Chapter 76 Leaving Changping

Chapter 76: Leaving Changping

After returning home, he showed the property deed to Chang Jinhua, then took her to see the new house. Sure enough, their new home had a sizable courtyard, and the threshold could be raised, so it could rightfully be called a residence.

Naturally, Chang Jinhua was overjoyed. Before the purchase, she had begrudged the expense, but afterward, she found everything perfect.

The move would have to be postponed. For now, the pressing matter was Song Tingzhou's upcoming provincial examination in Fengtian Prefecture, and this time he was going alone.

Chang Jinhua was deeply worried. "Even if I'm of no use and don't follow, aren't you taking Wan Ge'er? He's clever after all. The exam lasts so many days; at least someone should prepare some nourishing soups and broths."

Song Tingzhou was resolute. "The road from Changping to Fengtian is an official route, smooth and safe. I'll be traveling with classmates from the academy. Bringing Wan Ge'er would actually be inconvenient. Mother, don't worry. Once I arrive in Fengtian Prefecture, I'll send word home."

"Sigh, you must take good care of yourself." Chang Jinhua knew he was firm in his decisions and rarely changed them.

Just then, Meng Wan returned from outside with Xue Sheng, both carrying quite a few things.

Song Tingzhou took the things from his hands. "What did you buy? Why are you back so late?"

He hadn't seen Meng Wan after returning from school, and even Chang Jinhua didn't know where he was. Now dinner was ready, and if he still hadn't come in, Song Tingzhou would have gone out looking for him.

Meng Wan poured a cup of tea and drank it. It was the same tea they had at the Zhu residence, but somehow the water or the tea-making skill fell short; it was not as good as that day's.

He downed two cups in one breath before starting to sort out the items. "Our old carriage was too flimsy. I just went to the carpentry shop and ordered a new carriage. I paid extra for rush service; it should be ready in three days. This time we'll use our own carriage and bring more things. If it doesn't fit, we can put it on the Zhu family's cart."

He then pulled out a few bolts of new cloth and some cotton from the things on the kang. "Mother, let's keep the shop closed for the next few days. We still have some old cotton-padded jackets at home, right? Let's take them apart and use the old cotton to quickly make some cushions and quilts for the carriage. Also, make the curtains and blinds thick, so if we need to sleep in the carriage on the road, it will keep out the cold."

"And the clothes you'll wear in the examination hall can't have linings. I bought thick fabric. I'll help you, and we can make three sets for him to change into. Although it's just the beginning of autumn, mornings and evenings are cool, so we should bring two thin cotton-padded jackets as well."

"As for Xue Sheng, he's wearing your old clothes, so ask Sister Chunfang to make him two thin cotton-padded jackets to bring along. We made several pairs of shoes before, so we have enough for both of them."

Meng Wan took a piece of paper from his desk and started sketching and making notes as he explained to the family.

Xue Sheng listened quietly, not expecting to be included. He said timidly, "These old clothes are already very good; there's no need to make new ones for me."

He had lived a displaced life in the theater troupe, wearing clothes stripped off some unknown person. His days had been numbing and endless. After changing his slave status, he didn't dare hope for a good life. The Song family was kind, and living peacefully was already enough.

The better they treated him, the more uneasy Xue Sheng felt, as if he didn't deserve such treatment.

Meng Wan's first concern was Song Tingzhou, and with the provincial exam imminent, he had little energy to focus on Xue Sheng's psychological changes.

He put down his pen and stared at Xue Sheng, his tone not loud but carrying convincing authority. "Since you came to our home, have we ever treated you like a servant? If so, what's the big deal about a few clothes? Why are you making a fuss? Besides, you're going with my husband this time. If you wear patched clothes, it doesn't matter to you, but others will see it as a reflection of our family's honor. Do you understand now? Anything else to say?"

Xue Sheng faltered, "No... nothing. I'll take good care of the young master."

In the following days, the shop stayed closed. The family first made clothes, then sewed carriage cushions. They had accumulated quite a bit of scraps of cloth, and Lu Chunfang joined in the work.

The day before the departure to Fengtian, Feng Jinzhang came to find her again, and they retreated to the side room to talk.

After a while, Lu Chunfang came into the house and found her money pouch in her wooden chest. Chang Jinhua kept an eye on her and saw her take out a small string of copper coins and stuff it back to the bottom of the chest, then put the rest into the money pouch and take it out.

Chang Jinhua said quietly to Meng Wan, "Your Sister Chunfang has learned to be a bit shrewd now."

Meng Wan worked on his sewing, slower than Chang Jinhua and the others, because he wasn't as skilled. "Unless she's made of wood, having been in the prefectural city with its complex environment and more interactions, she should understand some things."

But in his heart, Meng Wan wasn't optimistic. For someone like Feng Jinzhang, unless he went through a life-or-death crisis, his nature was hard to change.

Chang Jinhua sighed. "If you say Chunfang's fate is bad, she's a country woman like me, yet she managed to support a Xiucai scholar. That's something others envy. If you say her fate is good, Feng Jinzhang obviously lacks a conscience, and he might disappoint her in the future."

Meng Wan rubbed his sore wrist. "Sister Chunfang is hardworking and steady. If she found a suitable match in the village and lived a steady life, she could make a good living. Feng Jinzhang is talented and ambitious; he's determined to rise up. There's nothing wrong with that, but it will be tough for Sister Chunfang. If Feng Jinzhang has a conscience and protects her, the couple can still live well together."

After all, the current trend was men work outside, women manage the home. It would be more difficult, but it was possible. However, it seemed Feng Jinzhang was unwilling.

Chang Jinhua sighed after hearing Meng Wan's words. "I suppose so. It's all fate."

Meng Wan changed the subject. "The quilts and things drying outside are ready. Let's spread everything out and hang the carriage curtains."

"Yes, okay."

After a while, Feng Jinzhang left when few people were around. Lu Chunfang returned with a look of surprise mixed with anxiety. "Jinzhang said he was going to Fengtian Prefecture too."

Meng Wan's expression was calm, as if he had expected it.

Chang Jinhua was anxious for Lu Chunfang. "Why didn't he say so earlier? Does he need anything prepared? Wan Ge'er bought extra cloth a few days ago; there's some left. If you don't mind, feel free to use it."

Lu Chunfang was a simple person and felt embarrassed to always take advantage of the Song family. She quickly waved her hand to refuse. "No, no. He said he was going with classmates and has everything ready. He just came to ask me for money."

After saying this, she couldn't help feeling bitter. Feng Jinzhang had asked her how she was doing, but his main purpose was to ask for money. He also said he lived at the prefectural school, had heavy studies, and that he could only visit her during breaks.

"Sister Chunfang, please tidy up the room. My mother and I are going to set up the carriage."

Meng Wan's words broke her sad thoughts. She picked up the broom from the corner and replied, "Alright, go ahead."

Having traveled long distances several times, Meng Wan had gained some experience. He got into the carriage first and asked Chang Jinhua to hand him things from outside.

"Mother, hand me the straw mat first."

At the bottom of the carriage, he laid thick straw mats, which were moisture-resistant and cold-insulating, and cheap—just a few coins each. He spread out two mats.

On top of the mats, he placed two layers of padded quilts, soft and fluffy, that could be used for both padding and covering.

In a compartment of the carriage, he put a small package with trauma powder, insect repellent, and two herb packets for colds, purchased from the Tongshantang pharmacy. Also included was a fifty-year-old ginseng root, which the doctor said could prolong life and cost him eighty taels of silver. In short, anything Meng Wan could think of, he packed for Song Tingzhou.

Some things he couldn't obtain himself, but he managed to get them with the help of Nie Zhiyao.

On the first day of the eighth lunar month, the Song family's horse-drawn carriage waited at the south gate of Changping Prefecture. Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou sat in their own carriage.

"Keep this close to you, and store it carefully when you get to Fengtian Prefecture."

Meng Wan handed Song Tingzhou a long, slender cloth bundle.

Song Tingzhou took it, feeling its hard and cold texture, and asked in surprise, "Where did this come from?"

Meng Wan proactively sat in his lap, and only when Song Tingzhou wrapped his arms around him did he feel satisfied. "I got it through Fourth Young Master Nie. There are two; I also prepared one for Xue Sheng."

Inside the bundle was a short dagger: iron core with an outer layer clad with steel.

Such items were strictly controlled by the government. In theory, commoners could use them, but the application process was cumbersome, and the length could not exceed three feet. Using them in private fights would lead to severe punishment. Even if they saw one on the road, ordinary people wouldn't dare pick it up.

But as a scholar-official, Song Tingzhou was allowed to carry a sword. Some literati even collected fine swords as a cultured pursuit. Meng Wan found a way to get one just in case.

"I put medicine in the carriage. The instructions and effects are written on a piece of paper. Also put the dagger in the carriage, and keep it within reach at night if you sleep outside. In the box above, there are water skins (leather flasks), dry flatbreads, and some pastries that keep well."

While nestled in his arms, Meng Wan was listing off various matters when he suddenly saw a handsome face leaning down.

After being held and kissed by Song Tingzhou for a while, Meng Wan's calm composure of the past few days suddenly crumbled. He wrapped his arms tightly around Song Tingzhou's neck and asked, "The Zhu family's carriage hasn't arrived yet, has it? Maybe I should just go with you."

Song Tingzhou chuckled, "Fengtian is not far from Changping, just a ten-day journey, that's all. The Zhu family has also hired armed guards for the road. I'll mail a letter home the moment I get there, so don't worry."

Xue Sheng called from outside, "Master, the Zhu family's carriage procession is here."

Meng Wan pulled himself together and got off the carriage with Song Tingzhou. Xue Sheng moved most of the items from their family's carriage to the Zhu family's supply wagon.

Meng Wan exchanged greetings with Zhu Zening and Wu Zhaoyuan, saying, "Please look after him on the journey."

The two returned the greeting, "Sister-in-law / Brother-in-law, you're too courteous."

Seeing that everyone was about to depart, Meng Wan quickly instructed Xue Sheng again, "Once you reach Fengtian, never leave the master's side, not even for a moment. Stay vigilant yourself. It's better to assume the worst in people than to waste kindness on empty compassion. Remember: the master's safety comes first, above all."

Xue Sheng nodded solemnly, "I understand, Master." Then he whipped the reins and drove the carriage away.

It was the first time Meng Wan would be separated from Song Tingzhou for so long, and his heart felt hollow. He abruptly turned his head away, refusing to watch the carriage recede.

With two people suddenly missing, the house became even more bleak and quiet. Chang Jinhua was fine; she had experienced Song Tingzhou's travels several times and was used to it.

She was also afraid Meng Wan might not adapt, so she urged him to go out and watch plays or listen to storytelling.

That evening, none of the three had the heart to eat much, so they simply boiled a pot of porridge and sliced two bowls of pickled vegetables for a simple, thrown-together meal.

Chang Jinhua asked, "The shop will be busy reopening tomorrow. Should we hire someone to wash dishes?"

Meng Wan took a sip of the bland porridge, then listlessly set down his bowl, and said dejectedly, "With no husband around, it's better not to hire from outside. Let's just sell less and close the shop early."

"Alright, go back to your room after you finish eating. Chunfang and I will clean up these bowls." Seeing that he was reluctant to move, Chang Jinhua stopped him.

"Okay."

After that, the breakfast shop opened up for business again. They closed early once the morning stock sold out. Sometimes Meng Wan would take Chang Jinhua to check the new house and see what major furnishings were needed. He told the carpenter not to rush, delivery could wait until next month.

Nie Zhiyao often invited him out to listen to storytelling, but since his husband was away, he couldn't take his mother-in-law everywhere. So he only went twice out of ten invitations.

After hearing the reason, Nie Zhiyao asked him, "The slave market we visited last time was fairly reliable. Why not go there and pick a few servants?"

Meng Wan hesitated, which was rare for him. First, he wasn't accustomed to purchasing bondservants. Second, he was cautious and didn't trust these brokers' servants that much.

Nie Zhiyao advised, "Why not just take a look first? If you find someone you like, keep them. If not, it's no big deal to leave with none."

Meng Wan relented, "Alright, let's go have a look then."

Nie Zhiyao chuckled, "Why go to that dirty place yourself? We can just wait at the Nie residence and have the servant broker bring people over for selection."

Meng Wan touched the small silver earring on his ear. Song Tingzhou had personally put it on him the night before he left. He had never worn an earring before, and it felt so prominent that he kept touching it.

"I still want to go see in person. Otherwise, can you lend me a few people?"

In the end, Nie Zhiyao went with him to the slave market. It was also Nie Zhiyao's first time in such a place, and he found everything very novel.

Although the Qi Family Slave Market was in the south of the city, the south part was large. Their establishment was near the south gate, not a shop front, but a two-courtyard compound.

Nie Zhiyao had brought two young male attendants, an elderly maid, and four young servants. Before the group even reached the entrance of the slave market, a sharp-eyed person came out to greet them.

"Isn't this the Fourth Young Master of the Nie family? Why did you come in person? If your household is short of help, just order us to send people over for your selection."

Nie Zhiyao was a bit surprised. Without lowering his voice, he said to Meng Wan with a smile, "These slave dealers are indeed shrewd. Even a random gateman recognizes me."

Meng Wan agreed, "Indeed."

He asked the gateman dealer, "We want to pick two in person. They must be able to endure hardship."

The dealer hastily replied, "Yes, yes, yes. Master, please come in and choose. Our slave market is registered with the prefectural office, and every person's background is clear."

That remark hit the mark for Meng Wan. "I want those with clean backgrounds and no attachments."

Entering from the gate, the first courtyard was filled with dealers coming and going, and stewards looking for people. Occasionally there were common folk who wanted to buy a concubine with a clean background, but such cases were rare. The whole yard was still orderly.

Meng Wan stood in the courtyard looking at the round-arched gate to the second courtyard. Inside that gate, it was quite lively.