Chapter 93

Yunshan Prefecture City.

Among the sixteen circuits of the Great Qin, Yunshan Prefecture is located in the Xishan Circuit, situated between Guanzhong and Guanxi, and belongs to the Guanzhong region. However, compared to the prosperity of the inland Guanzhong, it falls somewhat short.

But compared to Guanxi, Yunshan Prefecture is a first-class prosperous place, with streets crisscrossing and mansions everywhere. Even during the winter snow, the streets and alleys are still bustling with people, far more prosperous than Qingliu County.

One can see red buildings and painted pavilions, embroidered doors and vermilion gates, ornate carriages competing, and fine horses racing. High counters and large shops display exotic goods, while teahouses and taverns are filled with people in fine clothes and silk shoes. Truly, the flowers are bright on the road, the flutes and drums resound in the air, gold and jade dazzle the eyes, and silk robes waft with fragrance.

In this prosperous prefecture city, the snow scenery seems to add another layer of grandeur to the city.

To the west of Yunshan Circuit is Xigu Pass, and beyond Xigu Pass is Guanxi. Yunshan Circuit is the first circuit entering the pass from Xigu, making it strategically very important.

Chuhan and Linlang waited for the wind and snow to stop in the county town and finally arrived at the prefecture city together. The snow on the road made travel difficult, causing some delay. By the time they reached the prefecture city, it was nearly dusk, and the sky was very dark. The red buildings and vermilion gates of Yunshan Prefecture City were already lit up. Riding a black horse beside Linlang's carriage, they traveled through the main streets of the city, where even at dusk, people were still bustling about. There were commoners and scholars in long robes walking together, occasionally spouting elegant words and phrases, and luxurious carriages rolling along with a retinue of attendants.

The shops on both sides were still open, with vendors shouting. Occasionally passing by brothels and music halls, one could glimpse the red and green lights and hear the chirping of birds and the laughter of revelers, interspersed with the sound of flutes and the soft singing of women.

In this era, unlike later times, there were few forms of entertainment. The refined could only pass the time with music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, while the wealthy and influential frequented brothels, music halls, theaters, and taverns.

After a long journey, they turned onto a long street, and the sounds of music and laughter faded away, leaving a quiet atmosphere. Linlang had already lifted the curtain of the carriage, looking at Chuhan, who was wearing a cloak and a hood beside her carriage, and smiled, "Your family is at the end of this street. I'll take you there first!"

The cloak and hood Chuhan was wearing were prepared by Linlang. The two came to the prefecture city, and as a man and a woman, they naturally could not ride in the same carriage. Linlang rode in the carriage while Chuhan rode a horse. To prevent more snow, Linlang had prepared the cloak and hood in advance, worried about encountering heavy snow on the road.

She was right; not long after leaving the county town, it started snowing again. Chuhan had to put on the cloak and hood, but fortunately, the snow stopped before they reached the prefecture city.

"Is the residence of the Great Master on this street?" Chuhan asked.

He naturally assumed that Suniang and the others were now living in Linlang's residence. Although Linlang said she would have Suniang and the others stay in the prefecture city, Chuhan had not yet made up his mind and planned to discuss it with his family after seeing them.

Linlang smiled but did not answer. The carriage moved forward for a moment and stopped in front of a house.

Chuhan stopped his horse and saw that this house, while not a grand mansion, had a wide gate and high walls, giving it a certain grandeur, suitable for a well-off family.

Chuhan had thought that as a wealthy person, Linlang, with the Su family having a long history in Yunshan Prefecture, would have a grand and large residence. However, this house was different from what he had imagined.

This house could only be considered the residence of a well-off family, which did not match Linlang's status. However, Chuhan thought that Linlang might be frugal and low-key, which was why it was like this.

Chuhan dismounted, but Linlang had no intention of getting out of the carriage. She smiled and said, "This is the southern quarter, far from the market, very quiet, and not disturbed." She raised her snow-white hand and pointed to the gate of the house, her eyes showing a hint of mischief, "Your family is inside. Go in first so they don't worry. I'll send someone to invite you later!"

Chuhan did not know what the southern quarter was, but from Linlang's words, it was clear that she did not live here. Just as he was about to ask more, Linlang lowered the curtain and said to the driver, "Let's go!"

The carriage immediately left.

Chuhan scratched his head, a bit puzzled. After a moment of hesitation, he finally went to knock on the door. After a while, a voice came from inside, "Who is it?"

Chuhan recognized the voice immediately; it was Suniang.

"Suniang, it's Erlang!"

The door creaked open, and Suniang appeared behind it. Seeing Chuhan, she immediately showed a look of joy, "Erlang, you... you really came out?" She was overjoyed.

Chuhan was relieved to see Suniang still wearing her blue cotton jacket and asked, "Suniang, is Mother here?"

"Inside." Suniang opened the door wider and saw Chuhan leading a black horse, surprised, "Whose horse is this?"

"It will be ours from now on." Chuhan chuckled, leading the horse inside and taking off his hood. Behind the door was a courtyard, not large but not small, with a large locust tree. Chuhan tied the black horse to the locust tree, and Suniang, after closing the door, looked at the horse with suspicion, clearly not believing it belonged to Chuhan.

Chuhan looked up and saw a main house in the center of the courtyard, quite grand. The door was open, and Suniang said, "Uncle is playing chess inside, and Mother is a bit tired and resting in the inner room." She followed Chuhan to the main house and asked softly, "Erlang, is the case over? Mr. Su said you were wronged and would be out in two days, and it turned out to be true."

Chuhan knew that if he explained in detail to Suniang, it would only get more complicated, so he simply said, "Yes, the case is over, and I was wronged."

Suniang finally patted her full chest, relieved, "That's good, I was worried for two days." Then her face turned serious, "It's all because you are so reckless. This time, the county magistrate was fair and honest, but what if it happens again? You mustn't act rashly in the future."

Chuhan knew Suniang had been worried for two days, so he stopped walking. Suniang, following behind, didn't expect him to stop and bumped into him, her full chest hitting his back. She exclaimed, "Ouch!" and stepped back, frowning, "Why did you stop walking...!"

Chuhan felt a bit awkward, scratching his head and smiling, "I wasn't careful." Seeing Suniang's fair face tinged with red, she looked very beautiful, he said softly, "I made you worry for two days, it's my fault. I won't make you worry again."

Suniang seemed unaccustomed to Chuhan's gentleness, her face turning slightly red. She then said irritably, "I'm not worried about you. Even if you cause trouble, I won't worry. I'm just worried that Mother will be anxious for you."

Chuhan chuckled, finding Suniang's words and actions amusing.

Inside the house, the main hall was spacious, with tables and chairs, and the lamps were lit, making the room very bright. Suniang, still curious, leaned in and asked softly, "Erlang, whose house is this? Mr. Su said he arranged for us to stay here for a few days. Is this Mr. Su's house?"

Chuhan leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Do you like it here?" He was very close to Suniang, and the scent of her body was very pleasant.

Suniang didn't answer but pointed to a side room, "Mr. Su and Uncle are in there. I'll check if Mother has woken up. She still doesn't understand what happened..." She turned and walked away, her hips swaying.

Chuhan put the hood on the table and quietly entered the side room. Inside, the lamps were bright, the light soft, and a warm stove made the room very comfortable.

On a small table, a game of Go was in progress, with black and white stones already placed. One player was Uncle Li Fuzi, and the other was Su Bo, whom Chuhan had met several times.

Outside, the wind and snow could still be heard, and the two old men were deeply engrossed in the game, their skills evenly matched. They didn't notice Chuhan's entrance. Chuhan felt a sense of comfort and quietly approached. Su Bo finally noticed and turned to see Chuhan, showing a look of joy and immediately standing up, "Little Brother Chu, you're back!"

Li Fuzi, who was studying the game, turned to look and also showed a look of joy, smiling, "Mr. Su was right. He said you would be out in two days, and it turned out to be true!"

Chuhan bowed and greeted them. Li Fuzi immediately asked about the situation, and Chuhan explained carefully, not mentioning that the governor wanted to deal with Hu Wei, but saying that everything was thanks to Linlang's drum beating, which led to the prefecture city sending people to investigate and ultimately dealing with Hu Wei.

Everyone was very pleased. Su Bo smiled and said, "Little Brother Chu, are you satisfied with this house?"

Chuhan sensed something in his words and quickly said, "Is this Mr. Su's house? Thank you for taking care of my family these past two days. I am very grateful!" He bowed deeply.

Su Bo shook his head and stroked his beard, smiling, "Little Brother Chu, you are mistaken. This house is not mine!" He took out some documents from his sleeve and handed them to Chuhan, "These are the land and house deeds. From today, this house belongs to you!"

Chuhan was stunned, and even Li Fuzi was surprised.

"Uncle Su, this... this is no joke," Chuhan hurriedly said, "I have done nothing to deserve such a gift!"

Su Bo shook his head, "This house is not mine. Little Brother Chu, to be honest, this house belongs to the Great Master. The Great Master instructed that after seeing you, this house would be yours. You stood up for Heshengquan when it was in trouble, and this is the Great Master's way of thanking you!"

"This is too valuable," Chuhan said seriously, "I cannot accept it."

Li Fuzi also said, "Mr. Su, even if Erlang acted out of righteousness, this gift is too heavy to accept!"

Su Bo frowned, "Little Brother Chu, you must understand that for Heshengquan, you almost lost your life. This house is nothing compared to your life." He forcefully handed the deeds to Chuhan, "I am just following the Great Master's instructions. If you have other thoughts, go to the Great Master, but don't make it difficult for me!"

Chuhan held the deeds, feeling very awkward.

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