Early the next morning, Song Jinyin arrived at the embroidery workshop.
She didn't sleep well last night, so she opened her eyes at dawn, drank the medicine honestly, and stepped into the cold wind wrapped in a thick coat.
Although Luocheng is located in the south, it was not too warm that day.
Song Jinyin took every step carefully.
It rained a little today, the ground was a little slippery, and white mist came out of my mouth from time to time, making it difficult to see the road ahead clearly.
After finally getting close to the backyard of Xiufang, I heard a burst of noise from ahead.
Song Jinyin raised her eyes and glanced, not wanting to cause trouble, she turned around and stepped in through the side door.
"Do you think making some steamed buns will make some Xiuzhang take a look at you? With your skills, it would be great if you could come in and do some rough work!"
"It's just that he has rough hands and feet. He can't even carry a basin of water. He dresses dirty all day long and sneaks into the house whenever he finds an opportunity. Could it be that he still wants to learn a craft secretly?"
A few words of scolding fell into Song Jinyin's ears, as if a little girl had spilled the hot water that had just been brought and almost splashed the girl who was passing by.
Just looking at the teasing eyes of others, I thought it didn't seem like an accident that hot water was spilled here.
Song Jinyin thought about avoiding it, but after only taking a few steps, she saw a figure falling to her side, as if the soles of her feet slipped during the pushing.
Then there was a muffled sound.
Even though Song Jinyin had made up her mind to ignore it, she was startled by the movement, and suddenly thought of the little girl she saved on the street that day, who had fallen quite hard.
Seeing that this was indeed a serious attack, the people who caused trouble finally dispersed one after another, unwilling to bear the scolding from the front.
The only people left in the entire backyard were the little girl sobbing softly and Song Jinyin, who had just stepped into the courtyard door.
The little girl was wearing an old coat. Although there were many traces of sewing on it, it would not be called dirty.
Song Jinyin hesitated for a moment, then dug around her waist and handed over a handkerchief: "Stop crying, wipe it first."
The people on the ground stared blankly at Song Jinyin. After a long while, they whispered their thanks and raised their hands to pick up the handkerchief, revealing the cuffs that were scratched when they fell down.
"Your clothes..."
"I sewed these myself. I'll just take them off and mend them later. Thank you sister."
Song Jinyin was speechless for a moment.
If one more crooked spot is sewn on, her clothes will indeed become unbearable.
"Come with me, go to the less crowded place here, and wait for me at the end of the corridor."
The little girl didn't know what the person in front of her meant, but she still held the handkerchief she gave her and nodded obediently.
It wasn't until Song Jinyin brought a tiny piece of hibiscus flower fabric that she realized that it was going to sew clothes for her.
"Sister, I can't do it! These embroidered flowers are so beautiful, they can't be sewn on my clothes!"
"This is the pattern I embroidered yesterday, but I couldn't use it. It's just the right addition to your coat."
There wasn't much to mend, so Song Jinyin quickly sewed the cuff around, and then she didn't leave any more, she smiled at the little girl, turned around and left the place without even asking her name.
During this delay, the embroiderers had already arrived one after another at the houses where they were working.
As soon as Song Jinyin came back and was still sitting down, she saw Xiuxiu walking towards her, swinging her handkerchief. As she walked, she raised her hand to support Bu Yao on her head.
"Why did Song Ci come so late? This new girl has just entered the embroidery workshop, so she should abide by the rules."
There were girls next to her who had seen her early in the morning, but Xiuxiu was supported by Xin Xiuzhang, so they did not speak.
"Don't blame me for being nosy."
Xiuxiu took a few steps closer to Song Jinyin and said with a smile: "Xin Xiuzhang once told me to keep an eye on you young or new girls, so that you don't understand the rules and get into trouble. !”
"What Miss Xiuxiu said is true, but I didn't expect that at such a young age, Miss Xiuxiu is already the master in charge of the embroidery workshop. It's really enviable."
Song Jinyin lowered her head and smiled, one ear going in and the other out. She wasn't the least bit annoyed, but there was a bit of mockery in her words.
But Xiuxiu only saw Song Jinyin's lowered head, feeling happy and did not hear the teasing meaning in her words.
"Since you know you are wrong, then go out and pick up some winter dates. The kitchen will be busy today, and Xin Xiuzhang has to eat a few dates every day. Since you are new here, a trip is enough."
"But my job today..."
"How long will it take to buy a winter jujube? There is everything near the Qianlai Inn. You can just look for it and buy it. Besides, I won't punish you today. I have already saved you face. If it were anyone else, I would definitely sue you. I went to Xin Xiuzhang, but now I just ask you to buy some winter dates for Xin Xiuzhang, and you don’t want to do that?"
Song Jinyin finally understood why Xiuxiu was so confident today.
Just because the one in front today is Xin Xiuzhang, and the two of them should be a family.
"Why are you arguing with her? You can't argue with her. If you argue here for a long time, it won't cause anyone a headache."
There was a young embroiderer in front who turned around. Her name was Lianxiang, and she was also a powerful girl here.
Right now, her eyebrows were furrowed, and she didn't know who was showing impatience on her face.
But she didn't look at Song Jinyin too much. She just muttered something and then turned back, spinning the spindle.
A girl next to her who looked down on her winked at her and advised her not to argue with Xiuxiu. Song Jinyin smiled gratefully and finally got up.
She can't be suppressed by local snakes, not to mention that her roots haven't been firmly established yet. If she doesn't have this job, the days to come will probably be a lot harder.
Song Jinyin thought of the child in her belly, and the heaviness finally dissipated a bit.
I’ve been here around and haven’t gone out to see Luo City yet.
When she heard that Qian Lai Inn was the largest inn in Luo City, and that all the famous people from all over the country stayed there, she avoided Xiuxiu and went to have a look, and managed to get some peace of mind.
...
Inside the inn.
Pei Yanzhou finally woke up, but when he saw the scene in front of him, he immediately got up.
There was a heavy feeling in his chest, and his wounds ached faintly, but he didn't care and just let his emotions surge, his black eyes full of coolness.
In the room full of people, only Cang Lin dared to step forward.
He just knew the thoughts of the person in front of him, so he suppressed his words of "I couldn't bear it" and changed his mind to other words.
"Master, the Xuanwei outside the city are still making inquiries. Luo City is an important place for the southward movement. If we want to find out who is entering the city, we will definitely alert the prefect here. I can't wait to force my way forward. Master, I'm afraid we have to wait a day or two more." Good to go."
Pei Yanzhou walked to the window and didn't make a sound for a long time.
Looking down, you can see the landscape in the backyard of the inn, which is quite artistic due to the hazy smoke from the drizzle.
But now he only thinks about Song Jinyin who is still running away.
She must not have much money on her, and she has to survive in a place she has never been to before, so she doesn't know how much hardship she will endure.
Thinking of this, Pei Yanzhou only felt anxious, but he also knew that this journey has not stopped, and with his current injury, he may not be able to survive until the day he sees her.
"One day at most."
The man finally spoke, but when he thought of the cramped inn and wooden house again, his heart became more and more depressed.
"Take my token and check it. If anyone blocks it..."
"Master, there is someone outside asking to see you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Xuanwei's voice came from outside the house.
Pei Yanzhou did not move, but Cang Lin frowned.
Qian Lai Inn is said to be the best inn in Luo City. As long as anyone can afford the money to stay, the innkeeper will never inquire about their identity and will never let others approach them.
What's more, he directly took over this floor. Anyone with a discerning eye would know that this was not an ordinary place, yet the shopkeeper dared to let people come up.
Cang Lin raised the hand holding the sword, and Cang Lin was ready to go out and chase people away.
"No need, let him in."
Pei Yanzhou finally walked away from the wooden window and put on his coat. "The person who can disturb him will go to the door by himself. You just send someone to follow him."
Before Cang Lin could understand, he saw the wooden door to the outside being pushed open, and a slightly plump figure rushed in instantly, with a flattering smile on his face that could not see his eyes.
"I am the governor of Luocheng. I don't know that the prince has come to Luocheng. He is not welcome at a distance. Don't be surprised if you still hope for the prince!"
"I don't have an official position now, so I can't be treated like a magistrate."
There seemed to be humility in Pei Yanzhou's words, but his tone was still cold, making people afraid to really believe what he said.
Especially the prefect of Luo City who has been an official for many years.
Who doesn't know that this prince is a popular person in front of His Majesty, and he is also the official in charge of the imperial army.
Although no news of his coming to Luo City was received in advance, even if he really lost his official position, he would still be the eldest son of the Duke's mansion and the prince's former companion, so he could not be offended.
Thinking about this, the visitor became more and more interested in trying to please.
Although Luocheng is not a small city, he cannot hold military power in his hands, and the situation in the DPRK is becoming increasingly unclear. Only by returning to Beijing can he have new opportunities.
"Whether the Crown Prince has an official position or not, it all depends on his merits. We naturally admire him, but I don't know why the Crown Prince came here this time. If you are not in a hurry, it is better to move to the Prefect's Mansion. It is more comfortable than staying in an inn."
"That's not necessary, but I have something else to do."
"Your Majesty, please speak!"
It was getting more and more lively outside. Although it was drizzling, the sound of selling was still heard. But when it reached the inn, it was already quieter and almost non-existent.
But Pei Yanzhou still heard a hawking of jujube cakes.
The extremely small voice, for some reason, fell clearly into his ears, and it reminded him of Song Jinyin once sitting at the table, eating cakes in small bites.
But with just that sentence, the sound completely disappeared outside.
Pei Yanzhou also came to his senses and looked at the man in front of him who was smiling apologetically.
...
Qian Lai Inn is located on the busy Dong'an Street, a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle, with endless high walls surrounding it.
Song Jinyin didn't even need to ask to know how big the scene would be inside the inn.
But those things were nothing more than a curiosity to her.
She circled around a few times and finally found Dongzao. Just as she was about to go back along the street, she heard the shouting of jujube cakes, which was the loudest in the whole street.
The jujube cake was not as sweet as dairy products. It was soft, glutinous and full of heat. Song Jinyin suddenly felt hungry in her belly and remembered that there was a time when she especially liked eating these cakes.
After the old man called out, Song Jinyin stopped in front of him.
"Old man, how do you sell this jujube cake?"
At this time, on the long street in front of the inn, Doctor Mu hurried back to the inn, carrying the newly purchased medicinal materials from the nearby pharmacy.
Behind him, a clear and sweet voice came among the noise. It sounded familiar at first, but it quickly dissipated in the wind.
Doctor Mu shook his head and breathed out.
It was too cold, and he had to go in quickly to make some medicine for the prince.
