Mian Tang said, “Driving so many sheep makes us too conspicuous. The officials might come looking for us today. If we don’t disguise ourselves, won’t we be in trouble?”
Yesterday, while chatting with the sheep traders, she learned that private dealers were abundant in this area. To the officials, these private dealers were as enticing as plump lambs.
Since Empress Dowager Wu began ruling from behind the curtain, she had imposed numerous taxes under various pretexts. This was especially prevalent in the northwest, being widespread, making it impossible for legitimate businesses to turn a profit.
The sheep traders, all locals, regularly bribed officials during festivals. Generally, no one disturbed their transactions. However, once outside merchants made money, they were invariably fleeced. The fines, back taxes, and extortion under threat of imprisonment amounted to a considerable sum, essentially negating their entire journey.
Mian Tang had no intention of working for nothing. She planned to set out before dawn and change their appearance.
Choosing between money and beards suddenly became an easy decision.
Liu Kun and the two escort guards hesitated no longer, shaving off their beards. Their faces now bare, they looked at each other, realizing even their parents wouldn’t recognize them at first glance.
Mian Tang grinned, “This way, we’re safe.”
Sure enough, as daylight broke, officials set up checkpoints along the road to inspect merchants. From afar, they recognized the men they had seen at the riverside livestock market. Back then, they were in plain clothes, mingling with the sheep traders and carefully observing the money-changing hands. Now, donning official uniforms to make arrests, they had positioned themselves on this crucial route into the city, confident in their success.
When they saw Mian Tang, her hair in long braids, wearing a cotton jacket and skirt, sitting in a cart pulled by a small donkey, the officials stopped to question her.
Hearing that the young lady was entering the city to join her in-laws, the officers scrutinized Mian Tang. They didn’t recognize her as the youth from yesterday’s livestock market. After all, how could such a pretty girl be associated with that dark-faced, sheepskin-clad private dealer?
“Damn,” one thought, “that boy was slippery. He dawdled and delayed the transaction, so we got impatient and went drinking. We planned to nab them after a nap, but when we raided the inn at midnight, the boy had vanished without a trace. If we’d caught him and those bearded men, it would’ve been quite profitable. That’s why we rushed here, intent on finding that dirty-faced lad!”
This was the only road into the city, and the gates wouldn’t open until mid-morning. There was no fear of them escaping early.
Although Mian Tang had a long scarf covering her nose and mouth, her visible eyes and brows hinted at extraordinary beauty.
The soldiers’ usual pastime was to search attractive young women and wives passing by, ostensibly checking for contraband.
Seeing such a striking young lady in the cart, the lecherous soldiers grew restless, ordering Mian Tang to get down for a search with leering eyes.
Mian Tang frowned slightly, considering using the ox bladder she had procured yesterday to create a foul odor. Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the back of the waiting convoy. Someone was reportedly fighting and stealing.
The soldiers rushed to the scene, waving Mian Tang through without inspection.
The man causing the disturbance at the back of the convoy punched an approaching officer, watching as Mian Tang’s cart disappeared into the distance. Only then did he produce a badge, declaring, “Special envoy of the Northwest Army on official business. Who dares obstruct?”
The badge intimidated the officers, who stammered their apologies and ceased their interference.
Fan Hu put away his badge and looked at his dejected subordinates without comment.
Miss Liu was exhausting to follow. If he hadn’t been extremely vigilant, they would have lost her trail. He prayed to the heavens, for the sake of his 80-year-old mother, to help him complete this mission safely. Afterward, he vowed to retire from service and return home…
Thus, Mian Tang and her group entered the city without incident. After some travel, they finally reached the Western Province.
Before they could return to the Lu family, Liu Kun spotted men from the escort agency galloping down the official road, including Second Master Lu Mu.
Liu Kun quickly called out to the Second Master.
At first, Lu Mu didn’t recognize Liu Kun. Upon hearing his voice, he reined in his horse and turned back, puzzled. It took him a while to realize that this smooth-faced old fellow was indeed Liu Kun!
Enraged, the Second Master cursed, “Liu Kun, have you lost your mind? Where did you take the Liu girl? My elder brother discovered she was gone and nearly prostrated himself to death before our father!”
Unlike the straightforward eldest brother, Lu Mu was cunning and eloquent. In his anger, he berated Liu Kun mercilessly.
Mian Tang poked her head out of the cart and called, “Second Uncle, the wind is strong today. If you keep talking, your mouth will be full of sand!”
Lu Mu turned to see the grinning Mian Tang and let out a huge sigh of relief. He leaped off his horse, ran to the cart, and pulled Mian Tang down. After a thorough inspection to confirm it was indeed his niece, he said with a choked voice, “You inconsiderate girl, how could you not send word home for so long?”
Looking at her usually affectionate second uncle, Mian Tang’s eyes also filled with tears. She simply said, “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you everything when we get home.”
The two groups merged and set off for Western Province. After a day’s journey, they finally reached the city gates, and Mian Tang breathed a sigh of relief.
Due to his injuries, Lu Xian’s convoy had traveled slowly. He only discovered that the person hiding in the cart wasn’t Mian Tang when they were nearly at Western Province.
This left the eldest uncle extremely anxious. However, being so close to home, he had to send word ahead. He could only meet with his father first.
The old man was most averse to extreme emotions. Lu Xian dared not tell his father that he had found Mian Tang only to lose her again.
So he secretly informed his younger brother, Lu Mu.
Lu Mu knew Mian Tang was headstrong but felt that with Liu Kun accompanying her, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
However, after several days without news, Lu Mu also began to worry.
Lu Xian, feeling helpless, decided to personally retrace their steps to find Mian Tang. But his wife, Lady Quan, stopped him, saying their second daughter, Lu Qingying, was about to be betrothed. The groom’s family was of good standing, and his mother was coming to visit. If he left now and couldn’t personally receive them, wouldn’t it be disrespectful?
Hearing this, Lu Mu hesitated. Lu Xian, annoyed, said he would go alone and let his younger brother entertain the future in-laws.
Lu Mu sensed mockery in his elder brother’s tone and began to argue, saying it wasn’t his fault Mian Tang was lost, and even if their father found out, he couldn’t be blamed.
As the brothers’ argument escalated, they didn’t notice their father, Lu Wu, approaching with his cane, overhearing everything.
The secret was out. Both brothers knelt before Old Master Lu, honestly recounting the situation, and each received a strike from the cane.
However, Old Master Lu knew his eldest son had suffered severe injuries and was in no condition for such treatment. After hearing the full story, he ordered his second son, Lu Mu, to lead a search party for Mian Tang.
In front of his second daughter-in-law, the old master spoke clearly to his second son: “Stop trying to pin everything on your elder brother. If you hadn’t gotten involved with those Yangshan people first, would your brother and Mian Tang have fallen into that den of thieves? Now you’re doing well, riding on your father-in-law Quan’s coattails, and you’ve forgotten the trouble you caused? Let me tell you, if you don’t find Mian Tang, you can tell your second daughter’s future in-laws that her father died abroad! If the wedding does happen, my granddaughter’s husband will be spared having to offer one more cup of tea in respect!”
Even while ill, Old Master Lu remained the backbone of the Lu family. Lu Mu and his wife were thoroughly chastised and could no longer use their daughter’s betrothal as an excuse.
So Lu Mu set out to search for Mian Tang.
Unexpectedly, heaven favored him!
Before a full day had passed, he encountered Mian Tang on the road.
When they returned to the Lu residence, it was dinnertime.
Both branches of the family were gathered at a large table, accompanying the old master for dinner. The old man had little appetite, so the others didn’t dare eat heartily, creating a somber atmosphere in the hall.
Suddenly, a servant called from the entrance, “Master! Second Master and Miss Liu have returned!”
The family members exchanged bewildered glances, doubting their ears.
Old Master Lu, without his cane, stumbled hurriedly towards the door.
When he saw Mian Tang behind his second son, the old man’s chest heaved violently, and he froze in place.
Mian Tang, seeing her long-absent grandfather, burst into tears. She rushed forward, falling at her grandfather’s feet, and choked out, “Grandfather…” unable to say more.
Old Master Lu, however, did not reach out to help her up. Instead, he suddenly raised his palm, as if to strike her.
Lu Xian, the eldest son, watched anxiously from behind his father, wanting to rush forward and shield Mian Tang, letting the slap fall on him instead.
Old Master Lu had practiced Iron Sand Palm. Although now aged and ill, his anger lent strength to his hand. Mian Tang’s delicate frame couldn’t withstand such a blow.
But as the fan-sized palm was about to descend, the old master’s wrist twisted, and the slap landed on his face with a resounding “pah.”
The old man had used such force that the sound made Mian Tang’s eardrums burn.
She immediately stood up to support her grandfather, who was swaying from his self-inflicted blow. Choking back tears, she said, “Your granddaughter was thoughtless. Please, vent your anger on me. Why strike yourself?”
But Lu Wu abruptly shook off her hand. Without a word, he angrily waved for his old servant, took his cane, and headed straight for his study.
Knowing her grandfather was upset with her, Mian Tang didn’t dare delay. Without even greeting her aunts, uncles, and cousins, she followed Lu Wu to the study door.
Once inside, Mian Tang knelt silently before her grandfather’s desk.
This study had been specially arranged when the old master was young, aiming to perfect himself as a scholar and warrior.
The writing implements on the desk were all of the highest quality, collected by her grandfather during his travels. The bookshelves behind the desk were filled with large volumes, untouched by the old master for decades. Their pages remained unfolded, and though occasionally dusty, they remained pristine under the diligent dusting of the old servant.
The old master randomly picked up a thick book from the shelf. With a stern face, he sat at the desk and lowered his eyes to read, turning pages rather quickly as if speed-reading, yet seeming deeply engrossed. He didn’t even glance at Mian Tang kneeling before the desk.
Mian Tang secretly looked up and saw that the book’s cover read “Correcting Errors and Rectifying Customs,” a profound etymological work by Yan Shigu. Given the old man’s level of education, he likely couldn’t understand even the preface.
Mian Tang waited nearby, not daring to remind him. Whether her grandfather had chosen the book randomly or with a deeper meaning, it was best to let him calm down first.
So, Mian Tang said, “Grandfather, your granddaughter has been thoughtless. I haven’t sent word for years, causing you great worry.” As she spoke, thinking of her grandfather’s love for her and her hardships away from home, she began to cry softly.
Her tears melted Lu Wu’s heart. He had only one daughter in his life, whom he adored, but she had unfortunately married poorly and passed away early. Mian Tang strongly resembled her mother, and whenever Lu Wu saw her, he was reminded of his daughter.
Thinking of this, Lu Wu sighed deeply, put down the thick book, and called for the old servant to bring Liu Kun. He asked, “Tell me, what did she do behind her eldest uncle’s back this time?”
Liu Kun dared not lie to the old escort master. He honestly recounted Mian Tang’s dealings in goods, ending with praise for her: “Our young lady is truly clever and resourceful. An ordinary person wouldn’t have thought of such a profitable venture…”
Before Liu Kun could finish, Old Master Lu slammed the table with a loud “bang” and berated Mian Tang: “Your eldest uncle said you had lost your memory and forgotten everything about Yangshan. I thought you might be more cautious afterward. I didn’t expect that even if you couldn’t remember, your boldness would remain unchanged, acting just as before. If this continues, aren’t you afraid of bringing catastrophe upon yourself?”
Liu Kun, feeling sorry for Miss Liu, tried to intercede: “Master, you can’t say that. She was thinking of the whole family…”
Lu Wu waved his hand dismissively: “Who asked her to support the entire family? Her surname is Liu, not Lu! As a guest, why should she feed her hosts? Even if I, Lu Wu, starve to death, I don’t need my granddaughter to risk her life for money! Keep all the money you’ve earned. If you dare to spend even a fraction of it, do you believe I won’t beat you to death with my cane, you unfilial child!”
Mian Tang lowered her head, fiddling with her handkerchief, and said softly, “If I’m a guest, why does grandfather threaten to beat me to death? Is your household running a sinister inn? Planning to make human meat buns?”
In the entire Lu family, only this Liu girl dared to talk back to him, and eloquently at that. This aspect of the naughty girl hadn’t changed since childhood.
Lu Wu, infuriated by his granddaughter’s retort, was speechless. He stood up to strike her again but was firmly restrained by the old servant and Liu Kun. Liu Kun, now clean-shaven, his expressions visible, sighed deeply: “My dear Miss Liu! Do you want to anger your grandfather to death? Quickly apologize!”
Mian Tang knelt obediently and said to Lu Wu: “Grandfather has always doted on me. I know you wouldn’t hit me… Mian Tang knows she was wrong and won’t dare do it again. Please don’t be angry… It’s just that my father once cost the Lu family a lot of money, and as his daughter, I feel I must repay it… In my haste, I took the wrong path… I was wrong.”
Lu Wu’s round eyes finally calmed, no longer needing to be restrained. Looking at Liu Mian Tang kneeling honestly below, he sighed deeply, waved for the old servant and Liu Kun to leave, and then said to Mian Tang: “Get up. Since you’re not truly convinced, why pretend to be filial?”
Mian Tang looked at her grandfather, who suddenly seemed to have aged several years. She didn’t rise but held back tears and said: “Your granddaughter truly knows she was wrong. Grandfather, you’ve taught me before that the Lu family motto is to act with a clear conscience and never to engage in opportunistic schemes… I was only thinking of earning money quickly and forgot your teachings…”
Lu Wu stood up, personally helped Mian Tang to her feet, and examined the faint scars on her wrists. Although Zhao Quan had used the best scar ointment, the severed tendons had left marks: “You were young then, close to your careless second uncle, and followed his words to secretly associate with the Yangshan people. I was busy with your father’s affairs and neglected your upbringing. Whenever I think of it now, I’m filled with regret and can hardly sleep. But you’re older now, and even if you’ve forgotten the lessons, you should understand some principles.”
Seeing Mian Tang silent with lowered head, the old master sighed deeply: “Remember this: those who claim they were forced to become outlaws, saying they had no choice, which one of them was truly content with ordinary life? Rather than being forced, it’s more accurate to say they brought it upon themselves. Becoming bandits was for easy gains; seeking amnesty was to exchange a pile of bones for wealth and glory. Such people are not worth associating with. When I was young, I traveled far and wide to earn money for the family’s betterment.
But looking back now, what use was all that money? I failed to raise my two sons well. And because I earned some dirty money, I wanted your mother to marry well, only to be deceived by your father’s false appearance, leading her to marry the wrong person… Your father, behind my back, secretly betrothed you, almost trapping you in a hopeless marriage. Now, in your generation, I only ask that you all live honest lives, and don’t think about reviving the escort agency’s reputation. Those are men’s affairs, not for you!”
Saying this, he took her hand as he did when she was little, led her to the bookshelf, opened a hidden compartment, and took out several oil paper packages.
Opening them revealed neatly stacked banknotes.
Mian Tang looked at her grandfather in surprise. He said kindly: “These are the dowries I’ve prepared for you girls. Unlike boys, girls need a respectable dowry to hold their heads high in their husbands’ families. So even when money was tight, I never touched these. This largest one is for you. Whatever happened before, if it’s forgotten, then let it be forgotten. I’ve instructed everyone in the family not to mention your past. In a few days, I’ll ask a good matchmaker to find a suitable family for you. I don’t seek great wealth or status, but someone of good character who knows how to cherish you. If you marry well, I’ll have no regrets in this life…”
Mian Tang looked at the largest oil paper package, containing a dowry three times that of the others. Her eyes moistened.
Earlier, when her grandfather had called her an outsider, a guest, she had felt hurt, thinking his words were too harsh. But now, seeing her grandfather’s care, she realized his love for her far exceeded that for his granddaughters.
She didn’t speak, but buried her face in her grandfather’s lap, finally letting go of all her reservations. She released the grievances and hardships of recent days through her tears, pouring them out unreservedly.
Lu Wu stroked her head, feeling the warmth of tears soaking his knee, and felt a great weight lift from his heart — his little “cotton candy” had finally returned to his side.
The Lu family’s residence in Western Province was acquired by the old master when he was young. Later, when the Divine Might Escort Agency prospered, Old Master Lu bought a mansion and moved. Now, with the mansion sold, the Lu family had returned to settle in Western Province. Although not as large as their later home, it was still respectable among the local gentry, sufficient for several generations to live together.
However, when it came to the young ladies’ quarters, space became somewhat cramped. Fortunately, Lu Mu’s eldest daughter, Lu Qinghe, had married the previous year, leaving a vacant boudoir perfect for Mian Tang.
Her two serving girls, Fang Xie and Bi Cao, had been punished with kneeling for the past two days, their knees swollen. They moved slowly when bringing bathwater.
Thanks to the young miss’s timely return, otherwise, according to the angry old master’s intention, they would have been bound and sold off. Seeing the two terrified maids, Mian Tang comforted them, saying her grandfather was tough on the outside but soft-hearted, and easy to get along with, and told them not to be afraid when they saw Old Master Lu in the future.
Fang Xie was better, having learned her lesson over the past two days. Shaken, she had picked up all the skills Madam Li had taught her and now worked quietly.
Bi Cao, naturally talkative, told Mian Tang everything about their return to the Lu family, especially the argument between the eldest and second master.
Mian Tang listened impassively, eyes closed, soaking in the bathtub, gradually forming an understanding in her mind.
As her grandfather said, although she had a blank period in her memory, now that she was older, her views on many things had naturally changed.
If she were to face a forced marriage now, she would find another way out, definitely not going to Yangshan with her uncles as she had done before.
She used to be closer to her second uncle, who was full of mischievous ideas, but now she realized that the second uncle was much more opportunistic than the eldest uncle…
The next day, when her second aunt brought her daughter Lu Qingying to visit her room, Mian Tang understood the situation.
Both uncles had two sons and two daughters each.
Her second aunt, Lady Quan, had her eldest son Lu Zhifu, and her eldest daughter Lu Qinghe, who was already married. The remaining children were the unmarried sixteen-year-old Lu Qingying and a nine-year-old youngest son, Young Master Gui.
Lady Quan’s father had once been a minor official in Western Province and was a close friend of Lu Wu. Later, with the help of money from his in-laws, the Lu family, he managed to secure a position as a county official in another province.
Lady Quan was now genuinely from an official family and spoke to her husband, Lu Mu, with an air of having married beneath her station. Influenced by her mother, her second daughter Lu Qingying also felt superior, often speaking to her siblings as if she had been born into the wrong family, burdened by not being an official’s daughter.
Regarding her cousin Liu Mian Tang’s affairs over the past few years, the adults in the family had kept things hidden. However, Lu Qingying had gleaned some information from her mother’s words.
Although she didn’t know about Mian Tang’s activities in Yangshan, she knew that her reputation had been tarnished, making it difficult for her to marry into a good family in the future.
Thus, when she looked at her cousin, her eyes couldn’t help but carry a hint of disdain.