As soon as Duan Qimo left, I asked Luo Cheng, "Do we have people at Xixi Tower?"
"What are we investigating?"
"It's not for an investigation," I said. "There is a grand banquet next month that will last for three days. If it's convenient, please look out for my sister from the Wen family, Wen Jiang."
Although Duan Qimo appeared to have calmed down, I knew her methods were dark and her heart was ruthless; she would certainly not let such a golden opportunity slip by. Ruining Wen Jiang’s marriage prospects would be the best-case scenario; I feared she might deliberately seek extreme retaliation and lay an even heavier hand on her. The Wen family had treated me well; I could not allow a daughter of their house to be humiliated. As for the private affairs of others, I had no desire to pry, so I did not send anyone to investigate further.
Luo Cheng nodded curtly. "It is no trouble. My Lord has said that I am to follow all of Madam's instructions."
I felt myself blush for no reason. To think I could mobilize the network of Yingzhao Temple—this could be considered misusing public resources for private ends... Fortunately, I, Su Zhenzhen, have integrity and would never abuse my private authority!
After a bustling afternoon and a night spent writing, I slept soundly the next day until lunchtime. After eating and chatting with Muyu, I told her that she should stay home today to handle any visitors while I went to the East Market on business alone.
"Miss..." She looked troubled. Out of old habit, she still had not switched to calling me Madam. "How could I possibly manage..."
"Could I ever not trust you, Sister?" I smiled. "Though our household is special and a crowd of eyes might bring trouble, you worked so hard to manage everything alone during yesterday's occasion that it pained my heart to see it. When you have time, go and bring back a few reliable boys and girls; we shouldn't make do with temporary workers anymore. If you know of any sisters who want a change of environment, as long as they are trustworthy, you have my leave to hire them."
She looked up at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Moved beyond words for a long moment, she gave me a deep, graceful bow. "I will not fail your kindness, Miss."
I smiled and helped her up, affectionately squeezing her hand before adding, "Just make sure to let Big Brother Luo Cheng look over anyone you bring back, just in case."
"I understand."
Though her expression remained as gentle and modest as ever, as still as a spring flower, her eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly at the mention of Luo Cheng's name before she regained her composure. I had lived in this house for over a month; how could I be so blind? I smiled but said nothing. Love and marriage are matters between two people; it was far from the time for me to speak up.
In the afternoon, I deliberately wrapped myself in luxurious, flamboyant attire and had Luo Cheng drive me to Into the Dream.
During this time, Third Brother and my younger siblings had gone to the Wujing Sect as agreed to seek knowledge and hone their skills. Into the Dream had been handed back to Lu Kaifeng, with Zhu Yixin assisting him. Naturally, Lu Lingfeng and Qiao Songlin had followed them to the capital. They had written to me earlier, but out of consideration for my hard work, they hadn't troubled me with any shop business at all. With the Laba Festival only a few days away, I planned to invite the four of them to my home to celebrate, ideally staying through the Spring Festival. After six months of acquaintance, Lord Wei regarded them as family, and I wanted to give her a lively, bustling New Year reunion.
Except for Lu Lingfeng, the other three were in the shop. Qiao Songlin occupied the small stool where Du Chuilun used to sit, his head tilted as he maintained several magical artifacts by the door. When I arrived, he recognized Su Zhenzhen’s disguise at a glance, yet he did not rise to welcome a customer who looked like a "fat sheep" to be fleeced. He merely gave a faint nod and continued his work with great poise.
Amused, I cleared my throat and pretended to snap impatiently, "Everyone says the goods here are excellent, so why isn't there even a clerk to welcome me? Where is the owner?"
Hearing me scold her husband, Zhu Yixin jumped out, hands on her hips, and sneered, "From where did this nouveau riche come to make such a clamor? This humble shop does not receive rude guests!"
The two of us pointed fingers and glared at each other, crossing verbal swords for three hundred rounds until we nearly came to blows, drawing the stares of passersby. Qiao Songlin, unable to watch any longer, stood up to intervene. "What is this Madam looking for? Please, come inside to choose. During the New Year season, Madam's time is precious; do not waste it here for nothing."
I let out a triumphant, smug laugh. "Now that is etiquette. Lady Boss, won't you lead me in?"
"I'm not the Lady Boss, I'm the Boss!"
Once inside, Zhu Yixin and I couldn't help but embrace and burst into laughter, leaving Lu Kaifeng and Qiao Songlin helpless as they shared a resigned smile. After laughing my fill, I said apologetically to Qiao Songlin, "Fourth Brother, don't blame me for putting on an act. I truly missed you all so much."
Qiao Songlin smiled and reached out to pat my head. "How could I? We haven't seen each other for so long, yet you've become so formal and distant."
Since the Yingzhao Temple outpost behind the shop had been removed, both the upper and lower floors were now as spacious as usual, decorated and managed with even more grandeur. Su Zhenzhen was about to squander another sum of idle wealth to buy out half a month's inventory when Zhu Yixin laughingly slapped my hand away. "Just take whatever you like. Stop playing tricks; we're all family now. Moving money from the left hand to the right doesn't count as performance! Brother Qing's money didn't blow in with the wind; if you don't feel the sting, I do!"
Thinking of the massive cash flow I had handled this past month, I criticized her silently. If Fifth Sister knew where her "Brother Qing's" money actually came from, she probably wouldn't feel so protective of it...
Lu Kaifeng was most concerned with whether the illusion array discs used to decorate the Orange Garden were functioning well, asking for every detail. Those had been handled personally by Lord Wei and were flawless; I smiled and replied that they were excellent. Taking the opportunity, I invited them over for the Laba Festival, suggesting they move in early around the Spring Festival to be comfortable.
The three of them naturally agreed, mentioning only that demand for various goods was rising this year, so the shop planned to stay open until New Year's Eve and only rest until the fifth day of the new year. I quickly said, "The shop can stay open, and your things can be moved to the house. You can stay with us without worry; the carriages will take you to the shop early every day. There's no conflict."
Zhu Yixin giggled. "Our whole big family coming to live off a wealthy household—won't your 'other half' be annoyed?"
"Why would she be annoyed? She's worried I'll be lonely," I laughed. "Besides, before she left, she earnestly instructed me that if my brothers and sisters were in the capital for the New Year, I must bring them home for a reunion. The same goes for other friends. In short, everything is to be centered around my wishes."
Zhu Yixin pinched her nose as if fanning away a cloying scent. "So mushy it's annoying. For that alone, I'll have to make sure I get a good free meal out of it."
Counting them all up, the only one left on the mountain was Master, all alone. I had just begun to feel a moment of longing and worry when I saw the Master’s lively and cheerful handwritten letter. I shook my head vigorously: Perfected One Huan was enjoying his leisure. Before Lu Kaifeng and the others had even left the mountain, he had already packed his bags and, for the first time ever, headed out—going a step ahead to be a freeloader at the home of the Chief Bandit's Wife...
Lord Wei had also sent a letter home. Calculating the time, it was sent about three days ago. She had likely resolved some incidents along the way, traveling and stopping intermittently, taking ten days to reach Anjing. The first half of the letter briefly described her situation, saying all was well, but the writing became increasingly mushy. Because I had told her before she left that I only thought of her when I had a spare moment from being busy, she asked me "how much busy, how much idle." At the end, she even wrote a poetic, sentimental line: "Affection is long but the journey is hurried; the body departs while the heart remains. The mountains are heavy with the air of the border, the long nights are weary and dim; in this world, only longing remains." I laughed so hard I pressed the paper against my face, leaving the entire page covered in the prints of my rouge and powder as my reply...
Among the letters delivered to Into the Dream was one from Nie Xueqing, saying they were heading north to trade horses. Once they reached Pingjing, they would stay there for the New Year. Having not seen her for three years, I also missed this woman who was half a mentor to me. I decided that if it were convenient for them, I would simply tuck them all into my garden. After all, Lord Wei and Nie Xueqing already had a deep connection... Yes, even if I had been oblivious at first, after seeing Wei Qingming's memories, I understood. That "chance encounter" on the way back to my hometown six years ago was no chance encounter at all; Wei Qingming had long ago entrusted her to look after me from the moment I entered the Jinzhou region... My preferential treatment at the Nie household, with no limits on my coming and going, was naturally because the Nie family was showing favor to the Lord Envoy.
On the morning of the Laba Festival, Zhu Yixin arrived first. Along with Muyu, the three women picked through and washed various dried fruits. Since we lived in a Song-style building, we followed a Song-era recipe this year, choosing walnuts, pine nuts, milky mushrooms, persimmons, and chestnuts as the main ingredients. Additionally, following our southern customs, we boiled sweet additions like gorgon nuts, lotus seeds, red dates, longans, and lychees. A rich, grain-like aroma drifted through the garden. The three of us talked and laughed casually, feeling utterly at ease.
At lunch, Lu Kaifeng and Qiao Songlin temporarily closed the shop and brought Lu Lingfeng into the garden to eat. The porridge had been simmering all morning until it was thick, smooth, and fragrant. We first offered sacrifices to the gods together. Since Laba is also considered the day Shakyamuni attained enlightenment, we followed the capital's custom of distributing porridge outside our gates. I had thought that since Yongzhao Ward was filled with the secluded estates of high officials and wealthy families, there wouldn't be many poor households. To my surprise, the capital's beggars were sharper than I; quite a few had specifically gathered in this area.
Several large pots of porridge were nearly exhausted. Seeing the surging crowd at the gate, Luo Cheng led the Yingzhao Temple agents—disguised as family servants—to hold them back. He told me, "Madam and Miss Zhu are benevolent, but you may choose to give alms in the northern suburbs when you are free. Today's act is already a great deed of merit."
I nodded and pulled the pity-stricken Zhu Yixin inside. Fifth Sister had been sent up the mountain as a child because there were too many children in
