The next day.
Xu Chuan took Bai Jing, Xu Mingwei, and the other siblings by carriage to the West Market in Qingjiang County Seat.
They first settled in at the residence in the West Market.
"Father, is this the house Second Brother bought?"
"It's even bigger than our own."
Xu Chuan looked around. This was his first visit as well, so he spent a little longer taking it in.
"It's barely enough for the whole family. But once Shitou and A Yuan marry and have children, it won't quite do."
"Yes." Bai Jing smiled in agreement. "Shitou is almost sixteen. In a few more years, it'll be time to find him a family to marry into."
She turned to Xu Chuan. "Husband, do you have anyone in mind?"
"What does my preference matter? What matters most is that Shitou likes her himself."
Xu Chuan took Bai Jing's hand and gently stroked it. "Go see if there's a room you like, my dear. We can come for short stays more often in the future."
"There's no need."
Bai Jing shook her head. "Wherever you are, husband, that's where I'll be."
Brimming with curiosity, Xu Mingxian and Xu Mingshu wandered all over the residence, with the little white tiger romping along beside them.
"A Yuan, take your mother and the others to the Fruit Shop in a while. I have somewhere to go. Don't wait for me; I'll head straight there."
"Understood, Father."
After leaving, Xu Chuan headed for the County Yamen.
"Who are you, and what business do you have at the County Yamen?"
The Yamen Runner at the entrance stopped Xu Chuan and questioned him in a routine manner.
"My name is Xu Chuan, from Dongxi Village. I've come to visit County Magistrate's Deputy Yang."
"You know County Magistrate's Deputy Yang?"
"Just report my name, brother, and you'll find out."
The middle-aged Yamen Runner considered this for a moment before saying, "Then come in with me. If you're lying, you'll be in for it."
Xu Chuan smiled faintly and agreed.
He followed the man into the County Yamen, arriving outside the study where the County Magistrate's Deputy worked.
The Yamen Runner stepped up to knock on the door. "Sir, someone named Xu Chuan is here to see you."
"Xu Chuan? Where is he from?"
"Dongxi Village."
"Let him in."
"Mr. Xu, the deputy has invited you inside."
Realizing that Xu Chuan was an acquaintance of County Magistrate's Deputy Yang, the Yamen Runner immediately put on a smile, then tactfully withdrew.
"Brother Xu, it's been a long time."
"Sit down. Let's talk."
Yang Zhao smiled slightly and gestured for him to take a seat.
His rise from Registrar to County Magistrate's Deputy in just a few years owed much to Xu Chuan's strategy for pacifying the people back then.
He had originally expected Xu Chuan to seek his help before long, or use the Yang Household's name to take the Xu Household to greater heights.
Who would have thought he would wait more than five years?
The Xu Household had gained a sky-filling fortune, yet remained as steady as ever, neither arrogant nor impatient, developing one step at a time.
That only deepened his admiration.
He also understood that the Xu Household sought to build a foundation lasting a hundred generations.
"You're busy with official duties, sir. How could I dare disturb you lightly?"
"We're about the same age. When no one else is around, just call me Brother Yang." Yang Zhao asked, "Have you come to ask me for help?"
Xu Chuan shook his head. "You misunderstand, Brother Yang. I've long heard of your impartiality. I've only come today to invite you to visit my newly opened Fruit Shop. If you could write an inscription while you're there, so much the better."
"Haha, such a small matter is no trouble at all."
Yang Zhao laughed heartily, then looked at Xu Chuan again. "So you're finally ready to expand the Xu Household into the County Seat?"
"It seems you're confident of establishing a firm foothold here."
"You're teasing me, Brother Yang. Aristocratic clans in the County Seat are as numerous as hairs on an ox, and crouching tigers and hidden dragons abound. The Xu Household is merely opening a Fruit Shop in the West Market to make a living. How could we speak of establishing a foothold?"
Yang Zhao said no more on the subject. "When do you open?"
"In a little over two hours."
"Then there's no hurry. Let me finish the paperwork at hand, and I'll go with you."
Xu Chuan nodded and sat calmly to one side.
Nearly two hours later.
Yang Zhao rose and cupped his hands. "Sorry for the wait, Brother Xu. I'll change into everyday clothes, then we can go. Hopefully we won't miss the auspicious hour."
"You're too kind, Brother Yang. Your attendance alone is an immense honor for the Xu Household."
Soon afterward, the two left the County Yamen and headed for the West Market.
Meanwhile.
Outside the Xu Household's Fruit Shop.
The crackle and bang of firecrackers rang out without pause.
Many people had already been drawn by the lively commotion and stopped to watch.
Several wealthy residents and prominent merchants well known in the County Seat had even come bearing gifts.
Chang Haowen had come, but did not show himself.
Instead, he sat by a second-floor window in the restaurant across the street, drinking wine as he watched the bustle outside the Xu Household's Fruit Shop.
The maid named Xiao Mei still stood beside him.
"Opening in a place like the West Market—the Xu Household really doesn't know how to choose a location."
"You can't say that. The West Market may not be as prosperous as the East Market, but most shops on this street sell food. When people grow tired of rich food, won't they want something refreshing? Isn't fruit just the thing?"
"They can buy a few catties to take home and enjoy with their families, too."
"Ah, now that you've explained it, young master, that really does make sense. The Xu Household certainly knows how to calculate."
Chang Haowen shook his head with a chuckle. Watching the scene below, he found it rather dull.
"Hmm? Yang Zhao is here? He has ties to the Xu Household too? Could the Yang Household be supporting them behind the scenes?"
As members of prominent lineages from the same Commandery Seat, Chang Haowen naturally knew Yang Zhao.
They belonged to the same generation, but there was a considerable gap in their ages. He had only met Yang Zhao once, when he visited the Yang Household with his father and eldest brother as a child.
"The man beside Yang Zhao looks a little familiar too. His face resembles Xu Mingyuan and his brothers. He must be an elder of the Xu Household."
The corners of his mouth lifted. Suddenly, things had become interesting.
Seeing Yang Zhao come here alone had made the trip worthwhile.
"Shitou, A Yuan, Charcoal Head, Xueji, Yunnu, come greet your Uncle Yang."
"Greetings, Uncle Yang."
The Xu Household's five children bowed respectfully to Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao looked them over. Leaving aside the young Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian, the other three all possessed an inwardly restrained radiance and abundant vigor, giving them an extraordinary air.
"I truly envy you for having such fine children, Brother Xu. Every one of them has exceptional gifts."
"Exceptional? They're just a bunch of mischievous monkeys raised in the countryside. They can't bear such praise, Brother Yang."
Xu Mingshu was not shy around strangers. She asked curiously, "Uncle Yang, why have I never seen you during the holidays before?"
Yang Zhao pinched her soft, tender cheek and chuckled. "Though your father and I have only met a few times, we appreciate one another and have long shared a friendship of the spirit."
"A friendship of the spirit? How do you make one? Can I have one too?"
At this, Yang Zhao burst into laughter.
Everyone else was also unable to hold back smiles at the child's words.
"This little girl is truly adorable. I'm rather tempted to take her as my goddaughter. Would you be willing, Brother Xu?"
Xu Mingshu immediately bowed with a bright smile. "Xueji greets her godfather."
"Xueji is our only daughter, and the whole family dotes on her. It's made her a little lawless. Please don't take offense, Brother Yang." Xu Chuan shook his head with a chuckle.
"Her temperament is quite different from my Hua'er's, but she's very endearing."
"Here, a first-meeting gift from your godfather."
Yang Zhao untied the Jade Pendant from his waist and handed it to Xu Mingshu.
"It's so pretty! Thank you, Godfather."
"Brother Xu, you invited me to write an inscription. Shall we do it now?" Yang Zhao asked.
"Yes. Shitou, A Yuan, fetch the brush and ink."
"Yes, Father."
Just as Yang Zhao began writing, a disdainful voice suddenly rang out. "Can any stray cat or dog write inscriptions these days?"
"Xu Chuan, are you really so careless with your shop's sign? Shall I introduce you to a few renowned, highly respected calligraphy masters?"
Three deep furrows abruptly formed between Yang Zhao's brows, and frost settled over his handsome face.
But he did not erupt on the spot. He had only come to congratulate a friend, after all, and had no desire to throw his official weight around.
Following the voice, four or five people pushed through the crowd and arrived in front of the shop.
"Second Uncle, Gan'er, that's Xu Chuan. He sneered and mocked our Xu Lineage, and he means us harm. We can't let them off easily today."
"Mao'er, you needn't say any more. I'll make my own judgment."
Xu Mao's second uncle, Xu Zhen, had lived many years and naturally possessed considerable experience. A few words were not enough to hoodwink him.
"You are the Xu Family Head, I presume? I am Xu Zhen."
"So it's Second Master Xu." Xu Chuan stepped forward with a smile and cupped his hands. "When I was with the Xu Lineage in my younger days, I often heard of your formidable reputation. Yet this is our first meeting."
Xu Zhen was somewhat surprised by the other man's courtesy.
But he also knew that many people were smiling tigers who liked to stab others in the back.
Thus, he did not lower his guard.