Chapter 10: The Beautiful Young Lady

Before Xie Yun could voice her refusal, Pei Shijin seemed to discern her intent. With a grave air, he added, "If you cannot even handle such a trivial matter, do not bother returning to the Supreme Court to see me."

The two individuals he had just named trembled in unison and promptly acknowledged the order.

Xie Yun was speechless. Since when had her savior become such a wicked man? Still, what was the point of bickering with him? Swallowing her words, she offered a respectful curtsy to the pair beside him and gave a slight nod. "My thanks to Magistrate Pei. I shall leave it to you two, then."

Pei Shijin’s obsidian gaze rested upon her for a moment, but he said nothing more. He turned on his heel and disappeared as swiftly as he had arrived. A new official is like a wildfire, she mused; he was truly a busy man.

Xie Yun tilted her head slightly toward the youth named Aling. "This officer, since Magistrate Pei was intentionally luring Zhao Yuanliang out today, will he blame me for disrupting his plans?"

The youth scratched his temple and replied earnestly, "You are too formal, Miss Xie. My name is Xiao Ling, and this is my elder sister, Xiao Yan. We are merely errand runners for the Magistrate."

He paused, his expression turning serious as he spoke of official business. "Our Magistrate is brilliant; he had long since deduced that even if Zhao Yuanliang escaped, the Fu family would not see him. Luring the snake out of its hole today has already yielded other gains. It was meant to end when things were going well, so it was truly improper that you were disturbed, Miss Xie."

Xie Yun offered a faint smile, saying it was of no consequence, though her mind was elsewhere.

In Yanjing, the four great clans were the Xie, Wei, Xu, and Fu families. The Fu family possessed the deepest roots and was currently at the height of its power and prestige, arguably the foremost among the four. The Great Qi Dynasty had always held the aristocratic clans in high regard; their influence was deeply intertwined, with protégés spread across the realm. They were so revered that even Emperor Yongxi had to show them a measure of caution.

In her past life, rumors had circulated that the great private salt smuggling case was linked to the Fu family, yet in the end, they had managed to distance themselves entirely. Pei Shijin must know that this matter would not be easy to investigate and would require patience.

Back when Xie Yun managed her own household, she had interacted with the other three clans. Recalling the cold, sinister gaze of that elder from the Fu family, she felt an involuntary shudder. Pei Shijin had no power or backing; if he were to truly clash with the Fu family, would it not be like an egg striking a stone?

"Miss Xie, there is a clothing shop not far ahead. Allow me to take you there."

Xie Yun collected her thoughts. She noticed that although Xiao Yan was a woman, her features were quite spirited and her manner was poised—she hardly seemed like a mere errand runner. Pei Shijin had specifically left a woman to assist her, likely to spare her any embarrassment in choosing clothes; he was truly meticulous.

She nodded and accepted readily. "Then I shall trouble you to lead the way, Miss Xiao."

A quarter of an hour later, Xie Yun, now dressed in a lotus-pink gown, sat in a more spacious carriage, traveling leisurely toward Huaiqing Alley.

Seated in the front, the siblings Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan chatted about trivial matters, making the journey pass without hardship. Huaiqing Alley was situated in a remote part of western Yanjing, and the roads grew increasingly narrow as they traveled. Feeling the carriage jolt, Xie Yun lifted the curtain to observe the surroundings.

Estimating the distance, she signaled for the carriage to stop. "You two may leave me here. The rest of the way is short; I can walk."

Xiao Ling looked uneasy, but Xiao Yan smiled. "It is just as well, as we are in a hurry to report back before sunset. We shall take our leave here, Miss Xie."

Xie Yun nodded and stepped down from the carriage, lifting her skirts.

Xiao Ling watched her walk away, then turned to his sister. "Sister, the Magistrate ordered us to see Miss Xie safely to her home. Why did you let her go?"

Xiao Yan tapped him on the head, indignant. "If you don't say anything, the Magistrate will assume we delivered her. Besides, it was her own request."

"What is the Magistrate’s status, and what is hers now? I fear there will be no more dealings between them, so why bother worrying about it? Let’s head back to report; we still have a long way to go!"

Xiao Ling rubbed his head, wanting to argue further, but Xiao Yan covered his mouth and drove the carriage away.

Xie Yun knew nothing of this. As she walked down the alley, a flutter of nervousness rose in her heart.

The spring air was warm and pleasant. The locust trees on either side of Huaiqing Alley were lush, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. In a month or two, when the locust flowers bloomed, it would be a beautiful sight.

The walls were mottled, and from beneath the low eaves came the sound of children playing—a scene entirely different from the opulent prosperity of Mingzhao Square.

A woman in a blue floral cotton dress was purchasing taffy for her children from a peddler by her door. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and stared at Xie Yun with wide, puzzled eyes.

When had such a beautiful young lady ever come to Huaiqing Alley?