Chapter 46: Rebirth

Chapter 46: New Life

Molan was a small nation situated at the border between the northern nomadic tribes and farming communities.

Though not as prosperous as the Li Kingdom nor as powerful as Great Qi, it bordered the Yin Mountains to the south and the Liao River to the north. By maintaining trade and paying tributes to Great Qi, it managed to preserve a measure of stability.

Jiuyuan City was one of the few bustling, sizable cities in Molan. Nestled against mountains and rivers, it enjoyed four distinct seasons. It followed Han customs, and many merchants from Great Qi and the Li Kingdom had settled here to trade and raise families.

It was the tenth month, and a snowfall from a few days prior had left snow as deep as a wheel, turning the whole city white.

The marketplace, however, was especially lively. Vendors selling frozen fruits piled their rock-hard wares on the ground, calling out loudly to attract customers. Not far away, steamed meat buns were just being taken out of the steamer, hot and fragrant. Several children laughed and played along the streets, holding sticks of candied hawthorn.

A carriage lumbered over from the distance, its saddle inlaid with several pieces of red jade. A golden bell hung from the horse’s neck, jingling along with the clip-clop of its hooves.

Qiao Wan was wrapped in a fiery red fox fur coat, holding an exquisite hand warmer. She leisurely pushed open the carriage window to watch families outside sweeping snow. Her breath condensed into tiny droplets on her eyelashes.

Some people looked over curiously at her. Seeing her small face framed by the snow-white fur collar, they assumed she was a young lady from a wealthy family. But when their gaze inadvertently fell on the back of her hand resting on the window, they paused, then looked down.

Qiao Wan paid no mind and continued enjoying the snowy scenery outside.

When the carriage came to a stop, Uncle Zhang, holding the reins, said, "Miss, we’ve arrived at Zhenxiu Pavilion."

Qiao Wan replied and hopped off the carriage. Looking up at the restaurant’s sign, she felt her mouth water.

The waiter at Zhenxiu Pavilion had heard the bell from afar and was already waiting at the entrance: "Miss Qiao, you’re here."

Qiao Wan smiled. "Get Uncle Zhang some hot tea and soup. I’ll have my usual order, and please be quick."

The waiter acknowledged her request, then added, "A trade caravan from the Li Kingdom arrived a few days ago and taught our chefs a few new pastries from Li. Would you like to try some, Miss Qiao?"

"Of course," Qiao Wan said, handing him a small piece of silver. "Prepare an extra portion for me to take away."

"Right away!" The waiter, pleased with the tip, cheerfully hurried toward the kitchen.

"Wait," Qiao Wan called out to stop him. "A man named Guo Wuan will be coming later. Show him upstairs when he arrives."

The waiter responded with an "Aye!" and hurried off briskly.

Holding her hand warmer, Qiao Wan made her way toward the wooden staircase. Along the way, she overheard diners discussing how "Great Qi has annexed another northern tribe or city," sounding proud.

Qiao Wan smiled. She had realized during her first year here that Molan was very close with Great Qi. Even the common people of Molan held a great admiration for Great Qi.

Several people again glanced inadvertently at the back of her hand. Qiao Wan, however, remained smiling as she ascended to the second floor, the pearl dangling from her gold hairpin swaying with each step.

It wasn’t until she entered the private room and poured herself a cup of hot tea that she finally looked down at the scar on the back of her hand—a mark nearly a palm’s length long.

The light red scar stood out starkly against her delicate, fair skin.

Qiao Wan gently touched the scar but didn’t think much of it.

The dishes and pastries were soon served. Just as Qiao Wan was enjoying her meal, the door to the private room was pushed open from the outside. A burly man stood in the doorway. "Are you the Miss Qiao that Madam Chen mentioned?"

Qiao Wan turned to look, then raised an eyebrow slightly.

This Guo Wuan was dressed in high-quality dark yellow silk, but the fabric was patterned with black square-hole coin motifs that clashed terribly. Six of his ten fingers were adorned with gaudy jade and white jade thumb rings. His imposing stature and overbearing demeanor completed the picture.

"Mr. Guo?" Qiao Wan stood up politely.

Guo Wuan sat down across from her, looking her over carefully. "You’re quite pretty."

Qiao Wan smiled. "Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Guo."

Guo Wuan’s gaze fell on the back of her hand, and he frowned. "That scar…"

Qiao Wan glanced at it. "I fell and cut it by accident."

Guo Wuan stared at the scar for a few more moments before looking away. "Miss Qiao, are you unmarried?"

Qiao Wan shook her head regretfully. "I’m still single," she said.

Guo Wuan nodded. "Miss Qiao, I’m a straightforward man, so I’ll speak plainly."

Qiao Wan was glad she had eaten earlier. Usually, when someone starts with that, whatever follows is likely to ruin one’s appetite.

Sure enough, Guo Wuan said, "Although my family is in trade, our wealth is among the top in Jiuyuan City. Moreover, my father has always been close with the prefect. This match was arranged by the prefect's wife. In the future, I would prefer that you not continue to run that shop of yours and show your face in public."

Qiao Wan "agreed" with a nod. "Indeed, if this proceeds, how could I, a mere woman, continue to appear in public?"

Guo Wuan seemed somewhat satisfied by her response. "As for your shop, since Madam Chen says you have no other relatives, it should be made part of the Guo family."

Qiao Wan continued to smile and nod. "What’s mine will be my husband’s in the future. That works well."

He looked more pleased with himself. He absentmindedly raised his head and pointed at her hand. "You’d better cover up that scar on your hand."

Qiao Wan praised his suggestion. "This scar is truly ugly."

Extremely pleased, Guo Wuan finally remembered to ask about her. "Do you have any requests? Feel free to state them. For the prefect's wife’s sake, I’ll agree to them."

Qiao Wan thought seriously for a moment. "I have only one request…"

"What is it?" Guo Wuan crossed his legs and poured himself a cup of tea.

Qiao Wan glanced at the door, silently counting down in her heart.

When she reached "one," the door was pushed open from the outside. Immediately, a child ran in, calling out as he dashed forward: "Mom—"

Guo Wuan spat out his tea in an instant, coughing violently.

"This is my only request," Qiao Wan said with a smile, drawing the child to her. She looked at Guo Wuan, smiling brightly. "Wu Jiu, this is your future…" Dad.

"Who’s his dad? I’m not!" Before she could finish the last word, Guo Wuan jumped up. "You already have a child?"

Qiao Wan blinked, feigning surprise. "Mr. Guo didn’t know?"

Guo Wuan glared at her. "Didn’t you just say you were alone? Why would you come to a matchmaking meeting when you have a child?"

"I’m alone because my husband died," Qiao Wan said with a smile. "Besides, didn’t you just say, for the prefect's wife’s sake, I could make any request?"

"I…" Guo Wuan’s face turned pale. He glanced at the child across from him, hesitated, then threw down a silver ingot onto the table and said in a softer tone. "This meal is on me today, Miss. Please, the next time you see the prefect's wife, tell her I’m not good enough."

With that, he walked out without looking back.

Qiao Wan looked at the silver on the table, took it smiling, and patted the child’s head. "Wu Jiu, good job."

Chu Wujiu's innocent expression faded. He looked at Qiao Wan with a serious look. "Wan Sister, didn’t you say you didn’t want to come to this matchmaking meeting?"

Qiao Wan picked up a piece of pastry and nibbled on it. "The prefect's wife is a regular customer at our shop. We have to give her some face."

Chu Wujiu frowned. "You’re not lacking money."

"I don't lack money, but I certainly don't mind having more," Qiao Wan declared with conviction, then glanced at him. "Besides, I still have to support you. In a few days, you'll be starting at the academy, and that will cost even more."

Chu Wujiu pursed his lips and muttered under his breath, "You just want to eat the pastries from Zhenxiu Pavilion. You said only the pastries here in Jiuyuan City are any good."

"You caught me, didn't you?" Qiao Wan popped the last pastry from the plate in her mouth.

Chu Wujiu widened his round eyes and glared at her. "I told Sister Yicui that Sister Wan shouldn't bother with anyone else. When I grow up, I'll marry Sister Wan!"

Qiao Wan frowned and gave his cheek a firm pinch. "You little rascal, you may be small, but you've got big dreams."

"Do you really think someone like you could even think about marrying your Sister Wan?"

As she spoke, she stood up and placed a few pieces of silver on the table. "Let's go, time to head home."

Chu Wujiu pouted but took her hand as they walked out.

Once outside the restaurant, Qiao Wan noticed that it had started snowing lightly again, drifting gently through the air. The heaviness in her heart instantly dissipated, and she decided to let Uncle Zhang take Wujiu back to the residence first while she walked home by herself.

But Chu Wujiu was unwilling, holding on tight to Qiao Wan's hand and refusing to let go.

Qiao Wan had no choice but to walk home together with the little rascal.

The snow on the main road had been mostly cleared, but the branches on either side were heavy with snow, looking like white jade branches—truly a beautiful sight.

Qiao Wan’s footsteps unconsciously stopped.

In truth, Lingjing was far more prosperous than Jiuyuan, but Lingjing never had scenes like this.

Perhaps it was the warmth inside the restaurant contrasting with the cold outside, but the temperature change made the scar on Qiao Wan’s wrist itch. She lowered her head and rubbed it gently.

This scar was left three years ago when she encountered bandits while escaping.

Back on Yanming Mountain, Cheng Qingchuan had seized the moment during the chaos to mix a pre-prepared carriage into the convoy. The bribed coachman then took her straight onto a side path.

Faintly, Qiao Wan seemed to hear someone behind her calling her name in desperate, heart-wrenching cries, but she didn’t dare look back, afraid it would ruin everything. They traveled twenty miles before finally stopping.

Inside the carriage, Wen Xun had prepared new papers and travel permits. Her name was no longer "Qiao Wan" but "Qiao Wanniang."

The official seals on the documents and passes were genuine, and even when inspected along the way, there were no issues.

Drawing from her previous experience escorting Mu Chi to Chuzhou, Qiao Wan and Yicui changed into coarse clothing, hired a security agency, and spent a large sum to select several highly skilled, well-known martial escorts, along with sharp scouts, to escort them north.

Even so, they still encountered a group of ruthless bandits at the border between Great Li and Great Qi.

The bandits used a young child who had survived a robbery as bait, placing them by the roadside to lure the escorts over before rushing down to rob them.

The escorts fought desperately to protect them, but Qiao Wan was still cut on the back of her hand.

Fortunately, the injury didn’t damage any tendons or bones, and after running fevers a few times on the road, she recovered.

That young child was Chu Wujiu.

His name and birth date were embroidered on his swaddling clothes.

Perhaps he hadn’t eaten for a long time; though two or three years old, he looked like a one-year-old infant.

Taking pity on him, Qiao Wan brought him along on the journey.

The escorts took a month and a half to deliver them to Shangjun City in the north of Great Qi before turning back. Qiao Wan, Yicui, and the child, along with the hired coachman Uncle Zhang, continued northward, drifting north.

When Yicui asked where they were going, Qiao Wan didn’t know.

Aside from escorting Mu Chi to Chuzhou, she had spent her childhood in Lingjing and only knew of a few northern cities from maps she had seen before.

Now that she was truly out in the world, she was completely lost.

Uncle Zhang had no other relatives aside from a granddaughter who had gone missing years earlier. Not wanting to hold him up, Qiao Wan asked if he would be willing to follow her, promising they'd look out for each other in the future. Uncle Zhang wiped his eyes and agreed.

The four of them, all without a home, wandered for another month. When they passed through Jiuyuan City, it was winter, with snow falling heavily and the entire city covered in white.

Qiao Wan watched the snow for a long time before deciding to settle down.

She bought a residence, hired maids and guards, and acquired a shop, naming it "Gold and Silver Studio," which sold items like cosmetics, clothing, and accessories.

From then on, people around her addressed her as "Miss Qiao" or "Wanniang." Princess Changle was completely buried in the long river of memory, never to exist again.

Fortunately, Qiao Wan’s good taste, honed from her days in Lingjing, meant the accessories and clothing she selected were well-loved. Coupled with Yicui’s efficiency and accounting skills, the shop became thriving within just a few months, and many young women in Jiuyuan City became regulars.

Over time, the reputation of Gold and Silver Studio grew, and even the police chief’s wife and the prefect's wife came to purchase items there.

Qiao Wan was always generous, not only delivering purchases to their homes for those who bought in bulk but also occasionally sending over small, exquisite gifts. After multiple instances, she became familiar with the prefect’s wife.

And the prefect’s wife’s hobby was matchmaking.

Today’s matchmaking session was not the first time the prefect’s wife had set something like this up.

"Sister Wan..." Qiao Wan felt a gentle tug on her hand.

She snapped back to the present and looked down.

From where he stood, Chu Wujiu could just see the scar on the back of her hand.

He looked up at her and said, "Sister Wan, I will definitely remove the scar from your hand in the future."

Qiao Wan looked at the scar on the back of her hand. She must have been staring at it so long, since even Wujiu had noticed.

At first, she had been very bothered by it, even being in a funk for two weeks.

—She had been spoiled her whole life; how could she tolerate such an ugly scar on her body?

But over time, she had come to accept it.

"You should focus on starting school first, you little rascal who doesn’t even recognize a single character," Qiao Wan lightly scoffed.

Chu Wujiu gave her a sullen look and dropped his head.

Qiao Wan let out a soft chuckle and was about to turn and continue walking when she accidentally bumped into someone coming from the side. A book fell into the snow, landing with a soft sound.

As Qiao Wan picked it up to return it to the person, she noticed the words "Yuejian Academy" on the cover. She looked up without thinking and asked, "Are you...?"

Her words died in her throat as she caught sight of the figure before her.

This person was tall and slender, with a lean and somewhat frail build. His features were refined and handsome, though slightly pale. If not for the scholarly, elegant aura he exuded, for a moment he almost resembled a certain little brat.

But he wore simple white hemp robes, with a patch at the hem, and the paper umbrella he held was worn and old—unlike that little brat, who was always dressed in fine silks and brocades.

"Miss, could you return the book to me?" the man asked with a slight nod.

Qiao Wan snapped back to attention, murmured in agreement, and handed the book back to him.

Chu Wujiu looked up at Qiao Wan, then at the man, puckered his lips, and called out, "Mother..."

"Huh?" Qiao Wan lowered her head and glared at him.

Chu Wujiu remembered what she’d told him before—to call her "sister" when he saw a good-looking guy, and "mother" only if the man was unattractive. After a moment of silence, he reluctantly said, "Wan-jie."

Qiao Wan beamed, pleased, and looked up at the man before her. "Are you from Yuejian Academy, sir?"

The man nodded politely. "My surname is Wen, and my given name is Xubai. I am indeed an instructor at Yuejian Academy."

Author's Note:

When Doggy shows up—

Brat: Mother!

Doggy: ???!!!