The small pottery bowl containing the white sugar was passed around, each person tasting a little more. Astonishment was evident on everyone's faces.
Fine and soft as sand, white as frost.
It was winter now, and snow had also fallen in the northern lands. The ground was covered with a layer of pure white snow, not far off from the color in the small pottery bowl.
But the contents of the bowl were sweet.
Even before it was sold publicly, Huo Tingshan could foresee that in the near future, the nobility of Chang'an—no, it should be said, all those with money in their pockets and willing to spend it in pursuit of a better quality of life—would go mad for this white sugar.
"Madam, this sugar is truly..." Huo Tingshan was uncharacteristically at a loss for words.
Truly, any words seemed inadequate to describe the shock of the white sugar. It seemed as if it did not belong to this world. In the past, if someone had told him there was something as white as snow, tasting akin to honey, he would have thought that person delusional.
Huo Mingji let out a long sigh. "My tutors often praise me for being learned, a walking library. But today, having seen the white sugar made by Mother, I realize how boundless knowledge is and that there is always someone greater."
"Mother, how did you come to know the method for making this white sugar?" Huo Zhizhang asked curiously.
His gaze remained fixed on the small bowl, so he didn't notice the beautiful woman before him suddenly tremble slightly, her long eyelashes fluttering.
Pei Ying was considering whether to use an ancient text as an excuse when Huo Tingshan spoke up. "It's getting late. Let's have lunch and then head to the hunting grounds. We can discuss the sugar matter upon our return."
The younger generation had no objections.
Pei Ying inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced sideways at the man beside her. His expression was normal, and he wasn't looking at her, as if his earlier remark was truly just out of consideration for the time.
This thought had just surfaced when, the next moment, the man suddenly turned to her. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly in a smile that seemed to carry a hidden meaning.
Pei Ying clearly felt her heart skip a beat. But when she focused her gaze, he seemed normal again, as if the previous moment had been merely her illusion.
Pei Ying was unsettled and doubtful.
"Let's go, to the main hall for the meal," Huo Tingshan said, leading the way out. Passing by Chen Yuan, he was not at all surprised to see her still following closely step by step, pursing her red lips as if wanting to ask but not daring, without so much as a glance at a certain twenty-six-year-old man.
The younger ones followed behind. Huo Zhizhang said to Meng Ling'er, "Little sister, eat less at lunch. This afternoon, your second brother will hunt a roe deer for you."
"I won't eat less. I'm going to participate in the hunt this afternoon as well," Meng Ling'er said, not wanting to waste her archery skills. She had been practicing martial arts for a year now and saw this winter hunt as a good opportunity to test her progress.
Huo Zhizhang's interest was piqued. "Little sister is joining the hunt? Then how about we have a competition later?"
Huo Mingji said mildly, "You started practicing martial arts at five, not fifteen. How can you have the nerve to suggest that?"
Huo Zhizhang immediately countered, "We can set different rules. It doesn't have to be a conventional competition."
"What different rules?" Meng Ling'er asked eagerly.
Huo Zhizhang: "You hunt three small prey, like rabbits, pheasants, or foxes, which would equal me hunting one large prey..."
"Splendid! Big brother can be the witness then."
They chatted about hunting behind, while Pei Ying and Huo Tingshan walking ahead also conversed.
"Madam, I observe that this white sugar will likely fetch a higher price more easily than brown sugar. When the first batch of sugarcane matures, let the sugar workshop produce white sugar first," Huo Tingshan said.
Pei Ying: "That's fine. It's just an additional step in the process anyway."
Speaking of selling sugar, Pei Ying unconsciously thought of Chang'an.
Since Pei Family Fine Wine began selling in Chang'an, Huo Tingshan had directly given her the account books for the businesses operating under the "Pei Family" sign. All profits were under her management, while he would specifically request funds with a written note if he needed to make expenditures.
The account books were updated monthly. Looking at the constantly increasing numbers on them, Pei Ying would often become lost in thought.
What was the Thirteen Dynasties ancient capital like in the present day?
Was it as described in books: "Palace gates open in the ninefold heavens, envoys from myriad states bow before the imperial crown"; or "After snow, Chang'an seems like spring's return, accumulated purity and condensed splendor connecting dawn's glow."
She still wanted to go to Chang'an.
"Madam, the main hall is this way."
Pei Ying suddenly snapped back to reality, meeting those narrow, long eyes. For a moment, she felt he seemed somewhat displeased.
Huo Tingshan: "What were you thinking about? You didn't even recognize the way."
Pei Ying told the truth. "I was thinking about going to see Chang'an."
Huo Tingshan paused, his tone softening when he spoke again. "Why does Madam say that?"
Pei Ying: "Whether it's the scented soap or the distilled liquor, the pricing isn't cheap, yet they all sell out, and often go out of stock. The prosperity of Chang'an is evident. I often hear others speak of Chang'an's wonders—its brocade-like, piled-up splendor, its abundance where 'rice flows with fat, millet grains are white.' Having never been, I can't help but yearn for it."
Huo Tingshan pondered for a while. "In the future, I will take Madam to Chang'an."
"Why do you always speak of things far in the future? Emperor Zhao still reigns. What pretext do you have for going to Chang'an?" Pei Ying said casually.
Huo Tingshan did not reply, his gaze heavy.
Pei Ying sighed. "But with the world gradually descending into chaos these days, many things can only remain wishes."
Like going to Chang'an. Wanting to go is one thing; being able to go is another.
Behind them followed the three younger ones, with Huo Mingji walking slightly ahead, followed by Huo Zhizhang and Meng Ling'er. Pei Ying had not deliberately lowered her voice earlier, and Huo Mingji overheard. He had already had his suspicions, so he wasn't surprised now.
But why?
The demise of Emperor Zhao would be good news. Mother's Pei family had never had ties to Chang'an. Why did Father not wish for Mother to know?
For now, there was no answer.
After the family of five had a simple lunch, they set out from the western suburban villa to the hunting grounds.
Upon their arrival, many people had already gathered at the hunting grounds. Tents were pitched, some with rugs spread in front, bronze cauldrons set up nearby, and small tables with charcoal braziers visible at the tent entrances.
Many young maidens in colorful dresses held cups, sitting around braziers chatting. When conversations grew lively, their silvery laughter carried far.
The young masters were not idle either. Many gathered around weapon racks, selecting bows and choosing horses, striving to perform well later.
Furthermore, the pillars of each prominent family had begun socializing. The women gathered together talking and laughing, and the men engaged in casual conversation as well.
Yes, merely casual conversation. Not a single person spoke of court affairs.
When the winter hunt invitations were delivered to each household, the Prefectural Governor's estate steward had also conveyed Huo Tingshan's intention: this winter hunt was purely for entertainment and relaxation, and discussion of political matters was prohibited.
With the term "prohibition" used, how could these shrewd individuals not understand? After the steward left, every family sternly instructed their younger members, fearing they might breach the taboo.
When Huo Tingshan's carriage arrived, many noticed.
"Governor Huo is here!"
The last time I saw the Eldest Young Master was two years ago. Who would have thought that in just two short years, he has become so much more composed.
"A tiger father does not beget a dog son. Considering how Huo Tingshan, the Governor of Youzhou, is, his eldest son can't be too far off, no matter how lacking he might be. On the contrary, that young lady's poised and graceful demeanor surprised me somewhat. If one didn't know better, one would think she was raised and educated in a noble family from childhood."
"These days, I don't ask for much else. I just hope my own scoundrel of a son will strive and show his true capability."
"Listen to you. You don't have a legitimate daughter, of course you don't ask for 'much else'."
"Hahaha."
...
The younger generation followed Huo Tingshan on horseback, and Meng Ling'er was no exception. She rode the snow-white pony Huo Mingji had gifted her earlier, looking exceedingly proud.
The main tent had long been set up. The carriage came to a stop beside it. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Huo Tingshan dismounted and then walked to the carriage side.
The carriage door opened, and a delicate hand adorned with a smooth, oily-yellow jade bangle reached out. The tall man beside the carriage took that hand and helped the person inside step out.
The heads of various families had been invited to witness Huo Tingshan and Pei Ying's wedding ceremony, but the younger generation of each family had not yet been qualified to attend. Therefore, for the young people, today was their first time seeing the Governor's wife.
The moment they saw her clearly, the surrounding clamor died down at some unknown point.
Perhaps because of the winter hunt today, the beautiful lady was not wearing a long dress as she usually did, but had changed into a vermilion riding outfit.
Unlike the slender figure pursued by many married women and young ladies of the time, she was slender yet curvaceous, with a complexion like a spring dawn.
Black hair, white skin, and the bright vermilion of the riding attire created a vivid clash of colors, resembling a richly layered ink painting. She was the figure within the painting, and also the peerless scenery itself.
Pei Ying noticed many people around looking at her. Some faces looked familiar, as if she had seen them months ago, while others she truly didn't remember.
However, she hadn't come to this winter hunt completely unprepared. She had roughly sorted out the relationships between the various families—who was related to whom by marriage, which lady was on close terms with which other lady.
So she wasn't flustered at the moment.
"When does the hunt begin?" Pei Ying asked Huo Tingshan.
"In a quarter of an hour. If that big tiger hasn't left the mountains, I'll hunt it down this time to make a cloak for you, my lady," Huo Tingshan said with a slight curl of his lip.
Pei Ying disapproved. "Better not. It sounds quite dangerous."
Yet these words only earned a dismissive scoff from a certain someone.
Pei Ying: "..."
Nowadays, the winter hunt was merely a recreational activity, not yet a state-sponsored event. Therefore, the surroundings were primarily filled with private servants, with no sign of the Youzhou army or its banners, making the atmosphere very relaxed.
When Huo Tingshan said a quarter of an hour, he meant it precisely.
A quarter of an hour later, the hour of the Goat arrived.
All families gathered before the main tent. The man with a ring-pommeled sword at his waist proclaimed loudly, "The grass is sparse, the beasts are plump. To hunt with propriety, where no bow is drawn in vain, no arrow flies without finding its mark—this is a joyous affair. Today, we have gathered you all here, intending to share this pleasure with everyone. We hope you will not be overly reserved." (1)
His call was met with a hundred responses, voices of agreement rising continuously.
Huo Tingshan had always been a man of decisive action. After speaking, he was the first to mount his horse, Wu Ye.
The hunting party, predominantly composed of men, set out first. Huo Mingji, Huo Zhizhang, and Meng Ling'er—all three followed.
Instantly, the thunder of hooves filled the air, mingled with the barking of hounds and the long cries of falcons.
Pei Ying actually felt a bit of an itch to join them. Hunting! Leading hounds, holding falcons, personally shooting a tiger, watching one's lord...
But thinking was one thing. Once the gentlemen had left, the ladies of the various families came forward one after another to socialize with Pei Ying.
Praise flowed incessantly—complimenting her, complimenting her daughter, complimenting her two sons, and then subtly probing for what kind of son-in-law or daughter-in-law she preferred, and whether she already had candidates in mind.
They probed indirectly, and Pei Ying parried with them: she had no particular requirements, just someone who caught her eye would do, but she couldn't make decisions on behalf of the children's father.
Finally managing to extricate herself from the circle of noblewomen, Pei Ying stared blankly, "This won't do. I can't keep going on like that."
Unlike the quiet composure of the Qiu family's Fourth Lady from before, these noblewomen were all shrewd. Dealing with them was quite mentally taxing.
Pei Ying looked at Wu Nanran, who was accompanying her. "Nanran, let's go hunting too."
She had already chatted with them. Given that, it shouldn't be too much for her to go hunting as well, right?
Wu Nanran had no objections.
So when Pei Ying returned, she informed the noblewomen that she was also going hunting. The ladies looked at each other.
The customs in the northern regions were bold and vigorous. It wasn't unheard of for young women to hunt, but at their age, with children grown, most had long since stopped riding.
However, there were exceptions.
"Hunting is good. Lady Pei, I'll go with you. Come to think of it, my last hunt was two years ago. I went with my husband Zhao at the time, and I was quite lucky—I bagged a fox." The speaker was Lady Lin Huaping of the Zhao family.
Pei Ying smiled and said, "That's wonderful. However, I only started learning archery recently, and my aim is just average."
She had learned archery alongside horseback riding, attending the Huo family's crash course. Saying her "aim was average" was already generously overstating her skill.
Lin Huaping laughed. "The Governor's lady is truly modest."
Pei Ying: "..."
Wu Nanran selected a gentle chestnut horse for Pei Ying. After mounting, Pei Ying rode into the woods alongside Lin Huaping.
The forest was dense. The two chatted idly as they rode.
Lin Huaping: "I heard you've been to many places, my lady—Jizhou, Bingzhou, and the northern frontiers. It's truly enviable. Not like me; after marrying into the Zhao family, I've never left Xuantu Commandery."
"It's growing chaotic outside. Xuantu Commandery is peaceful. Staying here isn't a bad thing," Pei Ying said.
The entourage following them wasn't large, just over ten people including guards.
It had snowed a few days prior. The sound of hooves walking slowly was not loud. As they gradually ventured deeper, Pei Ying overheard a conversation from further within the woods.
"...My cousin married the youngest son of the Governor of Jingzhou. I heard they are fighting with Yizhou over there. I wonder how my cousin is faring now."
"Shh! Don't say anymore. This topic is somewhat dangerous. Don't forget Father's warning. Coming to this winter hunt, discussing political matters is forbidden."
"This probably doesn't count as a political matter, does it?"
"The line is rather blurry, but it's better to be cautious. Since Governor Huo of Youzhou forbids mentioning political affairs, he must have his reasons."
"That's true."
Pei Ying was taken aback.
Forbidden to discuss political affairs? Why? Had something happened at court...
