“In that case, I shall trouble Uncle Changlin.”
Young Master Wengyuan smiled faintly and cupped his hands.
“We are all family, it is only right. To speak of trouble would make us distant.”
Zhou Changlin said with a smile, then introduced his three sons to Young Master Wengyuan.
After the greetings, Zhou Changlin said: “Young Master Wengyuan, shall we go and eat first? I will send a servant to check if Miss Xiaobei is at the inn, so you do not make the trip in vain.”
“Miss Xiaobei?”
Young Master Wengyuan had already heard Zhou Changlin mention this name twice and asked curiously: “Who is this Miss Xiaobei?”
“Speaking of Miss Xiaobei, she is quite a legend in our Guangyuan city.”
Zhou Changlin led Young Master Wengyuan into the city while recounting Tang Xiaobei’s story.
From Jin Feng attending Tang Xiaobei’s tea gathering, to her return to Guangyuan Prefecture, and only finishing at the restaurant.
“Heh, I never expected Guangyuan to have such an extraordinary woman.” Young Master Wengyuan said smiling: “And that Mr. Jin is also a remarkable man. The two must be a famous tale in your Guangyuan by now.”
“Young Master is indeed quick-witted,” Zhou Changlin said smiling: “Now the girls in the brothels of Fengyue Lane all envy Miss Xiaobei, all hoping to catch a glimpse of Mr. Jin.”
“To buy soap, do we have to find Miss Xiaobei?”
The brothel girls longed day and night to see Jin Feng, but as a man, Young Master Wengyuan was naturally interested in Tang Xiaobei, for whom Jin Feng willingly wrote poetry.
“Yes, Mr. Jin is a scholar and disdains merchant ways, so he entrusted the soap to Miss Xiaobei.”
Zhou Changlin nodded: “And Miss Xiaobei is very capable. In less than a month, she turned an unheard-of item into something all the rage in the city. On the first two days of sales, countless people queued from midnight at the door, waving silver notes to buy.”
“Hearing Uncle Changlin say so, I rather admire this Miss Xiaobei. It is a pity I have no chance to meet her.” Young Master Wengyuan said regretfully.
In feudal times, women and girls from great families could not meet outsiders.
Many couples only saw their partner’s face when the veil was lifted on the wedding night.
“Miss Xiaobei comes from a brothel background and has no such strict rules, often moving about outside.”
Zhou Changlin said: “If Young Master wishes to see her, you can come with this old man later.”
“That would be excellent.” Young Master Wengyuan nodded in pleasant surprise.
Perhaps preoccupied with the soap, or eager to meet Tang Xiaobei soon, the meal was eaten quickly.
As chopsticks were set down, the servant sent to inquire returned.
“Master, the inn waiter says Miss Xiaobei is at the inn today and has not gone out.”
“Young Master, do you wish to rest first or go straight there?” Zhou Changlin asked.
“Let us handle the main matter first.”
“Then I shall arrange the carriage.”
At the Zhao Family Inn, Tang Xiaobei had just finished lunch and was wondering if she should visit the tooth market again that afternoon when Alan entered.
“Miss, the waiter says Zhou Changlin of the Zhou family has come and wishes to see you.”
“Zhou Changlin?!”
Tang Xiaobei heard this and her gaze turned fierce, her fists clenching involuntarily.
The person she and Tang Dongdong hated most was Zhou Changlin, without exception.
But Tang Xiaobei knew the Zhou family was powerful, with the capital Zhou family as backing. She and Tang Dongdong were not yet their match, so she had kept the hatred buried in her heart.
Now Zhou Changlin had come knocking, and the long-suppressed hatred could no longer be controlled.
“Miss, what is wrong?”
Alan did not know the grudge between the Tang and Zhou families. Seeing Tang Xiaobei lost in thought, she gently patted her shoulder.
Tang Xiaobei then came back to herself.
She did not want to bring disaster to Jin Feng. Taking several deep breaths, she forcibly suppressed the urge to have Big Liu go kill Zhou Changlin.
After a moment’s thought, she nodded: “Let him in.”
“Miss, Zhou Changlin has brought quite a few people. Perhaps let Big Liu ask what he wants first?” Alan asked.
“No need, I know what he wants. He will not bring too many inside.” Tang Xiaobei said.
Tang Xiaobei grew up in a great household, known only to close kin and a few maids.
When the Tang family met disaster, apart from Tang Dongdong’s personal maid Xiao Yuan, the other maids were sold away, and her relatives were killed by bandits along with them.
Xiao Yuan had seen her long ago but never betrayed her identity to the Zhou family even in desperation. Now benefiting from Tang Dongdong’s grace, she certainly would not sell her out.
Moreover, Xiao Yuan was still in the mountains keeping vigil for her mother and could not meet Zhou Changlin.
So Zhou Changlin could not know her identity.
The only plausible explanation was that he came to buy soap.
Since he came directly, clearly knowing she was there, avoiding him would seem unreasonable.
After all, her current identity was a soap-selling merchant. There was no reason to turn away a potential major customer.
A few minutes later, Alan brought Zhou Changlin into the courtyard.
As expected, Zhou Changlin brought few people, only Young Master Wengyuan and his youngest son.
Tang Xiaobei bit her lip with her head lowered. When she raised it again, her face wore a calm smile.
“Master Zhou, forgive me. This young lady was somewhat indisposed just now and could not greet you at the gate. I hope Master Zhou will not take offence!”
Feudal times valued etiquette greatly. Ordinarily, one bowed when speaking to others, unless classes differed.
For example, nobles to commoners, or commoners to slaves, no bow needed.
Tang Xiaobei spoke politely but did not bow to Zhou Changlin.
This was already her limit. She could not bow to her enemy.
Zhou Changlin, a seasoned merchant, had a favour to ask now, so he pretended not to notice. Far from angry, he smiled and cupped his hands:
“Miss Xiaobei is a busy person. That you are willing to see this old man is already my good fortune. Such words are too polite.”
Then, pointing to Young Master Wengyuan beside him: “This is Young Master Wengyuan from the capital.”
At this moment, Young Master Wengyuan stared fixedly at Tang Xiaobei, the admiration in his eyes almost uncontainable.
It was not that he lacked experience, but the women he had seen before were either timid and servile maids, or wilful and spoiled young ladies from the household, or outwardly obedient brothel girls inwardly scheming to extract money from his purse.
Tang Xiaobei was completely different.
Not only exceedingly beautiful, most importantly, she stood straight-backed, spoke calmly and unhurriedly, exuding strong confidence from head to toe.
Women in Dakang held low status. Young Master Wengyuan had seen all sorts of beauties in capital brothels, but a girl with such bearing was his first.
For a moment, he was entranced.
Only when Zhou Changlin pointed to him for introduction did he snap back.
