The journey from Liangzhou to Jiyang City would take nearly a month even when riding at full speed.

Departing after the New Year as spring began, they traveled southward. The climate grew increasingly mild as they approached Jiyang. By their arrival, wildflowers bloomed abundantly along the roadsides, and swallows were already gathering mud to build their nests – spring had truly arrived.

Outside Jiyang City, Chi Wu drove up with a carriage and said, “Young Master, this is the finest carriage available for purchase in this area.”

The carriage already appeared luxurious, adorned with peacock-green fine silk on all sides, with white gauze curtains swaying gently within. It was exceptionally spacious and comfortable. After many days of horseback riding, He Yan felt weary and was quite content to finally have some comfort. However, Lin Shuanghe remained highly critical, “Is this all? In Shuojing, I wouldn’t even spare such a carriage a glance. The wood quality is inferior – didn’t I specify to select the most expensive one?”

Chi Wu replied, “This is already the most expensive available.”

He Yan observed Lin Shuanghe and sighed inwardly. After all these years, this Young Master’s extravagant nature hadn’t changed at all. She couldn’t comprehend why Xiao Jue would bring Lin Shuanghe to handle business in Jiyang. Wasn’t he just creating difficulties for himself?

He Yan wasn’t alone in her confusion – Lin Shuanghe himself was puzzled and had repeatedly confirmed before departure: “Are you certain you didn’t misspeak? You want me to accompany you to Jiyang?”

Xiao Jue: “I’m certain.”

“Why?”

“Because we require a steward for the journey.”

“St-steward?” Lin Shuanghe erupted in anger, “Have you ever encountered a steward with my refinement and bearing?”

Xiao Jue appraised him briefly and replied, “Now I have.”

Despite his protests, Lin Shuanghe was eager to travel with Xiao Jue and experience new places. He had never visited Jiyang before and had heard that all the young ladies there were beautiful. Wouldn’t it be regrettable to go through life without seeing them once?

So after voicing some complaints, he gladly agreed to join the journey.

Throughout their travels, they had focused solely on making good time, but now approaching Jiyang City, they needed to disguise themselves properly. Here, they would no longer be Xiao Huaijin and He Yan, but rather Qiao Huanqing, a wealthy merchant’s son from Huzhou, and his newly wedded wife Wen Yuyan, accompanied by their guards Chi Wu and Fei Nu, and their steward Lin Shuanghe.

Fei Nu produced the travel permit and, gazing at the distant Jiyang city gates, said, “Young Master after we enter the city and secure lodging at an inn, we must purchase two maids.”

It would be implausible for a wealthy merchant’s young master and his wife to travel without maids, having to attend to their daily needs themselves.

“Purchase maids?” Lin Shuanghe interjected, “I’ll participate – I know how to select girls!”

Xiao Jue ignored him and simply instructed Fei Nu, “Find young ones. Once our business in Jiyang concludes, we’ll send them back to their families.”

Fei Nu acknowledged the order.

Chi Wu and Fei Nu drove the carriage outside, slowing their pace as they approached Jiyang’s city gates. Fei Nu presented the travel permit to the gate guards, who carefully examined the black characters on the document. Their attitude immediately became respectful: “So you’re Master Cui’s people – please enter.”

Lin Shuanghe inquired: “Does Cui Yuezhi hold such a high status in Jiyang?”

“I’ve heard he grew up alongside the Meng Ji Princess, being both loyal and capable, earning her complete trust,” He Yan replied.

Lin Shuanghe asked curiously: “How do you know this?”

He Yan simply said: “I heard it from others.”

Xiao Jue glanced at her but remained silent.

Though He Yan had never visited Jiyang, she was familiar with its people and affairs. This was because her master Liu Buwang had come from outside Jiyang City and had shared many local stories with her. Having heard so much, she had developed a longing to see the water city herself.

Due to the complicated nature of traveling between feudal territories, she never expected to have the opportunity to visit and see the water city Liu Buwang had described, making this quite a novel experience.

Jiyang was a magnificent city with thousands of connected households and prosperous trade. Outside the city ran canals where merchant ships gathered. Jiyang’s renowned silk and tea traveled down the Yuyang River directly to Yangzhou, truly embodying the saying “thousand-bushel ships moving swift as wind.” Within the city, numerous rivers flowed, and small boats could be seen passing under bridges everywhere, their bows laden with fruits and small goods – this was Jiyang’s water market.

People from the Central Plains had never witnessed such scenes. He Yan leaned out of the carriage to look, expressing amazement.

Lin Shuanghe remarked: “Jiyang truly lives up to travelers’ tales – it’s like a paradise. No wonder it’s easy to enter but difficult to leave. Look at how fresh-faced the local girls are, quite different from those in Shuojing.”

He Yan thought silently, “That’s not what you said when we were in Shuojing.”

She turned to look at Xiao Jue, who sat lazily in the carriage. He seemed uninterested in the bustling scenes outside, his gaze remaining indifferent, showing no signs of excitement.

“Commander, shall we find an inn first?” she asked.

“What Commander?” Lin Shuanghe immediately interrupted, “We’re in Jiyang now – you can’t call him Commander, lest we expose ourselves.”

He Yan: “Then what should I call him?”

“Why, ‘Husband’ of course!”

The word “Husband” startled both He Yan and Xiao Jue. Xiao Jue’s expression became particularly indescribable and quite remarkable. After some hesitation, he finally waved his sleeve and said: “There’s no need to use any form of address for now.”

He Yan thought painfully that while this assignment had seemed fine, its execution proved incredibly challenging, requiring one to cast aside all sense of shame. No wonder the exchange condition was admission into the Southern Army.

Xiao Jue said: “Let’s find an inn first.”

Given Jiyang’s abundant resources and prosperity, finding an inn required little deliberation as they all appeared quite satisfactory. Chi Wu selected one closest to the city center, convenient for familiarizing themselves with the city.

They first unloaded the heavier items from the carriage. Fei Nu approached and said: “Young Master, I’ve just inquired – there’s a restaurant nearby whose proprietress helps wealthy households purchase maids. If we’re staying here, we could seek her assistance in selecting maids now.”

Xiao Jue nodded.

He Yan hesitated before saying: “Perhaps I shouldn’t go.”

Everyone paused, and Lin Shuanghe asked: “Young… Young Mistress, do you have other matters to attend to?”

He Yan had no other business, but she couldn’t bear to watch people being bought and sold. Even knowing that some children might live better lives as maids in wealthy households, she still felt uncomfortable. During her military service, in areas plagued by Qiang raiders, the practice of selling children was rampant. Boys fared slightly better, typically being sold as laborers, but girls were more frequently sold. He Yan had witnessed thirteen or fourteen-year-old girls being sold as concubines to sixty-year-old men for merely a piece of bread.

Human lives could be that cheap.

She truly disliked watching people being treated like commodities.

“I… aren’t I supposed to be playing a woman’s role?” she fabricated an excuse, “It wouldn’t be appropriate to walk around in these clothes, as I don’t look like Wen Yuyan. I was thinking of finding a ready-made clothing shop nearby to buy some women’s attire. Some jewelry too, if available, so we won’t raise suspicion when we meet Cui Yuezhi.”

For convenience during travel, she was still wearing Program Lisu’s clothes. Now in Jiyang, maintaining a male disguise would be inappropriate.

Hearing this, Lin Shuanghe found her reasoning quite sound and said: “That works.”

“Chi Wu, accompany her,” Xiao Jue instructed, “Signal if anything happens.”

Chi Wu acknowledged.

Xiao Jue looked at He Yan again: “Stay in the vicinity, don’t wander far. Jiyang is different from Liangzhou – caution is essential.”

He Yan nodded: “Understood.”

“Then let’s split up,” Lin Shuanghe waved his fan, “Young Mistress, remember to buy several beautiful outfits to show them how captivating our Central Plains ladies can be.”

Xiao Jue: “Be quiet.”

The three men descended the inn’s stairs and departed, leaving He Yan and Chi Wu behind.

Chi Wu thought to himself that Lin Shuanghe’s words were inappropriate – He Yan wasn’t a woman, so no amount of dressing up would make her captivating. What would be the point?

Just as he had this thought, he saw He Yan facing the mirror, removing the hairpin from her head. Instantly, a cascade of black hair fell upon her shoulders.

“You…”

He Yan turned around: “A man buying women’s clothes at a clothing store would draw attention. With my hair down, how do I look?” she asked Chi Wu.

Chi Wu: “…Not… not bad.” He mused internally, wondering how he hadn’t noticed before that He Yan was so feminine in appearance. He had assumed that her disguise as a woman would be difficult to believe, but now with her hair down… she did look like a woman.

No wonder the Young Master chose to bring her along.

“Let’s go,” Chi Wu said, “While it’s still light, let’s explore the area.”

The two left together.

Jiyang City, being further south than Liangzhou, was much warmer. Now in spring, the sun peeked out gently, warming everyone pleasantly. Willow trees sprouted tender green buds, and spring beauty was everywhere.

The calls of street vendors filled the air. Jiyang’s people, originally fishermen, maintained open and lively customs, with everyone being warm and hospitable. When passing fruit vendors, seeing He Yan look a few times, they insisted on putting some fruit in her arms, saying: “Take these, miss, they’re free – have a taste!”

Chi Wu: “…”

She was already being called “miss”? This disguise was working too well!

He Yan accepted with a bright smile, sharing some with Chi Wu, saying: “Jiyang truly is a wonderful place.”

No wonder Liu Buwang spoke of Jiyang with such nostalgia. Thinking of Liu Buwang, He Yan felt worried again – now that she was staying with Xiao Jue, how could she find a suitable excuse to search for Liu Buwang outside the city? Moreover, Liu Buwang had been vague in his descriptions, and now seeing how vast Jiyang was, finding someone would indeed be challenging.

While she was pondering this, Chi Wu had already asked a nearby clay figurine vendor: “Brother, could you direct us to any ready-made clothing shops in the area?”

The vendor smiled upon hearing the question: “From your accent, you’re not from Jiyang, are you? Well, you’ve asked the right person,” he pointed ahead, “The Xiuluo Workshop is Jiyang’s largest clothing store, with the best and most extensive selection of garments. For buying clothes, you can’t go wrong there!”

Chi Wu thanked the vendor and headed in the indicated direction with He Yan.

He Yan felt nervous.

Chi Wu asked: “What’s wrong?”

“Just feeling uncomfortable about buying women’s clothes,” He Yan replied.

Chi Wu nodded: “Yes, it is quite uncomfortable.”

Throughout both her past and present lives, He Yan had spent more time as a man than as a woman. Even when living as a woman, she had never paid much attention to clothing and appearance. She would wear whatever was prepared for her in the household, and if left to choose for herself, she wouldn’t know what to pick. She worried about making a fool of herself by selecting something unsuitable.

But regardless of her fears, this was something she had to do. The Xiuluo Workshop wasn’t far, and they soon arrived.

The clay figurine vendor hadn’t exaggerated – the Xiuluo Workshop was indeed massive, five stories tall, resembling a pavilion. Two shop assistants in blue robes stood at the entrance, smiling as they approached to welcome customers. One asked: “First time at Xiuluo Workshop, honored guests?”

He Yan nodded: “Yes, we’d like to buy some clothes.”

“Are you or this gentleman looking for clothes?” The assistant pointed upstairs: “In our Xiuluo Workshop, the first floor is for men’s clothing, the second for children’s wear, and the remaining three floors are for women’s attire.” He paused, then added: “The higher you go, the more expensive the clothing becomes.” He smiled while rubbing his hands together, “So…”

“We’ll go to the third floor,” He Yan decided promptly.

“Excellent!” The assistant replied with a smile, “Please follow me.”

The interior was truly spacious, with fine carpets on every floor and beautiful decorations. Unlike Shuojing’s elegant style, Jiyang’s arrangements were more ornate and vibrant, much like its people. Murals depicted scenes of people enjoying festivities. One long scroll showed a bustling water market, with crowds of people shoulder to shoulder, creating an intriguing scene.

Seeing He Yan staring intently at the murals, the assistant explained with a smile: “This depicts our Jiyang Water God Festival. Since we make our living from the water, we worship the Water God every year in the third month. You don’t appear to be locals – if you’re staying long enough, you might catch the Water God Festival. It’s quite spectacular!”

“Third month?” He Yan asked.

“Yes, this very month. The Water God Festival is amazing! Miss, if you attend, you won’t regret it!”

The local people were naturally enthusiastic, and while He Yan didn’t say much, she became curious about this Water God Festival.

Reaching the third floor, the assistant stopped and said: “Here we are, Miss. Please have a look.”

He Yan nodded. Chi Wu felt uncomfortable – this floor was full of women’s clothing, and it seemed inappropriate for him as a man to remain. He told He Yan: “I’ll wait downstairs. When you’ve made your selection, just have someone notify me.”

He Yan replied: “Alright.”

After Chi Wu left, the assistant continued showing He Yan around, explaining as they walked: “This cherry-red antique satin Moon Flower dress has been our best seller recently. With spring’s arrival, everyone loves wearing red – it stands out beautifully during spring outings. Perfect for catching a young man’s eye.”

“This lotus-colored silk-carved peony Pure Jade dress is also excellent. Paired with a round fan, you’d look just like a celestial maiden from a painting. Elegant, otherworldly, pure, and graceful – simply wonderful!”

“Look at this one – this embroidered butterfly pattern dress has a hundred butterflies, each sewn on stitch by stitch by our embroiderers. Imagine wearing such a dress among flowers – you’d attract plenty of butterflies, both real and embroidered fluttering around you. How charming!”

He Yan: “…”

The Xiuluo Workshop assistant’s eloquence was extraordinary. He Yan found herself moved by his descriptions, feeling that every ready-made garment on the walls was unique and exquisite. Even the most ordinary woman would look radiant wearing them. Currently, she was the only customer on this floor – how would this assistant manage if more people came to look at clothes?

Fortunately, she had some discernment and didn’t believe everything, but after viewing the entire third floor, she felt dizzy. There were simply too many options – she didn’t know which to choose.

He Yan thought for a moment, then turned to the assistant: “Brother, I rarely choose clothes for myself, so I’m at a loss. Could you help me find something appropriate for any occasion, suits anyone, and wouldn’t be inappropriate at formal gatherings?”

The assistant was perceptive and, realizing He Yan was inexperienced in choosing clothes, smiled and said: “Of course. Miss, I notice your fair skin differs from our Jiyang women. With such distinguished features, it would be a shame to choose merely appropriate clothing. What about…” He walked to a garment and lifted its edge for He Yan to see: “What do you think of this one?”

“This Celestial Silk Jade dress is very light and delicate, with a fine texture. The water-blue color would complement your complexion beautifully. The style is simple yet elegant – you certainly wouldn’t be out of place wearing this to a banquet. This is our last piece. If you like it, why not choose this one?”

He Yan approached the dress. Compared to the previous ones, it did appear much simpler, without excessive embellishments, and felt comfortable to touch. He Yan smiled and said: “Then I’ll take-“

“I’ll take this dress,” a hand reached out from the side, snatching the dress from He Yan’s grasp.

He Yan turned to see a young woman in a yellow dress, with an apricot face and peach-like cheeks, beautiful as a lotus. Though her skin was slightly dark, she had an excellent figure and was quite tall. Her eyes didn’t even acknowledge He Yan’s presence, as if she didn’t exist.

Two maids in green attire followed behind her, one saying: “Why are you just standing there? Don’t you know to greet our Young Miss?”

The shop assistant started, quickly bowing in greeting: “Miss Yan.”

Young Miss Yan snorted in response.

The assistant turned back to He Yan, wiping sweat from his brow: “Miss, perhaps… you’d like to choose another piece?”

Even a fool would understand what was happening. No matter the place or time, there were always people who relied on their family status to act without restraint. The assistant was innocent in this, and He Yan didn’t want to make things difficult for him. Besides, it was just a piece of clothing. She smiled and said: “It’s fine, I’ll choose another.”

“I apologize,” the assistant turned away and whispered, “Young Miss Yan rarely visits our ready-made clothing store, and even when she does, she never comes to the third floor. I don’t know what’s different about today…”

“It’s fine,” He Yan gave him a reassuring look, “No need to explain, I understand.”

“Thank you, thank you.”

The assistant walked over to Young Miss Yan and smiled: “Young Miss Yan, would you like me to help you select some clothes?”

“Who do you think you are to select clothes for me?” Young Miss Yan said disdainfully, “Go help others, this Young Miss doesn’t need your guidance.”

The assistant retreated sheepishly and returned to He Yan. Compared to serving the sharp-tongued Young Miss Yan, this customer was much more gentle and reasonable. He smiled and said: “Miss, how about this one? This Suzhou embroidered pipa dress has a fitted waist and wide sleeves. When worn, it’s like walking through clouds – quite beautiful. The color is pear blossom white; when you wear it, you’ll look like ice and jade, with an enchanting grace.”

He Yan couldn’t help but smile at his words. This assistant was selling clothes, yet compliments flowed so naturally from his mouth. It was quite embarrassing to hear. He Yan looked at the dress and found it quite nice, so she said: “Then I’ll take this-“

Before she could finish, Young Miss Yan’s maid reached out and grabbed the dress He Yan was pointing at, saying: “Our Young Miss wants this one too.”

Again?

He Yan slightly furrowed her brow. One could be a coincidence but twice seemed intentional. Yet she had never met this woman before – why was she repeatedly targeting her?

She turned to face the other party and asked politely: “Excuse me, Miss, have I offended you in some way?”

“Not at all,” Young Miss Yan looked at her, raising her eyebrows, “I’m just choosing clothes, how could that be offensive?”

“One or two pieces wouldn’t matter,” He Yan smiled, “but surely you won’t take whatever I choose next?”

Young Miss Yan pressed her lips together and said haughtily: “So you’re not completely stupid.”

“I don’t understand, why are you doing this, Miss?”

“Always asking why – very good, but I’m not your teacher. Why should I explain anything to you? Today, if I wanted to buy every piece of clothing on this third floor, that would be my privilege. If you’re unhappy about it, you could buy them too. There are so many clothes, surely there’s one I don’t want. However…” she looked He Yan up and down with contempt, “looking at you, you probably can’t afford much anyway.”

He Yan was wearing Cheng Lisu’s clothes, which were originally of good quality, but after days of travel, they were dusty and travel-worn. She had come directly from the inn without changing, so naturally appeared disheveled and poor to others.

What luck, she thought, to encounter such an arrogant young miss while simply trying to buy something wearable. When dealing with men, He Yan was used to straightforward solutions – if there was a disagreement, they could simply fight it out. But it was different with women; she couldn’t very well beat up a young lady in public.

“The Xiuluo Workshop isn’t your family’s business,” He Yan said patiently, “I’m just trying to buy some clothes. Please don’t cause trouble.”

This statement only made things worse, like stepping on a cat’s tail – the young woman bristled all over. Her beautiful eyes narrowed, and her voice became sharper than before: “Cause trouble? Do you dare say I’m causing trouble? Where did this country bumpkin come from? Not only do you fail to recognize this Young Miss, but you dare speak such vulgar words! Want to buy clothes? Looking at your shabby appearance, can you even afford them?”

He Yan: “I…”

“Young Mistress!” a voice interrupted.

He Yan turned to see that somehow Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe had found their way here, with Chi Wu and Fei Nu behind them, along with two timid young girls in pink attire wearing double-loop buns.

Xiao Jue stepped forward. While Jiyang women were known for their beauty and spirit, and the men for their masculinity and power, a young man as handsome and elegant as him, with such dignified bearing, was truly rare.

Young Miss Yan stared at him, transfixed.

Xiao Jue studied her for a moment, then suddenly curved his lips into a smile and leaned close to He Yan’s ear, speaking softly yet just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

“What’s troubling you, Wife?”