Free Web NovelChapter 2369: Chapter 2344: The Racetrack
Ms. Zheng wore a bright orange-red top with a blue-green skirt. She thought the colors were already quite vibrant, but upon stepping out, she realized many ladies had dressed just as brightly, with some even wearing various styles in bright red. Since it was the Lantern Festival, many people were out and about on the streets.
Manbao and his group first took a turn and went to pick up Yin Huo after leaving the house.
Yin Huo said, "The Liu family refused, saying Liu Huan needs to study, so..."
The group was not disheartened and called out to him, "No worries, we’ll have fun first and find him to hang out after he passes the exam."
Yin Huo then said, "But he secretly sent a message through Jiyu, asking us to wait for him at the garden wall on the west side of their house."
Manbao and the others immediately changed their tune, "After all, it’s the Lantern Festival; it’s worth having some fun."
Zhou Liru was worried, "Will Minister Liu not reprimand him for sneaking out like this?"
Bai Shan said, "He won’t. Even if he does, he would save it for after the exams. He won’t do it now."
Yin Huo was of the same mind and added, "Studying requires a balance between work and rest, so let’s go get him."
Bai Erlang excitedly waved a hand, "Let’s go!"
So the group made their way to the nearby Liu residence, steering clear of the main gate, and went directly into the alley leading to the west side.
Ms. Zheng lifted the curtain to take a look outside and asked, "Did you set a time? Why hasn’t he come out yet?"
Yin Huo got a fright; Ms. Zheng had been sitting in the carriage and hadn’t entered the Yin house, so he didn’t know there was an elder present. Seeing her suddenly startled him.
He wasn’t scared, but...
He looked at Bai Shan.
Bai Shan told his mother, "Let’s wait a bit longer. If he still doesn’t come, we’ll climb over to check."
Ms. Zheng, knowing their wall-climbing skills, wasn’t too worried but reminded them, "Climbing walls is not good. Make sure to apologize properly to Minister Liu afterward."
Bai Shan agreed, "We will definitely apologize properly."
Yin Huo: ...
As they were talking, they heard some movement and looked up.
They saw a hand appear on the wall not far from them, followed by another hand, and then a dark head popped out from the other side of the wall. Quickly, the entire head appeared with a thud, and they locked eyes with each other.
Liu Huan’s eyes lit up, but he dared not make a sound. His mouth opened and closed silently a few times as if trying to call out, then he cautiously climbed atop the wall.
However, from his high perch, the descent seemed intimidating. So he shuffled along the wall carefully, making room for Jiyu to climb up from a ladder.
Sitting on the wall, Liu Huan looked at them, terrified, and whispered, "How, how do I get down?"
Bai Shan: "...We didn’t expect you to climb up without a plan for getting down. Couldn’t you prepare a ladder in advance?"
Liu Huan glared, "Easier said than done! I was locked in a room by my grandfather to study; where would I get a ladder?"
He said, "I managed to prepare a ladder inside the wall only because my grandfather went out to a banquet... Anyway, figure something out quickly. If the family staff sees me here, I won’t be able to get out."
What could Bai Shan do?
He had the group park a carriage beneath Liu Huan and had Daji stand on top of it to lift Liu Huan down from the wall.
After much effort, the group finally assembled, with Liu Huan squeezing into the carriage with Yin Huo, and they set off together.
Liu Huan asked, "Are we heading to the East Suburb or the West Suburb?"
"East Suburb!"
"West Suburb!"
Riding alongside the carriage, Bai Shan and Manbao each called out a place, then exchanged a glance and simultaneously changed their minds, "West Suburb, then."
"East Suburb, then."
With the curtain pulled aside, Liu Huan peered at Manbao in the other carriage and glared, "Can’t you agree on a decision? East and West are far apart!"
Manbao fell silent, while Bai Shan lightly coughed and said, "Then East Suburb it is; it’s closer."
From their current location, reaching the East Suburb was indeed much faster.
Arriving at the East Suburb, they were greeted by a lively scene and immediately made their way into the riding arena. As soon as they entered, attendants came over to guide them, as their group was quite large, clearly not just casual customers, prompting attentive service.
Daji used Bai Shan’s invitation to secure a spot on the viewing deck.
"Turns out it’s Deputy Magistrate Bai. There’s a spot on the deck; please follow me, esteemed guests." The steward led them to the viewing area.
Among areas sectioned off with screens and bamboo mats, they had the best rows offering the finest views, though most prime spots had been reserved. However, there were still one or two remaining at the edge; each spot was about ten square feet, furnished with seating and low tables, enough to accommodate a sizable group.
The young ones, accompanied by attendants, led Ms. Zheng through a scene that captured everyone’s attention.
Their attractive appearance was noted, especially with ten foreign-looking women adding a striking presence to the entourage.
Sitting at the center of a spot on the deck, with shoes off and cross-legged, Su Jian was the first to notice these women and, with a playful "Oh," joked with his fair-weather friends, "Which young master has such a big entourage? Bringing dancers to the riding arena?"
His companions also turned their gaze in appraisal, chiming in, "Quite lovely indeed. Perhaps we can ask them to dance for us later."
Yet, one sharp-eyed friend followed his gaze forward, almost spitting out his tea upon recognizing someone and said, "Young Lord, look who it is first."
"Who?" Su Jian shifted his gaze, spotting Zhou Man in the lead and scoffed, turning away, "Oh, it’s her?"
"Just recently, I heard that her attendants fight for her favor—looks like it’s these maidservants."
Nobody dared suggest the dancers perform now, aware that Zhou Man wasn’t someone to cross lightly, even if her family was average, without much backing, she’s acknowledged in the city as someone not to be trifled with.
In fact, Su Jian should be considered part of the same camp as her.
One companion slyly said to Su Jian, "This Imperial Doctor Zhou isn’t easy to invite. I recently tried to do so for my health, but it took two requests to get her. My mother wants her help as well—could you help me arrange it?"
Su Jian gave him a look and replied, "Do you honestly not know? The Imperial Hospital is busy with smallpox inoculations. They’re even working around the clock at the royal estate. Not to mention outsiders; even in the palace, the Crown Princess had to wait for her turn."
With Su Jian’s response, the friends couldn’t press further despite their doubts.
Su Jian settled back to drink, lowering his eyes. His wife got along with Zhou Man, unlike him, since every time he saw Zhou Man, he felt a tightening in his stomach, which made their relationship only average.
Speaking of his stomach, Su Jian felt a slight pain there and then.
At that moment, Manbao also withdrew her gaze from the center spot. Although her eyesight wasn’t as keen as Su Jian and the others, she recognized Su Jian and asked Bai Shan, "Do you think he’s drinking?"
Bai Shan, with sharper eyesight, observed and nodded after a moment, "I think so."
Manbao snorted, "He’s courting trouble."
