Chapter 214 Arrival in Yingzhou, Mutual Scams...
Zhang Shu arrived in Yingzhou Prefecture on a snowy day.
The forest was covered in a blanket of white, the ground was covered with snow, the wind was like a knife cutting into your face, and the snow was like a mound of earth burying you. The woman driving the black horse struggled forward, leaving behind winding tracks.
She exhaled warm breath and said into the room, "My lord, the snow is getting heavier and heavier, and we really can't walk any further. Let's go back to the nearby town and wait for the snow to stop!" Traveling in this terrible weather might lead to something even worse.
The person inside the carriage coughed twice and said without hesitation, "Please continue driving and take me to the prefectural city. I'll double your wages." Xiao Ting had been humiliated by the local scholar and was waiting for her help. Every second was extremely precious.
The woman hesitated for a moment, looking at the deep snow, but ultimately succumbed to the power of money.
"Alright! Please don't blame me for the bumpy journey, sir."
Zhang Shu: "This old woman has an extremely urgent matter to attend to in the prefectural city, how could I blame you? I wish you could travel even faster."
Seeing that she wasn't arrogant, the coachwoman felt a bit closer to her and started chatting, "Why are you in such a hurry to get to the prefectural city despite the heavy snow blocking the roads?"
Zhang Shu was deeply worried: "The old woman's young apprentice is being bullied outside. I must go and help her as soon as possible." The letter described the arrogant and domineering scholar, who was pressing Xiao Ting relentlessly, mocking and humiliating her. This child always reports good news and never bad news, yet this time she sent someone to deliver a letter. How badly she must have been bullied!
Thinking of this, Zhang Shu felt a sharp pain in his chest.
The woman pursed her lips. "Sigh! I thought it was something serious. Everyone gets bullied before. She even crawled into someone's bed when she was little." But then she understood Zhang Shu a little. Parents always worry about their children. "Alas, as the saying goes, a teacher for a day is a mother for life. Your little disciple is like your youngest child. You cherish him at home, but he suffers all kinds of grievances outside. It's understandable that parents are anxious and worried."
Zhang Shu nodded slightly and responded softly.
Seeing her downcast mood, the woman from the carriage comforted her, "Don't be too pessimistic. The wife of the prefect of Yingzhou Prefecture is a living goddess descended from heaven. She is in charge of right and wrong in the world, punishing corrupt officials and governing the common people. She will surely get justice for your little apprentice!"
Zhang Shu frowned: ?
Before she could ask any further questions, a strange phenomenon occurred. A caravan of horses galloped through the snowstorm, their heavy hooves making one's heart pound. The carriage stopped, and the black horse reared up uneasily.
The woman was overjoyed. "Oh my! Speak of the devil! Our upright and just official of Yingzhou Prefecture has arrived! Please tell her whatever grievances you have."
Zhang Tingmo's hair was tied up high, flying freely in the wind and snow. He spurred his horse and cracked his whip, his eyes fixed on the front with a calm yet unstoppable aura. Behind him followed dozens of well-trained cavalrymen, charging forward with an aura that seemed to want to crush the earth.
Three zhang away, she suddenly reined in her horse, landed on her back, and strode over.
With a snow-white fox fur draped over her shoulders, she resembled a king born with power, exuding an aura of dominance that made anyone who saw her knees go weak.
Snowflakes landed on her hair and brows, making her gentle features appear more dignified. Her noble and aloof demeanor blended perfectly, making her seem like a fairy who had strayed into the mortal world.
The woman in the carriage excitedly kowtowed to Lady Qingtian and tugged at Zhang Shu, saying, "My lord, please speak quickly! Lord Zhang is so busy with affairs of state, if you miss this opportunity, you'll never get another chance!"
Zhang Shu remained silent. Wasn't he supposed to have suffered endless humiliation? Who was this imposing woman before him, who clearly held immense power?
Zhang Ting lowered her eyes and bowed, "Teacher."
Zhang Shu understood everything. "The old woman is truly wronged." Filled with bitterness at being tricked by her beloved disciple, she turned her head away in grievance. "Driver, let's turn around and leave. I was incredibly foolish; he just said a few words in jest, and I came running over here like a puppy."
Zhang Ting knew this would happen, so he sighed and went to coax the old woman, "Teacher, please don't be angry. I was forced into this situation. It's snowing heavily and the weather is cold. Please come back to the city with me to rest. I will explain the reason to you then. If you are still upset, I will accept any beating or punishment without complaint."
Zhang Shu was still angry and wanted to say something back, but when he looked up, he saw that his little apprentice had dark circles under her eyes. His heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, and he swallowed the words in his throat. He turned his head away and still did not intend to pay attention to her.
Zhang Ting received a signal of compromise from his teacher, looked away, ordered the cavalry to return, mounted his horse, and stood guard closely to the side of the carriage.
It was snowing heavily and freezing cold. The woman driving the cart rubbed her hands together, her face turning red from the cold.
The carriage was insulated from the cold air, but it wasn't comfortable either. The chill seeped into his clothes, and the icy air seeped in through the cracks. Zhang Shu, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, leaned against the carriage wall, still sulking.
Suddenly, the carriage curtain was lifted, and a tall and beautiful figure slipped in. Without saying a word, she took off her fox fur coat and wrapped it around Zhang Shu, then placed a hand warmer in her arms. She remained silent with her eyes down until she left.
Zhang Shu gazed at the slightly swaying carriage curtain, feeling the warm breeze seep into her arms through the brocade cover, and soon she felt warm all over. She lowered her head and gently caressed the hand warmer in her hands.
She seemed to have failed in her teaching and nurturing of students, yet she also seemed to have succeeded.
With dozens of cavalrymen clearing the way, the carriage arrived at the prefectural city without any hindrance.
Yingzhou Prefecture, like Zhangzhou and Yinzhou Prefectures, was governed by Zhang Ting and became well-organized, prosperous, and bustling. Despite the heavy snow blocking the roads, the city remained open; vendors' cries and calls filled the air, the aroma of steaming food permeated the atmosphere, and pedestrians thronged the streets and alleys, sweating profusely but smiling broadly. The streets and alleys were brightly decorated, creating a festive atmosphere even more joyous than during the Lunar New Year.
This city was full of life and vitality; that was Zhang Shu's first impression of Yingzhou Prefecture.
She hadn't seen such a lively and heartwarming scene in a long time, and lingered there, reluctant to leave.
After a long pause, she finally said, "Let's go." Zhang Shu withdrew her gaze. The people lived in peace and prosperity, which was truly wonderful. However, she also knew that in the past, Yingzhou Prefecture was surrounded by powerful clansmen, wealthy and powerful, and officials were domineering. The people suffered from triple oppression, living in the cracks, selling their children, and the whole city was gloomy and desolate. It was nothing like it was now.
With weathered eyes staring straight ahead, a figure as straight as a pine tree slowly walked forward, a layer of snow falling on his thin shoulders. He introduced her to the local customs and folklore, occasionally throwing in a joke.
Zhang Shu was wrapped in a warm hood, but his eyes felt as if they had been stabbed by a cold blade, sore and painful that salty tears involuntarily streamed down his face.
Being able to teach such a disciple is the thing she is most proud of in her life.
She had vowed to deliver Xiaoting to the suffering people, and she had done so.
The Zhang residence was heavily guarded, with soldiers in full silver armor, wielding blades, their faces as cold as iron. Only in front of the chief officer did they lower their guard and reveal smiles.
"Your humble servant greets you, sir. It is freezing cold; please come inside to avoid the cold."
Zhang Ting paused, exchanged a few pleasantries with the person, and led the teacher inside.
The soldiers straightened up and continued their guard duty, their eyes fixed straight ahead. Being able to protect their mistress and ensure her safety was the greatest honor of their lives.
The paths in the outer courtyard of the Zhang residence were lined with wintersweet trees, standing in neat rows, their cool, refreshing fragrance wafting through the air. Wintersweet could not match the striking beauty of red plum blossoms, nor the aloof elegance of white plum blossoms, but Zhang Ting was a practical person. Wintersweet was fragrant and inexpensive, and the young couple figured it didn't matter what they planted, so they decisively bought dozens of wintersweet saplings.
Zhang Shu also saw that in this era that regarded red and white plum blossoms as the orthodox symbol of a gentleman, the choice of the unique winter plum blossom showed that the owner had a resilient character. She rarely lowered her voice to praise her young disciple: "He does not compete or climb, and has the demeanor of a recluse."
Zhang Ting grinned and said, "No, no, please come into the inner courtyard, teacher." She then added, "Winter plum blossoms are more practical! Everyone who's seen them praises them."
Zong Suyi yawned with his eyes drooping, holding several large characters in one hand and the little girl who had just been released from prison in the other. He walked to the archway. The little girl was restless and thrashed around like an eel. He got impatient and simply carried her away.
In her father's hands, Tun Tun was like a precious gift package given during holidays when visiting relatives; she tucked her little hands in and remained as quiet as a chicken.
As if infected by her father, she also yawned sleepily, her eyelids drooping and opening and closing. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, two figures suddenly entered her field of vision.
Tun Tun's spirits lifted, as if she had been given a shot of adrenaline. She slipped off her father's arms and ran happily forward.
"Mother! Mother! My mother!" He rushed into Zhang Ting's arms like a gust of wind, skillfully climbing up her clothes, hugging his mother's neck, and giving her a sweet kiss on the cheek: "I miss my mother, does my mother miss me?" His bright eyes were filled with starlight, reflecting Zhang Ting's figure, as if she were his whole world.
Zhang Ting used her sleeve to shield her daughter from the snow, hugged her with one arm, and said to the teacher with a smile, "This is our little pig."
Then she said to her daughter, "Tuntun, this is your great-aunt. She was my mentor."
Tun Tun flapped her big eyes and immediately called out, "Grandma, Auntie!" She wasn't shy at all.
The beloved disciple's cub was dressed in an adorable pink jacket, with two fine braids. Her little face was rosy and tender, and her eyes were especially similar to her mother's. She was so cute that it melted people's hearts.
Zhang Shu was overjoyed and said "good" three times. Seeing such a vibrant and tender little life made him feel ten years younger.
Zhang Ting handed the baby to the teacher to hold, hoping that the future teacher and student (?) could develop a better relationship.
Zong Suyi came over with an umbrella to shield her aunt and the little pig from the snow, and tossed the other umbrella to Zhang Ting.
He was also very excited and obediently said, "Auntie, you've finally arrived! I've been looking forward to it day and night, and I'm so glad you've finally come."
The enthusiastic words of her grandnephew and the cuteness of the human baby allowed Zhang Shu to experience a life she had never known before. She nodded with a smile, enjoying the joy of family life for the first time.
Zhang Ting walked beside him, holding an umbrella, watching the scene with a smile. Her gaze inadvertently met Zong Suyi's, and the two exchanged a knowing look.
Holding the soft, warm baby, Zhang Shu walked between his beloved disciple and grandnephew, his heart filled with warmth, marveling that there was no greater joy in the world than this.
Little did she know, this would be a day she would never forget.
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