Chapter 122: Old Umbrella

Xiao Huang was indeed very clever.

After realizing he was being followed, he didn’t panic or rush to seek help from Gao Laoliu or Xie Yu, because doing so would immediately expose his contact above.

He had once assisted during a free clinic and confirmed that Xie Yu had a close relationship with Ma Bing.

And that young Ma lady was known on the street for being particularly eccentric. A young lady, yet she preferred the company of courtesans…

Xiao Huang needed to pass on information without revealing his identity, so he also came to visit the brothel.

As long as the legendary Zhang Baoyue indeed had a close relationship with the Ma girl, contacting her would mean indirectly contacting Ma Bing.

And contacting Ma Bing would mean reaching both Young Lord Marquis and Gao Liu.

Whose man was it?

Whose people were following Xiao Huang?

The Tians?

Unlikely. The Tians were already in shambles and preoccupied with themselves, probably lacking the energy to target others.

Then, Prince Su…

“Can I help with anything?” Seeing Ma Bing suddenly turn serious, Zhang Baoyue asked softly.

“Oh, nothing. You and Pucao just focus on your own things,” Ma Bing smiled.

“It’s okay. There’s still seven days!” Zhang Baoyue said. “If he comes again, I could…”

“He won’t come again,” Ma Bing shook her head, promptly interrupting Zhang Baoyue’s thoughts.

Undoubtedly, Xiao Huang was a cautious and clever man. His public identity was just a small hooligan, and the reason he previously visited the Hundred Flowers Pavilion to see Zhang Baoyue was “admiring her for a long time” and “saving up silver for a while.”

Even though Zhang Baoyue was no longer the top courtesan, her fee for an evening was still substantial.

So, how could such a small hooligan possibly have the means to visit the Hundred Flowers Pavilion frequently for pleasure?

Zhang Baoyue looked somewhat downcast, clearly disappointed at being unable to continue helping Ma Bing.

Ma Bing chuckled, deliberately changing the subject. “Alright, you’ve already helped a lot. We’ll handle this matter. The most important thing now is you and Pucao…”

She opened the medicine chest she had brought, arranging a row of bottles, jars, and paper-wrapped packages, explaining each one’s function:

“That one is for treating colds. The weather gets colder the further northwest you go this time of year. If one day you suddenly feel heavy-headed and dry-nosed, don’t hesitate—take one pill immediately.

This one is for bruises and sprains, that one is for burns, and that one is…”

The notes on the medicine bottles were written in simple characters that Zhang Baoyue and Pucao could recognize. As for the actual names, they weren’t important.

Finally, Ma Bing took out a small bamboo tube and shook it in front of Zhang Baoyue and Pucao. “These two pills are the most important. After taking them, your skin will gradually turn yellowish in about two hours, making you look very pale and sickly…”

These pills themselves were non-toxic and harmless, but their effect was long-lasting. Once taken, it would take about a month before the yellowish color faded, and there was no antidote.

After hearing this, Zhang Baoyue let out a heavy sigh of relief, and Pucao was also very excited.

“It’s precisely because it’s long-lasting and has no antidote that it’s good…”

The two girls looked at the bamboo tube, their eyes filled with hope.

Girls raised in brothels inevitably had fair skin and delicate features, making them easy targets once they went outside. With these pills, many troubles could be avoided.

And after a month of rough living outdoors, they would surely tan and become tougher, so even when the effect wore off, they wouldn’t be in danger anymore.

The three girls held hands tightly, so tightly it hurt, but none of them let go.

Pucao’s eyes filled with tears, her voice trembling. “Can we really be free?”

Zhang Baoyue nodded firmly. “Yes! Don’t cry. Hold back your tears!”

Pucao sniffled hard, tilting her head up and blinking rapidly, successfully holding back her tears.

She mustn’t cry. She couldn’t cry. This was good news.

If the madam noticed any suspicion, Dr. Ma would also be implicated.

After Zhang Baoyue and Pucao calmed down somewhat, Ma Bing handed them a key. “The sixth courtyard east of the western street of Xuanwu Gate has a red lantern hanging outside. Inside, there’s a horse-drawn carriage, food supplies, spare clothes, and two sets of household registration documents. When the time comes, leave the city immediately!”

Actually, it was already quite cold to escape now, and Zhang Baoyue and Pucao would inevitably suffer more hardships.

But they had no choice—they could only wait patiently.

Fortunately, the opportunity finally came before autumn’s end.

Every profession had its written or unwritten rules, and occasionally held grand gatherings for competition and unity.

The brothels were no exception.

On the eve of every Mid-Autumn Festival, all the madams in Kaifeng would showcase their best courtesans to display their talents. The one who won would become the city’s top courtesan for the next year.

Ideally, this top courtesan should be a virgin not yet experienced in the world, and her virginity would be auctioned off. But before that, there needed to be some “senior” courtesans to warm up the crowd.

Zhang Baoyue was one of these seniors.

That would be their last chance to go out before the year ended.

And on that day, crowds of admirers and so-called refined scholars would gather, making it a chaotic scene.

Most importantly, the madams and guards would naturally focus their attention on the young girls, thus lowering their guard on older courtesans like them.

This was the best chance to escape!

Ma Bing said, “Just run and don’t look back. Once you leave Kaifeng, they’ll never find you again.”

She looked at the two girls deeply one last time. “Then, you’ll be free.”

Free!

Such a luxurious word!

For a moment, Zhang Baoyue and Pucao stopped breathing.

“Thump, thump! Thump, thump!”

They clearly heard their own heartbeats, the rushing blood so loud it felt like the dazzling fireworks bursting in the night sky during the Spring Festival, overwhelming them with dizziness.

“Why don’t you come with us?” Zhang Baoyue gripped Ma Bing’s hand. “Kaifeng isn’t a good place.”

She didn’t know exactly what Ma Bing was planning, but the names mentioned earlier all belonged to powerful figures, clearly nothing good.

She also didn’t know who Xiao Huang was, but he was definitely working for Ma Bing. Since his subordinates were already being followed, Ma Bing was always at risk of exposure.

Kaifeng was too big, too prosperous, yet too cold and terrifying.

People from outside always fought desperately to enter this city, unaware that every inch of land and every brick here was soaked in blood.

Zhang Baoyue was desperate to leave.

Pucao also looked at Ma Bing with longing eyes and softly called out, “Sister Ma.”

In her short life, only these two people had generously given her warmth. She had long wanted to call her “sister,” but didn’t dare.

With her status, how could she recklessly attach herself to others?

But, she couldn’t help it.

If only they could stay together forever.

Sister Ma…

Ma Bing was taken aback, as if a storm had suddenly risen in her mind. Those memories she thought she had long forgotten violently flew up, like colorful butterflies dancing in the afternoon sun.

She blinked rapidly, as if that sudden wetness had never existed.

“I also have something I must do.”

Parting from now on, cherish yourselves.

On the way back to the Kaifeng Prefecture, it suddenly started raining.

This autumn rain came fiercely, from complete silence to heavy downpour in just a moment.

Many pedestrians on the street were unprepared, soaked to the skin, running around in panic with their heads covered, and soon, cries of alarm and complaints filled the air.

Large raindrops fiercely hit the oiled paper umbrella, so powerful that it was almost impossible to hold steady.

The cold air quickly filled with moisture, and the breath already carried a chill.

Ma Bing took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, suddenly hearing a faint “pfft,” followed by a cool droplet landing on the back of her hand holding the umbrella.

She looked up and saw a tear on the umbrella surface.

Ma Bing was momentarily stunned, standing still for a long time.

It’s broken…

Actually, this umbrella was bought by her foster father years ago. She had used it for over a decade, treasuring and maintaining it carefully, but it seemed it had indeed reached its limit.

Still, Ma Bing felt reluctant.

She looked around and stepped into a small shop that sold rain gear.

This was a rather small shop, but it was said the shopkeeper was very skilled at repairing umbrellas.

The shopkeeper had someone light a lamp, squinted for a long time, and shook his head. “Young lady, this umbrella has been repaired many times. All parts have reached their lifespan. I’m afraid it’s beyond repair.”

Although she had mentally prepared, hearing this in person still made Ma Bing feel uncomfortable.

“Beyond repair?”

The shopkeeper nodded. “An umbrella is like a person. Think about it—people grow old with age. Even without illness, there comes a time when the oil runs out and the lamp goes out. How much more so for an umbrella?”

He seemed to understand Ma Bing’s feelings well.

Many things, used for a long time, become like family. People inevitably develop some attachment.

Suddenly having to discard it was indeed difficult.

Ma Bing stared at the old umbrella for a long time before finally saying, “Then help me get a new one.”

“Alright!” The shopkeeper asked, “Which one do you want, young lady?”

“Whatever,” Ma Bing said, folding up the old umbrella indifferently. “They’re all the same.”

At the moment the old umbrella folded shut, she felt as if some important past had also been sealed away.

Nevertheless, the shopkeeper carefully picked out a new one decorated with autumn maple leaves, very fitting for the season and very sturdy.

Ma Bing only glanced at it casually before paying and leaving, directly returning to the government office.

Xie Yu hadn’t returned yet. Ma Bing thought for a moment but didn’t rashly go looking for Gao Laoliu.

She took a small stool and sat under the eaves watching the rain.

The eaves were long, and the raindrops fell far away.

The green stone slabs there had long been worn into small pits by the rain. When the raindrops fell, they made a dull “plop” sound and splashed up clear, beautiful water droplets.

On the other side, Wang Heng was holding a hand warmer, listening to his two apprentices recite medicinal formulas, occasionally throwing them a stern glance.

Ma Bing couldn’t help smiling.

A few days ago, Wang Heng’s grandson had sent a letter home. The old man didn’t say anything, but secretly wiped away some tears.

That young master Wang had indeed been “exiled” by his elders to a very poor small county town, suffered a lot, and even fell ill.

But he was genuinely a good and simple person. Despite the hardships, he never complained or asked to return, only writing in the letter to reflect on his past life of luxury, saying the people there needed help more than the citizens of Kaifeng Prefecture.

He didn’t want to return to Kaifeng anymore.

At the end of the letter, he also asked Wang Heng to convey his apologies to the people of Kaifeng Prefecture on his behalf.

He really shouldn’t have poached someone else’s apprentice right in front of them.

Especially for saying such naive and foolish words.

At that time, both Xie Yu and Ma Bing were stunned.

Frankly speaking, they had long forgotten about that incident.

In the end, it was Wang Heng who reminded them, and they finally remembered, feeling somewhat amused.

This was actually quite good.

Those who needed to grow up had finally grown.

It was nearly noon when Xie Yu finally followed the aroma of fish head and tofu soup into the courtyard.

Ma Bing, unable to sit idle, had caught a big fish from the water tank.

Bighead fish—its head was delicious, so she separately cut it off to stew with tofu, turning it white and rich.

The remaining large fish body barely fit into one pot.

She added scallions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and other ingredients to braise it. After boiling on high heat, she turned to low heat, letting it bubble slowly. The rich, dark red sauce soaked deeply into the thick fish meat.

When eating, tearing off a big piece of meat and dipping it into the rich sauce was especially sweet and fragrant.

Even just using the fish head and tofu soup to mix with rice, one could easily eat several bowls.

Today, as usual, Yuanpei accompanied Xie Yu out. No one knew what the two had done, but apparently they were extremely hungry. Upon entering, they didn’t bother with greetings and immediately devoured two bowls of hot rice with soup before finally catching their breath.

Ma Bing told Xie Yu about Xiao Huang. Xie Yu paused mid-motion while picking fish meat with his chopsticks. “Gao Laoliu might already know.”

He continued, waving away Yuanpei’s chopsticks reaching toward him, snatching the fattest piece of fish cheek meat and putting it into Ma Bing’s bowl.

Ma Bing smiled slightly, meeting Yuanpei’s longing gaze before taking a big bite.

Indeed, Gao Laoliu dealt in shadowy business, and often had more timely information than they did.

Xie Yu took another bite of hot tofu, gradually breaking out in a fine layer of sweat on his forehead. “Still, we should let him know.”

Let him decide whether to proceed or retreat.

After the meal, Xie Yu indeed dispatched people, using the excuse of human traffickers roaming the area, to start a widespread search for suspicious individuals both inside and outside the city.