The queue for receiving buns was like an endless dragon with no head or tail visible. Hu Shanwei and her companions mingled within, chatting with the people in line. She successfully steered the conversation with an enthusiastic middle-aged woman from “Young man, where did you come from and where are you going? How many people are in your family? Are you married? This auntie can introduce you to someone good” to “I heard that people sent by the court disappeared in Xi’an. Auntie, have you heard about this?”
Middle-aged women just loved fresh young men. “How could I not have heard? That was just as autumn began. Prince Qin’s manor cleaned the streets early and ordered the necessary streets to scrub their storefronts, repaint, and replace old shop signs and banners. What a commotion it was! We all thought the Emperor was coming and Xi’an city was preparing to receive him…”
From the auntie’s words, one could see that Prince Qin’s manor had warmly received Liu Siyan’s group.
Hu Shanwei asked again, “What about when they left? Did you go watch the excitement, Auntie?”
The auntie shook her head: “The people from the capital seemed to stay only a few days before leaving. On the day they left, we heard that Northern Yuan forces were harassing the frontier. For safety, the city gates were strictly checked those days. Even us Xi’an locals had to carry household registration to enter and exit, supposedly to prevent Northern Yuan spies from infiltrating the city. So on the day the capital people left Xi’an city, the manor sealed off the necessary streets, shops closed, and manor troops stood at every street corner and alley entrance. We wanted to watch the excitement but couldn’t get close!”
In other words, on the day they left, with Northern Yuan harassment at the frontier, the atmosphere was rather tense, streets were blocked, and ordinary people couldn’t get close enough to personally witness the capital envoys leaving…
At this time, Shi Baihu and the other seven mixed in the bun-receiving crowd had also gathered information. Everyone came together to exchange information. The descriptions of Liu Siyan’s group entering and leaving the city were largely similar. Individual people might lie or misunderstand due to personal preferences, but information from the masses – group memory – was relatively objective.
This meant that apart from Prince Qin’s manor’s own people, no common people had personally seen Liu Siyan’s group leave Prince Qin’s manor.
Finally it was Hu Shanwei’s turn to receive a bun. From afar, she could smell the mixed aroma of meat, steam, and grains that made her mouth water.
Especially with heavy snow falling from the sky and the north wind howling, even if you weren’t hungry, you’d be frozen hungry. Biting into a meat bun was like seeing a peerless beauty – the taste was simply stunning.
Buns weren’t good when cold. Hu Shanwei and the others learned from the local people’s manner, all squatting in the corner of Prince Qin’s manor’s tall walls to eat the hot meat buns.
Golden grease flowed from Shi Baihu’s mouth corner. He couldn’t bear to wipe it away, extending his tongue like it had a hook to lick it up.
Indeed, he was a bandit who had just washed his feet and come ashore – no official dignity at all.
Hu Shanwei handed her bun to the eight men: “I’m not eating. You all share it.” She was afraid of hurting her stomach eating outdoors in the wind and snow.
The eight cheered: “Thank you, young master!”
The meat buns made by Prince Qin’s manor were so generous – thin skin with big filling. Eight big men sharing one bun meant each could have a bite.
According to the trading house broker at the inn, to give out meat buns, half the goods from today’s meat market had flowed into the manor.
Hu Shanwei squatted in the wall corner sizing up Prince Qin’s manor and asked Shi Baihu: “Can you climb over such a high courtyard wall?”
Shi Baihu immediately begged for mercy: “I can climb over, but it’s easy to be discovered by guards once over – when I used to be a thief, what I feared most was working on snowy days. Easy to leave footprints and expose whereabouts. And on snowy nights, it’s almost like dusk in daytime. The snow reflects light, leaves have fallen, and there’s almost nowhere to hide.”
It seemed a nighttime exploration of the manor was impossible.
A meat bun was quickly finished. The common people smacked their lips savoring the aftertaste, all praising how benevolent the manor was, how they loved the people like their children, and even after having a big fat son, they didn’t forget the people of their fiefdom.
Listening to the people’s discussions, Hu Shanwei learned that in the two years since Prince Qin took up his fiefdom, he had conscientiously governed his territory and protected the frontier. He was a benevolent and prestigious feudal prince, quite beloved by the people.
But… why would Liu Siyan’s group mysteriously disappear? Could Prince Qin’s manor be hiding some unspeakable secret?
Hu Shanwei’s body was at the wall corner, but her heart had already flown into the manor.
The next day, Hu Shanwei and the others took silk fabric samples and followed the trading house broker into Prince Qin’s manor.
Last night the broker had specially come to instruct them to dress well and give the manor steward a good impression – the better you dress, the more you add luster to your goods.
So after sticking a fake Adam’s apple to her throat, Hu Shanwei simply wore the fox fur coat that Cui Shangyi had given to Liu Siyan over her cotton clothes, creating the perfect image of a nouveau riche.
This fox fur coat was made in the style of plain white satin with inner lining and outer fur trim, suitable for both men and women. Wearing it was like being draped in a piece of pure white soft snow, like an immortal descending gracefully.
The broker saw it and clapped in approval: “Young master has such fine goods – why didn’t you bring it out earlier?”
Hu Shanwei said, “This is my family’s treasure piece, used to maintain appearances. It’s not for sale.”
Merchants had low status and entered the manor through the west corner gate at the back, first passing stables and servant quarters, then past a large kitchen. People kept carrying meat into the kitchen. The manor’s meat bun charity would continue until the eldest son’s third-day celebration. The kitchen operated day and night in shifts. Even from far away, you could hear the sound like galloping horse hooves – they were chopping filling inside.
Shi Baihu’s saliva overflowed like the Yellow River bursting its banks. With a gulp, he swallowed it down.
Hu Shanwei beside him said, “Already craving? When we get back to the inn, I’ll buy you a basket of meat buns to eat your fill.”
Shi Baihu scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly: “No need. I just think free meat buns smell more fragrant.”
The trading house broker led Hu Shanwei and the others to a courtyard in the outer section to wait for announcement.
After waiting about a quarter hour, a dignified servant wearing a black liuhe hat came to summon them. The broker beamed with joy, slipping the servant a red envelope in gratitude. Everyone followed inside.
The room had underfloor heating and was very warm. The snow on Hu Shanwei’s boot tips melted instantly. In the wall corner stood a person-high Western grandfather clock. When they entered, the hammer-like pendulum began chiming – dong, dong, dong – ten times.
The grandfather clock was extremely valuable and precious. Previously, when Imperial Noble Consort Hu was in favor at the palace, she had bestowed one on female official Jiang Quan. The trading house broker’s words weren’t false – he indeed knew a high-status head steward.
Even the steward’s study could have a grandfather clock – showing Prince Qin’s manor’s luxury.
Clothes make the man. Hu Shanwei imitated men’s gait, taking large steps as she entered. The pure white fox fur on her body swayed with the wind. Even the head steward, who had been looking down at account books, couldn’t help but look up at her.
Hu Shanwei bowed and presented the goods list. Shi Qianhu and the others arranged silk fabric samples on the table for the head steward’s selection.
The head steward held the goods list, randomly touched a few fabric pieces, and said, “I’ll take all these goods. Name your price.”
Hu Shanwei held up one palm and quoted a price similar to market rate: “Five hundred taels then. I hope the manor will favor our business in the future.”
The broker looked disappointed.
Hu Shanwei’s goal wasn’t profit but to quickly complete the transaction and have another chance to enter the manor.
The head steward nodded: “Fine. Tomorrow at the same time, come to deliver the goods. The accounting office will give you silver.”
As Hu Shanwei and the others took their leave, the head steward looked at her white fox fur and casually asked, “Are there any more fox furs like the one you’re wearing? This fur color is quite nice – the masters would certainly like it. If there are any, bring them all for me to see. As usual, I’ll take however many you have.”
Hu Shanwei quickly said, “The steward has good taste. It’s just that my family mainly deals in silk fabrics and rarely touches furs. Occasionally when we encounter good ones, we collect some. This piece is our shop’s treasure – since I’ve worn it, it wouldn’t be proper to resell to the manor. If we have similar top-quality furs in the future, we’ll certainly come to present them to the manor first.”
Outside the door, the broker sighed: “Young master, you quoted too low a price. Why didn’t you follow our discussion last night and ask for six or seven hundred taels?”
The broker took twenty percent – the higher the price, the higher his commission.
Hu Shanwei said, “Aren’t we anxious to sell everything and go home for New Year? We need long-term cooperation. First give the head steward a good impression – there will be plenty of opportunities to make money later, don’t you think?”
The broker just sighed: “Since the young master has spoken, what can I say? Let’s come again tomorrow.”
Hu Shanwei looked around the manor’s artificial hills and scenery like a country person entering the city, asking, “How did you get connected with the head steward? Such an impressive manor – I really want to come in and tour around. That would make this life worthwhile.”
For future cooperation, the broker deliberately showed off his connections: “My sister’s neighbor’s daughter married into the household of the head steward’s daughter-in-law’s maid. I supply all the manor’s annual flowers and plants. If you want to tour around, there are opportunities. The day after tomorrow we’re delivering several carts of just-bloomed narcissus to the manor. You can disguise yourselves as gardeners. I’ll speak with the head steward’s daughter-in-law’s maid to show you around. But let me say this upfront – the outer courtyards are fine, but the inner courtyards where the womenfolk live, no outside men can step foot in – that’s a beheading offense.”
Hu Shanwei smiled: “Of course.”
Don’t be anxious – take it step by step. First understand the manor’s outer courtyards.
Hu Shanwei’s group left through the back corner gate. Outside, the queue for receiving meat buns had already circled Prince Qin’s manor completely.
Shi Baihu still wanted to queue for a free meat bun, but seeing this length, he completely gave up the idea.
At Prince Qin’s manor, the head steward went to the manor’s military garrison to find the real Commander Lu.
Emperor Hongwu decreed that feudal princes’ manors could have five thousand manor troops to protect the manor’s safety and obey the prince’s commands. Princes had the right to appoint manor troop officers, so Commander Lu was Prince Qin’s confidant.
The head steward told Commander Lu: “Today a southern silk merchant came to the manor. The goods were ordinary, bought to reward people during the eldest son’s third-day celebration. But the fox fur that merchant wore seemed familiar – very much like one of the New Year gifts Prince Qin sent to Their Majesties last year.”
Upon hearing “capital,” Commander Lu’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed: “Are you certain?”
The head steward said, “Not completely certain, but close enough. I personally arranged the New Year gifts, selecting the best to send to the capital to show the prince’s filial piety. Fox furs are precious, white fox furs without a single stray hair even more so, and a fox fur coat made from whole pieces of top-quality white fox skin is even rarer. So when I saw the fox fur the merchant wore, I immediately suspected his true identity and rushed to report to you. I’ve already sent people to follow them and placed informants at their inn to investigate their background.”
What a coincidence – among the New Year gifts Prince Qin sent to Their Majesties, Empress Ma disliked luxury, so these precious furs were generally used to reward people. Cao Shangyi of the Palace Administration Bureau was Empress Ma’s most capable assistant in the rear palace. Empress Ma treated her very well. Cao Shangyi was proud and didn’t care for ordinary things, and liked competing with other palace administrators, always wanting to outdo others.
Empress Ma understood her subordinates’ personalities completely, so she catered to their preferences and bestowed the finest fox fur on the ever-busy Cao Shangyi. Cao Shangyi worried about Liu Siyan’s safety, so before Hu Shanwei’s departure, she entrusted her most beloved fox fur to be taken to Liu Siyan.
Round and round, it ended up in Hu Shanwei’s hands. But before departure, Cao Shangyi and Hu Shanwei had a big fight over the cotton jacket Mei Xiang sent. Cao Shangyi left in a huff – where would she have had a chance to tell Hu Shanwei the fox fur’s origin?
To maintain appearances and complete the transaction, Hu Shanwei wore the fox fur into Prince Qin’s manor and was immediately recognized by the head steward!
Commander Lu nodded: “You did well. Keep close surveillance, don’t alert them. What if there are others behind them? We must investigate thoroughly first. As long as they’re still in Xi’an city, they can’t escape our grasp.”
The head steward asked, “What about Prince Qin… when should we tell the prince? Yesterday the eldest son was born. The prince is twenty-five and only now has a son. He was so happy he didn’t sleep all night, just staring at the eldest son. He just closed his eyes to rest – I dare not disturb him.”
Commander Lu said, “Wait until we discover the truth. Don’t make a fuss. If they’re just ordinary merchants and you cause a commotion, wouldn’t that spoil the prince’s joy?”
“Yes, I’ll follow Commander Lu’s instructions.” The head steward received his orders and left.
The head steward hurried back to the manor. The servant wearing the black liuhe hat quickly helped him remove his snow coat and change into regular clothes. After all this bustle, he looked around carefully and quietly ran to the manor’s back courtyard.
Soon, a maid from the back courtyard came to find the head steward, saying: “Now that the manor has added a son and the prince has joyfully gained an heir, the princess had made a vow at Great Compassion Temple. Now that her wish has come true, although the eldest son was born to Consort Deng, as the legitimate mother, the princess considers the eldest son her child too. So the princess wants to go to Great Compassion Temple to burn incense and fulfill her vow. You prepare things – we leave immediately. If we’re late, the bodhisattva might blame us.”
Now in Prince Qin’s manor, nothing was more important than the eldest son’s health. The head steward quickly agreed.
Meanwhile, Hu Shanwei and the others were completely unaware of the approaching crisis. Back in their inn room, they discussed how to find opportunities to explore the manor when delivering silk fabrics tomorrow.
To prevent eavesdropping, Hu Shanwei’s room was in the middle with Shi Baihu and the others in rooms on both sides. The nine were drawing a manor map from memory when someone knocked: “I’m a shop assistant, bringing you refreshments.”
Hu Shanwei said, “We didn’t order refreshments.”
The shop assistant said, “Someone else sent them and already paid. Free food – why not eat it?”
Could Ji Gang and the others be about to enter the city to report? Hu Shanwei put away the drawing. Shi Baihu opened the door. The shop assistant carried a food box and arranged a full table.
Everyone broke open the pastries and found a note and a jade token the size of a coin in a stack of yam cakes: “Your identity has been exposed by the head steward. Someone is tracking and watching you. If you want to know where Liu Siyan is, immediately shake off the surveillance and go to Great Compassion Temple. Use this jade token to enter through the back door – someone will take you to meet him.”
A crushing sense of defeat pressed down like Mount Tai. Everyone looked at each other – they thought they were seamless, so how were they exposed?
Hu Shanwei closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them and said, “The situation is urgent. Now we can only gamble.”
The nine left the inn, pretending to browse the market to check prices. They split into groups of three to divide the surveillance. Hu Shanwei teamed with Shi Baihu and another bandit hundred-household commander to browse various clothing shops.
The three changed disguises in one shop. Shi Baihu dressed as an old woman, the tall one as an old man – the two became a married couple. Hu Shanwei changed into women’s clothing, posing as the couple’s granddaughter. The three left intimately arm in arm, shaking off their tails.
At Great Compassion Temple, the temple had been cleared to welcome Princess Qin for incense and vow fulfillment.
Hu Shanwei’s three went to the back door. The monk guarding behind the door immediately opened upon seeing the jade token at her waist, leading the three into the temple and all the way up to the top floor of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.
Hu Shanwei saw a figure in a black sable cloak standing quietly there, leaning on the rail gazing into the distance. Goose-feather snowflakes fell on the black cloak, all maintaining their original shape without melting.
She must have been standing there for a while – the cloak had a thin layer of snow, like a snowman.
Just a back view, but Hu Shanwei was disappointed: “You’re not Liu Siyan. Liu Siyan isn’t as tall as you. You’ve deceived me. Who are you?”
“Who am I? What exactly am I?” The person turned sideways, seeming somewhat dazed. Hu Shanwei only saw a jade-like, delicate, thin chin under the cloak’s hood.
Her voice was clear, cold, and crisp, like a jade hairpin breaking on stone: “Before, they called me Princess. Now they call me Princess Qin. Who am I? I’m also… very confused.”
Hu Shanwei was greatly shocked: It was actually the sister of Northern Yuan Prime Minister Wang Baobao – Princess Qin!
Why would Princess Qin help us?
Shi Baihu said, “Stop talking nonsense – I’m a rough man who doesn’t understand. You put a note in the refreshments saying you’d take us to find Liu Siyan. Where is Liu Siyan?”
“Come here.” Princess Qin beckoned to them. “From here you can see Liu Siyan and all seventy-plus of his people.”
Looking far from high up, Hu Shanwei and the others also went to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda’s railings to gaze into the distance. In the heavy snow, they could only see the distant majestic, orderly, magnificent Prince Qin’s manor, and the ant-like people who had circled the manor, queuing for meat buns.
Where was Liu Siyan?
Hu Shanwei said, “Princess, don’t toy with us. We come bearing Empress Mother’s decree to investigate Liu Siyan’s group’s whereabouts. If you don’t cooperate, it’s defying the imperial decree.”
Now Hu Shanwei dared put on official airs even before a princess.
Princess Qin laughed heartily, shaking all the white snow from her black sable cloak to the ground. Like madness, she pointed at the ant-like long queue and the cooking smoke rising from Prince Qin’s manor kitchen: “Where did Liu Siyan’s group go? They’re right before your eyes! They’re in the manor’s cellar ice rooms, on the kitchen chopping boards, in the meat buns, in the air fragrant with meat, in the stomachs of those queuing people, and some are already in latrines and chamber pots.”
The princess paused and said, “They are everywhere!”