Jiangning City.
The mist over the Qinhuai River was scattered by the morning breeze, drifting along the bluestone path all the way into the deep courtyards of the Liu Manor.
In the heavily guarded storehouse, dozens of rough-hewn servants were loading newly produced cotton yarn onto carts. Xiaocui, wearing a cyan steward's uniform, stood on the steps, her gaze sweeping back and forth across the stacked wooden crates.
Xiaocui noticed two young servants carrying a camphor wood crate filled with cotton yarn. Their steps were unsteady, and the crate was tilted, its bottom edge dangerously close to scraping against a puddle on the ground.
Xiaocui immediately furrowed her brows. This batch of cotton yarn was an urgent order specifically requested by the Xue family. If it caught moisture and developed mildew, it would ruin the Xu family's reputation. She quickly stepped down the stairs and raised her hand to block the two men.
Put the crate down. Xiaocui's voice was stern.
The two servants stopped. The older of the two wiped the sweat from his forehead and offered an apologetic smile. Steward Xiaocui, this crate is heavy, and the brothers are in a hurry to load the carts. You see...
I said, put it down. Xiaocui did not yield, her gaze fixed directly on the man's eyes.
The man felt a chill under her stare and could only obediently place the crate on the dry blue bricks. Xiaocui stepped forward and reached out to touch the bottom edge of the crate. Finding her fingertips stained with water, she turned to look at the two servants.
The Xu family's rule is that goods leaving the warehouse must be dry and orderly. Just to be fast, you didn't even lay down a waterproof mat. If this crate of cotton yarn were ruined, selling both of you wouldn't be enough to pay for it. Xiaocui's tone was harsh. Take this crate back for reinspection. As for you two, two-tenths of your wages for this month will be deducted.
The man's face flushed red, and he stiffened his neck to argue back, Steward Xiaocui, the Master and the Eldest Miss are not in Jiangning. We brothers work from dawn to dusk. Why must you be so harsh?
Xiaocui looked at him and, instead of retreating, took a step closer. When the masters were away, subordinates easily grew arrogant. If she couldn't suppress this spark today, the rules of Liu Manor would become mere decorations tomorrow.
It is precisely because the Master and the Eldest Miss are away that the rules of Liu Manor must be upheld even more strictly. Xiaocui raised her voice so that the surrounding servants could hear. If you feel that the Xu family treats you poorly, you are welcome to go to the accounting room, collect your pay, and leave!
But as long as you eat from the Xu family's bowl, you must do things according to the Xu family's rules. Repack the crate. If there is another mistake, pack your bags and leave immediately.
The man opened his mouth, wanting to argue further, but was pulled back by his companion. The two finally lowered their heads and obediently carried the crate back to the warehouse.
Xiaocui watched them lay down the waterproof mat properly before turning to look at the empty courtyard. Ever since the Miss left, this manor had lost its former vitality.
Without the Eldest Miss's lively antics, and without the Master's hearty laughter and scolding, the massive Liu Manor was so quiet that it made one's heart flutter with unease.
The steward turned and walked toward the Buddhist hall in the backyard.
Fresh fruits were offered before the Buddhist shrine, and three sticks of incense burned with blue smoke. Xiaocui knelt on the cushion, pressed her palms together, and closed her eyes.
The capital's waters were deep, and the northern borders were bitterly cold. Unable to help much from here in Jiangning, she could only pray before Buddha every day, wishing for the safety and smooth journeys of the Miss, the Master, and the Young Master.
Steward Xiaocui! came the announcing voice of a little maid from outside the door. Family Head Xue has arrived. Her carriage is already outside the second gate.
Xiaocui opened her eyes, smoothed her robes, and quickly went out to welcome her.
As Xue Hong walked into the garden, she wore a long jacket made of Shu brocade, with a pure gold hairpiece adorned with kingfisher feathers pinned in her hair. Now controlling the lifeblood of Jiangnan's textile industry and enjoying deep imperial favor, she sat firmly in the position of an imperial merchant. Every gesture she made exuded composure.
Greetings to Family Head Xue. Xiaocui curtsied in greeting.
Xue Hong stepped forward and reached out to help Xiaocui up. After looking her up and down, she nodded in satisfaction. You are someone who can hold things together. Qinghuan made the right choice leaving you here in Jiangning.
Family Head Xue praises me too highly. This servant is merely doing her duty.
Xiaocui replied respectfully and guided Xue Hong toward the flower hall.
After they took their seats, a maid served hot tea. Xue Hong picked up her teacup, used the lid to skim the foam off the top, and looked at Xiaocui.
The cotton yarn output of Liu Manor has doubled again this month, Xue Hong's voice was steady. The spinning jennies run day and night. The speed of production still astonishes me even now. Today, the Xu family sits as firmly as Mount Tai in the leading seat of the Great Qian's textile industry.
Xiaocui lowered her head and replied, It is all thanks to Family Head Xue's channels. The Xu family only focuses on production; the storms outside are entirely weathered by you.
Xue Hong set down her teacup with a crisp clink. Looking at the scenery outside the door, her gaze grew profound.
The storms outside have only just begun. Xue Hong's tone carried a hint of coldness.
News has come from the capital. Your Master is currently in the capital, in charge of the funds and grain for the autumn examinations... The waters there are likely very deep.
She then shook her head and said helplessly, But as for the exact situation, I have no way of knowing.
Xiaocui was alarmed. Although she did not understand the political maneuvers of the imperial court, she knew the dangers involved. She looked at Xue Hong, waiting for her to continue.
Although the Wang family has fallen, the foundations of the noble families in Jiangnan remain. Xue Hong stood up and walked to the door of the flower hall.
I received news that someone has recently been secretly contacting the Water Transport Gang, attempting to intercept the cotton clothes and military supplies we are shipping to the northern borders.
Xiaocui's brows knitted tightly together. The cotton clothes were life-saving supplies for the Second Young Master and the soldiers at the northern borders; nothing could be allowed to go wrong.
Family Head Xue, Liu Manor still has a group of guards left by Steward Li. Xiaocui quickly calculated the forces at her disposal. I will go arrange for them to escort the ships right now.
It's not enough, Xue Hong shook her head. The Water Transport Gang makes their living on the water. They are excellent swimmers and use vicious methods. Just relying on guards won't stop their underhanded tricks like scuttling the ships.
Xiaocui thought for a moment before looking up. Then we will take the land route! Although it's slower, as long as we team up with the Xue family's escort agency and hire more skilled fighters, the Wang family's people won't dare to rob the convoy openly on the official roads.
A look of admiration appeared in Xue Hong's eyes. Good decision! I came today precisely for this matter. The Xue family's escort agency is already prepared to set out. Get the goods ready here as quickly as possible. Tomorrow morning, we will take the land route and head straight for the northern borders.
This servant will get to it immediately, Xiaocui solemnly agreed.
...
Play another tune!
The cheers of the guests pierced through the carved wooden windows, accompanied by the crisp clinking of wine cups, reaching the Hundred Flowers Pavilion by the Qinhuai River.
Today, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was the number one music house in Jiangnan, packed day and night with not an empty seat in sight. Throughout the building, the formerly ill-fated women had all changed into uniform steward attire, managing the affairs of the various sections.
Inside a private room on the second floor, Yunniang sat behind a red sandalwood desk, her fingers flicking the beads of an abacus as she verified yesterday's accounts. Dressed in an indigo dress with her hair simply pinned up, the former frailty in her features had faded, replaced by a newfound competence.
Yunniang's gaze swept over the rows of figures in the ledger, and her fingers paused on the abacus.
For three consecutive days, the Heaven Number Three private room had been booked by the same group of people. These individuals were generous with their money, ordering expensive teas every time, but they never called for any girls to play music or accompany them.
Yunniang lifted her head and looked through the half-open bead curtain toward that private booth in the corner of the first-floor main hall.
Four men sat at that table, dressed in the ordinary attire of merchants, yet their every movement exuded an odd aura.
When one of them picked up his teacup, Yunniang astutely noticed that he only ever poured his tea seven-tenths full.
Furthermore, she could see the telltale marks left by years of gripping a blade, practicing martial arts, and even roughing it in the military.
Yunniang seemed to understand. These four were observing the layout of the Baihua Pavilion, perhaps even mapping out the shift changes of the guards. This group was highly likely sent by someone to cause trouble.
Sending someone to interrogate them directly would undoubtedly alert the enemy, but ignoring them would leave the Baihua Pavilion exposed to imminent disaster.
Yunniang closed the ledger, stood up, and walked out the door, waving over a trusted maid.
Take this note, slip out through the back door, and deliver it to the Xue Manor, Yunniang lowered her voice, pressing a folded slip of paper into the maid's hand. Ask the Xue family head to dispatch the hidden guards. Some tough characters have infiltrated the pavilion.
The maid nodded and quickly hurried away.
Yunniang turned and was just about to call Asura over when a sudden commotion erupted in the main hall.
A wealthy merchant, reeking of alcohol, staggered to his feet and reached out to grab the maid pouring his wine. The maid cried out and backed away repeatedly, only to be cornered against the wall.
What are you hiding from? I have plenty of money! The merchant pulled a wad of bank notes from his chest and slammed them onto the table. Drink with me, and all of this is yours!
The maid, pale with fright, shook her head desperately.
Asura was patrolling the first floor and, seeing this, was about to rush forward, but he was stopped by a warning glance from Yunniang as she descended the stairs.
Yunniang smoothed her skirts and, with a steady, unhurried pace, parted the crowd and walked straight up to the wealthy merchant.
Dear guest, Yunniang's voice was gentle, yet laced with a chilling frost. The rules of the Baihua Pavilion are clear: we sell our art, not our bodies, and we certainly do not offer drinking companions!
The merchant eyed Yunniang sideways, emboldened by the liquor, and sneered, Rules? In Jiangning City, I am the rules! Do you know who I am? I am the brother-in-law of the Jiangbei Circuit Councilor!
The two attendants behind the merchant immediately drew the sabers at their waists, the blades glinting with a cold light under the lanterns.
The music in the hall abruptly stopped. The patrons paused their drinking to look over, and the four men at Heaven Table Number Three also ceased their conversation, watching the situation unfold.
Yunniang did not retreat in the slightest. Staring at the two gleaming steel blades, she did not even blink.
The brother-in-law of the Jiangbei Circuit Councilor... Yunniang repeated. Then you are welcome to go back and ask your dear brother-in-law just who wrote the calligraphy on the Baihua Pavilion's signboard, and exactly who established the rules in this establishment.
The merchant froze. Looking at Yunniang's fearless face, and then at the cold, observing eyes of the surrounding patrons, a few names hazily flashed through his mind: Xu Qinghuan, the First Prince, Xu Youde?
Oh no! He could not afford to offend a single one of them.
Cold sweat instantly broke out on the merchant's forehead, and he sobered up significantly. He hastily pressed down on his attendants' blade-wielding hands and offered an apologetic smile. A misunderstanding... it is all a misunderstanding! Manager, I had too much to drink and lost my senses. Please be magnanimous... be magnanimous!
For knocking over the tables and chairs, and for frightening the girls in our pavilion, the fine is five hundred taels of silver. Yunniang's tone was flat, yet it carried an ironclad firmness.
How could the merchant dare to argue? He hurriedly ordered his attendants to pull out the bank notes, placed them on the table, and scurried out of the Baihua Pavilion with his tail between his legs.
The hall regained its lively atmosphere, and the music started up once more.
Yunniang returned to the second floor, tucked the bank notes under the ledger, and walked to the window. Pushing open the carved wooden window, a gust of cool wind rushed in, fluttering the stray hairs at her temples.
She took a silk pouch from her sleeve, the one Xu Qinghuan had left before departing. Yunniang gently stroked the embroidered patterns on the pouch and cast her gaze toward the north.
Miss, we will guard Jiangning well... Yunniang murmured softly. You must return safely from the Northern Frontier...
