On 2nd April, the group finished packing and prepared to set off for Shangming Town.
Counting Fu Ji, there were six people going to Shangming Town in total, so they used the largest carriage in the residence, which fit all six of them perfectly.
This time, Fu Tian didn’t bring Dai Fu along; instead, Dai Fu helped him pack his luggage and, muttering under his breath, carried the bundle to the main gate to see him off.
The carriage was already waiting at the entrance. Chu Xiangtian leaned lazily against the carriage wall. When he saw them coming, he got up first and took the luggage to stow it away.
Fu Tian patted Dai Fu’s shoulder, telling him to head back first, then turned and climbed into the carriage with his foot on the step.
Xiao Qiao was already sitting inside. For convenience, she’d changed into a set of simple men’s clothes. When she saw Fu Tian get in, she greeted him with a bright smile.
“Let’s go.”
Once everyone had arrived, Chu Xiangtian and Zhou Chuanqing got into the carriage, telling Fu Ji and Chang Xi to get ready to depart—they would be sitting in the driver’s seat at the front.
“Wait a moment!” Fu Shuyue hurried over with her maid, carrying a food box.
Knowing they’d be leaving early, Fu Shuyue had gotten up before dawn to make some pastries.
The journey from Sifang Town to Shangming Town would take about two hours, so she prepared snacks for them to eat on the way.
Fu Shuyue jogged over, slightly out of breath. She took the food box from the maid and handed it to Fu Huo, who had stuck his head out of the carriage.
“I just made these. Take them and eat them on the road.”
Fu Huo took the box and could still feel the warmth radiating from it. He waved her off, signaling for her to head back. “Don’t worry, we’ll be back soon.”
“Alright, travel safe.” Fu Shuyue tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, stepping back to make way for the carriage.
Fu Ji cracked the whip with a loud snap, and the horse neighed and slowly trotted off into the distance.
Fu Tian waved to Fu Shuyue through the carriage window. He kept waving until the carriage turned the corner and she disappeared from view, then sat back down.
The food box was placed on the small table in the center. Zhou Chuanqing stared at it, tapping his folding fan lightly against his palm. “Your sister is truly virtuous.”
Fu Tian smiled softly and opened the food box. There were four layers in total, each holding a different kind of pastry, all freshly made and still steaming slightly.
At the bottom of the box was a pot of Mi Hua Brew, kept warm. From the hidden compartment beneath the table, they took out bowls and cups. The group chatted and snacked as the carriage rolled along.
Zhou Chuanqing took a sip of Mi Hua Brew, squinting his eyes in enjoyment.
He tapped his fingers lightly on his leg, then asked, as if by chance, “After breaking off the engagement, has your sister been promised to anyone else?”
In truth, it wasn’t a very appropriate question, but since everyone was familiar with each other, Fu Tian just took it as casual concern and didn’t mind. “Not yet. My sister says there’s no rush.”
At sixteen, she was already of marriageable age. Most girls would have been wed by now, and if Fu Tian hadn’t gone to such lengths to disrupt the match, Fu Shuyue would have already married into the Jiaojia.
***
Later, when Jiao Changxian’s disgraceful deeds came to light, Fu Shuyue decisively broke off the engagement.
Still, it would be a lie to say there was no impact. There were plenty of gossips in town, but at the end of the day, it was Jiao Changxian’s own misconduct.
The Fu Family took the initiative to break off the engagement, which put them in the right, and no one could fault them for it.
Besides, the Fu Family was wealthy and influential, and after the engagement was broken, many people came to propose.
But after what happened, Fu Shuyue was left disheartened and had no desire to talk about marriage for the time being.
“Miss Fu is both talented and beautiful—she should indeed be choosy.” Zhou Chuanqing nodded in agreement, his smile gentle and refined.
Fu Tian, however, looked a bit uncomfortable. He always found it strange to discuss these things with Zhou Chuanqing. He smiled politely but didn’t respond, instead changing the subject.
Chu Xiangtian glanced at Zhou Chuanqing, who was smiling like a fox. Every time they’d schemed against enemy troops together, he would smile like that. Who knew what mischief he was up to this time?
The carriage bumped along the road for nearly two hours, finally arriving at Shangming Town a quarter past noon.
Shangming Town was even more bustling than Sifang Town.
The entrance faced south, and to the right of the gate stood a massive cylindrical stone, with the words “Shangming Town” carved into it in bold strokes.
The carriage rolled slowly into Shangming Town. Fu Tian lifted the curtain, peering out with curiosity.
The streets here were broader and more spacious than in Sifang Town. The main road was paved with bluestone slabs, wide enough for three carriages like the Fu Family’s to travel side by side.
Vendors and street performers lined both sides, and passersby occasionally stopped to watch, creating a lively and bustling scene.
“Master, do you want me to go notify the shop first?” Fu Ji asked.
They had decided to come on short notice, and hadn’t had time to let the shop know to have someone greet them.
“No need, let’s head straight to the Guesthouse.”
Fu Tian shook his head. He had deliberately avoided notifying anyone in advance. He wanted to arrive in Shangming Town quietly, to catch the others off guard.
If he gave them time to prepare, he’d never be able to spot anything suspicious during his inspection.
Fu Ji drove the carriage to the best Guesthouse in town. The attendant was sharp-eyed and immediately came forward to welcome them, arranging for the stable boy to lead the carriage to the backyard.
The attendant brought over tea, and while Fu Tian and the others sat down to drink, Fu Ji went to negotiate for rooms with the innkeeper.
Soon, Fu Ji returned, looking a bit troubled. He whispered, “There are only four upper rooms left. The rest are all shared dormitories.”
“Why is it so crowded?” Fu Tian frowned in confusion.
The attendant nearby explained, “You may not know, but in a few days it’ll be the town’s Sai Hua Festival.”
“I hear the Flower King and Flower Queen will be on display this year, so lots of people have come to see the flowers. All the inns are full—ours is the biggest, so we still have a few upper rooms left.”
After thinking for a moment, Fu Tian looked at the others. “Since that’s the case, let’s just squeeze in a bit?”
No one objected, so Fu Ji booked the last four upper rooms, and they carried their luggage upstairs to settle in.
Of the group, only Xiao Qiao was a woman, so she had to have a room to herself. Fu Ji originally suggested he would take the shared dormitory, and the rest could double up in the remaining rooms.
But unexpectedly, Chu Xiangtian suddenly said, “Why don’t I share a room with Fu Tian?”
Fu Tian looked at him in surprise, a bit dazed and uncomprehending.
Chu Xiangtian replied righteously, “The others all look like they toss and turn in their sleep. I’m a light sleeper and won’t rest well.”
Chang Xi, simple-minded as ever, grinned and agreed, “I do sleep badly.”
Zhou Chuanqing snorted coldly, saying nothing, but shot a sidelong, mocking glance at him.
Chu Xiangtian’s expression didn’t change. He ignored Zhou Chuanqing’s sarcasm and focused solely on Fu Tian, asking softly, “Is that alright?”
Fu Tian hesitated for a moment, seeing Chu Xiangtian’s unwavering gaze. Thinking it was only for a night or two, he nodded in agreement.
Getting the answer he wanted, Chu Xiangtian smiled in satisfaction, picked up both their bundles, and half-draped his arm around Fu Huo’s shoulders as he led him inside. “Let’s go unpack first.”
Fu Ji, left behind, felt something was off. He opened his mouth to call after them, but they’d already disappeared into the room. He hesitated for a while, but in the end, said nothing.
In the end, Chang Xi had a room to himself, while Zhou Chuanqing and Fu Ji squeezed into one. Once everyone had settled their luggage, they went downstairs for lunch.
There was a Liquor House right next to the Guesthouse. After lunch, Fu Tian suggested they visit the shop first.
“Uncle Ji, you don’t need to come. The staff there know you.” Fu Tian said.
Fu Ji was taken aback, then suddenly understood. “Young Master, are you planning to…”
“Mm.” Fu Tian smiled slightly, walking out with his hands behind his back. “Let’s go for a surprise inspection.”
Chu Xiangtian walked beside him, lowering his head with a smile. “So you know how to use tactics now?”
Fu Tian raised his chin proudly. “All’s fair in war—Brother Zhou taught me that.”
By catching the shop off guard, they could get the most accurate sense of the situation. If they were lucky, they might even catch someone red-handed.
The group strolled leisurely to the entrance of the Fu Family Rice Shop, and Fu Tian led the way inside.
The shop was lined with sacks of rice and grain on both sides, all open for customers to inspect. The shop assistant was dozing behind the counter, his head bobbing up and down as he slept.
Fu Tian cleared his throat. At the sound, the shop assistant jerked awake. When he saw Fu Tian, his eyes lit up and he hurried over with a big smile.
Fu Tian was dressed well and deliberately acted like a young master from a wealthy family. The assistant didn’t even glance at the others, bowing slightly as he stuck close to Fu Tian.
“Master, are you here to buy rice?”
Fu Tian glanced at him coolly and replied, “My family is brewing wine and needs a batch of top-quality rice. I came in person to check.”
The shop assistant’s face lit up even more. He pointed to the best varieties and said, “Please take a look at these, Master. They’re the finest we have in the shop.”
Fu Tian put on a show of examining them, then asked, “What’s the price?”