Chapter 465: 0285 Entering the City (Two-in-One)
Perhaps it was because of the approaching temple fair, Beisang City was bustling at this time.
At the city gate, Xu Chang’an and Yun Qian got into a carriage.
A carriage was necessary; unlike other places, Beisang City was crowded with people everywhere, and he certainly wouldn’t carry a girl in public.
However, not everyone could use a carriage within Beisang City, because of the secrets behind it; those who could ride horses within the city undoubtedly had a significant background.
So Xu Chang’an handed the badge Zhu Pingniang once gave him to the female coachman to use for passage within Beisang City.
Yes, having connections makes things easier.
——
The carriage moved steadily, and in that spacious space, Xu Chang’an and Yun Qian sat on one side.
The crisp sound of hooves was in Xu Chang’an’s ears, and the carriage gently swayed.
Miss Yun heard the noise of the bustling street, and she slowly squinted her eyes, not fond of the clamor; she leaned against Xu Chang’an, listening to his heartbeat, and asked, "Where are we going now?"
Beisang City was large and divided into various districts. The renowned brothels occupied only a small area in the eastern part of the city.
"First, we’ll visit Flower Moon Building to see Senior Zhu, just to report in. As for the details... we’ll have to see how the Senior arranges things," Xu Chang’an explained simply. "Fireworks Street is at the very end; it’ll take some time to get there from here, as there are so many people in the city, and we can’t go fast... If you’re tired, miss, then..."
"Not tired." Yun Qian interrupted Xu Chang’an, taking advantage of the slightly swaying curtain to glance outside.
"..." Xu Chang’an was startled for a moment, then smiled, gesturing the driver to stop the carriage.
Xu Chang’an smiled and waved to Yun Qian, then under the curious eyes of the crowd, he stepped out of the carriage.
The people on the street cast curious glances.
They initially thought it was some dignitary, but to their surprise, it was a plainly-dressed young man. Still, the Immortal Fate of Beisang City was extremely famous, so no one dared to underestimate him.
Xu Chang’an didn’t mind. He weighed the silver taels in his hand and walked into a restaurant, soon returning with a food box to the carriage.
The steed raised its hooves and continued towards the east of the city.
——
The carriage.
"Hungry, aren’t you?" Xu Chang’an asked with a smile, spreading the steaming buns before Miss Yun.
"A little," Yun Qian replied, touching her belly and tilting her head to look at Xu Chang’an, unsure of what to say.
Just now, she had glanced into the restaurant, and indeed had the thought of eating something, as it was getting late... But she didn’t want to eat from there.
What she wanted was a dinner prepared by her husband’s own hands... Compared to his cooking, those steaming buns didn’t pique Yun Qian’s interest at all.
It was as if Xu Chang’an could hear Miss Yun’s thoughts. He took a bun himself and bit into it nonchalantly. As the aroma of meat spread through the carriage, Xu Chang’an finished a bun in a few bites, licking the oil off his lips.
"Miss, we don’t know what might happen once we reach the east of the city. Let’s just have a simple meal tonight, since I doubt I’ll have time to prepare dinner for you," Xu Chang’an said.
"Okay." Yun Qian nodded, indicating her understanding.
"Oh, by the way," Xu Chang’an picked up another bun and praised, "This bun is the specialty of a well-known restaurant, and unexpectedly quite tasty."
"Tasty...?" Yun Qian blinked.
Xu Chang’an felt Yun Qian’s gaze land on the bun, and a smile indicating his plan’s success appeared on his face.
He knew it.
If he praised the food, she would undoubtedly want to try it...
Indeed, feeling a bit hungry, Yun Qian didn’t hesitate any longer and picked up a bun, taking a gentle bite.
A lady takes care to chew slowly and savor carefully. Once Yun Qian leisurely finished a palm-sized bun, Xu Chang’an asked, "How does it taste? Does it suit your palate, miss?"
"Average," Yun Qian replied.
Her tone was calm, but Xu Chang’an could hear a hint of dissatisfaction.
Clearly, this dish was far from delicious to Yun Qian, and it only got an "average" rating due to Xu Chang’an’s "tasty" comment.
Since it wasn’t something he made, getting Yun Qian to say it was delicious was quite challenging.
"Let’s fill our stomachs first, so we don’t lose our heads when we meet Senior Zhu later," Xu Chang’an didn’t feel any guilt about tricking Miss Yun into eating. He raised his hand to adjust Yun Qian’s attire, tucking a slightly wet strand of her hair behind her ear and wiping the oil from her lips carefully.
Since Yun Qian didn’t wear a veil while resting in the carriage, Xu Chang’an was entranced as he gazed, unable to resist touching her face.
At this moment, Yun Qian was hugging him warmly and comfortably.
As they got closer to the brothels in the east, the environment became quieter, unlike the bustling market. It was replaced by the flowing river that surrounded the brothel district.
Not to mention the scattered painted boats on the central lake, the numerous brothels had to be silent to not disturb the gentry and ladies on their journey.
It started to rain.
Raindrops pattered on the carriage roof, a never-ending yet seemingly rhythmic sound that conveyed peace.
Smoke Rain was above, the lateral flow of the river beside, babbling as the carriage crossed a stone bridge, hoofbeats clear, and Yun Qian suddenly remembered something.