LGSLAW : Chapter 78 – Suzhou City

“He ran away?”

“Yes, they reported it to the authorities, accusing him of stealing money,” Yang Dalang relayed the news.

“Ah, well…” Miao He couldn’t comment much. Once the family reported it, the matter was irreversible. “Let’s just hope he finds a way to live better in the future.”

But was that really possible? A runaway with no household registration and wanted for theft, if robbed on the way, wouldn’t even have a place to cry out for help. Just like Miao Yuan, it was a path they chose themselves. No one could substitute their choices. Little did they know, this was the last time they would hear about Min Chun.

“Let’s not talk about him. There’s something else.”

“What is it?”

The plums that Xu Huan had transported from their home last year had finally finished fermenting and had become wine! 

Originally, it was agreed that Xu’s family would handle the sales of the plum wine, and Yang Dalang wouldn’t need to be involved. But now, with the plums associated with the tribute fruits, selling it as regular fruit wine would be a waste. To be cautious, Xu Huan wrote a letter inviting Yang Dalang to Suzhou to discuss it and to visit their winery, and also to negotiate the brewing arrangements for the next year.

Miao He’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. Yang Dalang, knowing him well, patted his head, “We’ll go as a family.”

Miao He’s eyes curved into a smile as he cheered and happily went to pack their luggage.

A few days later, after arranging everything at home and taking the two children, Miao He, for the first time, boarded a boat leaving Miaoshui Town with Yang Dalang!

Despite the swaying and slight seasickness, Miao He’s spirits remained high throughout the journey. Even more excited were Mantou and Wotou, who seemed unaffected by the motion sickness, constantly pointing outside the cabin, indicating their desire to go on deck.

On the third day, Miao He’s family arrived safely in Suzhou. Xu Huan was already there, waiting with a big smile at the port.

Xu Huan insisted on covering all expenses for their stay in Suzhou. He said that since it was his territory, if they didn’t go through him, they would end up paying more. Also, considering the hospitality he had received in Miaoshui, he wanted to reciprocate the gesture in Suzhou.

With the relationship and trust they had built, splitting hairs over these details would only harm their bond. Yang Dalang agreed, so they stayed at Xu Huan’s family villa in the suburbs, which had its own courtyard, staff for cleaning and cooking, and a carriage for transportation. The family could live comfortably, with all arrangements thoughtfully made.

First and foremost, Miao He wanted to visit their shop in Suzhou. The shop was neat and clean, with a large backyard, half of which had been converted into a long warehouse for storage. Upon entering, the repeated calls of “Madam Boss” from the staff made Miao He feel a bit awkward, as he couldn’t find a better term to replace it.

Noticing some of the staff were quite young, Miao He inquired and learned that most of them were youths who had fled from disaster-stricken areas with no family, coming to the city to seek work. No wonder Yang Dalang hired child labor.

The shelves had only a few items: crispy plums sent in early April, osmanthus honey, pure honey marked as “sold out, accepting reservations,” and peach and pear jams from last autumn, also marked “sold out.”

Miao He whispered to Yang Dalang, “So, what did you pay them to do all winter?”

Stable employment meant year-round hiring, otherwise, the workers wouldn’t be able to sustain themselves during off-months and would eventually leave.

“Collecting wooden boxes, as you suggested,” Yang Dalang reminded.

“Oh, the boxes for the fruits?”

“Yes, environmental protection.”

Miao He scratched his head. Though it was his idea, hearing it from Yang Dalang still felt odd.

The next day, they visited Xu Huan’s winery.

Riding a carriage through the outskirts, they arrived at a large field of sorghum and barley, used for brewing. Xu’s winery was impressively equipped, with thorough cleaning, drying, and disinfecting processes necessary for brewing. Large-scale operations like this required a workforce of experienced hands, often taking years to train. Even the jars for the wine were produced by Xu’s family.

Last year, when Xu Huan asked for their plums, Miao He agreed without hesitation. The terms they negotiated were slightly favorable for their side back then, but now it had become a mutually beneficial arrangement.

Xu Huan, smiling, had a jar of wine brought over, “Here, let’s get to business. We must taste this wine we brewed together.”

Using a set of fine white porcelain wine cups, they poured the wine. The translucent liquid shimmered beautifully in the cups.

The color was a near-rosy tea brown, crystal clear without any impurities, as beautiful as a gemstone!

A rich fruity aroma filled their noses, almost unchanged despite the year that had passed. Tasting it revealed a rich and mellow flavor, with not a hint of bitterness. The sweetness wasn’t as heavy as Miao He’s home-brewed wine, with a delicate acidity balancing the layers perfectly!

To Miao He, it only required two comments, “It smells so good and tastes great!”

And that was the highest praise. Xu Huan, delighted, said, “Since the wine has turned out so well, after discussing with my managers, we plan to hold a wine tasting event to promote it. Given that the fruit is from a tribute orchard, it will certainly add prestige to our wine.”

Xu Huan planned to follow the model of Miao He’s previous flower-viewing party, combining beautiful scenery, fine food, and a touch of elegance, to hold a wine tasting event. The venue was a top-tier teahouse by the canal, surrounded by willows in full spring bloom, offering a serene and refined atmosphere.

“Since you’re here in Suzhou, why not join in the fun? What do you think?”

Yang Dalang and Miao He agreed without hesitation.

Before attending the wine tasting, they visited the largest fabric store in Suzhou to buy new clothes for the family.

The fabric store sold both cloth and ready-made clothes. Following the enthusiastic recommendations of the store clerk, Miao He and Yang Dalang each chose a set in light purple and moon white, and two sets of tender green for the children. Trying them on, the fabric and craftsmanship were indeed fine, although the prices were two or three times higher than those in town, causing Miao He some heartache.

“But Dalang looks really good in this!” Miao He said happily, circling around Yang Dalang in his moon white robe. Yang Dalang rarely wore bright colors, but this outfit accentuated his healthy, bronze skin, making him look more attractive.

Yang Dalang wasn’t concerned about himself. The pale purple outfit on Miao He, with bright gray trimming, was also a rare sight. The well-fitted tailoring and delicate embroidery made him look elegant and handsome, as if he were born to wear such clothes. Yang Dalang pointed and said to the clerk, “These, one set in each light color.”

Miao He slapped his hand, “What are you doing? We don’t need that many sets. It’s too expensive!”

“Looks good. Wear it at home too.”

“When would we wear it at home? No need. Clerk, don’t listen to him. Just this set.”

“But sir, you really look good in it. Your husband has a good eye. The tailoring and fabric suit you perfectly! Light colors are rarely so flattering. This batch of fabric is newly released this spring. You shouldn’t miss it.”

“Buy,” Yang Dalang insisted, reaching for his money.

Miao He tried to argue, but eventually, all the new clothes were bought.

Back at the villa, Miao He was still sulking. He wasn’t stingy with money but believed in spending wisely.

Yang Dalang hugged him, knowing how to soothe him, “I brought 200 taels from selling jam and ginseng.”

Miao He perked up immediately, “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then I should’ve bought something for you! I was too rushed. We’ll go back before heading home!”

Yang Dalang laughed, unable to resist kissing him.

Miao He wouldn’t spend on himself but loved buying things for him.

He didn’t understand the reasoning but felt a warm, fuzzy emotion in his heart that only touching and kissing Miao He could calm.

***

A few days later was the wine tasting event.

Dressed in their new clothes, the family arrived at the venue, already filled with elegantly dressed guests engaged in low conversations and laughter. Soft southern melodies played, perfectly complementing the gentle spring scene outside.

Most of the guests were wealthy merchants and households with business ties to Xu Huan. Bringing companions to such events was rare. Hence, the sight of Miao He’s family, with two children, stood out. The handsome husband, beautiful wife, and two adorable children caught everyone’s attention.

Curious guests couldn’t help but ask questions.

Xu Huan, with a smile, introduced them as the new tribute merchants. Recently, Suzhou had been abuzz with orders for their fruits. The newly released plum wine was also made from plums grown by the Yang family, on par with tribute fruits.

With that, the atmosphere became lively.

“So, you’re the famous Yang Boss! It was hard to get your fruits last year.”

“Meeting face-to-face, Yang Boss, we should discuss future orders. Hahaha.”

“Lin Boss is right! A few drinks today, and we’ll be in touch for future deals.”

As they chatted merrily, a voice cut in with cold sarcasm.

“Oh, we meet again. Isn’t this the small household from a few days ago who couldn’t afford clothes? How did you get in here? This wine tasting seems to invite all sorts of riffraff.”