Chapter 20

Shen Qing looked at her smile and felt like he’d drunk honey. She didn’t resist him being this close, and that alone made him feel like he’d already won the world.

On the way back, they stumbled upon Sichuan peppercorn and goji berry trees. Xiao Wanling suggested, “Shen Qing, when you go hunting, you can gather some goji berries and peppercorns, dry them, and sell them to inns or wealthy households.”

Shen Qing memorized the look of those trees and herbs. The mountains were full of these things, but common folk either didn’t recognize them or didn’t have the time to use them. A sudden worry crept into his heart—she knew so much; what if one day she no longer wanted to stay here? But then he thought—if she leaves, he’ll just go with her. Once that thought settled, his steps grew noticeably lighter.

He wished he could carry everything himself just so Xiao Wanling wouldn’t need to lift a finger.

Xiao Wanling used grapes to make sourdough flatbread. Looking at the half-full basket of grapes, she thought of making wine.

Recalling carefully, she realized neither Qishan Village nor Dayan Village had anyone who knew how to brew wine. It would be best to add some strong liquor to kill bacteria and improve her chances of success.

She and Shen Qing agreed to go into town to buy wine. Their grain stores were running low too. Shen Qing said he’d go hunting that night and couldn’t go empty-handed. So that evening, Shen Qing and the Grey Wolf went out into the woods.

The next day, after wrapping up the morning stall and preparing the noontime tea and pastries for delivery, Shen Qing and Xiao Wanling headed into the city.

Chen Gui saw that the teahouse was closed again and thought today would be a great chance to sell more himself. He quickly made extra batches of rice cakes and tea. But while steaming, his clay stove collapsed, and a pot of boiling water doused the firewood, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky. There went his day of selling pastries.

Furious, Chen Gui shouted, “Who did this!?”

Xiao Wanling and Shen Qing arrived at the city gate and noticed it was different from usual. There were many ragged refugees huddled in small groups, discussing the floods down south.

They paid four wen to enter, while the people waiting looked at them longingly. Inside the city, people hurried by in a rush. Outside the grain shop, a crowd had gathered, bags in hand and panic on their faces.

Xiao Wanling guessed the grain prices had gone up, and she was right. It had risen from twenty wen per jin to thirty. Many people left in disappointment.

Their game was on the oxcart, hidden under a mat of straw, but some sharp-eyed individuals noticed and eyed it greedily.

Seeing the crowd closing in, Xiao Wanling tugged on Shen Qing’s sleeve. “Let’s head to the restaurant first!”

Shen Qing swept his cold gaze over them and cracked his whip. The old ox bellowed in pain and charged forward.

“Moo—!”

The oxcart rumbled away, leaving the hungry crowd empty-handed and scattering.

They arrived at the back entrance of Ruyi Pavilion. Two attendants stood guard. Seeing them, they hurried over to welcome them and led the ox away for feeding.

“Master Shen, Madam Xiao, my lady is expecting you inside,” one of the attendants said, guiding them into the restaurant.

Inside, the atmosphere was lively and festive—a stark contrast to the anxiety outside. The attendant led them to the end of a corridor and knocked on a door before stepping aside.

Chun Zhi opened the door respectfully. “Master Shen, Madam Xiao, please come in.”

Xiao Wanling and Shen Qing entered the private room. Madam Zhang greeted them with a smile and led them to the table, where wine and dishes were already set.

She poured them each a drink before sitting down. “The walnut crisps are in high demand! They’re so delicate and fragrant that customers can’t get enough. Madam Xiao, Master Shen, please drink and eat.”

Her face was rosy and her mood cheerful—it was clear life had been treating her well lately.

Xiao Wanling raised her cup. “Congratulations, Sister Zhang.”

Shen Qing took a sip and put his cup down, picking up his chopsticks instead.

After some polite conversation, Madam Zhang asked about the second pastry recipe. Xiao Wanling pulled out a neatly folded paper and handed it to her.

Madam Zhang opened it and gasped in surprise. “Ice cream?”

With summer approaching, it would indeed be refreshing. But Ruyi Pavilion had always been overshadowed by Hongyun Restaurant and hadn’t stored ice for the season.

She asked, “Ice cream is usually reserved for nobles and royalty. What makes this recipe better than the others?”

Xiao Wanling, thinking of how Madam Ji had been recruiting cooks, guessed that in times of disaster and war, few people focused on food innovation. “It’s in the ingredients—more variety, richer flavors.”

Madam Zhang thought for a moment. “I heard that the Prince of Jin’s residence does have ice chests, so ice cream isn’t rare.”

Not rare enough to impress Madam Ji.

Xiao Wanling smiled. “Do you want to impress Madam Ji or make a fortune?”

If it’s money you want, the product has to be affordable to the masses. Nobles had already tasted every delicacy under the sun—they’d tire of novelty quickly.

Madam Zhang was struck by the truth in those words. She stood and bowed. “Madam Xiao, thank you for your consideration.”

Her nose stung with emotion. Since her family fell into trouble, she’d been obsessed with outdoing Han Shuyi. After Madam Ji’s appearance, she’d made winning her favor her sole goal.

Xiao Wanling quickly helped her up. “No need for that, Sister Zhang. Actually, I came to ask for a favor.”

When she asked about buying more grain, Madam Zhang agreed readily.

Xiao Wanling seized the opportunity. “I also wanted to ask for your advice in doing business.”

Madam Zhang playfully rolled her eyes. “You’re being too polite for how well we know each other.”

“I run a teahouse outside the village and earn about five hundred wen a day. But I want to do more—how should I go about it?”

Madam Zhang immediately understood she was proposing a partnership and she was handing the initiative to her. Why wouldn’t she say yes? It was better than letting Han Shuyi win. That woman had been trying everything to dig into Madam Xiao’s background.

Shen Qing stopped eating and seriously began thinking—how could they earn even more?

Seeing his face, Xiao Wanling burst out laughing. Madam Zhang laughed too. Shen Qing blinked, confused. Did we solve the problem? I missed it…

After half a cup of fruit wine, Xiao Wanling felt dizzy—maybe she was alcohol intolerant. Her head grew fuzzy, and she just wanted to sleep. Shen Qing supported her and said goodbye to Madam Zhang.

“She’s had a bit much. Take her home, and the grain you asked for is ready,” Madam Zhang said.

Shen Qing nodded. “Thank you.” Then he carried Xiao Wanling out, drawing curious glances along the way.

She felt his steps were firm and steady and hid her face against his chest.

Since she was too drunk to talk about the ice cream details, Madam Zhang instructed some staff to escort them back home.

Two oxcarts left through the back gate of Ruyi Pavilion. A lackey from Hongyun Restaurant followed from a distance and exited the city gate behind them.

Outside Jin City, the refugees spotted the carts and rushed forward, hoping to steal food. Xiao Wanling was nearly sobered by fear.

She saw a filthy hand reaching for her and instinctively yanked the hairpin from her head and stabbed. The man snarled and tried to tear her clothes. Xiao Wanling wielded the wooden hairpin, fending him off.

Shen Qing kicked away those blocking the cart, grabbed the man, and threw him over the crowd. A loud thud rang out—the man lay flat, unable to move.

All of this happened in seconds. Madam Zhang’s staff were stunned, then shouted, “Stop! By Yongji Law, theft and robbery are punished by death on the spot! Offenders may be killed without blame!”

The surrounding refugees hesitated, unsure whether to believe it. The man on the ground groaned in pain, convinced his bones were broken.

Trying to stir the crowd, he shouted, “Don’t listen to him! There are so many of us—would they really kill us all? The Prince of Jin says he helps the people, but here we are starving outside the gates!”

One of Madam Zhang’s attendants whispered for someone to fetch the city guards and raised a stick to defend himself.

The Hongyun Restaurant lackey cursed under his breath—Such a good chance ruined by these idiots! He covered half his face with his sleeve and disappeared into the crowd.

Shen Qing made sure Xiao Wanling wasn’t hurt. Then he picked up his whip and strode toward the crowd. “If anyone wants to fight, get through me first!” He grabbed two men and hoisted them up.

The crowd backed away in fear.

“Spare us!” the two cried, dangling above his head.

Shen Qing hurled them toward the group. The slowest to react were knocked over with screams of pain.

The city guards arrived just in time to see this and were shocked. They whispered, Who is this guy? With strength like that, why isn’t he serving under the Prince of Jin, earning merit and protecting his family?

Drawing his sword, the guard barked, “Anyone who causes trouble in the prince’s territory will be executed without trial!”

First Shen Qing, then the guards—it was enough to send the onlookers fleeing.

The soldiers bowed politely to Shen Qing.

Shen Qing cupped his fist in return. “Thank you.”

The crowd parted. The two oxcarts moved on. The Hongyun lackey tried to follow, but a blade pressed against his neck. He collapsed, watching the carts disappear into the distance.

The cart rattled up the mountain road. In the shade, a cool breeze blew away the last of Xiao Wanling’s drunkenness. She sat up and asked Lai Xi, “Why are there suddenly so many refugees around Jin City?”

The sunlight made Lai Xi squint. “There were floods down south. Add to that the war… When people heard the Prince of Jin was merciful, they flocked here. There were too many to resettle at once, so many are still waiting outside. It’ll ease up in a few days.”

Because of the earlier delay, Lai Xi delivered their things to the Shen house and hurried off.

Xiao Wanling packed some pastries and tea. Shen Qing caught up and handed it to Lai Xi for the journey.

Back at the village entrance, Xiao Wanling noticed purslane and wild amaranth growing thickly near the bridge and decided to pick some for dinner.

The village was lively tonight. Though it wasn’t fully dark, lights shone in every household.

Matchmakers bustled from house to house, waving their handkerchiefs like flags. Once a match was made, they rushed to report to the village head and register it with the authorities.

Xiao Wanling wrapped the wild greens in a banana leaf. On the bridge, a gaudily painted matchmaker came strutting by in heavy makeup, looking like a paper doll. The sight startled her so much she shivered.

Shen Qing scooped her into his arms. “What are you doing, scaring people like that at night?”

The matchmaker feigned offense. “Ptui! It’s a joyous occasion! Hehe~” She sashayed away with a flick of her scarf.

Only then did Shen Qing and Xiao Wanling realize—many windows in the village had red wedding characters pasted on them.

“I’m hungry. Let’s go home,” she said.

Shen Qing carried her on his back and turned to leave, a sudden unease creeping into his heart—something was about to happen.