Chapter 328 - 317: Touring the City

Chapter 328: Chapter 317: Touring the City

Jiangzhou City.

The lamps were lit as dusk settled over the city.

On the main thoroughfare, shops lined the street in dense rows, their festive lanterns illuminating the long road as if it were day.

A torrent of people flowed through the street, shoulder to shoulder, their bustling energy and clamor washing over everything.

Chen Li had shed his usual simple attire for an indigo brocade robe embroidered with subtle silver cloud patterns. He strolled through the crowd, indistinguishable from the wealthy and leisurely folk filling the streets.

Linglong, meanwhile, was dressed as a young scholar in a bamboo-green tunic, her hair tied up with a matching ribbon.

However, her slender figure, exquisitely beautiful face, and the captivating charm in her clear, autumn-water eyes meant that no one who looked closely would ever mistake her for a man.

"Jiangzhou... it’s so vibrant."

Gazing at the dazzling goods on the stalls, the dizzying tricks of the street acrobats, and the mingling aromas of various snacks in the air, Linglong couldn’t help but sigh softly, a sense of indescribable wistfulness washing over her.

In all her years of drifting from place to place, it had been a long time since she had walked through such a bustling market so freely, just like an ordinary person.

"It’s decent enough."

Chen Li, walking ahead, replied faintly without turning back.

To him, this capital city, teeming with nearly two million people, was certainly lively and prosperous.

But compared to the metropolises of his previous life—cities with populations in the tens of millions and neon lights that burned all night—it seemed much smaller.

But of course, he wouldn’t say that to Linglong.

The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and the festive atmosphere was already quite thick.

Strictly speaking, this was the first time he had truly explored Jiangzhou City since arriving in this world.

Although he had come on official business, it wasn’t urgent. He seized the rare half-day of leisure and decided to wander through Jiangzhou City.

After having dinner at the inn, he and Linglong had stepped out for a stroll, merging into the lively crowd to wander aimlessly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the stalls selling novelties.

He saw an artisan crafting intricate clockwork puppets on the spot, so he stopped to watch for a while, asked the price, and bought two.

He also spotted a vendor selling strange trinkets from foreign lands and picked out a few items.

It wasn’t often he traveled so far; he had to bring some gifts back for the children at home.

Following behind him, Linglong gradually became infected by the lively atmosphere, her gaze lingering on the stalls selling women’s accessories.

As they passed a fragrant rouge shop, she couldn’t help but slow her pace.

"Go on in."

Noticing this, Chen Li gestured for her to go buy whatever she liked.

Linglong picked out some rouge and powder that she liked, along with two uniquely styled pearl hairpins.

Seeing her choices, Chen Li took a look himself. He picked out two more sets similar to what Linglong had bought and told the Shopkeeper to wrap them separately.

He had to bring some back for his wife, Song Ying, and his concubine, Liu Yun.

After a full round of shopping, neither of them was carrying much.

Whenever they purchased something a bit cumbersome, Chen Li would simply instruct the Shopkeeper to have a servant deliver it to the inn address he had provided.

Unlike in Jingshan County Town, everything was very convenient here in Jiangzhou City.

They continued to wander, stopping here and there, and after passing through the most boisterous main street, the crowd thinned slightly, though the lights remained just as brilliant.

A sweet, refreshingly cool aroma drifted through the air.

Linglong followed the scent with her eyes and saw a small stall on the street corner. A coarse cloth banner bore the large characters for "Icy-Snow Lengyuanzi."

"Two bowls, please."

Seeing her hesitation, Chen Li, who also wanted to try some, fumbled for some silver. Finding the smallest coin he had was a one-mace piece, he tossed it over. "Keep the change."

"Yes, yes! Right away, sir!"

The old man was overjoyed. His hands moved deftly, and he quickly served two bowls.

He used a wooden ladle to scoop a jade-white, paste-like substance, dotted with honeyed red beans and preserved fruit, from a chilly wooden bucket into small celadon bowls.

Chen Li took one bowl and handed it to Linglong, then took the other for himself.

After finishing the lengyuanzi, the two continued their leisurely walk.

They turned into a slightly narrower alley to the west.

The prosperity here was of a different kind. The air was thick with the sounds of string and wind instruments and the heavy, cloying scent of cosmetics.

Several lavishly decorated buildings stood along the street, with vermilion gates and ornate windows. Gauze curtains hung low, and through them, one could vaguely see beautifully coiffed women in light muslin leaning on railings, their soft laughter and gentle words beckoning passersby.

Chen Li had no desire to linger here and quickened his pace.

Just as they passed the liveliest section and turned onto a relatively secluded backstreet, the light suddenly dimmed.

From the shadows of a corner, a middle-aged woman with a blue-and-white patterned cloth tucked into her belt darted out. Her eyes instantly locked onto the finely dressed Chen Li, and she lunged forward, grabbing his sleeve.

"Master, looking for a good time? We’ve got a fresh batch of young ladies at our house, just had their hair done up. They’re young, pretty, supple, and obedient..."

The words tumbled from her mouth in a fast, urgent patter.

Chen Li was speechless.

’This scene, this sales pitch... it all feels so familiar,’ he thought. ’I can’t believe I’ve changed worlds, but the process for soliciting customers is still more or less the same.’

His gaze swept coolly over the woman before he glanced at Linglong beside him, whose beauty was hard to conceal despite her male disguise.

The woman followed his gaze and looked at Linglong with suspicion.

Upon closer inspection, she clearly saw Linglong’s face, which was breathtakingly beautiful even in men’s clothing.

Her heart skipped a beat. She knew that the girls in her house weren’t even worthy of carrying this one’s shoes.

But those in her line of work had the thickest skin. She let go of his sleeve and plastered an exaggerated smile on her face.

"Oh, look at these old eyes of mine! So you prefer the company of young men, Master. You should have said so! My mistake, my mistake. I’m so sorry."

As she spoke, she swayed her hips and retreated sullenly back into the shadows.

Chen Li couldn’t be bothered to argue with such a person and continued walking.

Linglong followed behind him, her expression unchanged, though the tips of her ears seemed to flush slightly red.

They walked a bit further, winding around a few residences, and the view suddenly opened up before them.

A wide body of water appeared, lined with weeping willows. Many painted boats and pleasure cruises were moored on the lake, their lanterns casting a shimmering, colorful glow on the water’s surface.

Melodious music and the cheerful laughter of men and women drifted from the painted boats.

The shore was also crowded with people—young couples, families with children—all holding lit flower lanterns. The dots of light bobbed with the waves, like a river of stars fallen to earth, complementing the bright moon in the sky and the lights on the boats in a scene of breathtaking beauty.

"Master, Madam, it’s the Mid-Autumn Festival! Why not release a sky lantern for good luck? They’re for praying and making wishes, sending your thoughts to loved ones. They’re very effective!"

As the two strolled along the riverbank, a vendor with a bamboo basket slung over his arm opportunely approached them, making his sales pitch with a silver tongue.

"Our sky lanterns are famous! We use specially made oil paper, and the flame is steady. I guarantee they’ll fly high and far!"

Linglong was taken aback at first by the vendor’s use of "Madam," but then a faint, genuine flicker of joy appeared in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth curved up involuntarily.

She glanced at Chen Li, and seeing no objection from him, she nodded to the vendor. "We’ll buy one."

"Alright! That’ll be thirty cents!"

The vendor deftly handed over a pink paper lantern folded into the shape of a lotus, along with a small piece of charcoal for writing and a square of rough paper. "Madam, you can write your name on this paper and place it inside the lantern. When it flies up, your wish is sure to be granted!"

Linglong accepted them, turned slightly to the side, and carefully wrote a few lines of elegant, small characters on the little slip of paper.

When she finished, she folded it carefully and placed it inside the lantern.

"Give me one, too."

Chen Li watched her in silence, then asked the vendor for a sky-blue palace lantern, along with paper and a charcoal pencil.

He walked to one side, pondered for a moment, and then wrote down several names, adding a short blessing at the end.

After placing her slip of paper inside, Linglong happened to glimpse the final stroke of Chen Li’s writing. Seeing that he hadn’t written the name of anyone from his family, she was surprised and asked softly, "Master, who are you writing about?"

Chen Li folded his paper and put it in the lantern, shaking his head without explaining. "Just a small sentiment."

He had written the names of his parents and close relatives from his past life.

As for his family in this life, aside from that good-for-nothing father of his, his mother, sister, wife, concubine, and children were all safe and sound, close at hand. There was no need to use a lantern to send his thoughts to them.

The two found a less crowded spot on the bank to release their lanterns.

The flames flickered, and the two paper lanterns floated gently upward, merging with the river of stars in the night sky until they became two faint specks of light.

Linglong tilted her head back, her eyes fixed on the spot where her lantern had disappeared, not looking away for a long time.

"Master..."

She suddenly spoke, her voice very soft. "My family name is Qin. I was named Yirong. I was born in Ganzhou, where my father served as the Garrison Commander of Nanlong in his early years."

"My father was a man of rigid principles and offended his superior. He was framed and thrown into prison. Later, our family’s assets were seized, the men were exiled, and the women were demoted to the lowest social class."

"I was eight years old that year."

Linglong lowered her voice. "After that, I was sold several times. At eleven, I was sold here, to Jiangzhou. Later, because I had some looks, I was noticed and recruited by the Xiang Sect, then sent to Liyang."

Chen Li listened quietly without interrupting, merely giving a slight nod.

He had long guessed that Linglong didn’t come from a poor background.

After all, such beauty was not something that could be nurtured in an ordinary rural family.

While it was possible she was born in the countryside, the probability was extremely low.

For her to have such looks, her parents, especially her mother, must have also been exceptionally beautiful. She seemed more like the product of a wealthy, distinguished family, one that had enjoyed affluence for generations.

"That’s all in the past now."

After a long moment, that was all Chen Li said.

Linglong hummed softly in acknowledgment, her usual gentle, submissive smile returning to her face.

The two left the lakeside and continued their slow walk.

By the time they returned to the inn, the night was already deep.

As soon as Bai San saw Chen Li and Linglong return, he rushed to greet them, forcing a smile that was uglier than a grimace.

"Boss, Miss Linglong, you’re finally back."

He said, grief-stricken, "Aiyah, you have no idea. I, Old Bai, got scammed something awful today. It wasn’t worth it, not worth it at all!"

Chen Li shot him a glance and walked straight into the main room.

Linglong went to brew a pot of hot tea and poured a cup for Chen Li.

Back in Lingxi, when Bai San heard Linglong mention that Chen Li was going to Jiangzhou to see Jiang Nanyue, the number one courtesan in Jiangnan, his eyes had lit up. He had shamelessly begged to come along, even swearing an oath that he would pay his own way if Chen Li would just take him.

Chen Li had been rendered speechless by his stubborn, shameless persistence.

But on second thought, the man was a creature of the streets, familiar with all walks of life, and he knew the ins and outs of places like brothels, gambling dens, and taverns like the back of his hand.

Having him gather information would perhaps be more convenient and less conspicuous than bringing Linglong.

So, he had allowed him to come along.

Upon arriving in Jiangzhou, he had given the task of gathering information to Bai San.

Now, seeing Bai San acting as if he’d been robbed blind, Chen Li lifted his teacup and asked, "What’s wrong? Did you fail? Or just waste all the silver?"