“You’re looking for someone? Who? Isn’t finding anyone just a matter of a word from you? What kind of person requires you, Twelfth Master, to search personally?” the Heir Apparent asked curiously.
Twelfth Master snorted and took another sip of the tea Dongniang had poured for him.
“I’m acting on someone’s behalf! Looking for a twelve-year-old girl. All I know so far is that she likely came toward Gusu, but where she ended up will require a slow search.”
“A peerless beauty? One you’ve taken a fancy to? Have you finally come around and started thinking about settling down? The imperial family, the Empress, and your parents would be overjoyed! Wait, though—a twelve-year-old girl, no matter how stunning, is still too young, isn’t she? She probably hasn’t even fully blossomed yet!” The Heir Apparent immediately leaned in closer.
Twelfth Master raised his folding fan and tapped the Heir Apparent on the shoulder.
“Rein in your thoughts. Don’t be so vulgar. I’ve seen all the beauties under heaven and my heart is as still as water. Besides, aren’t you still short two secondary consorts? How about I arrange a couple for you from Wanhua Lou in Yangzhou? I guarantee your inner household will become lively from then on, leaving you no leisure to meddle in other people’s affairs.”
The Heir Apparent immediately retreated to his original seat.
Beside them, Dongniang covered her mouth with a handkerchief and chuckled softly. Just as Twelfth Master was about to say more, a young tea attendant lightly knocked twice on the door.
“Shopkeeper, a letter from the capital has arrived. Would you like to read it now?”
Soon, Dongniang held a letter with its wax seal intact. She opened it and read it carefully.
“Princess Pingning will arrive in Gusu in one month,” Dongniang announced.
Upon hearing this, both the Heir Apparent and Twelfth Master immediately straightened up.
“Princess Pingning is coming?” the Heir Apparent asked, somewhat surprised.
“My aunt is coming?” Twelfth Master also inquired in astonishment.
Dongniang was even more surprised. Princess Pingning resided in the capital year-round and rarely ventured out. Yet this time, she was specifically coming to Gusu…
“The letter doesn’t specify the reason, only that it’s to be kept confidential for now. She will notify the official courier stations along the route when she is about to arrive. Presumably, it must be something important!”
Upon hearing this, Twelfth Master immediately made to stand up.
“No, I must find that person before my aunt arrives, then quietly slip back to the capital. Heir Apparent, lend me all the people you brought with you. And the silver notes you brought—give them all to me…”
“Twelfth Master, the Princess has a message for you in the letter,” Dongniang quickly stopped the fleeing Twelfth Master.
“What did my aunt say in the letter?” Twelfth Master immediately froze.
“The Princess said she knows Twelfth Master has come to Gusu. She also knows Twelfth Master must have come to Chun Bu Wan. She orders Twelfth Master to lie low in Gusu and not cause too much commotion. If…” Dongniang looked seriously at Twelfth Master.
“If what?” Twelfth Master pressed.
“If Twelfth Master causes any commotion, the Princess will personally enter the palace to discuss arranging a marriage for you with the Empress. Even if she has to tie you up, she will make sure you marry. Twelfth Master, I’m not making this up—this is exactly what Her Highness the Princess said. If you don’t believe me, look!” As she spoke, Dongniang handed the letter to Twelfth Master.
Twelfth Master waved it away.
Such words were indeed something his aunt would say. It seemed he really needed to keep a low profile this time. If his aunt was coming to Gusu, it meant something of great importance must be happening here…
“What about me? What about me? Did the Princess say anything about me?” the Heir Apparent hurriedly leaned in again.
Dongniang shook her head.
"Your Highness probably doesn't know that Twelfth Master dragged the Heir Apparent along to Gusu. The letter didn't mention the Young Master Heir."
The Heir Apparent let out a long sigh of relief. Thankfully, he wasn't mentioned. Otherwise, if Prince Father found out, he'd probably get an earful again.
Thinking this, the Heir Apparent quickly tossed the pouch from his person toward Twelfth Master.
"I'll return to Jinling after watching the Tea Champion competition. You can stay in Gusu by yourself!
Here, there's a thousand taels in silver notes inside. You can either stay at Chun Bu Wan or at the neighboring Zui Xiang Lou, whichever you prefer.
Anyway, I'm heading back first."
Dongniang couldn't help but want to laugh.
"That's Princess Pingning, your elder. Why do you two see her as some kind of demon or king of hell?
What are you so afraid of?" Dongniang teased.
The Heir Apparent and Twelfth Master shook their heads simultaneously.
"Don't I know what my aunt is like?"
"Don't I know what Princess Pingning's methods are like?"
Seeing Dongniang still smiling brightly, the Heir Apparent didn't even bother with his tea anymore. He picked up an empty teacup and arranged it on the tea table.
"Who holds the highest authority in Dayu?
The imperial family, right?
The imperial family has grand ambitions—to pacify Bei Hu, sweep through the Southwest, and win the hearts of the people.
If we talk about whose words the imperial family listens to in Dayu, everyone knows. The first is Old Duchess Dingguo, the emperor's maternal aunt.
The second is the current Empress, who is also Twelfth Master's paternal aunt.
The third is this Princess Pingning, the emperor's maternal cousin.
Even Prime Minister Shen and Senior Official Shangguan rank after them.
So, if Princess Pingning were to catch me making a mistake, would I still be able to keep my position as Heir Apparent? Wouldn't Prince Father take a feather duster and scold me for being useless?" the Heir Apparent said.
Twelfth Master also fiddled with the teacup on the table for a while.
"I think your ranking is off. Clearly, my aunt's words carry more weight than my paternal aunt's.
Of course, my paternal aunt never says anything serious to my uncle, the emperor.
But precisely because of that, it shows how formidable my aunt is without even getting angry," Twelfth Master added a couple of sentences.
Dongniang looked at the two of them and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Seeing these two have someone they fear, it seems she's following the right masters!
"Alright! You two masters, don't be too nervous.
It will take at least a month for the princess to travel from the capital to Gusu.
You can still enjoy your freedom for now."
Upon hearing this, the Heir Apparent and Twelfth Master thought it made sense.
Didn't they still have a month to fool around?
The two of them returned to their previous lazy demeanor.
"Hey, has the Ye Family reserved seats?" Twelfth Master suddenly asked.
Dongniang shook her head.
"No, I sent someone to the Ye Family to ask if they wanted to reserve seats for Old Master and Old Madam.
Old Master said they wouldn't come to join the excitement this time. The Ye Family has matters to attend to, but once Chun Bu Wan's Tea Champion is selected, we must notify the Ye Family.
Old Master will definitely bring people to show support," Dongniang said with a smile.
"The Ye Family has matters to attend to! What a shame, we won't get to see that little beauty who's always trying to drag others down.
Wait, what matters could the Ye Family possibly have?" Twelfth Master asked.
"It seems to be a skills competition among the youngest generation of the Ye Family.
Oh, to put it simply, it's an Abacus Competition to see who's best at using the abacus," Dongniang replied immediately.
"Abacus competition! Sounds boring! But are there any prizes?"
"Yes! See that silk and satin shop next to Zui Xiang Lou?
Whoever wins gets that silk and satin shop."
Twelfth Master…
The Ye Family really is wealthy. They casually offer a shop as a prize.
No wonder people say half the shops in Gusu City belong to the Ye Family…