When the young manager of Hongxiuzhao saw Zhuang Die walking in behind Fang Jie, the hostility in her eyes was even more intense than that of Shen Qingshan. So much so that she, who had originally intended to greet Fang Jie, snorted coldly and turned away, tossing her ponytail and giving Fang Jie the back of her head.
Fang Jie had brought Zhuang Die to Hongxiuzhao only to make her think he had no suspicions towards her. He hadn't expected to anger the little one, leaving him completely bewildered.
"What's wrong?"
Fang Jie told Zhuang Die to wait for him downstairs, then quickly went upstairs and shamelessly sat down next to the little one: "Who angered our young manager? Do they really not want to live in Chang'an City anymore? Come, come, tell your little Fang brother, I'll get revenge for you!"
"Really?"
The little one turned to look at him and asked.
"It must be true."
Fang Jie picked up a tiny strand of hair, held it under his nose, and smelled it, looking completely captivated. Xiao Dingdian tossed her head, pulling her hair back, and grabbed a short knife from the fruit plate on the table, handing it to Fang Jie: "You're the one who offended me. If you just castrate yourself right now, I'll forgive you."
Fang Jie was startled: "Where did this deep-seated hatred come from? You dare to say something as cruel as cutting off your lineage!"
"Who told you to be a womanizer!"
Xiao Dingdian brandished the knife fiercely: "You have a beautiful, angelic Sister Shen at home, and a gentle, virtuous Sister Mu, and you still won't behave! Tell me, why did you bring such a pure and pretty girl to my Red Sleeve Inn? To show off or to flaunt your virtues?"
Fang Jie chuckled: "You're not my wife, otherwise, if I looked at another woman, wouldn't you gouge my eyes out? I'm a man of status now, aren't I? Buying a few maids and pageboys, is that some heinous crime?"
"Yes, yes, is that so wrong?"
Xiao Dingdian asked, glaring at him.
Fang Jie readily conceded defeat. He knew that since Xiao Dingdian became the head of the household, she only showed some of her girlish side when she was in front of him. Managing such a large household business was something even the matriarch had to do; the child had it tough. He treated her like a younger sister, indulging her every whim, though he would occasionally tease her a little.
"Fine, fine, whatever you say."
Fang Jie glanced back at Zhuang Die, then lowered his voice to Xiao Dingdian, saying, "I'll fire her when we get back, let her go do whatever she wants, okay?"
Xiao Dingdian rolled her eyes at him, casually tossing the knife back: "Tell me, what's up with you today, Mr. Fang who never comes unless there's something wrong?"
Fang Jie chuckled: "Are you already head over heels in love with me? Otherwise, why are you so jealous? Even your goddess-like Sister Shen and Sister Mu aren't as jealous as you."
Xiao Dingdian froze, then suddenly grabbed a handful of fruit and threw it at Fang Jie: "You...you...bullshit!"
Fang Jie sat in his chair, his hand flashing up, down, left, and right a few times, then he opened his hand, catching all the musk fruits Xiao Dingdian had thrown. He picked one up and popped it into his mouth, swallowing as he praised, "So sweet."
Little Dingdian scoffed, "You say my farts are sweet?"
Fang Jie laughed loudly, "If you don't believe me, let me try another one? I don't mind, do you?"
"You pervert!"
Little Dingdian cursed and got up to leave, but Fang Jie quickly grabbed him, "Wasn't it you who flirted with me first? Too bad you're not as shameless as me… Please sit down, I'm here to talk to you about serious matters. The Emperor's decree has reportedly been issued; the army will set off on February 12th. At that time, Hongxiuzhao and several other dance troupes in Chang'an will perform in the square outside Taiji Palace to send off the army, with Hongxiuzhao naturally being the grand finale."
He took Little Dingdian's chubby little hand and played with it, but Little Dingdian snorted and pulled his hand back. Fang Jie, shameless as ever, reached out and pulled her back again. Little Ding tried to pull her hand back twice but failed. Her face flushed, and she turned her head away, refusing to look at Fang Jie, and stopped trying to pull her hand back.
Fang Jie held Xiao Dingdian's hand, his thumb stroking the girl's smooth, delicate hand. "I'll have someone deliver the clothes from the shop tomorrow. You choose your girls to try them on. February 12th is all up to you. If the response is good, the shop's profits will be a considerable sum for Hongxiuzhao. By the way, have you mastered the catwalk I taught you the other day?"
At this, Xiao Dingdian turned to look at Fang Jie, her face full of disdain. "I don't know why you have such a big head. A grown man walking like that, isn't it embarrassing?"
Fang Jie couldn't help but blush slightly, remembering how the girls at Hongxiuzhao laughed hysterically when he taught them to walk like models the other day. "Just tell me, isn't walking like that eye-catching?"
Xiao Dingdian hummed in agreement. "You look disgusting, but the girls look alluring… But how are we going to wear those outfits you brought the other day? The skirts aren't even past the knee, how are we supposed to do that?" "Such a strange style? And...and the shoes you sent are practically inhuman! I was just curious and wore them for a little while before I sprained my ankle, and it still hurts!"
Fang Jie naturally bent down and picked up Xiao Dingdian's foot: "Let me take a look."
Xiao Dingdian's face flushed instantly, as red as a blooming peach blossom: "What are you doing...let go, or I'll kick you downstairs!"
Fang Jie's action had no lewd intent whatsoever. Seeing Xiao Dingdian's face turn completely red, he realized: "Uh...I just wanted to see if the swelling had gone down. I've been reading some medical books at the martial arts academy these past few days..."
"Shut up!"
Xiao Dingdian, blushing, pulled her leg back, stood up, straightened her clothes, and said: "I've already talked to Auntie about it, but you'd better go up and tell her yourself. If Auntie changes her mind, no one can help you!"
"Yes, sir."
Fang Jie stood up, shouted "Yes, sir!", and turned to walk towards the third floor. Little Dingdian stared at the retreating figure of that annoying guy, then burst out laughing.
...
...
Xi Zhuxin was also in Aunt Xi's room. The two of them were looking at the clothes Fang Jie had sent a few days ago and discussing something. When Fang Jie knocked and entered, Xi Zhuxin's expression changed slightly. She put down the clothes, turned around, and left without speaking to Fang Jie, remaining as aloof and noble as ever.
Xi Huamei pointed to the stool and said, "Shall we talk about the performance on the day the army sets off?"
Fang Jie bowed first, then sat down and said, "Yes... Counting the days, there are only ten more. This matter has been planned for so long, just waiting for an opportunity that will attract everyone's attention. Originally, I planned to have the girls from Hongxiuzhao wear these costumes when the royal family and officials paraded through the streets with the people on New Year's Day. But then something happened, and it was delayed until now. Now it seems we've waited for an even better opportunity. What better day than February 12th?"
"The idea is good, but... performing in front of thousands of people in such costumes is somewhat shocking," Xi Huamei said with a smile.
Fang Jie laughed, "When has Hongxiuzhao ever been afraid of the words 'shocking the world'? This is something that benefits both my shop and my aunt's Hongxiuzhao. People will remember the unparalleled beauty of the Hongxiuzhao girls first, and then my clothes and shoes. Besides, when the army marches out, tens of thousands of soldiers will be fortunate enough to see this performance... their morale will surely soar."
"Smooth talker."
Xi Huamei seemed to be in a good mood today, unusually not showing her cold face: "I don't know how you come up with so many strange ideas. And the songs you teach the girls to sing, they are beautiful, but I've never heard a similar tune before."
Fang Jie thought to himself, "It would be strange if you'd heard 'The New Drunken Concubine'." He smiled and said, "This is what I taught the Southern Yan..." "The melody is a blend of folk tunes and the Western Liang style of the Mongol Yuan dynasty, rearranged with lyrics I came up with myself, though it's not quite fitting for the occasion. However, the melody complements Xi Dajia's flowing sleeves perfectly."
"This melody is indeed quite good."
Xi Huamei nodded, "Hongxiuzhao will also benefit from this, but each transaction must be settled precisely, down to the last copper coin. Furthermore, this melody is only permitted for Hongxiuzhao's use; you yourself cannot use it again. Of course… I won't give you a single copper coin."
Fang Jie sighed, "If I hadn't seen it so clearly, I would have mistaken the person sitting in front of me for Wu Yidao."
…
…
Wu Yidao was at Hongxiuzhao.
While Fang Jie was on the third floor discussing the dance performance on February 12th with Xi Huamei, Wu Yidao was sitting in the innermost private room on the second floor, drinking tea. Today, he wasn't wearing his signature royal blue brocade robe, but rather a moon-white scholar's gown. His attire made him appear less wealthy and more refined.
On the table before him were eight small dishes containing fruits from Eastern Chu, as well as pastries and dried fruits. The tea was his own; even the finest tea at Hongxiuzhao couldn't compare to his own stock. It was well known that a large portion of the best tea in the entire Sui Dynasty was in the palace, and a small portion was in his possession.
Fang Jie recognized the person sitting opposite him; if he saw him, he would be startled.
It was Qin Liuqi, the steward of Prince Yi's residence.
"If it weren't for the Prince's instructions and the entrustment of these gentlemen, I wouldn't be able to drink this fine tea treasured by the Marquis today."
Qin Liuqi smiled and said politely, "Since the Marquis's return, the Prince has been wanting to invite you to his residence for a gathering. However, he has been very busy with many mundane matters lately, and it has been postponed time and time again. The Prince asked me to apologize to the Marquis, and he will personally pay a visit in the future."
Wu Yidao smiled and said, "I am grateful for the Prince's thoughtfulness."
Qin Liuqi stood up, picked up the teapot, and poured tea for Wu Yidao: "I have heard that the Marquis is extremely knowledgeable about tea ceremony. I have always wondered about a certain point, and I would appreciate your guidance… People always say that when serving guests, tea should not be filled to the brim, and wine should not be poured empty. What is the reason for this?"
Wu Yidao narrowed his eyes slightly and did not answer.
Qin Liuqi continued, "In my humble opinion, it should be understood like this… Drinking tea is an enjoyable experience, refreshing the mind and spirit. Pouring only half a cup of tea implies moderation in this enjoyment, doesn't it? Wine, on the other hand, should be poured to the brim because drinking is inherently an act of indulgence, so a full cup is naturally better. Drinking tea is a rational act, while drinking wine is an irrational one. Is my understanding, Lord Marquis… wrong?"
The interpretation of tea not being full and wine not being empty was clearly not that simple; Qin Liuqi was obviously implying something.
Wu Yidao remained silent.
Qin Liuqi smiled, "Since Lord Marquis invited me for tea, I naturally need to be rational. So… there are some things I should clarify first. Since you gentlemen have entrusted the matter of 'trading goods throughout the world' to Your Highness, and Your Highness is so righteous, you can't pretend not to hear. Therefore, you asked me to invite Your Highness out to discuss it. 'Trading goods throughout the world…'"
Before he could finish, Wu Yidao suddenly waved his hand, saying, "Anything is fine to discuss; I'm willing to accompany you. But today is not right."
"What's not right? Is the date wrong or the place wrong?"
Qin Liuqi asked curiously. Wu Yidao said calmly, "The person is wrong. You… are merely a steward of the Prince's manor. Others may respect you, but don't you have any self-awareness? Go back now, don't disturb my enjoyment of tea and music. If those officials want to talk, let them find someone qualified to sit face-to-face with me."
Qin Liuqi's expression changed, almost unable to contain himself.
Almost, but he held back.
"Alright."
He stood up, still smiling, "I will convey the Marquis's words to the Prince, and to all the officials."
"Thank you."
Wu Yidao said in a calm and gentle tone, "When you leave, please close the door behind you."