Chapter 105
Chapter 105: Leaving the Manor to Buy Books
The next morning, Xiao Man got up early.
She picked a goose yellow dress from the bottom of her chest. The cloth was simple cotton, but the color was bright as water.
After she changed, she checked the bronze mirror from side to side. Something was still missing, so she added a silver hairpin.
From her little makeup box she chose a Twin-Lotus Dangle Hairpin with Little Bell and slid it into her hair. She shook it; the tiny bell jingled. She nodded in satisfaction.
In the mirror, a lively girl smiled back, eyes curved, lips red, teeth white, full of fresh energy.
She skipped to the front hall. Lin Qing Xuan was already waiting.
He still wore a frost white long robe, and his black hair was tied loosely with a single jade pin.
Morning light spilled through the carriage window and brushed him with a pale halo. He looked even cooler and more distant.
Hearing steps, he raised his eyes. When he saw that bright goose yellow, his gaze paused for a breath.
Xiao Man twirled in front of him, her skirt flaring: “Buddha’s Chosen Young Master, I have more flavor than you today.”
He looked at her bold, sunny smile. A smile he did not notice touched his own eyes as he answered, “Mm.”
That one word made Xiao Man happier than a long speech.
The carriage rolled toward Vermilion Bird Avenue, the busiest street in the Capital City.
Unable to hold back, Xiao Man lifted the curtain a little. Noise and laughter rushed in at once.
“Wow, it is so lively,” she whispered.
Lin Qing Xuan did not look outside. His gaze rested on her excited profile. Her eyes shone with simple curiosity and love for the bustling world.
He found that more interesting than any view.
The carriage ran fast and soon reached Yunlang Studio.
But before it stopped, the Driver pulled hard on the reins and frowned. “Young Master, we cannot go forward.”
Xiao Man peeked out and sucked in a breath.
Wow.
People packed the studio entrance like ocean waves. The line bent and bent again, blocking most of the street. The noise could have lifted the roof.
“What is going on? Is Zhao Lv Liu’s book now something you must own, or you are not a true Capital City person?”
She clicked her tongue, then turned to Lin Qing Xuan with a serious face: “Eldest Grandson Young Master, you should not get down.”
Pointing at the crowd craning their necks, she lowered her voice with dramatic dread: “Look at that. This is not a book line. This is a giant fan meeting. If you step out, what then? You will not see a single word, and those eager Misses and Aunties will surround you, Set up Ritual Altar on the spot, and ask you to Deliver All Beings.”
Following her look, Lin Qing Xuan saw the feverish scene and smiled.
She was right. If he showed up, it would only stir trouble.
“Very well. I will wait here,” he said, voice clear.
Given permission, Xiao Man lifted her skirt and hopped down. Like a slick little fish, she slid through gaps in the crowd. Only when she reached the front did she catch the talk around her.
“Have you heard? Today Yunlang Studio will release ten portraits blessed by the Buddha’s Chosen himself.”
“Is that true? I have been in line since before dawn. I hope I can get one to bless my son for the Imperial Examinations this year.”
“I would be happy just to see the Buddha’s Chosen from afar and get a bit of that holy luck.”
So that was it.
Xiao Man relaxed. Most people were here for Lin Qing Xuan. She was one of the few who only wanted storybooks.
She let out a breath, eyes turning as she slipped around the long line to a clerk keeping order.
“Hello, big brother,” she said with a sweet smile. “I am not here for the portraits. I want to look at the new storybooks. Where are they?”
The clerk was quick. She wore plain clothes, but her features were clean and lively. He could tell she was not here to make a fuss.
He looked her over and led her to a smaller shop beside it. “Please, Miss. This side is for storybooks and such. Pick what you like from the shelves.”
After she stepped in, he leaned close with a knowing grin and lowered his voice: “Miss, you have good taste. If you want something… new and different, I can recommend a few.”
[New and different? How new? Could it be… the spicy kind?]
[Oh no. Do they already print Spring Palace Illustrations here?]
Curiosity tickled her like an itch. Her mind started rolling out scenes with a red label. But her face was thin, and she did not dare ask.
She waved both hands, cheeks pink as she smiled too hard: “No need. I will just look around. I can choose on my own.”
Then she remembered her main goal: “By the way, is your studio’s Miss Zhao, Painter Zhao, in today?”
The clerk laughed. “Painter Zhao? She is a Young Lady, very high status. She will not be here every day.”
“I see,” said Xiao Man, a little disappointed. “Then please bring me a few of Painter Zhao’s most famous books.”
At that, the clerk brightened and spoke like a river: “You asked the right person.”
He quickly pulled a plain-covered book from the shelf. “This one, Mortal Tribulation: The Errant Lamp, tells a tragic love between a Buddhist Order Holy Son and a General’s Daughter. It is full of tender sorrow. Many Misses finish it in tears.”
He grabbed another wrapped in brocade, already looking pricey. “And this, Within the Prince’s Manor: Beloved Concubine, is about the Prince at Prince Jing Manor and his Favored Concubine. Painter Zhao says it is a true story, which she got by coaxing tales from that Concubine’s Personal Maid. It is our top seller.”
Then he bent under the counter and drew out a third book wrapped in brown paper like a secret. “Miss, this one is even more amazing. It is also based on real people. To dig up details, Painter Zhao almost got beaten as a Spy by a mighty Grand General. This is The Little Cook and the Grand General.”
Xiao Man stared, awed.
[Goodness. Painter Zhao really understands traffic. For the sake of art, she dances on the edge of danger, back and forth without fear.]
She decided at once: “All right. I will take all three.”
“Great.” The clerk grinned, abacus clacking. “Painter Zhao’s books come in sets. Each set has five volumes. Three sets make fifteen volumes. Each set is five taels, so that is fifteen taels total.”
He added warmly, “Also, Painter Zhao is now pouring her heart into a Capital Handsome Men Register, a collection of every famous handsome Young Master in the Capital City. If you put down ten taels now, you can reserve one and get it in the first batch. Would you like to do that, Miss?”
Xiao Man sucked in a sharp breath.
[Robbery in broad daylight.]
She felt her small money pouch. It held her saved allowance and tips, maybe three or four taels.
With a tight smile and a bit of embarrassment, she said, “Please wait a moment. I did not bring enough silver. I will be right back.”
Bracing herself, she hurried to the carriage.
Lifting the curtain, she whispered to the living “real Buddha” inside, “Eldest Grandson Young Master…”
She stuck her head in and made a bitter face, then complained in a rush: “I am short on money. Please lend me some. These books are so expensive. Three sets cost fifteen taels. And the Capital Handsome Men Register wants ten taels just to reserve, and that is not even the final price. Is the book made of gold? With business sense like that, Miss Zhao should open a bank.”
Lin Qing Xuan listened, amusement deepening in his eyes.
He asked nothing. He only smiled, drew out his money pouch, and handed it to her.
It was full and heavy.
Xiao Man did not stand on ceremony. She thanked him, grabbed the pouch, and ran back.
“Check out, please,” she said grandly.
She paid, then returned to the carriage hugging a stack of fresh, ink-scented volumes.
After she tucked the books safely away, she rubbed her sore wrist and muttered, “If I had known about Transmigration… ahem, if I had known painting made this much money, I would have learned it back then. This is the code to riches. With this skill, you can live well anywhere and never worry about food.”
A cool voice cut in at once: “Where do you want to go?”
Lin Qing Xuan had caught the words anywhere. A note of alertness slipped into his tone.
Xiao Man’s heart jumped. [Oh no, I slipped.] She quickly looked up, met his searching eyes, and pasted on a bright smile: “Nowhere. I did not mean anything. I was just saying painting is a good craft. If you have skill, you can make a living anywhere.”
The carriage started again. Once she sat steady, she offered the heavy pouch back to him.
Lin Qing Xuan did not take it. “Keep it,” he said mildly. “We are going to Treasures Pavilion next.”
“That will not do,” said Xiao Man, pushing the pouch back into his hand. “It is your money.”
At Treasures Pavilion, Lin Qing Xuan got out first.
He stood by the carriage and naturally reached up a hand to help her down.
Xiao Man almost took it, then noticed curious glances from the street. She pulled back at once.
“Young Master, there are too many eyes on us. It is better not,” she said, head down, and hopped down by herself.
His hand hung in the air.
He looked at his empty palm, then at the careful distance she kept. His eyes dimmed a shade.
A small, nameless displeasure rose in his chest. He said nothing, drew his hand back, and walked into Treasures Pavilion without expression.
Inside, jewels and fine things glittered everywhere.
Unlike his usual self, Lin Qing Xuan took his time, strolling row by row with real interest.
Xiao Man drifted, bored. She had no interest in bright trinkets. A Maid could not wear them anyway. Looking was a waste. Her mind stayed with the fifteen volumes in the carriage. She wanted to fly home and dive into those stories.
Her gaze slid without focus over the shining goods. Only one thought kept circling: [So boring. I want to go home.]
Suddenly Lin Qing Xuan stopped in front of a jade pendant.
It was fine Hetian jade carved into a blooming lotus. Layered petals glowed soft and cool under the gentle light.
His eyes settled there and did not move for a long time.
Restless, Xiao Man sidled over and said, “You like this, Young Master? It looks like a lady’s ornament.”
She meant, a grown man staring at women’s things, why, and could we please buy and go.
Lin Qing Xuan looked at her and sighed. His gaze held something mixed that she could not read.
He turned away from the pendant and spoke quietly with the Shopkeeper.
The Shopkeeper’s eyes lit up with an I understand look. He nodded fast, then pointed to a few other items and said to Lin Qing Xuan, “Young Master, I noticed this Miss’s gaze lingered on these for more than three breaths. She must like them too. Why not take them together?”
Following the pointing finger, Lin Qing Xuan saw a tassel hair ornament, a pair of red gold bracelets, and a small set of pearl earrings.
He nodded.
The Shopkeeper moved like the wind. In one smooth flow he took down the Lotus Jade Pendant and the other pieces, packed them in brocade boxes, and placed them in Lin Qing Xuan’s hands.
Xiao Man stayed confused from start to finish. She only thought he was buying things for himself and letting her see the fanciest shop in the Capital City for fun.
Without another word, the two returned to the carriage and headed home.
Inside, the quiet felt a little strange.
Xiao Man hugged her books. Lin Qing Xuan sat beside her, eyes closed as if resting.
Neither of them spoke again.