Standing on the main street of the Western Market, Mudan took a deep breath. She noticed that while the layout of the Western Market was similar to the Eastern Market, divided into nine areas by four main streets with the Market Office, Price Regulation Office, and Ever-Normal Granary in the same positions, there were significant differences between them.
Firstly, the Western Market was more prosperous and international due to its proximity to the Kaiyuan Gate of the Silk Road. Foreign-owned shops were far more numerous here than in the Eastern Market. Persian inns, jewelry stores, spice shops, pharmacies, warehouses, and taverns were abundant. Mudan observed many foreigners with different attire and accents from Central Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, as well as Goryeo, Silla, and Japan, coming and going. Among them, Persian and Arab “Hu merchants” were the most common, often seen leisurely leading their camels through the streets.
Secondly, since the Western Market was farther from the palace and surrounded mostly by commoners and foreigners, the types of goods sold differed greatly from the Eastern Market. While the Eastern Market favored luxury items, here the merchandise was more oriented toward everyday necessities for common people, such as clothing, candles, bread, and medicine. Consequently, this area was more crowded and lively than the Eastern Market. Even the courtesans here were bolder than those in the Eastern Market. They wore colorful gauze dresses, stood by the taverns holding wine, and flirtatiously beckoned passersby to taste their drinks. Some even approached friendly-looking men and playfully forced drinks upon them. The customers didn’t mind, laughing along with the women, while onlookers were unfazed by such scenes.
Mudan closely followed He Zhizhong and the others, feeling she couldn’t see enough. Li Xing had somehow made his way to her side, riding alongside her. He whispered, “You haven’t been to Yangzhou. There are many foreign merchants there too. If you have the chance to go, you’ll see and hear many unexpected things.”
Mudan nodded, “If I have the opportunity, I’d like to travel and see different places, broadening my horizons. I’ve heard there are winter peonies in Jiangnan, and I’d love to see them.”
Li Xing smiled gently and was about to say something when He Zhizhong’s deep voice interrupted, “We’re almost there. Stay close to us, don’t speak, don’t touch anything, just listen carefully.”
Seeing He Zhizhong and Da Lang’s serious expressions, Mudan and the others nodded solemnly. Soon, they noticed an increasing number of donkeys, horses, and felt-covered carts parked along the street. The group turned onto a winding alley, where they saw a nondescript shop with a crowd gathered outside. People were pointing and whispering about rare treasures that would be shown, though no one seemed to know exactly what they were.
The shop’s door was tightly closed, leaving only a two-foot-wide opening for people to enter and exit. Two large, fat Persian men with high noses and curly hair, dressed in round-collared robes and black gauze headdresses, guarded the entrance, preventing unauthorized entry.
He Zhizhong counted their group of eight, then approached the two Persian guards, bowed, and said with a smile, “These are all our family members and relatives who’ve come to broaden their horizons.” The two men, clearly familiar with He Zhizhong, smiled back and let them in without further questioning.
Da Lang took the opportunity to explain the rules of the treasure meeting to the group: “This treasure meeting happens once a year. Foreign merchants bring their treasures to compare, and whoever has the most and best treasures gets to wear a special hat and sit in the place of honor. The others are seated according to the value of their treasures. After the seating is determined, they can freely buy and sell. People like us, who have nothing to compare with them, are here purely to observe and perhaps buy some jewelry. Of course, we can only be spectators. Space for observers is limited, and the treasures are valuable, so not just anyone can enter. If it weren’t for Father’s decades-long business relationship and trust with them, we wouldn’t be able to bring so many people in.”
As they entered, they passed through a small courtyard and around a row of narrow side rooms. Suddenly, a burst of green caught their eyes, and behind the verdant trees, a spacious hall appeared before them. Even before approaching, laughter and chatter in Persian floated out. Mudan could tell they were in high spirits, though she couldn’t understand a word.
A dark-skinned Kunlun slave in a snow-white, round-collared, narrow-sleeved robe emerged. Smiling, he bowed to He Zhizhong and Dalang, speaking fluent capital dialect: “Today we have an unexpected honored guest. He brought quite a few people, and space is limited. I’m afraid some of you might be a bit cramped later.”
He Zhizhong’s gaze darkened as he looked at Li Xing, who smiled smugly. He Zhizhong turned back to the Kunlun slave: “Don’t worry, Ao Bu. This is nothing. I’ve been squeezed into a ship’s cabin with dozens of people before.”
Ao Bu flashed a brilliant smile, revealing snow-white teeth that contrasted starkly with his gleaming black skin. While He Zhizhong, Mudan, and the others were unfazed, He Ru and his companions were captivated, staring at him intently.
They had long heard of Kunlun slaves and seen them accompanying nobles on the streets, but never had the chance to observe one up close. Why was his skin so dark? Wouldn’t it stain his clothes? He Wen discreetly extended a finger from his sleeve and, as Ao Bu turned, quickly brushed it against the back of Ao Bu’s hand. He secretly examined his finger in the light, amazed to find it still clean and white. He wiped it repeatedly with a handkerchief to confirm it hadn’t darkened, then exchanged knowing glances with He Ru and He Hong.
Mudan noticed this. While she understood it was youthful curiosity rather than malice, she found the behavior extremely rude and glared at her nephew. She had seen Kunlun slaves before, usually displayed as prized possessions by their owners, often bare-chested with diagonal sashes or waistbands and short pants. Seeing Ao Bu properly dressed in local attire was rare, indicating his master didn’t demean him. She worried whether He Wen’s actions might offend.
“Young master, we’re not so different,” Ao Bu turned back with a gentle smile, openly offering his hand to He Wen. Embarrassed, He Wen blushed and quickly hid behind Li Xing. Ao Bu didn’t take offense and turned to lead the way. He Zhizhong coldly remarked, “Lacking both knowledge and courage. Disgraceful.” He Wen’s face and ears burned red with shame, wishing he could bury his head in his chest.
The group entered the hall. Mudan looked around curiously. In the center, facing the main door, stood an empty barbarian bed. Below it, two rows of cushions were densely packed with merchants, some in foreign dress and hats, others in local attire, all engaged in lively conversation. Around the edges were scattered cushions occupied by locals, who greeted He Zhizhong and Dalang warmly. There were some women present, though fewer in number.
Mudan thought to herself that the barbarian bed must be the throne for the newly crowned “King of Treasure Duels.” These locals were probably here, like her family, to learn and do business. Li Xing whispered, “Danniang, Liu Chang is here too.”
“Why is he everywhere?” Mudan frowned, looking in the direction Dalang indicated. She saw Liu Chang, Pan Rong, and several richly dressed, vaguely familiar men occupying the corner with the best view and ventilation. Their expressions varied as they watched Mudan’s group. Liu Chang glared fiercely at her, or perhaps at Li Xing beside her. Pan Rong made faces, while the other men looked on with amusement as if watching a show unfold. Another man in a moon-white, round-collared, wide-sleeved robe sat nearby, skeletal and sallow-faced, his expression blank.
Mudan pondered. She knew Liu Chang dealt in jewels, but according to Yuhe’s intelligence, it wasn’t very profitable—mainly a way to collect treasures. If so, he shouldn’t qualify as a major jewel merchant, certainly not compared to someone of He Zhizhong’s reputation among foreign traders. How did he gain entry?
She recalled Ao Bu’s words about an “unexpected honored guest” and speculated. Could the Chu State Marquis’s household have some connection to the event’s host? Had Liu Chang used Pan Rong’s influence to gain entry? What was his true purpose? To interfere with the jewelry business and suppress the He family? Cut off their livelihood? Remembering his ruthlessness, Mudan broke into a cold sweat and quietly asked Li Xing, “Do you know what he’s up to?”
Li Xing shook his head with a faint smile, whispering confidently, “He’s never told me his exact plans, but we all know he’s here to squander money.”
Surprised by his answer, Mudan glanced at He Zhizhong and Dalang. He Zhizhong remained as composed as ever, but Dalang had clenched his fists, looking ready to charge over and beat Liu Chang at the slightest provocation.
Seeing Dalang’s anger, Pan Rong whispered something to Liu Chang. Liu Chang smirked contemptuously at the He family, then turned away from Mudan to respectfully address the skeletal, sallow-faced man, who seemed aloof and arrogant.
Li Manniang glanced at Liu Chang’s group and tugged at Mudan’s sleeve, whispering, “Is that your former…?”
Mudan nodded.
Li Manniang pursed her lips. “He looks just as unpleasant as that old fool. Come, let’s go sit next to them.”
Another troublemaker, no wonder she bore eight fearless sons, Mudan thought with a smile. “There’s plenty of space. Why crowd next to them? They all wear strong perfumes. Aren’t you worried about the smell?”
Li Manniang replied, “We’ll see who bothers whom. What are you afraid of?”
He Zhizhong calmly surveyed the room. “Indeed, that’s the only place we can all sit together. Danniang, don’t worry. We’re here openly and rightfully to attend the treasure meeting. We should sit where we belong. Besides, that spot has always been mine.”