He didn’t respond. Wen Yu said gently, “Big Mother and the others have already been found. They’re fine, just very worried about you.”
Xiao Li still didn’t make a sound. His elbows rested on his knees, both hands covered in blood traces. His knuckles were either torn open with flesh exposed, or covered with varying degrees of abrasions.
He seemed to want to swallow all the pain alone in this howling wind and snow silence.
Wen Yu then also stopped speaking, quietly standing with him for a while. Seeing that the back of his hand had a wound where the skin and flesh were torn open and dripping blood, she put down the umbrella and crouched down. She tore a section of fine white gauze cloth from her hem. Her fair, slender fingertips lightly touched the back of his hand, wrapping the gauze around through his palm.
The cold wind blew her dark hair. One strand seemed to lightly brush past through the gaps between Xiao Li’s fingers.
A traceless coolness, like scooping up a handful of water that evaporated in the next instant.
After Wen Yu tied a knot in the gauze, she raised her clear, moon-like eyes again and said gently, “Let’s go back.”
She was always composed and peaceful, like the breeze brushing past in early spring—very gentle, yet with a force that was hard to break, allowing even cracked soil to sprout new shoots from those crevices.
—
After Xiao Li returned, he simply handled Hou Xiao’an’s funeral arrangements, then collapsed from combined injuries and illness.
Their original house had been smashed to pieces by Huo Kun’s men. Madam Zhou ordered several guest rooms in the residence to be cleared, and on the pretext of facilitating the residence physician’s treatment, she brought Xiao Li’s family over to stay.
She told others it was because Xiao Li had merit for holding back Huo Kun, but partly it was also because Wen Yu had called them benefactors.
Wen Yu no longer lived in the same place as Xiao Huiniang and the others. With the current situation unstable, she would soon need to continue south. There were many important matters to discuss with Zhou Jing’an and his wife. Living in Madam Zhou’s courtyard, surrounded entirely by Madam Zhou’s trusted confidants, if there were matters to discuss, there was no need to guard against walls having ears, and it was also more convenient to conduct affairs.
Otherwise, each time she came to the main courtyard, she would have to make up excuses to deceive Xiao Huiniang.
Madam Zhou only told others that she liked her embroidery skills and was temporarily keeping her as a maid by her side.
Xiao Huiniang was naturally happy for Wen Yu.
It wasn’t that Wen Yu refused to reveal her identity to the Xiao mother and son until now, but rather that one more person knowing she was in Yongzhou meant one more portion of danger.
For her and for the other party, it was particularly unfavorable.
After the Xiao family experienced this incident, Wen Yu figured they must hope to live ordinary, peaceful days. She also hoped their family would all be safe and smooth from now on and not be dragged into such conspiracies again.
She asked Zhou Jing’an for a favor to remove their lowly status and register them as commoners.
Zhou Jing’an naturally agreed. Because Xiao Li had single-handedly held back Huo Kun’s men for so long, he quite admired his martial skills and courage. Learning that Xiao Li was concerned about his elderly mother at home and probably didn’t want to join the army, he wanted to keep him in the residence as a guard.
However, whether or not Xiao Li was willing to accept this position would have to wait until his injuries improved somewhat and he could be asked directly.
Wen Yu also had Zhou Jing’an help contact her personal guards, but no news ever came back. Zhou Jing’an also knew that Fengyang’s situation was critical and could not be delayed any longer. He selected a group of elite troops from the garrison soldiers, planning to first escort Wen Yu to continue south.
This day, when Madam Zhou was checking items for Wen Yu to bring on the journey, she handed her the account records of wealth confiscated after the Han and He families were liquidated, saying, “My husband says this wealth is for Wengzhu to dispose of.”
Wen Yu briefly flipped through the accounts and discovered that the assets of these two families were quite staggering. She hastily declined, “This wealth equals two or three years of Yongzhou’s tax revenue. It should be deposited into Yongzhou’s treasury.”
Although Madam Zhou still smiled faintly, her expression dimmed slightly as she said, “This time, thanks to Wengzhu being here, Yongzhou barely averted disaster. But Pei Song’s power grows increasingly greater. Yongzhou… doesn’t know how much longer it can hold out. If this money is deposited into the treasury, in the future… if Yongzhou falls, this money will be sent into Pei Song’s pocket.”
She looked at Wen Yu and said, “My husband’s intention is for you to take this money with you. It just so happens both families kept dual account books. The official archives will only record the public accounts. No one will know of the existence of this money in the private accounts.”
After hearing all this, Wen Yu knew Zhou Jing’an and his wife had put much thought into this. She only felt the guilt in her heart grow heavier, and the responsibility on her shoulders became more clearly defined than ever before.
She stood and solemnly bowed to Madam Zhou, saying, “Madam and my lord’s kindness to the Wen clan and Great Liang—Wen Yu thanks you on behalf of my royal father.”
Madam Zhou quickly helped her up, saying, “What are you doing, Wengzhu? Please don’t diminish this humble woman and my husband. Because the Prince is trapped in Fengyang, my husband is powerless to rush to his aid and has been unable to sleep peacefully. If he can contribute a small effort with wealth, his heart will also feel better.”
Wen Yu said, “My Wen clan will certainly execute traitors, restore the rivers and mountains, and return to the people of the realm a prosperous era of peace and tranquility.”
Madam Zhou wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said with a smile, “This humble woman and my husband are both waiting for that day.”
—
The money confiscated from the He and Han families could naturally not be loaded onto silver carts to take away, nor could it possibly be exchanged for bank notes to carry away.
When true flames of war arrived, silver would be no different from stones. Only supplies were truly “money.”
Wen Yu had to convert this money into goods and transport them away before heading south.
Now with the Han and He families both fallen along with Huo Kun’s downfall, among Yongzhou’s merchants, only the Xu family stood dominant.
—
Fengqing Pavilion.
When Madam Xu pushed open the door to the private room and entered, her face was almost smiling like a blooming flower, “Since we parted at the Prefecture Governor’s residence that day, it’s been quite some days since I’ve seen Miss! I’ve always wanted to properly thank Miss, but couldn’t find an opportunity. I figured Miss must also be very busy, so I didn’t dare rashly disturb you.”
Wen Yu knew the Xu family must have been busy to the point of dizziness recently—after all, they had to seize the opportunity to buy up all the Han and He families’ shops and buildings at discounted prices. Madam Xu’s plump white face looked like it had slimmed down a circle from before, but she still had a rosy glow. She supposed this was “when people encounter happy events, their spirits are refreshed.”
She raised her hand to pour a cup of tea for Madam Xu, saying, “I can’t really be called busy. Madam is too kind.”
Madam Xu saw that when she poured tea, as her wrist tilted slightly, a clear stream of water poured from the purple clay teapot’s spout. The tea water entered the cup without much noise, nor did it agitate disorderly ripples. She slightly raised her wrist and the water column thickened slightly. When it was almost seven-tenths full, she gradually pressed down and lifted her wrist to stop the flow and collect the water.
This tea-pouring technique of the phoenix nodding three times was truly skillful and effortless.
Madam Xu became even more curious about exactly who this person was, but also understood clearly that questions that shouldn’t be asked must never be asked.
Since she had found her that day and, relying on half of the Han family’s account book, had reshuffled all of Yongzhou’s merchants, if she herself didn’t know when to advance and retreat and offended the other party, she could make this piece of fat meat fall into her bowl, and naturally could also take it back.
Madam Xu held the tea cup, her face piled with smiles, “Then I’m truly at fault. I should have invited Miss out for a meal earlier.”
Wen Yu said, “Madam is too polite. I merely embroidered a fan for Madam.”
How could Madam Xu not understand the meaning in her words? The implication was that the matter of her coming with the account book that day needed to be kept strictly secret.
She quickly said with a smile, “Miss’s embroidery skills earned the appreciation of the Prefecture Governor’s wife. Now Miss is a favored person beside the Prefecture Governor’s wife. Miss spoke well of me, so naturally I remember Miss’s kindness.”
Wen Yu wore a veil, and the smile in her eyes was extremely faint.
This was the advantage of talking with intelligent people.
She said, “I also like dealing with straightforward people like Madam. I have another business deal here. I wonder if Madam would be willing to take it.”
Madam Xu immediately beamed with joy and lifted her tea cup, saying, “Please just tell me, Miss. As long as my Xu family can do it, we’ll certainly handle the matter beautifully for you.”
Wen Yu said, “I’ve heard the Xu family made its fortune in the silk and tea business. Now that you’ve taken over the He family’s canal transport business, I want Madam’s ships to exchange silk and tea for grain and medicinal materials as they pass through various prefectures.”
Madam Xu’s hand holding the tea bowl paused, “The business Miss wants to do is not small.”
Wen Yu slightly raised her eyes, looking at Madam Xu. The smile in her eyes was so faint it seemed present or absent, “Fortune favors the bold, doesn’t it?”
Madam Xu then also smiled along with her, “Miss speaks truly. With war and chaos outside now, aren’t grain and medicinal materials the most valuable? Even if we can’t buy these sought-after goods, stockpiling silk and tea—those can always be slowly sold no matter how long they’re kept!”
She asked Wen Yu quite tempted, “I wonder how much Miss wants to buy?”
The window was opened a crack. The cold wind blowing in dispersed the white mist rising from the tea cup before Wen Yu.
Her eyes were gentle as she met Madam Xu’s gaze, yet somehow made Madam Xu inexplicably dare not look at her anymore. She only heard her say, “However much silk and tea the Xu family currently has, I’ll buy that much. For the portion Madam’s ships exchange for grain and medicinal materials while transporting to Pingzhou, I’ll pay Madam an additional twenty percent.”
The Xu family now monopolized all the shops in Yong City. What the Xu family had was what the entire Yong City currently had.
This was a windfall deal dropped from heaven. Madam Xu was overjoyed. She couldn’t even be bothered to drink her tea and hastily said, “Deal! I’ll have the Xu family’s merchant caravan personally escort it for you.”
Pingzhou bordered South Chen. The entire Great Liang’s largest southern tea-horse market was there. All north-south merchant caravans bought and sold goods there.
Madam Xu had no suspicion at all about Wen Yu wanting to transport goods to Pingzhou.
Wen Yu said, “After the Xu family’s cargo ships depart, I’ll first pay Madam half the silver as a deposit. When the merchant ships arrive at Pingzhou and my people verify the goods are undamaged, I’ll make up the remaining silver. What does Madam think?”
“This…” Madam Xu seemed somewhat hesitant.
Wen Yu raised her clear eyes and said, “Madam can rest assured. What I want to do with Madam is long-term business. From the merchant ships to the escort caravan, they’re all your own people, Madam. You must at least let me go back and explain to my master as well.”
Madam Xu didn’t know who the master she spoke of was, but since even the Prefecture Governor’s wife relied on her, surely the master behind her was even more formidable. She quickly smiled apologetically, “I naturally trust Miss. Miss is my wealth goddess aunt!”
Hearing the words “wealth goddess aunt,” Wen Yu was slightly stunned.
However, she quickly concealed her emotions and said, “I need this batch of goods urgently. I also trouble Madam to prepare them for me first.”
Madam Xu stood up cheerfully, “Then I won’t disturb Miss any longer. I’ll go handle the matter for Miss first!”
After Madam Xu left, Wen Yu walked to the window, pushed open the wooden window, and looked at the sleet falling outside. She raised her hand to catch a tiny piece of snow.
Back then, Xiao An had also called her Wealth Goddess Sister.
That youth was actually already gone.
Sometimes death was quite like cutting flesh with a dull knife. The heart-wrenching grief passed quickly, but when someone inadvertently mentioned something, you would suddenly think of that person.
It couldn’t be called sadness, but certain words they had said, certain things they had done, would become particularly clear in the mind in that instant, making one’s heart feel stifled and bitter.
Xiao An, Xiao An—how could he not have lived a peaceful life?
Wen Yu took a shallow breath of the cold air outside the window. She only felt that she, someone who had known Hou Xiao’an not long, still found it somewhat difficult to accept his death. She didn’t know how Xiao Li had gotten through these past two days.
Just as she was thinking of this, lowering her eyes, she caught sight of a familiar figure leaning against the wall with arms crossed on the opposite side of the street.
The other person was also looking at her.
The two gazed at each other across the flying snow for two brief breaths.
—
The restaurant’s waiter came into the private room again to add a pot of tea.
Xiao Li sat in the position where Madam Xu had sat earlier.
Because his injuries had not yet healed, his brows and eyes weren’t as sharp as before. His complexion also carried some pallor, like a wolf that had retracted its fangs. At first glance, people were no longer frightened by his ferocity, and his handsome features showed more prominently.
When Xiao Huiniang was young, she had been the top courtesan at Zuihong Pavilion. His appearance followed Xiao Huiniang’s, so it was naturally quite outstanding.
Wen Yu raised her hand to pour tea for him, asking very calmly, “When did you arrive?”
Xiao Li answered frankly, “When you left the residence.”
Wen Yu then raised her eyes to look at him.
He said, “I came out to handle some matters and happened to see you from afar. I didn’t deliberately follow you.”
Wen Yu said, “Whatever you want to ask, just ask.”
Xiao Li then said, “That my mother and I could return to commoner status—it was because of you, wasn’t it?”
Wen Yu thought he would ask about her meeting with Madam Xu. She didn’t expect it to be about this. She paused slightly for a breath before answering, “You had merit that day, and also Prefecture Governor Daren valued your talent.”
So it was still partly due to her.
Xiao Li said, “Thank you.”
Wen Yu only said, “Big Mother showed me kindness. Why need words of thanks?”
Although the two had been polite on the surface before, in their words there hadn’t been this kind of distance.
It was as if there was an invisible boundary that both had already perceived.
The private room was briefly silent for a breath. Wen Yu turned to look at the flying snow outside the window, finding a new topic, “Prefecture Governor Daren intends to keep you in the residence as a guard. Although it can’t be considered very promising, it should still be more stable than when you were at the gambling den before. In the future when Big Mother wants to arrange a marriage for you, presumably she won’t worry so much.”
The Prefecture Governor’s residence guards were all selected from military households with clean backgrounds. They didn’t need to go to battlefields to fight, but because they were directly under the Prefecture Governor and did the work of guarding the estate, the monthly pay was generous. It was a position many people wanted but couldn’t get, yet she said it couldn’t be considered very promising.
Xiao Li wanted to laugh but felt he couldn’t.
He asked, “Can I still know who you are?”
Wen Yu looked at him and said, “If you knew, you might lose your life. Do you still want to know?”
Xiao Li met her gaze, his eyes showing not the slightest evasion, “If only my head alone would roll, then I still want to know.”
Wen Yu seemed to hesitate slightly, and finally raised her hand to slowly remove her veil.
Cold wind swept in from outside the window, blowing the stray hair at her temples. Wind chimes under the eaves tinkled.
The skylight and snowy scenery seemed to dim in that instant, leaving only that lotus-like jade face capturing all the beauty of this space.
It was spread everywhere in the marketplace that a few years ago, the son of Marquis Yushan from Hexi went to the capital and only caught a distant glimpse of Hanyang Wengzhu at a banquet. When he returned, he fell ill with lovesickness. This was not groundless rumor.
Great Liang’s brightest pearl—her countenance had the glamour of peonies and also the purity of lotus flowers.
After Wen Yu became separated from her trusted guards, she had tried her best to conceal her appearance. It was just that without going to the extent of making her face develop allergic rashes in large patches, she was still targeted by the human trafficker.
At this moment, that absolutely beautiful face was presented before Xiao Li’s eyes without any concealment. In his ears, he could only hear his own heartbeat like drumbeats, each one louder than the last.
She… actually looked like this?
Those emotions he had tried so hard to suppress before seemed in this moment to spread and grow wildly like weeds even more.
She looked at him with eyes still gentle, yet also seemed separated by countless mountains and rivers, distant and remote, saying, “My surname is Wen, given name Yu, titled Hanyang.”