Today was the day Cheng family's merchant ships were due to dock. Merchants from the capital, upon hearing the news, rushed to the port with their luxurious carriages, jamming it to capacity.
Cheng family's merchant ships traveled overseas, bringing back rare and exotic goods. Any delay meant missing out on a share of the profits.
Suìsuì, looking at the endless sea of people, felt a pang of dejection. "It's all Second Brother's fault. I told him to come earlier, but he wouldn't listen. How are we supposed to push through this crowd now!"
Sītú Yòu said, "You ungrateful wretch. To accompany you, Second Brother even skipped class. Who knows how Father Emperor will punish me later. If you're not grateful, you even blame me. Who am I to reason with?"
"Oh, spare me. Everyone in the capital knows Second Brother dislikes essays the most." Suìsuì suddenly leaned over and nudged his arm, laughing. "Besides, Second Brother accompanying me here, isn't it because you want to see Sister Shíchun sooner?"
Sītú Yòu flicked her on the head. "Don't talk nonsense. If you ruin your Sister Shíchun's reputation, do you think she'll still bring you new storybooks?"
Suìsuì touched her head, a little puzzled. Did Second Brother really not like Sister Shíchun?
It shouldn't be.
"Look quickly, a ship is arriving."
Suìsuì turned to look. A huge ship approached from afar and soon docked at the pier. Several figures stood on the deck. Before they could even disembark, the crowd on the pier surged forward.
Chéng Běizhēng smiled on deck, as if bathed in spring breeze. "Esteemed bosses, have you come to patronize Cheng's business again?"
"We wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare."
"Boss Cheng's goods are renowned far and wide. We are all counting on Boss Cheng to let a little bit trickle down from his fingers."
...
Chéng Běizhēng chuckled. "There's wine and refreshments prepared on the ship. All those who wish to inspect the goods are welcome to board."
Stewards stood by the ship, verifying the identities of these bosses. After a considerable commotion, Sītú Yòu and Suìsuì finally got to see the person they wanted to meet. Wáng Shíchun wore a blue scholar's robe and cap, a pack on her back, looking just like a student heading to the capital for examinations.
Beside her was a man dressed similarly, slightly taller than her, yet following her every step.
He wasn't particularly handsome, but his skin was fair, his eyes bright, and he carried a hint of innocence that comes from not yet understanding the ways of the world. He looked quite clean and pleasant. Suìsuì let out a "Huo!" and thought, has Sister Shíchun really bought a fair-skinned scholar as her male favorite?
Sītú Yòu, unaware of her thoughts, gave a look. His attendant immediately understood and agilely squeezed through the crowd. Soon, both these scholars were brought over.
Suìsuì immediately pounced. "Sister Shíchun, Suìsuì missed you so much!"
"I missed you too. Let me tell you, I bought a lot of new and interesting things on this trip. I'll let Suìsuì pick first."
Wáng Shíchun was one of Suìsuì's accompanying readers. Besides accompanying her in the palace, she often took her out to play. They were on familiar terms, so they called each other by name outside the palace.
Sītú Yòu pulled Suìsuì back.
Suìsuì struggled. "Second Brother, what are you doing?"
"Didn't you see he's wearing men's clothes? You're a young lady. What kind of impression does it make, hugging and embracing him in public?" He then sized up the scholar.
The scholar lowered his gaze. "Young Master, why do you stare at me so? Is there something amiss with me?"
Sītú Yòu ignored him and asked Wáng Shíchun, "Who is this? Why is he with you?"
"Oh, this is Ān Yǐshí, the grandson of my mother's old friend. He just passed the provincial examination and is heading to the capital to prepare for the imperial examinations next spring."
"Young Master Ān, at such a young age, to have already passed the provincial examination, you are truly promising."
Sītú Yòu, though he disliked studying, greatly admired scholars. Upon hearing that he had passed the examination, he naturally regarded him with more respect.
Ān Yǐshí subtly tried to guess the identities of the siblings before him, but outwardly said, "Ān is untalented and ignorant. Young Master is too generous with his praise."