Chapter 85
At midnight, the courtyard was quiet and still.
The lanterns under the eaves twirled in the evening breeze, casting a dim, gloomy light. The inn was shrouded in snow and wind; the rooms in the small building were all dark, and the sound of the wind gradually faded away, with no one in sight.
Half a quarter of an hour later, four carts came from the deserted street and stopped at the back gate.
"Unload the goods and take them to the granary. Keep it quiet so as not to disturb your fellow disciples' sleep."
After the ropes were untied, several servants unloaded bags of rice onto the ground. Once the disciples who were there to receive them counted the items and confirmed that everything was correct, the group carried the loads toward the granary.
This is all rice that Lu Huaiwei ordered people to buy from the rice shop. Since the arrival of the refugees in the sheds outside the city, the rice has been consumed quickly. The government allocated not much silver, and Yunhua Palace mostly paid for the disaster relief out of its own pocket. At this time of year, food is more expensive than anything else, so naturally we have to pay more attention to it.
Seeing that the granary was full again, the disciple who was in charge of receiving the grain showed his satisfaction. He distributed the reward money to the servants and said, "There is some food and a jar of good wine in the kitchen in the backyard. After you finish your work here, please go and have a drink and rest. I will not entertain you any further. Please make yourselves at home."
The servants happily accepted the money, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then moved all the rice and grain piled up at the back door to this place before heading into the kitchen to find food.
As the night deepened and the cold intensified, the hot wine and dishes dispelled their fatigue and exhaustion. After eating and drinking their fill, and noticing that the snow outside had lessened, they got up and left, chatting and laughing as they returned to the back door.
"Hey, where's one person? Where's that kid from the Liu family?" one of the men asked, turning back as he mounted his horse.
The remaining people looked at each other.
"Hey, he's probably drunk and can't find his way around!"
"That kid, he clearly can't drink, but he always insists on drinking. When has he ever not gotten hurt?"
"Go back and look for him quickly, and report back to the rice shop as soon as possible. Don't let him keep me from sleeping!"
The group was laughing and joking around when they saw the young man from the Liu family running over in a panic, whispering, "Wait, wait a minute... I'm coming!"
Upon seeing him covered in snow and mud, the servants knew he was drunk and had fallen flat on his face, so they all started to laugh at him.
The man on horseback grew impatient and scolded, "It's always you who messes things up, you brat! Get the carriage moving!"
The boy reeked of alcohol and was so drunk he could barely walk. He could only force a smile and say, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I've kept you brothers waiting. Let's go."
The group closed the door, mounted their horses one by one, and set off on the road they had come from. The young man drove for a while, then suddenly looked back at the post station from his horse.
The night was deep and the wind was howling. The back door, which had been deserted before, now had a blurry black figure.
The boy narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly nodded to the dark figure. He was calm and showed no signs of drunkenness, appearing perfectly sober.
Seeing his movement, the dark figure returned his gesture and then silently disappeared into the snowstorm.
A piece of scrap paper, still damp with some medicinal powder, slipped from his sleeve. The boy looked away and casually followed the others.
·
As dusk settled, Yin Qiu put on his robe, lit a lamp, and sat down at his desk to peruse a series of books.
On a winter's day, dawn breaks late. It's already past 5 a.m., but the view outside the window is still gloomy, as if it were dusk.
Bai Ling brewed a pot of hot tea, took a teacup and poured two cups, saying, "It took two whole days to finally compile the list of this group of refugees. With this list, we should give it to Miss Duan as soon as possible, so that it will be easier for the government to send people to Cang County to investigate the household registration."
Yin Qiu ran her fingertip across the paper, tracing the names all the way to the end, and said, "Why are there more than twenty people missing?"
Bai Ling sighed: "We can't enter the city, and there's no place to stay to avoid the cold. Many people who caught a severe cold have died. There's nothing we can do."
Yin Qiu paused for a moment, didn't reply, put down the list and picked up an account book.
“This is the post station’s expenditure details for the past few days,” Bai Ling pushed the teacup to Yin Qiu’s side, breathing hot air on it. “Buying rice, medicine, clothes, and bedding, the money is flowing out like water. If we don’t resolve the household registration issue soon, it will be a real problem. The government’s meager funds aren’t even enough for the refugees to have a bowl of porridge. Although Senior Sister Lu submitted a report to the palace a few days ago, it’s unclear when the subsequent funds will arrive. We might have to tighten our belts in the next couple of days.”
Yin Qiu roughly calculated the accounts in his mind and asked, "How much silver is left in the post station?"
Bai Ling thought for a moment and said, "No, at most we can hold out for three more days."
“There’s no shortage of rice; a batch just arrived last night,” Yin Qiu said, taking a sip from her teacup and looking at the cold light gleaming from the rim. “But we’re really short of medicine. If the palace doesn’t receive its money within three days, I don’t know how many more people will die.”
Bai Ling said, "Yes, these past few months, all the major cities have been running into deficits. Apart from asking the palace for money, the other cities can't come up with any more. I'm really worried about this. Right now, Yao Dingcheng is full of new disciples who don't know anything, and Senior Sister Lu is so sick. I just went to see her, and she still has a fever. We need to think of a way to raise some money."
As they talked, the morning light streamed in, and Yin Qiumu looked somewhat worried in the light. After thinking for a while, she stood up and said, "I'll figure out the money. Talking about it on paper is useless. Right now, we should just do what needs to be done."
Bai Ling laughed when she heard this, "Speaking of which, you are still young. Many new disciples are a few years older than you. Now that Senior Sister Lu is sick, we still need you to stabilize the situation. Xiao Qiu, over the years I have watched you become more and more capable of handling things on your own, while I am still the same as before. I really envy you."
“Everyone has their strengths,” Yin Qiu replied with a smile. “If you hadn’t been with me this time, I would have been in real trouble.”
After the two finished their conversation, they ate breakfast together. When they went downstairs, everything in the kitchen was ready. Yin Qiu checked the rice and water for the day as usual, and after confirming that nothing was missing, he instructed his disciples to take the food to the city gate to distribute porridge.
The camellias in the courtyard were in full bloom, creating a vibrant red scene all around. Yin Qiu counted the remaining silver at the post station by herself, took a break among the flowers to enjoy the cool breeze, and returned to the main hall. There, she saw several new disciples who had recently entered the palace leaning against the door, looking out as if they were very happy.
Yin Qiu looked past them into the front courtyard and saw several unfamiliar male disciples standing there. They looked travel-worn, as if they had traveled a long way.
"Who's here?" Yin Qiu asked.
Several female disciples turned around when they heard the voice. When they saw that it was Yin Qiu, they all greeted her with smiles.
"Good morning, senior sister. We're looking at the senior brothers who came to the courtyard."
These female disciples were all a few years older than Yin Qiu, but according to seniority, they all had to call Yin Qiu "Senior Sister." Yin Qiu nodded, walked to the door, and asked, "Where are you from?"
“They say they’re from Liaoping County,” a female disciple said. “They probably heard that there’s a large influx of refugees in our Yaoding City, so they’ve come to help.”
Seeing several disciples greeting guests in the courtyard, Yin Qiu abandoned her idea of going up to exchange pleasantries. She stepped out of the door and was about to head towards the city gate when she heard a female disciple behind her say, "Where is that senior brother who came earlier? He said he was looking for senior sister."
Yin Qiu paused, turned around, and asked, "Looking for me?"
The female disciple nodded, inexplicably excited: "That senior brother is so handsome! We've been in the palace for a while now, but we've never seen such a good-looking senior brother."
After she finished speaking, several female disciples echoed her words, their eyes shining and their faces flushed.
No wonder they've been hiding by the door, peeking around; they're eyeing a certain senior's appearance. Yin Qiu found it amusing and asked, "Do you know his name?"
"I don't know, I didn't hear anyone shouting."
"Why don't you ask them?"
"Oh dear, we'd like to ask, but we're too embarrassed to."
Yin Qiu chuckled softly and said, "Is she really that good-looking? Tell me, what does she look like?"
A female disciple immediately said, "His face is like jade, his lips are red and his teeth are white, he's not just handsome! But he never smiles, he looks a bit cold, even more so than a young lady... Oh! He's here, he's coming!"
Several female disciples, with their sharp eyes, spotted a handsome young man approaching from the end of the corridor. They quickly hid behind Yin Qiu, peeking cautiously with fluttering hearts.
Yin Qiu stumbled from their impact, looked down and smiled helplessly, barely regaining her balance. Just as she was about to look up, a pair of clean cloud-patterned boots came into view.
In an instant, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted to her nose. Yin Qiu straightened up and looked up to meet a pair of clear and calm eyes.
By this time, the sky had brightened, and the thin light was mixed with the cold wind and snow. The fragrance of medicine, wrapped in frost, smelled very fresh and unique. The young man in front of him was tall and elegant, with a calm and composed demeanor. He held a book in his hand, wearing a plain white Yunhua disciple's robe underneath and a light blue loose robe on top. His lowered eyes revealed a subtle coldness, which made people feel a little awe for no reason.
·
"Meng Jing?" Upon recognizing the young man, Yin Qiu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Weren't you in Liaoping County? What brings you to Yaoding City?"
A gust of frosty wind swept by, ruffling the long hair at the side of Yin Qiu's neck. Meng Jing shifted his feet slightly, stepping in front of her to shield her, and said slowly, "I heard that Senior Sister Lu caught a cold, so I came to visit her."
Yin Qiu leaned against the door frame, looking at her leisurely and said, "Oh, you came for Senior Sister Lu? I thought you came here specifically to help after hearing that there was a new group of refugees here."
Meng Jing looked down at Yin Qiu and said, "It's also for this matter." She unfolded the scroll in her hand and showed it to Yin Qiu. "These are the medicinal herbs I brought this time. You should be able to use them. I've already had them distributed."
Over the years, Yin Qiu had learned some medical skills from Meng Jing and discovered that most of the medicinal herbs in the book were specifically for treating colds. She was delighted and said, "This is a timely help. We are in dire need of medicine. Your arrival is very timely."
“I also brought some silver,” Meng Jing said, putting away the book and taking out a silver note from his pocket. “The disaster in Liaoping County is not too serious, and the remaining funds are still sufficient. I can exchange them for cash at a money exchange, which will be enough for half a month.”
Yin Qiu accepted the silver note, his eyes and brows full of smiles: "Very good, very good. Give me whatever you need. I'll give you a big reward this time."
Meng Jing's lips curved slightly, revealing a faint smile. She moved her lips as if to say something more, but then noticed several female disciples behind Yin Qiu looking at her with intense gazes. She frowned slightly and said, "This is..."
Yin Qiu glanced at the female disciples, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and said with a playful tone, "These are new disciples who just came from the palace. They're all junior sisters, and they were just clamoring to see you."
"See me?" Meng Jing shifted his gaze from Yin Qiu's face and looked at the female disciples, saying, "Do you junior sisters need something from me?"
Seeing Meng Jing looking in their direction, the female disciples hurriedly waved their hands and said, "It's nothing, it's nothing! We just wanted to see you, Senior Brother!"
Meng Jing looked puzzled.
Seeing her like this, Yin Qiu laughed out loud, then turned his head and said, "Remember this, this is Elder Xu's last disciple from Wenxin Peak, named Meng Jing. From today onwards, she will stay in Yaoding City and work with us."
Upon hearing her introduction, several female disciples immediately surrounded Meng Jing with great excitement.
"Ah, it's Senior Brother Meng! My apologies for not recognizing you!"
"Senior brother is from Wenxin Peak, so his medical skills must be excellent!"
"Oh dear, we've been wanting to go to Wenxin Peak for a while, but we couldn't make it. Now that you're here, senior brother, why don't you teach us how to identify medicinal herbs?"
...
Meng Jing listened to their compliments without showing any emotion, but when she looked at Yin Qiu, her eyes held a hint of helplessness.
Yin Qiu smiled meaningfully and mouthed to her, "Senior Brother Meng, you're quite the ladies' man."
Meng Jing glanced at her expressionlessly.
Since going to Wenxin Peak to study medicine, Meng Jing has become increasingly calm and composed over the years.
She used to be impatient and couldn't let go of the hatred in her heart, which always caused her heart disease to relapse. After Elder Xu took her as his disciple, he repeatedly taught her to cultivate her character and not to be overjoyed or sad. After these years of reflection, Meng Jing has lived up to her master's expectations and has become more and more composed, remaining calm and collected in all things.
She was beautiful and accomplished in medicine and scholarship. No one in the palace knew she was a woman, so many female disciples secretly admired her. Over the years, whether Meng Jing stayed at Yunhua Mountain or went out of the palace for training, she had no shortage of suitors and was more popular than many male disciples.
Yin Qiu was already used to such scenes. She leisurely watched the commotion for a while, and when she saw Meng Jing standing among the female disciples like a wooden stake without any reaction, she very considerately helped Meng Jing out of the predicament and found an excuse to take her out of the post station.
The two walked side by side into the market. The female disciples were still crowding at the gate, watching Meng Jing's back from afar. Yin Qiu turned around and glanced at him, teasing Meng Jing, "Unbelievable, truly remarkable, how come you are so popular with girls?"
Meng Jing walked on the outside, and whenever a hurried pedestrian passed by, she would secretly reach out to cover Yin Qiu's back. Upon hearing this, she replied, "If they knew I was also a girl, they wouldn't like me."
Yin Qiu chuckled and turned to look at her: "Then there's nothing we can do. Since you refuse to return to your female form, Senior Brother Meng will have to stay in that form forever."
Meng Jing lowered his head slightly, looking back at Yin Qiu's bright and smiling eyes. After a moment of silence, he said, "Don't make fun of me." He paused and then added, "And don't call me Senior Brother Meng."
"If others can call out, why can't I?" Yin Qiu said jokingly.
“Because you are not someone else,” Meng Jing said.
"What's the difference?" Yin Qiu raised her eyebrows.
Meng Jing finally sighed: "The difference is that you are from Jingyue Peak, and your seniority is higher than mine. If you call me senior brother, it will mess up the seniority."
Yin Qiu burst out laughing: "If that's the case, then you should call me senior sister."
Meng Jing glanced at her and said calmly, "Don't even think about it."
Author's Note: Volume 2 will introduce all the characters one after another, because we need to show each person's changes and growth through appropriate timing and events.
So, so! Don't worry, Protector Wen will come out, Xiao Ji will come out, and Qiu Qiu and her martial uncle will start dating!
Please be patient, everyone. Reading a coming-of-age story requires patience. Although I know you're already very patient, the second volume will gradually unravel the mysteries. I will try my best to balance the plot and the emotions. Don't worry, the child has grown up, and it's time to start showing some sweetness. I understand.
Come on, let's give out red envelopes for this chapter! Angels who can leave comments before midnight, don't be lazy, just move your fingers and tap a 1, thank you!
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