Chapter 275: I. Reunion

I. Reunion

Early winter morning.

The morning wind by the river slithered like an eel, slipping through gaps in collar and clothing to burrow against the chest and back.

The laborers hauling cargo at the dock shivered involuntarily.

Fortunately, Prince Xunyang City had enjoyed several clear days in a row; by morning's end, the pale golden sunlight fell upon the faces of those at the ferry, warm and soothing, dispelling some of the chill.

Another fine day today.

This largest dock in Prince Xunyang City had already grown bustling and lively before dawn.

Laborers transporting grain and goods, travelers from all directions, merchants disembarking to trade—ships from Lingnan and Jiang Nan alike arrived at the dock and then sailed away again.

In just one morning, countless people and goods had passed through.

Crowded, lively, merchants and travelers never ceased.

As the most thriving ferry of Jiangzhou, known as "the eyes and brows of the world," Prince Xunyang Ferry teemed with vitality.

Amid this morning's surge of life, a private vessel bearing the banner of the Magistrate Ouyang clan of Nanlong arrived at the dock and slowly drew near.

The vessel attracted little attention; at most, a few sharp-eyed observers glimpsed the banner and vaguely recalled that the newly appointed, rarely seen Jiangzhou Longshi of the city also bore the surname Magistrate Ouyang—but no further connection was made.

The sunlit hull bumped against the dock's ancient bricks, splashing a small spray of water.

Before the boarding ramp could be lowered, a young man in blue robes and carrying a sword pushed through the crowd awaiting passengers.

He led the way, leaping nimbly onto the long-traveled vessel. "Madam Zhen, Miss Ye, let me take the luggage—you rest." "Mm." The voice was a languid, melodious woman's.

"Thank you, Elder Yan." A light, ethereal girl's voice replied. "Heh, Madam, Miss Ye, you're too kind."

"Thud." The ramp landed firmly.

A plump woman in her early thirties descended the vessel, accompanied by a group of lovely, distinct maids.

The beautiful woman wore a rose-red loose silk robe, its trailing hem tied in a knot just above the calves to prevent dragging.

Her lips were slightly full, with a faint mole at the corner—like the final brushstroke of a painting, perfectly placed—her demeanor dignified, yet edged with a touch of icy beauty.

Her sharp, darting phoenix eyes lifted at the corners, giving her an air of sternness; clearly, she was no easy woman to deal with.

On either side of the icy-robed woman followed an exotic girl with silver hair and blue eyes, and a new-arrived Silla maid with lowered head and slender waist.

The silver-haired, blue-eyed girl also wore a similar rose-red mini-skirt, walking close beside the icy-robed woman, obediently following her every step.

They were precisely Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, Ye Ye Weilai, and Banxi, the family members who had traveled a thousand miles from Nanlong.

Yan Yan Liulang followed behind the women, helping carry luggage and enthusiastically pointing the way: "This way."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, who had come from a rural county in Nanlong, glanced curiously at the bustling dock scene, without turning her head:

"Elder Yan, no need to trouble yourself with the luggage—there are young men aboard too. I brought several strong youths from Nanlong to assist Master Tan."

"Very well. Madam, Miss Ye, follow me—the carriage team waits outside the dock. The Magistrate has recently established new rules: no carriages or horse-drawn vehicles are allowed inside, or they'll cause congestion..."

Yan Yan Liulang walked at the front, guiding Zhen Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Ye Weilai, frequently turning back with a smile to explain.

Unlike the maids, who gawked around with wide-eyed wonder, Ye Ye Weilai remained calm-faced throughout her descent, seemingly uninterested in the surrounding bustle.

At one point, Ye Ye Weilai couldn't help asking: "Elder Yan, where's Master Tan?" Yan Yan Liulang turned back:

"The Magistrate is nearby—he's handling urgent matters today at the Dock Transport Office, too busy to come. I happened to be off duty today, so I came to meet you."

"Oh." Ye Ye Weilai's expression showed no surprise.

The nephew's failure to come meet them didn't trouble Zhen Zhen Shuyuan in the slightest; she turned to the group of clan followers who trailed behind, meekly obedient:

"It's good he's busy—Master Tan has just taken office; his superiors and subordinates are watching him. He must set an example. Being an official isn't about wielding power or bullying others—it's about staying humble and composed... My Master Tan is truly remarkable."

Her tone brimmed with pride.

The clan followers nodded vigorously, praising the man; the icy-robed woman lifted her chin.

Yan Yan Liulang, walking ahead, couldn't help smiling.

This personality, this tone... still the same old flavor.

Soon, the group squeezed out of the dock entrance and boarded a row of carriages beneath the tree shade; the maids and servants loaded the luggage, and Yan Yan Liulang lent a hand.

As everyone knew, women's luggage was always excessive—unlike Magistrate Ouyang Rong, who had come alone with a single bag, Zhen's party had brought over a dozen large trunks.

Yan Yan Liulang helped carry, bustling about without complaint.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan took this for granted, already seated in the lead carriage; Ye Ye Weilai remained outside, offering water and towels with polite grace.

Once everything was settled, Yan Yan Liulang signaled the coachmen, and the caravan slowly departed from the bustling Prince Xunyang Ferry.

"Where to, Elder Yan?" The lead coachman asked respectfully. Yan Yan Liulang wiped his brow with his sleeve and gave the address: "Huaye Alley..."

"Elder Yan?" Zhen Zhen Shuyuan asked curiously, offhand: "What do you do in Jiangzhou?"

Yan Yan Liulang scratched his head: "Judicial Censor."

"Judicial Censor?" Zhen Zhen Shuyuan turned to ask: "Hmm, what's that?" Her tone was puzzled:

"You're not the chief constable anymore? I remember you did well in Longcheng—you could've stayed longer, earned a permanent post, and succeeded your father as County Commandant. You didn't pass the Metropolitan Exam, so becoming a ninth-rank County Commandant at your age was already good."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan offered some practical advice.

"I'm not doing it anymore." Yan Yan Liulang shook his head. "I spoke with my father—he didn't stop me. He supports me following the Magistrate. Wherever he goes, I go."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's tone turned wistful: "That's a pity—you've cut off your family's connections..."

"Madam..."

The silver-haired girl, who during the Nanlong ancestral rites had quietly read countless volumes from her master's library, spoke softly:

"The Judicial Censor of Jiangzhou holds the rank of Eighth Rank Lower. He oversees law enforcement, manages prisons, pursues thieves and bandits, seizes stolen goods, and investigates bribery."

Ye Ye Weilai recited it effortlessly, as if quoting from memory. Zhen Zhen Shuyuan: "..."

Facing the robed woman's widened eyes and sidelong glance, Yan Yan Liulang felt slightly embarrassed and grinned:

"Previously, thanks to the momentum of the auspicious omen, the Magistrate arranged for me to be confirmed as County Commandant of Longcheng. I'd hoped to get transferred to the provincial office.

"But unexpectedly, the Magistrate personally recommended me for Judicial Censor. Yes, Madam—now all the constables in Prince Xunyang City answer to me. I'm still the chief constable, in a way."

Below the Jiangzhou Viceroy and Jiangzhou Longshi, the provincial administration had Six Censorates: Office of Personnel, Office of Revenue, Office of Population, Office of Military, Office of Justice, and Office of Works.

Each was headed by a Censor, corresponding to the Six Ministries of the imperial court. Everyone turned to look at the blue-robed, sword-carrying youth.

An eighth-rank official had just been hauling their luggage.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan cleared her throat, studied Yan Yan Liulang from head to toe, then nodded solemnly:

"Sixlang is truly accomplished. I knew I wasn't mistaken... You must help Master Tan well henceforth—don't waste the cultivation."

"Yes, Madam." Yan Yan Liulang nodded firmly.

At that moment, the caravan suddenly halted. Yan Yan Liulang instinctively gripped his sword hilt, pulled back the curtain—and before he could question the coachman, his gaze was drawn to the scene ahead.

Their caravan was too long; ahead, another grand, luxurious carriage procession approached, and the two convoys met at a corner, blocking the road.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan glanced at the opulence of the opposing procession, hesitated, then turned to give orders: "Let's yield a bit."

Yan Yan Liulang nodded and directed the caravan.

But unexpectedly, someone from the front carriage seemed to glance their way—then a black-skinned Kunlun slave darted up to Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's carriage and whispered something. Zhen didn't catch it, but immediately heard Yan Yan Liulang's terse reply: "The Jiangzhou Longshi's family..."

The Kunlun slave immediately ran back. Soon after, the grand, luxurious carriage procession ahead began to move.

It yielded the road.

Yan Yan Liulang didn't hesitate—he waved for his caravan to proceed, passing beside the noble carriage.

As they passed, his expression remained calm; he bowed his fist in greeting.

Inside the carriage, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan spotted clearly: in the foremost carriage ahead sat a noblewoman dressed in brocade and silk, holding an account ledger. The noblewoman lifted the curtain with her little finger, her hand adorned with rings and jewels, and smiled faintly at Zhen Zhen Shuyuan.

Zhen quickly returned a friendly smile.

Moments later, the same Kunlun slave returned, bowing low, both hands respectfully offering a gilded name card:

"My lady has long admired the Jiangzhou Longshi... She humbly begs your family to accept this..."

The Judicial Censor, dressed in plain robes and carrying only a simple sword, glanced at the surname "Pei" on the card, reached out, took it, and passed it to Zhen Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Ye Weilai inside the carriage. The two women examined the card.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan hesitated; Ye Ye Weilai shook her head slightly. Yan Yan Liulang seemed to sense their concern and whispered:

"Madam, you may accept it—it's not a bribe, just a name card. She wishes to establish goodwill, to become known to the Magistrate—it won't affect him in any way."

"Heh. The Magistrate's behavior these past half-months... Everyone in Prince Xunyang wants to meet him, wants him to remember them. Every day, someone sends new invitations, new cards."

Yan Yan Liulang chuckled. He had followed the Magistrate to Jiangzhou for his posting, nearly half a month now.

But except for the day of his appointment, when he attended a welcoming banquet at Prince Xunyang Tower and appeared before Jiangzhou's elite,

the Magistrate had refused nearly all social engagements, throwing himself immediately into provincial affairs.

After passing the luxurious carriage procession, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan touched the high-grade name card inside the carriage and couldn't help whistling softly.

She lifted the curtain, gazing at the distant river, where sunlight sparkled on the water, countless sails crossing ceaselessly.

What a prosperous Prince Xunyang City.

"Sixlang, did Master Tan get promoted to a very high post?" Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's tone was now cautious.

"It's decent—Jiangzhou Jiangzhou Longshi... Excluding the noble families enfeoffed here like the Prince of Prince Xunyang, he's second-in-command in the entire provincial administration.

"Though he lacks the military authority of the Viceroy and cannot mobilize troops from the Zhechong Fu, the Jiangzhou Longshi is called 'Half-Viceroy'—he directly oversees the Six Censorates, managing commerce, litigation, and civil affairs..."

Yan Yan Liulang left it at that, saying no more.

Yet from behind, Zhen Zhen Shuyuan's sharp intake of breath followed, then her delighted voice:

"Master Tan is truly accomplished!"

The women, learning their sole pillar not only remained safe and healthy but had risen swiftly in status, all beamed with joy.

Yan Yan Liulang thought for a moment, then chose not to mention the Magistrate's refusal of the imperial post of Censor-in-Chief—or his current relationship with the "kind and gentle" Viceroy Wang...

These past half-months, the Magistrate had risen early and returned late, methodically mastering Jiangzhou Longshi duties, moving almost strictly between the Huaye Alley residence and the Jiangzhou Government Office. His routine matched his time in Longcheng County.

Moreover, the Magistrate had never once visited the newly established Prince Xunyang Prince's residence. On the surface, there was no contact.

Yan Yan Liulang recalled the Magistrate's recent instructions.

He arrived by direct appointment, not rushing to make three swift moves; first, he would do less and observe more.

Half an hour later, the convoy arrived at a quiet street beside the water, slowing to a stop before a residence with an unassuming gate plaque.

Yan Yan Liulang introduced: "Xiao Niangzi, this is Huaye Alley, one of the oldest residential streets in Prince Xunyang City."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan and Ye Ye Weilai, along with several other women, looked around curiously.

"This residence originally belonged to the Chen Jun Xie clan of Chen Commandery. When Master Chen Jun Xie, your husband's mentor, was staying in Jiangzhou, he learned you were coming and invited you to live here."

"Your husband had planned to rent a temporary house until you arrived to purchase a proper mansion, but he couldn't refuse the kindness of Master Chen Jun Xie and Miss Chen Jun Xie, so he decided to reside here for now."

"By the way, Miss Chen Jun Xie has business at the Wei Prince's mansion today and won't come; she'll return tonight to visit you."

"It's fine, it's fine. I think this house is perfectly nice. Why be so courteous? When Tanlang returns, I'll reason with him—he's such a stubborn fool."

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan said cheerfully: "By the way, how have Tanlang and Wanchan been lately?"

Yan Yan Liulang coughed lightly, said no more, stepped down to help unload the luggage and carry it into the residence.

He then reminded them of a few matters, saw everything was settled, and took his leave.

Magistrate Ouyang Rong had not yet returned; Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, accompanied by the slender girl's joyful enthusiasm, led the maidservants to tidy up the residence.

Ye Ye Weilai broke away from the group alone and walked toward the back of the residence. She discovered an extensive bamboo grove within the inner courtyard.

This residence, decorated in the refined taste of the Chen Commandery Chen Jun Xie clan, appeared plain and modest from outside, yet inside, it revealed a hidden world.

The bamboo leaves were sparse, the stalks proud and upright.

Ye Ye Weilai faintly saw a small bamboo courtyard house nestled among the grove, its interior holding a green waterwheel and an empty swing.

Ye Ye Weilai brushed a strand of silver-white hair behind her ear with her pinky finger and walked toward the bamboo courtyard, as if certain someone had chosen this house to live in.

Soon after, inside the inner room of the bamboo courtyard, before a bamboo basket holding a man's sweat-stained undershirt, the girl who had "returned home" knelt on the floor, barefoot in white socks.

Her waist-length silver hair spilled onto the carpet.

She stared at the familiar undershirt, lost in thought for a moment—then suddenly buried her face, her pale nose brushing against the garments, her blue eyes narrowing like a cat's as she quietly sniffed.

The familiar scent of the man's sweat.

After a while, Ye Ye Weilai smiled with delight, picked up the bamboo basket, hummed a soft tune, and walked into the courtyard.

The girl squatted by the well, bending to wash clothes, her small face focused.

Zhen Zhen Shuyuan, Ye Ye Weilai, and the other women, upon arriving in Longcheng, spent the entire day tidying the residence.

As evening fell, the young, lazy Chief Clerk who had slacked off all day strolled back to the residence; no sooner had he stepped through the gate than a flock of beautiful young women rushed to greet him.

After half a year, they were reunited again.

Some people are dead, but not entirely dead…