"From now on, whatever you want, miss, I'll buy it for you. If you're bored at home, let's go out for a stroll together."
Wan Niang sighed. She looked out the window at the early spring scenery, thinking of the mountains and waters they had passed on their way here.
Without her mother-in-law, she should feel freer. But Gu Lang still wouldn't consummate their marriage. When would she have a child? If they stayed in Xunyang for a year or so and her belly showed no signs, what would people say when they returned?
She sighed again.
Bao Niang coaxed her, "Are you hungry, miss? Let's eat something first. It'll be warmer after noon. I'll take you out. I passed a silver jewelry shop; their designs are ones we've never seen back home!"
Wan Niang saw her exaggerating the headpieces and couldn't help laughing. "You just got a little silver and you can't hold onto it?"
Bao Niang clicked her tongue and whispered, "In this world, people judge by appearances first. You're the young madam of the Gu family, and I'm your personal maid. If we dress too plainly all the time, others will think our family is in decline. Didn't you see that Madam Qian yesterday? Decked out in gold—so imposing."
Wan Niang laughed out loud.
Madam Qian had worn such a heavy golden crown yesterday that her back could hardly straighten. But Bao Niang had a point.
She waited for the maids to set out the meal, ate, and then tidied herself up before the mirror.
Perhaps she had been too plain before. Now, with heavy makeup, Bao Niang stared wide-eyed.
She looked her up and down and said bluntly, "Miss, you look like a different person."
Wan Niang touched her face and smiled. "It's not as you say; just a bit more colorful."
She was still young. Even without adornment, she was beautiful enough.
Wan Niang put on a conical hat.
The Gu family carriage headed east of the city.
East of the city lay Poyang Lake, now in the dry season. After the past few rains, a faint blanket of grass grew on the wet mudflats, with a few cattle egrets standing among them. As far as the eye could see, it looked like a painting.
The young lady in the carriage lifted the gauze curtain of her hat, breathed the fresh air outside the city, and shed her usual melancholy.
"Miss, there are boats over there!"
The two got out of the carriage and looked toward the center of the lake. Unlike the layered mountains of Huizhou, the openness here reminded Wan Niang of the memories of returning home with Gu Lang.
She smiled, and her steps grew lighter.
They walked ahead, with the maids behind struggling to keep up. They trotted along the shore, laughing. When they got tired, they sat in a teahouse, sipping tea and enjoying the view.
This small lakeside teahouse was run by just a couple. Bao Niang, greedy for treats, ordered everything on the menu: rose pastry rolls, green tea-scented cakes, sesame pastries, crystal shrimp dumplings, and more. The little bamboo table was piled high, so they had to hold their teacups in hand.
Seeing Bao Niang so happy, Wan Niang felt infected, recalling the old days when they would go out to eat and drink together.
Sunlight slanted in through the window. Compared to yesterday, the willow buds had grown another layer, dense green rippling in the wind.
And through the thousands of willow branches, someone downstairs noticed that smile by the window.
After staring for a while, he thought in a daze she must be a little immortal come to undergo a trial.
The maiden's brilliant smile made the old, even somewhat shabby teahouse seem radiant.
The plump girl beside her seemed to notice him. The young man lowered his bamboo hat, leaned against the willow trunk, and turned to look at Poyang Lake.
Soon, two gazes fixed on his back.
Bao Niang pointed at the young man under the tree. "Miss, I tell you, that man is sneaky! He stared at you for a long time just now!"
Wan Niang smiled. "When you go out, how can you avoid being looked at?"
The voice carried softly in the wind, softening his heart.
When he turned back, the maiden had put her conical hat back on. The plump girl was still glaring at him, as if trying to stare him to death.
Jiang Cha found it amusing. He provocatively raised his face to her, patted his left cheek, as if to say, come and hit me if you dare.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his big brother's boat nearing the shore. Jiang Cha waved and left.
When the big boat docked, a dozen burly men came out, dropping anchor and moving cargo. At the front was a bare-chested man, his gaze sweeping. He spotted the young man in the bamboo hat and grinned. "What did you accomplish wandering around the city alone?"
"I've wandered for years; it's still the same old place." Jiang Cha hugged his big brother with a grin, then leaned in and said, "The dockworkers said that rich man from Huizhou, surnamed Gu, recently took in a relative. That relative is also wealthy—a whole shipload of goods, likely full of treasures."
"Once we rescue those brothers in jail, we'll bleed them dry after a while."
This time, they had brought dozens of brothers, all armed and nimble. Jiang Yan unloaded the furs he had plundered from the west and sent two deputies into the city to find buyers.
River bandits had to eat, too. Jiang Yan had selfish motives, keeping his younger brother close to teach him the ropes of business.
Jiang Cha had grown up watching his brother in the life-and-death business.
He could lop off a head with one stroke, leaving no room for bargaining. Now, seeing him sell the furs and haggle with people for hours over a few taels, Jiang Cha couldn't help but admire him.
"Brother, I never knew you could do so much besides killing, robbing, and arson…"
Jiang Yan gave him a slap on the head. "You think I'm a blockhead like you, with straw in my head? With so many brothers under me, there are always lean times. One more skill means one more mouthful of rice. Learn! Don't end up like those fools in jail!"
Jiang Cha grinned, rubbed his head, and followed his brother back to the boat.
When they passed the teahouse again, the people inside were gone.
The spring day was waning; it was getting late.
The last rays of the sun spilled over the flagstone road. Hooves clattered west, not stopping until dark before the Gu residence.
Wan Niang had enjoyed herself today, but returning late for the first time, she felt a little nervous.
Bao Niang said, "You're the young madam. Besides the young master, no one dares to say anything."
Wan Niang relaxed a little. When she reached Tongqi Pavilion, she saw Bai Long standing at the gate, as if waiting for a long time.
She walked in slowly. Behind her, Bai Ling stopped her maids. Alone in the main room, Gu Lang sat there, as if he had been waiting for her a long time.
"Did you have fun outside?"