FHJ - 6

Chapter 6: A Chance Encounter (2)

Outside the carriage, Wanzhu and the other maids and servants followed alongside, listening to the lively conversation inside. However, Wanzhu couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

A few days ago in Wang Garden, she had mentioned to Shen Xiling that she could investigate the whereabouts of the Liang envoy. Since then, her mistress had taken a keen interest in the matter. The next day, she had secretly summoned Wanzhu to her room and instructed her to discreetly inquire about the envoy’s movements—keeping even Lianzi in the dark. Having served Shen Xiling for five years, Wanzhu was somewhat familiar with her mistress’s temperament. Normally indifferent to most matters, why was she now so…

Wanzhu couldn’t figure it out.

Still, since her mistress had given the order, she resolved to carry out the task diligently. The envoy resided in a separate mansion, staffed partly by servants brought from Liang and partly by those assigned from the palace. One of the maids working there was the younger sister of the wife of their mansion’s accountant, creating a useful connection. However, though this maid served in the envoy’s residence, she didn’t have close access to him and couldn’t easily gather information. Moreover, since arriving in Wei, the envoy had led a secluded life, rarely venturing outside, making the task even more challenging.

Fortunately, yesterday, word came that the envoy had been summoned to the palace. Traveling from his residence to the palace would inevitably take him through Jian’an Avenue—the same route Shen Xiling’s carriage would take to reach Jinyu Hall. Her sudden decision to visit Jinyu Hall today was precisely because of this.

Wanzhu puzzled over the situation. She knew the envoy was scheduled to visit the palace today, but the exact time of his departure was difficult to ascertain, so there was no guarantee they would encounter him on Jian’an Avenue. Even if they did meet on the street, both parties would be seated in carriages—how could they possibly see each other? And even if, by some miracle, they did meet face-to-face, what could they possibly say to one another?

Wanzhu was filled with worry.

Inside the carriage, Gu Jingqi noticed Shen Xiling frequently lifting the gauze curtain to peek outside and couldn’t help but feel curious. She leaned over to take a look as well. “Sister-in-Law, what interesting thing are you looking at? Let me see too.”

Through the narrow gap in the window, Shen Xiling saw the bustling crowds on Jian’an Avenue, a lively scene of peace and prosperity. There were a few carriages on the street, but none matched the style of the envoy’s residence. Just as Gu Jingqi leaned over, Shen Xiling casually let the gauze fall back into place and turned to smile at the young girl. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out. I’m just taking a casual glance—nothing interesting to see.”

Gu Jingqi pouted, about to say something more, but Qin Shi laughed and pulled her back. “Have you forgotten your brother’s words? He told you not to bother your sister-in-law on the way.”

At the mention of her elder brother, Gu Jingqi immediately became obedient, no longer clinging to her sister-in-law. She sat upright like a dignified little statue, amusing everyone in the carriage. Outside, Wanzhu heard the laughter and watched as Xu Chuan quickly drove the carriage past Jian’an Avenue. Her heart was torn between relief and disappointment, her small face scrunched up in confusion.

Jinyu Hall lived up to its name—it was one of the most prestigious places in Shangjing. Not only did nobles and aristocrats frequent it to purchase gold, silver, jade, and jewelry, but two years ago, the Wei Emperor had personally designated it as a supplier to the imperial household. As a result, Shen Xiling had become an undisputed royal merchant of Wei. Though the noblewomen often criticized her success as being solely due to Yan Guogong’s influence during their gossip sessions, they still flocked to her shop when purchasing jewelry, begrudgingly yet eagerly funneling money into her pockets.

This phenomenon couldn’t entirely be blamed on the weakness of these noblewomen. The fault lay in the fact that Jinyu Hall’s jewelry was far more exquisite and elegant than others, carrying the refined charm of Jiangzuo and setting trends among the noblewomen of Shangjing. If one attended gatherings without a hairpin or bracelet from Jinyu Hall, they would be secretly ridiculed. In such a situation, how could one blame the noblewomen for sacrificing their pride to contribute to Shen Xiling’s wealth?

The carriage stopped in front of Jinyu Hall, and Shen Xiling, Qin Shi, and Gu Jingqi stepped out. They were greeted by the sight of the bustling shop, which prompted Gu Jingqi to exclaim in admiration: “Wow, Sister-in-Law… you’re really wealthy!”

Shen Xiling gave her a faint smile, and the three entered the shop with their respective maids, leaving Xu Chuan to wait outside.

Once inside, the shopkeeper—a short man in his forties—approached them with great enthusiasm and respect. He warmly greeted Shen Xiling and escorted her to the back room to review the account books.

Shen Xiling gently addressed Gu Jingqi and Qin Shi: “Please wait for me a moment—I’ll be right back.” After a pause, she added with a smile: “What I said earlier in the carriage still stands. If you see anything you like, feel free to pick it out and keep it.”

Gu Jingqi and Qin Shi thanked her with smiles, and Shen Xiling turned to enter the back room.

Qin Shi wandered around and soon encountered a familiar lady from another noble household. The two began chatting, leaving Gu Jingqi, who was unmarried and thus unsuited to join their conversation, to explore the shop on her own.

Jinyu Hall’s jewelry was dazzling, with the most extravagant pieces commanding staggering prices and drawing the most attention. The simpler items, however, were largely ignored. Gu Jingqi, uninterested in gold and jewels, idly browsed the less crowded areas. To her surprise, she found something that caught her eye: a small jade mountain no larger than the palm of her hand.

Though she had seen many jade mountains before—her father’s study was filled with them—they were usually much larger. This one was exquisitely crafted and delicate, featuring a finely detailed jade-carved boy whose fingers were clearly visible. It was truly a masterpiece. Delighted, Gu Jingqi reached out to take it, only to find someone else had beaten her to it.

She pouted and looked up, only to see a handsome young man with a jade-like face. He appeared a few years older than her, tall and elegant with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, resembling a figure straight out of the Book of Songs. Feeling it unnecessary to compete, she gestured to let him have it and prepared to walk away.

The young man, however, spoke: “Young lady, do you like this jade mountain?”

Gu Jingqi thought to herself that he not only looked good but also had a pleasant voice. Her decision to yield seemed justified, and she felt pleased. She replied, “It is indeed a delicate piece, but I only found it charming and didn’t particularly intend to buy it.”

The young man smiled. “The boy is intricately carved, but I can’t quite discern the allusion behind it.”

Gu Jingqi leaned closer to examine it. The boy was depicted amidst a serene forest, evoking images of deep clouds or distant villages. On closer inspection, it seemed reminiscent of chasing yellow butterflies. Unable to identify the literary reference, she said, “I can’t tell either. But since it’s just a decorative piece, I think it’s fine to appreciate it for its charm. If you don’t like it, perhaps it’s better to leave it here for someone else.”

The young man raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “You’re very open-minded. It seems you and this jade mountain are well-suited.”

Gu Jingqi didn’t know how to respond and simply smiled and nodded before turning to leave.

As she walked away, the young man watched her retreating figure, shook his head, and muttered to himself: “Such a forgetful little girl…”

By the time Gu Jingqi returned, Qin Shi had finished her conversation and was holding a jade button.

Gu Jingqi asked with a laugh: “Is this a safety button for Hong’er?”

Qin Shi had a son with Gu Juyuan, the second son of the second branch. The child, just two years old, was the first and only grandchild of their generation, making him much adored by the family.

Qin Shi smiled. “Indeed, it’s for that little troublemaker. He climbs everywhere and never lets us rest. The other day, he almost fell off the bed and chipped a tooth!”

Qin Shi glanced at her young sister-in-law and, seeing her empty-handed, teased with a smile, “So you’re really only thinking about the pastries from Yi Pavilion? You didn’t pick anything?”

Gu Jingqi smiled faintly, recalling the jade mountain she had seen earlier. She turned her head to look in that direction but found it gone. The elegant young man was now walking toward the exit. Unable to resist, she asked Qin Shi, “Third Sister-in-Law, do you know who that person is? He seems unfamiliar.”

Qin Shi followed her gaze, catching only a fleeting glimpse of the young man’s back before he disappeared. She couldn’t identify him but felt a vague sense of familiarity. Smiling teasingly, she said, “What’s this? Has our little Jingqi grown up?”

Gu Jingqi froze, then blushed furiously. Flustered, she chided, “Third Sister-in-Law… what are you saying! I was just asking casually!”

Qin Shi covered her mouth and laughed while Gu Jingqi stamped her feet in embarrassment. Just then, Shen Xiling emerged from the back room after finishing with the account books and saw the lively scene between them. Approaching with a smile, she asked, “What’s going on here?”

Before Qin Shi could answer, Gu Jingqi rushed to interrupt, leaving Qin Shi no choice but to say, “Nothing, nothing—it’s just that she’s clamoring for some pastries.”

Shen Xiling glanced at Gu Jingqi’s flushed face, refrained from pressing further, and chuckled, “Then let’s go.”

The three left Jinyu Hall together, boarded the carriage, and set off for Yi Pavilion.

Wanzhu, walking alongside the carriage, noticed the curtain being lifted slightly. Shen Xiling beckoned her over and whispered a few words. Wanzhu nodded knowingly, ran to Xu Chuan, who was driving the carriage, and said, “Xu Chuan, the mistress says to take Jian’an Avenue.”

Taking Jian’an Avenue to Yi Pavilion from Jinyu Hall would be a detour—a rather long one—but since the mistress had instructed it, Xu Chuan saw no reason to object. Nodding, he replied, “Alright.”

Wanzhu thanked him with a smile and returned to her original position. Lianzi gave her a questioning glance, but Wanzhu avoided her probing gaze.

Jian’an Avenue was still bustling with activity, but Wanzhu paid no attention to the lively scene. Instead, she craned her neck, searching for any sign of the envoy’s carriage. After scanning the street three times, she saw nothing. Just then, Shen Xiling called for the carriage to stop. She, Qin Shi, and Gu Jingqi alighted, instructing Xu Chuan to park the carriage aside while they browsed the street stalls selling sugar paintings.

Gu Jingqi clung to Shen Xiling, pouting playfully: “Sister-in-Law, why are we looking at sugar paintings? They’re nowhere near as tasty as your pastries at Yi Pavilion! Let’s hurry—I’m starving.”

Shen Xiling gently tapped her nose and laughed, “Are you hungry or just craving sweets? These sugar paintings look interesting—shall I buy one for you to try?”

Gu Jingqi quickly protested, but when Shen Xiling paid and handed her the sugar painting, she reluctantly accepted it. To everyone’s amusement, she soon devoured it with great enthusiasm, showing no trace of her earlier disdain.

Shen Xiling appeared engrossed in browsing the street stalls, occasionally exchanging light banter with Qin Shi. Her maids followed closely behind. Qin Shi couldn’t fathom why Shen Xiling had suddenly taken such an interest, but given her gentle nature, she chose not to question it outwardly. As for Gu Jingqi, she was thoroughly entertained by the sugar painting and had forgotten all else.

After finishing the sugar painting, Gu Jingqi glanced at the sky—it was time for lunch. Yet her sister-in-law showed no sign of returning to the carriage. Growing impatient, her appetite whetted by the sugar painting, she now craved not only Yi Pavilion’s pastries but also its braised snakefish and sliced fish soup with water shield. Tugging on Shen Xiling’s hand, she pleaded, “Sister-in-Law, let’s go, please!”

Qin Shi observed quietly, noticing the subtle shift in Shen Xiling’s demeanor. Though her expression remained calm and gentle, there was an undercurrent of restlessness and a hint of disappointment in her eyes. Qin Shi grew even more puzzled. After a moment of silence, Shen Xiling sighed and said, “Alright, let’s go.”

Delighted, Gu Jingqi led the way into the carriage, followed by Qin Shi. Just as Qin Shi stepped onto the footrest, she heard the rumble of wheels and the tinkling of bells. Turning around, she saw a carriage approaching from the far end of the street. Its fragrant wood body and copper bells at each corner marked it as different from the carriages of Wei’s noble families. The crowd craned their necks to catch a glimpse, and upon closer inspection, Qin Shi realized it belonged to the envoy’s residence. The renowned first minister of Jiangzuo was likely seated within, returning to his residence from the palace.

Lost in thought, Qin Shi was startled by Lianzi’s soft call of “Mistress.” Snapping out of her reverie, she turned to look at Shen Xiling, who stood with her back to her, her expression unreadable. Lianzi supported her right hand, while Wanzhu stood on her left, her demeanor slightly panicked. The atmosphere was charged with tension.

Frowning, Qin Shi stepped down from the footrest and approached Shen Xiling, tentatively asking, “Sister-in-Law?”

Shen Xiling seemed to awaken from a daze, her gaze momentarily unfocused. Lowering her eyes, she murmured wearily, “It’s nothing. Let’s get in the carriage.”

Concerned but unsure of what had transpired, Qin Shi helped Shen Xiling into the carriage.

Behind them, Lianzi shot Wanzhu a sharp glare, causing the young maid to shrink back nervously.

Inside Yi Pavilion, business was thriving. The shopkeeper exchanged a few words with Shen Xiling before she sat down with Qin Shi and Gu Jingqi at their usual spot. Gu Jingqi ordered a feast and ate with great delight, while Shen Xiling remained unusually quiet. Qin Shi glanced at her from time to time, worry evident in her eyes.

Setting down her chopsticks, Qin Shi poured Shen Xiling a cup of tea. “Sister-in-Law, drink some tea.”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Shen Xiling smiled faintly at Qin Shi, thanked her, and took a sip.

Qin Shi continued, “Have you been feeling bored lately? Coincidentally, Lady Zhong, the wife of the Deputy Chief Censor, is hosting a tea gathering in a few days. It’s said to be quite lively. Why don’t you attend? It might help lift your spirits.”

Shen Xiling set the teacup down and replied, “I don’t feel particularly bored, so I’ll pass.”

Gu Jingqi chimed in, “I agree—there’s no need to go. Such tea gatherings are usually boring, just a bunch of ladies gossiping. Not interesting at all.”

Qin Shi smiled and explained, “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t suggest it either, but this one has a unique twist. I’ve heard it started as a regular gathering, but recently, Lord Zhong invited Prince Jing to attend separately from the ladies.”

Gu Jingqi blinked. “Prince Jing? Is he the Emperor’s younger brother?”

Qin Shi replied, “Indeed. I’ve heard that this prince has also invited the envoy from Liang to join them, though I’m not sure if it’s true.”

Shen Xiling’s eyelids twitched slightly as she asked, “Envoy? Which envoy?”

Qin Shi smiled. “Who else could it be? Naturally, the one everyone is eager to see.”

Shen Xiling was left speechless.