Chapter 204: Visiting the Yan Clan
Miss Yan felt that Second Brother was acting disgracefully and struggled to get him to let go. Just then, she heard Yan Shiyi whisper:
“Are you stupid? I’m doing this so Eldest Brother can speak with Miss Ji alone.”
Miss Yan was startled, “You know about Eldest Brother’s feelings too?”
Yan Shiyi looked at her proudly, “I knew it long ago!”
Miss Yan sighed softly, “Knowing is useless. Miss Ji and the Prince are in love.”
This made Yan Shiyi indignant, “What? How is Eldest Brother inferior to Jun Yanqing? Does Miss Ji have a problem with her eyes?”
Then she thought again, “It’s good this way. If she really became our Eldest Sister-in-law, I would have been scared!”
“What do we do now? Should we tell Eldest Brother?”
Yan Shiyi squatted under the eaves, sharpening icicles with his sword. Miss Yan also squatted beside him. Both siblings wore white cloaks, revealing their dark hair. From a distance, they looked like two pandas squatting and playing.
“Let’s forget it. Eldest Brother is going to talk to her about important matters. Let’s not disturb them.”
Yan Shiyi’s true thought was that since Miss Ji wasn’t married yet, if Eldest Brother wanted to snatch her, they would help him! He didn’t believe that in Yandi, Jun Yanqing could snatch her away from Eldest Brother!
He was just afraid that Eldest Brother was too upright and reserved to do such a thing.
Yan Shiyi quietly asked Miss Yan, “If Eldest Brother wants to snatch Miss Ji, will you help?”
Miss Yan affirmed, “Of course! If Suisui marries Eldest Brother, we can be together forever.”
Yan Shiyi frowned. This statement sounded so strange. Eldest Brother is marrying a sister-in-law for us, not for you. What do you mean you two can be together forever?
Could this silly sister of mine know that Miss Ji is a woman and still be infatuated with her?
What a terrifying woman! She has bewitched both my Eldest Brother and my little sister!
This made Yan Shiyi no longer support Eldest Brother’s pursuit, “Let’s forget it. Even if we snatch the person, we can’t snatch their heart.”
Miss Yan disagreed, “Only by snatching them back can we warm their heart! With our Eldest Brother, it’s only a matter of time before Miss Ji is moved.”
As they were secretly discussing, they suddenly heard Steward Yan calling from outside, “The Head of the Family requests the Second Young Master and Miss to come to the front hall.”
The two looked at each other. Was it over so soon? They wondered if Eldest Brother had revealed his feelings.
When they arrived at the front hall, they cautiously observed. They found Yan Jiu sitting at a desk with a map spread out. Miss Ji was enthusiastically talking about something.
Seeing them enter, Yan Jiu slowly rolled up the map and said to Yan Shiyi, “Tomorrow I will invite Miss Ji to Yanzhou City. Prepare in advance and bring all the embroiderers from the manor to our home. Miss Ji will teach them to spin wool.”
Jin Sui originally wanted Yan Jiu to send the person to the border city to teach, but Yan Jiu said the workshop would be built in Yanzhou City. She had never been to Yanzhou City since arriving in Yandi, so it was a good opportunity to visit.
Jin Sui thought about it and agreed. She also planned to take a look at the Yan family’s sea vessels.
Moreover, she realized she had never actually entered Yanzhou City! Whether it was to besiege the city to demand funds or to mobilize the gentry to fund the fight against the Tartars, she had only been outside the city gates.
Miss Yan was very happy, “Suisui will be staying at my house for a few more days!”
Jin Sui did not have lunch at the Yan residence because she had to hurry to move the spinning machines from her space. Wool spinning is not like cotton or linen spinning; it has many steps. The dirty, coarse wool needs to be washed clean.
Then it needs to be brushed repeatedly with iron carders until soft, then passed through a barbed roller to become cotton-like fluff, and finally spun into wool yarn. This requires multiple processes, and thus multiple spinning machines.
She hoped the Yan family could learn quickly. She definitely couldn’t stay in Yanzhou long-term and still needed to survey the academy grounds to design the buildings.
She was truly stretched thin. If she didn’t owe Yan Jiu such a great favor, she would never have gone to Yanzhou. Instead, she would have had Yan Jiu send someone to learn from her.
When she emerged from her space, as soon as she opened the door to her room, she saw Gu Changxiao sitting on the veranda.
She was startled, “When did you get here?”
Gu Changxiao smiled, “Just arrived. I called out a couple of times, but guessed you were napping, so I didn’t disturb you.”
It seemed she really needed to find a helper, otherwise, she would eventually be discovered by Gu Changxiao or Grandpa Ling.
Little did she know, her secret had long been discovered! It was just that Gu Changxiao and Grandpa Ling’s desires were for her to stay by their side, and they weren’t curious about other secrets.
The only one curious was Liu Yun, but that child had already decided Jin Sui was an immortal and possessed a Qiankun Pouch.
“I heard you’re going to Yanzhou City tomorrow?”
Jin Sui nodded, “Yes, to teach the embroiderers to spin wool at the Yan family’s place, and then to see the Yan family’s sea vessels. Lord Yan said I don’t need to find the sea routes myself; I just need to give him the map, and he’ll arrange for people to go.”
Gu Changxiao thought to himself, at least he has some conscience. If he had insisted on Jin Sui going out to sea and then used it as an opportunity to accompany her, Gu Changxiao would have used all means to stop him.
It seemed that although Yan Jiu was annoying, he was still honorable.
“I’ll accompany you into the city tomorrow.”
Jin Sui disagreed, “No, what if there are assassins? What if the gentry of Yandi cause trouble? We can’t enter Yanzhou City at the same time.”
This was Jin Sui’s true feeling. In some ways, the danger in Yanzhou was no less than in the Northern Frontier.
Because we are well aware that the Northern Frontier people hate Xia People, we are constantly on guard. But in Yanzhou, it’s different. You don’t know if the person smiling at you is a friend or an enemy.
Gu Changxiao chuckled, “As the dignified Li King, I can’t hide in the border city and not be seen, can I? I believe those people wouldn’t dare to cause trouble on the Yan family’s territory.”
He thought to himself, compared to Prince Yu’s assassins or the gentry who resented him, he was more worried about Suisui being snatched away by that fellow Yan Jiu.
He wouldn’t feel at ease leaving Suisui alone to stay at the Yan residence!
Enemies can never be killed or eliminated completely, but Suisui is the only one. After finally being recognized by her and exchanging feelings, he couldn’t give that fellow Yan Jiu a chance!
“I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning! It’s settled, I’ll accompany you to the Yan family’s.”
“I’ll go make arrangements. We’ll have dinner at the military camp. If Suisui cooks that noodle dish tonight, be sure to save me a pot!”
He once again climbed over the wall and left. Jin Sui grumbled, “Who promised last time that they would never climb walls again?”
As a result, at dinner, when she told Grandpa and Jin An about her itinerary for tomorrow, their reactions were the same as Gu Changxiao’s, “We’ll accompany you!”
Jin Sui quickly said, “No need, the Prince will also be going.” It was as if Yanzhou City was a dragon’s pool and a tiger’s den.
Grandpa Ling insisted, “I heard that due to the Northern Frontier envoy’s visit to Chang’an, Chang’an is in chaos. Everyone is talking about Prince Yu and the Left Wise King colluding, and they’ve even dug up the matter of Prince Yu once hiding troops in the Luocheng area.
Although we are far from Chang’an, Prince Yu will definitely blame the Prince for this. What if he sends assassins? Yanzhou is not as safe as the border city. No, Grandpa must accompany you.”
Jin Sui said with a laugh, “Even if there are assassins, you can’t defeat them!”
Jin An spoke for Grandpa, “But Grandpa can tell fortunes! He can figure out which path is safe!”
Jin Sui burst into laughter. Do you use Grandpa’s fortune-telling as a navigation device?
“What about you? Why do you also want to go?” She deliberately teased her younger brother.
Unexpectedly, Jin An patted his chest and said, “I can protect my elder sister! Besides, would you feel at ease leaving me home alone?”
And so, what was supposed to be a proper ‘business trip’ turned into a family outing.
The next morning, Gu Changxiao arrived at the Ji Residence to wait. Grandpa Ling thought to himself, the Prince visits the Ji Residence more often than his own Prince’s Residence.
Before breakfast, Miss Yan arrived with the cooks, “Eldest Brother and Second Brother returned to the city yesterday to prepare.”
After having breakfast at the Yan family’s again, Miss Yan saw Gu Changxiao there and quietly asked Jin Sui, “He’s going too?”
Jin Sui nodded. Miss Yan looked troubled. That vixen is so annoying, clinging to Suisui so tightly!
Gu Changxiao ignored her and called to Han Xing, “Sit down and eat.”
Instantly, Miss Yan stopped glaring at Gu Changxiao and turned to recommend dim sum to Han Xing.
Jin Sui moved the spinning machine onto the carriage, pulled by Hei Hu. Hei Hu was not wearing a military uniform but a bright red outfit. His beard was trimmed, and even the gaps between his fingers were washed clean.
Jin Sui smiled at Miss Yan and said, “Quickly choose an auspicious day for Miss Bai to get married. Look, our Hei Hu can’t wait.”
Hei Hu said shyly, “No rush, no rush. My house isn’t decorated yet. Lord Cheng said the second day of the second month is a good day, we’ll get married then.”
Miss Yan deliberately teased him, “Although Baozhu is my maidservant, she still deserves betrothal gifts!”
Hei Hu patted his chest, “Thirty-six carts of betrothal gifts, an eight-bearer sedan chair. I want Miss Bai to have a grand wedding!”
Han Xing spoke up for Hei Hu, “He’s preparing for goose hunting recently, and the betrothal gifts were prepared by Madam Chen. He will never mistreat Miss Bai.”
Jin Sui deliberately asked, “Miss Yan, what betrothal gifts do you need to marry you?”
Miss Yan’s face instantly turned red. She glanced cautiously at Han Xing, “It’s easy to find a priceless treasure, but hard to find a loving man. I don’t care about betrothal gifts.”
Jin Sui finished her sentence for her, “You only want the other person’s sincere heart, right? Oh my, I wonder who is so fortunate to be able to marry our Miss Yan with just a sincere heart.”
She noticed Han Xing gripping the reins tightly, his face red, but he lowered his head and said nothing.
This fellow, is he still feeling inferior, thinking he’s not good enough for Miss Yan?
She rode her horse to Gu Changxiao’s side and whispered, “You need to promote Han Xing quickly!”
Gu Changxiao couldn’t quite follow her train of thought. They were discussing betrothal gifts, and suddenly it turned into promoting Han Xing?
He took the opportunity to ask in a low voice, “Suisui, what betrothal gifts do you want?”
Now it was Jin Sui’s turn to feel embarrassed, “Didn’t you already give them? Why are you asking again?”
Along the way, the Yan family had prepared a luxurious carriage for her and Miss Yan to ride in. However, only Grandpa Ling and Jin An sat in it, eating fruit.
During the journey, when they reached Yan Hui Lake, where Jin Sui and Miss Yan first met, everyone brought up the old story and burst into laughter.
Jin Sui said regretfully to Miss Yan, “If only I were a man, I would definitely marry you!”
Miss Yan covered her face and glanced at Han Xing. Coincidentally, Han Xing was also looking at her. They met each other’s gaze and quickly looked away.
So pure!
As they neared the Yanzhou City gate, they faintly heard the sound of gongs and drums. Jin An curiously poked his head out, “Is someone getting married?”
At this moment, a horn sounded from the city wall. Jin Sui had an instinctive reaction to this sound and immediately reached for her hand crossbow, saying to Han Xing, “If anything is wrong, escort the Prince away immediately!”
Gu Changxiao, however, said, “Escort Miss Ji’s family away.”
Miss Yan saw that they had misunderstood and quickly said, “No, it’s my brothers. They are preparing to welcome Miss Ji to Yanzhou City.”
At this point, people came out of the city. Two teams of maidservants carried fresh flowers, and two teams of young and strong men held fine wine. They were all wearing the same clothes; they were not civilians, but servants of the Yan family.
Guards also beat gongs and drums, and an extremely long red carpet extended from the city wall to outside the city.
Yan Jiu and Li Heng came out of the city together to welcome them. Yan Shiyi, like a director, was directing the servants to scatter flower petals and serve wine to the border city people, shouting, “Harder, blow louder!”
Many civilians were watching from a distance, both inside and outside the city. Jin Sui felt very embarrassed; it was too awkward!
She hid behind Gu Changxiao, “This is to welcome Lord Li!”
Gu Changxiao also twitched the corner of his mouth, “But I heard it’s to welcome Miss Ji.”
Yan Twelve was still asking, “Suisui, do you like it? My brothers prepared it all night.”
Jin Sui asked speechlessly, “Why do you think I would like such a grand display?”
Yan Shiyi was displeased, “Didn’t you tell Prefect Li before that if you wanted to come to Yanzhou City, you must have flowers paving the way and wine to welcome you? I, this young master, worked for a day and a night. How dare you say you’re not satisfied?”
Jin Sui asked Li Heng, “When did I say that?”
Li Heng cautiously glanced at Gu Changxiao and stammered, “You said it when you were still the Prince.”
Jin Sui remembered. It was when she had just arrived at the border city, and Li Heng had deliberately sent a minor official to spread rumors, not showing his face.
Purely looking down on our Li King, Jin Sui, who was deeply immersed in her role at the time, truly considered herself the Li King and said, “If you don’t want this King to enter Yanzhou City, then this King doesn’t want to go either!”
Unless flowers pave the way and wine is served to welcome me, this King will not set foot in Yanzhou City!
But now I’m not the Li King anymore!
Making such a grand fuss, isn’t it just making the common people laugh?
She quietly said to Hei Hu, “Why don’t you bring Miss Bai out? The ceremony can’t be wasted. You two can walk hand in hand on the carpet into the city, and everyone in the city will congratulate you on your wedding.”
Hei Hu was very tempted and asked Miss Yan, “Can we?”
Last time, at the polo match, he carried Miss Bai onto his horse and stole the show. This fellow loved to do things that would draw attention.
Yan Shiyi was furious, “Of course not! This is what I, this young master, prepared to welcome Miss Ji, not to hold your wedding!”
He asked Jin Sui in exasperation, “What do you mean?”
Jin Sui quickly said, “I was joking. I’m very happy. Thank you, Turtle Young Master, for valuing me so much. Let’s hurry into the city. Don’t let the entire city’s populace come to watch.”
She had already spoken too late. By the time they entered the city, if not the entire populace, at least half of them had come.
The Yan family’s maidservants followed behind them, scattering flower petals, and the band followed, playing music. The civilians didn’t know what was happening at first, but later realized that the person in the middle was the Li King.
Only then did they understand, “The Yan family has indeed joined forces with the Li King.”
Yan Jiu’s eyes twitched slightly.
“Didn’t they say the Li King was a eunuch? He looks very imposing!”
Gu Changxiao’s eyes twitched slightly.
Jin Sui wished she could cover her face with a cloth. What’s the difference between this and social death? Why did I say such a bold statement back then!
Only Grandpa Ling and Jin An were the happiest. Grandpa Ling was wearing a Taoist robe and kept waving to the civilians, looking like an immortal.
The civilians were indeed convinced and bowed to Grandpa Ling one after another.
A Taoist priest respectfully invited by the Li King, the Lord Yan, and the City Lord must be very powerful!
Even more terrifyingly, when they reached the entrance of the Yan Residence, there was a large group of servants holding a banner that read ‘Welcome Miss Ji as a Guest’.
Yan Shiyi was still seeking praise, “Are you satisfied? Is it grand enough?”
