Cui Shan's theater troupe had been performing in Zhuangzhu Village for two days, and Jiang Ning and Liu Ming'an had been enjoying the feasts for two days as well.
When it was time to leave, the Village Head asked Liu Ming'an to give his grandson a formal name. Liu Ming'an, thinking about how he had enjoyed free food and lodging for two days, agreed without hesitation.
The child's surname was Wei. Liu Ming'an thought for a moment and said, "How about 'Zhouhong'?"
While the Village Head was still pondering the two characters, Liu Ming'an picked up a twig and wrote "Zhouhong" on the ground, stroke by stroke. He explained, "It's taken from the phrase 'The oar stirs the spirits of fish and dragons, the boat charges through flocks of wild geese,' meaning ambitious and extraordinary."
"Excellent! That's perfect!" The Village Head clapped his hands in delight, officially naming his grandson Wei Zhouhong.
The two of them followed Cui Shan's theater troupe towards Qushui City. The weather grew colder as they traveled, with winter approaching.
"Ming'an, little Jiang, I'd suggest you stay in Qushui City for now," Cui Shan advised. "Wait until after the New Year to go to the Capital City. After all, Qushui City isn't far from there."
Liu Ming'an had only told Cui Shan that he needed to pass through Qushui City to take care of some business on his way to the capital for the imperial examinations, which was why Cui Shan made this suggestion.
Jiang Ning pondered and said, "That's not a bad idea, if everything goes smoothly."
Liu Ming'an then remembered that Zhao Instructor had mentioned Blind Yang was somewhat famous in Qushui City. Since Cui Shan's troupe came here every year, he wondered if they might have heard of him.
"Uncle Cui, have you heard of Blind Yang in Qushui City?" Liu Ming'an suddenly asked.
"Blind Yang? Of course I've heard of him!" Cui Shan replied without hesitation, then asked, "Why do you ask? You're not planning to buy people from him, are you?"
Jiang Ning's eyes flashed, and Cui Shan continued, "Well, I suppose you could buy a servant. It would make your life easier, not having to do everything yourselves."
"Uncle Cui, do you know where Blind Yang's place is?" Liu Ming'an asked, gently patting Jiang Ning's hand and smiling at her.
"I do. When we get there, I'll have Little Li show you the way," Cui Shan said, genuinely fond of Liu Ming'an and not minding doing him another small favor.
Little Li was the young man in Cui Shan's troupe responsible for running errands. Liu Ming'an quickly expressed his gratitude, but Cui Shan waved it off, saying, "It's nothing, really."
The day they arrived in Qushui City happened to be the end of the month. Counting the days, it had taken Liu Ming'an and Jiang Ning exactly one month to travel from Lingshan Town to here.
Qushui City was called a "city" because it had city gates and walls. It was a necessary route from south to north to enter the Capital City, bordering the sea on one side and mountains on the other three. The largest river in the Liang Kingdom flowed through it. It didn't belong to any particular prefecture and had been an important military stronghold since the previous dynasty.
Cui Shan pointed at the tall, imposing city gates in the distance and said to Liu Ming'an, "This is it, Qushui City. We'll part ways once we enter the city. Let Little Li take you to find Blind Yang. Take care, both of you."
Having traveled together for over ten days, Liu Ming'an had come to view Cui Shan as a respected elder. Feeling reluctant to part, he said, "Uncle Cui, please take care as well. If I have the chance in the future, I'll definitely come to Maozhu County to visit you."
Cui Shan patted Liu Ming'an's shoulder, saying "Good," and then the troupe separated from the two at the city gate.
"Mr. Liu, let's go. I'll take you to find Blind Yang. His place isn't far from here," Little Li said with a grin, eager to complete his task and rejoin the troupe.
Liu Ming'an thanked him, shouldered his pack, and followed Little Li with Jiang Ning. As they walked, they observed their surroundings and the layout of the area.
Jiang Ning found that this place reminded her of a coastal city from her memories. There was a faint salty dampness in the air, characteristic of sea breezes. Various seafood and marine products were visible everywhere, and fishing nets could be seen drying by the roadside. Perhaps because it was a transportation hub with developed trade, the living standards of the people seemed higher, at least a notch above Lingshan Town.
Was she from this place? Jiang Ning asked herself as she looked at the diverse crowd, but without any memories from her original self, this place was nothing but unfamiliar to her.
"We're here. This is the place, this mansion," Little Li suddenly announced.
Jiang Ning looked in the direction he was pointing. It was a large house on the street, with a plaque hanging at the entrance that read "Yang Residence."
"I'll go catch up with the troupe now. See you!" Little Li bid farewell and dashed off.
Liu Ming'an also looked up at the mansion. Located in the northern part of Qushui City, away from the center, it was a quiet spot in the midst of bustling activity. The property was spacious, with a vermilion-painted main gate and two pots of lucky bamboo at the entrance. It looked a bit gaudy but indicated a wealthy household.
Liu Ming'an turned to look at Jiang Ning and found her expression unchanged. She had only given the place a cursory glance before stepping forward to knock on the door using the brass knocker.
"Thud! Thud! Thud!"
The brass knocker struck the wooden door, producing a dull sound. Liu Ming'an's heart began to race, though he couldn't pinpoint the source of his unease.
After a moment, there was a scraping sound from behind the door, like iron chains dragging across the ground. Then the door opened from inside, revealing a weathered face.
The door was opened by an old woman with completely white hair and a face deeply etched with wrinkles. Her eyes were lifeless, and when she looked at Jiang Ning's face, Jiang Ning felt as if she was facing a soulless walking corpse.
Liu Ming'an stepped forward and asked politely with a smile, "Excuse me, is this..."
Before he could finish, the old woman turned and walked away, hunched over. Jiang Ning narrowed her eyes, noticing the unhealed whip marks on the woman's hand and wrist, as well as the iron chains on her feet.
Liu Ming'an's question was ignored, leaving him unsure of what to do as he stood before the open door.
Jiang Ning, watching the old woman drag her chains away, said in a deep voice, "Let's go in. We've come this far."
With that, she stepped into the mansion.
Not knowing where to go, the two followed the old woman. After a few steps, they saw several maid-like figures sweeping the ground and weeding. Without exception, they all bore injuries and wore shackles on their feet. Their gazes were vacant, their eyes devoid of the vitality of living people.
Seeing these scenes, Liu Ming'an's heart sank.
Ning, did you come from a place like this before?
As they continued following the old woman, they heard a child's voice in the distance: "...nature, near alike; by practice, far apart. If not taught..."
At this point, the old woman stopped, raised her hand to point in that direction, then shuffled away, dragging her chains.
Jiang Ning and Liu Ming'an exchanged a glance, then walked around a decorative rock that was blocking their view. They found a small pavilion where a young, richly dressed woman sat holding a boy of about six or seven. They were reading from "The Three Character Classic."
As Jiang Ning and Liu Ming'an approached the pavilion, the woman noticed them. She patted the child in her arms and said lovingly, "Go play for now, dear. Mommy will come find you later."
The child got up from her lap, glanced at Jiang Ning and Liu Ming'an, then ran off with his book.
Once the child was gone, the gentle smile vanished from the woman's face, replaced by a calculating, mercenary look.
She rose gracefully and approached Jiang Ning and Liu Ming'an, immediately talking business: "Are you here to buy people? What kind of goods are you looking for? Did you see anyone you like in this household?"
Both of them were shocked, recalling the shackled and injured people they had seen earlier, with their lifeless faces.
So those weren't people, but merchandise to be selected and bargained for.
Just like... Jiang Ning when she was first in the cage!