In the Qi-Lu Region, Dongchang Prefecture, Pingshan Garrison.
Li Miao and his three companions rode their horses to the city gate.
The soldiers guarding the gate looked up. One of them, seeing the group covered in dust, assumed they were merchants and prepared to extort money.
A sharp-eyed soldier noticed a section of a sword scabbard peeking from Mei Qinghe’s waist, realizing these people were martial artists. He quickly restrained the one preparing to extort and waved them through.
Martial artists were always poor and aggressive, having no money, quick to resort to violence, and overly concerned with face.
With so many people passing through each day, there were always traveling merchants who were easy to manipulate and had money to spare. It wasn't worth demanding money from martial artists.
Wang Hai saw this and turned to Li Miao, smiling, “Brother, were they trying to get money from us?”
“We've always been the ones ransacking others’ homes. For someone to try and get money from us, this is truly a first.”
In broad daylight, Wang Hai, of course, couldn't call Li Miao “Commander.”
Li Miao said indifferently, “If they really want it, just give it to them. How much could soldiers who think they've gotten a bargain by not paying for a bowl of wontons possibly want?”
This, however, drew a complaint from Xiao Si behind him: “Master, we can’t afford it.”
“We’re out of money!”
“Hmm?” Li Miao turned to Xiao Si, “Didn’t we bring a lot of silver before we left? Is it all spent?”
“You still say that!”
Xiao Si held out his fingers, counting them one by one: “Yesterday, you were listening to a storyteller at the teahouse, and when you got happy, you gave him five taels. The storyteller was almost scared to tears, thinking you wanted to buy his life!”
“And the wine you drank the day before yesterday, three qian of silver per pot, and you drank five pots.”
“The day before yesterday, you said the saddle was too hard and uncomfortable to sit on, insisting on getting a soft one. But when it was made, you said it was too soft and also uncomfortable, and then you wanted them to make one that was soft yet firm.”
“The master thought you were trying to mess with the market. He made six before you were satisfied, and each one was three taels of silver. That’s another eighteen taels.”
“The crucial thing was that incident in North Zhili earlier. For that group of displaced people, you gave the local yamen runners one hundred taels of silver to help them settle down.”
“And the day before the day before yesterday…”
Xiao Si recounted everything like a family treasure, making Li Miao’s head ache. He quickly waved his hand.
“You know I can’t hold onto money; it’s not like it’s been one or two days.”
“Just tell me how much is left.”
He had never managed money matters. When he was in Shuntian Prefecture, all the money was with Xiao Si. When he was short on cash, he would just withdraw some from the Jinyiwei’s treasury. Anyway, part of it was already his.
It wasn’t that he truly couldn’t calculate the accounts; he was just accustomed to this lifestyle and never bothered to keep track of such things, treating Xiao Si merely as a housekeeper.
People are prone to inertia, and Li Miao had long been spoiled by Zhu Zai and Xiao Si. Once Xiao Si got married, he might learn to manage money.
Xiao Si spread her two small hands: “It’s all gone!”
“The money for our meals these past few days has all been paid by Sister Mei!”
Li Miao turned to Mei Qinghe.
Mei Qinghe closed her eyes, expressionlessly pulling out a cloth bag from her bosom: “I still have ten taels…”
She turned her head to the side, extending her hand towards Xiao Si: “That’s all there is…”
Seeing her look as if she were bravely sacrificing herself, Li Miao quickly said, “Alright, alright, put it away.”
“I haven’t reached the point where I need to take money from my subordinates to eat.”
“Hai’er.” He turned to Wang Hai.
Wang Hai smiled, “Brother, I’m also your subordinate. How can you only feel comfortable asking me for money?”
“I’ll pay you back when we return to Shuntian Prefecture. Anyway, it’s all official business. I’ll just grab a couple of handfuls from the treasury and settle your account,” Li Miao said.
Wang Hai spread his hands: “All my money is with Xiao Si. If Xiao Si has no money, I have no money either.”
Upon hearing this, Li Miao squinted at Wang Hai, then looked at Xiao Si: “Where’s his money?”
Xiao Si clutched her small hands tightly over her money pouch: “No!”
“Hai Gege’s money is for proper business; it can’t withstand your wasteful spending!”
“Oh, really.” Li Miao chuckled, “You haven’t even married in yet, and you’re already managing money? You won’t give money to your own family, huh?”
“When it’s time for the bride price, aren’t you afraid I’ll demand an exorbitant amount and take all this money?”
Before, when they were in Shuntian Prefecture, Wang Hai and Xiao Si had already developed feelings for each other, but Wang Hai couldn't always go to Li Miao's house, and they didn't get to talk much when they met, so they were a bit shy then.
But during this time out, Li Miao was either dozing off, napping, or running around everywhere watching the excitement, not paying attention to the two of them.
Mei Qinghe was also not a talkative person, following silently all day.
The two of them talked together every day, and with Li Miao constantly teasing them, their relationship was now almost explicitly clear, and they no longer felt as shy as before.
Xiao Si blushed upon hearing Li Miao’s words and softly said, “You don’t even know how much money you have yourself. When the time comes, I’ll just bring more with me…”
Li Miao chuckled, “That’s one way. It seems I won’t be getting any from you.”
“Little Mei.”
Mei Qinghe had just tucked the money back into her bosom. Hearing him, she closed her eyes again and pulled the money out to give to Xiao Si.
Li Miao waved his hand: “Let’s make do today. Tomorrow, I’ll go find the local officials and shake them down.”
“There are Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) who have been cut down, but I’ve never heard of one starving to death.”
“A Jinyiwei Commander coming to their door just to ask for some money, they’ll probably be so happy they’ll cry.”
The four of them chatted and laughed, one after another, until they reached a restaurant.
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It was only midday, but the restaurant was bustling with people and few empty seats, indicating good business.
The group tied their horses in front of the door. Li Miao walked in first, and a waiter immediately came over to greet them.
“Guests, how many of you, and what would you like to eat?”
“Four people, what good wine and—”
“Master!”
The voices of three people overlapped.
Li Miao looked back. Xiao Si was glaring at him, puffing out her cheeks, and making a gesture of ten taels with her hands.
Looking at Mei Qinghe again, she was looking up at the ceiling, not saying a word.
He couldn't change his habits; he had almost blurted out, “Bring all your good wine and dishes,” forgetting that he only had ten taels of silver, which he had practically extorted from Mei Qinghe.
Even if they ate without restraint in this place, it wouldn't cost ten taels of silver, but since the purse was already nearly empty, it was better to be frugal.
Li Miao smiled and turned to the waiter, “Four of us, just a simple meal.”
“Based on our appetites, bring a few dishes and some tea.”
“Alright, please sit over here.”
The waiter responded, led the four to a table, first served them some tea, then turned to the kitchen to place the order.
The four took their seats. Wang Hai and Xiao Si sat together, whispering, while Mei Qinghe closed her eyes to regulate her breathing, her hands on her knees, her fingers occasionally making gestures, likely thinking about sword moves in her mind.
This left Li Miao out.
When they first set out, Wang Hai and Xiao Si were too shy to talk alone, so they always chatted with Li Miao. But ever since their relationship became clear, they were constantly together, and Li Miao was left with no one to talk to.
Mei Qinghe was also not a good conversationalist. If you talked about martial arts with her, there was plenty to discuss. But if you talked about anything else, she could only listen for a long time and then squeeze out a “Yes” or “I beg to differ.”
Li Miao had no choice but to pour himself a cup of tea, use his excellent hearing, and eavesdrop on other people’s conversations in the tavern to amuse himself.
Suddenly, Li Miao’s eyes lit up, and he put down the teacup in his hand.
“Have you heard about the haunting at Wu Yuanwai’s house?”
“Oh, who hasn’t? Haven’t a lot of servants already run away in fear?”
“My brother-in-law works at Wu Yuanwai’s house. A few nights ago, while on patrol, he really and truly saw that ghost!”
“With disheveled hair, blood all over its body and face, floating in the air with both feet off the ground. My brother-in-law fainted on the spot from fright and lay in the courtyard for half the night before being discovered. He’s still drinking medicine now!”
Li Miao stood up, ignoring Xiao Si’s angry gaze, took some silver, and bought a pot of wine.
He turned and walked to that table, sitting down and cupping his hands in greeting.
“Gentlemen, I was waiting for my food over there and unintentionally overheard your conversation.”
“I travel all over and enjoy hearing local anecdotes and strange tales. This pot of wine is just to moisten your throats.”
“This haunting… would it be convenient for you to tell me about it?”