Bai Shiqi, having obtained Fourth Miss Song's deed of indenture and having taken the opportunity to tease Wen Tao, was in an exceptionally good mood. She casually handed the two deeds of indenture to Fourth Miss Song—the other one was for Zhen'er, a buy-one-get-one-free bonus of sorts.
Fourth Miss Song's eyes reddened, and she hesitated greatly: "Master, are you truly giving these deeds to me?"
Zhen'er secretly poked Fourth Miss Song's lower back, signaling her to quickly take them.
From childhood, every time Fourth Miss Song was beaten by her foster parents, she wished she could steal her deed and flee to the ends of the earth. At fourteen, she became the Song family's cash cow. On stage, she was adorned in gold and silver, but back in the rear courtyard, she was treated worse than an ordinary maid, kept under tight watch by her foster parents as if imprisoned.
"From now on, you are free." Seeing her emotional state, Bai Shiqi swallowed back the phrase "find a good man to marry later."
By the time Wen Tao, now properly dressed, tracked them down, Bai Shiqi had already gathered her friends and was preparing to go into Huai'an city for breakfast, having even planned out the entire day's schedule: "Cousin, this is your first time in Huai'an, right? Let's start with a steaming bowl of long fish noodles, then find a place to drink tea and listen to storytelling, taking care of lunch there too. In recent years, Huai'an has seen a rise in extravagant dishes like 'cooking dragon and roasting phoenix,' bear paws, monkey brains, and such, but we don't need to order those. We'll just have local and wild delicacies: Crab Roe Lion's Head, Three-Set Duck, Soft-Braised Long Fish, Squirrel Mandarin Fish, Liangxi Crispy Eel, and so on. I guarantee they'll be delicious..."
Zhao Wujiu watched her speak with such animated delight that his mouth watered even before tasting the food, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face. "Listening to you describe it makes it seem even more delicious than tasting it myself."
Bai Shiqi clapped her hands joyfully. "My father says the same thing. He says I'm suited for storytelling. If I can't make a living in the future, storytelling might just be a viable skill."
Fourth Miss Song covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
As Zhao Wujiu chatted with her, he observed her closely. The doubts in his mind grew like a snowball, rolling larger and larger. On one hand, he speculated whether she might have some hidden ailment that prevented her Adam's apple from developing, hence the need for external cosmetic adjustment. On the other hand, he wondered if she might truly be a delicate maiden. But what maiden in this world could be so unrestrained and uninhibited?
Zhao Ziheng, who had gotten heavily drunk the previous night, was dragged out of bed by Shu Changfeng. Looking rather pitiful with his drooping head and listless appearance, he perked up considerably upon hearing Bai Shiqi was taking everyone out for breakfast. He came over, slung an arm around Bai Shiqi's shoulders, and was ready to set off. "Shiqi, going out with you is always a sure thing. Good food, good drink, and pretty young ladies for company." His eyes flickered slightly towards Fourth Miss Song and her maid not far away, and Bai Shiqi immediately caught him.
If she didn't know his temperament, Bai Shiqi probably would have rapped him on the head. "Ahem, behave yourself."
Zhao Wujiu's brow furrowed—a spark of suspicion flared into a wildfire, instantly making their posture seem far too intimate.
Before he could speak, someone grabbed Zhao Ziheng's arm from behind and twisted it. He let out a sharp cry. "Ouch! That hurts! Let go!"
Wen Tao stood behind them, his face dark and stormy, radiating morning grumpiness as if he wanted nothing more than to give Zhao Ziheng a beating.
Bai Shiqi flared up in anger. "What's wrong with you, Wen? Let Ziheng go right now!"
Wen Tao's fierce eyes held displeasure, and he didn't release his grip on Zhao Ziheng's arm. "What if I don't let go?"
Bai Shiqi's temper always worsened when she encountered him. She rolled up her sleeves, ready for a fight. "If you don't let go, we'll skip breakfast and settle this with a fight first!"
Zhao Ziheng, tears welling from the pain, kept crying out.
As Bai Shiqi rushed forward to intervene, Wen Tao finally let go, switching to a smiling face. "I was just joking around with Brother Zhao. You're too narrow-minded. What's there to fuss about?"
"How about I twist your arm off and see if you fuss then?"
Wen Tao adopted a rogue's demeanor, practically thrusting his arm under Bai Shiqi's nose. "Want to give it a try?"
Bai Shiqi slapped his arm away and pulled Zhao Ziheng over to check his arm, completely ignoring Wen Tao. "Get lost! Who knows if you've damaged his tendons or bones?"
"Gently! Ouch! It hurts!"
Wen Tao had used excessive force without restraint, and Zhao Ziheng, raised in pampered luxury, was easily brought to tears. Zhao Wujiu watched with a deep frown—this boy still lacked sufficient training. Any random nobody could make him cry. He was almost ashamed to admit they were both sons of the Zhao family!
Zhao Ziheng remained unaware that his cousin was already devising a series of training plans in his mind, signifying a long period of miserable hardship in his future. Moreover, this time, his good brother Bai Shiqi was completely excluded from the plan.
The reason was unclear.
As the group headed out, Wen Tao shamelessly tagged along. Bai Shiqi really didn't want to see him and taunted him with sarcastic remarks. "The Salt Guild has no business today? We're just a bunch of idlers. We wouldn't want to delay Young Master Wen's important affairs."
Hu Xian, his face bruised and swollen, attended at his side. The scar on his face twisted as he barely managed to swallow the words "The Young Master is very busy."
Wen Tao had thick skin and an excellent mindset. He glared at Hu Xian to keep him from speaking out of turn and calmly used his father as an excuse. "If Father knew you came to Huai'an and I neglected you, wouldn't he settle accounts with me later?"
This wasn't the first time the two had bickered. Old Man Wen had long grown accustomed to it.
Bai Shiqi offered a thin, insincere smile. "I wonder what expression Uncle Wen would have if he knew you spent a fortune to give me a concubine?"
Wen Tao replied, "Rumors outside say Young Master Bai is enamored with Fourth Miss Song. As your elder brother, I helped fulfill that dream for you. Shouldn't Father praise us for our fraternal affection and harmonious relationship?"
"What... harmony indeed!" Bai Shiqi lashed out with a kick that nearly connected with Wen Tao, drawing a faint smile from Zhao Wujiu's lips.
Wen Tao stubbornly followed along, but Bai Shiqi remained unwelcoming. At the meal table, she sat with Zhao Ziheng on her left, the two engaged in endless conversation. On her right sat Fourth Miss Song, who attended to her with meticulous care—shelling shrimp, picking crab meat, even removing fish bones—serving her with utmost attentiveness. This prompted Wen Tao to remark with a sarcastic edge, "Bai Shiqi, are your hands broken?"
Bai Shiqi already disliked him. Even though he repeatedly offered to play host and cover all of today's expenses, their verbal sparring continued unabated. She picked up a shrimp and some crab meat, chewing with relish, and lifted her chin in a deliberately arrogant manner. "Are you jealous? Tell me which young lady has caught your eye."
Wen Tao: "Are you going to help me take a concubine too?"
Bai Shiqi: "I'll promptly warn that young lady's family so she doesn't fall into a pit of fire."
Wen Tao gritted his teeth in frustration. Watching her sharp-tongued, spirited appearance, he wished he could pluck out all her prickly thorns to stop the irritation. Yet, this very look of arrogant triumph... it was truly itch-inducing, always tempting him to provoke her. The amusement was akin to teasing a cat or dog, yet it was entirely different.
He knew it.
"Between us brothers, why draw such clear lines?"
Bai Shiqi deliberately tried to annoy him. "No, even blood brothers keep clear accounts. You, Young Master Wen, are wealthy and influential. I'm just a poor devil scraping by on the canal. In the future, I'll need to rely much on Young Master Wen's patronage."
A calculating glint flowed through Wen Tao's eyes. "Easy to say, easy to say!"
Since there was a wealthy patron footing the bill, and Wen Tao was willing to pay, Bai Shiqi led the group in eating, drinking, and merrymaking without the slightest restraint, specifically choosing expensive pursuits. They went out in the morning and kept at it until evening, finally bringing everyone directly back to the Bai family residence in Huai'an.
A minor incident occurred in the afternoon. While the group was out listening to music, they ran into Tian Zongping. He wanted to come forward and pay his respects, but a single distant look from Shu Changfeng sent him packing.
Having seen the Prince of Zhou's token on the canal boat, Tian Zongping hadn't dared to neglect the matter. After returning, he was deeply conflicted, hesitating over whether to inform the Canal Transport Governor, Xun Bai. A night had passed, and he still hadn't made up his mind. Distracted and irritable, he had been dragged out by some local salt merchants to listen to music and distract himself, never expecting to run into the Prince of Zhou's party again.
From a distance, he saw that today, besides Bai Shiqi accompanying the Prince of Zhou, even the young master of the Salt Gang, Wen Tao, was at his side. This only deepened his astonishment—a prince touring the provinces, not engaging with local officials but mixing with a bunch of crude, uncouth commoners who knew no propriety. His intentions were truly difficult to fathom.
Wen Tao, unaware of Tian Zongping's speculations, was single-mindedly following Bai Shiqi. The moment they stepped through the gate of the Bai residence, Yu Si came forward to meet them, looking hurried as he delivered a message: "Young Master, the Gang Leader is here!"
Bai Shiqi's conditioned reflex made his calves ache. He immediately turned and grabbed Zhao Ziheng's hands: "Ziheng, my good brother, save me!"
Zhao Ziheng responded with heroic bravado: "Whatever it is, just say the word!"
Bai Shiqi pulled Fourth Miss Song over: "I entrust Fourth Miss to you. If my father asks, just say she's your newly taken concubine."
Fourth Miss Song was full of grievance: "Master, does this servant... truly lack the grace to be presented?"
Bai Shiqi repeatedly explained to her: "My father has a rather bad temper. If he finds out I took a concubine casually without the family's consent, not only will he beat me, but he'll probably have you 'dealt with'! I'm really thinking of your safety here."
Wen Tao snorted with a laugh: "Such a small matter, look how scared you are!"
Wen Bao didn't forbid his son from dabbling with women; it wasn't strange for him to casually take a woman into his quarters. As the young master of the Salt Gang who managed his own affairs, when Wen Tao went out for social engagements, people offered him beautiful women and skilled cooks alike—he never refused any. In this regard, Bai Zhenting seemed rather inflexible.
Bai Shiqi wished he could kick him out: "Are you here to cause trouble?" He was absolutely capable of doing such a thing.
Wen Tao laughed heartily, finally finding an outlet for the annoyance he'd been bottling up all day following Bai Shiqi around: "It's also been a long time since I've seen Uncle Bai. Perfect timing to pay my respects to the old gentleman."
He took the lead, stepping over the threshold to go inside, which flustered Bai Shiqi so much that he grabbed Wen Tao's wrist, lowering his voice to demand: "Wen Tao, what exactly are you trying to do? Will seeing me in trouble make you very happy?"
Wen Tao's gaze swept over the panicked face before him, and he immediately felt pleased with himself: "Seventeen, shall we go in together?"
Yu Si ushered the Zhao brothers, Zhao Wujiu and Zhao Ziheng, inside. Bai Shiqi dragged Wen Tao aside to negotiate: "Alright, speak. What will it take for you not to spout nonsense in front of my father?" He couldn't be more frustrated.
Wen Tao had long wanted to see her show weakness. After appreciating the sight for a moment, he said: "Actually, as for me, I really didn't intend to make things difficult for you. Seventeen, think about it, how many years have we known each other? Have I ever treated you poorly?"
Bai Shiqi thought to himself: Absolutely terribly! But given the circumstances, he could only say against his conscience: "...It's been alright." At least he hadn't had her sunk in the river or her arms and legs chopped off.
Wen Tao sighed: "Actually, when I redeemed Fourth Miss Song for you, I really wasn't setting a trap for you to fall into. I just thought you don't have a considerate woman by your side, soaking on canal boats year-round, living a rather hard life. It's only human nature to occasionally linger in the pleasure quarters outside. That's why I found a woman to your liking to serve you."
Bai Shiqi: "Then I really must thank Brother Wen!"
Wen Tao's expression was utterly sincere; he almost convinced himself with his own words: "Saying Uncle Bai would break your legs, that was just to scare you. We've been brothers for so long, surely our bond is deeper than those fair-weather friends of yours outside?" His eyes even swept a glance towards the Zhao brothers.
Bai Shiqi played along: "Of course!" Digging a pit for you in your spare time was certainly stronger than brothers like Zhao Ziheng who only knew how to accompany you in romantic dalliances—a pit that could get you killed without compensation!
Wen Tao put on a puzzled expression: "Besides... I think Uncle Bai is too strange. You're twenty years old. Not to mention taking a wife, you don't even have a woman in your quarters. Is he planning to let you stay a bachelor forever?"
Bai Shiqi: "Why are you more concerned about my private affairs than my own father?"
Wen Tao, arm around her shoulder, laughed with satisfaction, his reason lofty and proper: "It's just that I have plump and slender beauties around me as I please. I can't bear to leave you alone with a cold, solitary pillow." He then probed further: "Seventeen, don't tell me you were adopted by Uncle Bai? Continuing the family line is a major affair. My family is already preparing to arrange a marriage for me. Isn't your family in a hurry?"
Bai Shiqi: "Brother Wen, are you trying to trick me? My father is waiting in the main hall, and you want to discuss my lifelong major event with me? Why don't you just go in and ask my father directly?"
Wen Tao made as if to leave. Bai Shiqi hurriedly pulled him back: "Alright, speak. What exactly will make you not mention my taking a concubine in front of my father?"
Wen Tao said slowly and leisurely: "Just one condition. Let's call a truce and make peace, alright?"
Bai Shiqi was dumbfounded: "It's that simple?"
Wen Tao: "It's that simple!" He then added with pained indignation, accusing Bai Shiqi: "We've known each other since childhood. Our fathers are old acquaintances; you could say we're family friends. Fighting as kids could be chalked up to not knowing better. But you and I are not young anymore. Every time we meet, we still clash, undermine each other, and wish to see the other make a fool of themselves. Don't you think that's childish?"
Bai Shiqi: "...Actually, I'm quite easy to get along with." Wasn't it you who started things every time? The so-called instigator type!
He cut the Gordian knot: "I'll tentatively believe you this once. If you undermine me in front of my father today, at worst I'll get my legs broken, and from then on, we brothers need not continue. If you don't undermine me today, then from now on, we are good brothers!"
Wen Tao had gone in a big circle without getting the result he wanted and could only adopt a roundabout strategy. He then lightly slapped Bai Shiqi's palm: "A hand-slap seals the oath. A deal is a deal!"
With his appearance of turning over a new leaf and reforming, Bai Shiqi almost believed him.
