Just as dawn was breaking, a crowd had already gathered at the South City Gate. Alongside the people were various noisy livestock, and in the summer heat, the smell was naturally far from pleasant.
“Xiang Qi!”
A sharp voice called out, accompanied by the clatter of hooves. The gate officer of the South City Gate rode over on horseback.
A young man, who had been chatting and laughing with a few others by the gate, quickly ran over.
“Master Zheng, you’re here,” he said with a bow and a nod, full of deference.
The tall, thin man on horseback raised his eyebrows and pointed his horsewhip at him.
“Why hasn’t this place been cleaned yet?” he demanded.
Xiang Qi didn’t dare argue. He quickly responded with a “yes, sir,” and turned to call over the others.
“You clean it yourself! It’s just a gate—do you need the whole lot of them?” Officer Zheng barked. Then, pointing at a few others nearby, he continued, “When it comes to collecting taxes and bribes, you all run like rabbits—but there’s plenty of work to be done here at the gate, and none of you seem to notice! What a bunch of freeloaders!”
The few men he scolded didn’t even lift their heads. Flustered and ashamed, they shuffled off toward the city gate to start working.
The man let out a furious breath, glaring at Xiang Qi, who was already sweeping with a broom.
“You lazy, useless clerks!” he cursed, snapped his horsewhip, and turned his horse to leave.
Once he had gone, the scattered clerks gathered back together.
“Where did he get humiliated this time?”
“Must’ve been thrown out by one of the courtesans at the brothel again…”
Everyone chimed in, joking and mocking to vent their frustration. They noticed that the young man over there was still sweeping.
“Xiang Qi, stop sweeping—once they open the gate, there’ll just be another mess of piss and shit. You’ll never keep up,” they called out.
But the young man didn’t seem to hear. He kept his head down and continued sweeping in silence.
“Xiang Qi too—why put up with all this humiliation here?”
“Exactly. Just ask your father-in-law for some money. Why stay here at the South Gate serving livestock? Wouldn’t any other gate be better?”
“Right. With a father-in-law like that, why be a lowly clerk at all? Just stay home and enjoy life…”
“Father-in-law? That’s his actual father.”
“Even better—closer than an in-law.”
They joked and laughed among themselves. But over on the other side, Xiang Qi seemed not to hear any of it—he just kept sweeping, more and more forcefully, faster and faster. Dust rose thick around the city gate, forcing the people waiting to leave the city to cover their mouths and noses and back away.
To the officials, a petty clerk like him was worth nothing.
But to petty clerks like him, the common people were worth just as little.
Everyone covered their mouths and moved aside. No one dared to complain. Even when Xiang Qi’s sweeping scattered dust and dirt directly onto them, they could only grit their teeth and endure it in silence.
Before long, the city gate opened, and crowds surged in and out—but the first to come through weren’t people, but herds of pigs, sheep, chickens, and ducks.
Xiang Qi was still sweeping with his head down. The noisy animals were driven through in a chaotic rush, and soon the ground was once again covered in piles of droppings. Pedestrians tried to dodge them, which startled the livestock, causing them to scatter in all directions. Naturally, Xiang Qi got caught in the mess—stepping right into the filth, even getting splattered with it on his clothes.
“Damn it!” Xiang Qi finally exploded. “Getting pushed around by people isn’t enough—now I’ve got to take crap from animals too!”
He slammed his broom and dustpan hard onto the ground, turned on his heel, and stormed off.
By the time the sky was fully bright, Xiang Qi stepped through the door of his home. The servants in the house either greeted him hastily or acted as if they hadn’t seen him at all. Xiang Qi was long used to it and paid them no mind. He walked straight into the courtyard, kicked off his wooden clogs, and entered the house.
“Why are you only just getting back?”
A woman’s voice called out from inside.
“Don’t I always come back around this time?” Xiang Qi replied, a hint of delight on his face. “Could it be that you were thinking of me…”
“Is today the same as any other? Brother Xu and the others are coming today,” the woman cut him off as she stepped out from the inner room.
She was wearing a new blouse and skirt, with butterfly-shaped hairpins tucked into her styled hair. She was just putting on a pearl earring, lightly applying powder, and carefully shaping her eyebrows—her face full of cheerful charm.
But the moment she saw Xiang Qi, the smile vanished from her face.
And the joy on Xiang Qi’s face had already disappeared as well.
“Why are you all filthy and stinking again?” the woman snapped, frowning and waving her hand. “Who told you to come into the house looking like that? Get out and wash up!”
“How did I end up filthy and stinking like this—you all don’t know?” Xiang Qi muttered. “Weren’t you the ones who sent me to the South City Gate?”
Though he spoke, he didn’t dare raise his voice. He lowered his head and walked out.
“Hurry up with the washing. Go wait outside for Brother Xu and the others—they’ll have a hard time finding the place otherwise,” the woman called out from behind.
Xiang Qi lifted his head and glanced at her, his face dark, unable to hide the hatred in his eyes.
But the woman, holding up a mirror to adjust the flowers in her hair, didn’t see it.
Xiang Qi looked away and left with his head down.
At that moment, Xu Maoxiu and his companions had already left the gates and were crossing the arched bridge within the city, when suddenly they heard a lady’s voice from beneath the bridge, laughing and calling out, “Young Master!”
It was summertime, and the river was filled with pleasure boats—some carrying courtesans entertaining patrons, others with respectable women from good families enjoying the seasonal breeze.
At first, Xu Maoxiu and the others didn’t pay it much attention. But upon hearing the familiar voice, they quickly turned to look—and were momentarily stunned.
“Miss, look! It really is the young masters,” a maid called out, waving up at the seven men on the bridge.
“It’s Sister,” one of the men said.
Xu Maoxiu and the others all crowded toward the side of the bridge, leaning over to get a better look.
On a small, elegant boat below stood three ladies, all of them looking up at them.
“Where are you headed?” Xu Maoxiu asked. As he spoke, his gaze had already fallen on the young man standing at the stern of the boat.
Qin Shi’san cupped his hands from afar and bowed in greeting.
“We’re going to have a boatman’s banquet,” the maid replied with a smile, glancing at Xu Maoxiu and his companions. Her eyes narrowed playfully as she added, “The young masters are all wearing new clothes today—are you heading to a banquet too?”
At her remark, the men looked slightly uncomfortable, tugging at their clothes self-consciously.
“I told you not to change into new clothes—it’s not like we’re going on a blind date,” Xu Bangchui muttered.
The river flowed swiftly. Cheng Jiao-niang gave them a graceful smile and a polite bow, waved her hand, and the small boat soon glided past the arched bridge.
“The young masters must be off to see some old acquaintances,” the maid said with a laugh, glancing back.
She saw that Xu Maoxiu and the others were still standing on the red bridge, turning around to watch them leave.
“There are five arched bridges along this route, and the largest one is just outside the city,” Qin Shi’san said as he slowly walked over. The boat rocked unsteadily, and he had to be supported by a servant.
“You usually travels by carriage, but today you get to enjoy the riverside scenery,” he said with a smile.
“It certainly has its own charm,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied, her gaze fixed on another arched bridge they were passing under.
“I meant to invite you out like this last time,” Qin Shi’san said with a grin. “But who would’ve thought you’d heal me so quickly. You didn’t even give me a chance to curry favor.”
Cheng Jiao-niang turned to him with a faint smile.
“That’s because you cooperated so readily,” she replied.
Qin Shi’san paused for a moment, then burst out laughing.
On the riverbank nearby, pedestrians were being hurriedly driven away to make way for a procession of carriages and horses.
“Halt the carriage!”
A clear, commanding voice suddenly came from within the carriage.
The well-trained horses immediately stopped, and the guards surrounding the carriage on all sides went on high alert.
The crowd on the street, pushed aside, continued chatting and laughing, while the shops along the way carried on their calls.
On this riverside side, there were no longer any pedestrians. The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing the face of a young man.
Duke Jin’an watched as a small boat on the river approached, coming straight toward them. As it drew closer, he could see more clearly: a young man and lady stood side by side on the boat, smiling at each other, passing by in the blink of an eye.
The Duke couldn’t help but turn his head to follow their passage.
“Your Highness,” a guard accompanying the carriage whispered.
Duke Jin’an withdrew his gaze and waved his hand.
The procession continued forward, the beaded curtains swaying in the breeze, partially revealing the young man’s profile inside.
The so-called boat banquet naturally took place on the boat. The river breeze was cool, and the music—the silk and bamboo melodies—sounded much more melodious and charming than usual.
“How is it?”
Qin Shi’san asked, looking at Cheng Jiao-niang who was putting down her chopsticks.
“Not bad,” Cheng Jiao-niang nodded in approval.
Qin Shi’san noticed the untouched wine on her table.
“Is it because you’re unwell that you’re not drinking?” he asked.
“No,” Cheng Jiao-niang replied, lowering her head to glance at the wine cup beside her. The liquid inside was cool and fragrant. “This wine doesn’t taste good.”
The courtesan playing the qin nearby couldn’t help but laugh.
“My lady, our wine is quite famous in the capital,” she said. “Perhaps it’s just that you aren’t used to it.”
Qin Shi’san’s expression darkened slightly as he shot a glance at the courtesan.
The courtesan quickly lowered her head in apology, exchanging a glance with her companions that barely concealed their amusement.
This young master is really protective—he doesn’t allow such remarks.
“Yes, I really just can’t get used to it,” Cheng Jiao-niang nodded as she stood up.
“There are also excellent songs and dances here,” Qin Shi’san quickly said. “It’s still early—my lady, why not enjoy some music?”
Cheng Jiao-niang was already on her feet, smiling politely.
“Then that will have to wait until next time,” she said. “Isn’t this supposed to be a wine banquet?”
Qin Shi’san smiled and rose as well, walking alongside her.
“Liu-lang is leaving,” he suddenly said.
Cheng Jiao-niang responded with a hum.
The corridor on the painted boat was narrow, so the two of them walked almost side by side, leaving no room for the servant to assist. Fortunately, Cheng Jiao-niang did not walk very fast.
“He’s going northwest,” Qin Shi’san said again.
Cheng Jiao-niang responded with another hum.
They stepped out of the cabin, where a small boat was already waiting, and the women there reached out to help them aboard.
“Cheng Jiao-niang,” Qin Shi’san called.
Cheng Jiao-niang, already stepping onto the boarding plank, looked back at him.
“Can he invite you to a banquet?” Qin Shi’san asked.
“I don’t know. I’m not him,” Cheng Jiao-niang shook her head.
Qin Shi’san smiled at her and then burst out laughing.
The small boat gently pushed off, and the girl bowed again. Qin Shi’san returned the bow politely, watching as the boat slowly drifted away.
The carriage rolled into the courtyard, and Qin Shi’san was helped down by a servant. He waved off the servant who wanted to continue assisting him and slowly walked inward on his own.
“Shi’san.”
A familiar voice suddenly called out, causing the distracted Qin Shi’san to stop and look up. He realized he had already approached the inner courtyard and saw his mother standing at the gate, smiling warmly while waving a small round fan.
“What a coincidence, running into you just as you return,” Madam Qin said cheerfully. “Where have you been?”
“Mother, how do you never tire of these chance encounters?” Qin Shi’san smiled, sounding somewhat helpless. “You want to ask how I’ve been enjoying myself, don’t you?”
Madam Qin giggled, covering her face with the fan.
“Ah, Shi’san, you’re so clever—you’ve seen right through me,” she said, laughing with the maids nearby.
“Yes, madam. Even foolish ones like us can see through you, let alone Young Master,” the maids chuckled.
Madam Qin laughed even more.
Qin Shi’san looked at his mother’s smile and smiled faintly in return.
Unlike before, his mother’s smile was more carefree and genuine.
That’s right, things have changed—they’ve all changed, and there’s nothing that can be done about it.
“How did you get along with that young lady?” Madam Qin asked with a cheerful smile, just as he expected.
“Very well,” Qin Shi’san replied, his smile widening as he lifted his foot to step forward.
But then he paused, looking up at the sky—wondering why this midday banquet seemed to have passed by so quickly.
