Chapter 4: Strolling in Chang'an

After finishing with Fang De, Fang Yiai hurriedly pulled Linglong out of the Fang family’s main gate. Standing on the street outside, Fang Yiai felt a bit confused, unsure which direction to go. However, Fang Yiai wasn’t worried and, holding Linglong’s hand with a smile, asked, "Linglong, are there any blacksmith shops or fabric stores nearby?"

Linglong found the second young master’s strange behavior intriguing. Feeling the warmth from the second young master’s hand, she giggled and said, "Second Young Master, this is Zhuque Street. There are no shops here. If you want to buy fabric, go to South Street. There are more shops there, and there’s also a blacksmith shop." Fang Yiai was puzzled by this. Who knew where South Street was? He held Linglong’s hand even tighter, fearing that if others found out that the second young master was lost in Chang'an, he would be ruined.

Linglong noticed that the second young master was holding her hand tightly and didn’t let go. She was almost laughing inside, wondering why the second young master was afraid. She asked curiously, "Second Young Master, what’s wrong? Why are you holding my hand all the way?"

"Ah, Linglong, to be honest, I have no memory of the streets in Chang'an. I’m afraid of getting lost and embarrassing myself," Fang Yiai was honest, not hiding anything from Linglong. Linglong covered her mouth and laughed. The second young master was indeed very honest. Linglong thought the second young master wasn’t so bad, even though he was a bit silly.

A gentle breeze blew, stirring Linglong’s black hair. She used her free right hand to gently gather the hair that had been blown apart. At that moment, Linglong looked especially beautiful. Fang Yiai thought that if Linglong lived in the 21st century, she would definitely be a remarkable person. Fang Yiai was almost entranced, and after a while, he smacked his lips and said, "Linglong, you don’t need to tie your hair in such a big bun. It looks better and more comfortable when it’s loose."

"Second Young Master, really? Then how should I style it?" Every woman loves beauty, and Linglong was no exception. Although she was rational, she couldn’t help but desire beauty. Fang Yiai stroked his chin and smiled, "Linglong, let’s not worry about that now. I’ll find time to help you when we get home, but don’t be disappointed if I do a bad job."

Linglong was already immune to the second young master’s shocking words. A young master combing a maid’s hair was unprecedented in the Tang Dynasty. Even men serving women were rare, unless the woman was a princess. So Linglong just smiled and nodded, not taking the second young master’s words to heart, thinking she would forget about it soon.

Under Linglong’s guidance, Fang Yiai quickly arrived at a blacksmith shop. Linglong walked into the shop and said to an old master who was forging iron, "Master Liu, are you free now? My second young master needs to have something made!" Linglong was always polite, and if not for her low status, she would have left a mark in Tang Dynasty history.

"Hehe, is it Miss Linglong? Could it be the second young master from the Chancellor’s residence?" Master Liu put down his hammer, wiped his sweat, and asked with a smile after seeing Linglong.

"Haha, Master Liu, it’s me. I want you to make something for me, and I need it urgently, so I came in person," Fang Yiai said, striding into the blacksmith shop.

"Second Young Master, why did you come in? Your status is so high, how can you come to such a place?" Linglong complained when she saw Fang Yiai. Master Liu also became nervous when he saw Fang Yiai’s true appearance. "Second Young Master, it’s an honor for me to have you come to me. I think you should leave first. This place is too dirty and will tarnish your status."

Fang Yiai pursed his lips. His soul was from the 21st century, so he didn’t care about such things. Words about bad luck were like nonsense to him. So he waved his hand and smiled, "Alright, Master Liu, what’s this about status? We’re all the same, with yellow skin and black eyes. By the way, do you have a pen? I’ll draw what I need, as it’s hard to explain with words. See if you can make it for me."

Master Liu now respected the second young master from the Fang family. What kind of status did the second young master have, to look up to a blacksmith? It was a sign of good fortune. Master Liu wiped his hands and smiled sincerely, "Yes, Second Young Master, wait a moment, I’ll get it for you."

After Master Liu left, Linglong stood behind Fang Yiai, frowning, and said, "Second Young Master, don’t say such things in the future. If the old scholars hear, it could cause you trouble."

"Linglong, my second young master is different. I never worry about such issues. In my eyes, everyone is equal, and no one is more noble than another. So you need to learn to change. You are Linglong, and I am Fang Yiai. Don’t be afraid or intimidated by me. Just speak your mind in the future," Fang Yiai held Linglong’s hands and kept nagging, like a modern-day life coach.

Hearing Fang Yiai’s words, Linglong’s eyes became misty. She had seen the second young master almost every day, but it wasn’t until today that she realized he wasn’t silly. In fact, he was the most outstanding person in the Tang Dynasty, as he said what no one else dared to say. Equality among all beings was such a beautiful concept. Everyone belonged to themselves, just as the second young master said: she was Linglong, and he was Fang Yiai, and nothing more. Linglong felt so happy in her heart. What more could a maid want than to serve such a master?

Master Liu quickly returned with a pen and a wooden board. He placed the items on the table and said apologetically, "Second Young Master, I only have a pen, but no paper. Could you draw it on this wooden board?"

Fang Yiai looked at the smooth wooden board and felt it was a waste. After looking at Master Liu, he shook his head, "Master Liu, I think I’ll draw it on the table instead. It would be a waste to use such a good wooden board. I suspect you were planning to use it for a panel."

"Hehe, Second Young Master, you’re right. My wife said the panel was broken, so I got this wooden board. I was planning to use it later, but since you need to draw something and I can’t afford paper, I’ll have to use this," Master Liu scratched his head, looking embarrassed. Seeing Master Liu’s sincere smile, Fang Yiai sighed, "Master Liu, I’ve already said I don’t care about my status since I’m here. So don’t be so formal; it makes me uncomfortable."

"Hehe," Master Liu didn’t know what to say, just smiling foolishly. Fang Yiai quickly drew the handle of the reclining chair he needed with a brush. After finishing, he asked, "Master Liu, can you make this? Remember to get the teeth right and make everything the same size."

Master Liu carefully examined the shape and size of the object and nodded confidently, "Second Young Master, don’t worry. This is easy to make. How many pairs do you need?"

"Um, that’s good. Master Liu, make 20 pairs for me. Also, prepare 20 thin iron rods, about 6 inches long," Fang Yiai instructed.

"Sure, Second Young Master, you can come and pick them up tomorrow," Master Liu said. Fang Yiai then tried to take out some silver, but after searching for a while, he found nothing. It was Linglong who noticed Fang Yiai’s awkward expression and took out some silver from her money bag, handing it to Master Liu, "Master Liu, take this money. We’ll send someone to pick up the items tomorrow."

"Second Young Master, this is too much. Besides, I’m very happy that you came to me personally. How can I take your money?" Master Liu kept refusing, but Fang Yiai didn’t listen and quickly left the blacksmith shop with Linglong. After leaving the blacksmith shop, Fang Yiai and Linglong went to a fabric store. Fang Yiai loudly asked the shop assistant, "Sir, do you have any strong and thick sailcloth?"

"Sir, you’ve come to the right place. We do have the kind of fabric you’re looking for, but not many people buy it. Please wait a moment, I’ll go get it from the back," the assistant said. A moment later, he returned with a roll of sailcloth. Fang Yiai touched it and found it was exactly what he needed. He had Linglong pay for it and bought the entire roll.

Carrying the sailcloth on Zhuque Street, Fang Yiai felt a bit embarrassed. He was a modern soul, yet he had no money, and Linglong had to pay for everything. Fang Yiai looked at Linglong, who was almost as tall as him, and felt a sense of admiration. At 1.7 meters, she was tall by Tang Dynasty standards, yet such a tall and beautiful woman was just a maid. It was truly a twist of fate, "Linglong, I’ll pay you back when we get back to the house."

"Second Young Master, what do you mean? I eat and live off the Fang family’s money. What’s the point of giving me money? Besides, Lady is always good to me. What’s the difference between my money and Lady’s money?" Linglong shook her head. She didn’t want the second young master to pay her back, as it would imply a distance between them.

Fang Yiai thought about it and nodded, "Linglong, you’re right. We don’t need to be so formal. If you ever run out of money, I’ll take care of you. Ha ha!" Fang Yiai walked confidently, and Linglong, standing behind him, was almost entranced. The strange second young master was always so shocking. How could a maid like her ever match up to the second young master? His future wife would surely be a noble lady or even a princess. How could a maid like her have the right to like the second young master, no matter how good he was?

Back at the Fang residence, Fang Yiai threw the fabric on the bed and ran outside, shouting, "Uncle De, have you got the things I need?"

"Second Young Master, I’ve prepared everything you need. Should I send them to your courtyard?" Fang De was completely puzzled by what the second young master was up to but asked helplessly.

"Uncle De, have someone bring the things over. Also, send someone to the Liu family blacksmith shop on South Street tomorrow. I’ve ordered some things there and need them tomorrow," Fang Yiai said hurriedly. Fang De nodded, not understanding what the second young master was doing but deciding to wait and see.

Fang Yiai sat in the room, drinking water like a bull, while Linglong happily refilled his cup.

Fang Yiai didn’t realize that from that moment on, a woman’s shadow had entered his heart, gentle and beautiful!

Many separations, many fascinations, etched in the sky of the Tang Dynasty, turning into a series of moving rainy seasons!

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