Chapter Ninety-Four: On-Site Inspection
Tao Ming followed behind Su Nanxing as they descended the stairs. By now, the ground floor was bustling with customers, and the five attendants were struggling to keep up. The family of four stood quietly to the side, waiting until most of the guests had left. Only then did the attendant who had served them earlier notice them and hurried over, saying, “One box of each pastry, totaling one hundred and thirteen boxes. After rounding, that's one purple crystal coin and three red crystal coins.”
Tao Ming did a quick mental calculation—it was about ten or so units of currency per box. She couldn’t help but ask, “Is it really this cheap?”
The attendant replied with a smile, “Madam, you jest.”
Su Nanxing smiled, handed Softy to Tao Ming, paid the bill, and gathered up the packaged pastries to leave. Tao Ming had no choice but to follow.
After walking a few steps outside, Su Nanxing took out a box and handed it to Tao Ming. “The price is marked on each box. See for yourself.”
Tao Ming looked at the small wooden box in her hand; in the upper right corner was written “Five Yellow.” She asked, “Five yellow crystal coins for a box?”
Su Nanxing nodded. “That’s right. Open it and see.”
Following her instruction, Tao Ming opened the lid to find four tiny pastries inside. She raised her voice, “Sixty units for just these?”
Su Nanxing set down Glutinous, then took out several more boxes and pointed to them one by one. “The contents vary, so does the price.”
Tao Ming glanced around; some said “One Yellow,” some “Five Yellow,” others “Three Red.” She reached for the box labeled “Three Red,” saying, “I want to see what such expensive pastries look like.”
She opened the lid; again, there were four small pastries shaped like flowers. Softy pointed at them, “I had this one earlier—it's delicious.”
Tao Ming picked one up and popped it into her mouth. It was crisp at first bite, but the center was soft and sticky; the filling seemed to contain flower petals, and a gentle floral aroma filled her mouth. It truly was delicious!
She gave one piece each to Softy and Glutinous, then put the last one into Su Nanxing’s mouth, and looked at the box. “Do they recycle these boxes?”
Su Nanxing chewed the pastry Tao Ming had fed her, feeling so happy she could almost float. She laughed, “What are you planning?”
Tao Ming pouted, “Exchange the boxes for a bit of change!”
Su Nanxing swallowed the pastry and asked in surprise, “Are you that short of money?”
Tao Ming snorted, “I am! I don’t have a single coin on me!”
Su Nanxing produced a white silk pouch. “I overlooked that. Here, take these.”
Tao Ming took it, peeked inside, and saw it was filled with purple and red crystal coins—probably dozens. She asked, “No small change?”
Su Nanxing shook her head and smiled, “Since I’m accompanying you, of course I’ll pay. Keep these for emergencies.”
Softy and Glutinous had finished their pastries and clamored for water. After giving them water, the four continued to stroll along the street.
Tao Ming walked, counting her steps. When she reached the end of the long street, she’d counted four hundred and sixty-seven steps. She looked at Su Nanxing, “I didn’t take big steps—about half a meter each. Four hundred sixty steps is roughly two hundred thirty meters long.”
Su Nanxing said, “No rush. We can measure it carefully later.”
Ahead was the east wall of the imperial city. Naturally, there were no buildings beneath the wall, only a broad street with guards stationed every few meters, looking rather intimidating.
Facing the wall was a row of shops, mostly inns, some still closed.
Tao Ming wondered, “Why aren’t those shops open?”
Su Nanxing coughed, “They only open at night—you know why.”
Well, Tao Ming did understand.
Softy, however, didn’t. “Dad, what kind of stores only open at night?”
Su Nanxing quickly replied, “Places for singing and dancing!”
Tao Ming thought this wasn’t wrong—the girls inside did sing and dance.
Softy perked up, “Then I want to watch the dancing tonight!”
Glutinous nodded in agreement.
Su Nanxing looked to Tao Ming for help. Tao Ming put on a stern face, “If you memorize three poems tonight, I’ll take you to see the dancing.”
The two little ones instantly deflated, each lying on one of Su Nanxing’s shoulders, secretly plotting to hang Tao Ming in the sky.
Seeing them fall silent, Tao Ming followed the city wall and spotted a gate at the northeast corner, bustling with people.
Su Nanxing then led Tao Ming around the entire area, so she could get a general sense of the place.
After the circuit, Tao Ming looked at the area and asked, “How do you handle water and sewage?”
Su Nanxing pointed northeast, “There’s a freshwater river called Lichuan under Mount Lining, with abundant water—we can use it.”
Tao Ming glanced at the city wall and shook her head, “Transporting it is a problem! How would the pipes get under the wall?”
Su Nanxing laughed, “Why install pipes? Just collect everything in a treasure bag and deal with it later.”
Tao Ming made a face. “Played too much SimCity—side effects!”
She paused, then asked, “What about these merchants?”
Su Nanxing answered casually, “Half of these businesses belong to the Su family. We’ll have them move.”
“That’s not right. They’ve built up their clientele here over many years; moving would cut off their livelihood. As the saying goes, taking away someone’s livelihood is like killing their parents—it’s best not to do such heartless things.”
Su Nanxing countered, “Do you have a better idea?”
Tao Ming thought for a moment. “If there’s no other way, sign an agreement with them so they can continue their business inside the new marketplace once it’s built.”
“In fact, I have another idea, but I’m afraid you won’t agree.”
Su Nanxing replied, “Go ahead.”
“I want to visit Lichuan. If there’s suitable land, wouldn’t it be better to build there? Handling water and sewage would be easier than in the imperial city.”
Su Nanxing glanced at the sky. “Lichuan is only half an hour’s ride from here—we can make a trip. But I’m worried about safety. Better to bring more people tomorrow?”
Tao Ming never neglected safety, so she agreed, “Alright, I’ll follow your lead.”
Noticing the two little ones had been quiet for a while, she peeked behind Su Nanxing and saw both were asleep.
Tao Ming laughed, “No wonder they’re not causing trouble—they’re asleep.”
Su Nanxing replied, “They’ve been sleeping for a while; I thought you knew. Shall we head back?”
Tao Ming nodded, picked up Glutinous and laid her across her arms for a more comfortable sleep.
Su Nanxing brought out the carriage, helped Tao Ming inside, then made a gesture. Instantly, someone appeared beside Su Nanxing and respectfully said, “Master.”
Su Nanxing instructed, “Return to Star-Picking Courtyard.”
Then she entered the carriage as well.
Tao Ming noticed the carriage had started moving and asked in surprise, “Who’s driving?”
Su Nanxing smiled, “Someone is protecting us in secret.”
Tao Ming said, “Since we have protection, let’s go see Lichuan.”
Su Nanxing looked down at Softy in her arms. “Both little ones are asleep—let’s not tire them out.”
Tao Ming saw Softy’s arm hanging limply from Su Nanxing’s embrace, her wrist bare, and remembered Softy had said the bracelet was too heavy and had taken it off. She asked, “Can you check if Softy’s protective talisman is still around her neck?”
Su Nanxing gently pulled open Softy’s collar and shook her head.
Tao Ming sighed, “Could you make some new protective charms for them? Lighter ones, so they won’t interfere with their movement?”