Chapter 5: Jiang Wu

Miss, something has happened to Master Tan

According to the regulations of the Great Shun Dynasty, aside from the national holidays, after ten o'clock in the evening, the common people must return home and are not allowed to linger on the streets. Those who miss this curfew will be taken to the Nanjing government office to spend the night in detention.

Young master, why must you endure this idle annoyance here? After all, it is merely a singer with some reputation in this small place. Can she possibly compare to the Four Great Masters of our Beijing? To me, she is nothing more than someone who relies on the name of our great ancestor and can sing a few trivial songs, utterly pretentious in her supposed refinement

He seems to be a scholar from Yuhang, named Tan Zong, currently studying at Luming Academy. It is said that this person also has a title, called "Dreaming of Abundant Flowers," hence he is given the courtesy name Menghua

At the critical moment of imminent collapse, Xiaoman gritted her teeth and bit her own tongue with all her might, ultimately breaking free from Su Jin's intense pressure. However, at this point, Xiaoman was already drenched in cold sweat, and even her spring shirt was thoroughly soaked.

As for this gambling, it has never been completely eradicated! Not to mention among the common people, even within the so-called imperial guard, the Red Guards, which were said to be personally established by the founding emperor, it has been rampant despite repeated prohibitions

Ah

After a long time, seeing that there was still no echo in the courtyard, Jiang Wulue frowned and could not help but say: "Could it be that the Su family is unwilling to meet even the old acquaintances from Suzhou?"

I only hope that this Tan Menghua does not disappoint Su Da, otherwise, heh heh, I would like to see whether the scholars of our Great Shun Dynasty are as incapable of achieving greatness as those of the previous dynasty

Seeing that Jiang Wu's words were severe, Baili quickly lowered his head and replied in a heavy voice: "Your Excellency speaks too harshly"

However, today a rare guest has arrived at the inn

The other person, though somewhat slimmer in build, appears considerably taller. However, their complexion is not unpleasant; they exhibit a calm demeanor, suggesting that they are quite composed.

As the two conversed, a carriage painted in vermilion slowly emerged from the darkness of the night, only to gradually vanish back into the shadows.

As he reached the entrance of the inn, Jiang Wufang suddenly recalled the identity of the visitor and paused to say: "Was that person just now the maid Xiaoman who serves beside Su Da?"

Seeing that the young master of his household seemed completely captivated, Master Bai was reluctant to interrupt. However, noticing that the sky was already darkening, he feared that if they did not leave soon, they would miss the curfew. Thus, he steeled himself, disregarding the possibility of being scolded or leaving a bad impression on the young master, and reluctantly reminded him: "Young master, it is almost curfew. If we do not leave now, I fear we will have to stay here for the night."

There is an old saying: if you can manage their food and shelter, can you also control the bird beneath a man's waist? Therefore, not long after the founding emperor passed away, the entertainment quarters gradually flourished again. In fact, even during the emperor's lifetime, it was merely a transition from brightness to darkness. The emperor was well aware of this in his later years; it was simply a matter of turning a blind eye.

Ah? The man was taken aback upon hearing this, and then he immediately displayed an expression of wild joy, quickly saying: "Is the young master speaking the truth? Then Old Hu has truly gone!"

Despite saying a thousand words and ten thousand, although Tan Zong felt somewhat assured in his heart, he still felt a greater sense of trepidation within.

The portrayal of various lives in the inn did not provoke the person involved, but it did anger the two individuals behind him

This Young Master Jiang is indeed a thoughtful person. Su Jin closed the folding fan and casually placed it in the hidden compartment at the bottom of the back compartment, then turned around to the little girl standing in front of her and asked, "Why did you come back alone?"

The layout of Nanjing Prefecture is quite similar to that of the capital city, with a division between the north and south markets, and the east and west blocks. Among them, the northern market is primarily focused on livelihood, while the southern market is more oriented towards entertainment, with establishments such as taverns and theaters concentrated in the southern area. However, inns are not restricted by location; the few high-end inns in Nanjing Prefecture, such as Wangfu Inn and Xilaile, are all located in the southern market

Xiao Man was completely bewildered by what Su Jin said

"No harm, no harm, I will reflect on it myself." Jiang Wuwei waved his hand, yet he continued to savor the taste for half a cup of tea. After a moment, he tapped his folding fan in his hand, paused for a while as if deep in thought, then suddenly took a few steps forward, knocking on the courtyard door with his folding fan several times, and subsequently placed the fan on the bluestone in front of the courtyard door.

It turns out that these few individuals were previously speaking in hushed tones, and those nearby could only tell that the two were conversing but could not hear what was being said. However, now with such a loud shout, the entire inn could hear it.

"So your esteemed friend is truly noble, while others are merely pretending to be?" The young man who called himself Jiang Wu turned around, a half-smile on his face, and struck the other person on the head with his folding fan. He then said in a stern voice, "Go away, go away, you annoy me just by being here. Find a place to vent your frustrations; do not continue to look so possessed by ill temper."

"Hmph, whether the words are heavy or not can only be known after passing this test." Jiang Wuzhong dramatically waved his sleeve, but he also realized that his words were too harsh, so he lowered his voice and said: "Master Baili, let us leave the city and return. That scoundrel Hu Laosan is a wild one; there is no need for us to seek him out."

Indeed, it is the esteemed Su family that is present here

No, it is absolutely not permissible to say it!

At this moment, Xiaoman's mouth was already filled with fresh blood, and she was temporarily unable to speak, only able to shake her head for a while, then nod, as if responding to Su Jin's question

The person at the forefront was not particularly tall, yet when he simply stood there, he exuded an air of profound mastery, clearly not an ordinary individual. However, his rugged features and a hint of dissatisfaction on his face made him appear somewhat comical, resembling more of a favored attendant by the side of a master.

For a moment, everyone was so captivated that they were left in a daze

Seeing Su Jin's calm demeanor, Xiao Man felt a sudden jolt in her heart, a vague sense of panic creeping in. However, the situation had truly come to a head, and despite her anxiety, Xiao Man could only muster the courage to say: "I do not know. I only saw a blaze of fire erupting from the Wenyuan Courtyard, and soon after, news came from the courtyard that someone had set fire to the important storage room of the government office. I was frightened, so I hid to the side, and in the end, I watched as Lord Tan, disheveled, was bound and taken away, and now I do not know where he has been escorted to."

The sound was so loud that it seemed to have reached outside, and before long, someone was seen running over from outside the inn

Su Jin let out a light sigh, watching as Xiao Man's expression gradually turned to one of pity. Finally, she sighed again, turned her head, and said: "For tonight, you should rest. When you wake up tomorrow, you can take the one hundred taels of silver from the guest room and return to your hometown in Hongzhou by yourself. I have already redeemed you from your mother."

Oh? "Dreams Full of Flowers"? That is indeed a fine title; this person must be quite remarkable. If I have the time, I must certainly make the acquaintance of this individual! Jiang Wushou clapped his hand, but did not hear the familiar sound he was so accustomed to, which reminded him that the folding fan he usually used had already been given to Su Jin, and thus he let out another sigh.

One could see that this person was dressed in a blue robe, holding a small and exquisite bone folding fan. The fan's surface was unrecognizable in terms of material, and there were no inscriptions or signatures from renowned artists; it merely featured a few simple strokes that outlined a basic landscape painting, which appeared quite unique. There were no other rare or precious items on him; the only relatively valuable object was the incense pouch hanging from his waist, which looked like it came from Suzhou's Baixiu Building, but to an expert's eye, it was worth no more than a dozen taels of silver.

In Nanjing, when it comes to local snacks, the Yang family's century-old shop's lamb offal, the crispy and flaky dish said to be passed down from the home of the founding emperor, as well as the pumpkin dumplings, duck blood vermicelli, and duck tongue soup from Da Sanyuan, are undoubtedly considered unique delicacies of Nanjing.

At this point, Tan Zong had yet to see a single person in this room, which was as large as a classroom and measured at least fifty square meters. There were only layers of bookshelves leaning against the wall. At this moment, not to mention a person, there wasn't even a shadow of a ghost in the room

In this inn, the crowd naturally leads to a cacophony of voices. Some, with disdain, are too lazy to intervene, merely boasting at the table about having heard the tunes of Master Su; while others, curious, stretch their heads out from the private rooms, their eyes fixed intently on the ruffian in the courtyard, as if they wished to engrave his image into their very pupils.

In this Nanjing Prefecture, if someone truly commits an offense, it is likely that the Baili family would not be able to resolve it. Even when facing the Wang family, the odds would merely be four to six. If one can hold onto a principle, these odds might swiftly turn into six to four.

It should be noted that the Baili Mountain Villa in the suburbs is one of the most distinguished families in Nanjing. Although it may not compare to the foremost noble family in Nanjing, which is backed by the governor of Nanjing, the Wang family, it can still be considered a truly wealthy and noble household

In this inn, someone actually seeks an audience with Master Su; is this not a joke? Who does not know that Master Su is the star performer of Qiuyue Tower? Even though Su Jin has lost a bet to some wild young man and is to leave her former life behind in the coming days, while she remains in this establishment, she must adhere to the rules of the brothel, spending her days within the building, entertaining wealthy patrons with drinking and singing. How could she possibly come to this inn?

In an instant, the small inn was filled with a cacophony of voices, some were excited, and even had rushed into the courtyard, standing side by side with Jiang Wu, all seeking an audience with the only courtyard within the premises.

A thunderclap on a sunny day

Jiang Wu? Jiang Wu from Suzhou? Which Jiang Wu from Suzhou? I do not recognize him

Good, good, good! I do not wish to be apart for three months. The esteemed Su family has indeed made progress in this musical realm. They truly live up to the name of the great masters of Jiangnan.

"I am unworthy of such praise." The slender man, known as Master Baili, clasped his hands and addressed the esteemed figure, saying: "Since you, young master, are traveling south to Jiangnan, I have received orders from the manor and will naturally ensure your safety."

Oh... this shadow is...

Fortunately, at this moment, there were no other people in the courtyard; those who had come to join the excitement had already closed their doors early. Otherwise, these words would likely have caused a stir in the inn.

At this moment, the courtyard had returned to silence, and the crowd could no longer hear anything. Knowing that Su Jin had already issued the order to dismiss guests, although everyone felt reluctant, they could only sigh inwardly and leave helplessly. Only Jiang Wu remained, shaking his head and swaying, as if still savoring the moment.

The former resident of Suzhou, Jiang Wu, requests an audience with Su University

As soon as these words fell, a sudden "clang" echoed in the courtyard, followed by a faint sigh that seemed to drift in the air. Immediately after, a female voice said: "Now that Su Jin is about to become a wife, why must Young Master Jiang make things difficult for her"

In any case, most of those who can come to take the provincial examination come from relatively well-off families, not having to worry about food and clothing. Therefore, it is common for them to invite each other to banquets and occasionally go out for a meal.

Su University, Su University, I am Yu Hang Bai Shaohang, a fellow townsman of Tan Menghua... I seek an audience tonight!

If Tan Zongzhen were drunk, he would likely have followed the flavors of the crispy and the snow-red into it. However, at this moment, Tan Zong was sober and immediately realized that there was something amiss, quickly understanding that this place was probably a trap set for him by the other party

It is already nine o'clock in the evening, and logically, the lively activities should have concluded. Those wishing to spend the night outside would have long found their places, whether in taverns, gambling houses, or brothels. Among these three types of establishments, taverns are relatively acceptable, but gambling houses and brothels were prohibited during the reign of Emperor Taizu.

Seeing his subordinates in such a lazy state, Jiang Wu couldn't help but laugh in anger. He shouted "Get lost!" which startled the other onlookers in the courtyard.

Su Jin will become a wife and will henceforth adhere to the duties of a woman, refraining from meeting with outsiders. However, since many of you have requests today, Su Jin will send you off with a song, "Shui Diao Ge Tou," composed by the Great Ancestor. Please return on your own after this.

Under the candlelight, Su Jin, dressed in a long blue robe and still maintaining the appearance of a scholar, sat before a writing desk. A bone folding fan rested upon it, shimmering brilliantly in the candlelight, which instantly highlighted the extraordinary nature of this fan.

This form of confinement dates back to the previous dynasty. It appears simple, yet it is quite uncomfortable. First, one must have their hands bound and secured with a wooden collar, and then a rope is used to tie around the neck, fastening it to a row of wooden frames in the courtyard of the yamen to prevent escape. Due to its resemblance to the posture of dogs at home, it is commonly referred to as "dog squatting" among the people.

This foodie! Jiang Wu is also aware of the temperament of his companion, who has grown up together with him since childhood. Therefore, he does not pay him any mind, merely standing there shaking his head, displaying an expression of helplessness: "Master Baili, I will have to trouble you a lot tonight."

The voice of this woman is ethereal and elusive, as if it comes from the heavens above, leaving one at a loss; yet it also resembles a whisper in one's ear, akin to a lover's intimate confessions. It evokes a sense of intricate twists and turns, and just hearing a single phrase feels as refreshing as drinking ice water on a sweltering summer day.

However, that Hu Laosan is truly thick-skinned; when someone told him to get lost, he didn't get angry at all. He simply walked away happily, holding the two stacks of money he had just obtained.

Having said that, without waiting for others to speak further, a faint singing voice began to rise. One could hear the song lyrics: "When will the bright moon appear? I raise my cup to ask the blue sky..." This was precisely a version of "Shui Diao Ge Tou" composed by the founding emperor during his idle days before he raised his army against the Sui dynasty.

It seems to be the little beauty. Master Baili pondered for a moment and said: "However, I have not seen her many times, so I cannot be certain."

However, Jiang Wu couldn't even be bothered to turn his head, merely waving his hand dismissively behind him, impatiently urging people to leave: "Go on, go on, who here still cares about you, Hu Laosan, or what? With Master Bai Li here, one person is enough."

Dear Su, although today is a rare occasion, Jiang Wu already feels that this visit is quite worthwhile. This folding fan is a token of Jiang Wu's sincere intentions, presented for your enjoyment. Should you encounter any troubles in the near future, you may send someone with this fan to the Baishi Mountain Villa on the outskirts of the city to seek me out, and Jiang Wu will certainly do my utmost to alleviate your worries.

The person inside is indeed someone who understands life, though I do not know who they are. Tan Zong hesitated slightly in his heart, but took two more steps toward the door, only to stop when he reached the entrance.

Then I must trouble you. Jiang Wu nodded slightly, said no more, and simply turned his head to call out again: "Jiang Wu, an old acquaintance from Suzhou Prefecture, requests to see Master Su."

Therefore, when Tan Zong turned around the small pond in the courtyard and arrived at the entrance of the house, the aroma of the crispy roasted duck naturally reached his nose. In addition, the scent of the exclusive snow cabbage white wine from Yao Yue Ju also wafted in.

Tan Zong has always been a food lover since childhood. When he first arrived in this world, apart from taking an elementary school mathematics competition and a middle school math exam during the first three days, he spent the rest of his time either staying in the inn watching the Great Shun Law or wandering around with a group of classmates and fellow students in search of good food.

As a result of this back and forth, Tan Zong became quite familiar with the food in Nanjing.

Firstly, Tan Zong was unaware of the circumstances within and did not dare to enter recklessly; secondly, the threshold of the door was as high as one foot, making it quite troublesome to lift his leg in order to step inside.

Oh, is it really mhetushu.com? Is that truly the case? Su Jin turned around, her starry eyes fixed intently on Xiao Man

If it were not for this person speaking up, everyone might still be immersed in the melodious sounds of Su Dajiale. It should be noted that Su Jin is usually very difficult to hear sing; today, having heard a song, everyone can already go out and boast about it. However, if this person had not requested to meet earlier, no one would have known that Su Jin was actually in this inn.

Under Su Jin's gaze, Xiao Man felt as if she had never known the woman before her. The pressure emanating from her surpassed anyone she could have ever imagined, almost compelling her to reveal everything she knew.

However, as this person stood at the entrance of the courtyard, he shouted something that startled everyone.

"In such a place, what kind of situation could possibly require my exploration?" Tan Zong stood at the entrance, which was nearly two meters wide, pondering for a while, yet he could not make sense of it no matter how hard he tried. Ultimately, he could only poke his head inside to examine it closely, but his feet stubbornly refused to step in.

After a moment had passed, seeing that the courtyard door still showed no signs of opening, Jiang Wu could only let out a low sigh, as if he were extremely reluctant to leave. Just as he was about to depart, he noticed a woman who looked somewhat familiar walking past him.

Oh? Su Jin, however, seemed completely unperturbed, speaking in the same leisurely manner, without a trace of anger, asking: "What crime has he committed? Who has detained him? And where is he currently imprisoned?"

As everyone was savoring the lingering notes of the earlier piece "Shui Diao Ge Tou," they were suddenly interrupted, naturally exchanging angry glances. However, they soon realized that the speaker was none other than Jiang Wu from Suzhou, who had previously sought an audience with Mr. Su, leaving him in a rather awkward position, unable to advance or retreat.

After a while, it seemed that the noise in the inn was too loud. Suddenly, a clear sound like winter spring water emerged from the courtyard, as if a zither was being played. The strings were plucked rapidly, resembling the sudden downpour on banana leaves, and before long, it completely drowned out the sound of the request for an audience.

Therefore, when discussing causality, not only should people refrain from complaining, but they should also express their gratitude to a certain extent.

Ah, forget it. If it is meant to be, we shall meet again. Jiang Wu sighed lightly once more, then gathered his spirits and said: Speaking of which, I am somewhat interested in that A Yuan who won the beauty's heart. What was that person's name again?

Naturally, those who have spent a long time in Nanjing know that these few establishments are less inns and more like the underlings of gambling houses and brothels. It is important to note that there are at least eighty girls in the brothel, but only a few can afford their own rooms. The majority of the lesser-known girls still rely on their patrons to pay for a room outside for their enjoyment

Which Su family? In this Nanjing city, apart from the renowned songstress Su Jin, who else can be addressed as Su family by others?

"That sounds good." The man known as Hu Laosan could not hide the joy on his face, and just as he was about to leave, he suddenly turned back, rubbing his hands and saying to Jiang Wu, "Young master, you see, our luggage is still left at the village, and I don't have any silver on me. Could you lend me some first?"