Chapter 56: Guidance
As soon as Magistrate Liu lifted his eyes, he saw a brash man standing in the main hall—a man who had no learning to speak of, and was, to make matters worse, a butcher.
Magistrate Liu frowned slightly, then turned with a benign smile to the young lady standing nearby. Though he had yet to uncover her origins, her attire and the contents of the booklet she presented left no doubt that she was not from an ordinary family.
“As the local magistrate, how can I accept such merit without reason? If you have any request, speak freely. Should it be within my power, I shall grant it without hesitation,” Magistrate Liu said.
Village Elder Fang quickly gave Su Tang a meaningful look.
Delighted, Su Tang replied, “If that is so, then I shall boldly ask the magistrate to bestow a name upon ‘The Peaceful Inn.’”
Magistrate Liu’s gaze flickered. “But I have heard that Master Fang is the teacher of your husband. While in office, Master Fang held a fourth-rank post at court. Though he has retired, his instruction is renowned, and his students are well-known, especially for their calligraphy. With such talent at hand, why seek the humble magistrate’s pen?”
“Since The Peaceful Inn resides under your governance and has your protection, only your inscription would confer it true legitimacy,” Su Tang answered earnestly, a hint of shyness in her manner. “This, too, was at my uncle’s suggestion. I would not dare presume so much on my own.”
Magistrate Liu looked to Village Elder Fang, who stroked his beard and smiled. “They are still young. As elders, it is our duty to look after them.”
“In that case, I shall not refuse,” Magistrate Liu agreed cheerfully.
Village Elder Fang nodded at Su Tang, who continued, “If the magistrate would condescend to inscribe a phrase for us, The Peaceful Inn would naturally offer a token of appreciation.”
“Haha, very well! Then I shall gladly accept,” Magistrate Liu replied, beaming.
…
Their carriage left the magistrate’s residence and turned onto another bustling street. When it stopped, the four—Elder Fang, Lu Dashan, Su Tang, and Li Qingtian—stepped out and beheld a modest two-story building. Someone was already waiting outside.
The doors opened to reveal a spacious, well-lit interior, and beyond it, a pair of courtyards.
“This is Zhao De’s shop in the county,” Elder Fang explained. “Years ago, the previous owner moved away, and I acquired it at a bargain thanks to our acquaintance. Of all the places you mentioned, this seemed most suitable.”
Su Tang inspected it carefully and was overjoyed. “Uncle, your arrangement is perfect.”
“As long as you like it,” Elder Fang said, his expression softening as he looked at her. “I’d thought one so young would struggle with such dealings, but you handle them with ease.”
Su Tang replied humbly, “I learned a little from watching my elders conduct themselves in the past. Still, I must rely on your support, uncle; otherwise, I would never dare act so boldly before the magistrate.”
Elder Fang’s smile grew even kinder. What an excellent young lady, he thought—it was almost a pity she was wasted on the foolish Lu family.
Lu Dashan wandered around the courtyard in awe, exclaiming, “It’s so big! What’s it for?”
Elder Fang’s temper flared, and he dragged Lu Dashan over for a sharp scolding. Only when Lu Dashan became subdued did Elder Fang lead him back, finding Su Tang already drafting something on paper.
“What’s this, dear niece?” Elder Fang inquired.
“Just now, inspiration struck, so I sketched a simple plan for the layout,” Su Tang replied.
---
Elder Fang’s gaze lingered on the paper, while Lu Dashan looked on, utterly perplexed.
What was she drawing?
He didn’t understand.
After half an hour, Su Tang finished. With a few strokes, she captured the first and second floors, as well as the front and rear courtyards. Some symbols were unfamiliar, but with Su Tang’s explanations, everything became clear—even Lu Dashan nodded repeatedly.
“So that’s how it is…”
“Oh, I see~”
Elder Fang couldn’t bring himself to scold Lu Dashan for pretending to understand.
He, at least, comprehended more.
“Shall we begin at once?” Elder Fang asked.
“There’s no time to lose,” Su Tang said. “I’d hoped to trouble you, uncle, but since my father-in-law understands as well, perhaps we should ask him to help.”
“Him?” Elder Fang asked.
Su Tang smiled, “Peaceful Town can’t do without uncle.”
Suddenly, Elder Fang understood. “True enough. If I’m not here, who knows what Zhao De might get up to. But—” He turned to Lu Dashan. “Are you up to it?”
Lu Dashan, as if spurred on, puffed out his chest and replied, “No problem!”
***
The carriage pulled away from the little building.
Lu Dashan watched it turn the corner before heading back inside.
Inside, Elder Fang had left helpers to assist. Under Lu Dashan’s direction, they soon scattered to purchase supplies, and Lu Dashan himself set off: “I’ll go look at the furniture.”
The three furniture shops in the county lined the same street. Lu Dashan visited each in turn, ending up at the least conspicuous one.
“I want something cheap but good-looking,” Lu Dashan demanded.
“Sir, we’ve just set up shop in the county—that means we’re cheap,” the shopkeeper replied, beaming. “Why not come inside and discuss?”
“All right,” Lu Dashan agreed, following the shopkeeper into the courtyard.
As the door between the inner and outer courtyards closed, Lu Dashan’s silly grin disappeared, replaced by a serious expression. “Young Master is coming to the county.”
---
The gates of Ancheng County were shrinking in the distance.
Inside the carriage, Li Qingtian let the curtain fall and muttered resentfully, “That magistrate is greedy indeed—mentioning a token for his calligraphy made him grin from ear to ear.”
Su Tang remained silent. The moment her uncle had subtly hinted at the need to reward the magistrate, she had understood. If even kin could not escape such expectations, how could outsiders hope to? For a mere county magistrate to dwell in such a grand mansion, rivaling—perhaps even surpassing—the luxury of her father’s home, was telling. Her father, after all, had been the Grand Tutor to the Emperor.
Still, if the magistrate’s greed was driven by a desire for achievement, she could work with that. If not, she truly wouldn’t know where to begin.
“But if the Peaceful Inn really thrives, won’t you have to show yourself?” Li Qingtian worried.
Su Tang smiled. “It doesn’t matter—winter is coming soon.”
Li Qingtian suddenly understood. “That’s right. Once winter arrives, you can wear a veiled hat. And even after winter, as long as I’m here, no harm will come to you. I would give my life to protect you.”
*****
At the academy in Peaceful Town, the bell sounded and students swarmed around Lu Jingyuan.
“Jingyuan, your family’s hiring. What are the requirements?”
“Is it really only for one day? If I come tomorrow, can you make an exception?”
“Jingyuan, we’ve been classmates for years—shouldn’t you give us a hint about such a good opportunity?”
“Why bother? We’re all striving for official rank. What use is this? Jingyuan, my brother is tall and strong—whether chopping or pulling noodles, he’s the best…”
…
Amid the hubbub, Lu Jingyuan remained composed, answering each in turn: “I don’t know. My wife does.”
“My wife says—it’s only for one day.”
“My wife is handling everything herself.”
…
On the far side of the courtyard, Huang Wenzhao listened to the repeated refrain of “my wife” and a cold, mocking smile slowly curled at his lips.