At the third quarter of the si hour, Jiang Wan's carriage stopped by Zhuque Bridge. Spring willow catkins fluttered across the sky like snowflakes. Gazing through the carriage window at the bustling crowds on the bridge, she tapped her fingertips lightly against the wooden panel of the carriage. "Qiaoyun, go buy some sugar-roasted chestnuts."
"Miss, watch out for swindlers." As Qiaoyun lifted the curtain, her gaze swept vigilantly toward a figure wrapped in a grey cloth tunic at the bridgehead—the man was curled up under the stone bridge on one leg, hugging a roll of books to his chest and letting out occasional muffled groans.
Pinching a handkerchief to her nose, Jiang Wan allowed her maid to help her down from the carriage. As the soles of her shoes crushed against the bluestone slabs, she noticed the bamboo curtain on the second floor of the teahouse by the bridge stirring slightly, revealing half a powdered cheek—it was Zhusha, Madame Li's personal maid.
Chapter 62