Chapter 302: Seeking That Girl in Shangjing City (Part 3)
Chapter 302 -173: Seeking That Girl in Shangjing City (Part 3)
“I’m very sorry… We, the Turkic people, don’t want war either. But the grasslands have suffered drought for years, with most of the cattle and sheep dead, and the children crying from hunger…”
Princess Yujia’s voice lowered, “Father said, Da Jing is prosperous, rich in resources. Rather than waiting for extinction, it’s better to fight with determination. That’s why we…”
Tang Xiaotong fell silent for a moment, then poured a cup of tea and handed it to her.
“Maybe it’s not your fault. You’ve left your homeland to come to Da Jing for a political marriage, you’re also a pitiful person. Try this, it’s new tea from Liangzhou, it can calm the nerves.”
Princess Yujia took the teacup, the warm porcelain emanating a faint tea aroma in her palm.
Suddenly she recalled the perpetual smell of sheep’s milk in the Turkic tents, her eyes grew warm.
“If only…”
Tang Xiaotong hesitated to speak, his eyes full of longing.
“If only one day our Princess Consort could expand business into Turkic lands. Trade goods, then the Turkic people wouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing, and wars wouldn’t happen again.”
“Princess Consort?” Princess Yujia looked up, her eyebrows slightly raised, “Which Princess Consort are you talking about? A Princess Consort of Da Jing would engage in business?”
“Cangzhou King Zhao Zun’s Princess Consort,” Tang Xiaotong smiled, “The Princess Consort has opened some workshops in Cangzhou, I’ve heard she plans to expand throughout Da Jing.”
Princess Yujia’s teacup shook abruptly, a few drops of tea splashed onto her hand.
“Zhao Zun? The former Beiguan Marshal Zhao Zun?” Her voice trembled slightly.
“He’s now the King of Cangzhou,” Tang Xiaotong didn’t notice her odd demeanor, continued arranging clothes, “Our Princess Consort is an extraordinary woman, quite adept at business…”
Princess Yujia set down the teacup, her fingertips cold.
“So… he already has a Princess Consort.”
Princess Yujia said softly, then shook her head, laughing self-mockingly, “Everyone has their own fate. I’m about to enter the palace, why think about this.”
Tang Xiaotong finally noticed her change in mood and tactfully shifted the topic.
“If the Princess likes these clothes, you can come often. Brocade Workshop has new items every month, I’ll reserve them for you.”
Yujia gave him a grateful look, “Thank you, Mr. Tang. Today… I’m very happy.”
She paused, “In Da Jing, you’re the first person to treat me like an ordinary person.”
Tang Xiaotong smiled as he handed the wrapped clothes to Alan, “You’re too kind, Princess. Every guest in Brocade Workshop is esteemed. Feel free to come anytime.”
As she left, Yujia glanced back.
Tang Xiaotong stood at the door, sunlight gilded the edges of his patterned robe.
She suddenly felt that this unfamiliar city wasn’t so cold anymore…
… I’m a lazy divider line…
In the summer of Qingshui County in Canzhou, the sun blazed fiercely, even the bluestone roads were scorching hot.
In the back garden of the Wei Family mansion, Wei Dabao lay on a Zitan wood rocking chair, with four maids taking turns fanning him.
His obese body almost filled the chair, sweat continually rolled down his triple chin, soaking the silk garment embroidered with golden ingots on his chest.
“Master, please drink some iced sour plum soup to cool off.”
The steward carefully held a green porcelain bowl, its surface beaded with condensation.
Wei Dabao lay in the chair without lifting his eyelids, impatiently waved his fleshy hand.
𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
“No drink! No drink! It’s already early June, why hasn’t there been any news from the Capital City? That girl Han Lei wouldn’t have forgotten me, would she?”
“Master, calm down,” the steward smiled apologetically, “Miss Han is the magistrate’s niece, with the magistrate’s backing, she shouldn’t have forgotten you.”
“Nonsense!”
Wei Dabao sat up abruptly, the chair creaked under the strain.
“Do you know, that’s a business worth hundreds of thousands of silver a year, daily profits are in silver! If that girl delays even one day, I’d lose big money!”
The steward dared not respond, only bowed his head.
Ever since Han Lei went to Capital City, Wei Dabao visited Luo Hai’s county office daily.
He wasn’t concerned about the Jade Pendant he’d sent, but about whether Han Lei had sent back news about the business partnership.
He’d run until his feet were sore and sent out several carrier pigeon messages.
But after all inquiries, Han Lei hadn’t sent back a single message, there was no news from the Capital City.
The more Wei Dabao thought, the more anxious he became, he grabbed the sour plum soup and gulped it down, the icy liquid dripped down to his collar.
“Go! Prepare the sedan! I’m going to the county office to demand answers from Luo Hai!”
“Master, you went there just yesterday…”
“Yesterday was yesterday, today is today!”
Wei Dabao struggled to rise from the rocking chair, his belly fat quivered.
“If there’s still no news, I’ll go to the Capital City myself to find that girl.”
Just as Wei Dabao was hot-headedly preparing to leave, a servant ran hurriedly into the courtyard.
“Master! Master! News from the Capital City!”
Wei Dabao’s eyes lit up, the fat on his face relaxed.
“Is it a letter from Han Lei? Quick, give it to me!”
“No, it’s not…”
The servant cautiously handed over a pigeon-sealed letter.
“It’s a message from the Prime Minister’s office…”