Chapter 32: Return to Xingyang (Part IV)

The young man, whose back closely resembled Mao Xiaoba’s, headed straight for Fengdu Market after crossing the bridge. Zheng Yanqing followed cautiously, maintaining a distance of about a dozen meters. Though he had no formal training in tailing, he had observed enough from the dramas of his past life to know that while some tropes might be useless, others were not entirely without merit.

At the very least, the young man did not notice Yanqing’s pursuit. This was partly due to Yanqing’s caution and partly because the increasing number of pedestrians provided a natural form of cover.

Yanqing followed the man into Fengdu Market, navigated through two small streets, and watched as he disappeared through a side gate. At this point, Yanqing could no longer follow; the alley was too sparsely populated, making it easy to expose himself. Instead, he stopped at a roadside noodle stall. Past noon and feeling hungry, he ordered two bowls of noodles. After devouring them, he tossed ten copper coins onto the table and asked the waiter, seemingly in passing, "This alley is quite deserted. The walls are so high—it looks like a wealthy household, yet it seems so quiet."

"Ha, young master, you’re joking," the waiter replied. "That’s just the back side gate of the estate; it’s rarely used. If you go around this street, you’ll reach the main entrance of the Dading Restaurant. This courtyard belongs to the restaurant, and ordinary people aren't allowed in. Deliveries go through a different side gate, which is why this side is so quiet."

"This is owned by Dading Restaurant?" Zheng Yanqing was taken aback, glancing in the direction the waiter pointed.

Indeed, in his preoccupation with tailing the man, he hadn't noticed that just around the corner lay the grand entrance of Dading Restaurant.

Dading Restaurant had become quite famous recently, especially after hosting the renowned northern artist Tang Qinghe for a twenty-day residency earlier that year, which solidified its reputation for luxury. Yanqing had never been, but Xue Shou had, and he had bragged about it endlessly upon his return. Yanqing vaguely remembered that the restaurant was operated by a merchant from Xiangzhou, though this person was reclusive and rarely appeared in public, leaving his true identity a mystery. Xue Shou had mentioned that the merchant seemed to have connections with high-ranking court officials, though he couldn't specify who.

*Could that man not have been Mao Xiaoba?*

Filled with doubt, Yanqing sat at the stall for a while longer. Seeing the side gate remained closed and no one else entered or exited, he rose to leave. He was no longer certain if the man he had seen was truly Mao Xiaoba. If it was, the origins of Dading Restaurant were worth investigating.

On his way back, he stopped by to visit Xiong Dachui and informed him of Xiong Dahai’s situation in the county prison. Xiong Dachui, deeply concerned for his grand-nephew, immediately sent someone to handle affairs at the prison. Even though Yanqing had already made arrangements, he knew it was necessary to show proper respect; Xiong Dachui understood the nuances of human relationships far better than he did.

"Uncle Xiong, I have a question for you."

"Speak!"

"Do you know who owns Dading Restaurant in Fengdu Market?"

Some things were hidden from the common folk, but Xiong Dachui was no longer an ordinary citizen. His Xiong-brand shops had begun opening branches in Chang'an, Jiangdu, and even the Bashu region. He could make a fortune without ever leaving his home, and he had ears everywhere for inside information.

"Oh, I was drinking with Manager Zhang at the beginning of the year. He mentioned that the owner of Dading Restaurant seems to have the surname Ha."

"Ha? Like a Husky?"

Xiong Dachui nodded repeatedly. "That sounds like the name. Ha Shiqi, a merchant from Xiangzhou. But I heard he isn't the sole operator; he seems to be in league with some court power, though Manager Zhang didn't know who specifically. He also said this Ha Shiqi has substantial assets in Xiangzhou and is closely linked to a prominent family in Lingnan. In fact, Dading Restaurant purchases nearly half of the rock candy supplied by the Xiong shops in Luoyang. Why do you ask, Yanqing?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just curious."

Xiong Dachui chuckled, "Come to think of it, I find it a bit strange too."

"Strange?"

"Yes, the name 'Dading' sounds familiar, but I can't quite place it."

The name—*Dading*. As Xiong Dachui said it, Yanqing felt a jolt of recognition. After chatting a while longer, he mentioned he might soon return to his hometown for ancestral rites and invited Xiong to visit his Bamboo Garden whenever he had time. Xiong agreed, as he found the city tiresome and enjoyed the tranquil environment of the garden.

By the time he left the Xiong residence, it was late afternoon. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow as Yanqing rode slowly toward the Bamboo Garden, his mind racing. *Dading...* He suddenly pulled on the reins. *Dading? That sounds like a reign title!*

After arriving in this era, Yanqing had studied its history. He recalled that Emperor Xuan of the Western Liang dynasty had used the "Dading" reign title. Besides him, there was someone else—the last emperor of the Northern Zhou, Emperor Jing of Zhou, Yuwen Yan. He had reigned for only three years, and his final year—the year Yang Jian usurped the throne—was the first year of Dading.

*Could Dading Restaurant be linked to the Northern Zhou or Western Liang?* If it were Western Liang, it might just be the remnant of Empress Xiao’s faction, but if it were the Northern Zhou, that meant treason!

Zheng Yanqing caught his breath, feeling lost. He didn't know if this restaurant and the elusive Ha Shiqi belonged to royalty or were rebels of the Northern Zhou.

Back at the Bamboo Garden, Xu Shiji noticed Yanqing’s troubled expression. "Yanqing, what happened?"

Yanqing hesitated, then leaned in. "Brother Xu, I may go to Liyang soon. While I’m away, I have a favor to ask. Can you find a way to keep an eye on Dading Restaurant?"

"Dading Restaurant?"

"Yes. Don't let anyone else know, especially the Mao couple."

Xu Shiji thought for a moment. "Leave it to me. I won't let anyone discover us. But why the interest? Yuanqing hinted before that there was more to that place than meets the eye."

"Don't ask too much," Yanqing replied. "Just watch the side gate by the Nine-Curve Bridge. See who comes and goes. I'll leave you the funds. This is between you and me."

Seeing the gravity of Yanqing’s request, Xu Shiji nodded solemnly. "Rest assured, I will handle this without a soul knowing."

Yanqing exhaled, putting the matter aside for the moment. Truthfully, he had little interest in the restaurant itself. Whether they were Northern Zhou remnants or Western Liang royalty didn't matter as much as the potential link to Mao Xiaoba and the White Maitreya. He had to be vigilant.

Three days later, Luoyang entered a fickle rainy season. Drizzle would turn to bright skies and back again in a matter of hours. Yanqing continued his studies at the Tongchi Ward, though he spent only half-days there due to Zhangsun Zhen’s poor health. During his spare time, he would tell fairy tales like *The Little Mermaid* or stories from *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio* to little Zhangsun Wugou, who was utterly captivated.

One day, Yanqing received word: Zheng Renji wanted him to return home for the ancestral rites. It seemed Renji’s situation was dire if he was already willing to concede to Yanqing's condition—that Zheng Shi'an be admitted into the Council of Elders.

*If Renji is desperate enough to agree to that, the state of the Anyuan Hall must be truly rotten.*

Yanqing hoped his plans were coming together. If Shen Guang had already made contact with Mao Xiaonian, then Zheng Shi'an should be moving as well. He could only hope that Zhang Zhongjian would be willing to intervene.

Before leaving, he visited Zhangsun Zhen, who, feeling slightly better, advised him, "Since you are returning home, make a detour to Guancheng and pay a visit to a few old friends on my behalf."

"Guancheng?"

"I have an old friend named Cui Zhiren. He was once a Right Attendant to the Crown Prince. He retired due to health and now holds the title of Count of Baishui. He is of the Qinghe Cui clan and holds great influence in the Guancheng area. Even the Governor of Luoyang must show him respect. Furthermore, he is the clan uncle of your wife, Renji's wife. If you can persuade him to step in, things will be much easier."

Yanqing bowed, finally understanding that Zhangsun Zhen was helping him navigate the complex clan politics.

As he was leaving, Zhangsun Wuji stopped him, scowling. "Zheng Yanqing, please stop telling Guanyinbi those bizarre stories! She refuses to study and fills her head with nonsense—fox spirits, mermaids... you are a scholar; you should know that a gentleman does not speak of strange occurrences. It will ruin your reputation."

Yanqing chuckled, bowing apologetically. "Brother Wuji, I understand your concern. But she is young. Let her have a happy childhood."

"But you don't know what she's like!" Wuji groaned. "She's imitating your stories. She refuses to get out of bed in the morning, claiming she's waiting for a prince's kiss to wake her. And she has her maids dress up as fox spirits to 'test my willpower.' I'm going insane!"

Yanqing couldn't help but laugh—he never imagined the future Empress Zhangsun had been such a lively child. After apologizing profusely, he turned to leave, only for Wuji to pull him aside once more, whispering, "Yanqing, your *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*... is there more?"