He wondered if his ears were playing tricks on him, and asked in disbelief, "W-Wu Qishan?"
That was a bandit's den! Although he had sworn to go through fire and water, he hadn't meant for his shop's clerk to go and get himself killed.
Song Luo laughed, her delicate, petite face brimming with innocent charm. She deliberately lowered her head in feigned shyness, a blush of maidenly bashfulness spreading across her fair cheeks.
"Yes." Song Luo's voice was so soft it could practically drip with water. "I've taken a fancy to that bandit chief, Wu Qishan."
"Have you deliver this jade pendant to him for me, and say…"
Song Luo paused deliberately, keeping Song Nian on tenterhooks. "Say that Song Luo, the legitimate daughter of the General's estate, sends this as a token of affection, to express my admiration for him."
"SONG LUO!!"
A thunderous roar erupted from behind the screen.
Song Nian could no longer contain the fury surging through his veins. He shoved aside the heavy carved screen and strode out from behind it, radiating a terrifying aura.
"Say that again—who exactly have you set your sights on?!"
Startled by the outburst, Song Luo's shoulders flinched.
She looked up and found herself staring straight into her brother's face, which looked ready to devour someone.
Behind Song Nian, Jiang Mingyue wore an equally stunned expression.
Song Luo was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on—utterly panic-stricken. She gathered her skirts and bolted down the stairs like a gust of wind.
Song Nian froze for a moment, then, seeing that she actually dared to run, felt his blood rush to his head. Instinctively, he gave chase.
"Stop right there! You're not going anywhere until you explain yourself!"
The two of them—one fleeing ahead like a rabbit, the other pursuing behind like a starving wolf—dashed out of Treasure Pavilion's front door in the blink of an eye.
Only then did Jiang Mingyue snap back to her senses.
She shouted at Song Nian's retreating back, "Brother Nian, these things haven't been paid for yet!"
"Brother Nian, don't run off!"
"Hey, Song Nian!!"
No response whatsoever.
Jiang Mingyue stamped her foot in frustration. What kind of nonsense was this?
The siblings had a quarrel, and the bill still hadn't been settled.
The shopkeeper stood rooted to the spot, still holding the wrapped black jade pendant, looking utterly dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Hadn't they just agreed to first fleece the brother, then fleece the sister?
How had both of these esteemed patrons suddenly bolted out the door without a word?
And worst of all—not a single copper coin had been left behind.
The shopkeeper snapped back to reality, scurried over to Jiang Mingyue on quick, mincing steps, and plastered his professional smile back on his face. "Miss Mingyue, you see… those three pieces of jewelry that General Song and you had selected earlier—shall we still keep them?"
"Yes." Jiang Mingyue gritted her molars and forced herself to stay calm. "In a moment, send someone to deliver those three items to my residence."
"Certainly!" The shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief, a gratified smile spreading across his face.
Thank goodness—though two had run off, at least those three most expensive pieces had been sold.
Today hadn't been a complete waste after all.
But before he could fully exhale, Jiang Mingyue's next words sent him into utter despair.
"I don't have enough silver on me right now," she said huffily. "You can go to the General's estate later, slap the bill right in Song Nian's face, and demand payment from him."
"That won't do at all!!"
"Miss Jiang, although our shop has some standing here in the capital, at the end of the day, we're still a small business."
"Miss Jiang, you see… either you stay and settle the payment, or you send someone back to your residence to fetch the silver. Without seeing actual gold and silver, you absolutely cannot take the goods."
No matter how Jiang Mingyue cajoled, threatened, or bargained, the shopkeeper refused to budge.
Jiang Mingyue was so furious she ground her teeth, cursing Song Nian a thousand times over in her heart.
…
Song Luo ran far too fast. After a few turns, Song Nian, whose view was blocked by the crowd, completely lost sight of her.
"You little brat! If you've got the guts, don't you dare come home today!"
Song Nian stood at the street corner, shouting frantically in all directions.
"Just you wait until you get back—I'll deal with you then!"
He paced in circles, fuming.
He simply couldn't understand it. Song Luo had always been obedient to him since she was little, well-behaved and docile—never once had she defied him like she did today.
And she dared to send a token of affection to a bandit chief? Her own brother hadn't even gotten one!
Hidden behind a large tree, Song Luo made a face in Song Nian's direction.
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
Li Rongshang stood in the shadows, arms crossed, watching the two siblings.
He had been following Song Nian since early morning.
Just recently, he had received an urgent, top-secret dispatch.
Every word in that dispatch struck like a knife to the heart: General Song, stationed at the border, had developed treacherous intentions and was plotting rebellion. He was now secretly aligning with Wu Qishan's band of vicious outlaws, preparing to coordinate from within and without to overthrow the court.
Wu Qishan's terrain was strategically perilous—easy to defend, difficult to attack. The bandits had occupied it for years, and every official campaign to suppress them had ended in defeat.
If General Song truly colluded with them, the consequences would be unimaginable.
To uncover the truth and obtain solid evidence, Li Rongshang had placed hidden surveillance all around the General's Residence.
When Song Nian hurried out of the residence early in the morning, he assumed Song Nian was going to meet someone for a transaction.
Unexpectedly, he had brought the young lady from the Jiang Residence to browse the Treasure Pavilion.
Li Rongshang had no interest whatsoever in Song Nian's romantic affairs.
Just as he was about to withdraw, that delicate young woman, timid as a little rabbit, came running out, with an exasperated Song Nian chasing after her.
Song Nian called out to her, "Song Luo."
Song Luo didn't rush back to the General's Residence—going back now would surely mean facing Song Nian's wrath, and she wasn't that foolish.
…
Song Luo wandered aimlessly through the streets for a while. The moment her taut nerves relaxed, her stomach began to protest.
"Grrrgle—"
Her belly made an embarrassingly loud demand.
She rubbed her flat stomach, her gaze drifting back and forth between the taverns and restaurants lining the streets.
Of all the eateries in the capital, big or small, she could name with her eyes closed which one had the most tender roast chicken and which had the most fragrant grilled lamb.
Just then, a tantalizing, bold, spicy aroma wafted into her nostrils on the breeze.
Song Luo followed the scent and stopped in front of a brand-new restaurant.
"Fragrance Pavilion."
She tilted her slender neck slightly and read aloud the name on the sign, its gold lettering set against red wood.
The sign still bore large red silk ribbons, clearly indicating the establishment had only recently opened its doors.