I trade in both worlds

While eating, Xu Ziqing took the initiative to talk about visiting a nearby market in the afternoon and watching people perform acrobatics: "Brother, do you know? I walked around nearby this afternoon. The market here is much more lively than the one in Guoyue County."

"I also saw people performing acrobatics at the market. Those acrobats were amazing. They did somersaults and tightrope walks. It was like they were flying."

Xu Ziqi frowned slightly after hearing this, and said with a bit of reproach in his tone: "Didn't I tell you to stay in the inn and don't run around? We are unfamiliar with this place, what if something happens?"

Xu Ziqing smiled at him flatteringly and said guiltily, "I didn't run around. I just wandered around the inn. I didn't go far. Besides, I'm an adult. What could possibly happen to me?"

Xu Ziqi sighed and continued earnestly, "Have you forgotten that human trafficking is legal here?"

"The kidnappers don't care how old you are, you will be trafficked, especially women. Just because you were lucky enough to escape harm this time doesn't mean you won't be in trouble next time."

Xu Ziqing was so frightened by Xu Ziqi's words that the chopsticks in his hand almost fell to the ground.

She was stunned for a while before she whispered, "No way, I'm a good citizen, and good citizens can't be bought and sold, right?"

When Xu Ziqi saw Xu Ziqing being frightened, he felt guilty.

He knew his tone was too harsh and he shouldn't scare her like that.

He took a deep breath and said in a gentle tone, "Xiaoqing, this is the capital after all. We are unfamiliar with the place, so we should be careful."

After saying that, he couldn't help but comfort her: "But don't worry too much, as long as we are careful, nothing will happen."

Xu Ziqing listened and nodded: "I understand, I will be careful."

Xu Ziqi sighed softly, it seemed that he had to find a way to solve this problem.

The next morning, the sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtains into the room of the inn. Xu Ziqi woke up early, dressed neatly, walked out of the room and came to the lobby of the inn.

The innkeeper was busy taking care of the daily affairs of the inn. When he saw Xu Ziqi, he greeted him warmly: "Morning, sir. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Xu Ziqi smiled and responded: "Boss, I want to know where the address of the official businessman Liu Yuan's house is? I need to find his chief steward for something."

The shopkeeper thought for a moment and said, "The Liu Mansion is a wealthy family in the capital. It's located in the prosperous area of the east city. You can go east after leaving the inn, pass two streets, and turn a corner to get there. However, not just anyone can enter the Liu Mansion. You need a legitimate reason and a visiting card to enter."

Xu Ziqi nodded and expressed his gratitude: "Boss, I understand. Thank you, boss."

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "You're welcome."

Xu Ziqi came to Xu Ziqing's room and knocked on the door to wake her up.

The two went downstairs together and had the capital's specialty breakfast - fried dough cakes - in the inn.

After breakfast, Xu Ziqi and Xu Ziqing carried two small wooden boxes and followed the shopkeeper's instructions to go to Liu's house.

They walked through the busy streets, turned a few corners, and finally arrived at the gate of Liu's mansion.

The gate of Liu's mansion is majestic and magnificent. On the lintel hangs a golden signboard with the two characters "Liu's mansion" written on it, which is magnificent. The gate is closed tightly, looking solemn and dignified.

Xu Ziqi remembered that the gates in ancient times were not easily opened, so he turned to the alley and found the corner gate.

Uncle He was sitting on the doorstep, watching the ants on the ground carrying steamed bread crumbs with boredom.

Xu Ziqi walked up to him, saluted and asked, "Hello, sir! I am Xu Ziqi from Guoyue County, and this is my sister Xu Ziqing. We need to find Chief Steward Liu for something, could you please inform him for us?"

Uncle He looked up at the Xu brothers and sisters, and seeing that they were well-dressed, he politely replied, "Do you have a door sticker?"

Xu Ziqi shook his head and said, "There is no door sticker, but we know the chief steward Liu. My sister has met with him several times before. We have something to ask him, can you help inform him? Just say that Xu Ziqing from Guoyue County is here to visit."

Uncle He looked at them with hesitation, and Xu Ziqi quietly put a silver coin into his hand.

Uncle He secretly weighed the silver in his hand, feeling that it was about three hundred coins, and nodded readily.

He said, "Okay, I'll let you know. But you have to wait here while I ask Chief Steward Liu what he thinks."

The Xu brothers and sisters expressed their gratitude and stood aside to wait. After a while, Uncle He came back and said, "The chief steward is discussing matters. Please follow me to the side room and wait for a while."

Xu Ziqi nodded in thanks and walked through the corner gate with Xu Ziqing.

They walked into the gate of Liu Mansion, and a magnificent ancient mansion appeared before them.

The towering courtyard walls, the well-arranged pavilions and towers, and the faint sounds of stringed instruments all made Xu Ziqing feel dazed. She couldn't help but secretly wonder, is this the life of wealthy people in ancient times?

"Please come this way." The voice of Uncle He, the doorman, sounded at the right time, interrupting Xu Ziqing's thoughts.

He led Xu Ziqi and Xu Ziqing through the winding corridor and came to the side room in the outer courtyard.

The side room was decorated simply and elegantly. There was a landscape painting hanging on the wall and a pot of orchid on the desk, emitting a faint fragrance.

Xu Ziqing sat on the chair and whispered to Xu Ziqi about the luxury of ancient houses.

Soon, footsteps were heard outside the door and Liu Fu walked in with a smile on his face. His figure stretched out in the sunlight, making him look particularly tall.

"Miss Xu, Mr. Xu, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting for a long time. I'm sorry for not coming to meet you in person. I hope you can forgive me." His voice was deep and powerful, with a hint of apology.

Xu Ziqing quickly stood up and saluted, saying, "Master Liu, you are too polite. We are sorry to bother you. This is my brother Xu Ziqi. He is a doctor. This time he came to the Beijing Medical Clinic to exchange medical skills."

Xu Ziqi also stood up and saluted, saying humbly: "General Manager Liu, I have long heard of your great name. It is a great honor to meet you."

Liu Fu laughed and said, "Xu brothers and sisters are too polite. Since Master Xu can come to the Beijing Medical Clinic to exchange and learn, I think his medical skills should be pretty good."

Xu Ziqi quickly waved his hands and said, "No, no, I am still an apprentice and I still have a lot to learn."

Seeing that the time was ripe, Xu Ziqing took out the two small wooden boxes and handed them to Liu Fu.

She said softly, "General Manager Liu, I came to visit you today and prepared a small gift. It's not a big deal."

Liu Fu took the wooden box and opened the box containing Xue Mei Niang first.

Inside were pieces of snow-white pastries, round and cute, with some fine powdered sugar sprinkled on the surface, giving off a faint fragrance.