"There is one more thing that I haven't discussed with my wife. Huaijing made the decision on his own, and that was my fault. On the way back, I went to Huicui Pavilion..."
We've arranged with Steward Chang to depart early the day after tomorrow, so we don't have much time left to prepare.
Steward Chang asked, "Should we bring the household servants? What does Madam think?"
After thinking it over, Zhao Qingyi finally decided to take several of the servants from her household with her.
But we need to ask people's opinions first.
It wouldn't be good if they didn't dare to say anything openly, but then didn't do their job properly behind the scenes.
He summoned the few servants in the household to the courtyard.
"My husband was fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination with top honors. Now, the Emperor has taken a liking to him and has specially appointed him to serve as a county magistrate in the Northwest."
I'd like to ask you all, is anyone willing to come with us to take up our post?
To be honest, if they are willing to come with us,
Life might not be as comfortable as it was in Beijing, but my husband and I aren't the kind of people to be harsh. We certainly won't mistreat anyone.
Those who do not wish to travel with us can stay in the capital. Steward Chang will come and arrange tasks for you.
My family and I are leaving early the day after tomorrow, and I hope to get an answer before dinner tonight.
Okay, let's call it a day.
After Zhao Qingyi finished speaking, she went back to her room to continue tidying up.
I'm leaving the day after tomorrow. Although Steward Chang said he'd help prepare things, I can't completely rely on others for that.
Besides, even the most meticulous man might not be able to prepare everything perfectly.
Zhao Qingyi instructed her servants to make a lot of instant noodles, fried rice, and fried noodles.
Considering that her son is still young, even though he has been weaned, he still needs to get enough nutrition. In particular, he needs to drink milk every day.
Along the way, there might not be many fresh vegetables to eat, but my third sister's book says that vegetables are essential.
After thinking about it for a while, I decided to send an old woman to the street to buy some fresh fruit so she could make some jam.
I'm preparing this so that my son can get enough nutrition on the road if he doesn't have any vegetables to eat.
Then he sent the driver and the doorman to the livestock market to see if there were any ewes or cows that were currently producing milk for sale. If not, pregnant ewes or cows that were about to give birth would also be acceptable.
If there's any available, she'll buy it; this is the only way Zhao Qingyi can think of to take care of her son.
These past two days, the master and servants in the courtyard have been extremely busy, while the servants in the house are preparing to go to their new posts with the young couple.
Zhao Qingyi was a little surprised by this. She thought that life in the capital would be comfortable and peaceful, so why would she have to go to that godforsaken place in the Northwest?
What did the old woman say?
"We are worthless. If it weren't for Steward Chang buying us back then, we would be working for who knows where now."
Not all masters are as kind-hearted as the lady and master.
They never mistreat their servants, always provide them with enough to eat, and never beat or scold them. To have such a good master is a blessing beyond measure. Wouldn't it be foolish not to seize this opportunity?
Besides, the master is already a county magistrate, and he will surely rise higher and higher in the future.
Everyone says that even a seventh-rank official has to stand before the prime minister's gate; we servants in the government have a respectable reputation, too.
Zhao Qingyi couldn't understand why serving as a servant in the imperial court was considered respectable.
Anyway, it's a good thing that they volunteered to go with us to take up their posts.
At least there will be people to help you along the way, and you won't have to worry about not having enough manpower when you arrive at your destination.
On the day of departure, early in the morning, Chang Yi led a group of people to the gate of the Second Courtyard.
A line of thirty burly men looked very imposing and gave me a great sense of security.
Good morning, Miss Zhao. Good morning, Lord Wangs.
This is Jiang Zhennuo, the head of the Yuanhang Escort Agency. The thirty people behind him are all brothers from the agency.
The person next to me is Chang Shier from our Huicui Pavilion. Shier is good at all sorts of trivial arrangements.
He would be responsible for ensuring the safe arrival of the top scholar and his family before returning.
The carriage in front is filled with food and supplies for the top scholar's family.
The carriages behind were filled with grain, cured meat, and utensils such as pots, pans, and ladles.
The last carriage was carrying charcoal and oilcloth.
This box was given to Miss Zhao by our boss.
May your journey be safe and smooth.
After saying this, Chang Yi clasped his hands in a fist salute.
Watching Wang Huaijing and his family of three board the carriage, and seeing the caravan depart.
After seeing off Wang Huaijing's family, only Wang Guangzong remained.
"Lord Wang, when are you planning to return home? I'll arrange for a security escort for you."
Wang Guangzong laughed.
"Then Mr. Wang thanks Steward Chang in advance."
I have already contacted the caravans at Wangyuelou, and they happen to have a caravan returning to Lingnan in three days.
"I'd like to buy some local specialties from Beijing to take back to my family and relatives these next few days. Does Steward Chang have any recommendations?"
When it comes to buying things, there's nothing Chang Yi doesn't know.
"You've come to the right person, Lord Wang. Speaking of specialties of the capital, it's definitely food..."
Chang Yi is truly a responsible person.
Not only did they tell Wang Guangzong where to find delicious food and where to find the most economical silk, they also took him on a tour.
Upon learning that the old women in the second courtyard had been taken away by Wang Huaijing and his wife, he waved his hand and sent an old woman over to cook for them.
Three days later, Wang Guangzong also embarked on his journey back to his hometown.
After seeing the person off, Chang Yi quickly wrote a letter to Zhao Qingyan to inform her.
When Wang Huaijing and his wife received Chang Yi's message via eagle, they had already been on their way to their new post for several days.
Wang Caixia's first reaction upon hearing the news was that she might never see her own daughter again in her lifetime.
"Wife, don't cry. Why can't we see our daughter?"
Think about it, our son-in-law went to the Northwest as the top scholar, which must mean that the emperor believes in his abilities.
When he is promoted in the future, he will be able to return to the capital sooner or later.
Besides, if it's inconvenient for them to come, then it's inconvenient for us to go, right?
"At worst, after I pass the imperial examination and am appointed to an official post, I can request to be assigned to a place closer to our daughter."
Zhao Changgeng's persuasion was effective, but it infuriated Huang Shi, who was standing nearby.
A cushion was thrown at him.
"You bastard, how could you abandon your whole family for your daughter? You don't even want your mother or your son?"
Couldn't they say something auspicious, wishing everyone a meteoric rise in rank and a gathering in the capital?
If all else fails, we can ask His Majesty to send us back to our hometown.
Zhao Changgeng knew he was in the wrong. Was it easy for him to appease his wife? And his own mother was stirring things up. He retorted defiantly.
“Mother, according to the laws of the Divine Dragon Kingdom, officials are not allowed to return to their place of origin.”
Uncle Wang has really hit the jackpot, getting the position of magistrate of Linrou County.
This is unprecedented good fortune!
Looking at her foolish son, Huang felt even more urge to hit him.
"How could I have given birth to such a blockhead like you? Oh well, whatever."
Everyone, stop overthinking.
Eldest daughter, later you can send someone to the Wang family and Madam Wang's place separately to inform them about the appointment of an official.
This also gave Lady Wang some time to prepare.
The rest of them went to school.
Let me tell you, if you dare not pass the imperial examination and become a scholar next year, see how I deal with you.
They all put their skin on my plate.
And you, my dear girl, go tell that Xu Dongsheng, if he dares not study hard to earn you an official title, I'll make sure he doesn't break off the engagement.
Well, the old lady was clearly taking her anger out on her. She felt sorry for her eldest granddaughter when she heard that she was going to that harsh and cold place in the Northwest.
But since they can't express their heartache, they just find fault with everyone.
The Zhao family's quails hurried away one by one.
Those who should read should read, and those who should sew should sew; the important thing is to avoid appearing in front of the old lady.
Zhao Qingyan then leisurely went to the village school.
She hadn't expected the Emperor to pull such a stunt, managing to exile all three top-ranking officials. This was a huge waste of resources.
When they arrived at the village school gate, the old man guarding the gate naturally knew what Zhao Qingyan had come for, so he opened the gate and let her in.
Zhao Qingyan didn't call Xu Dongsheng, but stood directly in the courtyard.
A short while later, Xu Dongsheng ran out of the classroom on his own.
"Yan'er, what brings you here?" Xu Dongsheng's eyes were full of undisguised smiles.
"Hey, I'm here on my grandmother's orders to tell you to study hard and earn a title for me in the future, otherwise she'll break off the engagement."
Zhao Qingyan spoke in a lazy tone.
Xu Dongsheng's face turned pale instantly.
Why did Grandma say that? Did I do something wrong and offend her?
Zhao Qingyan chuckled.
"Oh dear, she's taking it out on me. The old lady is in a bad mood right now. She just received a letter that my brother-in-law has been sent to Mogao County in the Northwest as a county magistrate."
I heard that the area is harsh and cold, mostly desert with little arable land, and most people there rely on herding.
So, being an official there is not easy.
The distance is too far, making it too difficult to meet.
So what the old lady meant was that all the men should strive to pass the imperial examinations and become officials, because only when they reached a high rank could they support each other.
Even if the distance is far, we can find a way to bring people closer.
The imperial examinations were fraught with difficulties, and the old woman, with nowhere to vent her frustration, cursed everyone she met.
Now, besides the servants, I reckon only my grandmother is left in our house.
Xu Dongsheng almost burst out laughing.
"It's rare to see Grandma with such a childlike side."
"Would you like to come to school and study with me, or would you prefer I ask my teacher for leave so I can go out with you?"
Zhao Qingyan shook her head.
"I'm just here to put some pressure on you and toughen you up. Alright, go back to your studies. I'm going to take a stroll in the mountains."
"Come over for dinner tonight. Whether we find anything of value or not, I'm having roast lamb."
Xu Dongsheng smiled indulgently.
"Then be careful and come back early. Don't get so caught up in playing in the mountains that you don't want to go home. I'll go to Green Mountain Lodge with Mr. Yun after class."
After seeing Zhao Qingyan off, Xu Dongsheng went back to class.
Mr. Yun asked, "Has something happened at home?"
Xu Dongsheng shook his head, "Yan'er wants to come over for dinner tonight. We'll be having roast lamb."
Yunyou was delighted to hear this, and his lectures became not only more efficient than usual, but also exceptionally vivid.
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