Font Size:
Old Tan declined, saying, “No need, I still have to hurry back and harvest the vegetables in the garden. Don’t want them to get flooded if it rains later.”
Shopkeeper Bai didn’t insist. After all, it would take some time to get from the county to Fengping Village, and he didn’t want to delay Old Tan’s return.
After giving Tan Erqian a few instructions, Old Tan left. Though he was reluctant, he knew that young people should go out and experience the world.
With a determined heart, he quickly moved his cart and left.
Shopkeeper Bai, worried that Tan Erqian might not be used to things, smiled and said, “Erqian, let’s go, I’ll take you to the Bai residence.”
“Yes, Master,” Tan Erqian replied, adjusting the luggage on his back.
The two of them left together.
After they had gone, Chen Shian, holding the pickled vegetables his uncle had given him, grew upset. He tossed the jar into the waste basket in the corner of the yard.
“Who cares about this pickled stuff? How unlucky!”
This scene happened to be witnessed by Shopkeeper Bai and Tan Erqian, who had turned back on their way out.
Tan Erqian, furious, quickly ran over, picked up the pickled vegetables from the waste basket, and said, “These pickles were made with my mother’s own hands! How can you just throw them away like that? Such ungratefulness!”
Chen Shian, noticing Shopkeeper Bai standing at the door, immediately lowered his head in embarrassment. “Erqian, our family doesn’t eat pickled vegetables, so I…”
Shopkeeper Bai stepped forward, scolding him, “If you don’t like them, you should’ve said so earlier. But to accept someone’s gift and then throw it away like this? That’s truly ill-mannered!”
He had never paid much attention to this young apprentice, thinking of him as an honest and straightforward person. But today, it seemed he wasn’t what he appeared to be—more like a two-faced, scheming individual.
Chen Shian hung his head, unsure how to respond. “Shopkeeper, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have acted like that.”
Though it was a private matter, Shopkeeper Bai couldn’t truly punish him. However, he remained cautious in his thoughts—this boy was no saint. He took the jar of pickled vegetables from Tan Erqian’s hands and said, “If you don’t like them, I’ll take them instead.”
He then turned to Tan Erqian and said, “Erqian, I’ll take this jar of pickles.”
Tan Erqian, hearing this, smiled and said, “If Master likes them, then they’re yours.”
Shopkeeper Bai gathered both jars of pickled vegetables and held them in his arms. He turned around and said, “Let’s go, we’re heading to the residence.”
“Yes, Master,” Tan Erqian quickly followed.
“Take care, Shopkeeper,” Chen Shian pretended to offer a polite farewell as he stepped forward.
Shopkeeper Bai glanced at him coldly, and that single look was enough to make Chen Shian freeze in place, too scared to move.
Tan Erqian felt a sense of satisfaction inside, thinking that such people were best kept at a distance whenever possible.
After about half an incense stick’s worth of time, Shopkeeper Bai brought Tan Erqian to the Bai residence.
It just so happened that there were guests at the Bai residence that day—guests from the capital.
From a distance, Tan Erqian noticed that one of them seemed to be the person who had bought his eggs a few days ago.
Tan Erqian had wanted to observe a bit longer, but he was quickly ushered away by a servant of the Bai residence.
Since Shopkeeper Bai had to entertain the guests, Tan Erqian was left alone in the guest room to have his meal.
Though he was staying in a guest room, it still surprised him. The intricately carved wooden bed, the satin curtains, the red-painted tables and chairs—these were all things he had never even dreamed of.
What’s more, his room was attended by a young servant.
The servant brought in the lunch, which consisted of fish and meat.
Tan Erqian was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped. At his young age, he had never seen such luxury. If someone told him this was how the palace lived, he would probably believe it.
However, despite the lavish food and drink before him, Tan Erqian couldn’t help but miss his family. Out of habit, he pushed the fish and meat to the side, just like he would do at home, leaving them for his brothers. He didn’t pick up his chopsticks again, instead pushing around the rice and eating it slowly.
Meanwhile, Shopkeeper Bai was hosting the guests.
Three guests had arrived from the capital.
The one leading the group was tall and thin, without a beard, his fair skin almost delicate like a woman’s.
Shopkeeper Bai had been to the capital before, so he recognized this gentleman. “Eunuch Xu, it’s been over ten years since we last met.”
The man, who was the leader, raised his pinky and lifted his wine glass with a smile. “Yes, it’s been more than ten years. And you, still all by yourself.”
Shopkeeper Bai chuckled. “Being by myself is good. No attachments, carefree and free.”
The man he referred to as Eunuch Xu was indeed a eunuch from the palace. While he wasn’t a head eunuch, he had been around the palace for many years. This time, he had brought two guards to this remote Pingyang County, on a mission from the Emperor to find someone.
Eunuch Xu smiled. “You’ve always been this way.”
Since his mission was confidential, he didn’t mention the true reason for his visit but instead told Shopkeeper Bai that he was here to visit family.
Shopkeeper Bai then asked, “Eunuch Xu, how are your parents?”
Eunuch Xu nodded. “They’re well, very well. Though they’re getting old, their health is still fairly strong.”
“Good, good. When will you return to the capital?” Shopkeeper Bai asked as he took out the pickled vegetables Tan Erqian had given him and opened the lid.
A gust of wind blew by, and the fragrant aroma wafted through the air.
“Tomorrow, I’ll be heading back.” Eunuch Xu leaned forward, sniffing the aroma, and saw what was in the jar. He asked curiously, “Shopkeeper Bai, what is this?”
Shopkeeper Bai smiled and replied, “This is some pickled vegetables I got today. Would you like to give it a try?”
Eunuch Xu nodded. “It smells quite good. Let me taste it.”
Shopkeeper Bai hadn’t eaten any yet and quickly picked up a piece with his chopsticks, offering it to Eunuch Xu.
Eunuch Xu picked it up with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed. He froze, utterly stunned.
Shopkeeper Bai immediately became anxious. “Eunuch Xu, what’s the matter?”