Chapter 16 The Top Scholar Who Murdered His Wife and Daughter (Sixteen): The Farmer's Son's Counterattack...
Song Ce patted Du Ningwan's hand, then said to Madam Fang, "Mother, I'm really worried about leaving Aunt all alone if I leave..."
"Your aunt has always taken good care of you, and she must be happy that you remember her. You don't need to worry about that. Before you got married, she had already bought land in our village, right across from us. Look, they started building the house a few days ago. It's just a short walk away. With your father and me looking after it, you two can go without worry!" Fang said with a smile.
Hearing this, Song Ce felt much relieved. When lunchtime arrived, the family enjoyed a sumptuous meal together. Zhou Yunhui had grown fond of her gentle and pretty sister-in-law over the past few days and clung to Du Ningwan tightly.
Du Ningwan also liked Zhou Yunhui. The two sisters-in-law whispered to each other for a long time. Song Ce didn't know what they talked about. But when he was about to leave, Du Ningwan blushed slightly and gave him a soft glare.
Carpenter Zhou wasn't idle either. Knowing that his elder brother and his wife were leaving that morning, he contacted a carriage company in advance. After all, his elder brother's wife was the daughter of the county magistrate, and his elder brother had become a scholar, so they couldn't take the oxcart to the county as before.
Knowing that the person hiring the carriage was from the family of a top scholar, the carriage company did them a favor by arranging the best carriage in the company. They not only cleaned it thoroughly inside and out, but also replaced the thick cushions inside.
Song Ce first helped Du Ningwan into the carriage, then bowed to thank the manager and driver of the carriage company.
Aside from their previous visit home, this was the first time the couple had returned to the county town since their marriage. Du Ningwan gave Song Ce a reproachful look, her face slightly flushed, and said, "Didn't my husband say before that he wasn't good at painting?"
Song Ce nodded in surprise.
Du Ningwan took out a booklet that Song Ce recognized very well from the book box and made as if to open it, but Song Ce quickly reached out and pressed down on Du Ningwan's delicate hand.
Du Ningwan's cheeks flushed instantly, and Song Ce was also a little embarrassed, stammering, "I... I just think Wan'er is very beautiful, and I have no intention of disrespecting her. Every time I think of you, I can't help but want to draw you."
The afternoon sun crept in through the carriage window, casting its light on the thin booklet. A gentle breeze stirred, revealing the beautiful women in the booklet, their bright eyes sparkling, each with a unique posture and captivating charm.
Song Ce's heart pounded like a drum. He frantically pressed the booklet down, not daring to look Du Ningwan in the eye.
Du Ningwan couldn't help but chuckle. Looking at his flustered and shy appearance, she smiled and said softly, "Husband, there's no need to be so reserved. We are now married. From now on... we can paint together."
Song Ce looked up and saw that Du Ningwan's eyes showed no displeasure, which reassured him. He nodded calmly.
The carriage continued its journey steadily for half an hour. As the scenery became more familiar, Du Ningwan lifted a corner of the curtain, her eyes filled with anticipation.
When the servants guarding the gate of the Du residence saw that it was the young lady and her husband returning to their parents' home, they hurriedly welcomed the two inside, while another servant went to the study to inform Du Zhiyuan.
When Du Zhiyuan received the news that his daughter and son-in-law had returned home, the couple had already arrived in the hall.
The servants of the Du family were very attentive, serving tea, fruit, and snacks to the young lady and her son-in-law in turn. After Du Zhiyuan entered the hall, Song Ce and Du Ningwan rose to greet him.
Du Zhiyuan had been secretly observing the two of them since entering the room. Seeing Song Ce's upright posture and gentle eyes, he finally felt relieved. He also noticed his daughter's bright smile and rosy complexion, concluding that she must have been doing well these past few days.
After Du Zhiyuan took his seat, the couple followed suit and sat down.
"My dear son-in-law, what are your plans for coming to the county town?" Du Zhiyuan asked with concern.
Song Ce put down his teacup, stood up and said respectfully, "Father-in-law, I wish to study in the manor to consolidate my knowledge. After the New Year, I will set off from the county to the capital after the fifth day of the new year. Although I am not the only one who has passed the imperial examination in our county, I would like to take my wife with me to the capital so that she can see the sights of the capital."
Du Zhiyuan paused, then stroked his beard and smiled, "That's fine then, but why did you leave in such a hurry, my dear son-in-law?"
Upon hearing this, Song Ce said somewhat embarrassedly, "Father-in-law, I have never been to the capital before. I thought that the imperial examination of this dynasty would be held in early February, so the sooner I went, the sooner I could feel at ease."
"Hahahaha!" Du Zhiyuan laughed and leaned back in his chair, saying, "My dear son-in-law, I myself took the path of the imperial examinations. Why don't you ask me about it?"
Song Ce was stunned, and quickly stood up and bowed: "I misunderstood, please explain in detail, Father-in-law."
"The capital is quite far from our county, it will take about a month to get there. If the carriage travels faster, it will take about twenty days. You are taking Wan'er with you, there is no need to rush, it is not too late for the two of you to leave after the fifteenth."
Song Ce should be correct.
Du Zhiyuan continued, “Although the imperial court will cover your travel expenses as successful candidates, it’s always good to be frugal on the road. You can be thrifty at home, but you can’t skimp on the journey. This time it’s the capital for the exam, so you should bring plenty of travel money.” After saying this, Du Zhiyuan took out three hundred taels of silver notes from his sleeve: “I’ve already paid back the fifty taels of silver you borrowed from your senior last time. Now that you’ve passed the provincial examination with top honors, the local officials and gentry of Qingzhou will surely compete to help you go to the capital. Listen to me, you absolutely cannot accept this money. If you succeed in the future, you’ll never be able to repay these favors.”
Upon hearing this, Song Ce knelt down, his robe billowing, and said with a sob, "This son-in-law thanks his father-in-law for his guidance and assistance." Du Zhiyuan stood up and helped him up, saying, "My dear son-in-law, we are family. As long as you treat Wan'er well in the future, I will be satisfied."
The couple came out of the hall. It was still early, so Song Ce and Du Ningwan discussed going to Granny Zhao's house to retrieve some of her frequently used books.
“My husband, let me go with you!” Du Ningwan said.
"Wan'er, you've had a long day. You can rest at home. I can go by myself. When I come back, I'll bring you your favorite rock sugar cake." Song Ce squeezed her hand and smiled.
"Alright, my husband, go and come back soon."
After leaving the Du residence, Song Ce first went to a pastry shop and bought some pastries that Granny Zhao liked. Then he walked to the courtyard where he had lived for a long time, just as Granny Zhao opened the door with a creak.
"Young man, why are you so late?" A hint of surprise flashed in Granny Zhao's eyes: "Where is your wife?"
"Aunt." Song Ce composed himself, handed over the pastries in his hand, and said, "My wife has had a long day, so I let her rest at home. I came here to say goodbye to you."
My wife's family lives in the county town. My father-in-law has been hoping we could go back and stay for a while, so we came to the county today, firstly to stay with my wife for a short time, and secondly to review our studies, as we will be going to the capital for the imperial examinations after the New Year.
"I thought it was something serious!" Granny Zhao said with a smile, pulling Song Ce into the courtyard. "Young man, come in and tell me."
The two entered the house, and Granny Zhao poured a cup of tea and handed it to Song Ce, saying with a smile, "Young master, this is a good thing! The magistrate only has this one daughter, and now he is all alone in this huge mansion, which is quite lonely. It is wonderful that you can be reunited as a family."
"I've been staying with my aunt for so long, and I really hate to move out. I'm so grateful for your care these past few days, and I'll always remember your kindness," Song Ce said with emotion.
“Silly child, we’re family, we don’t need to talk like strangers. If the house is finished next year, I’ll move in. Do you think that if you become a high-ranking official in the future, you’ll disown me as your aunt?” Granny Zhao said with a smile.
"How dare I?" Song Ce hurriedly bowed and said, "My aunt treats me like her own son, and I will naturally take care of her as if she were my own mother."
"Alright, alright, sir, your aunt knows you're a filial and good boy. Go back inside and get ready! Hurry home before it gets dark, don't keep your wife waiting."
The furnishings inside were as simple as when he arrived; all his belongings had been packed into a single, slightly larger bundle. Seeing Song Ce emerge, Granny Zhao urged, "Young man, don't delay on the road, hurry back!"
"Aunt, I'm leaving now. Please go back to your room!" Song Ce said.
Granny Zhao followed Song Ce to the courtyard gate, waved, and watched him slowly walk away. Song Ce looked back from time to time, only to see Granny Zhao standing inside the gate, smiling as she saw him off.
Song Ce quickened his pace after turning the street corner. After buying the rock sugar cake, he passed by Donglin Study and thought he would go in to buy some writing brushes and ink. As soon as he reached the door, Manager Wu, who was sitting at the front desk, quickly got up to greet him.
"Song Xiu... oh no, look at my mouth, it's Song Jieyuan! Is there anything you fancy today? I, Old Wu, will shamelessly offer it to Song Jieyuan! Song Jieyuan, please don't find it offensive, let our little shop benefit from your literary talent!"
Song Ce smiled and picked out some writing brushes, ink, and two books of policy essays, saying, "Manager Wu, you flatter me. I was so grateful that you didn't mind letting me copy books from your shop, saving me from having to worry about such mundane things. How could I possibly take your books for free?"
"Don't mention it, Scholar Song!" Manager Wu waved his hands repeatedly. "Please accept it with peace of mind. If you'd like, please help us put up a plaque for our study. From now on, I'll hang your calligraphy and paintings high up, and students from not only our county but also those from nearby counties will come to admire them!"
Unable to refuse, Song Ce inscribed the four characters "Donglin Study" on the bookshelf. Shopkeeper Wu was overjoyed and pulled out several policy essays from the bookshelf, saying with a smile, "Song Jieyuan will be going to the capital for the imperial examination after the New Year. I don't have much to give you, but these are policy essays that have just become popular in the capital. They contain essays by some of the Grand Secretaries and Top Scholars of the Court. Song Jieyuan might as well take a look. I wish you all the best in your career and that you will become the top scholar of the Song Dynasty!"
"Then I thank Manager Wu for his kind words," Song Ce said with a smile.
The journey took a considerable amount of time, and by the time they returned to the Du residence, it was already dusk.
He strode into the mansion and walked to the flower hall, where Du Zhiyuan and Du Ningwan were already waiting for him. Seeing him come in looking travel-worn, Du Ningwan smiled and said, "Father was just talking about you. Husband, you're back now. You must have smelled the aroma of the food at home." Song Ce smiled and took her hand, "Of course, of course. Thank you for keeping Father-in-law and Wan'er waiting."
Du Zhiyuan coughed lightly: "My dear son-in-law, please don't be offended. Look at how spoiled she has become. What kind of behavior is this, making such sarcastic remarks?" Although he said this, he didn't look at Du Ningwan, but only at Song Ce.
“Wan’er is just fine this way. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it,” Song Ce said with a smile.
Du Zhiyuan nodded secretly and smiled, "It's alright, son-in-law, please take a seat."
During the meal, Du Ningwan and Song Ce frequently exchanged glances, their eyes filled with tenderness. Du Zhiyuan watched the two of them, feeling deeply gratified. Song Ce recounted the amusing incident at Donglin Study, which made Du Ningwan cover her face and chuckle softly. Du Zhiyuan finally let go of the lingering resentment from his dream and laughed heartily, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere in the flower hall.
A note from the author:
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The date was wrong, please fix it. Thanks for pointing it out! [starry eyes]
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