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Chen Feng heard the people from the embroidery shop behind her calling out to the young boy, “Wang Xiaodi, what do you have to sell today?”
The boy smiled and replied, “Manager Li, this time it’s a medium-sized piece, a ‘Cat Rolling Embroidery Ball,’ which can be used as a bed screen or a decorative item.”
She glanced back at the boy’s thin and frail figure, another child hustling for a living.
Without much thought, she led Yang Qian back to the restaurant.
Inside, several men were engaged in a lively conversation, with Yang Mingyuan leading the discussion and Chen Yu following. Chu Lingxuan interjected occasionally, speaking more freely with Chen Feng and Chu Hanyan, but sparingly with others. Yang Chao sat attentively like a young adult, indicating that Yang Mingyuan had already begun mentoring him.
Yang Qian happily showed off the flowers in her hair and the sachets to her father and brother.
Chen Feng sat down, took a few sips of tea, and noticed that the hotpot tables were already set up. The three men sat at one table, while Chen Feng led the two children at another.
The hotpot was delicious, enhancing Chen Feng’s culinary skills and blending with the local flavors.
However, Chen Feng felt a sense of unease, as if something was amiss. Halfway through the meal, a sudden realization struck her, explaining her lingering sense of unease. The child she had encountered earlier resembled Chen Lu, who in turn resembled Mrs. Wang. Although her Uncle was now named Li Gousheng, he might remember his original name since he was sold at the age of six and later changed it back.
She wondered if the child had already left after all this time. Regardless, she felt it was worth investigating to clear up any doubts.
Addressing the maids behind the two children, she said, “Take good care of the siblings.” Then, turning to the men at the other table, she added, “Enjoy your meal, I have something to attend to at the Shui Linglong Embroidery Shop.”
Chu Lingxuan inquired, “What’s going on?”
Chen Feng explained, “I encountered a boy at Shui Linglong earlier, who resembled A’Lu and shares the surname Wang. I want to go check on him.”
Chu Lingxuan, knowing how much Chen Feng’s family longed to find Wang Cheng, stood up and said, “I’ll accompany you.”
Yang Mingyuan and Chen Yu also rose, expressing their intention to join.
Chen Feng chuckled, “It’s not certain if that boy really has any connection to my uncle, it would be quite a coincidence. I’ll just take a look, you all continue with your meal.”
Chen Yu remarked, “After all this time, that child must have already left. I’m familiar with the Manager at Shui Linglong, I’ll inquire.” Addressing Chu Lingxuan and Yang Mingyuan, he added, “General Chu and Mr. Yang, please continue with your drinks, I’ll accompany my cousin.”
Chu Lingxuan was Chen Yu’s cousin-in-law, while Yang Mingyuan was his brother-in-law, one a high-ranking general and the other a direct superior. Despite their kindness, Chen Yu never took advantage of their positions and never referred to them as cousin-in-law or brother-in-law in public.
Accompanied by her cousin, Chen Feng went to Shui Linglong, only to find that the child had indeed left.
Chen Yu then asked the manager if he knew where the boy lived and who was in his family.
The manager replied, “I only know him as Wang Xiaodi, his mother’s surname is Wu, they live in the eastern outskirts of the capital, and he sells his mother’s embroidered goods. That’s all I know.”
Chen Feng felt deeply disappointed upon hearing this.
Chen Yu comforted her, saying, “Don’t worry. Next time Wang Xiaodi comes to sell his embroidered goods, I’ll have the manager inform me.”
The manager chuckled, “Well, Master Chen will have to wait a while. As you know, we at Shui Linglong are very selective about external work, requiring intricate embroidery. This level of craftsmanship takes time, a small piece can take two months to complete, while a medium piece can take over six months. With Wang’s mother’s health issues, her work is even slower. If he came today, the next visit would be in three to four months.”
Chen Yu reassured Chen Feng, “Don’t worry. When Wang Xiaodi returns to the shop, I will inquire further. If he is indeed related to your uncle, I’ll have someone deliver a message to you.”
At that moment, a server approached and mentioned, “Master Chen, it seems that Wang Xiaodi is quite familiar with the worker at your restaurant. I once saw them talking.”
Delighted at this revelation, Chen Yu said, “That simplifies things.”
They returned to the Hongyun Hotpot Restaurant, where Chen Yu called over a young apprentice and asked, “Shan Zi, are you acquainted with Wang Xiaodi who often sells embroidered goods at Shui Linglong?”
Shan Zi, a server at the restaurant, quickly said to Chen Yu, “I’m neighbors with Xiaodi, so we’re quite familiar. What do you need to know about him, Master?”
Chen Yu replied, “Every detail matters. Anything related to Wang Xiaodi, please share.” He added, “Let’s discuss this in the private room.”
The group returned to the private room, where Shan Zi provided information about Wang Xiaodi.
Wang Xiaodi and Shan Zi both resided in Jiuli Village in the eastern outskirts of the capital, about ten miles away.
His father, in his thirties, worked in the Left Guard Camp feeding horses. Due to missing four fingers on his left hand, he was known as Wang Liuzhi. Although this nickname was widely used, his real name was seldom mentioned, even Shan Zi was unaware of it.
His mother, known as Mrs. Wu, was skilled in embroidery and had been supplying embroidered goods to Shui Linglong from a young age. However, due to her poor health, she couldn’t engage in heavy work. They also had a five-year-old daughter.
Living in a few thatched houses, the family struggled to make ends meet.
Chen Feng inquired, “Wang Xiaodi’s father is in the military feeding horses, so there should be military provisions. His mother is skilled in embroidery, especially if she can sell to a prestigious shop like Shui Linglong, the prices should be decent. With only four family members, why are they still facing difficulties?”
Shan Zi explained, “Auntie Wu’s maternal family is from our village. Due to her embroidery skills, her family hesitated to marry her off. They believed that her exceptional talent in embroidery made her a treasure trove. Her family demanded a dowry of one hundred taels of silver before agreeing to her marriage. Families capable of providing such a dowry weren’t interested in marrying an embroiderer, so there were no suitors. At eighteen, she came to the capital to sell her embroidery, where she was harassed. Military officer Wang Liuzhi saved her. They hit it off, but Uncle Wang didn’t have much money. He borrowed some silver, barely managing to gather thirty taels. He then negotiated with Auntie Wu’s family, agreeing to pay ten taels annually, which the Wu family accepted. Seventy taels, with interest, and it’s still not fully repaid.”
The behavior of the maternal family was quite despicable.
However, after learning all this, only three useful pieces of information stood out, which aligned closely with Wang Cheng: the surname Wang, the father in his thirties working in the military, and the location of Jiuli Village.
Feeling satisfied with this information, Chen Feng expressed her desire to visit Wang Liuzhi’s home in Jiuli Village.
Chu Lingxuan advised, “It’s late and traveling to Jiuli Village would take at least an hour and a half by carriage. It’s not suitable for a woman alone at night. Plus, people in the military camp don’t return home every day, so even if you go, you may not see Wang Liuzhi. I have acquaintances in the Left Guard Camp. I’ll send someone to inquire about his situation, and we should have a definite update by tomorrow. If he resembles your uncle, I’ll accompany you then.”
That seemed to be the best course of action.
Chu Lingxuan summoned one of the soldiers dining in the hall, gave a few instructions, and the soldier promptly left.