Love Lock

Chapter 173 Going to the Capital to Find That Girl

In order to give the Empress an explanation, before all members of the Wei family had arrived, Prime Minister Wei, despite being the Emperor's tutor and prime minister, was temporarily "invited" by Emperor Jing to the Dali Temple prison.

Of course, he was not alone; he had all his relatives in the capital by his side.

This also includes his son, Wei Chengchao, who is now somewhat successful.

The gloomy atmosphere in the capital could not affect the changing of the sun and moon; the next morning, the fiery red sun rose as usual.

The shouts of peddlers carrying loads on shoulder poles pierced the morning mist on the streets, and the white smoke from freshly steamed bean curd rose from the market entrance, marking the start of another bustling cycle on the streets of the capital.

The headmistress didn't come today. After having breakfast at the Honglu Temple post station, Princess Yujia of the Turks had Alan accompany her to wander around.

Standing on the streets of the capital, the warm breeze of late May brushed against the silver bells adorning her hair, making a crisp sound.

She looked up at the colorful flags and signs hanging high on the street, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

This was her first time visiting such a bustling city. In a few days, she would enter the palace to become Emperor Jing's concubine, and from then on, she would be locked away in the palace.

"Princess, we should go back now. The headmistress said she will check your etiquette after lunch."

The maid Alan whispered a reminder behind her, holding a sugar figurine she had just bought from a street vendor.

Yu Jia shook her head gently, her heterochromatic pupils gleaming like amber in the sunlight: "No rush, let's walk around and take another look."

Her fingers unconsciously stroked the Turkic scimitar hanging at her waist.

Although the scabbard had been forcibly removed by the instructor, leaving only an empty hilt.

Pedestrians on the street turned their heads, casting curious or hostile glances at the foreign woman dressed in Turkic attire.

Princess Yujia could even hear the whispers behind her.

"Judging by their attire, they must be Turks?"

"Shh, keep your voice down. I heard the Turks have sent a princess to marry into the Turks..."

"Hmph, so many soldiers died at Beiguan, and now they're offering marriage alliances..."

Princess Yujia's back stiffened slightly, but she quickly straightened up again.

She had to try to get used to these gazes. In the Turkic lands, she was a noble princess. But here, she was merely a tool for a political marriage from an enemy nation.

Turning the corner, a gilded sign caught her eye – “Jinxiufang”.

Yu Jia recalled the day she entered the city, when she saw a large crowd gathered in front of this shop, creating a lively scene. Several women in beautiful clothes were walking on a stage, their dresses fluttering like butterflies.

All the gifts brought by the Turks as a gesture of peace have been presented to Emperor Jing.

Yesterday, Emperor Jing bestowed some silver upon her, which she then had her tutor bring over, as she also wished to buy two beautiful dresses like those at the Brocade Pavilion.

"Alan, let's go take a look over there."

Before the maid could respond, Yu Jia had already started walking towards Jinxiufang.

On either side of the main gate of Jinxiufang, four lifelike sandalwood mannequins gleam with an oily sheen.

Princess Yujia stroked the female mannequin's full breasts with great affection, marveling inwardly at the exquisite craftsmanship of the artisans of the Great Jing Dynasty.

Pushing open the carved wooden door, a delicate fragrance wafts out.

The interior of Jinxiufang is elegantly furnished, with dresses hanging around the store gleaming softly in the sunlight filtering through the windows.

Yu Jia unconsciously reached out and gently stroked the silver plum blossoms embroidered on an indigo-blue civilized robe. She imagined what she would look like wearing this civilized garment.

"This young lady has excellent taste; this is our store's latest 'Winter Plum Blossoms in Snow' series."

A clear male voice came from behind.

Princess Yujia turned around and saw a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. He was dressed in a moon-white robe, with delicate features and a sincere and warm smile on his lips.

The man was Tang Xiaotong, the manager of Jinxiufang.

He and Yang Haibo were originally peddlers who traveled from street to street, and after two months of training at Zuixianniang, they are now capable of handling things on their own.

Having spent several months in the business world of the capital and seen all sorts of distinguished people, Tang Xiaotong appeared more mature and composed than before, and her manners became more sophisticated and worldly.

Actually, he's not even seventeen years old yet, but the way he stands there makes him look like he's in his early twenties.

"You are...the shopkeeper?"

Princess Yujia was somewhat surprised, as she had assumed that such a clothing shop would be run by a woman.

"Indeed, I am Tang Xiaotong."

The man bowed respectfully, his gaze lingering for a moment on Princess Yujia's Turkic attire, but his expression remained completely unchanged.

"Is this your first time visiting Jinxiufang, young lady? Would you like me to introduce you?"

Princess Yujia noticed that there was pure curiosity rather than hostility in his eyes, and her tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

"I'd like to see the dress you showed me that day, but... I don't know its name."

"Oh, you mean our Republic of China style series? Yes, yes, yes." Tang Xiaotong's eyes lit up, and she gestured for them to come this way. "This way, please."

Tang Xiaotong led the way, with Princess Yuxia following gracefully behind.

Alan followed closely behind warily, his hand never leaving the short knife at his waist.

Tang Xiaotong turned around unintentionally and seemed to notice, but only smiled gently.

“Sister, there’s no need to be nervous. Although Jinxiufang is small, we never neglect our hospitality. You two can rest in the tea room first, and I will go and get a few dresses that would suit this young lady.”

In a corner on the first floor of Jinxiufang, there is also a rest area with tables, chairs and tea sets, so that tired shoppers can have a place to sit down and rest.

Princess Yujia sat down at the tea table and looked around curiously.

Unlike the rugged decorations inside the Turkic tents, every detail here exudes refinement.

The celadon tea set is decorated with tiny flowers and birds, the wooden table is carved with continuous cloud patterns, and even the incense wafting in the air seems to carry a faint sweetness.

Tang Xiaotong returned quickly, carrying several different styles of dresses draped over her arms.

"You're tall and slender, these outfits should fit you well. The fitting room is over there; just call me if you need anything."

Princess Yujia carried the dress that Tang Xiaotong handed her into the fitting room.

When she took off her traditional Turkic robe, she was momentarily dazed, as if she were shedding a part of her identity.

When she walked out of the fitting room in her cheongsam and stood in front of the mirror, the beautiful woman in the mirror was both familiar and unfamiliar.

"This set is perfect for you."

Tang Xiaotong's voice came from behind, "Red makes your complexion even more radiant. If you were to come to our Mandarin Duck Hairpin shop again, and have your hair styled and makeup done, it would be even more perfect."

Yu Jia took the round fan handed to her by Tang Xiaotong and twirled around shyly.

"Is it really beautiful? In our Turkic region, women don't wear such...close-fitting clothes."

A look of amazement flashed in Tang Xiaotong's eyes: "Very beautiful. Clothing has no borders; what suits you best is the best." He paused, "Excuse my boldness, but are you from the Turkic region?"

Yu Jia took a deep breath, her smile tinged with bitterness.

"I am Princess Yujia of the Turks, and I have come to the Great Jing Kingdom to marry His Majesty."

The store fell silent instantly. Several customers who had been selecting clothes quietly slipped out. Alan glared at them, his hand on the hilt of his knife.

The people of Dajing had an instinctive aversion and resistance towards the Turks due to years of war in Beiguan.

However, Tang Xiaotong's expression showed only slight surprise before returning to normal.

"So it's Your Highness, Princess. My apologies."

He bowed respectfully, without the slightest fear or disgust. "If Your Highness likes them, you may try on a few more. It is our honor that the clothes from Jinxiufang have won the favor of a foreign princess."

Princess Yujia's tense nerves relaxed because of his attitude.

Over the next hour, she tried on all sorts of dresses.

The pale yellow ruqun reminded her of wildflowers on the Turkic grasslands, while the dark green long gown gave her the illusion of becoming a scholar from the Great Jing Dynasty.

Every time she changed her outfit, Tang Xiaotong would sincerely offer suggestions, and occasionally she would even bring matching hair accessories for her to coordinate.

"This one is perfect for you."

Finally, Tang Xiaotong held up a sky-blue dress embroidered with white plum blossoms and said, "The color is elegant yet noble, perfectly complementing the princess's temperament."

After Princess Yujia changed into the bronze mirror, she stood in front of it for a long time without saying a word.

The woman in the mirror retained the heroic spirit of the Turkic people, while also possessing the graceful elegance of a lady from the Great Jing Dynasty.

“I want to buy this one, and the crimson one from before,” she finally said.

When it came time to pay, Princess Yujia hesitated for a moment before finally asking the question that had been bothering her.

"Manager Tang, you...you don't hate us Turks? The war at Beiguan has lasted for many years, the people of Dajing should hate us to the bone."

Tang Xiaotong paused for a moment as she wrapped the clothes: "My father was a soldier in the Northern Pass Army and died in battle a few years ago."

His voice was calm, “But hatred cannot weave clothes, nor can it fill a stomach. The princess has come to the Brocade Workshop as a guest today, and I should treat her with courtesy.”

Princess Yujia felt a tightness in her chest. She hadn't expected that this man, who was only in his early twenties, would have such a broad mind.

“I’m sorry… We Turks don’t want war either. But the grasslands have been suffering from drought for years, most of the cattle and sheep have died, and the children are crying from hunger…”

Princess Yujia's voice lowered, "My father said that the Great Jing is rich and resource-rich. Rather than waiting to be wiped out, we should fight to the death. That's why..."

Tang Xiaotong was silent for a moment, then poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her.

"Perhaps this isn't your fault. You've come all the way from your hometown to marry into the Great Jing, you're a pitiful person too. Try this, it's new tea from Liangzhou, it can calm your nerves."

Princess Yujia took the teacup, the warm porcelain emanating a faint tea fragrance from her palm.

She suddenly remembered the ever-present pungent smell of goat's milk in the Turkic tents, and her eyes welled up with tears.

"if……"

Tang Xiaotong hesitated before speaking, her eyes filled with longing.

"If only our Queen could one day expand her business to the Turkic Khaganate. With mutual trade, the Turks would no longer have to worry about food and clothing, and there would be no more wars."

"Princess Consort?" Princess Yujia looked up, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Which princess consort are you referring to? Does the princess consort of Dajing even know how to do business?"

"The princess consort of Zhao Zun, the King of Cangzhou," Tang Xiaotong said with a smile. "The princess consort has opened some workshops in Cangzhou, and I heard that she plans to open them all over the entire Dajing."

Princess Yujia's teacup wobbled suddenly, and a few drops of tea splashed onto the back of her hand.

"Zhao Zun? Is that the former Marshal Zhao Zun of Beiguan?" Her voice trembled slightly.

“He is now the King of Cangzhou.” Tang Xiaotong, oblivious to her unease, continued tidying the clothes in her hands. “Our Queen is an extraordinary woman; she’s very shrewd in business…”

Princess Yujia put down her teacup; her fingertips were icy cold.

"So... he already has a princess."

Princess Yujia said softly, then shook her head and smiled self-deprecatingly, "Everyone has their own destiny. I'm about to enter the palace, why should I think about these things?"

Tang Xiaotong then noticed her change in mood and tactfully changed the subject.

"If the princess likes these clothes, she is welcome to come often. Jinxiufang has new items every month, and I can reserve them for the princess."

Yu Jia looked at him gratefully: "Thank you, Manager Tang. I'm very happy today."

She paused for a moment, then said, "In Dajing, you are the first person I've met who has treated me like an ordinary person."

Tang Xiaotong smiled and handed the wrapped clothes to Alan: "Princess, you flatter me. At Jinxiufang, every guest is a distinguished guest. You are welcome to come and sit here whenever you like."

As she left, Yu Jia glanced back.

Tang Xiaotong stood at the door, the sunlight gilding the brocade robe he wore with a layer of gold.

Suddenly, she felt that this unfamiliar city wasn't so cold after all...

...I am a lazy dividing line...

In the summer, the sun blazes down on Qingshui County in Cangzhou, making even the bluestone pavement scorching hot.

In the back garden of the Wei family mansion, Wei Dabao was lying on a sandalwood rocking chair, with four maids taking turns fanning him.

His obese body almost filled the chair, and sweat kept rolling down his triple chin, soaking the silk robe embroidered with gold ingots on his chest.

"Sir, please have some chilled plum juice to cool off in the heat."

The butler carefully held a celadon bowl, its surface covered with fine water droplets.

Wei Dabao lay on the chair without even lifting his eyelids, and impatiently waved his thick hand.

"No, no! It's already early June, why haven't we heard anything from Beijing yet? Has that girl Han Lei forgotten about me?"

"Please calm down, sir," the butler said with a smile. "Miss Han is the magistrate's niece, and with the magistrate vouching for her, she shouldn't have forgotten you."

"fart!"

Wei Dabao sat up abruptly, the chair creaking under the weight.

"Do you know that's a business that brings in a million taels of silver a year? Every day is pure silver! If that girl is delayed even for one more day, wouldn't I be losing a lot of money?"

The butler dared not respond, only bowing and scraping.

Ever since Han Lei went to the capital, Wei Dabao has been going to Luo Hai's county government office every day.

He wasn't concerned about the jade pendant he had given away; instead, he inquired whether Han Lei had sent back any news about their business partnership.

But his feet had grown too big from running, and he had also sent out several letters by carrier pigeon.

But no matter how much they inquired, Han Lei sent back no news, and there was no word from the capital.

Wei Dabao grew increasingly anxious, grabbed a handful of plum juice and gulped it down. The icy liquid dripped from the corner of his mouth onto his clothes, but he didn't bother to wipe it away.

"Go! Prepare the sedan chair! I'm going to the county government office to find Luo Hai and get some answers!"

"Sir, you just went there yesterday..."

Yesterday is yesterday, today is today!

Wei Dabao struggled to get up from the rocking chair, his belly fat jiggling a few times.

"If there's still no news, I'll personally go to the capital to find that girl."

Just as Wei Dabao was anxiously preparing to leave, a servant rushed into the courtyard.

"Master! Master! News has arrived from the capital!"

Wei Dabao's eyes lit up, and the fat on his face relaxed.

"Is this a letter from Han Lei? Bring it here quickly!"

"No, it's not..."

The servant nervously handed over a letter stamped with sealing wax.

"It was delivered by carrier pigeon from the Prime Minister's residence..."

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