Chapter 47: Setting off on the journey home, arriving in Taizhou
At dawn, around 5:00 AM.
The entire Pear Blossom Street was quiet; the pear blossoms on both sides had long since withered, leaving only oval-shaped pear leaves swaying in the wind.
When Zhang Ting came out wrapped in a cloak, Li Ruilian and the other two were holding the reins and feeding the horses. Du Zaolang and the others had already boarded the carriage, while Zong Suyi stood quietly beside another slightly more luxurious carriage, shivering in the wind. When she saw Zhang Ting come out, she smiled and called for her to come over quickly.
Zhang Ting hurried over and saw that he was only wearing a single layer of clothing, his neck was hunched, and the tip of his nose was red from the cold. She took off her cloak and put it over him.
She had only been up for a short while when her voice became a little hoarse: "Why don't you go inside and wait?" As she spoke, she picked the person up in her arms.
Zong Suyi's mouth opened slightly, and she exclaimed in surprise, instinctively gripping her robe tightly in her hand.
Zhang Ting stepped forward, bent down, and climbed into the carriage, gently placing him on the small couch.
Zong Suyi's cheeks flushed slightly at her actions. She buried her head in her work, straightened her slightly disheveled cloak, and unconsciously moved closer to her.
He whispered his reply to her earlier words: "I'm afraid Miss won't be able to find a seat."
Zhang Ting glanced at it, chuckled softly, and turned to call the driver to set off.
The group drove out of Kyoto in the dawn light, and Zhang Ting lifted the carriage curtain to look at the city gate that was getting farther and farther away.
I wonder what it will be like when I return in three years.
As the morning mist gradually dissipated, rays of sunlight filtered through the trees and fell upon the canopy. The coachman drove the carriage through a narrow alley and suddenly caught sight of a slender figure in the pavilion ahead. He turned to Zhang Ting and said, "Miss, Miss Luo is ahead."
Zhang Ting frowned, leaned out of the car window, and saw that it was indeed Luo Zijun.
He said to the driver, "Stop up ahead."
Yesterday, she hosted a banquet at Keyinglou to maintain her friendship with three friends. With mid-May approaching and the Imperial College's entrance exams just around the corner, she also introduced Luo Zijun to Qiu Yuan and Fang Ting, asking them to help look after her.
However, the banquet ended at 7 PM last night. This place is 20 li from the capital, and Luo Zijun's family does not have any vehicles. They probably came to wait for us during the night.
She lifted her robe and got out of the carriage. Upon closer inspection, she realized that the man hadn't changed his clothes.
"Zijun, you didn't go home last night?"
Luo Zijun smiled shyly, "I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see my sister off in time, so I simply didn't go back."
"It's cold and dewy at night, it doesn't matter where you deliver it, it's good that you care." Zhang Ting sighed, touched her forehead, and thankfully she didn't have a fever.
Luo Zijun was afraid that her sister would be unhappy, so she waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "It's alright, it's alright."
Zhang Ting withdrew his hand, pursed his lips, hugged her briefly, and then let go. "Zijun, take good care of yourself!"
Luo Zijun's expression immediately turned solemn and respectful. She cupped her hands and said, "The journey is long and arduous, sister, take care!"
Not far away, the sound of thunderous hooves came. The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw a snow-white figure rushing out from around the corner. In an instant, the person reined in his horse and stopped, laughing, "Luckily, we made it in time."
Fang Ting strode over, draped in a snow-white cloak. Her face was a little pale, and a faint smile played on her lips. She stared intently at Zhang Ting and handed her the willow branch in her hand. "I broke this this morning after going around to the north of the city. I almost missed the appointed time!"
Zhang Ting raised an eyebrow, took the willow branch, and said gently, "Why is Sister Fang here too?"
Fang Ting was frail and coughed twice from the wind before saying, "My sister is going on a long journey, how could I not see her off?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Ting bowed to her and said mischievously, "Then Ting thanks you for your kindness, sister."
Fang Ting lowered her head and smiled.
It was getting late, so Zhang Ting waved the willow branch in his hand and told her to take her time on her return journey and not to catch a cold.
He then turned to Luo Zijun and bowed to the two of them, saying, "Zijun, Sister Fang, although Zhang Ting has gone far away this time, we will meet again someday. I hope you both take care of yourselves!"
Goodbye, sister!
"Take care, little sister!"
Zhang Ting stared at them for a moment, then turned around and boarded the carriage without looking back.
Before long, the carriage started moving again, getting further and further away from the two people in front of the pavilion, until it disappeared from their sight.
Inside the car, Zhang Ting leaned against the wall with his eyes downcast, fiddling with the willow branch in his hand. When he saw Zong Suyi slowly approaching, he thought he wanted to play this game. He sighed inwardly at his young age and boundless energy. Just as he reached out his hand, he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder.
Zong Suyi leaned on Zhang Ting's shoulder, held the hand that was holding the willow branch, and gently comforted her: "Don't be sad, I will always be with you."
Zhang Ting was used to farewells and didn't feel sad, but as she felt the warm touch on her skin, her gaze fell on Zong Suyi's slender, fair fingers. She simply patted his hand and smiled gently, "Okay."
Zong Suyi smiled, his eyes curving into crescents. Wrapped in a cloak, he was enveloped by Zhang Ting's clean and refreshing aura. Looking at the person beside him, he felt incredibly at ease, even though they were far away from home.
Ten days later, Zhang Ting and her entourage arrived in Taizhou Prefecture.
On this trip back to his hometown, Zhang Ting was afraid of encountering Magistrate Hu and causing unnecessary trouble, so he deliberately avoided Yinzhou Prefecture and took a detour via the capital, Jizhou Prefecture, Taizhou Prefecture, and Tongzhou Prefecture.
However, the journey was tiring. The road had been too bumpy, and with summer approaching, the sun was blazing and mosquitoes were rampant. They had run out of insect repellent, so since they had entered the territory of Taizhou Prefecture, Zhang Ting suggested that they stay in the prefecture city to rest for a day or two.
After putting down their luggage and finishing packing at the inn.
Since Zhang Ting was already there, she decided to visit Zhang Sheng as well. She wrote a visiting card and instructed Lin Xiuzhen to deliver it to the Zhang residence.
Seeing that it was still early, he took Zong Suyi out for a stroll, and also prepared some souvenirs for the Zou and Li sisters, and her good senior sister.
This was the first time Zong Suyi had gone out for a stroll with Zhang Ting. He wore a veil, tugged at Zhang Ting's sleeve, looked left and right, and found everything novel.
In the end, they bought a lot of food. Fortunately, Li Ruilian and the other two were following behind to help carry it. When they came to a fabric shop, Zong Suyi pulled Zhang Ting inside. It was getting hotter and hotter, and they needed to buy a lot of new clothes.
The fabrics from Taizhou Prefecture were of very high quality. The two of them picked out patterns and selected a total of thirty bolts of gauze and silk. The shopkeeper was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling and even gave each of them a purse embroidered with mandarin ducks.
"Your Highness and Young Master, are you here to plan your wedding? I wish you both a long and happy marriage, and many daughters to be born!"
Embarrassed, Zong Suyi hid behind Zhang Ting. In an instant, she realized that this man had not made any promises to her since that day, as if the gentle kiss that morning was just her imagination. She pouted angrily and poked her back hard.
Hmph, heartless woman!
The force behind her was like a kitten scratching her, and Zhang Ting didn't care. While discussing with the shopkeeper about sending the cloth directly to Lvtian County, she turned her back and squeezed Zong Suyi's hand to comfort him.
Sure enough, there was no sound behind him. Zhang Ting found it amusing; Zong Suyi was always easily angered, but very easy to coax.
After the discussion was completed, the shopkeeper finally relented. Around dusk, Zhang Ting led his group to the restaurant for a meal and brought back a portion for Du Zaolang and the others.
Back at the inn, Li Ruilian and the other two delivered the food to Du Zaolang and the others, while Zhang Ting led Zong Suyi for a walk in the inn's courtyard.
Across from them, another couple was chatting. Zong Suyi picked up a leaf and fiddled with it in his hand. Suddenly, he asked Zhang Ting, "What kind of place is Lvtian County?"
Zhang Ting thought for a moment and slowly said, "The mountains and rivers are beautiful, and the four seasons are distinct." Especially in winter, she almost froze to death when she first arrived!
Zong Suyi's eyes lit up. That was truly a wonderful place! Unlike Kyoto, where there was sandstorm in spring and winter.
He threw the leaf aside and walked up to Zhang Ting. His eyes were as clear as if they had been washed by mountain spring water. He stared at her intently, his moist, thin lips parted slightly and then closed again. He slumped his head, his mood becoming depressed.
Zhang Ting knew what he wanted to ask, and subconsciously ruffled his silky black hair, saying gently, "The people there are simple and honest, don't overthink it."
Zong Suyi looked up upon hearing this, a smile spreading across her lips. "Mhm." Then, as if remembering something, she slapped Zhang Ting's hand away.
He put his hands on his hips, his face flushed with anger, and pouted, saying, "You did the same thing last time, messing up my hair and making me the laughingstock of the other three!"
Zhang Ting touched the hand that had been slapped, looked up guiltily at the sky and then at the ground, and suddenly said, "Oh! I still have an essay to write!" With that, he turned his back and walked away quickly.
Zong Suyi stared in astonishment, his mouth agape. When he finally came to his senses and chased after her, she had already vanished, leaving him seething with anger.
As the moon rose and the sun set, the inn fell into tranquility.
The next day, Zhang Ting woke up feeling refreshed and energized, having successfully earned a resentful glare from someone. In a good mood, she curled the corners of her lips.
The weather is sunny and bright; it's another beautiful day.
After breakfast, Zong Suyi handed her the prepared list of water gifts. Zhang Ting glanced at it and found it very thoughtful, with nothing worth adding.
She tidied her clothes, packed some gifts, and took only Li Ruilian to visit the Zhang residence, leaving the other three women at the inn to guard the valuables and protect the male relatives.
Before leaving, Zong Suyi hooked her belt, pouted, and said aggrievedly, "Remember to come back soon."
He glanced carefully at her expression and added, "At the latest... at the latest you have to come back to have dinner with me."
Zhang Ting smiled, took his hand, and promised, "Okay."
......
The carriage wheels rolled and stopped in front of the Zhang residence. Zhang Ting bent down and got out of the carriage.
Zhang Sheng was already waiting in front of the mansion gate. Upon seeing Zhang Ting, he immediately came forward and warmly invited her inside.
"My dear nephew, you've finally arrived! I've been looking forward to this day ever since I left the capital!"
Zhang Ting smiled and exchanged pleasantries with her. On the way, he observed the layout of the Zhang residence, which was grand, elegant, and dignified, unlike that of an ordinary merchant's family.
"Did your family ever have officials?"
Zhang Sheng asked in surprise, "That's true. Where did you hear that, my dear nephew?"
Zhang Ting then told her his guess. Zhang Sheng looked at Zhang Ting with even more admiration and told her that his family had produced many high-ranking officials, but in recent years the younger generation had been unworthy and only held minor local official positions.
Zhang Ting, upon hearing this, felt it was inappropriate and tried to smooth things over: "The imperial court is deeply benevolent, and its actions in the local areas are also for the benefit of the people."
Zhang Sheng realized he had spoken out of turn and chimed in, "Absolutely, absolutely."
The pavilions and towers of Zhang Mansion were exquisite, and the flowers and rare treasures were countless. Zhang Sheng smiled and invited Zhang Ting to enjoy the scenery in the garden. He pointed to the red-scaled fish in the small pond and said with a hint of doting: "These are the fish that my daughter brought back from her trip to Mount Lu."
Zhang Ting looked down and saw that the fish was huge, with brightly colored scales and sluggish swimming. It must have been well-loved by its owner to be so fat.
She looked up at her master's expression and sighed, "So it's because he loves the house that he loves the crows."
The two were chatting happily when a rough voice suddenly boomed from above: "Zhang Wa Zi! Where's the old woman's wine?!"
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