It seems Zhao Feng wasn't the only one.
This was normal, if a prince could find an immortal, then other aristocratic families and even the palace could certainly do so, too. But why did they only start appearing recently?
A term surfaced in Gu Wen's mind: the revitalization of spiritual energy.
"No need to inquire further."
Rather than stumbling around, it was better to see the immortal mentioned by Zhao Feng.
-----------------
Three days later.
Gu Wen received another order; the royal residence was to welcome an immortal on Grain Rain Day. To match the grandeur of the imperial family, it was necessary to prepare the six rituals.
These were: welcoming, presenting, serving tea, providing food, offering accommodation, and sending off.
As the head steward of the royal residence and overseer of the Dragon Bridge night market, besides the first ritual of receiving guests and the last of sending them off, the rest fell upon him. Gu Wen called over his subordinate, Jiang Fugui, gave him a few instructions, then set out to visit various establishments at the Dragon Bridge night market. Based on the relationship with each and the thickness of the red envelopes, he "awarded" the bidding to Yuehua Building.
Hundreds of taels of silver landed in Gu Wen's pocket, as procurement bidding had always been a lucrative job. Gu Wen knew it was his demonstration of loyalty over the past few days that had done the trick, otherwise, Zhao Feng wouldn't have given him this task.
There needed to be a carrot with the stick.
While being hosted by the proprietor of Yuehua Building, having just concluded business to mutual satisfaction, the proprietor suddenly asked in a low voice,
"Marquis Wen, I've heard that the Ninth Prince's banquet this time is to entertain an immortal."
The word "immortal" was uttered very softly, but Gu Wen, sitting nearby, heard it clearly, and his movement to pick up a dish paused.
"Who told you that?"
"In recent days, people from the Ninth Prince's residence have been boasting in all the major restaurants and brothels, saying the Ninth Prince will host an immortal, even claiming that the Ninth Prince is favored by divine mandate."
Seizing the opportunity to promote oneself.
Gu Wen suddenly realized it, originally thinking that it was the work of some drunkards and gluttons in the residence, but knowing it was Zhao Feng's own intention upon hearing the last sentence.
The position of Crown Prince was currently up for grabs, and anyone could become the Crown Prince. Of all the candidates, Zhao Feng was one of the most ambitious and wouldn't miss this chance.
"The Ninth Prince naturally has a divine mandate. As to whether or not he is an immortal, that's not something for a mere merchant like myself to comment on."
Gu Wen chuckled, saying more can lead to error, saying less can prevent mistakes. He hadn't received orders to disseminate the news, but he could smell the growing unrest beneath the surface.
Merchants were a step above commoners but were never at the core of society. When they came to know certain things, it indicated many matters were being brought to light, with their masters beginning to make use of them.
Gu Wen, feeling mildly intoxicated, then meandered through the city's largest theater troupe. On the roadside market, people kneeled densely on both sides, straw stuck in their back, and their prices displayed in front of them on the ground.
Selling themselves into slavery.
Years of disasters had fattened the teeth market that specialized in the trade of people, bringing this slave market, which should have remained in the shadows, to the forefront.
Daqian explicitly banned the keeping of private slaves. Servants and housemaids were similar to the employment system of the Song Dynasty, more precisely a long-term servitude. The law also stipulated that one could not punish slaves privately, nor kill slaves without due process, with the most severe punishment being exile for three thousand miles.
But nowadays, the palace maids within the Emperor's palace were all bought with money, and many overdue women had not yet been released, with escapees executed every year.
As the saying goes, as above, so below; if those above do not behave humanely, those below naturally don't regard others as human.
A few eunuchs dressed in palace attire led a group of men and women past, Gu Wen's carriage stopped by the side to make way, watching all this with a cold eye.
The men who had been castrated could swagger around while those who honestly tilled the fields could only sell themselves into slavery.
"My lord, would you like a maid?"
A woman pulling her daughter along approached; the girl was fourteen, of average looks, with a scar on her face and a common bearing, what one might call maid material.
Gu Wen shook his head; he already had enough servants at home.
The anxious old woman said, "Just one tael of silver, my girl is strong enough to survive on wheat husks."
The market price for an ordinary maid was around eight taels of silver, a more attractive one fetched fifteen taels, and a very pretty one could sell for a hundred.
To borrow a phrase from ancient Northern Song times, in the capital, households of the lower classes didn't value the birth of sons – each time a girl was born, they cherished her like precious pearls in their palm. Once they grew up, depending on their looks and skills, they were taught various arts to serve the needs of scholars and officials for their collection and entertainment.
The roles were not equal: there were personal attendants, skilled workers, domestic servants, seamstresses, hall attendants, entertainers, musicians, chess tutors, cooks, and so on, in an orderly hierarchy. Among them, the cook was deemed the lowest, suitable only for the extraordinarily rich.
In Bianjing, farming was not required, as the city was full of influential officials. Male physical strength could not demonstrate its usefulness, whereas having daughters proved to be exceedingly beneficial.
"So cheap, why not just find any wealthy family?"
Gu Wen casually asked, but it seemed to strike a nerve, and the elderly woman began to cry, lamenting,
"I did look, but they all reject my daughter for not being pretty enough. Nowadays, to be sold into servitude as a maid, one must be beautiful. Sir, please be kind and take my daughter in."
Gu Wen fell silent; he hadn't realized how rapidly the world had changed.
Even for servitude, appearance requirements existed. There were far too many driven to sell themselves into bondage, and it was not a good sign. If mobs were to storm Bianjing again, the very citizens kneeling here today would turn into cannibalistic demons.
Moreover, the grains from the fields did not grow themselves. Those who became servants to aristocratic families were likely to be unregistered, and the scholars would hardly pay their taxes honestly.
But what did that have to do with him? He was merely a merchant.
"Let's go."
Gu Wen scattered a few pieces of silver, drew the carriage curtains, and was once again engulfed in the rocking motion of the ride, yet he could still hear an ear-piercing title from behind.
"Lord Qingtian!"
I help them, but they wish to harm me.
He loathed fame; for him, it was all downside with no upside.
-----------------
On Grain Rain Day,
the Spring God departed, rain fostered all crops, and a drizzle persisted.
The royal mansion was festooned with lights, and pageantry stretched from the Dragon Bridge through three streets, with armed guards maintaining order. Countless citizens craned their necks, wondering if the Emperor would make an appearance. Scholars from prominent families had already settled behind the screens on the second floor of the night market on Dragon Bridge, silently watching the empty road.
In front of the Ninth Prince's residence, the family gathered. Zhao Feng, wearing a python robe and ceremonial hat, stood with the dignified air of royalty, untouchable in his elegance, holding a broom tied with a red string, signifying the welcoming of guests with a comet.
Those with family titles were placed in the second row, welcoming the Immortal alongside the Ninth Prince.
Gu Wen could not stand among them, nor could he even visit Dragon Bridge today, as the aristocratic families had reserved the entire place. Each shop had a powerful family backing it; otherwise, they would not be able to operate in the most affluent and luxurious area of Bianjing.
He was left to stand with a group of merchants on the street opposite of Dragon Bridge, craning his neck to view the large archway.
Suddenly, a break appeared in the thick clouds, and a pillar of golden light descended from the Nine Heavens. A snow-white figure floated down on the wind and gracefully landed atop the Dragon Bridge.
It was a person, a woman.
Her silhouette was slender and elegant, seemingly almost 1.7 or 1.8 meters tall. She wore a wide hat covering her face with a white veil, and her body was draped in a plain white Daoist robe, completely obscuring her figure, leaving onlookers unable to discern if she was slim or plump.
In her hand, she led a donkey, a creature that shook its head restlessly, devoid of any Spiritual Energy expected of an Immortal's mount.
The entire night market at Dragon Bridge, along with all of Bianjing, fell silent. Sitting atop the palace walls were the Emperor, Empress, and numerous concubines; the scholars in their high towers of Jade Pavilion; government officials maintaining order; the commoners kneeling by the roadside...
Then came nearly explosive cheers, countless citizens bowed down, and the nobility trembled.
The white-clad Goddess, whether intentionally or not, turned to face where Gu Wen was, causing everyone in the vicinity to kneel instantly, daring not to offend the celestial majesty.
Only Gu Wen remained standing as he looked up to the white figure that stood out as the sole hue in a drab world, like a White Lotus among parched ones, deeply imprinting itself in his memory.
Becoming an Immortal was often perceived as a beautiful thing.
After being yanked fiercely on the sleeve by his merchant peers, Gu Wen came to his senses and knelt down. He wasn't showing reverence to the Immortal but simply didn't want to draw attention and cause trouble.
When he looked up again, the Goddess had already led the donkey away along the pageant route from atop the Dragon Bridge, with Zhao Feng and his family procession approaching to greet her.
He wore a Jade Pendant on his chest and, bending at the waist with hands clasped, said, "Zhao Feng, the Ninth Son of the Zhao family, humbly welcomes the Immortal."
"The Zhao family?"
The Goddess tilted her head slightly, her melodious voice tinged with confusion, but upon seeing the Jade Pendant emit spirit light, she did not inquire further.
Perhaps they had changed their name.