Chapter 140 Chapter 140 Once I glanced at you, I would never look back...
Of course Chu Yin didn't know, but she had seen the lady from the Feng family.
"He was a very gentle and amiable man, and was very good friends with our late wife. The dowager wife also greatly liked Lady Wang. The young lady from the Feng family was only eleven or twelve when I first met her. She must be twenty-five or twenty-six now."
Chu Yin also said that the youngest lady in the Feng family was born to the late lady's stepmother. That lady was already quite old when she gave birth and had been ill for a long time since giving birth, so Miss Feng was raised by her elder sister and sister-in-law.
"The young lady was taught to read and write by Lady Wang. She already had excellent handwriting back then, and even copied Buddhist scriptures for the Madam Dowager. She had originally promised the late Madam that she would arrange a match for the young lady."
Fang Ying couldn't help but sigh softly when she heard this.
Chu Yin also felt sad. The two ladies who were so lively and bright in the past were now widowed together, and there was not even an adult man in the family to support the family.
"I will go back and report to the Crown Princess. I believe she has other instructions."
Fang Ying nodded: "I'll wait for your news."
Chu Yin left in a hurry, and only two days later, she came back to say that the Crown Princess was indeed unaware that her uncle had passed away, and she also brought a handwritten letter from Zhou Congshan.
The letter said that in the fifth year of Longxing, when Zhou Guojiu was accompanying the emperor on a western tour, he heard that Feng Tao was seriously ill and went to visit him in person.
But Feng Tao became even more stubborn during his illness. As soon as they met, he shouted to see the guest off. The two of them did not get along. Seeing that the Feng family's residence was simple and the old servant who answered the door was even his father-in-law's follower, Zhou Guojiu wanted to leave some money before leaving. However, this made Feng Tao very angry and he chased him out with his crutches and scolded him.
Zhou Guojiu had no choice but to ask the magistrate in charge of Xijing to send money to Feng Tao for his medical treatment. Feng Tao had worked as a tutor in this magistrate's house for several years and they had some friendship. Although he refused to accept the money, he said it was an advance on his salary and that he would accept it when he recovered and returned to continue teaching.
Zhou Congshan even teased her father in the letter: "You are quite good at asking for help. You are the one who found me. But now that things have come to this, I really can only ask you to take care of it for me."
She then wrote down some of her memories of her aunt and uncle's behavior, and also attached a handwritten letter to Wang and Xiao Feng so that Fang Ying could gain their trust.
Finally, Zhou Congshan did not forget to remind Fang Ying that even if she gave all the 100 taels of gold to her aunt, her aunt would not accept it, so she asked her to change it into money or other things and send it every few months depending on the situation.
"The Crown Princess said that she knew that you were used to being the head of the household and knew what was going on, so she entrusted this matter to you."
Fang Ying nodded: "Don't worry, Princess, I will do my best to take good care of the two elders."
Chu Yin said goodbye and left.
In February, the weather gradually warmed up. After a spring rain, the princess's mansion finally set the date for departure.
Fang Ying found time to have Fang Quan brought over, gave her some of her old clothes, and said, "You're already twelve years old. You can't let others push you around like you did when you were little. You need to have your own opinions. Even though I've gone to Xijing, I'll still support you."
Fang Quan's face was filled with reluctance, but he still responded, "I know. If it really doesn't work, I'll go find Dad and make trouble."
Fang Ying smiled and stroked her soft hair. "Yes. Before your brother-in-law left, he discussed this with Dad. If the capital really does move one day and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince no longer serves as the prefect of Kaifeng, he will find Dad an official position outside the capital. If there's a suitable one, I'll arrange a marriage for you first."
In order to prevent her father from being sent away to serve as an official, she should marry Fang Quan off to the local family, and then there would be no one to support her if she was bullied by her husband's family.
Fang Quan was only twelve years old, and when she heard about the engagement, she felt embarrassed. Fang Ying smiled and said, "I'm talking about a suitable match. Our family is in Xijing. Even if your father is away serving as an official, your sister can still take care of you."
"Yeah." Fang Quan nodded with a red face.
Fang Ying gave her some more money and asked her to listen and watch more, to know about the daily necessities of life and how to discipline servants. She talked about each thing for a long time before asking someone to send Fang Quan back.
Afterwards, she watched the servants collect all the daily necessities in the rooms in the courtyard and pack them into boxes. Some of the items that were not necessary to take away but were still half-new were packed up and sent to the farm to Aunt Deng and her daughter.
With only one day left before departure, Feicui came again with a bag.
"It's the Chengyi that the Crown Princess gave to my wife."
Fang Ying knew from her steps that it was not light, so she asked Lichun to help her take it and open it. Sure enough, there were gold and silver items inside.
She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Feicui went on to say that this was a thoughtful gesture from the Crown Princess, and that if Madam Fang wrote to her after she went to Xijing, she could send it to her, "and I will try to get it to the palace."
Fang Ying knew that her friend sent these to her because of the Feng family. She was afraid that the one hundred taels of gold would not be enough and wanted her to make up for it, so she accepted them and planned to give them all to the Feng family later.
Then he asked, "Can the letter really be delivered to the Crown Princess?"
"The Crown Princess said that by the time everyone who should go to Xijing has gone, there will naturally be a solution."
Fang Ying felt relieved. After Feicui left, she asked Lichun to count the gold and silver and put them together with the one hundred taels of gold.
In the evening, Yue Qing'e held a farewell banquet for her and Gao. The three of them drank some wine, and by the end, their eyes were inevitably red.
Yue Qing'e finally pulled herself together and said with a smile, "You two are going to reunite with your husbands. What are you doing here? Come, finish this cup and go back to rest. You have to get up early tomorrow."
Having said that, the three sisters-in-law have always gotten along very well, and they were still reluctant to leave after drinking, so they talked for a while before leaving.
The next day, Fang Ying got up early. Seeing that it was a good day outside, she felt relieved. She took Hong'er to have breakfast, and the mother and daughter changed into clothes for going out. After a while, someone came to report that the carriage was ready.
Fang Ying hurriedly asked the wet nurse to pick up Hong'er. The group left the yard and arrived in front of the hanging flower gate. Yue Qing'e was already waiting there with the children. Just as the two of them started talking, Gao's group also hurried over.
At this point, the three of them just said some words of taking care of themselves. Instead, the children, especially the older Huaiyun, learned from the book to break willow branches as a farewell gift, and gave Fang Ying, Gao Shi, and their younger brothers and sisters a freshly broken willow branch each.
"Okay, Daddy's still waiting."
Seeing that the time was almost right, Yue Qing'e pulled her daughter over and escorted Fang Ying and the others out to the car.
Sure enough, Ji Yanshou was already waiting outside. His two younger brothers and sisters-in-law were going on a long journey with their nephews and nieces, so he had to send them to the dock and say hello to the stewards of the Princess's Mansion.
Fang Ying took Hong'er, the wet nurse, Lichun, and Xingniang in one carriage, and the other maids and servants sat in another, with all the gold, silver, and jewelry going with them.
Most of the large furniture and furnishings had already been transported by land, and the rest were loaded onto ships yesterday. Therefore, there were only six or seven vehicles going to the dock today, and they left the Ji Mansion very quickly.
Xing Niang couldn't help but lift a corner of the curtain and looked at the Ji Mansion gradually receding into the distance. She sighed softly, "I don't know when I can come back."
Fang Ying was touched when she heard it, and she leaned over to take a look, but just like when she left Yangzhou with her parents, she never looked back after taking one look, and wholeheartedly headed for a new future.
Taking a boat from Bian Jing to Xijing, given the current water conditions, takes about four or five days on the road, which is two days faster than traveling by car overland. Moreover, the dignitaries who have already accompanied the emperor to Xijing are now transporting their belongings to Xijing. I heard that the roads have become congested and travel is even slower.
Taking a boat is also more comfortable than taking a car. People on the boat can walk around and talk, and enjoy the scenery on both sides of the river. The only downside is that people who are not used to riding on a boat, like Gao, will get seasick.
Fortunately, their journey was short, and Fang Ying could help her take care of the two children, allowing her to rest in bed more. By the time the ship arrived in Luoyang, Gao had already recovered.
"Why is the ferry terminal in Xijing so small?" "Yes, it's not even half the size of Bianjing."
The maids huddled by the window, muttering to each other. Fang Ying glanced at Lichun, who hurried over and lectured her, "What are you looking at? We're almost getting off the boat, why don't you go and put your things away?"
Several people hurried away from the window, each looking for something to do. Fang Ying watched them coldly for a moment before saying, "I told you before we came here that when you first arrive in Xijing, everything will definitely be inferior to what you're used to in Bianjing. If you don't want to come, you can stay and look after the house."
The maids were so frightened that they dared not speak. Fang Ying continued, "Get off this boat. I don't want to hear anyone say that this place is not as good as Bianjing anymore."
"Yes." The maids agreed in unison.
The maidservant in the fifth room heard the commotion and quietly copied Gao's words. Gao then said sternly, "Since you have heard it, I don't need to say more. Moving the capital is a major national event. It's not your turn to compare."
In this way, the maids on both sides were obedient. When it was time to get off the boat, they didn't dare to look or say anything too much, and walked to the shore in an orderly manner.
There were many people on the shore, and Fang Ying was wearing a veil on her head, so she couldn't see clearly. However, Hong'er, who was held by her wet nurse, saw her father from a distance and kept calling out, "Daddy, Daddy."
Ji Yanlang had already seen the mother and daughter, but the ferry was crowded and many people were getting off the boat, so it would be safer to wait for them to come over. He just stood there and waved to Hong'er.
Gao's mother and son walked in front of Fang Ying. She, too, was wearing a veiled hat. When she heard the maid say she hadn't seen Wu Lang, before she could ask, her eldest son, Huaixiu, broke free from his wet nurse's hand, ran to his sixth uncle, and asked, "Sixth Uncle, did you come here by yourself?"
Ji Yanlang touched his head and said with a smile, "What's wrong? Is it not enough for Sixth Uncle to come and pick you up?" Then he took Huaixiu's hand and said to his Fifth Sister-in-law who was coming over, "Fifth Sister-in-law, Fifth Brother just went to the Inspection Office for duty and can't leave."
Gao was delighted: "Has he gone on duty?"
"Yes, today is already the third day."
It was inconvenient to talk here. After saying this, Ji Yanlang invited his fifth sister-in-law to get into the sedan chair. Then he turned around, took Fang Ying's arm from Lichun, supported her, and asked, "Are you tired?"
Fang Ying shook her head: "I'm not tired. Go and look at your daughter. She keeps calling me daddy."
Ji Yanlang smiled and turned back to say to Hong'er, "Daddy is here, I'll hold you in a while." Then he supported Fang Ying and sent her to the sedan chair, then turned around and picked up his daughter, carrying her all the way to where the horses were tied outside.
"Hong'er, do you want to ride a horse with Daddy, or take a sedan chair with Madam?"
"horse riding."
Ji Yanlang handed Hong'er to the wet nurse and asked her to hold her first. He turned around and mounted his horse. When he bent down to take Hong'er, Lichun came hurriedly and reported: "My dear, my lady is looking for the young lady."
The wet nurse was afraid to hand the young lady over to her husband. Upon hearing this, she hurriedly said, "It's still a little cold. Let the young lady ride in the sedan chair with the lady."
"Okay." Ji Yanlang took advantage of the situation and coaxed Hong'er, "Go find the queen first. After a few days, daddy will take you riding."
Hong'er was not very happy, but the wet nurse didn't care about that and hurriedly carried her and Lichun to find their mother.
When Fang Ying picked up Hong'er, she was still pouting and kept muttering, "Hong'er wants to ride a horse."
"Okay, ride a horse. In a few days, let your father take you riding a horse." Fang Ying coaxed her daughter, but in her heart she cursed fathers for being unreliable. She let him hold her daughter for just a short while and an accident happened.
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