An Jiu paid no attention to Mo Sigui’s harmless insult. Throughout the journey, she would open the window to view the scenery when awake and continue sleeping when she had seen enough.
Mo Sigui wanted to chat with An Jiu, but despite talking himself hoarse, she remained indifferent.
Setting out early in the morning and hurrying along, they finally entered the city just before the gates closed.
The Mei family owned several residences in Bianjing. Though none were as vast and luxurious as Meihua Li, they all had complete pavilions and scenic views.
The one they were assigned to was small but exquisite. The main courtyard had one hall and one garden. Though the front yard was not large, it featured pine trees, bamboo, strange rocks, fragrant grass, and a small pond, creating an elegant environment.
Unlike the typical northern style with clear divisions, the rear living quarters were separated into four buildings, hidden among rockeries and trees. Three were living areas, while one secluded courtyard served as a study.
The snow-covered landscape lacked summer’s lushness, but compared to more open structures, this compact arrangement made winter feel much warmer.
After settling in, Mo Sigui came to find An Jiu.
With the New Year approaching, shops stayed open later, and the curfew was delayed.
“We came out with the steward. The household only has three days for New Year shopping, so we can’t waste time,” Mo Sigui said, forcibly dragging An Jiu into the carriage.
The small courtyard was located in a bustling area. As soon as they boarded, before even settling in, An Jiu heard the clamor outside.
Yaoyao brought out a veil, but An Jiu refused to wear it. She thought, “It’s one thing to cover my face when killing, but why should I have to cover up just to go shopping?”
Yaoyao pleaded, “On the streets, only poor women and servants don’t cover their faces. You must wear it in public.”
Even courtesans of moderate beauty had to wear veils and cloaks when going out.
“Then I’ll go back and change into servant’s clothes,” An Jiu frowned.
Yaoyao thought to herself that she hadn’t realized her mistress was so stubborn before. It was as if she had become a different person since returning. Killing people could make one increasingly fierce, but the changes in her mistress went far beyond that.
“Your bearing… even in hemp clothing, you wouldn’t look like a servant. Please, I beg you, put it on,” Yaoyao pleaded, her face pained as she looked to Mo Sigui for help.
Mo Sigui wore an amused expression as if enjoying the drama. “If she doesn’t want to wear it, then don’t. It’s not a big deal!”
Yaoyao’s face darkened. “Watch your words! Don’t teach my mistress bad habits!”
Mo Sigui closed his fan. “We’ll go to a clothier later and buy you a set of men’s clothes that fit. Then you won’t need to wear a veil when we go out tomorrow. Just bear with it for now.”
“Mm,” An Jiu nodded.
Yaoyao was overjoyed, her resentment towards Mo Sigui instantly vanishing.
The group finally managed to disembark.
Shops lined both sides of the street, lanterns lit in front of each. Street vendors packed the road, steam rising from their pots.
An Jiu stood dazed for a moment before moving to a nearby stall.
Mo Sigui followed and saw the vendor making candy. “Boss, two portions please,” he said.
Seeing the group’s lavish attire, the vendor’s face lit up. He enthusiastically responded, “Yes, sir! What filling would you like? We have peanut, sesame, walnut…”
“One of each,” Mo Sigui said.
“Please wait a moment.” The vendor took out several clean-oiled papers, nimbly tying five fist-sized packages and handing them to Yaoyao. “That’ll be fifty wen.”
Each small package cost ten wens and contained only four or five pieces.
Mo Sigui tossed a small piece of silver. “Keep the change.”
“Thank you, kind sir!” The vendor happily pocketed the silver.
An Jiu took a package from Yaoyao, opened it, and popped a piece into her mouth.
“My lady, you shouldn’t—” Yaoyao tried to stop her quietly. “Let’s find a private room to eat at our leisure.”
An Jiu ignored her, continuing to eat candy while moving to the next stall.
The pastry vendor, seeing Mo Sigui’s generosity, grinned as An Jiu approached. “Would the young lady like to try some mung bean pastries? They may be common, but they’re a novel treat.”
“Two portions,” Mo Sigui chimed in.
“Coming right up!”
In an instant, Yaoyao was holding two more small packages.
Since she needed to attend to An Jiu at all times, she handed the items to a nearby servant.
An Jiu kept popping candies into her mouth, stopping at every stall.
After walking about eighty feet, the servant’s arms were full. Yaoyao had thought An Jiu was just unfamiliar with these things but soon realized her mistress was drawn to any stall where the vendor greeted her with a smile. She’d buy items, giving those she didn’t like to the servant and keeping her favorites with Yaoyao.
Mo Sigui felt that An Jiu was behaving like a five or six-year-old girl.
“My lady, we still have tomorrow,” Yaoyao gently advised.
As they reached a restaurant, Mo Sigui checked the time. “I have some business to attend to. Rest at this restaurant for a while. I’ll be back in about half an hour.”
An Jiu asked Yaoyao, “Do we have money?”
“Yes, plenty,” Yaoyao replied.
Hearing they had money, An Jiu led Yaoyao into the restaurant. A group of guards followed them in, leaving only two men assigned by Elder Qi with Mo Sigui.
“Ungrateful wretch!” Mo Sigui felt his flat purse, heartbroken. He regretted thinking she was like a little girl earlier. He had been blind.
On the second floor, in a private room by the window, several lavishly dressed young men had witnessed An Jiu’s shopping spree.