"Why did it stop?" Pei Wenfeng was sitting in the carriage, originally resting with his eyes closed, but was caught off guard and was almost thrown forward by the jolting.
"Sir, there's a monkey show ahead, it's so noisy, it's blocking the road." The detectives rode their horses and shouted, cracking their whips and shouting to clear the way, to disperse the crowd blocking the road, but they found a team of carriages and horses on the opposite side -
When the two sides met, they found themselves both working in the Heqin County government office. The constable and the yamen runner were familiar with each other and immediately became amused. They shouted:
"Huh? It's you guys!"
"Hey, what a coincidence! Why are you all here?"
"What else can we do? All we can do is arrest criminals." The leading constable asked, "You all look so dusty, what are you busy with?"
The yamen runner replied, "What else can I be busy with? I'm just tending to the crops."
Zhuang Song was naturally delighted to meet a friend in a foreign land. He trotted over on his horse. Seeing this, several constables with whom he had long been acquainted praised him:
"It's been a while since we last met. Master Zhuang's riding skills have become even more refined."
"It's true that 'a man should be looked at with new eyes after three days of absence'!"
"He's good at both civil and military affairs."
Zhuang Song had practiced horsemanship diligently for over a year, and he couldn't help but feel proud. He modestly said, "No, no, I'm far behind you in terms of riding skills." He looked at the carriage and prisoner cart behind the constable, and a thought struck him. He asked knowingly, "Who's in that carriage?"
"Yes, Lord Pei." The constable, exhausted and sweating from the long journey, complained casually, "Alas, the suspect this time is very cunning. We tracked him down day and night for several days before we finally caught him."
Zhuang Song stared at the carriage and said, "Thanks for your hard work! Thanks to your swift and decisive actions, the common people were spared from harm by criminals." He quickly made up his mind and said with a smile, "Since we've met, I have to greet Master Pei. Otherwise, it would be rude."
"That's right, that's the reason!" Several detectives understood, turned their horses' heads and rushed towards the carriage.
Zhuang Song had studied hard since childhood and was well-versed in the books of sages. He always regretted that he only had the title of scholar and had not yet been able to obtain the title of juren. Therefore, he deeply envied Pei Wenfeng, who had passed the imperial examination at a young age.
Moreover, Pei Wenfeng rarely puts on airs, is gentle and approachable, and has a good reputation in the Heqin County Government.
Therefore, Zhuang Song was very happy to get close to him. To show his respect, he dismounted and walked. Unexpectedly, just as he reached the front of the carriage and before he could say a word, the curtain was lifted and the young and elegant governor sat down.
Pei Wenfeng's expression was gentle, and he smiled and asked, "Isn't this the chief clerk of the village? It's been a long time since we last met. How have you been?"
Oh my! He actually remembered me! I'm often away on business, rarely showing up at the county office. And yet, a mere clerk, I've received such warm greetings from my superiors!
Zhuang Song was stunned, flattered, and hurriedly bowed, "Thank you for your concern, Lord Pei. Thanks to you, I can handle everything as usual. Oh, you seem to have lost some weight, I think it's due to the busy work. How are you feeling lately?"
Pei Wenfeng had been struggling with the local climate for a long time, and everyone in the county office knew about it. He quietly glanced at the carriage across from him and replied casually, "For the past six months, I've traveled almost all over the county. I've finally adapted to the local climate and environment in Xicang. Once my appetite has improved, I'm feeling better."
"Official business is important, but you should also take care of your health. It's really tiring running around all day for work." Zhuang Song was convinced and stood in front of the car to chat with him.
At the same time, another carriage.
Cuimei lowered the curtains, retreated into the car, and said confidently: "I saw it clearly, it's my cousin!"
"What a coincidence, it's really him."
Jiang Yushu looked across the street in confusion, quite curious. "Look, behind that carriage is a prisoner van, and there are two people imprisoned in the van."
"My cousin is in charge of patrolling and arresting thieves. Those two with shifty eyes are obviously not good people." Cuimei curled her lips.
Jiang Yushu lowered the curtain, sat up straight, frowned and said, "When relatives meet, they should greet each other, but..." She paused, hesitated and said nothing.
"But what?" Cuimei rolled her eyes and asked cautiously, "Are you afraid of being embarrassed when we meet?"
Jiang Yushu thought for a moment, then made a quick decision to avoid further complications. She replied sternly, "It's not that I'm afraid of embarrassment. Look at me," she said, clutching her belly, embarrassed. "It's hard to move, and the streets are crowded. How about this? Go out and tell Zou Gui to run an errand and say hello to my cousin for me."
"Oh, good idea! I'll do it right away." Cuimei secretly breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that she would be sent. Now things are different from the past. She was frightened when she saw her cousin, so she bent down, opened the curtain, and asked Zou Gui to do the job.
Liangang is a small town. A family of wanderers performed on the street, beating drums and gongs, sometimes dancing with swords and sticks, and sometimes performing monkey shows, ordering monkeys to bow and ask for money, which made the onlookers laugh and applaud.
Amid the clamor, Zou Gui returned in a moment, jumped into the car, and reported through the curtain:
"I greeted Master Pei as my wife had asked, and he returned the greeting. He also said, 'It's noon now, let's have lunch together.'"
"ah?"
Jiang Yushu was startled, but before she could react, Zhuang Song rode back, commanding, "Hurry, follow Master Pei. They haven't eaten yet, and it's a coincidence that we've met, and Master Pei is so generous as to treat us to lunch!"
How can the subordinates not be happy when their superiors invite them to eat and drink?
At Zhuang Song's command, all the yamen runners smiled happily and immediately rode their horses and drove their carriages to follow Pei Wenfeng and his party.
The carriage was swaying. Jiang Yushu lifted the curtain and was about to ask, but she heard Zhuang Song say happily, "Haha, we are indebted to you for this meal! Lord Pei was mainly taking care of his relatives and invited us along as well."
The yamen runners were delighted and echoed in the thanks.
Jiang Yushu sighed inwardly, unable to change the situation, so she swallowed her disappointing words and said, "What's the point of taking advantage of others? We all know each other, so Master Pei invited us all together."
The two groups of people came in a mighty procession and stopped in front of the largest restaurant in town, getting off their horses and vehicles.
Pei Wenfeng stood still and ordered, "You make the decision. We have official business to attend to. Don't serve any wine, or the drunkard will fall off his horse."
"Yes." Cai Chun was in charge of the purse and was used to doing this kind of job. He trotted over and skillfully discussed the dishes with the shopkeeper.
Wu Liang stood by with his hands hanging down. As a trusted servant who knew the whole story, he was inexplicably more nervous than the master. He whispered, "Sir, my cousin is coming."
"Why are you panicking? I'm not blind, I can see." Pei Wenfeng remained calm. He appeared to be standing steady, but his heart was actually pounding. He stared intently, first at her face, then at her belly.
Strange, didn't she say she was pregnant? Why didn't she show her pregnancy?
Could it be... that the doctor made a wrong diagnosis?
In an instant, Pei Wenfeng was shocked and couldn't help but feel ecstatic!
However, Cuimei supported Jiang Yushu, and Zou Gui followed, and the three of them approached. When Jiang Yushu stood still, a sudden autumn wind blew, pulling her loose clothes back, revealing her slightly protruding belly.
Pei Wenfeng's eyes changed from joy to sadness, and his mood fluctuated greatly in an instant. He was both sad and angry. He hated Guo Honglei, who had stolen his love, from the bottom of his heart. When he thought of his sister Shu being pregnant with someone else's child, his heart felt as painful as if it was being fried in a frying pan.
Jiang Yushu stopped and watched the cousins several feet apart. She noticed that her cousin's face was gloomy and his eyes were angry for a moment, but then he put on a gentle face and looked elegant.
He was angry. Could it be that…his emotional wounds had healed, he had finally let go, and he was disgusted by the sight of his cousin now a married woman?
Great! He finally came to his senses!
Jiang Yushu misunderstood and secretly felt relieved. She said politely, "Cousin, it's been a while since we last met. I'm sorry to have to make you spend money as soon as we meet."
"You're too polite, cousin. It's a rare chance meeting. I heard from the village chief that you haven't had lunch yet. As your cousin, how can I ignore it?" Pei Wenfeng said nonchalantly, raising his hand and saying, "Please."
Jiang Yushu replied modestly, "Cousin, please go first." The four looked at each other, both polite on the surface, but each with his own thoughts, and their eyes were piercing each other.
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Zhuang Song was not a good rider and dismounted a step too late. He hurriedly broke the invisible deadlock.
Jiang Yushu took the opportunity to say, "Zhuang Zhubu, please."
"Sir Pei, please go in first." Zhuang Song bowed, and Pei Wenfeng had to go first.
Inside the shop, the shopkeeper was grinning from ear to ear, and the waiter was enthusiastic and attentive, greeting them: "Dear guests, please come to the private room!"
There were nearly twenty people in each of the two groups. One table was set up in the main hall, and another in the private room. The constables and yamen runners sat at the table, feeling relaxed and at ease. The rest of the group went upstairs to the private room, which was clean and quiet.
At noon, everyone was hungry.
The restaurants in the border town do not have any expensive ingredients or exquisite dishes, but they win in terms of generous portions. Each dish is piled high, steaming hot and shiny with oil.
Pei Wenfeng sat at the head of the table, with Zhuang Song and Jiang Yushu on his left and right; Zou Gui, Cuimei, Cai Chun, and Wu Liang were all in the private room, but sat at the small table next door.
"I'm on official business, so I shouldn't drink. Please enjoy the simple food." Pei Wenfeng picked up the first piece of food with his chopsticks, but he handed it to Jiang Yushu. He said apologetically, "The elders in the city and at home have asked me to look after you, but we're so far away that we hardly see each other all year round. Let alone looking after you, even greetings are rare. I hope you won't blame me, cousin."
Jiang Yushu thanked him and hurriedly picked up the bowl to receive the food. She was a little overwhelmed and replied with a smile: "My cousin is busy with official duties. I understand. Why would I blame him?"
Zhuang Song, not knowing the true situation, sighed, "Your Excellency treats your relatives with such warmth and sincerity that I admire you."
"We're all from Xicang, so relatives should take care of each other." Pei Wenfeng spoke slowly, picking up another piece of food for his cousin with his chopsticks. He pretended to chat and sighed, "Besides, my grandmother only has one daughter, my aunt, and only one granddaughter. If I don't care about my cousin, I'm afraid she won't even be able to enter the house when she visits."
“Hahaha~” Zhuang Song, as an outsider, didn’t notice anything wrong and laughed out loud, “You’re really humorous!”
Jiang Yushu observed her elegant and calm cousin, unable to guess what he was up to, so she could only laugh it off.
During the meal, the three of them ate and chatted, first talking about some interesting stories and then talking about business.
"Got sick? Is it serious?" Pei Wenfeng faced Zhuang Song, but his eyes drifted towards his cousin.
Zhuang Song frowned and sighed, "It came with great force and quickly destroyed ten acres of crops. We are most afraid of the disease spreading."
Pei Wenfeng looked at his cousin and said comfortingly, "Disasters like this are hard to prevent. Don't worry too much. Just do your best."
"It's truly unpredictable." Jiang Yushu's expression was solemn. "We've tried our best to eliminate the diseases we've discovered. Now we just hope to successfully preserve the rest."
Pei Wenfeng nodded, "Forget it, let's not talk about official business. Eat quickly, the food is getting cold."
After a full half hour, while they finished eating and drank tea, Pei Wenfeng said, "The elders have a few words of concern and asked me to pass them on to my cousin."
Jiang Yushu asked in surprise, "Which elder? What did you say?"
Pei Wenfeng did not answer, but lowered his head and drank a sip of tea.
"Please take your time chatting, I'm sorry, I have to go to the bookstore." Zhuang Song understood and said goodbye tactfully.
Pei Wenfeng nodded gently.
In a blink of an eye, only Jiang Yushu, Cuimei, Zou Gui, and Pei Wenfeng and his servant were left in the private room.
The private room faced the street. Pei Wenfeng stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and pushed the half-closed window wide open. The noisy sounds from the street immediately flooded into his ears.
"Girl." Cuimei came closer, feeling uneasy.
Jiang Yushu said softly, "It's okay. You guys continue chatting. I'll go ask my cousin. After a few words, we should each go our separate ways. They go back to the county government office, and we go back to Liu Village."
"Then, be careful."
Jiang Yushu calmed herself down, walked to the window, and asked loudly, "My cousin just mentioned this. I wonder which elder has something to tell me?"
Pei Wenfeng leaned on the windowsill with both hands, glanced back, then looked down at the street intently without saying a word.
"cousin?"
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"Master Pei?"
"Well, then you are busy. I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye."
Seeing that the other party ignored her, Jiang Yushu felt embarrassed, but she sighed, and in her heart she wished for it, turned around and raised her foot——
"Stop!" Pei Wenfeng stopped him, as if he had eyes on his back. Without even turning his head, he said, "Come and take a look."
"What are you looking at?" Jiang Yushu walked over slowly. The private room had large windows for light, six in a row. She looked down at the floor below. The brother and sister were separated by four windows.
Pei Wenfeng raised his hand and pointed, saying nostalgically, "Look, a clay figurine. I wonder if you still remember that year, when I was studying in the study, you wanted to go out on the street, but the elders wouldn't let you. You got sulky and started making trouble, stealing books and pens, forcing me to think of a way. Finally, we found a way out, and when we came across a clay figurine maker, I gave him a piece of silver and got ten clay figurines in return: five of you, five of me, all depicting joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness."
Jiang Yushu thought for a moment. Although she had a clear memory, she was unwilling to talk about the beautiful past that did not belong to her. She hardened her heart and answered, "Really? It's been many years, I can't remember clearly."
"You can't even remember?" Pei Wenfeng was shocked, disappointed, and incredulous.
The childhood sweethearts back then were you, not "us".
Jiang Yushu said stubbornly, "It's been too long, I almost forgot."
"You--" Pei Wenfeng frowned, hesitant to speak, and slapped the windowsill hard.
Jiang Yushu was startled and raised her hand to stop Cuimei and others from approaching, reminding them, "It's getting late, and my cousin is busy with official duties. If there's nothing important, why don't you—"
"Who said no?"
Pei Wenfeng interrupted, turned around, stared at her closely, and asked suspiciously, "Cousin, you are so distant and polite, treating me like a scourge. Is this a rule set by Guo Honglei? He doesn't allow you to see me?"
Jiang Yushu shook her head in astonishment. "He never set such a rule. You misunderstood."
"Then why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
Jiang Yushu was nervous under her cousin's deep eyes, and explained, "We all have to hurry. The journey is long, so it's better to leave sooner rather than later."
Pei Wenfeng's expression softened slightly, and he said calmly, "No matter how urgent it is, it won't take a moment." He couldn't help but ask, "Are you...really pregnant?"
Jiang Yushu subconsciously held her belly and said, "Yeah. Didn't you know last time in the county?"
"I would rather never know the truth." Pei Wenfeng felt heartbroken.
Jiang Yushu was stunned and speechless, so she interrupted and asked, "Did you just send the village chief away casually?"
"Not really." Pei Wenfeng leaned against the window slats, forcing himself to cheer up, and sighed, "Grandmother and the others are indeed very worried about you. The elders all believe that you were framed by a villain. But, but - Sister Shu, don't resent the elderly. If you want to hate someone, hate me."
At this moment, if it were the real Miss Jiang, she would definitely be sad and cry.
Jiang Yushu remained calm, choosing her words carefully before answering slowly, "Everything is God's will. My grandmother and the others are not the culprits. I don't blame anyone, including you."
"real?"
"real!"
Pei Wenfeng sighed, restrained himself from looking at her belly, and only looked at her face. He asked dejectedly: "From what I see, it seems that not only do you not hold any grudges, but you also intend to completely forget about us, right?"
Jiang Yushu's thoughts were exposed, and she replied vaguely: "How could I have forgotten? After all, we are relatives, and I don't have amnesia."
"If you can forget it, I admire you."
Jiang Yushu heard the strong dissatisfaction, took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat off her face, and said less.
Sitting quietly facing each other, Pei Wenfeng wanted to continue chatting about the past, but suddenly he remembered something important. He immediately looked apologetic and found it difficult to speak. He hesitated and said, "Oh, there's something I've been forgetting to tell you."
Jiang Yushu was worried, "What's the matter?"
"Before I took up my post, my grandmother gave me two thousand taels of silver notes and asked me to pass it on to you. When I went to Liu Village for the first time, you were angry and refused to take it. I put it on the table, but you sent Cuimei to secretly put it into Cai Chun's bag. It was not discovered until several days later." Pei Wenfeng sighed.
I decided early on not to visit Pei's family. I felt guilty about taking something from someone, so I simply refused to accept the offer.
Jiang Yushu had made up her mind and denied it, saying, "I'm not angry, I just feel it's too much and I don't dare to accept it."
"Why not? A gift from an elder cannot be refused. Last time Magistrate Pan summoned you, I was planning to return the banknote, but I suddenly heard that you were pregnant, and I got drunk and missed the opportunity to return it."
Jiang Yushu observed his expression, her thoughts shifting quietly as she offered, "It's alright. My father gave me enough money before I was exiled, and several of Guo's relatives also generously contributed. Village living costs are low, so I'm not short of money for now."
"Doesn't Guo Honglei need to socialize on a daily basis?" Pei Wenfeng frowned, unable to stop hating his enemy.
Jiang Yushu smiled and replied helplessly, "Cousin, have you forgotten? We are now exiles, forced to work in the army and cultivate the land. He is in the barracks, so there are few opportunities for socializing right now."
Pei Wenfeng snorted, then remained silent for a moment before blurting out, "Troublesome! The elders of the two families are making the decision again! It seems the decision is about to be made, and they're forcing me to marry Yushan."
"What?" Jiang Yushu was shocked. "Just ignored your wishes and made up your mind?"
Pei Wenfeng was annoyed. "I tried my best to persuade her, but it was all in vain. Never mind. We're thousands of miles apart, so I can't stop her. But I will never marry Yu Shan. That would be too absurd!"
"You can't stay in Xicang forever. You have to go home eventually. What will you do then?"
"We'll take it one step at a time. No matter what the elders decide, I won't agree to anything."
Pei Wenfeng took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and whispered, unable to hide his embarrassment, "As a new official, I'm unfamiliar with the place. Managing my career requires both social engagements and the necessary chores. My salary is meager. Initially, my parents helped me, but later, because I refused a marriage proposal, I angered my elders and their support ended. I've been living solely on my salary. Last month, the prefect celebrated his birthday, and my colleagues all gave him gifts, so I had to give one. Alas, I couldn't help myself, so I used your banknote."
"Don't worry, sister. Consider it a loan from me. I'll definitely pay you back when I have more money!"
"Oh, so that's what it is."
Jiang Yushu suddenly realized, and without hesitation, she waved her hand and said straightforwardly: "My cousin, you are too polite. What do you want to pay back? You don't have to pay it back, just use it to bribe others! In the officialdom, you can't help yourself, everyone knows that. I am shameless and want to borrow your money to offer to you. Consider it my support for your ambition. Don't despise it."
Pei Wenfeng opened his mouth, deeply moved, then suddenly smiled, a mixture of emotions, and said seriously: "No, it must be considered as me lending it to you. Otherwise, what kind of person would I be?"
Jiang Yushu, out of a desire to make amends, shook her head repeatedly, "It's okay, I really don't need money right now."
"It's settled!" Pei Wenfeng sighed and said with a wry smile, "How can I be at ease if you're still so foolish?"
Jiang Yushu frowned and was stunned for a moment, then hardened her heart again, "Don't worry, cousin, I'm living well in the Guo family."
Pei Wenfeng's expression suddenly changed. "Very good? Do you think Guo Honglei is good?"
"Yes." Jiang Yushu did not dodge or evade.
"Sister Shu, you have been a little silly since you were a child, and now you are even more silly!" Pei Wenfeng's jaw was clenched, his face was ashen, he turned around suddenly, strode open the door of the private room, and the wooden floor made a dull "dong dong" sound as his footsteps quickly faded away.
"Sir?" Cai Chun and Wu Liang couldn't call him, so they said goodbye respectfully:
"Goodbye, cousin."
Jiang Yushu waved her hand and said, "Take good care of your cousin."
"Madam, are you okay?" Cuimei and Zou Gui couldn't wait and rushed over.
Jiang Yushu replied calmly, "It's okay. It's getting late. Let's go. We should hurry on."
Outsiders just thought they were cousins chatting about family matters in a private room, talking and laughing all the way back to Liu Village in the north.
In early October, the autumn wind was bleak and chilly, and the grass and leaves all over the mountains were turning yellow.
The crops on the border are about to mature.
Jiang Yushu put away her thin shirt and started wearing a padded jacket. Although she was six months pregnant and her belly was visible, she did not look round and bulging. Apart from her belly, she was still slim.
"Oh, he's too thin." Nanny Pan was very worried. She cooked different dishes every day, hoping to feed him fat in one go.
Jiang Yushu sat by the window, sewing her small fur coat in the setting sun. "Doctor Fang said it's natural."
"What to do for the child?"
"A fur coat," Jiang Yushu said cheerfully, "It's too cold here in the winter. I'll make another one for changing."
Matron Pan squinted her eyes and examined it carefully, praising it: "The stitching is very fine, not bad."
When the two were thinking about what pattern to embroider, the door suddenly slammed open. Cuimei's face turned pale and she gasped for breath and said:
"Oh no! Our family's great enemy has brought many officials to harass the Third Young Master in the private school!"
The author has something to say:
A penny can make a hero fall, Cousin Pei is short of money.
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