Bingzhou had just been secured, and Huo Tingshan had much to attend to.
Tasks such as re-establishing relations with the local powerful families, as well as inserting veteran officers and soldiers from Youzhou into the local garrison forces, and reorganizing the Bingzhou garrison camps.
Adjusting the military camps to maximally disperse the original Bingzhou troops, preventing them from forming cliques and feigning compliance while secretly defying orders.
Huo Tingshan left early and returned late every day, leaving all affairs of the residence entirely to Pei Ying to handle.
Now, with Huo Zhizhang and Ning Qingying added to the household, Pei Ying initially thought this maternal aunt from the Ning Family, who wished to enter Huo Tingshan's inner quarters, would be like Cheng Chanyi in the past, eagerly awaiting Huo Tingshan's return every day.
But in reality, Ning Qingying was very quiet, rarely stepping out of her own courtyard. And since Huo Zhizhang began attending lessons with Meng Ling'er, he had also been very well-behaved.
The anticipated troubles did not arrive, and Pei Ying was content with the peace.
Time passed day by day. On the fourth day after Ning Qingying moved in, an incident occurred.
The Governor's residence was not short of people. Besides Pei Ying and the others, there were also strategists and a core group of high-ranking officers and guards. With many people in the residence, expenses were naturally high, requiring frequent trips out for purchases.
During today's procurement outing, four maidservants were injured, suffering varying degrees of harm, by a reckless rider galloping his horse on the street.
According to current law, those who injure others by galloping horses are to be punished with forty lashes. The son of a powerful family, who had been riding drunk, was quickly apprehended by the guards.
The perpetrator was captured, and the injured maidservants were promptly sent to a clinic. However, the steward was left with a subsequent worry.
Youzhou had been in straitened circumstances in previous years, and the Great General disliked extravagance and waste. The number of maidservants was precisely adequate. Now that four were missing, some needed to be purchased to fill the vacancies.
The steward went alone to the slave market.
In times of turmoil, slave markets always thrived. Following the outbreak of the Blue Turban Rebellion, some refugees who could no longer survive sold themselves into servitude, ending up in the markets.
The steward, dressed neatly, was immediately greeted by a broker upon entering the market.
As if a pillow was delivered just as one was dozing off, the steward simply told this broker his requirements.
Upon hearing this, the broker said, "Female slaves are always fewer in number. However, some new goods just arrived today, all of quite good quality. Please follow me, sir."
They passed rows of standing male slaves—tall, short, ugly, handsome, thin—all types were present, except for any fat ones.
The broker led the steward to a small room and pushed the door open.
Inside stood fewer than ten female servants, including young girls and older women, all without exception very thin.
The steward examined them carefully, then picked four maidservants he found clever-looking: "These four. What's the price?"
The broker quoted a figure.
The steward asked further, "Where are these four originally from?"
The broker took out a stack of contracts, flipped through them, and found the corresponding four: "These two are from Bingzhou, those two are from Jizhou."
The contracts contained all detailed information. Purchasing female servants was not as stringent as buying male servants, so the steward took them, looked them over, and nodded, saying, "Fine. We'll take these four."
After the silver was paid, the steward led the four maidservants out of the slave market and onto a carriage.
On the way back, the steward admonished the four maidservants: "Your new master is the Governor, the one who currently holds three provinces. You are fortunate; I think there's no better place than the Governor's residence."
After speaking, seeing shock and wild joy appear on all four faces, the steward felt satisfied.
The steward said sternly, "Although the masters in the residence are amiable, this is no reason for you to become lax in the future. If you are lazy and gluttonous, you'll be sent back to where you came from."
The four maidservants all pledged their loyalty.
The steward was even more satisfied. He explained some of the residence's rules, and as the carriage slowly returned to the residence, reaching the gate, he had just finished outlining the rules.
"Get off the carriage, then follow me," the steward said.
The steward got off first. After he left, the four maidservants exchanged glances, seeing the same look in each other's eyes.
There were not many maidservants in the residence. Besides those serving within the masters' courtyards, the others held rotating positions.
Among the four injured maidservants, one was a courtyard maid, originally serving in the Clear Radiance Courtyard.
"The steward just came to report that the maidservant who served here before was injured, so they've sent a new replacement."
Ning Qingying listened to her personal maid's words without much concern: "Change then, it makes no difference."
When she moved into the Governor's residence, she brought two personal maids and several household servants. The personal maids stayed to serve her, while the household servants were temporarily assigned to the steward for unified arrangement.
Now that the courtyard was getting a replacement, even if it was an informant placed by Lady Pei, it didn't matter, as she wouldn't allow outsiders into her rooms anyway.
The matter of replacing four maidservants in the residence was reported to Pei Ying by the steward, but Pei Ying paid it no mind. Because maidservants bought from outside like these would only do laundry and courtyard sweeping work, and would not enter important areas like the kitchens.
Another two days passed thus.
During these two days, the newly constructed distillation apparatuses successively distilled a batch of semi-finished rice wine purchased from the market.
After the liquor was distilled, it was all loaded onto carts to be transported to Chang'an by Youzhou soldiers disguised as escort guards.
The leader of this "escort" mission was Chen Yang. This young man from the Chen Family, not long past his capping ceremony, said solemnly, "Please rest assured, Madam. This trip will definitely deliver the goods to Murong Shu. I will not return without success."
Pei Ying smiled and nodded: "You've worked hard. When you return, I'll have the General reward you."
"Thank you, Madam."
The "escort guard" team set off.
After seeing them off, Pei Ying returned to the main courtyard, only to find Xin Jin full of worry upon her return.
Pei Ying was puzzled: "What's wrong, Xin Jin?"
Xin Jin said in a low voice, "Madam, the lady in the Clear Radiance Courtyard hasn't left her courtyard for the past few days. If she is unwell, we should find a physician to examine her sooner, lest something happens and the General blames you."
Xin Jin found it strange. Ordinary guests, even if they didn't visit daily, would at least chat with their hosts occasionally. There was no reason to hole up in the courtyard from morning till night.
Pei Ying smiled, once again feeling this young girl was born in the wrong era, "No need to pay attention to that side. She has her own thoughts and plans."
Xin Jin pondered this, her heart greatly shaken, yet not entirely certain.
Just as Xin Jin's mind was in turmoil, a maid from the outer room came to report that Ning Qingying was visiting.
Pei Ying raised an eyebrow slightly, then quickly understood.
Yesterday during the evening meal, Huo Tingshan had mentioned that he would be finished with his busy period in another two days. For Ning Qingying to emerge and move about a bit earlier now did indeed seem more like the behavior of a guest.
Pei Ying had Xin Jin invite her in.
Pei Ying originally thought Ning Qingying had come for tea, to chat idly for a bit before returning. Unexpectedly, the other woman invited her to go out to the market.
"That's fine, I haven't been out for a while either," Pei Ying agreed.
On this outing, she wanted to buy some things.
Previously, in the kitchen, she saw Chen Yuan starting a fire using flint stones, which took some time to ignite the kindling.
At that moment, she thought of lighters. Ancient times actually had lighters too, only they were called fire strikers or "fire folders," but those wouldn't appear until the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
On this trip, Pei Ying wanted to gather some materials for making fire strikers.
Hearing Pei Ying agree, Ning Qingying felt a flicker of delight in her eyes.
She needed to build a good relationship with this Madam Pei. That way, when he saw it, he would think that even with her around, she would pose little threat to his principal wife in the future.
As Ning Qingying calculated in her heart, she accompanied Pei Ying to the side courtyard to wait for the carriage.
Neither of them noticed a maid holding a broom appearing in a corner. After they boarded the carriage, the maid pretended to sweep a few more times before turning and heading in another direction.
That maid, broom in hand, walked all the way to a courtyard at the edge of the estate where only the sweeping maids lived.
She went straight in, retrieved a simple kite she had secretly made a few days earlier from under her bed. Then she fetched a long wooden pole, tied the red kite to its top, and finally raised the pole upright.
"Zisu, what are you doing?"
The maid steadying the pole paused. She turned her head and saw a round-faced young maid coming out of the room.
Zisu knew her. She was the youngest servant in the entire courtyard, named Ling Ke, only fourteen this year.
"I heard Madam Ning's personal maid mention kites today, so I guessed she might want to make one later. I'm just practicing in advance to be prepared for Madam Ning's possible future needs," Zisu said.
Ling Ke praised, "Zisu, you're so clever. In time, you're sure to become a personal maid to one of the mistresses."
Zisu smiled without speaking.
Taking the Prefect's residence as the center point, the view pulled upwards, gradually encompassing various buildings within Xiaojiang County.
Someone was watching from a high tower. Upon spotting that flash of red, their heart surged with joy: "Send word, that person has left the residence, and she went out together with someone from the Ning family."
Excellent. Not only had that person left the residence, but her companion was actually from the maternal clan of Young Master Huo.
...
Pei Ying rode the carriage to the bustling market, then disembarked at a street entrance to stroll through the shops.
"Madam Pei, where do you usually go when you come out?" Ning Qingying initiated conversation.
Pei Ying replied, "Teahouses, food stalls, bookshops. I frequent these places."
Just as they were speaking, two young ladies passed by. They walked arm in arm, very intimate, likely close friends.
The young lady in a purple skirt said, "Fei Fei, Yunxiu Tower changed owners some time ago. The new owner completely renovated it. Not only is the environment much nicer, but there are also many new styles. Guess what the most special part is?"
The young lady in a red skirt quickly pressed, "Tell me, tell me, don't keep me in suspense."
The young lady in the purple skirt laughed, "It's that gentlemen are forbidden from entering. Not just customers, but even the young attendants working inside are all young ladies. We can try on clothes inside without any reservations. Yunxiu Tower also has floors; going above the second floor requires paying a fee, but there are also more attendants serving inside..."
The young ladies in purple and red walked alongside Pei Ying and Ning Qingying, talking a great deal about Yunxiu Tower until they turned into a food stall, parting ways with them, and the conversation ended.
At that moment, Pei Ying and Ning Qingying arrived in front of a bookshop.
Pei Ying said, "Second Sister, shall we go in and take a look at the bookshop?"
Ning Qingying had no objections.
Xiaojiang County was sizable, but the entire county had only one bookshop, all because paper was precious nowadays, usable only by wealthy families.
Besides officially compiled books, the bookshop also had some privately compiled works, essentially the precursors to storybooks.
Pei Ying would come to browse from time to time. Last time, she found a quite fascinating travelogue here.
Ning Qingying wasn't actually interested in books. While Pei Ying browsed the shelves, Ning Qingying pretended to look at a few herself before sitting down to wait at a small table specially set up in another corner of the shop.
Just then, four young ladies entered from outside. They had come together, chatting and laughing as they came in. Two headed for the bookshelves, and two walked towards the corner table.
"Let's wait for them here. We tried on so many clothes today, I'm exhausted."
"Absolutely. This Yunxiu Tower is so delightful since the ownership change. Although going upstairs is more expensive, I think the money is well spent. Not only are there attendants serving, but there's also a variety of snacks to enjoy freely."
"I heard the third floor is even more beautiful. Unfortunately, my purse was a bit light today, so I couldn't go up. I'll have to save up some money to go see it another day."
"Remember to call me when you go. I'll go with you."
A light flickered in Ning Qingying's eyes.
Yunxiu Tower?
This Yunxiu Tower again? Its reputation was truly soaring?
When Pei Ying returned, Ning Qingying said to her, "Madam Pei, it seems Yunxiu Tower has gained quite a reputation since its renovation. Since we have nothing else to do, why don't we go take a look there?"
Pei Ying said, "Alright."
Actually, when she went out shopping, she rarely visited silk shops. All the Shu brocade Huo Tingshan obtained had been given to her, resulting in many outfits. Even if she and her daughter wore a different set each day, they wouldn't repeat for a week.
This aunt from the Ning family was still a guest for now. It was just a visit to a silk shop; there was no reason to refuse.
They boarded the carriage and set off again.
Yunxiu Tower's predecessor was also called Yunxiu Tower. The previous Yunxiu Tower was just an upscale silk shop. Having heard it was renovated, Pei Ying felt it looked not much different from her memory upon arrival.
It was past noon, the busiest time of day.
Many elegant carriages and fine horses were parked in front of Yunxiu Tower. Young ladies entered in groups of two or three, and nobly dressed ladies also emerged, followed by servants carrying large and small packages.
Pei Ying had brought Xin Jin with her today, and Ning Qingying also had a personal maid.
Besides them, there were also Chen Wei and other guards.
After Pei Ying alighted, the guards followed at a not-too-close distance.
Ning Qingying glanced back at the guards and said quietly to Pei Ying, "Madam Pei, it seems Yunxiu Tower forbids gentlemen from entering. They probably can't go in. Perhaps the guards should wait outside."
Pei Ying said, "We'll see in a moment."
But indeed, they couldn't enter. At the entrance, Chen Wei and his men were stopped.
The person who stopped them was a neatly dressed woman with a pleasant, smiling face. "My apologies, esteemed guests. For the consideration of the other young ladies inside, gentlemen are not permitted entry."
Pei Ying asked, "Is there a waiting area inside for gentlemen to rest?"
The woman said there wasn't, "However, there's a teahouse next door. Your esteemed guests can have them wait there."
Just then, someone came out. Seeing Pei Ying's party being stopped, a young lady covered her mouth with a light laugh, "Gentlemen can't go in. Inside, it's all young ladies and ladies from various families."
Ning Qingying said, "Perhaps they should go to the teahouse next door for now."
"That seems to be the only option," Pei Ying said helplessly.
Chen Wei looked at the bustling Yunxiu Tower, where all who entered and exited were women, nodded in acknowledgment of the order, and led the men to the neighboring teahouse.
Pei Ying and Ning Qingying entered the first floor.
Yunxiu Tower covered a considerable area, twice the size of an ordinary silk shop. The first floor was crowded with many people, far more customers than attendants.
Ning Qingying held a scented handkerchief to her nose, frowning, "Madam Pei, there are quite a lot of people here. Should we go upstairs?"
The staircase leading upstairs actually had someone guarding it.
Seeing Pei Ying and the others approaching, the matron by the staircase beamed with a smile. "Are you esteemed ladies wishing to go upstairs? The second floor has a greater variety of clothing, accessories, and jewelry, and refreshments are also provided. However, ascending requires a floor fee. For the second floor, it's fifty coins per person."
Fifty coins was not cheap, but the maidservant behind Ning Qingying promptly and willingly paid.
The four of them went up to the second floor.
The second floor was indeed much less crowded than the first. Jewelry shelves were neatly arranged, with different categories of merchandise divided into several large sections: one for clothing, one for accessories, and another for rouge, fragrant creams, and incense. Additionally, there was a leisure area in the corner.
Pei Ying did not frequent silk emporiums often, but she had visited a few. Yet, none had ever been this novel. This model of screening clients for luxury goods undoubtedly came from a major magnate.
But recently, the major magnates in Bingzhou had been thoroughly harassed by Huo Tingshan and likely had no energy to manage a silk emporium.
If not a local magnate, could the new owner be from Chang'an? Only in that prosperous, nobility-gathered capital, Chang'an, would one have the mind to tinker with such things.
Thinking this, Pei Ying asked accordingly: "Is your new owner from Chang'an?"
The woman hadn't expected Pei Ying to ask this. Her eyes flickered. "I wouldn't know. Matters concerning the owner aren't discussed with small employees like me."
Ning Qingying then turned to look at the staircase leading further up. "There's a third floor here. What's the difference between the third and second floors?"
The woman answered with a smile: "There are even fewer guests on the third floor, with more attendants to serve them. Also, there are far more garments available to try on the third floor. I don't mind telling you two ladies, all garments on the third floor are washed immediately on the same day after a lady tries them, while those on the second floor are only washed every three days."
That last sentence was irresistible to anyone not short of money and fond of cleanliness.
Pei Ying asked: "How much to go to the third floor?"
The woman replied: "One hundred coins per person."
One hundred coins was equivalent to five days' earnings for an adult laborer. Added to the second-floor fee, just ascending the stairs cost one hundred and fifty coins.
Ning Qingying said: "One hundred coins per person isn't much. Lady Pei, let's go up."
They paid again.
The third floor was even quieter, and the decor more upscale. The attendants were uniformly young women. Hearing footsteps from the staircase, they all turned their heads.
Rows of eyes looked over. Perhaps because it was too quiet, or perhaps for other reasons, Pei Ying felt an inexplicable twinge of unease in her heart.
But then, a low laugh came from not far away: "This looks good. I'll take this skirt."
It sounded like a valued customer placing an order.
Pei Ying's heart relaxed slightly.
The third floor had many clothing styles. Pei Ying feasted her eyes. She hadn't originally intended to try anything on, but Ning Qingying picked out two sets of clothes, saying she felt bad making Pei Ying wait outside for her, so why not change clothes together.
"The attire in our establishment is rather intricate. Please allow two attendants to assist the ladies with changing." The woman who seemed like the forewoman called people over.
Great households were filled with servants, and noble ladies were attended by numerous maidservants. Ning Qingying nodded upon hearing this, clearly accustomed to it.
Pei Ying, however, said: "I brought my own maidservant. There's no need to trouble your attendants."
The woman covered her mouth with a laugh. "Please don't stand on ceremony, Lady. The floor fee for the third floor is a full one hundred coins. We can't let you spend that money in vain. Moreover, these garments are intricate, and our attendants are most familiar with them."
Pei Ying sensed a hint of fear in that last sentence that they might damage the clothes, so she had no choice but to agree.
The fitting rooms were adjacent to each other.
Ning Qingying entered the one on the right, Pei Ying the one on the left. After Pei Ying entered, two attendants followed her in.
One stood in front of her, the other circled behind her. Pei Ying lowered her eyes to undo her sash when suddenly she felt a sharp pain on the side of her neck. In that instant, her vision went completely dark, and her whole body seemed to lose all strength as she slumped down.
Pei Ying felt herself being caught by the person in front. That person produced a cloth from somewhere and pressed it over her mouth and nose.
A rich fragrance assailed her nostrils. It smelled very much like calming incense, and also somewhat like something else. The beautiful lady's eyelashes struggled to lift slightly, but in the end, they closed heavily.
The same scene unfolded silently in the fitting room next door.
The seemingly solid wall at the back of the fitting room opened, revealing a staircase leading down.
Hua Yu and Xin Jin waited outside. At that moment, an attendant approached with tea.
"Please have some tea, you two."
Chen Wei waited with the guards in a teahouse, watching the comings and goings on the street, mentally calculating the time.
Two quarters of an hour had passed. He wondered if the lady had finished shopping.
Just then, Chen Wei saw a group of people emerge from the Yunxiu Lou next door. All were women, about ten in number.
After coming out, they boarded carriages, which swiftly headed south.
Chen Wei was slightly taken aback.
The woman walking at the very end... why did she somewhat resemble the one who had stopped him at the entrance earlier, not letting him in?
But the clothes were different. Could it just be a resemblance?
Chen Wei wasn't sure.
Another quarter of an hour later, several sturdy matrons carried a large box out of the building, chatting as they went: "We made quite a few big sales today. Need to get the goods delivered quickly, otherwise we'll be late and the esteemed ladies will reprimand us."
Chen Wei watched the carriage loaded with the box drive away.
Time flowed slowly, the golden crow gradually sinking in the west. Fewer and fewer people entered Yunxiu Lou, and gradually, not many women came out either.
Batch after batch of women departed. Slowly, only one carriage remained in the original parking area.
That carriage bore no wooden plaque, but judging by the horses harnessed to it and the materials of the compartment, it was far beyond what an ordinary magnate could afford.
Chen Wei still hadn't seen the people he was waiting for. Looking at the lonely, parked carriage, his heart spasmed inexplicably. A tremendous sense of panic roared over him.
"Everyone, follow me!"
Huo Tingshan rode out from the Han Family on Wu Ye, his mood cheerful and relaxed.
The Han Family was a major magnate in Xiaojiang County, with considerable local influence. Perhaps having seen the cautionary tale of the Xiao Family in Yuanshan County, they were now much more compliant.
Riding through the market with Chen Yuan, Huo Tingshan saw a man carrying a bamboo basket on his back. By his dress, he was likely a hunter. Inside his basket were two small piglets.
Huo Tingshan reined in his horse and asked the hunter how much for the piglets.
The hunter shook his head, saying they weren't for sale. He had finally caught them outside the city today. His wife needed meat while nursing their child, so he couldn't sell them.
Huo Tingshan glanced at Chen Yuan, who understood. He took out a handful of coins from his purse.
A moment later, Chen Yuan had a bamboo basket on his back.
Just as the two were about to return to the residence, they saw a cavalry unit hurriedly pass through the street alley ahead.
Galloping in the market was forbidden unless for urgent matters. Watching the hastily passing cavalry, Huo Tingshan's eyes darkened, and he urged his horse to follow.
At that moment, Chen Wei felt as if the sky were falling.
The entire Yunxiu Lou had been searched, yet Lady Pei's figure was nowhere to be found. Not only Lady Pei, but Lady Ning from the Ning Family and the two maidservants had also vanished.
There was something wrong with Yunxiu Lou!
Chen Wei remembered the group of women who had left by carriage and the matrons who had carried the box out of the building.
Damn it. That must have been when it happened.
"Go immediately and notify the city guards to seal the... Grand General?!" Chen Wei's face changed dramatically, finally settling into a deathly pallor.
Huo Tingshan's gaze swept over him, his dark eyes somber. "Where is my wife?"
Chen Wei's lips trembled as he knelt down. "This subordinate failed in my duty to guard her. I have lost sight of the lady."
Huo Tingshan said sharply, "Pass the order: lock the city gates. Allow entry only, no exit. Guo Dajiang, return to the estate and have Xiong Mao, Qin Yang, and Sha Ying lead troops to search outside the city walls along the eastern, western, and northern directions respectively."
Guo Dajiang: "Yes, sir."
The messenger guard was the first to spur his horse into a gallop. The sound of hooves clattered over the ancient stone slabs, and the guard shouted from afar the Grand General's order to lock the city, entry only, no exit.
The commoners lined up to leave the city erupted in noisy confusion.
Huo Tingshan and Chen Wei arrived shortly after with the other guards.
On the way, Huo Tingshan had already learned the details of the incident. The man's expression was stern, offering no further comment, but his narrow eyes seemed to reflect the glint of blood-stained blades, making Chen Wei's heart quake with fear.
"Grand General, here is the record of those who left the city after noon today." The guard in charge of the south gate presented a ledger.
Huo Tingshan took the ledger. There were twenty-five carriages recorded as having departed.
The speed of a horse and a carriage were vastly different; the lady could only have left by carriage. More than two hours had passed since the incident. If she had traveled south by carriage, it would not have been enough time to reach the next town.
Huo Tingshan: "Follow me out of the city."
Whether it was a donkey cart or a horse-drawn carriage, many vehicles that had recently departed the city were being intercepted, then forcibly searched by guards clad in armor.
Those searched were mostly merchants, each one scared witless like quails, watching the soldiers arrive with terror and seeing them leave swiftly with bewilderment.
With each carriage search, Huo Tingshan would dispatch a portion of the guards to continue forward.
After searching the eighth carriage, the light in the sky had grown very faint. The golden crow was no longer visible in the heavens, only a shallow layer of light remained at the horizon.
Night was about to fall.
"Grand General, Platoon Leader Qin has found someone at a deserted temple outside the city."
A flash of light passed through Huo Tingshan's eyes. He was the first to spur his horse in the direction from which the guard had come.
The guard's second half of the sentence was left unsaid, stuck in his throat.
Qin Yang had originally been sent to search along the western route. Huo Tingshan was now traveling the western path. His steed, Wu Ye, was extremely fast, and soon a deserted temple came into view.
There were guards outside the temple, and light shone from within. Huo Tingshan knew this was the place.
The man dismounted and strode inside. "My wife..."
The person ahead turned at the sound of his voice. "General."
The light in Huo Tingshan's eyes froze. He scanned the surroundings, but within the temple, aside from Qin Yang and the others, there were only three slender figures.
The man narrowed his eyes, his expression inscrutable. "Why is it only you? Where is she?"
Ning Qingying stiffened, rooted to the spot. A chill surged from the soles of her feet, instantly enveloping her in an airtight shroud, turning even her fingertips cold.
She suddenly realized he suspected her, suspected she had orchestrated today's events herself.
She further realized that even if that Lady Pei returned safe and sound, after today's ordeal, as long as he still harbored deep feelings for that person for even a single day, it would be impossible for her to ever enter his inner quarters.
