Chapter 98

Chapter 98: News from Afar

Ding Xiang immediately thought of the little boy in her dream.

Pretending to be curious and cute, she asked, "Big brother is that powerful now?"

Mrs. Zhang playfully scolded, "After one trip as an escort, you've forgotten who you are. Avoid causing trouble with those bad people."

Ding Li Chun said with a smile, "I've made acquaintances with Minister Zeng of the Ministry of Rites. Minister Zeng even treated me to dinner twice."

Mrs. Zhang was surprised, "A minister? How did you get to know such a high-ranking official?"

She wasn't sure how significant the title 'Minister' was, but it sounded like a very important position.

Ding Li Chun explained with a smile, "I saved Minister Zeng's eldest grandson, and that's how I got to know Minister Zeng and his father. Minister Zeng and He, the county magistrate of Linshui, are classmates. He specifically wrote a letter to Magistrate He, asking him to look after our family.

"Before coming home, I went to the county office and handed the letter to Magistrate He. I also mentioned our family's issues with the pawnshop, and Magistrate He immediately sent his secretary to deal with Boss Chu..."

If they were worried about the pawnshop and Qian Er Dangjia secretly defying them, they would now have to heed the words of the county magistrate.

This was like gaining support from a very powerful ally.

Ding Xiang happily jumped, excited that she could finally stroll around the county town.

She had been feeling quite cooped up.

Ding Li Chun animatedly recounted his adventures in the capital city.

On the afternoon of August 6th, while eating noodles at a stall with two senior brothers, he saw a two-year-old boy crying for his mother. He picked up the child and found the bailiff, who then located the boy's parents, Minister Zeng and his wife.

The Zeng family was extremely grateful to Ding Li Chun and invited him to dine at the He residence...

Calculating the time, Ding Xiang became even more certain that the people and events in her dream were unfolding in real-time, neither precognitive nor delayed.

Ding Li Chun continued, "That day, while I was holding the child at the street corner waiting for someone, I saw several guards escorting two carriages with the insignia 'Princess Dongyang's Mansion' on them.

"Can you believe it? Hahaha, I actually saw Princess Dongyang. A little girl in the carriage lifted the curtain, but Princess Dongyang stopped her. Tsk, tsk, the golden phoenix on Princess Dongyang's head was bigger than my palm. Sadly, I only got a quick glimpse and couldn't see her face clearly."

Ding Xiang's heart skipped a few beats. Was the back of the head in her dream that of the fake Xun Xiang, and the hands those of the princess's biological mother?

It was too much of a coincidence.

Anxiously, Ding Xiang asked, "What happened next?"

Ding Li Chun replied, "I was holding young Master Zeng and waiting, so it wasn't appropriate to follow. I heard from the officer that Princess Dongyang is the emperor's eldest princess, and her husband is the youngest top scorer of the imperial examination in the current court, Xun Qiandai. They have only one son and one daughter, and the little girl poking her head out was their daughter, County Princess Xiang Xiang."

Mrs. Zhang, incredulous, said, "The princess's daughter is also named Xiang Xiang?"

Ding Li Chun explained, "Xiang Xiang is her title; I don't know her actual name."

Mrs. Zhang was amazed, "Tsk, tsk, my son even saw the princess and her daughter, he has really seen the world. I lived in the capital for a year and never even saw the princess's carriage."

Ding Li Chun, knowledgeable, corrected, "The princess's carriage should be called 'chariot'."

He then winked at Ding Xiang, implying that he had more news to share with her privately.

Ding Xiang didn’t notice his gesture as she was internally fuming.

"What County Princess Xiang Xiang, does she even smell good?"

She thought indignantly that the title of County Princess was actually given by the Emperor's maternal grandfather. The princess's biological mother was clueless, doting on the child of her enemy, unaware her own child had been stolen.

"Oh, so in this life, my biological father is Xun Qiandai."

"Quite a grandiose name."

"But what’s the use of a grandiose name? His half-brother swapped his daughter, and the perpetrator is lurking in the Xun household, yet he remains oblivious. Such a fool, wasting the title of top scorer..."

As they were speaking, there was another knock on the door; it was Ding Zhuang and Ding Zhao returning.

Ding Li Chun enthusiastically recounted his encounter with Minister Zeng and Magistrate He to them.

This great news thrilled Ding Zhuang and his son, feeling like a heavy weight had been lifted off their chests.

With the county magistrate’s word out, even the arrogant pawnshop folks wouldn’t dare to mess with Xiang Xiang anymore.

Ding Zhao then asked, "Did you deliver the copper coal stoves to Old Doctor Fang and Manager Qin as I instructed?"

Ding Zhao had specially made four copper coal stoves with bird and flower engravings, instructing Ding Li Chun to give two each to Old Doctor Fang of the Thousand Gold Clinic and Manager Qin.

Ding Li Chun replied, "I went to the clinic, but Old Doctor Fang passed away in the first half of this year, and his family returned to their hometown. I delivered the coal stoves to Manager Qin, and the other two I gave to the Zeng residence."

Ding Zhao expressed his sorrow, "Such a good old gentleman, sigh."

Ding Xiang also felt saddened. Though she had never met the old gentleman, she often heard her father speak highly of him. Moreover, he was one of the important witnesses she had identified.

"On that list, who knows how many are still alive."

Mother Li had fled and her current whereabouts, whether alive or dead, were unknown. As for Granny He and He Shun, they likely died early. Not only because they knew the inside story, but also because they lost the person they were supposed to protect, botching their task.

Ding Li Chun took out several silver ingots and handed them to Ding Zhuang, "This is the money I earned from escorting. It was originally fifteen taels. I spent three taels on gifts for the family and two taels on gifts for my master and his wife."

Ding Zhuang, smiling, accepted the money, "Li Chun has started earning money too. Keep these two taels for yourself."

He then returned a small silver ingot to him.

Ding Li Chun also brought out a jade pendant and a jade pen holder, gifts from Minister Zeng, intended for Ding Zhao and Ding Li Ren.

Ding Zhao said, "Those were given to you by Minister Zeng. You should keep them."

Ding Xiang immediately suggested, "I want to go play in the county town."

Ding Li Ren replied, "Let's go together after my leave."

Yang Hu's wife returned, having bought several dishes and a jar of fine wine.

Although Ding Li Chun was only thirteen, he had already started running fast horses and learned to drink outside. For the first time, Ding Zhuang let him drink strong alcohol with him.

After dinner, Ding Zhuang asked Ding Li Chun to pick two ripe red apples. It was a rare occasion when the whole family was together to enjoy these large red apples, unavailable in the market.

The apples were much larger than the ones available in the market, with a lighter, almost pinkish color, and looked very appealing.

Ding Xiang said, "Grandpa, I promised big brother that if he behaved well, I would speak to you about letting him have a red apple all to himself. Big brother has been very good, not crying, and continued to study even when hurt..."

Seeing Ding Zhuang's eyes widen, she pouted, "A spit and a promise must be kept. We must not break our word or be insincere. Grandpa can't threaten big brother or hint that he shouldn't eat..."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Ding Zhuang indeed wanted to threaten and hint that his grandson shouldn't hog the apple, but laughed along after hearing his granddaughter's words.

Ding Zhao added, "Xiang Xiang is right. One must keep their word, otherwise no one will believe what she says in the future."

Ding Likai happily ate one large red apple by himself, while the other apple was shared among the rest.

Ding Likai generously offered to share his apple with his sister, but Ding Xiang declined.

Ding Li Chun was held back by his parents for a private conversation.

Ding Xiang anxiously waited for Ding Li Chun in her room, but their talk continued until it was time for bed.

"Thank you to Song Amei for the reward, and thanks to all for your monthly votes."