Chapter 109: The Old Man and the Black Man

All for this surname, Crown Prince Li Zhe and some members of the Li family intermarried with the Wu family, becoming Li-Wu family members, descendants of the Li-Wu family, and so forth.

As Di Ying swayed inside the carriage, Peng Liang arrived.

After rescuing Di Miao, Peng Liang was ordered by Di Ying to stay at the Di residence, focusing solely on protecting the Di family.

Yet, Granny Di still felt uneasy and “chased” Peng Liang out to guard Di Ying personally.

Previously, Di Ying told Song Wen that Peng Liang had gone off to dig a hole—just a casual fabrication.

Song Wen was quick-witted but liked to press matters to the bottom.

When Di Ying didn’t want him to ask further, she would spin a tale so confusing that Song Wen would be utterly baffled.

Just now, when Song Wen saw Peng Liang, he completely forgot the favor he needed from him.

...

At a side gate in the back alley of the Princess’s residence,

an old woman was dozing, leaning against a small wooden door.

This was the gate through which the night fragrance seller passed; no one came during the day, so for the coolness, the old woman left the door open and sat cross-legged on the threshold.

Her legs were stretched high, and she was sleeping soundly.

Suddenly, she heard the rolling sound of a wheel.

Awakened, she squinted and peeked out.

“Oh, it’s a vegetable seller,” she muttered to herself before closing her eyes and going back to sleep.

But she soon opened them again, got up energetically, and stopped the old man pushing a small wheelbarrow, asking, “Are your vegetables fresh? How much are you selling them for?”

The old man wasn’t annoyed at being stopped; he set down the handles, rested the two legs of the wooden wheelbarrow on the ground to stabilize it, wiped the sweat from his brow, and replied, “Young lady, even if you’re pretty, Old Wang here can’t sell these vegetables. They’re already ordered by someone else, and I have to deliver them.”

The old woman, having lived for decades without ever being complimented on her looks, twisted her waist, which was as thick as a bucket, upon hearing the praise.

Then she grabbed a large pumpkin from the cart and ran off.

Old Wang shouted, “Hey, don’t do that! Give me back the pumpkin!”

The old woman reached the small door, looked back, and said, “Wait, I’ll get you the money—I’m not taking it for free.”

Old Wang was stubborn and crossed his arms, cursing, “You thieving old woman, a bad woman raised by a bad master. You even want to snatch a vegetable? Tch! And this is the Princess’s residence, too…”

Being scolded, the old woman was displeased.

She put down the pumpkin, took a couple of steps forward, and roared like a lion from the Hedong region, “What nonsense are you spouting? My master is kind-hearted and never owes a single copper coin to anyone. I told you to wait for the money; why do you insist I’m stealing? Who behaves like you?”

“Hmph! Not stealing? Don’t think we common folks don’t know. Your master’s husband was taken by force, wasn’t he?” Old Wang continued to curse.

Hearing this, the old woman’s disheveled hair nearly stood on end in fury.

“You scoundrel, what nonsense are you talking about? Our son-in-law was never ordered from anyone, so how can you say he was taken by force? Even if my master cherishes him, he wasn’t stolen.”

“Cherished? Hah, he’s just that looking,” Old Wang sneered.

The old woman stomped her foot and spat at him. “He’s cherished! No young girl could help but glance at him. What business is it of yours, you muddy-legged old man?”

After spitting, she turned, picked up the pumpkin, entered through the small door, and slammed it shut with a fierce kick, refusing to argue further.

Old Wang muttered as he pushed his cart away.

...

Elsewhere, inside a tailor’s shop on the main street in front of the Princess’s residence,

Song Wen was selecting fabrics.

While choosing, he quietly asked the shopkeeper, “My daughter is about to marry, and the other family is of a higher status than ours, so the dowry can’t be shabby.

Tell me, what materials do the senior maids at the Yongtai Princess’s residence wear? I want to buy some for her.”

The shopkeeper examined the well-dressed black man before him and smiled, “You’ve come to the right place.

The clothes worn by the maids of the Princess are truly chosen from our shop.

Look at this bolt, this one, and this one; these are their favorites.

These are newly arrived stock; if you come a day later, they’ll be gone.”

“Hmm? They feel quite good. No wonder they’re for the Princess’s residence. I’ll take them all,” the man said happily, eager for the shopkeeper to pack everything up.

But he still asked, “If I buy all these, and later they come looking for them and find none left, will they cause trouble for you?”

“Not at all. The Princess is very kind and good-hearted. The maids in her house are all easy to get along with. Otherwise, would I dare sell to you? Rest assured,” the shopkeeper replied quickly.

Only then did the man nod in relief, took out his pouch, and paid.

He didn’t stop talking, “Shopkeeper, from your tone, you seem somewhat familiar with the people from the residence. Just asking: since they’re easy to get along with, if I sought them out and wanted to borrow some clothes for a show, would that be possible?”

“Well...” the shopkeeper hesitated before replying, “Honored guest, since you’re so frank, I’ll tell you—but don’t spread this outside.”

Hearing this, the man leaned over the counter, stretched his neck, and tilted his ear closer.

The shopkeeper lowered his voice, “The Princess is often lonely and enjoys hearing street gossip and the latest news from the alleys. Her maids love to collect such tidbits to tell her.”

“Mm-hmm, I see. Thanks, shopkeeper,” the man said happily, pulling out half a silver coin to tip him, then paid for the fabric and prepared to leave.

Seeing the tip, the shopkeeper’s eyes brightened, hastily held back the fabric, and whispered, “Don’t let your daughter go asking about people—she’s very jealous.”

Jealous?

The man paused, then realized who was meant.

He twisted his face into a grin, chuckled softly, and gave the shopkeeper another half silver coin as thanks before leaving with the fabric.

This kind of secretive, knowing “hehehe” chuckle is a special form of communication among men—only understood, never explained.

...

Song Wen, carrying the fabric, arrived at a modest little eatery where he saw Di Ying.

He set down the fabric and said, “Li Xianxian is jealous; everyone in the neighborhood knows this about her. Whenever there’s a pretty girl around, they all avoid Wu Yanji.

I suspect that little maid Cui’er somehow failed to steer clear in time and was seen by Wu Yanji.

Since Cui’er isn’t a maid sold into servitude, Li Xianxian falsely accused her.”