Chapter Sixty-Four: You Might As Well Keep Wandering

For the first time, Wu Ning sat down calmly and gazed at the sunset beneath the city walls of the Great Tang. The neat and orderly Yongping Ward, the city folk returning home for the night, and the fiery clouds at the horizon—all cast their golden hues upon the timeworn ramparts in the waning light.

Opposite him sat Qin Miaoniang, sipping her sour milk in small, delicate mouthfuls. After a few sips, she suddenly looked up. “The sour milk here isn’t as tasty as the one from your home.”

Wu Ning smiled faintly, his eyes still fixed in the distance. The sun had already set, and lanterns along the street began to flicker to life, one after another.

“If you like it, I’ll have some sent to you tomorrow,” he offered.

Qin Miaoniang hesitated. “No need, really—it's too much trouble.”

“That man just now, is he your brother?” she asked.

“Yes, a cousin of mine,” Wu Ning replied.

Qin Miaoniang seemed unusually talkative today—so much so that Wu Ning hadn’t expected her to invite him to linger a little longer in this humble soup stall.

“How fortunate!” Qin Miaoniang lowered her gaze with a gentle sigh. “Having a brother is truly a blessing. Even in the face of disaster, at least you have someone to share the burden with.”

Realizing her words might have sounded improper, she dipped her head apologetically. “Please don’t take offense. I speak only from the heart, with no ill will.”

“I understand,” Wu Ning replied, turning to look at her. “I’ve heard about what happened in your family.”

Her composure faltered at once, her poised expression freezing as Wu Ning touched a sore spot. Her fine eyes soon glistened with moisture.

“It’s my fault—my father’s suffering is because of me!”

“Why do you say that?” Wu Ning asked, puzzled.

She dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. “They all say I squandered the family’s fortune, so my father had to borrow money from the Guanyin Temple.”

They say... Wu Ning thought to himself, there’s never a shortage of gossipers, no matter the time or place.

After a moment’s silence, he spoke. “They say such things because they’ve never had a father like yours, nor such an opportunity themselves.”

“Why is that?” Now it was Qin Miaoniang’s turn to look confused; she hadn’t understood his meaning.

Wu Ning spread his hands. “If I had a father as capable of making money as yours, I’d probably squander even more than you.”

A soft laugh slipped from Qin Miaoniang’s lips, unable to hold it back. The way she half-laughed, half-cried, like a rain-kissed blossom, made Wu Ning grin as well. But catching himself, he quickly wiped the smile away.

“How can you comfort someone like that?” Qin Miaoniang said, half laughing, half crying, but she felt a bit better inside.

Wu Ning said, “Shall I try a different approach?”

She nodded. “Go ahead, try.”

“Your father’s case has already been decided—three years in Yizhou. Connections have already been made in the prison; he won’t suffer too much.”

“Really?” A glimmer of hope shone in Qin Miaoniang’s eyes. “So my father… he won’t die?”

“Of course not. Why would he? Wait for him at home and don’t let others’ opinions trouble you. Walk your own path and let others be envious if they wish.”

Qin Miaoniang giggled again. Her spirits lifted, she looked out at the ward’s lantern-lit streets with a sigh. “How can I not care? At the very least, this has taught me how hard my father worked for his money. I truly haven’t been a good daughter.”

She turned back to Wu Ning with a relieved smile. “They weren’t wrong—I really have been wasteful. I won’t be like that anymore.”

Wu Ning was silent, surprised to discover this girl had a magnanimous side after all.

“A prodigal’s return is never too late, and that goes for daughters as well,” he said.

She nodded earnestly.

“That’s why I went to see the storefront today. I’m going to reopen the Qin family’s business. At the very least, I want my father to know his daughter can support the family, too.”

“No!” Wu Ning blurted out. Heaven forbid—someone as naïve as her doing business? The fortune her father risked his life to save would be gone in an instant.

“Business isn’t easy; you should wait for your father and learn from him first.”

“But as a daughter of the Qin family, I can’t just sit and watch us eat through our savings,” she retorted seriously. “And I want those who’ve spoken badly of me to see how wrong they were.”

Well, Wu Ning thought, she’s just like me—outwardly open-hearted, but stubborn and sensitive underneath.

“I think you should be careful. Business isn’t as easy as you imagine.”

“But I’ve already started.” There was a trace of excitement on Qin Miaoniang’s face. “I rented a shop today and hired staff.”

Wu Ning was speechless. He wanted to smack himself. Why did I encourage her to turn over a new leaf? She’d be better off staying a prodigal.

“Thank you!” Qin Miaoniang stood up before he could say another word. “Thank you for listening to me ramble. I’ve kept these words bottled up for days—it’s been unbearable.”

She took a deep breath. “You… Your eyes may not be good, but you’re a good person.”

Damn it, Wu Ning cursed inwardly. I don’t want to be given the ‘good guy’ card!

He couldn’t bear it any longer. “Actually, I’m not blind—I can see everything!”

Qin Miaoniang fell silent.

The air grew chilly, the atmosphere tense, the moment awkward.

After a long pause, she finally spoke.

“I know.”

“You know?”

“Your nose and ears are sharp.” Qin Miaoniang’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. “And your heart is even brighter. You can see everything.”

Wu Ning was speechless. Is she dense or what?

“That’s enough!” Qin Miaoniang cut him off before he could say more. “It’s late—I should be heading home.” She gave a deep, graceful bow. “Farewell, then.”

He watched her walk away, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. “Does no one believe the truth these days?”

There was nothing for it. He made his way back, squatting beneath the ward wall to wait for the patrolling soldiers to pass.

Qin Miaoniang, meanwhile, had already reached her doorway when she suddenly remembered. “Oh dear, he can’t see well—how will he get home?”

She grabbed Xianglan. “Come with me, let’s go find him.”

Xianglan rolled her eyes. The city was full of young gentlemen—rich and poor, handsome or ugly, however you liked. Yet she’d never seen her mistress so concerned for anyone.

By the time Wu Ning arrived at Wu Changlu’s home, he found only Wu Li there—no sign of Wu Changlu.

It turned out there was a banquet at the Prince’s residence that evening; the ambassador from the capital was hosting local officials, and Fourth Uncle was naturally on the guest list. He hadn’t waited for Wu Ning and had gone on ahead.

“It’s all your fault!” Wu Li complained, clearly put out. “If I hadn’t stayed to leave the door open for you, I’d have gone to the Prince’s banquet. Family members are allowed, you know!”

“Yeah, right!” Wu Ning shot him a sideways glance. “Looking like a pauper in those ragged clothes, you really think they’d let you in?”

After teasing Wu Li, Wu Ning found himself troubled.

“Is it really true that family members can attend?”

“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have wasted so much time talking to her.”

“Get lost!” Wu Li protested. “You’re no better dressed than I am!”

“Alright, enough,” Wu Ning replied absentmindedly. “I’ll make you a new outfit tomorrow.” But his mind was elsewhere.

A night banquet at the Prince’s residence… He wondered what it would be like.

Little did he know, while for others it was just a banquet, for Wu Ning…

The investment he made with Sun Hongde that morning would already pay off by nightfall, and on top of that, he’d gain a new ally in Wang Hongyi.

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