Chapter 121: The True Horror of Illiteracy

“He actually came to a place like this!” At that moment, Ayi was disguised as a Turkic man, sporting two small mustaches, yet looking quite handsome. Her indignant mutter betrayed the demeanor of a slighted young woman.

Jiezhi had been summoned here to discuss matters, and Ayi, curious about the negotiation, had disguised herself and accompanied him to the Red Dust Tavern. Just as they arrived at the entrance, they happened to see Yang Yaozong being ushered inside by a middle-aged man known as Turtle Uncle.

Today, Jiezhi walked ahead of Ayi. He too noticed Yang Yaozong and looked quite pleased, turning back to smile at Ayi in Turkic, “That man seems to be Yang Guo! It appears that the literati of the Great Zhou enjoy seeking pleasures in places like this. I didn’t expect Yang Guo to share this fancy. Should we greet him?”

Ayi snorted coldly, “Hmph! We’re here on business; no need to bother with him!”

Annoyed, she strode forward but reconsidered and slowed her pace, trailing behind Jiezhi.

Turtle Uncle, seeing Jiezhi and Ayi enter the courtyard, hurried over. Before he could speak, Jiezhi handed him a calling card. Turtle Uncle glanced at it, bowed with a smile, gestured for them to follow, and led them to a private room on the second floor. After accepting a silver coin tip from Jiezhi, he bowed again and left.

Jiezhi ushered Ayi into the private room where a man was already waiting. Since Ayi was there as Jiezhi’s attendant, she did not sit but stood by the door, leaving it slightly ajar. She listened to their conversation while casting seductive glances through the crack toward Yang Yaozong, who was leisurely sipping tea on the first floor.

A mature and stunning woman approached Yang Yaozong gracefully. Upon reaching him, she deliberately bent down, pressing her face close to his. From Ayi’s vantage point, their faces were nearly touching. The woman unabashedly displayed the ample whiteness of her bosom right before Yang Yaozong’s eyes. Whatever they spoke of, it seemed to please the woman greatly as she straightened up, laughing with a radiant charm, her bosom trembling as if ready to break free. Then, to Ayi’s surprise, the woman climbed into Yang Yaozong’s arms, resting her head on his shoulder, laughing and chatting affectionately.

Ayi puffed out her chest, still bound tightly flat at the moment, and disdainfully muttered, “Humans!” Then, casting a hateful glance at the ever-smiling Yang Yaozong, she thought bitterly, “You’re no better!” Observing the interaction, it seemed the woman was deliberately seducing Yang Yaozong, who remained composed throughout. As Yang Yaozong rose and bid the woman farewell, Ayi felt a secret thrill but still gave him a cold snort.

Suddenly, a loud thud echoed, followed by the crashing of broken cups and dishes, accompanied by a chorus of shouts.

Yang Yaozong noticed Turtle Uncle leading a brightly adorned, rosy-cheeked woman toward him. The pink shawl that had been draped over the woman to conceal her enticing bosom was deliberately thrown open, fully revealing her voluptuous curves. This woman was none other than Mother Jiang. She dismissed Turtle Uncle and approached Yang Yaozong, bending close with a sultry voice, “Ah! Lord Yang, you truly are a handsome and refined gentleman; no wonder you have captured my young lady’s heart.”

Yang Yaozong smiled, “Thank you for the compliment, Mother Jiang. But I believe your young lady values my heart far more than my appearance. Besides, my heart has also been taken by your young lady.”

Mother Jiang was momentarily taken aback, then straightened and laughed coquettishly, “I love to hear that. Surely, anyone who can captivate my young lady must be extraordinary. Lord Yang, have you any tasks for me today?”

Yang Yaozong maintained his smile, “Yes, I have a few matters. I would like you to help rent or buy a tavern in the bustling district of the capital, under your young lady’s name. Just tell me how much silver you need, and I will provide it.”

Mother Jiang lightly tapped Yang Yaozong’s arm with a playful reproach, “Lord Yang, what nonsense is this? Our young lady belongs to you now; the Red Dust Tavern is yours as well. Even I belong to you—what need is there for silver?”

Yang Yaozong felt embarrassed by the generous dowry from Yin Ruxin and smiled awkwardly. He gave Mother Jiang his current address and also Ayi’s, instructing her to send someone to secretly observe and gather information about Ayi and her companions. When Yang Yaozong inquired about the loyalist movement, Mother Jiang seemed weary and plopped down in his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting on his shoulder, whispering coquettishly, “It wouldn’t do for others to see you coming here just to chat with me. Let me take some liberties, won’t you?” She casually looped one of his arms around her waist.

Yang Yaozong smiled awkwardly, “Actually, we could talk in a private room.”

Mother Jiang straightened and gave him a glance, giggling softly, then rested back on his shoulder, “These rooms need to be booked days in advance. They’re all full now. Besides, the rooms are reserved for high officials and dignitaries. Recently, a few Turkic guests have taken up residence here.”

So, Yang Yaozong and Mother Jiang whispered about matters concerning the loyalist cause. Mother Jiang deliberately stood up occasionally to giggle or lightly tap Yang Yaozong’s chest with her delicate fists, then nestled back on his shoulder in a coquettish, bashful manner as if teased by his words.

From Mother Jiang, Yang Yaozong learned that the loyalist movement had made no significant moves recently; all intelligence she had was already reported to Yin Ruxin, and was information Yang Yaozong himself had. However, a trusted general of the loyalists, Jiang Hao, had been infatuated with Ziyan, a famed courtesan at the Red Dust Tavern. He had visited daily to seek her company but had inexplicably ceased coming in recent days. Yang Yaozong instructed Mother Jiang to inform him if Jiang Hao returned.

Having completed his business at the Red Dust Tavern, Yang Yaozong said farewell to Mother Jiang and was about to leave when loud disturbances arose from the second floor. Mother Jiang adjusted her shawl, frowned, and muttered, “Troublemaking barbarians again!”

Yang Yaozong joined her, “I have nothing pressing today; I’ll come see what’s happening.”

Mother Jiang smiled, “I deal with these things often and can handle it. It’s better you don’t get involved.”

Yang Yaozong smiled back, “Xin’er must have told you I came to the capital under the name Yang Guo. So here, just call me ‘Young Master.’ I want to see which barbarians dare cause a ruckus in Great Zhou.”

They ascended together to the second floor.

At the door from which the noise came, Mother Jiang calmed her temper and knocked gently, “Sir, may I ask what’s the matter? Might I come in to take a look?”

A rough voice with a heavy foreign accent responded, “The door’s not bolted. Come in!”

Mother Jiang pushed open the door, with Yang Yaozong at her side. Inside, a fat, hippopotamus-like barbarian sat at a table, so large his stool was hidden beneath his bulk. The table was a mess of overturned plates and spilled food. The man’s arm rested in the spilled stew as he greedily gnawed on a glistening roasted lamb leg. He mumbled as he ate, spraying bits of meat and juice everywhere; his face, mouth, and beard were slick with fat—his eating manner far uglier than a pig rooting for food. Nearby, a woman lay slumped against the wall, seemingly unconscious.

Mother Jiang frowned and glanced at a maid, who hurried to help the fallen woman, gently lifting her up and softly calling, “Miss, miss.”

The woman slowly regained consciousness, only to see the glowering barbarian biting into his lamb shank. Fearful, she shrank down, but upon spotting Mother Jiang at the door, seemingly a pillar of support, she began to sob quietly.

Mother Jiang smiled and addressed the barbarian, “May I ask what offense this young lady has committed against you?”

The fat barbarian snorted, “That wretched woman dared steal my jade pendant! Women of Great Zhou are shameless! I’ve already given this wretch plenty of silver, but she still covets my jade pendant!” He then launched into a tirade of Turkic curses.

Yang Yaozong frowned, anger rising as he observed the scene. The barbarian’s crude insults extended to all women of Great Zhou, fueling his ire further.

A crowd had gathered outside the door, including Ayi, who stood behind Yang Yaozong, frowning at the unfolding scene. She did not recognize the barbarian, but even if she did, she would not intervene. Had Yang Yaozong not come, she wouldn’t have bothered to watch coldly. The onlookers, all Great Zhou citizens, were visibly upset yet dared not confront the man.

The woman on the floor cried, “Mother Jiang, when have I ever stolen from guests? That jade pendant belongs to me. You can ask Xiaodie—the pendant was made with all my savings, commissioned from the owner of Jade Exquisite, and Xiaodie just retrieved it for me this morning.”

Mother Jiang frowned and looked to Xiaodie, the maid, who knelt and nodded, “Yes, Miss’s jade pendant was brought back this very morning.”

The barbarian seized a bone from the lamb he had been gnawing and hurled it fiercely at the woman near Mother Jiang, scattering her hair as she collapsed again. He slammed the table, shouted a curse in Turkic, and growled, “Two shameless wretches, conspiring to swindle my jade pendant!”

Yang Yaozong frowned and asked the woman who was getting up from the ground, “Where is this jade pendant you speak of?”

The woman glanced at Yang Yaozong but did not answer, instead looking toward Mother Jiang.

Mother Jiang nodded, encouraging her. The woman, suppressing tears, timidly pointed to the fat barbarian’s waist.

Yang Yaozong looked at the indifferent barbarian who had resumed eating lamb and then scrutinized the jade pendant hanging at his waist. A sly smile curved his lips.

The crowd noticed Yang Yaozong’s expression and furrowed brows, puzzled by his amusement.

The fat barbarian, irritated by Yang Yaozong’s smile, snapped, “What are you laughing at?”

Yang Yaozong asked him, “Are you sure this jade pendant belongs to you?”

The barbarian glared, “Of course it’s mine! How many times do I have to say it? Do you Great Zhou people have no ears?”

Yang Yaozong sneered, “Then do you dare to take it off and let everyone have a good look?”

The barbarian snorted, “Why wouldn’t I?” He unhooked the pendant and slapped it onto the table.

Yang Yaozong strode forward unafraid of the man’s furious gaze, picked up the pendant’s red cord, and turned to display it slowly to everyone behind him. When the pendant came before Ayi, Yang Yaozong paused briefly, then pursed his lips in a subtle smile. Clearly, he had recognized the fair-featured man with the two small mustaches—Ayi in disguise.

Ayi flushed crimson with embarrassment and cast a shy, angry glance at Yang Yaozong.

Yang Yaozong continued showing the pendant to the others, finally pausing before Mother Jiang.

Mother Jiang examined the pendant and suddenly burst into a tinkling laugh, her ample bosom heaving with each breath.

Her laughter was contagious; Yang Yaozong also laughed heartily. Those gathered outside the door caught on and soon erupted into boisterous laughter, some doubling over, wiping tears from their eyes. Among them, only Ayi and the fat barbarian remained puzzled by the sudden merriment.

The woman on the floor hung her head in red-faced shame.

The fat barbarian, now unsettled by the laughter, ceased eating and bellowed, “What are you laughing at?”

Yang Yaozong helped the woman to her feet and handed her to the nearby maid, then approached the barbarian with a smile. “Do you know what is carved on this jade pendant?”

The barbarian snorted, “I bought it just because it looked nice. What does it matter what’s carved on it?”

Yang Yaozong shook his head with a sigh, “Ignorance is truly frightening.”

At Yang Yaozong’s words, everyone present burst into laughter—except Ayi, who snorted coldly, glaring at him.