Chapter 82: An Excursion

As the new year passed, the weather grew warmer by the day. Before the festival, all the salt merchants, eager to please Gan Sui, had paid their salt taxes promptly. After the new year, once all official matters were settled, Gan Sui even hosted a banquet specifically to thank the major salt merchants—a picture of perfect harmony between government and commerce.

After the banquet, with everyone slightly tipsy, a group of them suggested heading to the Pleasure Garden. It was a fine destination, famed for its endless array of delights—anything one could imagine, the people within could provide. Of course, the price of such pleasures was high.

The Pleasure Garden had only risen to fame in recent years, renowned for its exquisitely trained “Yangzhou Willows.” Rumor had it that the true owner behind the scenes was Young Master Gongsun, the junior head of the Salt Guild. But most dismissed this—what would a salt merchant’s son know of such refined amusements? The official mistress of the garden was a woman, once the celebrated courtesan of Yangzhou, Miss Yin Hong. In her youth, she had been peerless, later redeemed by an unknown patron. It was said, however, that she had fallen on hard times and returned to the world of pleasure.

Perhaps it was heartbreak that made her so aloof, with a cold, untouchable beauty—like a goddess none dared offend. Though she was now past her prime, her charms lingered, drawing many admirers who came just to glimpse her. Yet most were soon dazzled by the garden’s novelties; after all, those who came here rarely sought lasting affection, but only fleeting pleasures.

As the salt merchants entered, their wealth drew the attention of a flock of beauties who swarmed forward, their flirtations pouring out like running water, their eyes brimming with longing as if they had pined for centuries. The merchants were left weak at the knees. President Liu, more experienced, dismissed the women, insisting they talk business first and enjoy themselves later.

Once the doors were shut, their conversation turned frank.

“I think this Prefect is just someone who shies away from trouble,” one said. “He doesn’t dare take bribes, but neither does he dare offend us. With the busy salt season about to begin, perhaps we should be proactive—raise the salt tax a little this year. That would make things easier for him, and for us as well.”

“But if we raise it directly, won’t that be too obvious? What if he decides to investigate…”

“Now is the perfect time. If he dares investigate, then we’ll simply go all in and ruin him for good.”

“I’ll have to consult our contact first—no need for anyone to get anxious. Rest assured, there’ll be plenty of profit for all. Enjoy yourselves; I’ll go seek advice.”

“President Liu, you work hard. We’ll make sure Ting’er stays with you,” another joked, and the group burst into laughter.

President Liu smiled and headed toward the inner courtyard.

Unlike the noisy front hall, the inner courtyard was tranquil and heavily guarded, with sentries every few steps. Liu Yucai always felt oppressed upon entering. The servant leading the way kept his head lowered, his voice hoarse, lending an even gloomier air to the night. Liu followed closely as they wound their way to the innermost chamber.

“The Young Master is waiting for you inside.”

“Thank you.”

As Liu entered, the scent of medicinal herbs wafted over him. This Young Master was always behind a screen, never seen directly, and always surrounded by the smell of medicine. Liu disliked coming here, finding it unlucky, but… he glanced at the table. Anything that brought profit—even a ghost—he would greet with a smile.

“Is your health improving, Young Master?” Liu asked with the practiced smile of a merchant.

“Spring always brings a relapse… thank you for asking…” A string of coughs broke out, sounding as if life itself was about to slip away.

Liu had to fight the urge to cover his mouth and nose.

“President Liu…”

“Yes?”

“The deposit from Qu City is on the table. This year they alone are taking 250,000 piculs…”

“Two… two hundred fifty thousand… That’s truly…”

“I’ve brought the salt warrants as well; they’re on the table. But I hear you haven’t yet won over the new Prefect… This is not encouraging! With such a large order, if someone interferes…”

“No, never, absolutely not. Rest assured, I have already discussed with my associates; this year we’ll pay thirty percent more in salt tax. The government salt will be ready as always. When that Gan fellow reports to the court, he’ll have nothing to trouble us with.”

“Don’t underestimate the Prefect. In just five years, he’s risen from commoner to Prefect of Yangzhou. That takes skill and resolve.”

“We’re all on guard, and we have people watching him. You can trust nothing will go wrong.”

“It’s not just about me… it’s about yourselves. President Liu, remember, all of this is for your own benefit. When making money, you all spare no effort—if trouble comes, you must be equally resourceful. This is a business that risks lives. If I recall, your grandson just turned one month old?”

“Yes, he did, just before the new year.”

“Then you must be careful, lest you lose everything—down to the roots.”

“Yes, we will be extremely cautious.”

Only after leaving did Liu realize his back was drenched in cold sweat. Outside, the once alluring voices seemed like the shrieks of demons, and he no longer felt any desire for jest. Clutching the items inside his robe, he stumbled home.

In April, the peach blossoms outside the city bloomed splendidly. The wife of Deputy Magistrate Han invited Banxia to the temple outside the city to burn incense and admire the temple’s peach trees, saying the nun’s peach blossom cakes were a local delicacy. Banxia accepted, and they rode a carriage out to the temple.

“The Prefect must be busy lately, with salt season upon us. All sides must be coordinated, but once that’s done, things will settle down,” said Mrs. Han.

“I don’t mind, but the Deputy Magistrate is busy with my husband, leaving you alone, Sister Meng.”

“Oh, I’d rather he be busy. Otherwise, he’d just be spending time with those fox-like women. When he’s busy, at least I don’t have to see it.”

After months of acquaintance, Banxia knew Mrs. Han was outspoken. “That’s not fair, Sister Meng. I think the Deputy Magistrate cares for you a lot.”

“We’re an old married couple. How can that compare to those seductive creatures? Not everyone is like Lord Gan, faithful only to you. I hear President Liu has sent beauties to your house, but Lord Gan refused them all. Sister, teach me how you manage your husband so well—I’d like to do the same.”

Banxia found this hard to answer; perhaps it was her modern upbringing valuing monogamy, or perhaps Gan Sui’s own character. “I haven’t done anything special…”

“See? It’s enough to drive one mad with envy. When a man’s heart is true, no matter the temptations, he stays faithful. But most men, one look from a pretty woman and their soul is gone. Let’s not dwell on these vexing things. Do you know what this temple is most famous for?”

“The Goddess of Mercy who grants children,” Banxia recalled from the maids’ gossip.

“Not just that—the fortune-telling for marriage is also quite accurate. I have little hope for myself, but I want to have my daughter’s fate told.”

“Yuzhu is such a good girl—cultured, sensible, and beautiful. Her marriage is bound to be good.”

“That’s true, but I still worry. If a girl marries the wrong man, she’ll suffer her whole life in silence. Just the other day, the Weaving Commissioner’s wife quarreled with her daughter.”

“Really?” Banxia’s curiosity was piqued. “But that’s understandable—children have their own ideas. It’s normal to be headstrong at times.”

“It’s more than that. I heard the Weaving Commissioner’s wife has locked her daughter up. My maid’s cousin works in their house and overheard that the young lady has fallen for someone and wants to break off her engagement to a family in the capital. Such foolishness! Parents always act in their daughter’s best interest. These sheltered girls are easy prey to heartless men, seduced by sweet words. If a man is truly capable, let him prove himself instead of turning a girl against her family.”

“I remember the young lady as composed and graceful at her coming-of-age ceremony—she didn’t seem the type.”

“Girls always get the worst of it. I have a distant relative whose beloved daughter was pampered from birth, only to be bewitched by a servant and elope. She returned pregnant, half out of her mind. These young girls just don’t know enough of the world…”

Banxia’s mind turned unexpectedly to a pair of ruby earrings—the weaving commissioner’s daughter, the salt guild’s young master—perhaps this story was more interesting than she had imagined.

The temple stood halfway up the mountain; there were porters at the base, but Banxia and Mrs. Han preferred to walk, enjoying the spring sunshine, the flower-scented breeze, and the birdsong. The mountain air brought a rare sense of relaxation.

The two walked slowly, their maids following behind.

“I heard you used to live in Liangzhou. The scenery must be quite different there.”

“It’s much drier, and there are fewer mountains—the view stretches on forever.”

“I spent some time on the grasslands with my father as a child; I remember how free I felt. Back then, I dreamed of marrying a hero who could draw a bow and shoot an eagle. Who knew I’d end up with someone like… this?”

“Do you regret it, Sister?”

“Not really. Life is good now. My husband and I had our time of sweetness, but as more people filled the house, we grew distant. But at my age, I don’t care anymore. Now, all I think about is my child. If my daughter turned out like the Weaving Commissioner’s, I’d worry myself sick.”

“This is a place of Buddhist serenity, Sister—best not to say such things.”

Mrs. Han quickly fell silent and changed the subject. It took them nearly half an hour to reach the temple.

Mrs. Han went to draw a fortune slip, while Banxia, uninterested, decided to visit the rear mountain to see the peach blossoms in full bloom.

She said her farewells and, with Xiangyu, headed for the back. The front courtyard teemed with worshippers, but the rear was deserted. As Banxia strolled along, she suddenly spotted a man and woman deep in conversation amidst the peach trees. She immediately pulled Xiangyu behind the door to hide.