Chapter 175 Departure for the Capital
The fire on the stove by the door had gone out, the smoke had dissipated, and the women who had helped had finished cleaning up the pots and pans and gone off to do other things, planning to come back to prepare lunch later.
The area in front of the shop suddenly fell silent, with only the wind swirling fallen leaves across the bluestone slabs.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi flanked Jiang Ling, their little faces beaming with excitement about their upcoming trip to the capital.
"Have you brought everything?" Jiang Ling asked with a smile, then gently added,
"But it's okay if you didn't bring everything; you can buy it when you get to the capital."
As the saying goes, "a poor family travels with plenty of money," so she brought plenty of cash with her.
"We've got everything!" the two children said in unison, their voices exceptionally loud.
Jiang Ling looked at them carefully and found that they had both changed into new clothes.
Xiao Ran's outfit was newly made by his mother using cotton fabric she had bought last time. The stitches were dense, and the size was just right. She had also painstakingly embroidered some patterns on it. The fabric itself was exquisite, and wearing this outfit, he really looked like a young master from a modest family.
The outfit Xiao Yi was wearing was made by Aunt Qian a few days ago at Jiang Ling's request, and it was made of a thicker and warmer material.
Aunt Qian even embroidered a little rabbit for him and sewed a small cloth pouch inside his clothes, specifically to hold the snacks Jiang Ling gave him.
When a child goes on a long trip for the first time, they should always make sure they are clean and tidy, otherwise they will feel inferior.
Seeing that the entrance was temporarily quiet, Jiang Ling asked Xiao Ran to bring the carriage over.
"Okay!" Xiao Ran replied loudly and ran out happily.
Xiao Yi looked up at Jiang Ling and said with a hint of pride in her voice, "Sister, Xiao Ran and I came down early this morning and cleaned the carriage inside and out. We also brushed the horses' manes and fed them plenty of hay. Sister will definitely have a comfortable ride in it!"
Jiang Ling smiled and patted his head: "Good, Xiao Yi is really capable."
A short while later, Xiao Ran drove the green-canopied carriage to a stop in front of the shop.
The horse's mane was combed smooth and gleamed in the sunlight, the carriage was wiped clean, and even the mud on the wheels had been scraped off.
Jiang Ling loaded the prepared items onto the car one by one.
Several of the cushions were fluffy and soft, which she had specially prepared for this long journey.
After all, it's a nearly six-hour carriage ride, so you'd better make sure your backside doesn't suffer too much.
In addition, there were several wrapped gifts, thinking that if they ran into Cheng Fang or Zhao Jingxing's family, they couldn't come empty-handed;
In another cloth bag were self-defense tools she had specially prepared; some she carried with her, and some she hid in a secret compartment of the carriage for emergencies.
There were also some emergency medicines, which were placed in the hidden compartment of the carriage.
Then, she took out two brand-new cloaks from the package and handed them to Xiaoran and Xiaoyi.
"The weather is getting colder and colder, and it must be even colder in the capital. These two cloaks are for you, as are the gloves. Try them on and see if they fit."
Despite the freezing weather, both children's hands were already red from the cold. They are prone to getting chilblains when they touch cold water, and the itching is awful.
She spotted these two capes at a modern clothing store selling traditional Chinese clothing; they were thick, warm, and the size was just right.
Although it is artificial fur, it is extremely soft to the touch.
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi took the cloaks, and immediately felt an indescribable softness and warmth.
They had never handled this kind of material before; it felt a bit like touching a rabbit's fur.
The two unfolded their cloaks; Xiao Ran's was grayish-silver with fine gold thread embroidered on the lapel.
Xiaoyi's is sky blue, with plush trim sewn around the edges.
Both of these are very thick; they can almost be used as small blankets in cold weather.
"This...this is so beautiful!" Xiao Ran's eyes widened in amazement.
He had never seen such fine fabric in his entire life; it was even more exquisite than the cotton-padded jackets worn by the landlord's children in the village.
Xiao Yi didn't think much of it. She took the cloak and wrapped it around herself. The fluffy collar brushed against her cheeks. She wouldn't be afraid of the cold this winter anymore.
"Hehe, it feels like a little rabbit is rubbing against me..."
Jiang Ling picked up another pair of gloves and demonstrated for them, "Here are some more gloves. Come on, I'll teach you how to wear them. Align your five fingers and slip them on. That way, your hands won't get cold when you grab things in winter."
Xiao Ran put them on like she did, the fleece inside the gloves perfectly covering each finger.
My fingers, which had been frozen stiff, were instantly enveloped in warmth, and they became much more flexible.
Xiao Yi is still small, and her fingers are small too, so some of them don't fit.
Xiao Ran picked up his picture and personally helped him put it on.
Xiao Yi, holding up her gloved hand, hopped and skipped around in circles.
"Great! I don't have to worry about my hands getting cold in winter anymore!"
The weather has been getting colder lately. After the fire in the stove outside is extinguished, the cold wind blows in without any obstruction, and the chill is biting.
Jiang Ling turned around and took out her light blue cloak and put it on.
This cloak is lighter than the two children's, yet just as warm.
She had just finished fastening her cloak when she heard the clear sound of horses' hooves in the distance.
With Cheng Fang's cheerful shout, "Miss Jiang! We're here!"
Looking up, they saw Cheng Fang and Zhao Jingxing, who had arrived together in a carriage.
Jiang Ling had told them last time that she would be traveling to the capital in her own carriage, so she didn't ask them to prepare one.
Cheng Fang immediately spotted Jiang Ling standing at the shop entrance, wearing a pink and blue cloak.
The cold wind made her face look fair and rosy, like a fresh early spring bouquet, which immediately brightened his eyes.
My heart was racing uncontrollably.
Zhao Jingxing got off the carriage, walked closer, and glanced at Jiang Ling, Xiao Ran, and Xiao Yi.
"This material looks thick and sturdy, so it won't be exposed to the wind on the way, which is perfect."
Jiang Ling smiled and said, "I'm afraid I'll be bothering you for a few more days on this trip to the capital, so please be prepared to stay warm."
Cheng Fang also got off the carriage: "Miss Jiang is so thoughtful. Is everything ready? Shall we set off now?"
"Wait a moment," Jiang Ling smiled slightly, turned around and took out two small packages from the carriage.
"This journey is long and the weather is cold, so I brought some small items with me. Please take a look and see if they are suitable for you."
As she spoke, she handed the slightly larger package to Cheng Fang and the other to Zhao Jingxing.
Both of them were somewhat surprised, exchanged a glance, and took the package.
It feels slightly heavy in the hand and has a soft texture.
"This is……?"
"Open it and you'll see," Jiang Ling said with a smile.
The most practical gift in winter is undoubtedly the gift of warmth.
Cheng Fang, being impatient, was the first to untie the cloth bag.
Inside were a pair of dark brown gloves made of finely tanned soft leather, with delicate leather and a thick, soft wool lining, and fine, even stitches.
He picked it up and touched it, and immediately felt a warmth coming from his palm.
"What exquisite gloves! Excellent! My hands were getting cold from riding! Miss Jiang, you've thought of everything!"
Cheng Fang was both surprised and delighted. He immediately put it on his hand to try it on, and the size was surprisingly suitable. His fingers moved freely, and the warmth was excellent.
Zhao Jingxing also opened his package, inside which was a pair of similar-style but more subdued dark black leather gloves, with the same thick and warm lining.
"The leather is of superior quality, the workmanship is excellent, and the lining is especially warm. This item is truly practical for walking in winter. Thank you, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Ling was pleased to see that they liked it. "It's just a small thing. Considering the cold weather on the journey, it's good that it can help the two young masters keep warm."
Cheng Fang twirled his fingers a few times, admiring the object. "Every time Miss Jiang brings something out, it's so thoughtful and unique."
Zhao Jingxing said, "Now that everything is ready, let's set off!"
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