Chapter 49: As Pure as Snow
The business of Yuanzhou Noodles was thriving more than ever. Every day, customers came in an endless stream, and many were left unable to get a seat, voicing their complaints, yet returning early the next morning to wait outside the shop, craving that bowl of fragrant, savory noodles.
Wang Shun told Han Ying that some people, after queuing and finally obtaining a bowl, would immediately pass it to someone else for a fee.
This solidified Han Ying’s resolve to expand the shop.
But she had to face the founder of the noodles, a student from the Imperial Academy, and the notorious bailiff of Wannian County.
“Refund the money!”
Yang Xuan looked down at her as if regarding an ant.
Han Ying had not expected such an outcome.
She was stunned.
In that moment, her thoughts were not on the noodle business, but on her family.
Her father had arranged a match for her—a wealthy man whose fortune could ensure a comfortable life for her entire family. But she had fled.
Whenever she thought of that man’s silly smile and drooling mouth, she shuddered.
Her father was willing to sell her for money, so her only way to prove herself was to earn her own fortune. She did not need a man to become wealthy.
But now the young man before her told her,
“Refund the money!”
He was quitting!
To her, this was like rain after a drought, a feast when starving.
Three-tenths of the money meant nothing to her now; she could easily produce it, and then Yuanzhou Noodles would be hers.
She studied the youth before her, trying to discern if he was telling the truth.
He was!
She swore it was true.
She dared to swear by the turbulent years since leaving home that not a word he spoke was false.
She glanced at Yi Niang beside her, whose calm expression left her bewildered.
Refund the money, and the shop would be hers.
Her hand trembled slightly, as if she could already see herself returning home in fine clothes, her parents’ astonishment, the surprise of the parents of that foolish man…
But how was this different from her father wanting her to marry that fool? Both were driven by money without regard to dignity!
“No.”
Han Ying stood up. “Yang Marshal, you still have thirty percent.”
Yang Xuan replied impatiently, “Perhaps you haven’t understood: I have no interest in your thirty percent. So, either refund the money, or…”
Han Ying shot up, “I am not a woman to be trifled with!”
Yi Niang’s eyes flashed with disdain. “Our lord wouldn’t care for you anyway.”
Yang Xuan tapped the table lightly. “Or you withdraw.”
Is it one or the other?
Han Ying’s heart pounded violently.
Yang Xuan had lost interest in negotiating with this woman; he felt it would be more comfortable to go discuss positive energy with Vermilion Bird.
“Two choices, you decide.”
Yi Niang looked at him, her joy undisguised.
Her lord was becoming ever more commanding.
As Yang Xuan exited, Cao Ying, who stood outside, bowed slightly. His respectful demeanor reminded Yang Xuan of something.
A dog eunuch!
Old Cao looked much like the eunuchs in TV dramas; add a bit of slyness and no makeup would be needed.
“My lord, great plans require money and provisions, much money and provisions.”
Cao Ying was pleased with his lord’s assertiveness, but knew that bravado alone could not fill stomachs.
“I know,” Yang Xuan replied. “Do you think it’s wise to let a woman know how much we’ve earned?”
Cao Ying suppressed the urge to say ‘conservative.’ “My lord, at most, take her as a bedwarmer. A woman, after one night, looks at the sheets and naturally bows her head, from then on depending on her man, raising children and managing the household. Does she still dream of becoming an official? Ha!”
Old Cao truly was a scoundrel.
Yang Xuan felt that in Cao’s eyes, he was merely a stud, to be brought out when needed, flexing muscles before women, then laboring hard…
It reminded him of the breeding boar in Xiaohe Village; it had favored every sow in the village, living a carefree life… The key was, its owner didn’t slaughter it.
Because it stank.
Its meat was so foul even dogs would not eat it.
“Hey! Old Cao.”
Cao Ying hesitated, “My lord?”
“This woman dared to rebel against her family. Do you think after a night she’ll just be content to be mine?”
“She should… be able to?” Cao Ying saw no issue.
“Bull!” Yi Niang, who had seen Han Ying off, chased up. “Not unless you get her pregnant.”
“That’s simple enough.” Cao Ying raised an eyebrow. “My lord is young; it’s a matter of one night.”
“Young men’s… viability rate is high.” Vermilion Bird chimed in beside Yang Xuan, her words rolling over his face like a heavy cart.
Behind him, the two were arguing ever more fiercely.
“Ahem! My lord is still here.” Cao Ying, outmatched, quickly shifted focus before defeat.
Yang Xuan shook his head. “Carry on.”
Arguing is good for mind and body, that’s something he’d learned.
Vermilion Bird was already imagining for him, “Arguing releases negative emotions and stress, exercises every muscle, and lets you sleep easily…”
“But you said last time that conjugal harmony does the same, so, arguing and conjugal harmony are alike?”
Yang Xuan’s mind suddenly cleared. “No wonder couples love to argue; it must be that over time, they tire of intimacy and use quarrels as a substitute. Vermilion Bird, Vermilion Bird?”
The green light remained on, as if she were a dazed child.
The old fox in the front yard paid these matters no mind, sitting on the steps, savoring leisure, feeling life had reached its peak.
“My lord.”
Yang Xuan appeared.
“I’m off to Wannian County. Keep watch on the house.”
“Yes.”
The mood in Wannian County was strange.
“The Prefect was loudly berated by Deputy Yu for shamelessness, so loud the whole street heard.”
Wen Xinshu gloated.
“Old Zhao is the steady one.” Yang Xuan settled comfortably.
Zhao Guolin hugged his horse lance. “Refreshing!”
“Yang Xuan.” Old Tang arrived.
Wen Xinshu glanced at his future father-in-law’s head; today, his hairstyle was different yet again.
“The Prefect just rebuked County Bailiff Qiu.” Tang Xiaonian evidently had no fondness for either of them.
Yang Xuan had no interest in their dog-eat-dog squabbling.
“But there are rumors…” Tang Xiaonian lowered his voice, “They say all this is your doing.”
“What do you mean?”
Yang Xuan felt that Huang Wenzun and Qiu Sheng were like two errant officials, never seeking fault in themselves, but always shifting blame and hunting scapegoats.
“You don’t know.” Tang Xiaonian rarely showed a lewd expression. “Yesterday, Deputy Yu was furious, scolding Huang Wenzun as…”
A contemptible dog slave?
Scoundrel!
Yang Xuan had many thoughts.
“Like a woman!” Tang Xiaonian chuckled.
A man must be masculine, brimming with vigor… That was the standard in the Tang Dynasty. To say a man is like a woman was a grave insult.
Vermilion Bird said, “Cannon fodder.”
Yang Xuan, while discussing matters with Tang Xiaonian, had to be wary of Vermilion Bird’s sudden innuendos.
“The county bailiff has arrived.”
Tang Xiaonian, who was moonlighting, stood up awkwardly.
Qiu Sheng’s eyes held no recognition of lowly clerks like him; he smiled at Yang Xuan.
A gentle smile, very kindly.
“Little Yang!”
It reminded Yang Xuan of seasoned officials.
“Present,” Yang Xuan replied formally.
Qiu Sheng patted him on the shoulder.
The superior’s hand on your shoulder meant he valued you.
Vermilion Bird whispered in his ear, “Of course, it could also be a farewell before sending you off as cannon fodder.”
Qiu Sheng regarded him kindly. “There’s trouble at Mirror Terrace; Wannian County’s assistance is needed. Go take a look.”
Zhao Guolin’s face changed, Wen Xinshu turned pale.
Tang Xiaonian, caught moonlighting, risked his neck to give Yang Xuan a warning glance.
Don’t go!
To Chang’an, Mirror Terrace was a special place. It was omnipotent, with eyes everywhere, and authority that reached the heavens.
No official wanted dealings with Mirror Terrace; it was like a den of dragons and tigers.
Its master, the one-eyed Wang Shou, was famed for frightening children into silence.
Once you entered, you fell under its scrutiny.
Don’t accept!
That was Tang Xiaonian’s message.
Qiu Sheng’s gaze shifted over; Tang Xiaonian scratched his head to cover his tracks.
A lock of hair fell.
“Order received.”
A superior’s command could not be refused… Zhao Guolin shuddered, then relaxed.
Wen Xinshu lowered his head.
Tang Xiaonian combed the hair around his head inward…
Qiu Sheng’s hand on Yang Xuan’s shoulder became a claw, shaking him.
“Good, I await your good news.”
Once Qiu Sheng left, Tang Xiaonian pressed his forehead. “You know that any official under Mirror Terrace’s scrutiny will be thoroughly investigated, inside and out.”
Wen Xinshu sighed, “Who can be flawless these days?”
It was an occupational hazard.
The three looked at Yang Xuan.
—Are you clean?
Yang Xuan nodded.
“I am as spotless as snow.”
Vermilion Bird whispered in his ear, “Snow absorbs much filth; it appears pure, but is actually dirty… The sky is as dirty as the snowflakes.”
…
Mirror Terrace.
Yang Xuan looked at the huge mirror, instinctively adjusting his attire.
The four characters, ‘Bright Mirror Aloft,’ were written with bold strength.
“Follow me.”
Yang Xuan was led to the main hall.
There, the one-eyed Wang Shou squinted at him.
Two rows of men in black looked him over.
“Gatekeeper, this is Yang Xuan, the bailiff of Wannian County,” his guide introduced.
Wang Shou spoke nonchalantly, “The Imperial Consort’s birthday approaches; she intends to return home, and Wannian County’s bailiff is to assist with her protection. If anything goes wrong, I’ll have your hide!”
So that’s what this was about?
Yang Xuan accepted the task.
Leaving the hall, he saw Zhao Sanfu approaching with a friendly middle-aged man.
Yang Xuan and Zhao Sanfu avoided eye contact.
Then, at the same moment, their bodies tensed and they both glanced at each other, pretending it was nothing.
Seeing a familiar face and exchanging a look—that was normal.
Xin Quan and Zhao Sanfu entered.
Wang Shou assigned the task of escorting the Imperial Consort home.
“Keep close watch!”
Wang Shou touched his eyepatch, looking at Xin Quan and Zhao Sanfu as they entered. “According to protocol, investigate the bailiff of Wannian County just now. If anything goes wrong, I’ll have your hides!”
Zhao Sanfu’s eyelids twitched violently.
…
Thanks to ‘Old Giant!’ for the generous reward of alliance leader, and to ‘54 Tang People’ for the alliance leader reward, formidable!