Young hero, stay put and don't be reckless.

Chapter 57 Painted Face

When the carriage entered the territory of Qiantang, Jiang Xun was dozing off against the carriage wall.

After days of traveling, even his strong body couldn't take it anymore; his eyelids felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

The sound of wheels rolling over the bluestone road became more frequent, and an indescribable smell wafted in the air—like the aroma of wine, or the scent of cosmetics, mixed with the dampness of the river.

"Look!"

Li Tang shouted, pulling him out of his daze.

This time, Li Tang insisted on coming along, and Li Che couldn't refuse, so he had to agree.

In addition, Zheng Xiao brought several bodyguards with him to protect the safety of the brother and sister.

Jiang Xun rubbed his eyes, followed Li Tang's finger and looked outside, and was immediately stunned.

Both sides of the official road were lined with teahouses and taverns, with green flags fluttering in the breeze and people coming and going.

In the distance, boats of all sizes shuttle back and forth on the river, their masts densely packed together.

Further inside, white-walled, black-tiled pavilions are stacked one on top of another, stretching as far as the eye can see.

"This..." Jiang Xun rubbed his eyes, "Did we come to the wrong place?"

The liveliest place he had ever seen was Jiangning Prefecture, but the scene before him was even more bustling than Jiangning.

The pedestrians on the street were dressed smartly and had a calm demeanor on their faces, a world apart from the emaciated refugees in Haiyou City.

Li Che rode his horse closer to the carriage window and laughed, "Jiangnan has been prosperous since ancient times, and it is indeed true. I came here once with my father when I was a child, and this is how I remember it. Now, it is even more magnificent than before."

Jiang Xun clicked his tongue in amazement: "We both suffered from floods, but this place seems completely unaffected?"

"That's the foundation they have," Li Che said, pointing into the distance. "Look at those grain ships; they were all brought in from various places. Qiantang is a wealthy region in the southeast, with a solid foundation. Once trade routes are established, recovery is rapid. Unlike Haiyou..."

He sighed at this point and didn't continue.

Jiang Xun understood what he meant.

Haiyou City took in so many refugees, and half of its granaries were burned down. If it weren't for King Qi's decisive action in transferring grain from the military camp, things would have been in complete chaos long ago.

But this amount of food won't last a month.

Moreover, according to Li Tang in private, the King of Qi was taking a great risk by doing this, and could be impeached at any time.

The carriage traveled for another half an hour before finally entering the city gate.

Someone was already waiting at the city gate—a steward from the Qi Prince's mansion, surnamed Sun, who was shrewd and capable, and had come ahead to make arrangements.

Led by him, the carriage passed through several bustling streets and stopped in front of a three-story inn.

"Yunlai Inn." Li Tang read the words on the plaque, her eyes sparkling. "It's a nice name."

Jiang Xun glanced at the entrance—a vermilion gate with gleaming copper nails, and two stone lions crouching at the door.

Two men, dressed in matching short trousers, greeted the guests with broad smiles as they arrived.

"Young Master, Princess, please come in." Steward Sun led the way. "This Yunlai Inn isn't the best in Qiantang, but it's quiet. I've booked the entire backyard."

Li Che nodded and led the group inside.

Jiang Xun followed behind, looking around as he walked.

The lobby was spacious and bright, with tables and chairs made of fine rosewood, calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, and several pots of orchids in the corner.

Several guests dressed in silk robes were sitting by the window drinking tea and talking. When they saw them come in, they only glanced at them briefly and continued their conversation.

"Isn't this the best arrangement? Qiantang is too rich." Jiang Xun sighed softly.

"Once we get through this difficult time, I'll invite you to stay at the best inn," Li Tang replied.

"No need for that," Jiang Xun said with an awkward smile.

Li Che saw this and smiled slightly.

Along the way, Jiang Xun became much more cheerful, unlike when he first met her in Haiyou City.

But he was also a little worried—was Jiang Xun's change related to Li Tang?

Passing through the lobby, there is a fairly large courtyard behind it, paved with blue bricks and planted with several osmanthus trees.

There are several guest rooms on the east and west wings, and the main building is a two-story building, presumably prepared for Li Che.

Manager Sun arranged for everyone to settle in and had hot water and snacks delivered.

Jiang Xun quickly washed up and changed into clean clothes. As soon as he pushed open the door, he saw Li Che, who had changed into a moon-white long robe, walking out.

"Are you leaving now?" Jiang Xun asked.

Li Che nodded: "Time is tight, I'm going to meet with a few grain merchants. You guys rest first, we'll talk again when I get back tonight."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No need, Zheng Xiao will come with me." Li Che smiled. "You wouldn't understand business matters anyway, let's just wander around the city."

After saying that, he left with Zheng Xiao.

Jiang Xun stood in the courtyard for a while, wondering where to go for a walk, when Li Tang came out of her house.

She changed into a pale yellow dress and simply tied her hair into a bun, looking less heroic and more gentle than usual.

"My brother is gone?" Li Tang asked.

"Just left."

"Then let's go too."

"Where to?"

Li Tang walked up to him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity: "Didn't you want to find out about the Dragon Crystal? I'll go with you."

Jiang Xun was stunned.

Throughout the journey, he hadn't hidden the matter of Long Jing from him, but he hadn't expected Li Tang to be so concerned.

"Let's go, let's go," Li Tang urged, grabbing his sleeve. "I've never been to Qiantang before, let's take a look around."

The two left the inn and strolled leisurely down the street.

The prosperity of Qiantang is indeed well-deserved.

Shops lined up one after another, selling everything imaginable—silk, tea, porcelain, jewelry, calligraphy and paintings, antiques… a dazzling array that made one's eyes dazzled.

The streets were crowded with people, including scholars in long gowns, women carrying baskets, peddlers carrying loads, and many江湖人 (jianghu people, people of the martial arts world) with knives and swords.

Li Tang looked around, finding everything new and interesting.

One moment she's pointing at the sugar figurine stall and saying, "This is so cute!" The next she's staring at the silk shop window, unable to look away.

Jiang Xun, however, had no interest in reading these things.

He kept an eye on the pedestrians on the street, specifically targeting those who looked like江湖人 (jianghu people, people from the underworld) and striking up conversations with them.

"Brother, I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

Have you ever heard of dragon glass?

"Dragon crystal? What's that? Is it for eating or for use?"

"..."

I asked seven or eight people in a row, and they all knew nothing about it.

Some thought he was talking about dried longan, others thought it was some kind of jewelry, and a burly man with a fierce face looked at him warily and asked him if he was here to cause trouble.

After the initial excitement wore off, Li Tang began to worry: "How come nobody knows? Is the information wrong?"

Jiang Xun shook his head, feeling uneasy himself.

Logically speaking, the news that Fairy Mirror Lake was going to hand over the Dragon Crystal to a destined person in Qiantang should have spread throughout the martial arts world.

How come none of these江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and江湖义气, a code of honor) know this

As he was pondering this, he caught a glimpse of several hooligans squatting on the street corner, eyeing passersby with malicious intent.

Jiang Xun's heart stirred, and he pulled Li Tang into a small alley.

"What?" Li Tang asked, puzzled.

"I know who to ask now," Jiang Xun said. "Let's change our clothes."

"And what about you?"

"I'll change mine too."

The two found a clothing store and bought a set of coarse cloth clothes.

After changing into the clothes, Li Tang looked at herself in the bronze mirror and said with a bitter face, "These clothes are so ugly."

"It's good that it looks bad." Jiang Xun smeared some more ash on her face. "That'll make you look like someone who's fleeing a disaster."

Li Tang couldn't dodge in time and got her face smeared with smears. She stomped her feet angrily, yelling, "What are you doing!"