Yan Erlang's mischievous nature got the better of him. That day, he stubbornly stood by the roadside until all twenty jin of meat was sold. As customers gradually left and the Ying family butcher shop closed, Ying Xiaoman shut the storefront, hugging the small bamboo basket with today's earnings. She and Zhi began counting the money together.
"Three hundred coins... five hundred coins... seven hundred coins... Come, Zhi, string up the copper coins. This makes one string."
There was also a two-string paper note in the bamboo basket, payment from Seventh Young Master for ten jin of meat. Ying Xiaoman's fingertips touched the thin paper bill, her emotions complex as she rubbed it between her fingers.
"Plus two strings in paper notes. Today's total income is three strings and six hundred coins."
After confirming the count was correct, Zhi peeked her head out to look, then quickly pulled back in, whispering, "The bad man in red clothes is still outside the door. What should we do, sister?"
"Didn't you hear what Seventh Young Master said? The one outside was just released from his home today. If he dares to cause trouble on the street again, his family will discover it and give him another good beating. A tiger without teeth is nothing to be afraid of."
"Oh..."
Ying Xiaoman pushed out the small wheeled cart, placed the empty wooden barrels on the cart, then picked up Zhi and stuffed a piece of candy in her mouth. "Don't pay attention to bad people. Let's go home."
"Yay!" Zhi happily sucked on the candy.
However, the man in red clothes followed them, leading his horse by the reins, matching their pace step by step.
Zhi kept looking back. Yan Erlang smiled from afar, revealing a set of perfectly white teeth.
After walking through two or three streets and alleys like this, Zhi's expression gradually turned fearful. Even the candy in her mouth no longer tasted sweet. "The bad man is going to follow us home!"
With a creak, the wooden wheeled cart came to a stop at the entrance of a small alley.
Ying Xiaoman instructed, "Little one, when sister fights the bad man in a moment, you can watch quietly, but don't shout. After sister finishes fighting silently, we'll go home."
Zhi obediently covered her face, peeking through her fingers with one dark eye, intently watching her sister's movements.
Ying Xiaoman turned to face him.
This young nobleman, who had just committed a grave error and received a harsh punishment from his family, was now stalking and following a young woman. Even if she were to beat him severely, he likely wouldn't dare to speak up about it.
Surprisingly, Yan Erlang didn't avoid her.
He stopped at the side of the street, casually handing the horse's reins to a servant. Turning to face her, his first words were, "Did you have a fight with that person from the Yan family in Changle Alley, or did you break up?"
Ying Xiaoman was stunned.
Yan Erlang curved his lips in a smile and continued speaking, "A mere quarrel wouldn't be serious enough to change how you address the children in the family. It seems you two really have separated. What exactly did he do to wrong you, causing you to part ways so decisively?"
What kind of person was this, exposing someone's wounds right to their face!
Anger flared in Ying Xiaoman's heart. Out of sight, her slender fingers, like spring onions, clenched one by one within the thin sleeves of her summer clothes. Her gaze swept the surroundings.
The quiet alley, far from the main street, was lined with willow trees, with few people in sight.
Yan Erlang's gaze also surveyed the area. Seeing no one nearby, his carefree smile suddenly disappeared.
He adjusted his collar and straightened his clothes. Then, surprisingly, he bowed deeply.
He was indeed adaptable, setting aside the face of a young nobleman and immediately apologizing.
"My previous behavior was reckless. I misunderstood Miss Ying's character and committed a grave mistake. Now that I realize my error, I ask that you not hold my past actions against me and give me a chance to make amends."
Ying Xiaoman remained silent. What nonsense about "not holding past actions against him" – she held grudges!
She stood warily, watching to see what this notorious playboy from the capital would do next.
Yan Erlang continued, "I see that the butcher shop's business is excellent. Miss Ying probably doesn't lack for money. But there are many wastrel sons in the capital. If they set their sights on your shop and deliberately cause trouble, what will you do then?"
Ying Xiaoman replied with a stern face, "The Ministry of Justice office is just across the street. Eighth Young Master Yan from the Ministry of Justice comes to oversee things every morning. Who would dare cause trouble?"
Yan Erlang chuckled, "It's true that the Ministry of Justice office is just across the street. But you and your Seventh Young Master have fallen out to the point of quarreling in public... Eighth Young Master Yan won't be of much use. Miss Ying, don't be naive."
Ying Xiaoman snorted.
She wasn't about to tell Yan Erlang that although she had fallen out with Seventh Young Master, as long as their common enemy Yan Rongshi remained standing, her fragile alliance with Eighth Young Master Yan would still hold (?)
Seeing her silence, Yan Erlang thought he had made his point and smiled as he showed her the official token at his waist.
"Although I've been stripped of my position as Deputy Commander of the Tianwu Imperial Army and lost command of my five hundred imperial guards... I'm still a member of the imperial family. I grew up under the emperor's nose, entering and leaving the imperial city since childhood. My relationship with the imperial family is unlike others. Thanks to the emperor's trust, though I'm serving under probation, I still hold the position of Detailed Officer in the Court of Judicial Review and can still enter and leave the imperial court."
"I may be unworthy, but I'm familiar with all corners of the capital, knowing every place to eat, drink, and have fun like the back of my hand. Whatever new delicacies you wish to try, just name them. I have some standing with all the families in the capital. If you encounter some noble's son causing trouble, like that Third Son Mo who has a penchant for harassing women... if he gets drunk and comes to your butcher shop to make a scene, just send word. I can be there in no time to drive the rascal away."
Ying Xiaoman still didn't say a word, silently thinking to herself, "What's so scary about that coward Third Son Mo? The time it takes me to cut a lamb leg, he'd already be scared off."
Yan Erlang, thinking he had touched on all the right points, pressed on, asking about the reason for Ying Xiaoman's falling out with Yan Seventh Young Master.
"That person from Changle Alley and I have known each other since childhood. The capital is just this small area, with only a few dozen notable families. We all see each other frequently. Yan Erlang and that Seventh Young Master from the Yan family in Changle Alley, unfortunately born in the same year, have been compared to each other since we were young. Year after year, we grew up being compared."
At this point, Yan Erlang lowered his head and smiled.
He had come prepared today, exchanging his flashy attire for proper clothing, deliberately suppressing his usual frivolous demeanor. His usually careless posture was now upright, and as he smiled in the sunlight, he suddenly appeared to have a somewhat gentle and considerate air about him.
"In terms of background, one from a noble family with imperial connections, the other from a family of civil officials, we're about evenly matched."
"As for official positions in the court..." He pondered for a moment before decisively saying, "Even if I explained, you wouldn't understand. Let's just skip that and move on to the next point."
Ying Xiaoman thought to herself: ? This must mean he can't compete with Seventh Young Master in official positions, right?
Next, Yan Erlang brought up personality.
"That person from Changle Alley appears to be smooth in all situations, often smiling, gentle and refined, easy to talk to. Heh, outwardly round but inwardly square, warm on the outside but cold on the inside. I think you, Miss Ying, have experienced this too. Just think about why you two parted ways. I'm different!"
Yan Erlang pointed at himself. The frivolous air he had tried to suppress still leaked out as he leaned casually against a tree trunk, smiling lazily as he said, "I, Yan Erlang, am true to myself! Consistent inside and out. If I appear cold, then I'm truly cold. If I appear warm, I'm even warmer on the inside!"
"Right now, I'm all fired up about you, Miss Ying. As long as you're willing to give me a small chance, after we spend some time together and you get to know me, Yan Yixing, I can't promise other benefits, but when it comes to food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, I'll ensure you're comfortable in every way. With me protecting you in the capital, your whole family can walk with your heads held high."
The more Ying Xiaoman listened, the more uncomfortable she felt.
She had angrily thrown out all of Yan Seventh Young Master's things left in the side room. Now, just seeing someone who reminded her of him made her eyes sting.
But it wasn't until Yan Erlang clearly said "think about why you two parted ways" that she belatedly realized – had they really separated? Parted ways?
"Nonsense!"
Just as Yan Erlang finished his long speech and was about to press his advantage, Ying Xiaoman snapped out of her daze and shouted angrily, startling Yan Erlang who was ready to continue.
Ying Xiaoman said indignantly, "Seventh Young Master and I were never together in the first place!"
This left Yan Erlang stunned again.
Then he burst into laughter, "Never together? That's even better."
Ying Xiaoman heard this, but it only made her feel worse inside.
Had they truly never been together?
She and Seventh Young Master had once walked hand in hand all the way home from Changle Alley.
She had long forgotten what idle chat they had that night, only remembering how they both unconsciously slowed their pace. The way home was too short; they didn't want to walk too quickly.
At that time, their palms were burning hot, their hearts pounding. The starlight that night was faint, barely visible. Seventh Young Master had lowered his head slightly, those beautiful eyes of his gazing at her intently. In his pupils, there was only her figure, calm yet passionate, as if the stars of the Milky Way were reflected within.
The vivid feelings of that night still lingered in her memory. Had they truly never been together?
Ying Xiaoman stood lost in thought under a willow tree in an unfamiliar alley.
The dappled summer light filtered through the willow branches, casting shadows on her porcelain-white cheeks.
Yan Erlang asked her several questions in succession, but she didn't respond. His gaze flickered as he leaned in to examine her face closely. He noticed her slightly reddened eyes, long lashes glistening with unshed tears.
Yan Erlang's heart skipped a beat. Without thinking, he reached out to take the hand of the young lady before him.
Ying Xiaoman reacted instinctively, raising her hand in a lightning-fast slap.
Smack—
This time, the blow landed squarely on his face.
Yan Erlang was caught off guard, his martial arts training from childhood failing to help him dodge the strike.
"Ouch..." He raised his hand to touch his face, now sporting a bright red handprint, and managed to compliment her: "The young lady's skills are... quite impressive. Did you ever hit that fellow from Changle Alley like this when you were together?"
Ying Xiaoman quickly wiped the corner of her eye.
Why had she and Seventh Young Master parted ways so abruptly? Because Seventh Young Master was from the Yan family. He claimed to help her seek revenge, but his heart was with his own family, unwilling to help her kill his own brother.
Seventh Young Master had deceived her, but the man before her was even more detestable! Taking advantage of their separation to slander Seventh Young Master at every turn.
Did he think trampling on Seventh Young Master's reputation would make him, Yan Erlang, look better? Nonsense.
"I never hit Seventh Young Master," Ying Xiaoman said, picking up Zhi and pushing her small wheeled cart. "Stop following me. If you keep it up, I just might hit you again."
But Yan Erlang was the type to never learn his lesson.
Despite Ying Xiaoman's repeated warnings, he ignored them like a passing breeze. Disregarding his attendant's quiet advice, he continued to follow at a short distance behind the wheeled cart, his face still sporting a bright red handprint.
"Still harboring feelings for Yan Seventh Young Master? Unwilling to strike him? Yet you still resolutely parted ways with him. Clearly, he must have done something unforgivable, breaking your heart while simultaneously forcing you to leave him. Miss Ying, if you were to follow me, I, Yan Yixing, would surely satisfy your every desire, never causing you even the slightest heartache—"
Ying Xiaoman pushed her cart to the side of the road. As she turned around, Yan Erlang, quick as lightning, leaped back several feet.
Standing beside her cart, Ying Xiaoman retorted with great displeasure, "Seventh Young Master didn't do anything unforgivable. He simply went back on his promise to do something, so I no longer wish to associate with him. You, forcibly abducting women in broad daylight—now that's truly unforgivable!"
Yan Erlang swiftly opened his folding fan, waving it under the tree.
"Who did I abduct? From start to finish, I've only had eyes for you, Miss Ying. Last time, when I was framed by you two in the street, I went home and received a beating as punishment. Knowing I was in the wrong, I never once complained about you. Think carefully, isn't that how it went?"
But Ying Xiaoman ignored him again.
On the way back, she pushed her small cart while Yan Erlang sauntered along behind her. Zhi occasionally glanced back, whispering, "Sister, the bad man is still following us."
This one was truly like a piece of chewing gum stuck to the sole of a shoe. Compared to him, Eleventh Young Master was practically a gentleman.
They continued straight down the long street until they reached a fork in the road. One path turned right into the lush Seven Scholars Lane. The other continued straight for a while before turning left into Changle Alley, where her enemy resided.
Ying Xiaoman stopped in her tracks, gazing intently towards Changle Alley.
Yan Erlang slowly walked up behind her, following her line of sight thoughtfully towards Changle Alley. He spoke in a coaxing tone, "What exactly did he promise you, only to go back on his word? Tell me. What he couldn't do, I might be able to accomplish."
Ying Xiaoman's heart stirred. She turned her gaze from Changle Alley to Yan Erlang.
This was the first time today she had looked at him directly.
Yan Erlang immediately perked up, sensing an opportunity!
He continued to speak persuasively, trying to sway her.
"The Yan family in Changle Alley are, after all, civil officials who wield the brush. Whatever task you entrusted to Yan Seventh Young Master, whether he was unwilling or unable to do it, I can do it for you. Don't underestimate my ability to stir up trouble in the capital, and don't underestimate the imperial favor bestowed upon an official's family who has access to the palace since childhood. What exactly is it? Tell me."
A contemplative look appeared in her beautiful dark eyes.
Ying Xiaoman pointed towards Changle Alley and said to Yan Erlang:
"There's no harm in telling you. I want to sneak into the Yan family home to do something, but Seventh Young Master refused to help me. But I must find a way to infiltrate the Yan residence and accomplish that task. You've been boasting all day, so can you manage this small matter?"
Yan Erlang's expression changed. "If I can do it, what will you do for me?"
Ying Xiaoman thought to herself of an old saying from her hometown, crude but true: Once the bride enters the bridal chamber, the matchmaker is tossed over the wall.
Once the deed was done, who cared what happened to him?
When she successfully killed Yan Rongshi, how could Yan Erlang, who had assisted her, report himself as an accomplice to the authorities?
But Seventh Young Master's act of agreeing to her face and then going back on his word had left a deep impression on her.
She cautiously said, "Anyone can make big promises. We'll talk after you've actually done it."
"It's a small matter, easy enough. But I'm curious, Miss Ying. You're on good terms with that person from Changle Alley, so why not have him openly escort you through the front door of the Yan residence? Why must you 'sneak in'? Could it be that the Yan family is hiding something you're determined to obtain..."
Ying Xiaoman turned and pushed her cart away.
Yan Erlang hurriedly took a few steps to catch up. "Alright, alright, I won't ask. It's not a big deal anyway. I accept your request."
The two stood by the roadside, forming a fragile temporary alliance with three claps of their hands. Yan Erlang solemnly made his promise.
Gazing towards Changle Alley, they began to discuss the details in hushed tones.
That evening, at the end of the hour of the Dog, footsteps were once again heard outside the Ying family gate.
Yan Seventh Young Master stood outside the door, his gaze sweeping over the two cloth bundles that had disappeared beneath the courtyard wall and the door bolt. He went up to knock.
He knocked for a long time, but the door remained closed.
Finally, the tightly shut door made a sound, sliding open to reveal a narrow gap.
Zhi poked her head out from the gap, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she said, "Seventh Bro... ah, Seventh Young Master. Sister said I'm not allowed to open the door."
Seventh Young Master didn't force the issue.
"It's alright if you don't open the door. Just pass on a message to your sister. When she's no longer angry and is willing to talk to me, I'll meet her at the familiar teahouse by Dongming Bridge to explain everything in person."
After a moment's thought, he added, "Oh, and tell your sister one more thing. For the next few days, she should hold off and not rush to seek revenge. The situation is not as she imagines, and her enemy is not who she thinks."
Behind the door, the sleepy Zhi, fighting back yawns with tears in her eyes, opened her mouth: "...Huh? Huh?"
The footsteps outside gradually faded away. At the entrance of the alley, several horse neighs could be heard. The sound of hooves slowly receded into the distance.
In the small courtyard under the osmanthus tree, the knocking outside the door had continued for a quarter of an hour, as had the rhythmic chopping of meat inside. Finally, both sounds ceased. Ying Xiaoman picked up a towel to wipe away the fine beads of sweat on her forehead. Her gaze fell on Zhi, who had returned after closing the door.
Zhi rubbed her sleepy eyes as she walked back to the tree, standing beside the wooden table as she said, "Sister, Seventh Young Master left. He had something to tell you."
"What did he say?"
"He said..." Zhi tried to recall in confusion, "Tea! He wants to meet you for tea under the bridge!"
Under the bridge? Ying Xiaoman was taken aback, then nodded, "Oh, the teahouse by Dongming Bridge. What else?"
"There's more, there's more." For the next few days, hold off on... what was it about chickens and fish?
"He told Sister to feel the chickens and fish," Zhi said, unconsciously licking her lips as she grew hungry, confidently relaying the message.
"Seventh Young Master said our family shouldn't just sell lamb, but should also sell chicken and fish!"