Chapter 2, Arrival.
Finally, they arrived in Yangzhou City. The members of the Mu family troupe could no longer contain their impatience, eagerly looking forward to entering the city for some leisure. Master Li promised to speak on their behalf to the troupe leader. As they watched him emerge from the cabin with a serious expression, the excitement and enthusiasm of the disciples quickly turned into disappointment. They fell silent, their spirits drooping like frostbitten eggplants.
Suddenly, a shelled peanut struck her forehead. Walnut covered her forehead and looked up, scolding, "Young Master Shao, you are up to no good again!" The corners of her mouth curled up high, and her clear, sparkling apricot eyes were filled with laughter, showing not a trace of annoyance from being hit.
Mu Lan's eyes lit up: "The richest family in Yangzhou, the Lin family?" with an expression that showed she was no longer afraid of being cheated by the casino
"When you enter the city, listen to Hu Tao, and do not scatter about." Seeing that his disciples had taken his words to heart, Master Li smiled with satisfaction and handed a blue cloth money pouch to the sixteen-year-old Hu Tao, saying, "The class leader has given you one hundred wen for tea money. Spend it wisely."
Mu Lan let out a sound, yawned, and lazily said: "You didn't look for me? Then I will continue to bask in the sun"
It is said that among the prosperous lands of the world, none surpasses the splendor of Jiang ZJ Province, and none is more magnificent than Su Yang.
Inhaling the fragrant aroma and listening to the beautiful woman's delicate laughter, Mu Lan could not help but exclaim: "The warm sun lingers on the flowers and willows, the spring breeze disperses the music. A beauty like a flower, this name is truly exquisite!"
The walnut shot him a glance and said: "You better be careful. Aside from the one hundred wen given by the class leader, all my private savings are in there."
A shadow of green flickered before her eyes, and Mu Lan rolled over and leaped down, reaching out to snatch the money pouch from Walnut's hand. Anticipating such a move, Walnut deftly stepped aside to avoid him. Little did she expect that Mu Lan was feigning a move; he crouched low and darted behind her, yanking the money pouch away.
At the top of the tall mast sat a slender youth. He casually tied a piece of blue cloth around his forehead, accentuating his brows and eyes, which were as fresh and beautiful as new leaves
Mu Lan casually tossed peanuts into the air, catching them with her mouth and chewing them with delight. Upon hearing the walnut scold her, she tilted her head and laughed, saying, "If I don't knock you once, how would you know I'm here?"
Walnut couldn't help but gently tug at Mu Lan's hem, whispering: "There are only 100 wen, do you still want to take the people in the class to Lao Si Hai?"
The morning sun shines upon this group of children, each one looking fresh and lively. Coach Li can no longer maintain his stern expression; he waves his large hand, resembling a fan, and laughs heartily, saying: "The class leader has agreed!"
The Mu family troupe entered Yangzhou City, finding everything fresh and lively, eager to try everything, bustling around Mu Lan and He Tao, chattering incessantly.
Master Li instructed, "Listen to the walnuts, do not run around, return to the boat before sunset!" Mu Lan echoed Master Li's words, placing the money pouch in Walnut's hand, "I have entrusted both the money and the person to you. I will attend to some matters."
Mu Lan felt somewhat anxious and seemed a bit embarrassed as she murmured softly: "The lotus in Bailianwu has bloomed... I heard there is also a casino there..."
Stop! Mu Lan's two ears felt as if a flock of sparrows were flying around, making his head ache. He pointed to the three-story Si Hai Ju at the corner of the long street and said, "Do you know what to do when you enter Yangzhou? Yangzhou is known for its morning skin wrapped in water and evening water wrapped in skin. In the early morning, you sit in a tea house, order a table of exquisite snacks, brew a pot of fine tea, and enjoy leisurely conversations. In the evening, you go to the bathhouse for a soak; even immortals would not have it better. Do you see? In the early morning, you sit in a tea house, order a table of exquisite snacks, brew a pot of fine tea, and enjoy leisurely conversations. In the evening, you go to the bathhouse for a soak; even immortals would not have it better. Do you see? Old Si Hai! A century-old tea house in Yangzhou. The chef is a retired imperial chef. Do you know what an imperial chef is? A cook who specifically prepares meals for the emperor. How could it not be delicious?"
Mu Lan was startled, opened the money pouch to take a glance, took out a two-tael piece of broken silver and stuffed it into her own purse, and asked in confusion: "What do you need so much money for?"
"Last time you mentioned seeing a recipe for beauty in a book? Today, go into the city and buy the ingredients. I know the class supervisor is strict with you, and you can't even take out ten coins from your pocket. If I don't bring money, you can just stay at home and bask in the sun!"
Hearing the urging from the dock, Walnut felt a bit anxious and said angrily, "Forget it! Later, when you hear us talking about delicious food, don't drool!"
His face, illuminated by the morning sun, reveals exquisite and three-dimensional features resembling flowers painted on glass. With a smile, an indescribable vivacity emerges, brimming with vibrant life
Mu Lan tossed the money bag, hearing the clinking sound of the coins, and said with a smile, "The money bag is too heavy. I will help you carry it"
The cheers immediately erupted
Huanlai looked at the walnut from above and spat, "Like!" Her tone paused, and suddenly she said in a low voice, "I don't mind that you are poor!" After saying this, she blushed and ran away
Mu Lan boarded a passenger boat in the city and said: "To Bai Lian Wu."
Mu Lan's lips curled up high: "Does the young master look like someone with empty pockets?"
Standing on the banks of the Grand Canal, Yangzhou City connects the north and south thoroughfares, and has been a renowned city of communication since ancient times, a strategic location for military forces. Merchants coming from the south and north, the densely packed shops within the city, and the throngs of people shoulder to shoulder, all contribute to the vibrant vitality of this vast city
In less than half an hour, the small boat turned into a waterway. A vast expanse of green leaves and white lotuses filled the view, overwhelming the senses
The small boat deftly navigated through the crowded waterway, and the boatman, rowing, struck up a conversation: "I can tell from your accent that you are not a local. Have you come to admire the lotus flowers?"
Having paid the shipping fee to disembark, Mu Lan did not hurry to enter the Liu Xiang Fang, but stood by the shore leisurely admiring the lotus leaves covering the entire lake
He turned his eyes and suddenly understood, unable to suppress a laugh: "The money is won here, and over there, they indulge in romance. The good fortune should not fall into the hands of outsiders. The Lin family really knows how to do business; no wonder they have become the richest in Yangzhou"
The walnut was collected with a beaming smile. As she watched her classmates joyfully disembark from the boat, she couldn't help but look around.
As dawn breaks, the sound of chattering can be heard from a small sailboat docked at the pier
The waterways of Yangzhou run through the entire city, with hundreds of boats navigating the rivers, flowing incessantly
Her lips brushed against his fingers, and Walnut instantly felt her cheeks flush. She turned her head to avoid him. When she looked back, Mu Lan's figure had swayed and disappeared into the crowd. She stood there in a daze, unable to resist the urge to touch her own lips. Suddenly, she realized that everyone in the class was staring at her, and Walnut's face burned with embarrassment. Pretending not to notice, she lowered her head and walked forward: "What are you all staring at? Are you waiting for the young class leader to treat everyone to Old Four Seas? He's as poor as a church mouse, so don't expect anything from him. Let's go!"
Mu Lan's slender fingers were raised at the edge of her lips, interrupting her words
Sister Walnut, hurry up!
A young boy from a foreign land is also aware of the Lin family, and the boat captain speaks with great pride, elaborating endlessly.
A row of green willows along the shore, their branches and leaves almost dipping into the water, dyeing the clear lake with a lush green hue. Behind the green willows, several exquisite houses are partially hidden. The white walls and black tiles of the firewalls peek out from between the treetops, resembling the elegant brows of a beauty, gracefully arched and soft. A long wooden corridor stretches directly from the shore into the midst of the green leaves and white lotuses, where a magnificent painted boat is anchored among the flowers and leaves. At this moment, a group of graceful beauties, lifting their skirts, descend and, with their arms full of green leaves and white lotuses, step onto the wooden corridor, laughing joyfully.
The boatman slowly rowed the small boat closer to the shore, pointing at the houses across the waterway and said with a smile: "That place is the most famous site of pleasure and romance in Yangzhou, the Ninghua Tower. It is also owned by the Lin family."
The White Lotus Dock has arrived
The walnut stared in a daze, suddenly blushing with embarrassment, and stamped its foot saying, "Who called for you?"
Watching her silhouette, Mu Lan sighed and murmured: "This girl is becoming more and more beautiful, yet her judgment is getting worse and worse"
The young servants of the Mu family listened with rapt attention, their mouths watering in anticipation
In order to avoid delaying the performance for the Dragon Boat Festival, the Mu family troupe traveled down the Grand Canal HN, stopping at docks along the way, while all the members of the troupe were confined on the boat by the troupe leader Mu Yanzhi
After saying so much, the brothers in the class were drooling. Unable to afford to treat everyone, he simply turned around and ran away. Walnut was both angry and amused. She suddenly realized and, feeling both angry and anxious, said: "Are you going to take those two taels of silver to..."
The young servants of the Mu family could not help but shudder at the thought of the family discipline whip, which had become shiny with age and use, and they responded in unison: "Yes!"
Master Li reined in his smile and sternly admonished: "Return to the boat before sunset. No fighting or causing trouble. Anyone who stirs up trouble and disrupts tomorrow's performance will face severe family discipline!"
It turns out they are going to the casino. Seeing Mu Lan sitting honestly at the bow of the boat, he instantly revealed a shy expression when the casino was mentioned, resembling a naive young man who has just stepped out into the world. The captain of the boat then smiled and said to him: "The entire Bai Lian Fang, where Bai Lian Wu is located, is almost entirely the private property of the Lin family. Even the guards of the alley are members of the Lin clan. When the alley gates are closed, it is like a small city within a city, with doors left unlocked at night, making it extremely safe. The casino run by the Lin family is the most fair. You can play even with a single copper coin. They also serve a bowl of tea for free. Even if you win mountains of gold and seas of silver, the Lin family can afford it!"