Chapter 1

A line of carriages and horses stopped steadily in front of Wangjiang Tower. The shopkeeper was just about to tell the group to move their vehicles away from the entrance when he was awed by their attire and bearing. The six tall horses in the lead were of excellent breed, seemingly better than those used by the scout cavalry stationed in Yicheng. The leather saddles were edged with brass ornaments, and they carried not only long-handled sabers but also finely carved lacquered bows and leather quivers. The burly men also wore another blade at their waists, and judging by the thickness of the scabbards, they were likely thick-backed cleavers. Ordinary soldiers who hadn't spent years building up their strength couldn't wield such things, yet these men looked relaxed and at ease.

These were no ordinary family's guards, the shopkeeper judged immediately. He quickly put away the scolding expression he had been about to use on the servants and respectfully asked one of the guards, "Esteemed guests, your arrival brings honor to my humble establishment. May I ask who is in charge?"

A middle-aged man in a black coarse cloth robe addressed the guards, "Xiao Lü, take the horses to the alleyway on the side and have them looked after. Tan Wu, take two people upstairs, and tell Sisi and Xiao Cui to get out of the carriage quickly; don't dawdle. Wipe down the tables and chairs thoroughly. ...Xiao Xu, see to it that the brothers get fed, according to the usual arrangement." With each order, a guard bowed in acknowledgement and went about his task in an orderly fashion. Not one of the dozen or so guards uttered an unnecessary word.

Despite his extensive experience, the shopkeeper couldn't discern where this group was from. Merchants came and went from Yicheng all year round, but none possessed such imposing power. Yet, these people didn't seem to be officials either; even ordinary officials probably couldn't afford such skilled and capable guards. To judge by their skills, they might be Jianghu types, but Jianghu people never had such discipline as if they were from the military. The shopkeeper warily stepped forward to greet them, cautiously saying, "Esteemed sir, is there anything this old one can do for you?"

The middle-aged man's tone was very humble. He placed a gold ingot in the shopkeeper's hand and said, "We are new to Yicheng and have heard that Wangjiang Tower has pleasant scenery and delicious dishes. My young lady wishes to sit here for a while. Could the shopkeeper prepare some exquisite snacks and refreshments, and preferably some unique soups?"

The shopkeeper repeatedly agreed, "Of course, of course. I will have the head chef personally prepare them. Our silver fish soup is unique in all of Yicheng and will surely not disappoint your young lady."

The two pretty maids who had gone upstairs with the guards hurried down, bowed gracefully to the middle-aged man, and said, "Steward Liu, everything is ready upstairs. Would you like to take a look? Miss is bored in the carriage."

The middle-aged man, called Steward Liu, nodded quickly, "I'll go right away." It was as if making their young lady wait was a great sin.

The shopkeeper followed Steward Liu upstairs and was greatly surprised. The second floor was already furnished with luxurious private rooms, but now the best corner had been taken over by this group. A screen had been moved to enclose the corner, and two guards sat at the table outside the screen, appearing very interested in the food on the table, but their hands never left the hilts of their swords. The enclosed area had been thoroughly wiped and dried with boiling water, and a tea stove was lit in the middle of the table. A pot of water was about to boil and bubble under the heat of the charcoal sticks. Only one set of tableware was placed on the table, and judging by the color, it was actually Ningcheng Yun kiln porcelain, which was now selling for exorbitant prices. In one corner of the long table, a burner of incense was lit, and the fragrance was clearly that of Cold Pool Incense, which wealthy families used to repel insects and cool down in the spring and summer. Despite his wide experience, the shopkeeper had never seen such fastidious people.

Steward Liu walked around. It was now early afternoon, the time when Wangjiang Tower was less crowded. Those remaining in the private rooms on the second floor, apart from those who had a late lunch, were some scholars who came to enjoy the scenery and drink, or even disappointed people who sought solace in wine. Steward Liu glanced around, frowned slightly, and turned to the two rather haughty maids, "Please ask the young lady to come up." Then he immediately instructed the shopkeeper, "Please have your head chef exert himself. My young lady has a delicate palate, so please be careful."

The shopkeeper hurriedly agreed and immediately sent a waiter to the kitchen to give instructions. The background of these distinguished guests was probably far grander than he could imagine.

The maid named Sisi opened the curtain, and a guard held the carriage shaft to prevent any movement. Finally, the anxiously awaited young lady appeared. This young lady looked only twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a moon-white silk shirt, which didn't seem luxurious at all. She seemed even plainer than her two maids, who were dressed in goose-yellow servants' clothes. But she had a faint smile on her face, giving people a feeling of being caressed by a spring breeze. Although her face was pale and her movements showed some frailty, she seemed to possess an inviolable radiance. And this young lady was indeed too weak. Now it was between spring and summer, and the weather was already a bit hot, but the young lady's face was still so pale, pale enough to cause some heartache.

As soon as the young lady appeared, the guards who had been seated on the ground floor stood up with a swish, all bowing their heads slightly. Only after the young lady went upstairs, supported by the two maids, did they sit down and begin to enjoy the fine beef and light rice wine piled on the table.

Seeing that there was only one set of tableware on the table, the young lady smiled slightly and said to Steward Liu, "Uncle Liu, sit down and have something to eat with me. I'll also trouble you to make tea for me."

Steward Liu bowed slightly, and although his face was full of loving expressions, he did not dare to diminish the respect in his tone in the slightest. "Yes," Steward Liu replied. After the young lady sat down, he sat diagonally to one side, arranged the tea set, and poured a pot of fragrant tea.

Soon, Wangjiang Tower's well-known snacks, silver fish soup, and other side dishes and refreshments were brought up. Under the shopkeeper's deliberate instructions, this table of food was probably the head chef's most elaborate work of the year. The young lady tasted everything and was clearly very satisfied with the dishes, even picking up a few pastries for Steward Liu. Seeing the young lady being gentle and natural, it seemed that she greatly enjoyed this kind of unrestricted life of enjoying the scenery, sipping tea, and enjoying exquisite meals. On the contrary, Steward Liu seemed quite wary of his young lady's courteous treatment of him.

The shopkeeper still had to attend to other guests, and seeing that the young lady and Steward Liu were quite content, he took his leave, only instructing the waiter who was serving guests in the private rooms on the second floor to pay more attention to them. This was not only because of the gold ingot that had been placed in his hand earlier, but also because the wealth and nobility of this group, yet their lack of arrogance, was truly admirable.

From Wangjiang Tower, one could see the vast expanse of the Luo River.

Yicheng was close to the sea, at the mouth of the Luo River. The Luo River Delta divided the Luo River into several tributaries that flowed into the sea from several directions, and Yicheng was located on the south bank of the main Luo River estuary, guarding the Luo River as the hub of Dongping Kingdom's water transport, keeping a watchful eye on Zhenhai Bay and the even wider sea beyond.