Chapter 43: Senior Sister, I Hope You Are Well

Jin State, Central Capital Daxing Prefecture.

After a day and night of nonstop trekking, Niu Dingtian finally arrived at Fengyi Gate of the Jin State capital at noon on the second day.

Having abandoned his horse, he walked faster, yet by now he was already dust‑covered and weary.

A trace of fatigue appeared on his face, dust settled in his hair, and even his boots and blue robe were stained with mud, no longer resembling a dashing young gentleman.

Entering the city, pedestrians bustled everywhere, weaving through the endless stream of carts and horses, hurrying to their respective destinations.

On both sides, taverns, inns, cloth shops, tea stalls, shoe stores were countless. Numerous wandering vendors swarmed like ants, and performers' stalls rang with shouts, calls, and sales cries, while customers came and went incessantly.

The whole city seemed to pulse with unending activity.

The splendor of Jin State's Central Capital was no less than that of the Song dynasty's Lin'an City. At this time, Jin State was a suzerain of the Song.

Since the Emperor Gaozong of the south submitted a tribute to Jin State, massive annual tribute shipments have poured into the Central Capital. Coupled with the earlier Sinicization policies of Emperor Xizong of Jin, and now with the pig‑headed ruler in power, the capital has flourished.

Weaving through the crowd, Niu Dingtian soon arrived at an inn.

Actually, the Central Capital also has the Immortal Drunk Tower, but this time is different; after all, venturing into the tiger's den means undertaking great deeds.

He didn't know how chaotic it would become, but to keep the Immortal Drunk Tower from being affected, he decided it was better to go less often.

"Ah~ Sir, please come inside. Young master, just a snack or staying the night?"

As soon as he entered the gate, a slender waiter hurriedly bowed and greeted him.

"A fine guest room, several signature dishes, and a bucket of hot water for a bath,"

"Later I'll send the young master out to buy a few things; the rest is up to you."

Niu Dingtian tossed a silver coin casually and repeatedly instructed the waiter.

"Thank you, young master! Please proceed upstairs!"

Hearing that a major client had arrived, the waiter grew even more enthusiastic and hurried to usher him upstairs.

After entering the guest room, a large bucket of hot water was brought in shortly thereafter; once the staff left, Niu Dingtian stripped off his clothes and relaxed into the bath.

Half an hour later

When he emerged from the guest room again, Niu Dingtian was completely refreshed from head to toe.

Clad in a brand‑new blue robe and black boots, holding a folding fan, eyes bright as stars, eyebrows split into eight hues, he looked as gentle as jade and as dashing as a young gentleman.

After all, he was to meet Senior Sister tonight, his youthful white moonlight, so Niu Dingtian couldn't help but dress himself meticulously.

At that moment, he recalled the pretentious folding‑fan techniques; it seemed he needed to find time to practice them, for his future reputation in the jianghu would change, and the Divine Sect's leader should exude the proper aura.

"Young master, please proceed to the second floor! Your drinks and dishes are ready!"

The downstairs waiter, seeing Niu Dingtian head upstairs, hurried over to guide him to a wine pavilion on the second floor, a private dining room. The ground floor had "open seats," where wandering heroes ate heartily.

"Please enjoy, young master; just summon me if you need anything."

One pot of Immortal Drunk, four northern dishes, and a bowl of plain rice. After the waiter left the wine pavilion, Niu Dingtian began drinking alone.

With each cup of wine down his throat, his mind began to ponder the plan to go to Prince Zhao's Mansion tonight.

That dear nephew Yang Kang would definitely have to be taken away.

Regardless of whether Yang Kang has become wayward now, in the end he is Senior Sister's beloved. He can be gradually guided later.

Could he still overturn the heavens?

Amidst his swirling thoughts, the pot of wine was empty; after casually taking a few bites of rice, Niu Dingtian left the inn.

He planned to scout the area first.

Since Jin State moved its capital to Daxing Prefecture, the city's layout shifted from the neighborhood‑block system to the lane‑ward system. Today, the Central Capital contains Kaiyang East Ward, Kaiyang West Ward, Xianzhong Ward, Yanjing Ward, and so on. Yet nobles of each dynasty mostly prefer residing in the East Ward, as the left side has traditionally been esteemed, coinciding with the eastern position.

After reaching the East Ward, the streets grew increasingly quiet, and before his eyes stood numerous mansions, coiled like dragons, crouching like tigers—truly impressive.

For safety, without probing passing pedestrians, he wandered aimlessly through two streets and finally found a residence whose entrance bore three gilded characters:

Prince Zhao's Mansion!

Late at night, the hour of Hai, the night was dark and the wind high.

At that moment, the street outside the inn was almost deserted; suddenly, a dark silhouette flashed out from a building and vanished into the night in the blink of an eye.

Inside Prince Zhao's Mansion

Princess Consort Bao Xiruo, after finishing dinner with her son, as usual returned alone to the dilapidated hut.

Today, the Great Jin State is the most formidable power among nations, and Prince Zhao Wanyan Honglie holds great authority and a lofty position at court.

What many fail to realize is that the nominal lady of the mansion has, for ten years, lived day after day in an old hut within the estate.

Although Wanyan Honglie had, in previous years, sent her gold and silver daily, along with various beautiful ornaments, rare treasures, and fine silks.

Yet she never felt any interest; she thought living in that hut felt more grounded.

Back inside, Bao Xiruo sat by the window, propping her fragrant cheek, reading by oil lamp; suddenly bored, she picked up needlework from a side table and began stitching.

It was a craft she had learned over a decade ago in Hongmei Village.

When her mother died, she would mend her father's clothes; later a junior disciple joined the household and she mended his as well; eventually she married into Niu Village and began mending her husband's garments.

Thinking of her husband Yang Tiexin, a complex feeling rose in her heart; after a pause, she couldn't help sighing.

At that moment, wind rose outside; the gust here was far harsher than the chill of Jiangnan, and if it slipped into the sleeves, it made one shiver.

The cold wind blew, and soon snowflakes drifted into the courtyard; she hurried up to close the doors and windows tightly.

Somehow, after sealing the doors and windows, she felt the interior stifling; she glanced at the needlework, sighed, donned a cloak, and stepped into the courtyard.

She wanted to get some fresh air.

Compared with the bitter cold of Niu Village, the mansion was indeed more comfortable, yet no matter how she lived there, it wasn't as cozy as the hut.

The snow fell heavier, soon forming a carpet on the ground, and Bao Xiruo stood there, lost in thought.

In a daze, a gentle voice seemed to whisper beside his ear:

"Senior Sister, I hope you have been well."

Please note any typos or garbled sentences, thank you.

(End of Chapter)