Chapter 242: Amidst a Busy Schedule
Around the end of the Chen hour, a fine drizzle began to fall.
Shi Gun returned and relayed Gu Yan’s message: the roads would be difficult to travel in the rain, so after lunch at the end of the Si hour, Wan Jing was to help Miss Li depart for Li Family Market.
After relaying his Young Lord’s words, Shi Gun smiled and whispered, “The Young Lord ordered his carriage to be brought out for Miss Li to use. His carriage has a brazier underneath, so remember to have the coachman extend the rain eaves. You can open the windows and watch the rain; it won’t be cold at all.”
Wan Jing’s eyes curved into smiles as she repeatedly curtsied to Shi Gun in thanks.
Watching Shi Gun leave, Wan Jing met Li Xiaonan’s puzzled gaze, laughed a few times happily, and then sat down beside Li Xiaonan to talk.
“Didn’t we go back to the Capital City for Lunar New Year last year? There were about seventeen or eighteen of us around the same age, all from second-tier families. One time, when we were all talking, a group of them surrounded me. Only I had been to the Pingjiang Villa.
“Our Prince’s Estate’s villas in Hangcheng and Pingjiang are quite famous throughout the entire Capital City.
“Everyone crowded around me, asking me this and that. Shi Liu, who served in our Princess Consort’s courtyard, became unhappy.
“Usually, among us, she was the most prominent; everyone would gather around her to talk.
“Shi Liu then provoked me, saying something about how she served in our Princess Consort’s carriage and so on.
“In our Prince’s Estate, carriages like our Princess Consort’s are only used by our Princess Consort, our Prince, and our Young Lord. Our Prince has only started using a carriage once or twice in the last couple of years, and our Young Lord has never ridden in one. As for us, only Shi Liu could boast about such things.”
“Ah? Does this carriage have some special significance, like rules or etiquette?” Li Xiaonan immediately asked in surprise, as etiquette was a major matter.
“It’s not about etiquette, it’s just exceptionally well-made. The carriage roof and windows are made of large pieces of translucent sheep horn paper. When the doors and windows are closed tightly, the interior is very bright. There’s a brazier under the carriage floor, like a heated floor system. The carriage is warm and free of carbon fumes. The roof can be removed, and rain eaves can be added. The carriage is fast and doesn’t shake much. The carriage is high, so it must be pulled by horses, at least two. Thanks to you!”
Wan Jing’s eyes curved into smiles.
Li Xiaonan and Wan Jing quickly ate lunch. The Young Lord hadn’t mentioned pastries, so Wan Jing generously ordered a pile of pastries and soups. Together with Li Xiaonan, they got into the carriage early and headed back to Li Family Market.
Gu Yan’s carriage had a simple design, without any carvings. The high-quality, large sheets of translucent paper were a pale yellow, as if made from old, yellowed plain silk. Apart from its size, there was no sign of extravagance, but the interior was a world of its own.
Wan Jing and Li Xiaonan meticulously inspected every corner of the carriage and then lay side-by-side in the soft carriage interior, completely satisfied.
Li Xiaonan closed her eyes, listening to the sound of raindrops hitting the carriage roof, and let out a long sigh.
It’s good to be rich!
After lying down for a while, Wan Jing got up, took out the pastries, and spread them all over the largest table in the carriage.
“We have small pear soup, clear plum soup, and osmanthus wine. What would you like to drink?” Wan Jing asked.
“They’re all sweet; it’ll be too cloying together. Let’s brew some tea.” Li Xiaonan sat up and examined the pastries on the table one by one, contemplating which one to eat first and then which one next.
Her stomach was too small, and there were too many pastries; she had to plan carefully.
Just as Wan Jing finished brewing the tea, the small silver bells at the front of the carriage rang. Before the two could react, the carriage stopped, the door opened, and Gu Yan, mounted on his horse, leaned in to look into the carriage.
Li Xiaonan’s eyes widened, and she instinctively leaned forward, reaching out to shield the table full of pastries.
Wan Jing reacted a little slower. Before she could react, Gu Yan pointed his horse whip at her and ordered, “Get down, go to the back.”
Wan Jing scrambled out of the carriage.
Gu Yan stepped from his horse into the carriage, pointing his horse whip at the table full of pastries, “This is the table I use for handling official business!”
Li Xiaonan pursed her lips tightly and said nothing.
“What’s so good about these sweet, sticky things?” Gu Yan used his horse whip to push away Li Xiaonan’s hand, which was still held above the pastries.
Li Xiaonan looked at the table full of pastries with a dejected expression.
“Pick two to keep, and the rest are to be removed.” Gu Yan flicked his horse whip twice at the carriage door, and Shi Gun opened it.
Li Xiaonan looked back and forth at the table full of pastries and carefully picked out two.
Gu Yan watched her speechlessly.
The carriage door closed again. Gu Yan sighed and pointed at the Jade Cake and Lotus Pastry still on the table, “Among that pile, you like these two the most?”
“No, these two are only made at your place. Wan Jing said they are very troublesome to make, and they are only made during Lunar New Year, so we can’t usually eat them.” Li Xiaonan picked up a piece of Jade Cake and carefully put it into her mouth.
“The kitchen served the pastries as instructed. Since when is there a precedent for not making something because it’s troublesome?”
Li Xiaonan glanced sideways at Gu Yan and offered him the plate of Jade Cake, “It’s indeed delicious. It’s made with mung bean flour mixed with tea powder, it’s fragrant. Try some.”
Gu Yan looked at the plate of Jade Cake with extreme disdain. After a moment’s hesitation, he picked up a piece and ate it.
“Is it good?” Li Xiaonan looked at Gu Yan with anticipation.
Gu Yan gave a noncommittal “Mm.”
Li Xiaonan’s face immediately bloomed into a smile.
Gu Yan snorted, shifted back to sit more comfortably, tossed his horse whip aside, watched Li Xiaonan eat another piece of Lotus Pastry, and took a sip of tea.
Gu Yan looked at another cup that had already been filled with tea. After a moment, he sighed, leaned over, picked up another cup, pushed the cup filled with tea aside, and picked up the pot to pour himself a cup of tea.
“The person using ink in your workshop has been identified,” Gu Yan said, taking a sip of tea.
“Mm?” Li Xiaonan quickly put down her cup and sat up straight, looking at Gu Yan.
“There are seven households in total, six of them are children. The other one is surnamed Ni, a mother and son. The mother is called Ni Daniang, and she is a minor steward in your workshop. The son is named Ni Rush, and this year,”
Gu Yan paused. “After the New Year, he’ll be twenty-three. Ni Rush started attending a private school at fourteen. Because his mother was ill and the family was poor, he often couldn’t afford tuition, so his studies were intermittent. Last year, he took the Child Scholar Examination and passed the County Examination, but failed the Prefectural Examination. I’ve sent people to confiscate his ink scrolls.”
“Are you sure it’s this Ni Rush?” Li Xiaonan asked.
“Mm,” Gu Yan confirmed with a nod. He took out a piece of cotton paper from his sleeve pocket and handed it to Li Xiaonan. “This was obtained from Ni Rush’s home. The ink from the Prince’s Estate is mixed with spices like Angelica dahurica and borneol according to the season; you can’t buy it elsewhere.”
Li Xiaonan took it and chuckled, “Did Second Sister take a liking to Ni Rush?”
Gu Yan paused for a moment, then chuckled.
This girl was becoming increasingly casual when speaking to him.
“It seems so. She said Ni Rush is upright, handsome, and very good-looking,” Gu Yan said with a smile.
“This shouldn’t be something that can’t be discussed. Why is Second Sister being so quiet?” Li Xiaonan frowned.
“I’ve already sent people to thoroughly investigate Ni Rush and his mother. Does your Eldest Sister know about this?” Gu Yan looked at Li Xiaonan’s furrowed brow.
“If Eldest Sister knew, I would definitely be able to tell. Alas, Second Sister is good in every way, but she tends to keep things to herself. Li Xiaonan sighed. “I like Third Sister the most. She cries when she’s hurt, calls out when she’s tired, and fights back if anyone bullies her. She never lets herself be wronged. Oh, right!”
Li Xiaonan remembered the important matter Eldest Sister had entrusted to her and looked at Gu Yan with a smile.
“Third Sister is pregnant. Eldest Sister said giving birth is like passing through the Gate of Hell, especially the first child. She said families like yours have secret methods to ensure safe delivery? Can you do it?”
“Yes. It’s not exactly a secret method, just more particularities. I’ll send someone to advise the Hong Family,” Gu Yan agreed readily.
“Just tell Third Sister. Advising the Hong Family would cause too much of a stir, which isn’t good,” Li Xiaonan quickly instructed.
Gu Yan chuckled and nodded.
No matter what, the people he sent would cause a stir in the Hong Family, and no matter how big the stir, the Hong Family would undoubtedly be delighted.
“I’ve finished talking about my matters. Shall we talk about yesterday’s banquet?” Li Xiaonan shifted and sat up straight.
“Old Shopkeeper He said that all the heads of the major Silk Merchant Houses overseas were present. For the entire evening, the people from those merchant houses were all watching you, trying in every way to speak a few words with you. That’s very good.”
Gu Yan smiled, “I also think it went better than expected.” He paused and added, “Especially you.”
“I didn’t do anything. There was a Foreman Liu from the Nanyang Chamber of Commerce, very young and good-looking. Do you know this person?” Li Xiaonan asked, looking at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan’s brow furrowed slightly. He thought for a moment and shook his head, saying there were too many people for him to remember.
“It seems he really didn’t approach you. This person looks casual and frivolous, but I always feel he’s very unusual. Everyone in the hall, except for people like Old Shopkeeper He, was watching you. But every time I saw him, he wasn’t looking at you. He was looking at the servants, at others. Once, he was looking up at the ceiling. It’s a bit strange, isn’t it?”
Li Xiaonan looked at Gu Yan.
Gu Yan listened intently and nodded, “I’ll have someone investigate and watch him for a few days.”
“Other than that, there’s nothing else. The Vice Ministers from the Maritime Tax Bureau seemed preoccupied,” Li Xiaonan said, picking up her cup and taking a sip of tea.
Gu Yan snorted, “They should have something on their minds. How is your business? Have you made any silver?”
“Not yet.” Li Xiaonan felt like sighing when Gu Yan asked.
Her business had consumed all the profits from the Preserved Egg Business, and she still owed Tang Weng Weng quite a bit of silver.
“No wonder you’re still wearing clothes like these,” Gu Yan said, looking at the thick, bright red fine cloth cotton-padded jacket Li Xiaonan was wearing.
“This is a good outfit Aunt Tang made for me. I didn’t wear it on the first day of the month; I specifically saved it to wear yesterday,” Li Xiaonan said, looking down at her cotton-padded jacket.
“You’ve helped me a lot. I’ll give you a few outfits,” Gu Yan said, looking at Li Xiaonan.
Li Xiaonan quickly shook her head, “I’m using this opportunity to do my business. Although I did help you, it wasn’t for the purpose of helping you. Speaking of which, you’ve also helped me. This is mutual assistance and mutual benefit; neither of us needs to thank the other. If we’re to thank each other, then you thank me and I thank you.”
“Then you thank me and I thank you. There’s no harm in being polite,” Gu Yan immediately replied.
“No, no, no!” Li Xiaonan waved her hands frantically. “Let’s just say no one needs to thank anyone. I can’t afford to thank you.”
Gu Yan chuckled, hesitated for a moment, and nodded.
“That Ni Rush, do you want to see him in person?” Gu Yan asked.
“Now?”
“It’s too late today, and it’s raining. Once I’ve gathered all the information, if everything checks out, I’ll accompany you to see him,” Gu Yan said with a smile.
“Okay! I’ll go back and probe Second Sister’s words to see if I can find anything out.” Li Xiaonan’s eyes sparkled.
“Then we’ll be investigating separately,” Gu Yan laughed. He paused and sighed, “I have to go. There are still a lot of people I need to see and talk to.”
Li Xiaonan nodded quickly.
“These pastries, whatever you want to eat, you can have them anytime, but you can’t eat too many, to avoid upsetting your stomach. Do you understand?” Gu Yan pointed at the pastries on the table and solemnly instructed.
Li Xiaonan sighed and nodded.
If she were like him, ordering the Prince’s Estate’s kitchen to make this and that, what would that make her?
Never mind, a nod would suffice to get past this. He wouldn’t understand anyway!
