Chapter Forty-Nine: Third Mistress

Duoduo was gone!

Yet Yanqing felt no particular sense of relief. On the contrary, a heavy weight of lingering attachment settled in his heart, making it difficult for him to relax.

Duoduo was the first woman he had come to know after arriving in this world.

His mother and Mother Xu, the wet nurse who had raised him, were both gone, which made Yanqing care for Duoduo all the more.

Had he not seen Duoduo again, perhaps he wouldn't have harbored such a heavy concern. In fact, in his earlier conjectures, Yanqing had already vaguely sensed that Duoduo was extraordinary. But he had never imagined she was actually the Holy Maiden of Maitreya.

Although he did not have a thorough understanding of the organizational structure of the White-robed Maitreya, judging from the official titles Duoduo used for that two-headed snake Guo Xiaoke, Yanqing could roughly guess that it was modeled after the military administration system of the Northern Zhou dynasty.

It wasn't a matter of whether such a structure was good or bad, but rather a feeling that Duoduo was far too deeply involved!

Perhaps this was never Duoduo's own intention; from the very day she was born, her fate had already been sealed.

Yanqing was simply afraid that Duoduo would come to harm amidst this brewing storm...

If all else failed, once he returned to Luoyang this time, it would be necessary to have a talk with that Husky.

Until now, Zheng Yanqing had been quite pleased with his youth. Because of his tender age, he could quietly conceal himself in the background on many matters without attracting public attention. But right now, he wished more than ever that he could grow up a little faster. Would a Husky believe the words of a ten-year-old child? Perhaps he would, perhaps he wouldn't... This thought left Zheng Yanqing feeling deeply anxious.

A few days later, messengers from the Xie family of Yangxia finally arrived.

The person who came was Xie Ke's father, named Xie Hui. In his early forties, he looked refined and scholarly.

He had come to Yangxia on the orders of Xie Ke's grandfather, Xie Bing, the current head of the Xie clan, to bring Xie Ke back to Yangxia to recuperate from his injuries. Of course, whether Xie Hui also intended to take a brief look at Yanqing along the way was something perhaps only Xie Hui himself knew.

Xie Ke's injuries were already seventy or eighty percent healed.

Although his leg injuries had looked severe, they had not damaged his muscles or bones.

However, parting with Yanqing made Xie Ke quite reluctant to leave. Presently, the relationships between Xie Ke and Pei Xingyan were very good, and naturally, his relationship with Zheng Yanqing was even closer. No doubt the Xie family was also pleased to see such a situation, something Zheng Yanqing could clearly sense from the smile on Xie Hui's face.

"Yuanqing, I heard from my aunt that you and the Xie family are betrothed?"

"No way... Where on earth did you hear that rumor?"

After sending off Xie Hui and his son, Zheng Yanqing mysteriously pulled Pei Xingyan aside and dropped a startling piece of news.

Sure enough, the moment Pei Xingyan heard this, he grew anxious.

"Hehe, when my aunt and I were seeing Mr. Xie and the others off this morning, I heard Mr. Xie mention something he had entrusted to my aunt. My aunt agreed, saying that upon her return, she would definitely inform your father. I asked about it privately, and my aunt said: she has arranged a marriage for you, seemingly with the Xie family's daughter, who is a younger clan sister of that brat Xie Ke."

Pei Xingyan's mouth dropped open, and his cheeks twitched a few times. "How come I didn't know about this?"

"Hehe, once you go back, I'm sure you'll find out soon enough."

Zheng Yanqing said, then suddenly sighed. "However, I recall that you seem to be two months older than Xie Ke. If you were to marry his clan sister, wouldn't that make you..."

Pei Xingyan was left speechless, his mind instantly tangled in a knot.

Before him was a little man younger than him, yet very likely to become his brother-in-law; and now another character had popped up, younger than him, who would have to call him brother-in-law. At the mere thought of this, a sudden wave of sorrow welled up in Pei Xingyan's heart, leaving him wanting to cry without tears.

Zheng Yanqing couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter, shaking his head as he walked away.

This was his sole source of joy!

A method to alleviate his worries about Duoduo. Even though it was built somewhat upon the suffering of others... Still, walk your own path and let others suffer, as long as it wasn't him suffering. His mood seemed to lighten a little accordingly.

Three days later, Zheng Shi'an and Pei Shuying finally finished attending to their affairs and left Yanshi.

During their stay in Yanshi, the proprietor of the Shouyang Restaurant had even paid a personal visit, hoping Zheng Yanqing could leave another piece of calligraphy inside the restaurant.

Five years ago, it was at the Shouyang Restaurant that Zheng Yanqing had made a name for himself by writing the "Ode to the Goose" style and composing the poem about the goose, earning him the moniker of the "Goose Young Master."

And the business of the Shouyang Restaurant had subsequently become famous throughout the realm precisely because of that "Ode to the Goose."

Later on, the Shouyang Restaurant was renamed the Goose Garden, and its business flourished more and more. Yanqing knew that the proprietor behind the Goose Garden was Zhang Zhongjian. Zhang Zhongjian had just done him a huge favor, and this debt of gratitude could not be ignored.

However, to compose another "Ode to the Goose" on the spot would truly be difficult for Yanqing.

Fortunately, Pei Shuying stepped in to stop them, saying that Yanqing was still recovering from injuries and really shouldn't overexert his mind. Therefore, Zheng Yanqing simply brandished his brush and wrote a single character for "Goose," presenting it as a gift to the owner of the Goose Garden. Yanqing's calligraphy was now far more mature than it had been five years ago.

This single character "Goose" became the sign of the Goose Garden, carved into a stone goose monument.

Later on, Yanqing's genuine calligraphy was rushed to Yangzhou by fast courier and kept in the personal custody of Zhang Zhongjian.

That, however, is a story for later and need not be detailed here.

Let us return to Zheng Yanqing. After leaving Yanshi and enduring a bumpy carriage ride, he arrived outside the city of Luoyang a day later.

Yanqing's return to Luoyang this time felt quite different from his return four years prior. Not only did Zheng Weishan lead all the senior managers of the Luoyang Zheng estate out to welcome them, but the old neighbors from Tianjin Bridge in days past had all turned out as well. Sitting in the carriage, Zheng Shi'an felt a tumult of emotions.

When had he ever imagined he could command such a grand and glorious spectacle?

Turning his head, he glanced at Zheng Yanqing, who appeared to be dozing, and a faint smile surfaced on Zheng Shi'an's face.

"Yanqing, we've arrived!"

Before reaching Luoyang, the aunt-and-nephew duo of Pei Shuying and Pei Xingyan had parted ways with Zheng Yanqing. They entered the city from the north bank of the Luo River, while Yanqing and his group crossed the Luo River to enter from the south bank. With one group going north and the other south, a separation was naturally necessary.

Besides, this was Luoyang.

Zheng Shi'an was accompanied by a hundred or so retainers; there was simply no need to worry about any mishaps.

Under the watchful eyes of Pei Shiju and Fang Yanqian, who would dare provoke Zheng Yanqing? Anyone who did would either be stuffed to the gills or have something wrong with their head.

Therefore, Pei Shuying felt completely at ease returning home.

She had sneaked away, and after staying in Yanshi for over ten days, she would still have to offer some explanation to the old patriarch upon her return.

What currently gave Pei Shuying a headache was: how on earth was she supposed to explain this to Pei Shiju?

Surrounded by the family members of the Zheng estate and the old neighbors of Tianjin Bridge, the carriage procession of Zheng Shi'an and his grandson slowly drove into Luoyang City.

In front of the Zheng estate's main gates, Yanqing was supported by Mao Xiaonian as he put on a theatrical display of frailty, making a grand show of walking into the residence.

Once settled in, Zheng Weishan handed over the businesses under the name of the Luoyang Zheng estate to Zheng Shi'an. That very evening, not daring to delay any longer, Zheng Weishan hurried back to Xingyang. He had already received word that he was to accompany Zheng Yuanshou to Yong'an to take up the post of Judicial Adjutant of Huoyi.

The Judicial Adjutant, commonly known as the Judicial Military Counselor, was in charge of trying criminal cases and enforcing laws, supervising the suppression of bandits, and overseeing the confiscation of illicit wealth.

In later generations, this was roughly equivalent to the chief of a police station. According to the laws of the Great Sui, county offices were staffed with six administrative departments. However, these six departmental officials were only fully established in county offices under the direct jurisdiction of the Capital Scribe, while local county offices did not feature military departments.

Therefore, Zheng Weishan's post as Judicial Military Counselor effectively combined the duties of a military adjutant as well.

For Zheng Weishan, this was undoubtedly a beginning that suited him exquisitely and held immense benefits for him.

Had it not been for Zheng Yanqing's injuries, which delayed Zheng Shi'an's arrival in Luoyang for the handover, Zheng Weishan would have left long ago.

***

The next day, Yanqing set out for Tongtuo Ward to pay his respects to Pei's superior, Changsun Sheng.

Shen Guang drove the carriage for him, and Zheng Shi'an also dispatched ten martial artists to follow and protect him. Following the ambush at the White Sparrow Temple, Zheng Shi'an attached paramount importance to Yanqing's safety. Even though this was Luoyang, and even though it was right under the noses of the Pei and Changsun families, Zheng Shi'an still could not entirely set his mind at ease.

Yanqing could not bring himself to refuse his grandfather's care and had no choice but to agree.

Upon arriving at Tongtuo Ward, however, Changsun Sheng was not at home.

The servants reported that Changsun Sheng had gone to inspect the various military garrisons across the regions and was not expected back for several days. Yet, upon reflection, this inspection tour was very likely related to the previous White-robed Maitreya incident—perhaps tasked with purging the Maitreya followers in the various districts.

Madam Gao had taken Changsun Wuji and Changsun Wugou to offer incense at Xiangshan Temple and would not return until evening.

Thus, apart from Changsun Sheng's concubines, there was no one else in the household managing affairs. Yanqing could not make an abrupt visit, so he simply left his calling card and asked the steward to pass it on once Madam Gao returned.

Leaving the Pili Hall, Zheng Yanqing made a trip to the Southern Prison to visit Xiong Dahai, who was still being detained.

Xiong Dahai appeared to be doing quite well; his dark-purple face was ruddy and glowing with health.

Housed in an individual cell, apart from a slight lack of freedom, everything was quite fine. However, seeing that the weather was growing increasingly hot, the prison cell felt even more sweltering. Consequently, Zheng Yanqing spent a few extra copper coins to ask Tong Huan to change Xiong Dahai to a different cell.

He was moved from the innermost, deepest cell to one right by the entrance.

The ventilation there was much better, at least sparing him the stifling heat. Besides, there was no way Xiong Dahai could escape anyway; although the outer cells were not as structurally sturdy as the inner ones, special precautions were still taken. During his free time, he could even soak up the sun in the courtyard of the Southern Prison, practice his martial arts, and throw punches.

This was the very magic of how money could make even ghosts push millstones.

In any case, Tong Huan was more than happy to do Yanqing a personal favor and readily agreed.

After checking on Xiong Dahai, Yanqing felt a wave of fatigue washing over him...

"Let's head back."

He had originally intended to go to the Dating Restaurant, but thought better of it, realizing that place was a complex mix of good and bad elements, and Duoduo might not necessarily appear there.

Since he couldn't see Duoduo, going to the Dating Restaurant held little meaning.

And so, Shen Guang drove the carriage in the direction of the Zheng estate.

"Brother Shen, Luoyang looks a lot more desolate than it did earlier."

Zheng Yanqing suddenly spoke up to ask.

Shen Guang smiled and nodded. "Desolate is putting it lightly... I asked around yesterday, and Lord Fang has stepped up the crackdown and governance in Luoyang, especially regarding the sweeping eradication of those so-called Maitreya believers, so this kind of atmosphere is inevitable. It is said that a short while ago, those implicated in the Maitreya affair numbered in the thousands. Many people still don't dare to step outside out of fear of being dragged into it.

However, things have improved much over the past few days, especially after some of the ignorant followers were released, which has set people's minds a bit more at ease."

It was hard to imagine what sort of scene Luoyang must have presented ten days prior.

Zheng Yanqing suddenly felt a creeping sense of dread: if he had been born in the era of the Three Kingdoms, facing those apocalyptic plagues and wars that left the earth barren for a thousand miles, how on earth would he have survived?

One had to bear in mind that the scale of the Yellow Turban Rebellion was far more terrifying than today's Maitreya Cult...

***

"Hey, isn't this the Flesh-Flying Immortal?"

A familiar voice rang out, pulling Zheng Yanqing back from his wandering thoughts into reality.

Peeking out, he saw Pei Shuying riding on horseback, accompanied by dozens of family retainers and guards, approaching from the opposite direction.

Pei Shuying hadn't noticed Zheng Yanqing, but she had spotted Shen Guang.

Having stayed in Yanshi for a period, she had made a point of inquiring about Shen Guang and learned that he had once made a name for himself in the Tongyuan Market, earning the flattering title of the "Flesh-Flying Immortal."

"Little Goblin, why are you here too?"

As Zheng Yanqing popped his head out, he was immediately caught red-handed by the sharp-eyed Pei Shuying. Her delicate eyebrows instantly rose in anger as she urged her horse forward at a gallop.

Leaning down from the saddle, she stretched out a slender, delicate hand and pinched Yanqing's ear.

"Didn't I tell you to stay home and behave? Why didn't you listen? You just got back yesterday, and today you're out running around again?"

It was early summer, and people's garments were naturally thin and light.

As Pei Shuying leaned down from her horse, Zheng Yanqing's gaze instantly caught the cleavage hidden between her smooth, fair breasts, complete with two rosy peaks.

"Auntie, go easy... I wasn't running around aimlessly, I went to Tongtuo Ward to pay my respects to my teacher."

*Mm, Auntie's cleavage is truly formidable!*

Zheng Yanqing's eyes darted back and forth, wanting to tear his gaze away from that seductive sight, yet unable to resist stealing a couple more glances.

However, Pei Shuying did not give him another chance.

She released her grip on his ear and straightened up in the saddle. "Oh, so that's how it is. That's somewhat excusable, then. But I heard from my father that the Great General has gone off to inspect the various regional garrisons and probably won't be back for another two or three days. You likely made a wasted trip.

Besides, why didn't you say so earlier?"

*Great-aunt, you have to give me the chance to speak!*

Rubbing his ear, Zheng Yanqing felt completely helpless against Pei Shuying's unreasonableness.

"Well, since you're already out, you might as well accompany me to a banquet."

"Ah?"

Pei Shuying smiled. "Your little maiden is entertaining guests and has booked a painted pleasure boat on the Luo River, and she invited me along too.

I originally didn't want to go, but staying cooped up at home is indeed rather stifling. Since I happened to run into you, come along with me."

What did she mean by 'your little maiden'?

Zheng Yanqing naturally understood who Pei Shuying was referring to.

His face instantly flushed crimson red. He timidly wanted to refuse, but before he could even utter a word, Pei Shuying issued an order to Shen Guang: "Flesh-Flying Immortal, you come too."

Shen Guang glanced at Zheng Yanqing, only to see the boy nod in helpless resignation... *Oh well, just go along with it!*

The group marched in a grand procession toward the Luo River ferry pier.

An open-air painted boat was moored at the dock. Pei Shuying dismounted, taking only Zheng Yanqing with her as she walked forward. In the distance, Pei Cuiyun stood gracefully by the pier, dressed in an aquatic-green ru skirt. Beside her stood another young maiden in white.

Judging by her appearance, she was around fifteen or sixteen, dressed in men's style attire with thin boots and white robes, exuding a heroic and spirited aura.

Standing alongside Pei Cuiyun, one possessed a gentle and delicate charm while the other radiated martial vigor, creating a unique and striking pairing. Pei Cuiyun noticed Pei Shuying, but at the same time, she also saw Zheng Yanqing. First she started slightly in surprise, and then a faint, delicate blush bloomed across her pretty cheeks.

"Cui'er, for no good reason, why are you blushing?"

The maiden in white sensed Pei Cuiyun's blushing state and asked with sudden curiosity.

However, before Pei Cuiyun could answer, she too caught sight of Pei Shuying. Recognizing her instantly, she waved cheerfully and called out, "Aunt Pei, over here!"

Then she lowered her voice and asked, "Cui'er, why is Auntie bringing a little boy along? I never heard about her having a child!"

Blushing fiercely, Pei Cuiyun hurriedly explained, "Yunxiu, don't talk nonsense. That's not Auntie's child; that's Young Master Zheng."