Perhaps the lamp's good omen was true; the journey to the capital went smoothly.
When Lu Tong and Yin Zheng arrived in Shengjing, it was already a month later.
Yin Zheng handed the entry document to the city guard, followed Lu Tong through the city gates, and upon reaching the street, was dazzled by the bustling Shengjing. He sighed quietly, "Indeed, this is Shengjing!"
Passing through the inner city gate, the view suddenly came alive with activity. Large and small taverns were everywhere, tea houses even more so. Women in red silk skirts were selling peach blossoms, perfuming the air. The city was alive with chatter and crowds. Lanterns hung in the taverns, adorned with fine bead curtains, sparkling in the sunlight.
The weather was clear, with clouds dissipating, the streets bustling, and people thriving, truly rich and enchanting.
While Yin Zheng marveled, Lu Tong had already turned his gaze away and said, "Let's find an inn to stay at first."
With land so valuable in the capital city, naturally, lodging prices were high. The two found a moderately clean little inn to stay at. Yin Zheng went to inquire about meals from the inn, while Lu Tong went downstairs first.
The inn was located in the west of the city, some distance from the bustling South Street, so the lodging price wasn't very expensive. Most of the guests staying at this inn were merchants doing business in Shengjing.
Lu Tong approached the long counter, where the shopkeeper, a middle-aged man in a dark brown robe, was busy with his abacus. Suddenly, he heard someone ask, "Shopkeeper, is there a place nearby that sells ceramics?"
The shopkeeper looked up to see a young lady standing before him.
Although Shengjing women were often tall and bright, the girl before him was quite petite. She had an oval face, bright black eyes, and perhaps overly fair skin. She appeared frail and thin, wearing a plain white silk skirt, her hair braided simply, with only a frost-white silk flower pinned beside her temple. Standing there, she resembled a lotus emerging from water, gracefully charming.
Such a beauty seemed to be a jade person nourished among picturesque mountains and waters, exquisite and delicate.
The shopkeeper smiled and said, "Young lady, you aren't a local, are you? You look like you're from Su Nan?"
Lu Tong neither nodded nor denied, just smiled and said, "I've heard the ceramics from the Ke Family in Shengjing are outstanding. Do you know where to buy them?"
Before the shopkeeper could reply, a guest dining in the main hall shouted, "The Ke Family? What's so great about their ceramics? They just got lucky!"
Lu Tong turned to see the speaker was a man dressed as a merchant. She paused and asked, "Sir, why do you say that?"
Hearing the word "sir," the merchant wasn't stingy with his information and said, "Originally, the Ke Family sold ceramics in the capital with no particular skill, and their reputation was average. But, a year ago, they somehow got lucky when the servant from the Grand Preceptor's Mansion was buying cups and dishes for Lady Qi's birthday feast and got impressed by the Ke Family. The feast was grand, and the Ke Family gained fame. Since then, many officials in the capital have been flocking to buy from the Ke Family, making their name known."
The merchant, having said this much, took a sip of coarse tea and said resentfully, "Recently, the Ke Family's been monopolizing the ceramic business in Shengjing; it's hard for others to even get a spoonful of porridge. Nowadays, those doing ceramics business in the capital only recognize the Ke Family; there's no room for anyone else."
Perhaps this merchant was also affected by the Ke Family's monopoly, seeing Lu Tong pondering, he advised her, "Miss, don't bother buying from the Ke Family. Nowadays, they only sell to officials, disregarding small businesses. Why seek displeasure?"
Lu Tong's tone was gentle, and the smile in her eyes faded as she said softly, "Sir, hearing this makes me even more curious. I want to see what kind of exquisite ceramics moved the Grand Preceptor's Mansion, which is used to fine things."
"If the young lady truly wishes to visit the Ke Family, it's not difficult," the shopkeeper said kindly, smilingly showing Lu Tong the way. "The Ke Residence is in South City. Just follow this street, and you'll see Luoyue Bridge in the city. Cross the bridge, and at the end, there's Fengle Building, with an alley below. Pass through the alley, and you'll see the Ke Family's mansion."
Lu Tong thanked both the shopkeeper and the merchant before returning upstairs. Upon entering the room, Yin Zheng had already set the meal and urged Lu Tong, "Miss, please eat first."
Lu Tong sat at the table, picking up bowls and chopsticks with Yin Zheng, who tentatively asked, "Miss, I heard you were asking about the Ke's mansion downstairs..."
Lu Tong said, "Eat first, and after the meal, I'll visit the Ke Family."
According to the merchant, the Ke Family got lucky a year ago, which was also when Lu Rou passed away.
It was hard not to think more.
...
South Street was much busier than the west of the city.
On Luoyue Bridge, the flow of people was like the weaving of threads, and the river breeze carried a fragrance of cosmetics. Many bullhorn lamps were tied below the bridge railings, which, on clear nights, sparkled like fireflies with the silver-white new moon falling below the bridge, bathing the city in moonlight.
Passing through the alley beneath Fengle Building, there was a tall gatehouse at the end. The plaque on the gate had "Ke Residence" written in two characters, a newly purchased mansion by the Ke Family.
It was the noontime, and a boy in a cyan robe was naping against the gate. Though the Ke Family was wealthy, the masters treated servants harshly and stingily. With few gatekeepers, they had to work at night, making daytime duties unavoidable.
As he was drowsy, unexpectedly someone spoke in front, "Young Sir, is your lord Master Ke, Ke Chengxing?"
The gatekeeper, startled, looked up and saw two young ladies, one wearing a veil.
He said, "Yes, you are..."
"My lady is the cousin of the late mistress's family, seeking to meet Madam Ke."
...
In the Ke Family garden, the peonies were blooming well.
Madam Ke didn't like the mundane; being in business, she preferred vibrancy. After buying this residence, she dug out several clumps of old bamboo planted in the original house and later filled a small pond, transforming it into a flower garden. The garden bloomed year-round, lush and colorful.
At this moment, in the hall, Madam Ke was sitting on a long bench, watching the maid embroider a fan cover, with plates of honey orange cake and boiled chestnuts on the table, occasionally picking one to eat while complaining the cakes were too bland today.
The gatekeeper came in and whispered, "Madam, someone's outside seeking an audience, claiming to be the cousin of the late mistress's family..."
Madam Ke's expression changed, and her voice involuntarily rose, "Whose cousin?"
The gatekeeper shrank back and said, "The late mistress..."
Madam Ke frowned, "Isn't the Lu Family all gone? When have they ever had a cousin?"
The nanny beside her said, "Perhaps they're distant relatives from a broken family who don't know the Lu Family's situation, coming to seek favors."
Madam Ke thought for a moment and instructed the gatekeeper, "Don't bother with them, just send them away."
The gatekeeper received the order and left, but soon returned again.
Madam Ke impatiently asked, "They still haven't left?"
"No..." The gatekeeper felt awkward and said, "The visitor claims to have close ties with the late mistress's family and heard of the Lu Family's downfall, coming for the late mistress's dowry..."
"Dowry?" Madam Ke's face suddenly turned grim, "Where do these ignorant broken families come from? Dowry? What dowry does she have?"
The gatekeeper swallowed, cautiously saying, "The visitor said if they can't see Madam, they'll sit at the gate and ask around the neighborhood. Madam, with people coming and going, it might not sound good if word spreads..."
Madam Ke's face was ashen; after a moment, she squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth, "Let her in!"