Chapter 32: Mysterious Guest

Chu Jinyao watched helplessly as the little boy ran towards the middle of the road with his head down. She widened her eyes in shock and called out, “Be careful!”

The little boy was initially squatting next to the cloth shop and later ran to the middle of the road without warning. Right then that entourage of officers and soldiers arrived in an instant with their iron hoofs. Terrified, Chu Jinyao jumped in the direction of the little boy without even thinking.

Fortunately, Chu Jinyao grew up in the village, and because she did a lot of housework in her early years, her agility was much better than that of normal young ladies. As she pulled the little boy over, she quickly took him into her arms while thinking of returning to the roadside at the same time. But how could one be faster than a galloping horse? Chu Jinyao only felt that the scene in front of her turned dark, and she closed her eyes in reflex as she hugged the child tightly in her arms. Waves of screams emerged, and Chu Jinyao could vaguely hear Chu Jinxian calling out for her. In the chaos, Chu Jinyao could hear Qin Yi’s urgent and grave voice, “Raise your hand and step back!”

Chu Jinyao did not understand what was going on, but when she heard Qin Yi’s voice, she unconsciously raised her arms to protect herself. At this time, the sound of the wooden frame falling apart finally reached her ears. The wooden shed collapsed with a loud bang, and the people on both sides of the streets screamed uncontrollably at the sight.

Chu Jinyao felt her hand getting heavy before a wave of numbness and afterwards an everlasting pain flooded her brain. She opened her eyes in pain. The first thing she saw was the little boy. Perhaps the little boy was dumbfounded by the series of events, as he did not even move the slightest. Chu Jinyao swept a look at him and discovered that other than some dust on his face, there was nothing wrong with the boy at all. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief before she looked at her hand.

Her forearm seemed to have been scratched by the wooden frame that her sleeve was torn, and blood flowed all the way down to the palm of her hand. Chu Jinyao’s first reaction was to feel for the jade pendant. She seemed to have heard Qin Yi’s voice just then. The jade pendant must not be broken! Chu Jinyao did not care about the blood on her hands as she quickly felt for the jade pendant through the silk string. Upon feeling the smooth and round jade pendant, she finally let out a long sigh.

After feeling relieved, Chu Jinyao only then discovered that her legs were weak. She was hugging the little boy as she half squatted on the streets and could not even stand up at all.

Chu Jinxian was almost scared to death by the scene just now. She hurriedly ran over with the maids and saw Chu Jinyao’s hand was bleeding like a river, but she was blankly holding a jade pendant. A wave of anger rushed over Chu Jinxian. “Why are you still caring about the jade pendant? Quickly help Fifth Young Lady up. Qing He, go look for a physician quickly!”

Chu Jinxian brought the maids and carefully supported Chu Jinyao’s other arm as she helped her up. At this time, a woman wearing a peach red jacket ran over and pulled the little boy up to look at him before bursting into tears as she hugged the child. “You are a debt collector. You scared mother to death!”

After the woman cried for a while, she quickly pulled the little boy over to bow to Chu Jinyao. “Quickly kneel down to thank benefactor!”

With the help of the maid, Chu Jinyao could finally stand firmly. She saw the woman giving her a big bow and hurried to support her. “One cannot bear it. May Madam not do this!”

Chu Jinyao moved slightly, and the surrounding maids helped her support the Madam up. Chu Jinyao retrieved her hand and stood in place. Chu Jinxian then said, “This Madam, do watch after the child the next time. My younger sister’s hand is now injured, and we have to see the physician and thus will leave first.”

The owner of the brocade shop heard the attendant’s message and ran out hurriedly. At the sight of his only son, whom he had when he was old, his face turned ashen, and he recited the few phrases of Bodhisattva before running down the steps. “Thanking both young ladies. I, Qi De Sheng, will never forget Young Lady’s kindness and virtue! If Young Lady is looking for a physician, why not take a rest at this lowly one’s shop? I will instruct the attendants to call for the physician. It is better than letting benefactor head there with an injury!”

Chu Jinxian considered for a while before answering, “Alright, one has troubled Manager Qi.” Saying so, Chu Jinxian turned towards Chu Jinyao to question softly, “Can you walk now?”

Chu Jinyao nodded her head. “It is much better. I was so frightened just now that my legs did not obey me. I have since recovered.”

Qi De Sheng shouted over to the attendants, “Quickly show the benefactor a seat! Xiao Liu, quickly go to the inner courtyard and bring two pieces of clean white muslin over.”

Chu Jinxian helped Chu Jinyao walk into the store slowly. Qi De Sheng brocade shop was right next to the jewelry store, and the females of the residence of the Marquis of Changxing were talking to the Madams of the two officials and only turned their heads back when the people on the streets shouted. Afterwards, they saw Chu Jinyao hugging a child in the middle of the streets and an official riding a horse, yanking the reins and turning his head sharply, knocking down the wooden shed that the brocade shop had built outside.

Immediately after, Chu Jinyao ran out with her maids. It was extremely rude for a noble lady’s face and body to be seen by outsiders that it was not even possible for one to lift the curtains while sitting in a carriage, let alone running out to the middle of the road in broad daylight. The few Madams of the Chu family wanted to call out, but the accident happened before they could do it. Thus, they could only wait anxiously under the eaves. Now that Chu Jinxian accompanied Chu Jinyao back, they swarmed over to take a look at Chu Jinyao’s injuries.

Those females kept on questioning while Chu Jinyao endured the pain silently as she shook her head to indicate that she was fine. Madam Zhao, who stood in front, took a look and saw that there was a big slash on her hand and the bleeding had yet to stop. She was very angry. “Why did you run into the streets when I was talking to the two Madams?”

Chu Jinxian cut Madam Zhao’s words off. “Mother, say no more about it. It is important to treat Jinyao’s wounds first.”

The young ladies of the Chu family looked in curiously. As the Seventh Young Lady looked at Chu Jinyao’s hand, she said, “With so much blood, one fears that there will be scars in the future.”

Upon the word scar, the young ladies started murmuring. As a noble female, they were raised in the boudoir from young and would not leave the doors as if one were a clean, new, and precious thing, waiting to marry up in the future. If there was a scar, even if it was on the arm, it was not good to even speak about it.

Chu Jinyao was considered the most beautiful among the sisters, but now there was a big scar on her arm.

The young ladies seemed to have become closer to Chu Jinyao immediately. They asked after her current condition and if it was painful. Chu Jinyao did not have the energy to speak and kept smiling with a pale face in reply instead.

When Madam Zhao heard Seventh Young Lady speaking about leaving a scar, her expression turned sour. Madam Yan and the few looked at Chu Jinyao’s wounds and could only sighed with pity. However, Madam Zhao became angrier. Her eyes were widening as she spoke bitterly, “Who the hell did this? I want to see just who has the guts to hurt a daughter of my family in Taiyuan.”

As soon as Madam Zhao’s words fell, a servant from the residence of Marquis Changxing stepped up to speak with Madam Zhao, “May Marquis Madam wait for a moment. This lowly one will go teach them a lesson.”

Qi De Sheng was standing outside the periphery, waiting for a while. And when he heard those words, he took the opportunity to speak, “It so happens that this small shop has prepared hot water and clean cloth. I have already sent my staff to look for a physician, and he would arrive soon. May Madams and young ladies take a seat in this small shop so as not to be distracted by the people outside and offend the nobles.”

Madam Zhao replied, “Alright. Eunuch Liu, go and negotiate with those impertinent people. Even if they are officials and soldiers, in the boundaries of Taiyuan, no one dares to provoke our residence of the Marquis of Changxing.”

Eunuch Liu complied and bowed before stepping away from Madam Zhao. But after walking onto the streets, he became arrogant again. Chu Jinyao glanced in the direction of the group. These people were garbed in a warrior’s attire. Just now, when she was saving that child, she was pressed, and in order for that person to avoid her, he had forcefully pulled the reins of the horses at the nick of time and knocked onto the wooden shed. This person was so strong that he knocked apart the wooden shed. Chu Jinyao, too, deserved to be in this calamity. Even though she had avoided the horse’s hooves, she was cut by the fallen wood and injured her hand. In the end, blood was still seen.

The wooden shed had collapsed, and their horses seemed to be injured. Chu Jinyao watched as the few of them jumped off their horses and surrounded the person leading as if checking the injuries of the horse. They seemed to be arguing about something, but none of them looked over at the accidentally injured Chu Jinyao as they discussed fiercely.

To be this arrogant, at first glance, one was able to tell that these were officials and soldiers that came out on an official task. Chu Jinyao felt uncomfortable in her heart as they were already in the wrong for riding horses in the market area and almost trampled a child to death! If Chu Jinyao was not standing nearby and her actions were not as fast, one feared that this child would be either dead or disabled. It was heard that Manager Qi had gained a son when he was old and had only this sprout. Today, it was almost destroyed by these people.

If Chu Jinyao was still a commoner, she would have to endure this kind of matter as the common folks did not contend with officers. As long as everyone was fine, they would be thankful, so how would they dare to ask an explanation from these officials? It was fortunate that her current identity was vastly different, and she was in the privileged class. The Marquis of Changxing was the only Marquis in Taiyuan, and he had military in his hands, so all the officials in Shanxi would speak nicely to Marquis Changxing. As the Di-daughter of the Marquis of Changxing, she was qualified to seek justice.

“Jinyao, don’t look. These matters will be handled by the family, and you do not need to worry about it.” Chu Jinxian whispered in Chu Jinyao’s ears.

Chu Jinyao recovered to her senses and nodded slightly before withdrawing her gaze and no longer paying attention. She was somewhat emotional. It turned out that only by having power could she have the qualification to seek fairness. If she was still the past her, how would she dare to think about it?

Chu Jinyao was supported by the rest and headed towards the Qi family’s shop. Chu Jinyao did not feel that despite the reputation of her father, the Marquis of Changxing, she was unable to settle a small horse-riding incident. Thus, she regained her attention and had the time to notice other things. Chu Jinyao murmured to herself, Why did Qin Yi not speak? When there were fewer people, she would ask Qin Yi if he was scathed by the accident just now.

The females of the Chu family did not take that group seriously, as they were used to doing as they pleased in the city of Taiyuan and were highly respected. These group of officials had collided with highly respected people, so they would definitely come over to make amends. Why would they need to say more? Eunuch Liu also believed the same and walked majestically to those people and shouted, “You all are so brave! You all have almost made a grave mistake today. Do you know who those people are? They are the women of the residence of the Marquis of Changxing! You have actually frightened our residence’s Young Lady and still don’t hurry over to apologize to the nobles? Else, when our Marquis finds out, you will all be fired!”

However, the group of people actually ignored him. They spoke lowly, and the leader looked at the injured horse before speaking decisively, “Don’t worry about this horse. It is more important to settle the matter tasked by the Lord. That Taoist priest is like a ghost; if we were to be a little late, one fears that we will miss him again.”

The rest of them immediately agreed with their leader. One of them got off his horse and offered it to the leader. Eunuch Liu had never been ignored like this before and was unable to stomach it. Thus he shouted angrily, “Are you all deaf? Did you not hear that these are the women of the residence of the Marquis of Changxing? To be so negligent, you have to pay attention to your skin.”

“Presumptuous!” A younger male yelled back angrily as he pulled his knife out. Its sharp surface shone onto Eunuch Liu’s face and actually frightened him into taking a step back.

Chu Jinyao and the others had walked away, but upon hearing the movements here, they stopped and turned back in surprise. One feared that no one had expected that in the city of Taiyuan, someone would dare to not give the Marquis of Changxing face.

Madam Zhao’s face became solemn as she asked, “What is going on?”

When Eunuch Liu saw that Madam and the young ladies were looking in this direction, he refused to lose face. Thus he puffed up and pointed to those people to scold, “You are all riding horses in the middle of the streets and almost hurt the young lady of our Marquis residence; now you even dare to draw a sword? Whose subordinates are you guys? Report the names of your superiors. Will make you see how high the skies are and how dense the earth is. If not, you would think that you are the king of heavens and dare to offend all people.”

That young person sneered, “Even if we are allowed to speak of our master, one fears that you are not permitted to hear it.”

Eunuch Liu was furious, and just as he was about to question who his master was, he saw the leader stretching his hand out to the young person’s hilt, “The lord’s matter is pressing. Don’t care about these idle people.”

The arrogant young man immediately bowed his head and replied respectfully, “Yes.”

As soon as the leader spoke, the young and able men all complied and were about to mount their horses. Eunuch Liu was ignored repeatedly; Madam Zhao, Madam Yan, and the few who were watching from the sidelines were also annoyed. Madam Zhao said, “You all are so bold! Someone come and surround them. I want to see which of you dares to leave!”

The servants of the Marquis residence immediately stepped forward and surrounded this group of people. Their leader became extremely impatient as he widened his eyes and spoke coldly, “If you want your lives, then get out of the way!”

Qi De Sheng had been by Chu Jinyao and the rest of their sides, waiting for the people of the Marquis residence to give instructions. Even though he was an Imperial merchant, due to the ranking systems of scholars, farmers, and skilled workers then merchants, he was considered the lowest in rank and dared not raise his voice at these officials. Thus, he let the residence of the Marquis of Changxing call the shots on this matter. As long as the Marquis Madam handled these people, it could be considered that he had vented the anger for his only son. He would later gift the young ladies of the Marquis residence more fabrics as thanks. Qi De Sheng had been standing around without interjecting, but when he heard the voice of the leader, his expression suddenly changed.

Qi De Sheng immediately turned around to look at this person. Just now, he felt something was wrong, and now upon looking closely, he was able to see some clues. The person leading seemed to have strong martial arts; his face was pale and beardless with bright eyes. Qi De Sheng took a closer look at the leader’s chin, and at that moment, he dared not ask for any justice. He quickly said to Madam Zhao, “Madam, let’s forget about today’s matter. Quickly let these people carry on with their way!”

Madam Zhao also felt that something was not right, and her heart trembled. She did not hear it just now, but after the person spoke loudly, she realized the strangeness of his voice. Madam Zhao was terrified, and seeing Qi Deng Sheng handing the stage over, she quickly said, “Eunuch Liu, quickly bring the people back. Since Fifth Young Lady and the Manager’s child are both fine, this matter today would be let go.”

As soon as Madam Zhao’s words were spoken, Eunuch Liu immediately withdrew dejectedly. Why did he feel that the identity of this group was not right somewhere?

The servants of the residence of the Marquis of Changxing retreated to the side with their tails between their legs while Madam Zhao and the rest slightly lowered their heads and remained silent. The rest of the commoners who were watching the excitement then shrank their necks back and made way for the group of people. The Marquis residence did not even dare to offend these people, so how could they, the ordinary folks, dare to say no?

Chu Jinyao watched as the Chu family and the others retreated like this. She was awash with disbelief and became angry. She ignored her wounds and took a slight step forward, approaching the leading official with her clear eyes. “You all were riding horses in a busy market and almost hurt someone, but you did not even say a word? It is fortunate that nothing happened to this child; otherwise, a life would have been wasted by you!”

The Chu family was shocked at Chu Jinyao’s words. Madam Zhao shouted, “There is no place for you to speak here. Quickly come back!”

Chu Jinxian also swiftly reached out to pull her, but Chu Jinyao continued to stare at that group of people, insisting that they give an explanation.

Tang Xin Yi, the leader, turned his head and glanced at Chu Jinyao. His complexion was an unhealthy white, as if he had not seen the sun all year round. Currently, there was no expression on his dead pale face as he looked at Chu Jinyao emotionlessly.

Chu Jinxian whispered into Chu Jinyao’s ears, “He is most probably an attending GongGong. We cannot afford to provoke, so quickly come back.”

An Eunuch? Chu Jinyao was really surprised. She knew that the eunuchs and the JinYiWei were so famous that even the Imperial relatives would not dare to provoke these two types of people. However, since he was an eunuch, why would he appear here? Chu Jinyao could not think of a reason, but she understood that she could only endure the injustice today.

Tang Xin Yi looked at Chu Jinyao for a while and discovered that this female not only dared to stop them but even dared to question him. Even though she was enlightened by her older sister, her eyes were still filled with accusations. He turned his face away and flipped onto his horses before tightening the reins to gallop forward.

This team of powerful officials and soldiers came quickly and galloped away just as quickly. The people on the streets gave way to them in a distance, and no one dared to speak loudly at all.

When this group of people were far away, Madam Zhao, Madam Yan, and the rest breathed a sigh of relief, “They are finally gone!. One’s life is fortunate. Fifth Young Lady was very rude to that GongGong, but he did not care.”

Even Madam Zhao recited Buddhist chants, “Amitabha. It is really the blessing of Buddha. Jinyao, you are just too reckless. It is fortunate that GongGong was magnanimous and did not pursue it with you. Upon returning to the residence, you must sincerely offer two incense sticks to Bodhisattva.”

Chu Jinyao complied reluctantly. She could not help but look back at the direction Tang Xin Yi left. This group of people were so fierce that they did not hold back their arrogance in the city at all. Chu Jinyao asked Chu Jinxian quietly, “Older Sister, was that person really a GongGong?”

“Yes.” Chu Jinyao had grown up among the commoners and would not have had any opportunity to come into contact with eunuchs. Even though it was Chu Jinxian’s first time seeing an eunuch, she grew up in the Marquis residence; thus, under such influence, she knew a lot about the palace taboos. Chu Jinxian remembered that Chu Jinyao had no idea about these things and told her, “That person who was leading just now had bright eyes, a pale face, no beard, and a shrill voice. He is most likely from the palace. People like them are not simple, and we cannot afford to provoke such people. It would be better to avoid them.”

“Turns out to be a eunuch…” Chu Jinyao muttered to herself. She habitually asked Qin Yi, “Eunuch should wait upon the Emperor and Empress in the Palace; what are they doing here in Taiyuan?”

“What did you say?” Chu Jinxian vaguely heard Chu Jinyao specking and asked her.

Chu Jinyao suddenly realized she was still outside and shook her head with a smile at Chu Jinxian. “Nothing; I am just talking nonsense to myself.”

Chu Jinxian asked no further and warned in a soft voice after a while, “In the future, you must not be this reckless.”

“… Yes.” Chu Jinyao knew that Eldest Sister was doing it for her own good. The world was as such; powerful eunuchs were rampant, the secret guards were in power, and each layer would oppress the next. Even if she was dissatisfied, what could she do? She had indeed been reckless today. She had no qualifications to question the GongGong of the Heaven’s family.

Qi De Sheng had never expected to see a GongGong! He was dripping of cold sweat. Today, his son had run into these high-ranked people’s horses and almost got into an accident. The more he thought about it, the more he was afraid. Fortunately, they had left like this, without anything happening. He was only a small, lowly Imperial merchant; how could he provoke such personages?

Qi De Sheng’s legs trembled, and he only managed to clam down with great difficulty. After leading everyone from the residence of Marquis Changxing into his store, he instructed loudly, “Quickly serve tea to the nobles.”

He wiped the sweat off his forehead and spoke to Chu Jinyao, “May benefactor quickly sit down. It is my sin to have delayed you for so long. Quickly bring the hot water over to wash the benefactor’s wounds.”

It was only then that Chu Jinyao remembered that her injuries were not bandaged yet. After the shock and experience, she had almost forgotten that she was injured. Fortunately, after such a delay, the physician had arrived, so she entered the inner room to let him diagnose and treat her. The maids cleaned her wounds, and after much fuss, her hands were finally treated.

When Chu Jinyao walked out, she discovered that Manager Qi had brought out a lot of brightly colored silks and satins. Upon seeing Chu Jinyao, he greeted her warmly, “Thanking Young Lady for reaching out to help; this little one is very grateful. This lowly one only has a single sprout, and if it were not for Young Lady’s help, one fears that this lowly one would be in a situation where the white-haired would be sending the black-haired, and there would be no one to send me off in the future.”

Chu Jinyao quickly avoided it, and Qi De Sheng felt the fear afterwards: “This lowly one and wife are very grateful for Young Lady’s actions. This little one has the surname Qi and is named De Sheng. One’s ancestors have been in the cloth business and, fortunately, gained the title of Imperial merchant a few years back. Thus, one has been guarding the foundations laid by one’s ancestors and doing some silk business. Today, Young Lady has saved this lowly one’s only sprout, and this lowly one has nothing to show one’s gratitude. Even though these things are not one of a thousand of Young Lady’s kindness, these are from the hearts of this lowly one and wife. May Young Lady not refuse.”

Chu Jinyao saw four or five attendants behind Manager Qi, and each of them was holding a stack of silk bolts. Chu Jinyao quickly said, “How could one stand it? Anyone would have stepped forward when a child meets such a situation; you must not say such things.”

Chu Jinyao did not have any reaction when she heard the name Qi De Sheng, but Madam Yan was speechless. The Qi family’s cloth business was quite reputable. They had branches inside and outside of ShanXi. Unexpectedly, this was the first manager of the Qi family.

Madam Yan secretly peeked at Chu Jinyao. This lady was sure lucky to accidentally rescue the only sprout of the first manager of the Qi family. This kind of favor was valuable. Madam Yan had been annoyed with Chu Jinyao until now, as she had provoked Jin Yuan GongGong for nothing, but now she was jealous of the lady’s luck. It was indeed good to be able to confer a favor on the Little Young Master of the Qi family’s cloth business.

Madam Yan’s mentality was such that she wanted the horse to run but also did not want it to eat. It was fortunate that Chu Jinyao ignored these small-minded aunts and sisters . It would be a lie if Chu Jinyao said that her heart was not moved when Manager Qi brought out so many bolts of silk and satin, but she was really embarrassed to accept such a heavy gift from others. However, Manager Qi could not stand for it and insisted till he loaded them into Chu Jinyao’s carriage uncaringly. He then bowed towards the female members of the Chu family and said, “Fifth Young Lady is this lowly one’s benefactor, and everyone is important in my shop. To tell you all the truth, I have not seen such important and reputable personages ever since I was born who look like fairies. Just a few nobles standing here would be enough to make this lowly shop flourish. This lowly shop does not have much to entertain, so how about this? Whatever Madams and young ladies like, just pick from the store. Just take whichever bolt of cloth that you like. This is what I, Qi De Sheng, gift to every noble!”

Madam Yan and the rest were overjoyed at the words. They had just obtained jewelry from Old Madam Chu and now even gained a bolt of silk. It was not that Madam Yan and the rest had not seen good things before nor were their eyes that shallow, but they were unable to withstand Manager Qi’s eloquence. Thus, in the end, everyone happily chose their fabrics. When they were attracted to other fabrics, the residence of Marquis Changxing was not that shabby and naturally bought them too. In the end, both parties were overwhelmed.

Chu Jinyao faintly realized that these things that Qi De Sheng gave were not only to thank her for saving his life but also to win over the residence of Marquis Changxing as a big customer. After figuring this out, she no longer refused and let Manager Qi stuff things into her maids’ arms.

Chu Jinyao had come out empty-handed but finally returned with a full load.

Chu Jinxian bought a number of headgears for her; Madam Zhao could only bleed heavily when buying her a headgear due to Chu Jinxian’s deliberate comparison, and before leaving, Manager Qi had stuffed half a carriage of fabrics for her. Jiegeng and the rest had received instructions to move the items at the second gate, and they almost thought they had misheard.

Manager Qi had gifted in front of everyone, so no one in the residence of the Marquis of Changxing would push to have a cut of it; thus, Chu Jinyao openly brought everything back to her little courtyard. She watched as the maids counted the fabrics and noted them down in the booklet before filling up two mahogany boxes until they could not even squeeze their two fingers in when they locked it. Even though she was frightened today, there was no danger, and it was really satisfying to be able to see all these upon her return.

Chu Jinyao went back to the room happily. She chased all the maids out before carefully closing her doors and whispered to Qin Yi, “Qi Ze, did you see? I saved a child today and received a lot of compensation. Sure enough, good deeds would be rewarded.”

Qin Yi did not respond, even after a while. She thought that Qin Yi was still angry that she hurt her hand again and smiled as she continued, “Are you angry? In such a situation, I did not have any other choice. I couldn’t just watch as a child got hurt. Fortunately, simple people receive simple fortune. It was just a false alarm. Oh yes, did you see that GongGong today? He turned out to be a eunuch from the palace!”

Chu Jinyao chattered incessantly, but Qin Yi still did not answer. Her heart sank as she quickly untied the jade pendant to take it out.

The jade pendant was still warm, but the red flakes inside had all disappeared. Chu Jinyao’s blood was on the strings, but there wasn’t a speck on the pendant at all.

Chu Jinyao’s hands were trembling, and she did not care about the wound as she took a close look at the pendant. The sun shone quietly on the jade, and there were no movements at all.

It was as if it were an ever more ordinary jade.

“Qi Zi.”