yuan Fang said, “Even ordinary folks will fight over an inch of land. Even more so for a wealthy merchant family. Old Master Bai is old, unable to do much about the conflicts beneath him.”

Pei Xiting said, “Hey, which branch is Third Young Lady Bai from?”

“The main branch. They say she’s the granddaughter Old Master Bai dotes on most. She’s beautiful, known as ‘Ningzhou’s Peach Plum.’ Old Master Bai is gradually becoming incapacitated. In the last two years, the Bai family’s business has mostly been managed by the main branch’s eldest son and his son, namely Master Bai and his son Bai Yunluo, with Second Master Bai assisting. Third Master Bai is an old spendthrift who idles away his time, least employed and doesn’t manage anything.”

From this, it seemed the sparks flew most between the main and second branches. Pei Xiting said, “And the Duchess of Wenguo—before marriage, which branch was she from?”

“The main branch’s legitimate daughter, Master Bai’s younger sister,” Yuan Fang said.

The two walked through the rain curtain and entered a Hundred Brocades Row shop on the street. A shop assistant came up with a clean towel. “It’s hot and damp out there, sir. Please dry yourselves and have a bowl of mung bean and lily soup to cool off and refresh.”

Yuan Fang closed his umbrella, rested it on the ground, and took the towel to wipe his neck and hands. He habitually scanned the shop: few customers due to the rain, a few assistants cleaning, some embroiderers working on a raised platform behind a curtain, and the shopkeeper clicking an abacus. He quickly gave Pei Xiting a once-over and immediately determined this young master was wealthy and noble. He came out from behind the counter to attend to him personally.

Pei Xiting walked into the shop, his eyes taking in the smooth, fine silks and satins in a dazzling array of colors and patterns. The display of ready-made clothes showed excellent craftsmanship.

As he walked around, the shopkeeper had good instincts and didn’t launch into a hard sell. He simply introduced fabrics and patterns whenever Pei Xiting paused, concise and confident in his wares.

Pei Xiting chose a mid-length robe in green damask with lotus patterns. The lotus flowers at the hem were tinged with a snowy pink, fresh and elegant, and the fabric felt light and soft.

He glanced at the wooden post beside him, picked out a set of off-white short Mandarin-collar jacket and trousers, held them up to measure against the other man, and asked, “Looks like you’re wearing rice paste. Like it?”

“Like it,” Yuan Fang commented, “but this color gets dirty easily.”

Pei Xiting rolled his eyes. “It’s for you to wear normally, not to go crawling through holes and climbing trees. If it gets dirty, wash it. If it won’t come clean, buy new ones.”

Yuan Fang said he’d do whatever the big spender said.

Pei Xiting asked the shopkeeper to switch to a set one size larger for Yuan Fang, then took the clothes behind a curtain to change.

On the long table by the window were plates of snacks and pastries. An assistant served lotus seed and lily water. Pei Xiting sat on a bamboo couch, took a sip, and found it exceptionally fragrant. He pointed to a robe of dark red gauze against the wall. “I’ll take that one too. Also, pick me out two sets of short gauze tops and shorts for lounging at home. Loose-fitting ones.”

“Certainly. One moment, please.” The shopkeeper instructed an assistant to choose. He stood next to Pei Xiting and chatted. “I see the two gentlemen are carrying luggage. Are you here to travel in Ningzhou?”

The shopkeeper had noticed earlier—though Pei Xiting wasn’t adorned with gold and silver, he wore a gauze robe and a jade hairpin, with rosy lips, white teeth, fair wrists, and a jade-like countenance. His bearing was cool and refined, a delicate young master who had never soiled his hands with work. The accompanying man, though plain-featured and simply dressed, was spirited and sharp-eyed, with a composed and peaceful look—not an ordinary man either. The shopkeeper guessed Pei Xiting was likely a young official from elsewhere.

Pei Xiting used a spoon to pick at the lotus seeds. “Mm, I’m traveling, passing through to paint here in the south.”

Yuan Fang changed into his new clothes and stood beside Pei Xiting, declining the bowl an assistant offered.

Seeing this, the shopkeeper said, “We have hot tea, fruit wines, and fruit drinks in the shop. Shall I bring you something else, sir?”

Pei Xiting said, “No need. He doesn’t like sweet drinks.”

The shopkeeper didn’t press further. He turned, took the tray from the assistant, placed it on the long table for Pei Xiting to inspect, and when Pei Xiting nodded, instructed the assistant to wrap the items. He turned back and said, “If you have no relatives or friends to stay with, sir, you might consider choosing an inn near the Huai River. There are countless shops and stores there, convenient for buying anything you need. In the evening, the music and fragrance are delightful. If you prefer quiet, you could stay at a Zen temple or temporarily lodge at a summer villa in the mountains. Oh, and this is our ‘Lotus Picking Note.’ With it, you can claim a lotus lantern from our shop on the Lotus-Viewing Festival, the twenty-fourth of the sixth month. It’s not worth much, just a token for the festival.”

Pei Xiting took the note. It was a painting of dragonflies touching a lotus pond, with a line of poetry in the top left: “Gold oars, magnolia boat, playfully pick the southern lotus.”

Looking at the elegant, elongated handwriting, he said, “This handwriting… looks familiar.”

“This is the calligraphy of Fourth Young Master Zhao of the Duke of Wenguo’s mansion,” the shopkeeper said, looking at Pei Xiting. “Sir, do you know Fourth Young Master Zhao?”

Pei Xiting said, “We’ve had a few meals together, appreciated some paintings.”

The shopkeeper was startled and quickly said, “Sir is a friend of Fourth Young Master Zhao! Why didn’t you say so earlier? I should have asked Young Master Yunluo to entertain you.”

“Young Master Yunluo is busy with business. We’re just buying a few clothes. I wouldn’t want to trouble him.” Pei Xiting finished the lotus seed and lily soup, stood up, and said, “Check, please.”

The shopkeeper said, “Sir, since you’re a friend of Fourth Young Master Zhao, how could I dare take your money?”

“You run a business. I won’t take advantage of your shop.” Pei Xiting pointed to a fan stand by the counter. “I’ll take this fan too.”

The shopkeeper was about to get a box for it, but Pei Xiting shook his head, so he put it back and respectfully handed the fan to Pei Xiting, saying with a smile, “Whether someone really knows him or not, and how well, they can usually tell after a few words. I’ll venture to get a little closer and guess, sir: the oil-paper umbrella your companion brought—if I’m not mistaken, it’s from ‘Li Family Umbrellas’ on Willow Street in the capital. Six-section bamboo ribs, half-painted floral design. They use good bamboo, many steps, fine craftsmanship, so their products are expensive and slow to make. Sometimes one umbrella takes over half a year. An ordinary person certainly wouldn’t spend the money and time waiting for one umbrella. And then, sir, you speak simply, act decisively, treat your servant kindly, and your attire, temperament, and appearance are all excellent. You’re about the same age as Fourth Young Master Zhao, and you paint. It’s very possible that you could be friends with Fourth Young Master Zhao.”

Pei Xiting glanced at the umbrella. It was the one a eunuch had given him when he left the Chaohua Mountain villa last time. He’d kept it because it looked nice. He hadn’t expected it to be a brand with quite a reputation.

“Excellent eyesight, shopkeeper. No wonder you’re the manager of Hundred Brocades Row. But I’m still paying for the clothes. I’ll only take advantage of Zhao Sifan to his face—”

“Are you a friend of Fourth Young Master Zhao?” A young male voice rang out from behind, cutting Pei Xiting off.

Pei Xiting turned and saw a teenage boy in a plain robe who had just entered. He was around sixteen or seventeen, with bright, starry eyes. If not for the tired look on his face, he would have been bursting with energy.

A flash of admiration appeared in the boy’s eyes. He looked at Pei Xiting several times before turning to Yuan Fang beside him. This look was different—his pupils constricted, and with disbelief and immense joy, he strode straight up to Yuan Fang, fell to his knees with a thud, and cried out in a clear voice, “Dad!”

The shopkeeper and Pei Xiting exclaimed simultaneously: “Huh?”

Yuan Fang: “…”