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墨書 Inktalez
With the "almighty" Gao Feng around, Qin Yaru, who is broad and plump, can easily eat two bowls of rice in one meal. Da Lang is full of energy, completely different from his previously mature and steady demeanor. However, Qin Yaru believes that children should act like children; if they want to be mature and steady, they can wait until they reach the age of thirty to grow up.
Qin Wenyuan thinks his nephew is the best child around. He doesn't feel at all that a little kid should act like an adult. The boy is particularly polite to everyone he meets and often bounces off his waist, crashing into his legs and climbing up his arms to his neck—what's wrong with that?
Everything seems to be going smoothly.
But Qin Yaru still wakes up suddenly from her dreams in the deep of night.
Her Third Sister, Mei Xiu, has not been heard from at all. Bai Yunsheng sent people to look for her, and even Zhan Yu used the Official Authorities' power to conduct a serious investigation, yet they still couldn't find any trace.
Gao Feng has used all his resources, starting from the group of wives that were sold back then. They only know that the Meng Surname Official who bought Qin Xiu four years ago committed a crime, and a group of Lady-in-Waiting servants were sold again. Due to the hurried sale and the large number of people involved, no one knows where a thirteen-year-old girl would have been sold to four years ago.
Generally speaking, there are two possibilities for the families of criminals: either they are sent to the brothel or sold off.
Back then, Qin Xiu was supposed to be sent to the brothel, but for some unknown reason, she was sold instead. According to people's thoughts at that time, they would rather be sent to the brothel than be casually sold off.
After all, brothels are official establishments; once inside, one enjoys luxurious living without fear of being bullied. Officials are not allowed to sleep with Courtesans; this is law.
But if sold off casually, who knows what filthy place one might end up in or what fate awaits them!
Since arriving in the capital, Qin Yaru has tried several times to follow vague memories in search of Xiu. However, upon entering Kaifeng, she realizes that her memories are too unreliable.
Relying on one or two letters occasionally written by Xiu mentioning her situation, how could she possibly find anyone? The Luo family mentioned in her letters—there are over a dozen families with the surname Luo in Kaifeng, ranging from middle-class families to wealthy households. Qin Yaru has searched through them all but found no sign of Xiu.
Although Kaifeng may not have as many people as a medium-sized city in later times, finding one wife among so many people is no easy task. Moreover, Xiu must have changed her name and would not easily mention her family.
She understands very well that women like them—official daughters—who have fallen into such circumstances would never easily bring up their families for fear of bringing shame to their ancestors and tarnishing their surname.
Qin Yaru has also considered looking for a wife named Meiyu. Although she doesn't know why Meiyu became a Lady-in-Waiting, she cannot directly go and ask—do you know a wife named Xiu?
If she goes directly to the Wife, you will end up as a Lady-in-Waiting in a prominent family with the surname Luo. If you decide to go there, please let me know; you will surely be treated like a crazy woman and thrown out by that Wife.
Later, Qin Yaru asked Zhan Yu to inquire and found out that Meiyu had already left Kaifeng with her family and was nowhere to be found. It was said that she couldn't stand the rumors outside and wanted to change her environment.
What else could Qin Yaru do? She could only suppress her anxiety and wait patiently, though she occasionally couldn't help but wonder how Meiyu, being so cherished by her family, could have them leave Tokyo for her sake, yet still choose to become a Lady-in-Waiting.
Reality bore little resemblance to what she remembered. As a woman who had spent her entire life confined to County Horse Manor, Qin Yaru couldn't even be sure how much of the news she heard was true and how much was exaggerated or false.
After being cooped up in the Nangyun Study for several days, she changed her clothes and went out with two Lady-in-Waiting.
Though she occasionally listened to a group of scholars passionately discussing literature, which was quite interesting—even if it was just idle talk—they were excited about it. However, having grown accustomed to freedom in the Twenty-First Century, and having lived in seclusion at Junma Mansion for decades without seeing much of the world, now that she was in one of the best cities of the Song Dynasty, Kaifeng, it would be a pity if she couldn't explore it freely.
The two Lady-in-Waiting, one named Wancui and the other named Nongqin, were even happier than Qin Yaru, their eyes shining at the various items at the street stalls.
Qin Yaru didn't mind them, slowing her pace to wander around with them, even buying some writing supplies to take back for her Da Lang.
The names Wancui and Nongqin were not given by Qin Yaru. Originally, she had bought three Lady-in-Waiting and did not intend to change their names since those were given by their parents, which shouldn't be casually altered.
However, after spending some time with Qin Yaru, these three girls suddenly felt that their original names were too unappealing—one was called Er Ya (Second Girl), another Hua (Flower), and Zhao Di. They believed those names did not match their elegant and beautiful mistress, so they pleaded with their master to change their names.
Qin Yaru found it amusing yet exasperating; she agreed to whatever names they liked.
As a result, the three girls went out to find a scholar who renamed them: the one skilled in needlework became Wancui, the literate one became Nongqin, and the farmer's daughter became Bao Xia.
Qin Yaru sighed as she watched the girls looking quite pleased with themselves; she had no choice but to accept it. Had she known this would happen, she would have preferred not to bother and just named them herself from the start.
In fact, if Qin Yaru had chosen their names, even if done casually, her three Lady-in-Waiting would have been very happy because receiving a name from their mistress would have been an honor.
Qin Young Lady had never been the head of a household. When she was at home, her mother had taught her some of these things, but after moving to the Marquisate, no one would tell her about them. Although she was not completely unfamiliar with the rules at this time, she still struggled to connect them with reality, inevitably making some blunders. Fortunately, she was very cautious about major issues; minor flaws were nothing to worry about, and she would gradually understand in the future.
Qin Yaru walked towards the bustling and lively area and unexpectedly found herself near the Brothel Management Office.
She quickly stopped. This was her first time in Kaifeng, and she had never seen a teaching house before. From a distance, it looked magnificent and resplendent. Even though it was daytime and perhaps not as lively as at night, the sounds of music and laughter were continuous, and the lights were bright.
Qin Yaru took a few glances and thought to herself that this place truly deserved its reputation as the "golden cave" created by the Official; they had indeed invested a lot of money. However, she felt little curiosity and was about to turn away when she looked up and saw Gao Feng and Zhan Yu, Zhan Commander, walking out of the Brothel Management Office with their arms around each other.
Gao Feng had one arm draped over Zhan Yu's shoulder, whispering something into his ear. Zhan Yu seemed somewhat uncomfortable in this environment, his face slightly flushed, but he did not appear flustered; he maintained a calm demeanor.
Zhan Yu stood tall and walked steadily while Gao Feng leaned on him, his face flushed and his expression relaxed, moving with a lightness that carried a hint of recklessness.
Both of them were handsome young gentlemen with good bearing and well-dressed attire. Behind them were several beautiful Courtesans who shyly peeked at them with a hint of spring color on their faces.
As Gao Feng and Zhan Yu took a few more steps closer to Qin Yaru, Consort Qin could even hear Gao Feng's slightly husky voice—"Yan Xixi's music is quite good, but after all, she's getting old; Consort Tao is much younger and more interesting. No wonder Ayu prefers her."
That voice was charming to the bone yet did not come off as frivolous. Zhan Yu looked helpless but did not complain about Ayu's nickname; it seemed he had resigned himself to it.
After walking a few more steps, Gao Feng teased, "Actually, we could stay overnight. Look at Yan Xixi; she seems eager for us to revel in the teaching house every night without paying—she would be happy to have us! Alas, it's a pity that we hold public office; it's not appropriate to indulge..."
Just then, he looked up and saw Qin Yaru's stunning face directly in front of him. Gao Feng's body stiffened; he stumbled slightly, nearly falling if not for Zhan Yu steadying him.
"Y- Qin Yaru?"
Qin Yaru blinked her eyes and smiled lightly at him: "It's quite a pity. Actually, I also appreciate Yan Xixi's music. Even as a woman myself, I recognize her merits. General Gao must feel disappointed for not enjoying such beautiful company; how about I discuss it with the Yan Family to see if they would let you be an honored guest?"
"Cough cough cough!"
General Gao had not yet said much when Zhan Yu was startled into a fit of coughing, his ears turning red.
Gao Feng disdainfully shrugged off Zhan Yu's shoulder, straightened his collar, and said seriously, "I am a man of integrity; how could I be like those lecherous devils who only think about beautiful women? Coming to the Brothel Management Office is purely for official business, accompanying Commander Zhan to investigate a case. Ugh, it's annoying. Such social engagements are truly tiresome."
He shook his head repeatedly, seemingly convinced that visiting the Brothel Management Office to watch the renowned courtesans of Kaifeng perform was quite dull.
Qin Yaru chuckled softly and did not press him. After all, he was just being flowery with his words; his character and integrity were still reliable. His willpower was strong, and he was not easily swayed by the stunning beauties of the Brothel Management Office. A little jealousy could add some spice, but if a woman tied a man down too tightly, it would become quite unpleasant.
Gao Feng whispered a few words to Zhan Yu, then extended his hand and slightly leaned forward in a gesture of invitation. "Consort Qin, allow me to be your guide and show you around Kaifeng City?"
"It would be my honor," Qin Yaru smiled.
Having been apart for so long, they had never strolled together comfortably before—one in a carriage and the other on horseback—slowly making their way along the clean and beautiful streets of Kaifeng City.
The bustling crowds of pedestrians, the shouts of vendors, and the harsh reprimands of rough women towards their children were all so ordinary, filled with the essence of life.
Gao Feng bought a few candied hawthorns and shared them with Qin Yaru and her two ladies-in-waiting. Approaching the carriage with a smile, he said, "In the past when I accompanied you shopping, I never held your hand or wrapped my arm around your waist. Now that we are here, it seems I may never have the chance to touch your waist again."
Qin Yaru was left speechless between laughter and tears.
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