rest
Thinking this, Steward Qi appeared before her without her noticing, bowing respectfully and saying:
"Madam, your carriage is ready. Once you have packed your bags, you will be able to depart for Qingyang in a few days."
Lin Xu did not intend to stay long on her trip to Qingyang. She planned to visit the estate there first and then ask the manager for advice. Including the travel time, it would take her about five days.
Since that standoff between the two, she hadn't found an opportunity to mention the matter to Dou Yanxun again. She was still considering how to bring it up when, a few days ago, Steward Qi bowed deeply and came to pay his respects to her.
“Madam, Master has been busy with official business lately. He specifically instructed me that if you have any needs or deficiencies in your life or household affairs, please feel free to let me take care of them for you.”
When Lin Xu heard this, his heart stirred, but he simply nodded faintly.
"It just so happens that I've been planning to visit my estates in Qingyang these past few days, so please arrange for a car to be prepared."
Upon hearing this, Steward Qi did not hesitate at all and immediately went to carry it out. He also did not inquire in the slightest why Lin Xu was going or when he planned to return.
Naturally, Steward Qi, being of a certain status, did not want to inquire about his master's affairs, so Lin Xu refrained from offering any explanation.
On her trip to Qingyang, she only planned to take Zhuling with her. Rongwei and Nongyu would stay at the mansion to take care of the two birds and Xuetuan, as well as all the household chores.
So she had Zhuling pack her belongings, which consisted of nothing more than some clean clothes and money.
As the time for departure approached, Lin Xu, dressed in a light smoky-colored silk robe, stood in the courtyard, watching the servants busily packing her belongings. After a moment's thought, she softly asked Steward Qi, who had come to see her off:
"...Husband, are you still busy?"
Steward Qi nodded:
"The master went to inspect the moat early this morning with Magistrate Sun, accompanied by two advisors and several staff members. He probably won't be finished until dark."
With Zheng Jiangran's tacit instructions, the area around the moat has been anything but peaceful these past few days.
Perhaps fearing that Lin Xu would feel dejected, Steward Qi hurriedly added:
"But the master knows that you are setting off today, so he specially selected several guards to escort you along the way, and also asked me to prepare food and money for you for the journey. The master also said that you must be careful on this trip and return safely."
The guards were waiting outside the courtyard early on. They were all burly and strong. Lin Xu recognized them at a glance as the best guards Dou Yanxun had been, and they had all been assigned to her.
Upon hearing this, Granny Qin smiled and said to Lin Xu from the side:
"Second Master is thinking of you."
But if all these experts are used to protect her, what about his safety these past few days?
Even within the county government alone, there were forces secretly obstructing him.
Zheng Jiangran seemed determined not to let the matter rest until it escalated.
Within just a few days, several cargo ships in Laining ceased operations. These goods, which were originally destined for Mujing, could have generated substantial profits, but now that operations were suspended, the losses were considerable. Zheng Jiangran, however, seemed to be blaming Dou Yanxun for all of these losses.
Although Lin Xu didn't think much of this young Master Zheng from Laining, believing him to be nothing more than a pretty face with no substance, all talk and no action.
But when it came to Dou Yanxun's personal safety, she had to put in a lot more effort.
He frowned and said softly to Steward Qi:
"...After all, the Zen temple is a place of Buddhist practice. This commotion, which is escalating, is naturally of no benefit to anyone... So, in my name, I will enshrine a Buddhist tablet and an ever-burning lamp in that Zen temple."
Steward Qi hurriedly praised, "Madam is merciful," and bowed in agreement.
With many believers among the people of Laining, Dou Yanxun, as the county magistrate, could not immediately take action. On the other hand, if he were to truly break ties with the Zheng family in the future, people might use the matter of Buddha as a pretext. Using her name would actually ease the tension.
Lin Xu glanced at Nongyu and the maids again, and gave the instructions:
“I have been away from home these days, so you must take good care of your husband’s daily life and not be careless. You must also be careful with the food and drink at home and test it for poison with silver needles and chopsticks before giving it to your husband.”
They were newcomers to Laining, and although the chances were slim, she didn't want anything to go wrong if someone really got angry. She had to instruct her servants to be extremely careful.
Upon hearing this, Nongyu composed herself and respectfully agreed.
Since she had given such instructions, the servants knew it was a crucial moment and naturally perked up. After giving all the instructions, Lin Xu drank some hot tea before getting into the carriage with Zhu Ling.
In just a few months, this was Lin Xu's second trip away from home.
The last time I came to Laining from Mujing, Dou Yanxun accompanied me. At that time, I not only had worries and anxieties about the unknown, but also a strong desire to leave Mujing and make a name for myself.
Now, just one month later, she's set off again...
However, he wasn't by my side this time.
The sound of horses' hooves echoed as they headed northwest. A gentle summer breeze, soft and warm, caressed her face, quickly dispelling her worries.
Lin Xu had passed through Qingyang in his previous life, but it was only a short stay at his ancestral home outside Hecheng. He had long forgotten the scenery outside his window at that time.
This was Zhu Ling's first time in Qingyang, and her face was filled with undisguised excitement the whole way. She peered out the window, looking left and right with great curiosity.
“Madam, look at the sand and plants along the roadside. Heading north, they are quite different from those in the south.”
Qingyang belongs to Qingzhou and is closely connected with Hecheng. Terraced fields crisscross the hillsides along the way, and rammed earth walls can be seen everywhere. Naturally, it is different from the waterside pavilions in Jiangnan and has a unique scenery.
Lin Xu, who was taking a nap with his eyes half-closed, chuckled upon hearing this:
“Qingzhou has been close to the frontier since ancient times. It is rich in ironware. The people are martial and strong, but they are also very loyal and righteous. Many famous generals have fought on the battlefield. Although it is not as rich as Jiangnan, it is rich in crops such as buckwheat. The local fruits are also very sweet, and the scenery is extremely beautiful.”
Zhu Ling listened attentively and couldn't help but admire, "Madam is truly learned!"
Lin Xu smiled helplessly.
I was nothing more than someone who used to live with my maternal grandparents, where they would hold me on their laps and listen to them talk endlessly every day.
Her maternal grandfather spent half his life fighting in his youth, living a life of constant danger and bloodshed. He had a broader range of experiences than most men, and she still remembers his childhood memories.
Moreover, since Liao Yan joined the army, she had been concerned about the war and had read several local chronicles and county records of the current dynasty, which gave her a good understanding of the various prefectures and counties within the Dayu territory.
As the two were talking, a gust of wind blew in through the window, carrying a fragrant aroma mixed with the warmth of the air—the smell of golden-brown crust and crispy sesame seeds. Zhu Ling couldn't help but sniffle.
Seeing that they had been riding in the carriage for half a day, and it was now noon, it was indeed time for them to rest.
Lin Xu then smiled and said, "Go and see with Guard Jiang if there are any shops ahead?"
Jiang, the guard, had a square face and was tall and strong. Among the guards that Dou Yanxun had sent to protect her on this trip, he was the most skilled.
Zhu Ling was naturally pleased to receive the order and went downstairs with a smile.
Lin Xu looked out the window at the neatly arranged earthen houses with gray tiled roofs in the distance, and could faintly hear the sounds of chickens and ducks coming with the stream. They must have arrived near a village built along the river.
Sure enough, Zhu Ling returned shortly afterward, smiling as she said:
“Madam is right, it’s quite lively around here. There’s a market today, and people from several villages have come to shop. A little further ahead there are a few teahouses and restaurants. Would you like to get out of the carriage and have a cup of tea, Madam?”
Jiang and his companions were seated in two separate carriages, and they were all quite thirsty.
Lin Xu knew perfectly well what was going on, so he showed them consideration and got out of the carriage with them. He then instructed the coachman to stop the carriage by the roadside, intending to go to the market for a look.
They hadn't walked far after getting off the car when they heard the incessant calls of vendors. Amidst the sweltering heat, the air was thick with the aromas of melons, meat, dust, and sweat. The vendors sold not only fresh fruits and vegetables, but also chilled herbal tea, steaming hot braised dishes, and braised beef. Although the guards didn't say anything, their eyes clearly lit up.
Lin Xu then slipped a heavy purse into Zhu Ling's hand:
"After traveling for half a day, everyone must be hungry. You and Guard Jiang can discuss what they want to eat and buy it to reward them for their long journey."
Upon hearing this, the guards clasped their hands in thanks and expressed their gratitude repeatedly. Guard Jiang, in particular, said humbly, "Thank you for your consideration, Madam."
That's what they said, but when Lin Xu saw the group of people standing in front of the stall, they all seemed embarrassed to actually buy anything, perhaps afraid of overstepping their bounds.
She just smiled, walked over and looked around, and quickly ordered twenty sesame scallion pancakes, three catties of stewed meat until tender, and instructed Zhuling to buy each guard a cup of ice-cold plum juice and cold dishes, and then asked the stall owner to wrap them in oil paper and send them to the guards.
Guard Jiang thanked them repeatedly, his face full of gratitude. He quickly led everyone to sit down on the ground by an old locust tree and began to distribute food. They were all well-trained guards, and because they worked for the government every day, they were very disciplined even when resting.
Lin Xu observed that all the guards had reliable and dependable appearances. She knew that Dou Yanxun must have chosen the most outstanding talents to protect her, and she gradually felt at ease.
Then I caught a glimpse of a small earthen teahouse not far ahead. A blue cloth curtain hung outside the window, swaying in the wind, with the character "tea" written on it. Through the window, I could see the faint aroma of tea wafting in the air.
After walking for most of the day, and with the midday sun blazing down, she was indeed thirsty, so Zhu Ling helped her inside to order a cup of tea.
Because he still remembered the assassination attempt he had suffered in a teahouse on his way to Laining, Lin Xu quickly glanced around furtively as soon as he entered the teahouse.
The interior was furnished in a very simple manner. Several dried lotus leaves hung upside down from the door lintel, tied together with mugwort, emitting a faint fragrance in the wind.
The shop was small, with only a few tables inside, but only one young tea lady, dressed in a brown linen shirt with rolled-up sleeves, who looked to be around twenty years old, was busy in the shop.
Hearing footsteps, the tea lady, carrying a copper teapot in one hand and a tray of freshly steamed osmanthus cakes in the other, looked up at Lin Xu.
Her eyes were bright and clear, and she nodded calmly, giving a shout:
"Please come in, sir."
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