From a distance, the grand city gate stood between heaven and earth. The black walls were covered with gold tiles, exuding magnificence.
Daliang Country was at its prime time and it was revered by many countries. Naturally, the capital city, Shengjing, was also at the peak of prosperity.
The convoy was sandwiched between the civilians entering and leaving the city, slowly approaching the gate.
Chang Huan looked out constantly, his eyes full of curiosity. Behind him, Hu Dapao and Ah Shu rubbed their hands excitedly. It was as if they would gain riches once they stepped foot into the prosperous Shengjing City.
Shengjing City was the capital city of Daliang Country, and therefore those who lived in it were either rich or powerful. As a result, the security was also the most thorough. As bandits, they had not dared enter Shengjing City before. They were respectful and fearful of the city. Today, they could finally walk into Shengjing righteously.
After crossing the moat, there were guards on both sides of the gate checking whether people had passes to enter. It was easier for ordinary civilians to enter, but since they entered with three carriages at the same time, they were bound to be examined.
Chang Huan searched around in his robes and took out the entrance pass prepared by the Su Family attendants. The guards took a look at the pass, glanced at the carriage behind Chang Huang, and then hurriedly made way to the convoy. Respect could be seen in his eyes.
Recently in Shengjing City, rumor had it that the Ji Family's Eldest Young Master's betrothed was about to arrive. The city folks were gossiping about the history of the Ji and the Su Family, and as the gossip spread, it developed into many versions of the story. However, no matter how they despised what the Su Family did, if Miss Su really became the mistress of the family, they could not afford to offend her.
The guard looked at the convoy from the Fuyang Su family and understood immediately. He gave way respectfully.
After they entered the city, Chang Huang exclaimed in joy and astonishment as the hustle and bustle of the city amazed them.
Su Jiu was itching to see the city so she lifted up the curtain drapes to look out. It's the capital city, indeed! she thought. How grand!
There were shops and pavilions on both sides of the wide street. The architecture was majestic and intricate. Even the shop signs were engraved in gold, glimmering under the sunlight.
The two sides of the street were filled with stalls and hawkers shouted one after another. A large variety of products were sold: rouge powder, antique porcelain, various snacks and etc. The scene was dazzling as pedestrians weaved around. Women dressed in silk and satin, and men wore their hair up neatly. They all look graceful and elegant.
There were many pedestrians, so the carriage had to move slowly. Chan Huan, staring at the hot steamed buns on the side of the road, was so distracted that he didn't even have the strength to pull the carriage reigns.
Behind him, Hu Dapao jumped down from the carriage to check out the mouthwatering snow-white steamed buns. He swallowed his saliva and asked, "How much is one bun?"
Hu Dapao and Ah Shu were wearing the clothes of the Su Family entourage. When preparing to enter Shengjing City, the Su Family was afraid the Ji Family would look down upon them, thus they purposely prepared new clothes made of silk. With these new disguises, Hu Dapao and Ah Shu didn't look so shabby, but their eyes gleamed like wolves looking at prey.
The stall owner smiled at Hu Dapao and said, "Sir, do you want to eat steamed buns? It's a coin for one."
The two men wiped their drool from their faces and looked back at Su Jiu.
From the morning until now, they had only eaten a stalk of corn and were starving. Su Jiu was famished too, but she could only watch.
We don't have money! she realized. One measly coin has baffled us!
The stall owner looked at the group, then looked at the carriage. Based on how they were dressed, although they didn't look like the rich in the city, they didn't look poor either.
Why do all of them seem like hungry wolves? he wondered. Especially the lady, her eyes are about to pop out.
"No money?" the stall owner scoffed, as he waved the cloth towel behind his shoulder in disgust. "Go away, don't disturb my business. You don't even have the money to eat a bun. Why act like you're a rich young lady?"
Hu Dapao's face turned cold as he landed a punch on the table. The ten-story high bamboo steamers containing the buns shook as he emanated a murderous aura.
The stall owner leaned back in fear. "You, what are you going to do? You dare steal my buns in broad daylight?"
"Dapao!" Qiao An reprimanded.
Suddenly, Su Jiu's eyes lit up, and she pulled out the golden hairpin in her hair. However, she was stopped by the nanny.
"My lord, you have just killed someone with one hairpin, you can't exchange the other for buns!"
A young lady who doesn't even have one golden hairpin would be ridiculed to death, she thought, without ever having entered the Ji Family's door!
"A golden hairpin is nothing. Starving to death is worse!" Su Jiu said as she was about to hand it out.
The nanny grabbed her wrist tightly. "Alright, keep the hairpin. I still have some silver here. Take it and buy the steamed buns for the other masters!"
"You have silver?" Su Jiu looked up and down at the nanny.
The nanny took the golden hairpin from Su Jiu's palm and put it on for her again. Pulling down the curtain, she turned her back, reached into her clothes, then turned around and handed Su Jiu two silver taels. "That's all I have, please spend it modestly!"
Su Jiu took the money and patted the nanny on her shoulder. "Rest assured. When I have silver, I will pay you back in double!"
The nanny let out a bitter smile. Whether I get my money back or not is a small matter. Now that I am with the bandits, it is hard to say if I will even survive!
Su Jiu gave the silver to Hu Dapao, and he slammed it on the table.
"Give me 200 buns!"
The nanny almost fainted. 200!
The two silver taels was enough for half a month's expenditure, but they had used it to buy 200 buns straight.
Have they not eaten steamed buns before, or do they not know how hard it is to make money? she wondered. Don't they know the importance of a long-term plan?
The stall owner trembled as a smile appeared on his previously disdainful face. He hastily collected the silver and began to take out the steamed buns.
However, the nanny really underestimated the amount of food the Dragon Conqueror Gang could eat. Only a dozen of the 200 steamed buns were left, and that was after Su Jiu forced them to leave some for midnight supper.
After the meal, the group belched contentedly. Then tthey continued on their journey.
But where could they go?
The Su Family originally came to Shengjing City to get married, but now the only one left was the nanny. They didn't even know where the Ji Family was located. And if they entered the Ji's residence like this, would they get kicked out?
Su Jiu was pondering this as her eyes suddenly followed a peddler. She saw the hawker was carrying a long staff over his shoulder. Gleaming red spheres were stacked on sticks and looked very pretty.
Su Jiu grabbed the peddler and asked, "What are you selling?"
The peddler was stunned as he looked at a beautiful lady pulling on his arm. He trembled as he replied, "C-candied hawthorn!"
The nanny covered her face and turned her head. These people really are peasants. They haven't even seen candied hawthorn! And how is it acceptable that a young lady pull a peddler on the street?
"How much is it?" Su Jiu asked, staring at the treat.
"A coin for a stick!" the peddler replied hesitantly.
Su Jiu pursed her lips. Should have left a few coins just now! Suddenly, her eyes were bright, as she took two buns and stuffed them into the hawker's arms, grinning. "I'll exchange my two buns for a stick, you won't lose anything!"
"I want it too!"
"Me too!"
Chang Huan and Ah Shu said as they came closer.
"We should try it first, to see whether it's good or not!" Su Jiu instructed.
"Yes!" The two men responded respectfully.
The hawker was about to cry as he held the two buns. "Miss, I've never sold them like this!"
It was true he didn't lose with two steamed buns for a stick of candied hawthorn, but he could buy rations for his family with a coin. Two steamed buns were just enough for one meal by himself!
"Hmm?" Hu Dapao looked over with his arms crossed and his face was ferocious. He was a full head taller than the peddler.
The peddler hurriedly nodded, carrying the steamed buns as he gave a stick of candied hawthorn to Su Jiu. "I'll exchange it, I'll do it!" If this goes on, it's possible that his stall will get smashed up.
Su Jiu gave him a look of approval as she was about to put the candied hawthorn in her mouth. Suddenly, the crowd on the street all rushed toward one direction, especially the ladies, who lifted their skirts and ran forward feverishly.
Qiao An stopped a man and asked, "Brother, what's going on there?"
"It's the Eldest Young Master who has come to visit Jingqin Restaurant, and he will be there soon!" the man said excitedly.
Su Jiu paused for a moment and asked, "Which eldest young master?"
The man took back his smile and appraised the gang. "Miss, you must come from other places. The Eldest Young Master we referred to is from the richest family in Shengjing City. He's the Eldest Young Master of the Ji Family!"
As soon as he finished his words, he hurriedly charged forward and joined the crowd.