Chapter 86: The Impressive City Management Officer

Liu Ling’er walked out the door arm in arm with Chu Mei’er, strolling along the streets of the imperial capital. Strictly speaking, this was the first time Liu Ling’er had truly taken in the ancient scenery; she had always wanted to, but there were always various matters disrupting her plans.

Behind them, Xiao Tao and Xiao Cui followed closely, expressionless, their eyes not wandering but rather alert to the people around them. Even more exasperating to Liu Ling’er was the fact that Silver Wula and Iron Wula were secretly shadowing them. Though they kept some distance, they could not escape Liu Ling’er’s senses. If anything were to happen to her, she was sure they would spring out at once—no doubt this was Baili Xian’s arrangement. Since Liu Ling’er had noticed, of course Chu Mei’er was aware as well, though she chose not to mention it.

They walked at a leisurely pace, leaving the alley beside the Prince Xian’s residence, and the world before them grew ever more bustling. Restaurants lined the streets, the music of strings drifted delightfully through the air, and the lively chatter of the crowd mingled with the wind. Occasionally, the calls of street vendors punctuated the cacophony. The lively scene was no less vibrant than that of a modern small city.

It was nearly noon, yet the crowds in the capital’s markets showed no sign of thinning, truly dazzling Liu Ling’er’s eyes. By nature lively and curious, she looked here and there, her eyes unable to take it all in.

Compared to Liu Ling’er, Chu Mei’er was far more composed. Though wonder flashed in her eyes, her expression remained calm and reserved. Unlike Liu Ling’er, who could stare in fascination for a long while even at a sweet potato vendor, startling the cabbage seller nearby: “Good grief! Have you never seen a vegetable stall before? You’re dressed so well, hardly like a country bumpkin!”

Liu Ling’er suddenly spotted candied hawthorn skewers. Delighted, she rushed forward, bought several, and handed one to Chu Mei’er, another to each Xiao Tao and Xiao Cui. As she walked, she nibbled on the sweet treat, thinking this excursion was well worth it.

As for Chu Mei’er, the candied hawthorn was a novel delight—where in the palace would she ever taste such common fare? The sweetness spread from her mouth to her heart, and one skewer left an endless aftertaste.

Passing a medical shop, Chu Mei’er paused, borrowed some silver from Liu Ling’er, and instructed her to wait outside, not to follow. Though Liu Ling’er was curious, she obeyed, standing outside with Xiao Tao and Xiao Cui. Soon, Chu Mei’er emerged, carrying two paper packets, which she handed to Xiao Tao with a beckoning gesture.

Coming out of a pharmacy with two paper parcels—clearly filled with medicinal herbs—Liu Ling’er asked curiously, “Mother, are you feeling unwell? Should we return and call for a royal physician?”

Chu Mei’er waved her hand with a smile. “No need, I am quite well. I just picked these up on the way, and they’re not for myself. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Not for herself? Liu Ling’er was suspicious. She didn’t understand what Chu Mei’er wanted herbs for, but the mysterious air only piqued her curiosity further.

But her curiosity was soon interrupted by a rumbling stomach. She turned to Chu Mei’er and said, “Mother, let’s go have a meal at a restaurant! Though it can’t compare to the palace cuisine, the capital’s food has a unique flavor.”

Chu Mei’er nodded. At this hour, all the restaurants were bustling. Liu Ling’er found a window seat, and the four women sat down together.

While waiting for their dishes, Liu Ling’er gazed out the window. At that moment, a group marched by, strutting like turtles and barging through the crowd like crabs, hats askew, mourning sticks in hand, their faces fierce.

“The city enforcers are here! Run for it, everyone!” Who knew who shouted, but in an instant, the street vendors and laborers scattered as if fleeing wild beasts, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

“City enforcers?” Liu Ling’er’s eyes nearly popped from her head as she watched the approaching group. What was this? Since when was ancient society so advanced as to have city enforcers?

They barreled through like carriages. One of their leaders gave a shout, and several enforcers began immediately roughing people up. They caught a vendor, kicked him over, and snatched his coin pouch, stuffing it in their own robes.

Then came a beating with their sticks, scolding all the while: “You made so little in a whole day? Shame on you! Not even worth my trouble, and you still have the nerve to set up a stall!”

“Protection money! Don’t run—one at a time! Hey, I’m talking to you! Don’t run—are you deaf?” One unlucky vendor was chased down by several enforcers; his fate would surely be no better.

The more Liu Ling’er watched, the angrier she became. She turned to Chu Mei’er, who also looked grim. In a flash, the enforcers had made their way to their restaurant, collecting protection money along the way.

“Who are these people? How can they be so overbearing?” Liu Ling’er was dumbfounded, her mind reeling. If not for Chu Mei’er and Xiao Tao beside her, she’d have suspected she’d traveled through time once more.

Many timid patrons in the restaurant, upon seeing the enforcers, rose and slipped out along the wall. Liu Ling’er clearly saw two guests, whose food and wine had just arrived, leave without taking a single bite, leaving their silver on the table.

Even more absurdly, one enforcer pocketed the silver, while the restaurant owner pretended not to see, instead greeting them with an ingratiating smile. Liu Ling’er truly felt the world had fallen into chaos.