Chapter 52

Songyang Prefecture.

One of the Eight Prefectures of Yunzhou, with vast territory and abundant resources.

Its prefectural city is even more magnificent, with a permanent population of nearly ten million, constant flow of merchant caravans, truly a place of prosperity.

After more than ten days of long journey, the caravan of Liuhe Martial Arts Hall finally arrived beneath the city walls of Songyang Prefecture.

Beneath the towering and sturdy city walls, a line of soldiers stood on both sides, maintaining order for those entering the city.

Caravans from all directions queued up long lines beneath the city walls, with dedicated city guards interrogating passing merchants and inspecting goods entering the city.

The caravan of Liuhe Martial Arts Hall was empty, and since Wang Guanshi had traveled back and forth to the prefectural city many times and was somewhat acquainted with the city guards, they were quickly allowed through.

Upon entering the city, Wang Fugui, familiar with the way, led everyone to lodge at an inn in the city.

"You three have worked hard on the journey; as for the upcoming purchase of medicinal herbs, I and my assistants will handle it. During this time, you three may freely move about in Songyang Prefecture City; once the purchase is complete, we will return to Heishui City."

Just as they settled down, Wang Fugui, with a beaming face, found Qin Shuo and the three others and said the above.

He also told the three that among the medicinal herbs to be purchased this time, there were many rare spiritual herbs.

Even in Songyang Prefecture City, they might not always be available, so the purchasing time might be longer than before—possibly as short as five days, as long as seven days—should be sufficient to complete the purchase thoroughly.

As for the purchasing matter, Qin Shuo and the three others originally knew nothing about it, so naturally they entrusted full authority to Wang Guanshi to handle it on his own.

After Wang Fugui left, Song Yan then spoke: "Junior Brother Qin, I plan to return home today; will you come with me to the Song Family, or first wander around the city with Senior Brother?"

"I don't want to wander; I'd rather go early to the Song Family Library to take a look." Qin Shuo said calmly.

"What about you, Senior Brother? Are you really not going with Junior Brother Qin to visit my Song Family?" Song Yan invited with a smile.

Even on the way to the prefectural city, Song Yan had told Lin Feng that Qin Shuo would return with her to the Song Family, and at that time she also invited Lin Feng to join them.

But Lin Feng, saying it was rare to come to the prefectural city once, wanted to properly see the prosperity of Songyang Prefecture, politely declined.

At this moment, about to part, Song Yan extended the invitation again, but Lin Feng laughed and shook his head, saying:

"No, with me, this middle-aged uncle here, you young ones can't let loose; I'd rather stroll around on my own."

After over half a month of shared hardship, the relationship among the three had clearly improved greatly compared to before in the martial arts hall.

Even the usually serious Lin Feng would occasionally joke, teasing Qin Shuo and Song Yan.

As for this, Qin Shuo had long grown accustomed to it and paid it no mind.

On the contrary, Song Yan, upon hearing these words, blushed inexplicably on her cheeks, actually feeling somewhat shy.

However, she was not some naive girl; this flutter of emotion was soon suppressed by her, and she left the inn with Qin Shuo.

The Song Family's influence in the prefectural city is not low.

Their residence is on the same major street as the City Lord's Mansion; those who come and go here are all dressed in fine silks, full of grandeur.

Qin Shuo and Song Yan walked along this major street, constantly receiving strange glances, many of them contemptuous, as if looking at two beggars.

But when they saw them walking straight toward the Song Family residence, those strange glances instantly turned into astonishment and awe.

Especially when someone among them recognized Song Yan, they became as if avoiding snakes and scorpions, hastily retreating.

"Senior Sister Song, they seem to be afraid of you."

Qin Shuo glanced sideways with his peripheral vision at those few youths hurrying away, and said with a teasing smile.

"They are not afraid of me, but afraid of the Song Family."

Song Yan spoke in a flat tone, revealing no joy or anger, yet giving off an air of aloofness and detachment, as if keeping people at a thousand miles' distance.

It was as if this place was not her home, but rather a place of sorrow she did not wish to mention.

Qin Shuo recalled Song Yan's family marriage engagement, and involuntarily worried: "Senior Sister, if you bring me back home, will it bring you any trouble?"

"This is my home; I bring my own junior brother to stay a few days—what trouble could there be?"

Song Yan noticed Qin Shuo's concern, set aside her coldness toward outsiders, and smiled lightly:

"Junior Brother, rest assured; although I have some unpleasantness with the family, the Song Family has always treated people with courtesy. You merely wish to enter the Library to consult some classics—no one will make things difficult for you, nor will anyone cause trouble for you because of me."

"Good! Good!" Qin Shuo nodded repeatedly.

Regarding Song Yan's family marriage engagement, he does not know the details, nor is it appropriate to judge right or wrong.

This time, he came merely to consult the Song Family Library for methods to cultivate the Vajra Buddha Nature.

As for other matters, he does not wish to involve himself, nor does he have the ability to do so.

Perhaps seeing Qin Shuo and Song Yan standing outside the gate, observing silently without movement, a gatekeeper in servant attire immediately stepped out of the gate, stood on the stone steps, and shouted at the two:

"Who are you, sneaking around here, doing what?"

Upon hearing the gatekeeper's words, Song Yan's face turned cold, just about to erupt, when another, older gatekeeper also came out.

That old gatekeeper, upon seeing Song Yan, immediately changed expression, bent his waist, hurried forward with small steps, and smiled obsequiously: "So it's the Eldest Miss returning."

He turned and glared fiercely at the young gatekeeper, scolding: "You blind dog thing, open your dog eyes wide and see clearly—this is the Eldest Miss."

Then he turned to Song Yan to explain: "Eldest Miss, please don't blame; this blind thing is someone who only came in the past few months, taking over the old servant's shift, having never seen the Miss's noble visage; please, Eldest Miss, do not hold it against him."

The young gatekeeper, upon hearing that the person before him was the Eldest Miss of the Song Family who had left home years ago, immediately went weak in the legs, nearly collapsing to sit on the ground.

The Song Family's rules are strict, and discipline over servants is extremely severe.

If Song Yan truly held it against him, he would inevitably receive a beating and have his wages deducted.

Though a beating is nothing, if his wages were deducted, how could his wailing infant son and his elderly mother lying in bed waiting to gather medicine cope?

The young gatekeeper was anxious and uneasy.

Song Yan led Qin Shuo up the steps, and after passing the two, entering the gate, she then coldly said: "Let this not happen again."

Upon hearing those words, the old and young both felt as if granted a great pardon, fine sweat seeping from their foreheads.

"I was scared to death!"

The youth's face turned pale; while calming his agitated emotions, he vigorously wiped sweat with his sleeve.

As for the old gatekeeper, his expression tightened, his voice stern: "Still standing there doing what? Hurry up and inform Steward Luo."

"Yes, inform Steward Luo."

The young gatekeeper finally reacted, hurriedly running to the vermilion-lacquered gate and pulling hard on the bell rope that led directly to the steward, alerting him that guests had arrived.

The Song Mansion occupies a vast area.

As Qin Shuo and Song Yan had just passed through two courtyards, they saw a plump steward, smiling broadly, come forward to greet them.

"Young Miss, you're back, the old lady has been thinking of you every day, you've finally returned."

Saying this, he reached out to take the items Song Yan was carrying in her hands, all gifts she had prepared for the family.

Song Yan didn't stand on ceremony, handing over the items in her hands to the plump steward, then said: "Where is my mother now?"

"In the Back Courtyard watering the flowers, I'll take you there right away."

The plump steward said and was about to step forward to lead the way, but was stopped by Song Yan: "I can go by myself."

Afterwards, she turned her head to look at Qin Shuo and introduced: "This is my junior martial brother, arrange an upper-class guest room for him, then take him to the Library. If anyone tries to stop him, say it was my arrangement."

"Yes."

The plump steward dared not defy, quickly nodding in response.

"Junior martial brother, I haven't returned home in a long time and haven't seen my mother for ages, so I won't bother with you.

If you have any requests, you can go to Steward Luo and he'll take care of everything for you. After I've seen my mother, I'll come find you again."

Upon learning that her mother was in the Back Garden, Qin Shuo could clearly feel Song Yan's urgency, and immediately nodded, saying: "Senior sister, rest assured, I will take good care of myself."

Song Yan then gave a few more instructions to the plump steward, telling him not to neglect Qin Shuo, before hurrying off to find her own mother.

After Song Yan left, the plump steward then said amiably: "May I ask how the young master should be addressed?"

"I am Qin Shuo."

"Young Master Qin, come with me."

The plump steward brought Qin Shuo to a secluded courtyard, instructed the maidservants attending the guest rooms to prepare food and fresh clothes for Qin Shuo, and only then said:

"Young Master Qin, please rest for a while; after you've finished lunch, this old servant will take you to the Library."

"Thank you, Steward Luo." Qin Shuo bowed with clasped hands.

"It's my duty."

The plump steward smiled and withdrew from Qin Shuo's courtyard, and only after walking far away from the estate did Luo Wansong wipe the smile from his face, sternly saying to a blue-clad young servant beside him: "Go to the Tian Mansion, find Tian Bai, and tell him the Young Miss has returned."

"And she has brought a junior martial brother named Qin Shuo."