Chapter Fifty-One: First Encounter with Horse-Face

The next day, Sanjiang County regained its usual lively atmosphere. Standing in the courtyard at dawn, Jiang Pingchuan could hear the calls of street vendors along the Sanjiang market, the boisterous shouts of the maidens from Emerald Phoenix Tower, and the droning recitation of the elderly scholar.

Today, the Zhou family's noodle shop was closed for business, shutting its doors for three days to welcome new arrivals. Having freshened up, Jiang Pingchuan went to pay his respects to Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou, as Zhou Ning'er was absent, leaving the formalities to him alone.

As Jiang Pingchuan stepped out of the noodle shop, he noticed someone sitting just outside the entrance. At the sound of the door opening, the person sprang up as if struck by lightning, face alight with fervor—it was Gao Yao. Who knew how long he’d been crouching there?

Ever since Jiang Pingchuan had dealt with the old steward, Gao Yao seemed to have changed. That morning, many had noticed him cheerfully running to the noodle shop. Finding the doors closed, he hadn’t dared to knock, but instead squatted outside like a thief. At the noise behind him, he jolted upright.

“Brother Pingchuan, you’re out!” Gao Yao greeted him with a broad, familiar grin. Jiang Pingchuan frowned, wondering when this notorious rake had become so eager and deferential.

Ignoring him, Jiang Pingchuan strolled toward the street. Unperturbed by the cold reception, Gao Yao brushed off his clothes and hurried after him.

He watched as Jiang Pingchuan stopped at the stall of the elderly scholar selling folding fans, perusing the wares. Gao Yao strode up without hesitation.

With a slap, Gao Yao declared, “Hey, old scholar, wrap up all these fans for me.”

The old scholar’s face changed instantly, anxiety written all over it; clearly, he was afraid of Gao Yao.

“Brother Pingchuan, I’ll take all these fans for you—pick at your leisure when you get home.” Gao Yao’s tone was ingratiating as he looked at Jiang Pingchuan, who remained silent, watching to see what Gao Yao was up to.

“Young Master Gao, this is just a small business. If you take everything, how will I feed myself?” The old scholar’s expression was bleak and mournful. At his words, Gao Yao’s face darkened, and the old man dared not say more. He took a burlap sack from under the table and began to pack the fans, while Gao Yao waved dismissively.

With another slap, Gao Yao placed a jade coin on the table. “Take it, take it. Do you think I’m the kind of person who doesn’t pay? What do you take me for?” He looked at the stunned old scholar with smug satisfaction.

How novel—Gao Yao actually knew to pay for what he took. Jiang Pingchuan watched as Gao Yao picked up a fan, bowed to the old scholar, and turned to leave. Gao Yao grabbed another fan and followed.

“Hey, hey! Young Master Pingchuan, Young Master Gao, your fans! Don’t forget your fans!” The old scholar called after them, worried as he saw the two walk off with just a fan each and a whole jade coin left on his table.

The people of Sanjiang Town were honest folk, never ones to cheat or take unfair advantage. The old scholar called out in concern.

“Old scholar, just keep the rest of the jade coin. Find yourself a wife and stop your nonsense. You’re the kind that only has yourself to feed, anyway! Hahaha!” Gao Yao turned to laugh heartily at the flustered old scholar, his former arrogance nowhere to be seen.

Now, Gao Yao seemed more like a child taking his first steps into the world. The old scholar blushed furiously, and the onlookers burst into laughter.

“Gao Yao, the old scholar lives alone?” Jiang Pingchuan finally spoke, shaking open his fan. Gao Yao, caught off guard, nodded quickly.

“He’s had it rough. When he was young, he went to the capital to sit for the exams, failed, and was robbed by bandits on his way home, spending half his life as an accountant for them. By the time he made it back to Sanjiang, his mother had died, and his wife had run off. He’s all alone now.” Gao Yao sighed as he recounted the old scholar’s story.

Jiang Pingchuan glanced at his companion, who was still brooding over the tale. Yes, Gao Yao had changed—he now understood the importance of kindness in dealing with others.

“Gao Yao, why were you squatting outside the shop?” Jiang Pingchuan ambled along, curious about this new side of Gao Yao.

“I... I just wanted to follow you, Brother Pingchuan.” Gao Yao pointed at himself, a little embarrassed by the direct question, but looked at Jiang Pingchuan with hopeful eyes.

Jiang Pingchuan shook his head. Gao Yao, seeing this, wilted like a frostbitten eggplant, hanging his head in silence. Perhaps it was the first time in his life he had spoken to someone so humbly.

“I’ll be leaving soon. It’s not suitable for you to follow me.” Jiang Pingchuan smiled, seeing Gao Yao’s dejected look.

“Brother Pingchuan, are you going to the capital?” Gao Yao’s ears perked up.

“The capital—what’s it like?” Jiang Pingchuan looked off into the distance. By now, they had reached the county yamen, its red-lacquered gates open as clerks bustled about, preparing incense to reopen the county’s ancestral hall.

It was said that when the man in black, disguised as a thousand paper cranes, came to Sanjiang, he bewitched the magistrate into forcibly closing the ancestral hall. The shrine had stood since ancient times, and though the building had been renovated, the sacred objects within had never been disturbed. The reopening ceremony was set for three days hence.

Jiang Pingchuan decided to leave after attending the rekindling of the incense at the ancestral hall.

“Yes, the capital is the imperial city of the Changfeng Continent, right at its center. Even the poor there live in luxury—nothing like us country folk. The difference is like night and day.” Gao Yao finally replied, his tone tinged with envy.

To those living in the frontier regions, the capital was a far-off and unattainable place.

“Then let’s go to the capital,” Jiang Pingchuan said softly, folding his fan with a tap. Gao Yao’s eyes lit up at the mention of the imperial city, but he glanced back at the yamen and his spirits drooped again.

“What’s wrong? You want to go too?” Jiang Pingchuan asked, seeing Gao Yao’s downcast look. Gao Yao nodded weakly. Jiang Pingchuan rapped him on the head with his fan, drawing a helpless yelp from Gao Yao.

“I wanted to travel with you, Brother Pingchuan, but the capital is so far. I’m afraid that if I leave, my old father won’t be here when I return. He’s not young, and there’s no official transfer yet. I’d rather stay here, help him with his work, and spend more time with him.” Gao Yao spoke somberly, looking at the county yamen. Jiang Pingchuan nodded.

“Gao Yao, you’ve changed. You’ve grown up.” Jiang Pingchuan tucked the fan behind Gao Yao’s neck. Gao Yao looked at him in confusion, as Jiang Pingchuan only smiled.

“Mister Pingchuan, please wait!” Just as Jiang Pingchuan and Gao Yao were about to head to the yamen, a hurried voice called out behind them. Jiang Pingchuan stopped in his tracks.

Gao Yao frowned when he saw the newcomer—it was clear he didn’t like the man, though in the past, few had liked Gao Yao either.

“And you are?” The newcomer wore a blue long robe, his face fair and handsome, brows cold and sharp. There was something otherworldly about him, particularly his eyes. If one looked long enough, one would notice his complexion subtly shifting, his skin not uniformly fair. His body seemed divided, half fair, half shadowed, and one of his eyes held a strange, hidden gleam.

Jiang Pingchuan had never seen this young man in Sanjiang before, nor had anyone mentioned him. Seeing the wary look on Gao Yao’s face, Jiang Pingchuan realized this youth was a taboo subject in town.

“My name is Mamen. My second uncle has encountered some trouble; I hope Mister Pingchuan can come with me to take a look.” Mamen bowed slightly. Gao Yao, hearing this, tugged nervously at Jiang Pingchuan’s sleeve and shook his head slightly.

Clearly, Mamen was no ordinary man—he was someone even Gao Yao feared. Jiang Pingchuan simply smiled, patting Gao Yao on the shoulder, unbothered by the warning.

“If that’s the case, Brother Ma, please lead the way. I will go with you,” Jiang Pingchuan replied. Seeing Gao Yao had no intention of following, he left him behind. Mamen nodded, casting a grateful glance at Jiang Pingchuan and motioned for him to proceed.

Watching Jiang Pingchuan really walk off with Mamen, Gao Yao stamped his foot in frustration, then dashed into the yamen. He barely acknowledged those inside before running back out.

“Brother, wait for me! Wait for me!” Jiang Pingchuan looked back in surprise as Gao Yao came dashing toward him, wielding a constable’s broadsword, looking like he wouldn’t stop unless he bowled someone over. Mamen frowned at the sight.

Gao Yao raised his brows at Mamen and snorted, taking his place behind Jiang Pingchuan. Only now did Jiang Pingchuan realize Gao Yao hadn’t refused to come, but had merely gone to fetch his sword.

Clearly, Gao Yao was deeply wary of Mamen—a man who now truly piqued Jiang Pingchuan’s interest.