Elder Crown Princess Consort

ECPC Chapter 10: With Pictures and Texts

Ruan Su was still lying on the stone table as if he had been drunk by Ji Weiming, but Ji Weiming knew that Ruan Su was not drunk at all.

He was wary of the people in the Crown Prince's residence. He carefully observed Qin Fuyu's position, which probably meant that Qin Fuyu poses a threat to him.

"What's the matter?" Ji Weiming frowned displeasedly.

Qin Fuyu remained calm and said, "A few days ago, some Jade Carved Moons came in from Yuzhong. Father knows you love wine, so he had a few jars sent here. They are outside the door."

Ji Weiming nodded, "Then bring it in and put it in the wine cellar."

Qin Fuyu found an excuse and went out. Ruan Su raised his head again and rubbed his beard. "Jade Carved Moons?"

Ruan Su is a well-informed person who knows about good things from all over the world, so he naturally would be aware of excellent liquor like Jade Carved Moons.

"Son-in-law will have someone deliver the Jade Carved Moons to your residence shortly!" Ji Weiming was so clever and quick-witted that he never had to use his brain to flatter Ruan Su. Ruan Tangling, on the other hand, was absentmindedly tapping on the stone table, seemingly unconcerned with anything.

Qin Fuyu came and then left again.

She should have known there were people in the courtyard when she was outside the archway. Why did she still come in?

Just to inform Ji Weiming that Wang Xuan sent over several jars of Jade Carved Moons?

Ruan Su stood up unsteadily, leaning on the stone table and yawning, "This old man... this old man here is leaving first... haven't even rolled the noodles for today!"

Ji Weiming immediately supported him, appearing very filial: "Son-in-law will personally send you back."

Ruan Tangling gave Ji Weiming a disdainful look and watched the two of them leave the courtyard.

Ruan Su stopped outside the archway and sniffed. Suddenly, he fell onto Ji Weiming's body, seeming to be completely drunk. Ruan Tangling understood what had happened and had someone clean up the leftovers on the table before walking back to Qiao Mu Pavillion.

"Tangling, Tangling!" Ruan Dazhuang's voice came from the roof.

On ordinary days, Ruan Dazhuang always teases Ruan Tangling. He is never this serious unless it's an emergency. Ruan Tangling opened the door and looked outside. No one was there, it was safe.

"What's wrong?" She looked up at the ceiling and asked.

"Boss wants you to go to the study room immediately, right away!"

Ruan Tangling suddenly remembered that when she was in the backyard, Ji Weiming asked her to visit the study room more often, as there might be books that interested her there. Ruan Su at this moment had Ruan Dazhuang bring the message, so there must be something discovered in the study room!

She immediately opened the door and ran towards the study room.

Just as Ji Dong walked from the mansion's study room located on the east side, he met Ruan Tangling.

"Madam."

"I am going to the study room!" Ruan Tangling didn't even stop her footsteps.

Ji Dong murmured to himself, "Did Wenqu star descend to earth today? Why is everyone going to the study room?" (Wenqu star = meaning legendary god in charge of imperial examinations and literary affairs)

Ruan Tangling suddenly stopped in her tracks and asked, "Who else is going?"

Ji Dong was taken aback, then calmly replied, "Madam Yu."

Qin Fuyu went to the study room ahead of time, so was that why Ruan Su made Ruan Dazhuang wait anxiously for Ruan Tangling?

Without saying a word, Ruan Tangling hurriedly ran off. Ji Dong felt as if a gust of wind had blown past him, this woman who was like the wind...

Then Ji Dong suddenly remembered something very important!

That day, Ji Weiming wrote the words "simple and ruthless" in the study room. He had been busy for a few days and hadn't set foot in the study room since then. Now, the words were probably already dry, right?

When Ruan Tangling arrived at the study room, Qin Fuyu had just arrived too. As soon as they entered the room, they saw the four words spread out on the table and were stunned for a moment.

As Ruan Tangling rushed in, Qin Fuyu had just regained her senses and saw her with the same pensive expression, pondering the meaning of the characters.

The writing is vigorous and powerful, completely different from the seemingly wanton Ji Weiming. As they say, one's handwriting reflects their personality. In Ruan Tangling's mind, there was only one thought: "Ha! You think you're so great, pretending like that!"

But she was calm at the moment, casually flipping through a book as if she hadn't seen Qin Fuyu.

Since Qin Fuyu didn't come over quietly, she must not be doing anything openly now. Otherwise, it would be easy to find out, and she's not a fool.

As soon as she picked up a book, the title was "The History of Great Ji". It looks like a biography of Great Ji figures in history, but the name has a deep meaning. Ruan Tangling didn't know until she saw it, but she wasn't intimidated when she saw it.

Qin Fuyu noticed Ruan Tangling reading so calmly and said, "The History of Great Ji' discusses famous people and events since the founding of the Great Ji Dynasty. Even though the names of the several generations starting from Emperor Taizong are arbitrary, they are still classified as official history. You come from humble origins and probably haven't had any exposure to this before. If you are interested, I have the 'The Transmission of Great Ji' and the 'Divisional Allotments of the Great Ji' that I can lend to you."

There is no targeted meaning, but rather some deliberate flattery.

Could it be that Ji Xiao had given a certain instruction at Chong Er Theatre during the day?

As Ruan Tangling casually picked up a book, she laughed and said, "Is there any with both pictures and text?"

"..." Qin Fuyu was suddenly stunned. How could she forget that Ruan Tangling came from Luming Lane? Let alone reading books, recognizing a few characters was already difficult for her. Regardless of Ruan Tangling's identity, if she had no doubt about her identity, then she would not be able to recognize characters. If her identity was different, she would have to pretend to be a poor person. "These official histories are mostly dry and boring histories that focus on semantics. If you can't understand them and want to read something interesting, you might as well read the newly published folk stories. Maybe you can find some with pictures."

With a pretense of sudden realization, Ruan Tangling expressed her gratitude repeatedly, even though Qin Fuyu had not treated her kindly on the first day. "Since that's the case, why don't you take me to the book market when you have time, little sister?"

Qin Fuyu really wanted to say that they could just find someone else to handle this matter, but Ruan Tangling didn't give her the chance and pulled her up, saying: "Why wait for the right time when we can make it happen now!"

With one quick motion, Ruan Tangling pulled Qin Fuyu out. She turned to look back at the study room and closed the door in an instant.

She then made a secret hand gesture, knowing that Ruan Dazhuang must be nearby.

At the same time, Qin Fuyu gestured towards a corner ahead, and the person hiding there received the order and immediately disappeared.

……

Most of the books in the book market of The Great Ji’s Capital were written by scholars who rush to take the imperial examinations, in order to earn some travel expenses through writing unofficial histories and casual discussions. The quality of the books varies greatly. Therefore, there are not many people in the book market, except for idlers who love to read fiction, as well as shrewd bargain hunters.

The book market is a street in length, and most of the shops are run by scholars who are trying to make a living, and there are also old shops that have been passed down for generations. In a city where drama is popular, selling books may not make big money, but at least it won't lead to starvation.

Qin Fuyu may look like a noble lady who never leaves her house, but in reality, she is just an assassin who works for others. However, she is lucky enough to work for the emperor of the Great Ji. That's why places like the book market are not unfamiliar to her.

As for Ruan Tangling, she was even more familiar. Ruan Su, being a lover of opera, had often gone to the book market to look for books. Ruan Tangling, on the other hand, had not come many times, but her sense of direction was excellent.

It is rare to see a woman as noble-looking and beautiful as Qin Fuyu in the book market, so when she appeared, she immediately caught the attention of those around her. In contrast, Ruan Tangling, who grew up in Luming Lane, hid among the crowd.

She knows how to best disguise herself.

Ruan Tangling took Qin Fuyu to the biggest bookstore in the market, with three large characters on the sign: Bamboo Scroll Studio.

The old bookshelves with reddish-brown doors and the owner of Bamboo Scroll Studio is an elderly man over sixty years old. He doesn't greet guests when they arrive, as silence is preferred over noise in this place.

Rules are meant to be chosen by oneself, as long as they do not disturb others, any way of choosing is fine, for a price of fifty copper coins per book.

Qin Fuyu flipped through a few books casually. She was just dealing with Ruan Tangling, so how could she have the leisure to read? On the other hand, Ruan Tangling was enjoying herself in picking up a pile of books, but she couldn't find any unofficial history books with pictures and texts.

Ruan Tangling sighed and shook her head: "How about going to another shop to take a look?"

Qin Fuyu nodded.

The shopkeeper looked up and spoke with a bleak and aged voice: "What book are you two ladies looking for?"

Ruan Tangling interrupted and smiled: "Do you have any illustrated unofficial history books? Preferably fully illustrated."

Qin Fuyu had an expressionless face, wearing elegant clothing, and felt a strange sensation when facing Ruan Tangling, who appeared illiterate.

"Well..." The shopkeeper shook his head. "Even if you search the entire book market, you might not find a copy, let alone at the Bamboo Scroll Studio."

“Add some text illustrations!” Qin Fuyu inserted a sentence to avoid Ruan Tangling and the shopkeeper's chatter.

The shopkeeper, seeing this woman's elegant appearance, knew that he had encountered a wealthy customer. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "Let me search for it."

After spending the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Qin Fuyu finally managed to find a book with 20 pages and one illustration.

Just as she was thinking about Ji Weiming’s study room and was in a hurry to leave, a man in white clothes came in from outside, fanning himself with a folding fan.

"Shopkeeper, did those books sell well a few days ago?" As soon as the words came out, he saw Qin Fuyu and Ruan Tangling and was suddenly startled. "So there are customers." He smiled and nodded, his every move and gesture was light and indifferent, and he sat on the side waiting.

The shopkeeper stopped what he was doing as soon as he saw him and said, "It turns out to be Master Lu, please forgive me."

"No problem, let's find the books for the two young ladies first," said Lu Xunfeng, folding his fan and nodding slightly.

The shopkeeper held up the book with a hint of helplessness: "This is the only one left, 'Late Night Historical Talks.' If it doesn't work, you can try looking at other stores."

Qin Fuyu thought to herself that Ruan Tangling would never be able to understand the densely packed words. She nodded and smiled, about to leave, but was stopped by Lu Xunfeng's fan.

Qin Fuyu was suddenly shocked, with her fist clenched in her sleeve.

Ruan Tangling remained calm and collected, using her hand to push aside Lu Xunfeng's fan. "Brother, let's talk it out."

Lu Xunfeng didn't even look at Ruan Tangling. His eyes were fixed on Qin Fuyu's face, but he still tried to put on a gentle and polite demeanor and said, "Miss, are you still looking for books? Perhaps I can help you."

Is he another man who has fallen under the spell of Qin Fuyu's beauty?

Qin Fuyu was quite smart and took a step back, pushing Ruan Tangling forward: "Find the unofficial history of the Great Ji for my sister."

"No problem!" Lu Xunfeng readily agreed.

Ruan Tangling: "The full picture version."

"Okay!"

Qin Fuyu: "With text and story?"

"No problem!"

Ruan Tangling: "It's best it it’s unknown!"

"Absolutely!" Lu Xunfeng opened his fan and fanned himself. "Why don't you leave your name and address, and I will personally deliver it to you in three days?" He gazed eagerly at Qin Fuyu, courting her with great enthusiasm, completely ignoring Ruan Tangling.

They only agreed because of Qin Fuyu's face. Ruan Tangling felt that she was about to lose hope in this world where people only judge by appearance...

"Ji Mansion on Changle Street," Qin Fuyu replied without any emotion, her face as cold as unthawed ice.

Lu Xunfeng stared for a moment. "The residence of Crown Prince Ji Weiming of Xihuai?"