Chapter 1470 - 797: Entering Chang'an (Two-in-One)

Heading north from Ziwugou, you will reach the Vermilion Bird Gate of Chang'an.

Chang'an at noon is truly prosperous.

The sun hangs glaringly, casting its light on the flags and signs of hundreds of shops, making them wilt.

The air is a mixture of animal scent, spices, hot food, and a whiff of makeup from some unknown alley, stirred by the wind into the unique scent of this majestic city.

The street is wide enough to accommodate several carriages side by side.

The shops on both sides are densely packed, with fluttering wine flags, glamorous silk stores, clanging ironware shops. Curious women gather in front of the jewelry stores run by foreign merchants, while Persian carpets lay brashly at their entrances, their bold colors striking the eye. Hawkers carrying poles shout in succession, young scholars with books carefully weave through the crowd, sometimes bumped by rude Jianghu men, only to frown, lower their heads, and quicken their steps. More common folk, carrying baskets or leading children, move hastily or leisurely, merging into a turbid and surging crowd flowing at the intersection of the empire's wealth and desires.

And at the peak of the empire in the north, the imposing silhouette of the Imperial City resembles a human figure, facing north while watching over the subjects of this universe.

This is unlike the climate of the East Yu Capital City.

In the eastern part of the main street of Chang'an West Market, Huian Hall is not the most conspicuous. Unlike the shops that wish to spread their flags and signs onto the street, the old shop carries the grace of its years. It is a three-story building with overhanging eaves, the wood dark brown from age. The door frames are not of the popular style, and the sign is of coarse black with white characters, yet the hundreds of medicinal herbs inside are the shop's solid foundation.

The interior is divided into three floors.

The ground floor houses common herbs; the second floor offers luxury supplements for affluent families; as for the third floor, rumors have it that only those with great fortune or immense wealth can see its heavenly treasures.

At the moment, there is some commotion at the counter on the first floor.

"...I just bought medicine here the day before yesterday, and it was supposed to be three taels with standard weight! When my wife weighed it at home, it was clearly only two taels and eight qian! This discrepancy in potion, how can the efficacy be the same? My wife is weak and relies on this remedy for nourishment!"

A middle-aged man pinched a bag of herbs, his voice somewhat sharp.

The attendant behind the counter blushed, pointing to the scale on the counter: "Dear customer, you can't just say anything! Huian Hall has been known for its credibility for centuries, who in the West Market doesn't know? Look at this scale, the standard point is here! If you don't trust it, we can weigh it again right here."

The middle-aged man grew more anxious, "I don't mind paying a little more, but you can't shortchange the weight!"

"Customer, it's really not that..." The attendant was also wronged, "Our boss has set the rule to rather give a little extra than less. It's not worth ruining the reputation for a little money, right?"

Their argument grew louder, attracting the gaze of other customers in the shop. A slim old man with the appearance of a housekeeper emerged from the back, "What's the commotion?"

The attendant quickly bowed and explained the situation.

The housekeeper said to the middle-aged man, "Perhaps the attendant made a mistake in the rush, it's not impossible. Huian Hall will not let customers suffer." He turned to the attendant and said, "Go, make up the quantity for this gentleman, and add an extra qian as an apology."

The middle-aged man, hearing this, his expression eased slightly but still muttered, "Should have done this earlier..."

The attendant dared not say more and silently went to weigh the medicine.

The middle-aged man took the compensated and extra medicine and left.

After he left, the housekeeper scolded the attendant for making a fuss and instructed him to clean the counter. The attendant sighed, pulled out a clean cloth, and vigorously wiped the surface where the medicine had been.

After an unknown while, the light outside the door dimmed slightly.

A man in a gray garment walked in.

The attendant was about to greet the guest when he looked up and saw the man slowly take out an item and place it flat on the counter.

It was a bamboo plaque, half the length of a palm, engraved with the words Hui'an.

The attendant was surprised at the sight, knowing this was the most premium token of Huian Hall, granting access to the third floor, with holders being few in the entire Capital City.

"Honored... honored guest, what do you require? Please feel free to ask! Our stock includes top-quality old ginseng, newly arrived Snowfield Cordyceps, and our prized three-hundred-year-old He Shouwu..."

He spoke quickly, but dared not make eye contact with the guest, only stared at the ancient-looking bamboo plaque.

"Is there a quiet place nearby to rest? And, which direction is the Chu Palace?"

The two questions left the attendant momentarily blank.

"Why are you standing there dazed! Can't you see the guest is standing? Hurry and attend!"

The housekeeper's rebuke came from the other end of the counter, with dissatisfaction. He had only glanced over to see a guest arrived but noticed the attendant standing still and was about to check.

The attendant jumped in surprise, rushed over to the housekeeper's side, and grabbed his sleeve,

"Housekeeper, the bamboo plaque! That man has the shopkeeper's bamboo plaque!"

The housekeeper frowned, also surprised, no wonder the attendant was so worked up.

The attendant added, "He asked about a resting place and the direction to the Chu Palace, he might be some royal kin or relative..."

"What?" The housekeeper's face twitched.

He quickly suppressed the turbulent waves in his mind, plastered a smoother smile than the attendant, and hurriedly stepped forward with a deep bow:

"Honored guest, your presence graces our humble shop! The staff was dull and negligent! May I know how to address the honored guest?"

"My surname is Chen."

"The honored guest seeks a resting place... it is indeed difficult to say; Chang'an is already crowded, and with the Holy Emperor preparing to return to the capital after the New Year, all the dignitaries have long booked the elegant courtyards. Perhaps a temporary stay at our shopkeeper's Zhang Mansion, if the honored guest does not mind, I'll arrange it immediately."