Chapter 69: He Will Surely Return

The merchants from Southern Zhou arrived swiftly.

"It is said that the Emperor of Southern Zhou dotes on this princess to the utmost, and now that I see her, it is indeed so."

The news spread quickly, and everyone agreed to come and watch the spectacle, among whom Yi Niang was the most enthusiastic.

An endless convoy rolled into Chang’an city, and those extravagantly dressed merchants from Southern Zhou gazed at Chang’an with reserved curiosity, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Country bumpkins," the old rogue scoffed.

"They’re not bumpkins," Cao Ying corrected him. "They’re sizing up how to make money in Chang’an."

Merchants value profit above all.

The merchants from Southern Zhou were sent here, not merely to look after their treasured maiden.

"Women," Yi Niang’s eyes were shrouded with a mist called envy.

Cao Ying coughed lightly, "At your age, you still envy young girls?"

Yi Niang sneered, "Look at yourself, how old are you, yet you still powder your face like the youngsters."

The old rogue perked up, stepping before Cao Ying, "Ah, so at your age you still want to flirt with young girls? Old Cao, didn’t you say last time you were past your prime?"

Cao Ying awkwardly shielded his face, "I had a blemish, so I powdered my face to cover it."

"Be careful—those powders are poisonous." Yang Xuan recalled there was lead mixed into some of them.

The grand procession gave the people of Tang an impressive glimpse of the Southern Zhou merchants’ extravagance.

Liang Jing flitted about like a diligent honeybee, darting between the Eastern Market and the Yang household.

"I bought it, but filling in the land will cost a lot," Liang Jing said, troubled.

Yang Xuan merely smiled.

"Hey! The merchants from Southern Zhou are here, but there’s no sign of activity!"

"They need to scout things out first."

"Alright, scout then."

Having spent a hefty sum, Liang Jing felt uneasy and came to Yang’s house daily.

"The Empress is becoming more aloof these days. Yesterday she sent someone to the Imperial Consort, claiming illness and inviting her to discuss matters. The Imperial Consort isn’t foolish—she brought a whole entourage with her..."

Liang Jing shook his head in amazement.

"And then?" Yang Xuan recalled those palace intrigue tales he’d read, where the Empress poisoned the heroine, framed her, bullied her...

In transmigration novels, the Empress is always the wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Liang Jing mocked, "The Empress openly and subtly talked about decorum, urging His Majesty to take care of himself..."

Yang Xuan wondered, "No poisoning, no framing?"

Liang Jing looked at him in surprise and reached out to feel his forehead, "You’re not feverish."

"No fever."

"This is the palace—even if she wanted to frame someone, it would be from afar. If the Empress dared to plot against the Imperial Consort directly, His Majesty would punish her without need for evidence, shaming the Yang clan."

Oh!

Yang Xuan felt out of touch.

No, it was people of later generations who were out of touch.

So direct framing was never possible!

"Then why bring such a crowd?"

"For intimidation, of course."

"Oh!"

The palace intrigue novice changed the topic, "How’s that plot of land?"

Liang Jing stroked his beard. "It's being filled in."

After he left, Yi Niang taught Yang Xuan the basics of palace intrigue.

"Unless the Empress is more powerful than the Emperor, such clumsy framing is always orchestrated by the Emperor."

"If the Empress were more powerful, why stay Empress? She’d overthrow the dynasty."

The old rogue squatted nearby, munching jerky.

"Enough!" Yi Niang shot him a sharp look. "Mind your manners!"

The old rogue hurried to kneel.

Wang Lao’er raised his hand, "I’m done eating."

"Eat, eat, eat! That’s all you do," Yi Niang muttered as she went to prepare more food.

After the meal, Yang Xuan took his men out to patrol the streets.

As the magistrate, he was responsible not only for criminal law but also for public order.

With a line of bailiffs and clerks behind him, Yang Xuan entered the Eastern Market.

"Look, Southern Zhou merchants," the old rogue pointed ahead.

A few merchants were inside a shop, conversing with the owner.

Yang Xuan made a special trip to inspect the plot of land.

"Hurry it up," he said.

Liang Jing was there too.

"Slacking off," Zhuque commented disdainfully.

"Zitai," Liang Jing now called Yang Xuan by his courtesy name, growing more familiar.

"Did you strike it rich?" Yang Xuan raised a brow.

Liang Jing replied with reserved pride, "Just now, some Southern Zhou merchants came to inquire, wanting to buy the land."

"You didn’t sell, right?"

"As a Tang official, how could I do business with Southern Zhou merchants? It would disgrace Her Highness."

"If they offered a high price?"

"Enough pretense," Liang Jing dropped the act. "If they offer more, can I sell?"

"Do you want a hen that lays eggs, or do you want to butcher a rooster for meat?"

"The hen, of course," Liang Jing grinned, his smile loose and ambiguous. "I’m not fond of men."

This old fox!

"Isn’t leasing better?"

Slap!

Liang Jing slapped his forehead—hard enough to redden it.

"Brilliant!"

Yang Xuan firmly believed shop prices in Chang’an would only rise.

The noodle shop was under renovation, and Yang Xuan occasionally visited, pointing out issues.

Han Ying was diligent, arriving early each day and even helping carry supplies.

"This woman is obsessed," the old rogue shook his head.

"Sir," Han Ying approached, "the costs may rise."

"Why?" Yang Xuan was puzzled. He’d budgeted before renovations began.

"Iron has become more expensive, and we need a lot of it."

Even Liang Jing felt the pressure.

"Is the Chunyu clan going mad?"

A fire had destroyed much of their workshop, but their stock was enough to offset lost production. This price hike seemed ill-timed.

"It’s not Chunyu," the old rogue brought back news. "Wang’s ore supply has dwindled."

The shortage was suspicious.

Yang Xuan couldn’t ask directly, so he went to the Imperial Academy.

"They say Wang’s mine has problems."

Zhong Hui wasn’t interested. "By the way, how’s your training?"

"Progressing well." Yang Xuan never slackened in his practice, so he was confident.

"Come, spar with me."

"No problem."

Later, Yang Xuan went to see Zhou Ning.

"Is that an injury?" Zhou Ning pushed up her tortoiseshell glasses with slender fingers.

"It’s nothing," Yang Xuan touched his bruised lip, smiling awkwardly. "I came to the Academy on business, and thought I’d visit you, Assistant."

"Fool! You should say you came to see her, and business was secondary. The order makes all the difference," Zhuque scolded.

Zhou Ning glanced at his lip, "A fresh injury?"

"I just bumped into a column," Yang Xuan recalled how Zhong Hui had pulled his punch at the last moment, the wind grazing his lip.

"Are you unsettled?" The healer’s instinct was vivid in Zhou Ning.

Will this girl see right through me one day? Yang Xuan looked at her. "I don’t know why, but I feel hazy, as if something’s wrong with my body."

"What kind of problem?" Zhou Ning took out her acupuncture kit.

"I keep thinking… thinking about Assistant treating me, as if my injury hasn’t healed yet." Yang Xuan was searching for words, not paying attention.

"Lie down, undress!"

"Xuanzi, close your eyes!" The green light flashed urgently.

Yang Xuan lay on the desk, suddenly feeling like a lamb awaiting slaughter.

"Close your eyes!"

He complied.

What was she going to do?

Silver needles were raised.

Shh!

"What do you feel?"

"Ah! Sore, full, numb. Numb, numb..."

After the treatment, Yang Xuan got up. "Thank you, Assistant."

Zhou Ning put away her needles. "Go on."

After Yang Xuan left, Zhou Ning knelt, her expression shifting.

"Too many thoughts!" Zhou Ning snorted softly.

"Assistant!"

A student was brought in, seeking help.

"My leg just went lame."

"Lie down. On the mat, not the desk."

"Ow!"

"There, just a dislocation."

"Assistant is fierce!"

Zhou Ning gently pushed her glasses, her demeanor serene yet tinged with sanctity.

...

In the palace.

"Your Majesty."

After court, the Emperor entered the harem in a peaceful mood.

"Hongyan looks well today," his words drew a shy smile from the Imperial Consort.

"Fresh fruit from the south has arrived, please try some."

He ate a few pieces from her jade-like hands, then his expression darkened. The Imperial Consort wiped her hands with a handkerchief and asked, "Is there trouble in court, Your Majesty?"

"If anyone else asked such a thing, I’d charge her with meddling in state affairs." The Emperor smiled. "Wang’s mine has problems; ore output has plummeted. Chunyu can’t get iron ore, so production stalls… Iron is dear in Chang’an, and I fear it may be dear throughout the realm."

The Imperial Consort was taken aback. "Iron tools last a long time!"

"There are many people in the realm," the Emperor smiled. "Your fortune, their misfortune. Add to that the forging of weapons, farming tools, implements—countless tons of iron are consumed yearly. Without iron, what, shall we fight with wood?"

The Imperial Consort blushed, then suggested, "If so, restore it then."

"Difficult," the Emperor shook his head. "They say plague is rampant, and the mine collapsed. No one dares go down."

The Imperial Consort shuddered. "That’s dreadful. I recall old folks saying when plague strikes, ten households out of ten are emptied!"

The Emperor nodded. "It is perilous. I’m wondering whom to send—someone bold and clever."

A name spun in the Imperial Consort’s mind, and she blurted, "Your Majesty, Yang Xuan."

The Emperor was startled. "Yang Xuan?"

Han Stone glanced at the Imperial Consort.

Jiao Li explained, "Your Majesty, he’s the one who saved the Imperial Consort last time, now serving as county magistrate in Wannian."

"Oh! I remember now—he blocked the Northern Liao envoy last time, an interesting young man."

The Imperial Consort smiled. "He’s the only official I know well enough."

The Emperor reached out and gently patted her shoulder.

"Han Stone."

Han Stone stepped forward, "Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor said, "Then let Yang Xuan handle it."

"Yes."

Han Stone went ahead, instructing the matter to go through the Three Ministries.

He stood outside the palace, his gaze deep.

Behind him, a eunuch murmured, "It’s plague out there! Will Yang, the junior magistrate, return alive?"

Han Stone looked forward, hands behind his back.

"He will return for certain!"