Chapter 512 - 506_1
Even Lin Yue herself felt inconvenienced by the lack of a clock to tell time, so she was pleasantly surprised to find more than ten pocket watches among the western goods Zhao Erhu had brought back. She immediately picked out a small and exquisite one to wear herself and prepared to give one to each of Dalang’s four brothers, one to Zhao Erhu, and of course, one to Nurse Xu, who handled all sorts of matters great and small at her side. Haishi’s wife, now in charge of the greenhouse, could use the watch to conveniently tell time, and the managers of the embroidery and soap making rooms each received one as well. After giving one to Scholar Zhang, Lin Yue was left with five watches; she didn’t distribute them any further but kept them for when they might be needed.
"If you put it that way, I’d look too formal if I refused. Alright, I’ll accept the gift," Scholar Zhang, though incorruptible, was neither rigid nor ignorant of worldly affairs. Upon hearing what Lin Yue said, he accepted the gift. He became even more resolved to provide a proper education for Dalang and his brothers, intent on helping them succeed.
Scholar Zhang was well-versed in the philosophies of human relations and understood mundane affairs, unlike some others who, after achieving academic honors, became conceited and aloof. He was a rare individual with genuine wisdom, which was why Lin Yue valued him and was willing to entrust Dalang and the others to his tutelage. With Scholar Zhang’s character, she needn’t worry that they would turn into a bunch of stodgy old men after their studies.
After taking her leave from Scholar Zhang’s home, Lin Yue remembered that the household was running out of spices. Wanting to check if the spice shop had any new stock, she sent Musheng to pick up Dalang and the others from the academy and meet her at the spice shop.
If Haishi had been there, he would have certainly worried about Lin Yue’s safety. Unlike Haishi, who was assertive, Musheng never questioned Lin Yue’s commands and followed them without hesitation. Besides, the northern spice shop wasn’t far away, only a short distance from there through a small alley, and it would take less than a quarter of an hour on foot.
Lin Yue thought the same. After all, the alley was too narrow for carriages to pass, and taking a detour would mean a much longer route and unnecessary delays. Such a short distance should be uneventful, and expecially since it was almost New Year’s, Xin’an City had grown more peaceful. She needn’t be overly cautious, or so she thought, yet something unforeseen happened on this short stretch of road.
Lin Yue remained vigilant, despite the brief journey. As she walked briskly, a sudden feeling of being watched made her wary. She glanced around, but seeing no one, her alertness intensified. For safety’s sake, she wanted to call Musheng back, but he had already traveled a short distance with the carriage. Fearful that he wouldn’t hear her even if she called, Lin Yue slipped her hand into her sleeve, clutched the small dagger she carried for self-defense, and quickened her pace toward the spice shop.
Just as she was about to exit the alley, with the spice shop diagonally across from her, and Lin Yue was about to sigh in relief, a masked man suddenly leaped out in front of her.