Chapter 258 Returning to Wu County
As he left the palace, he encountered officials leaving their posts. Du Min looked at the faces, some gloomy and some mocking, and memorized their features. He then walked expressionlessly along the palace path.
After leaving the palace, Du Min got into a carriage and instructed the driver to take him to the ferry.
On the first day of the third lunar month, the day Wang Zhou turned twenty, Du Min embarked on his journey south back to his hometown.
At this time, the boat carrying Meng Qing and others had entered the Yangtze River. Wang Zhou's coming-of-age ceremony was witnessed by the great river, enjoying the blessings of the wind, water, mountains, and rivers.
Meng Qing had intended to ask Minister Yin to perform the capping ceremony for Wang Zhou, but things didn't go as planned. Given the current situation, she had no choice but to perform the capping ceremony for Wang Zhou under Yin Caiwei's direction.
For the first coming-of-age ceremony, a black cloth crown was presented by Du Li, who brought over a simple blue robe and ceremonial garment. Meng Qing personally helped Wang Zhou put it on.
Dressed in a simple blue robe, Meng Qing smiled and recited: "On this auspicious day of the month, I begin my coming-of-age ceremony. Let go of your childish ways and embrace your virtuous character."
"I am grateful to my parents for raising me." Wang Zhou bowed deeply.
Meng Qing's eyes moistened slightly. Time really flies. The first time he sailed across the Yangtze River to the north, Wang Zhou was only two years old. Today, as he passes the Yangtze River again, he is already twenty years old.
"The second capping ceremony, the 'Advanced Scholar' cap." Yin Caiwei announced the ceremony.
Du Li picked up the crimson gauze robe placed on the table, and Meng Qing took it and helped Wang Zhou put it on. She recited a blessing: "On this auspicious month and day, I present this garment to you. Respect your dignity and be virtuous."
"I will certainly live up to my mother's expectations. If I were to take up an official post in the future, I would surely become a good official in my region." Wang Zhou returned the greeting.
"The third crowning, the noble title." Yin Caiwei's announcement rang out again.
Du Li picked up the official robe and cap, and Meng Qing helped Wang Zhou put on his clothes and put a hair ornament on him.
"On the auspicious day of the year and the month, we congratulate you on your coming of age. May your brothers be present to help you achieve your virtues." Meng Qing concluded with a blessing, "Congratulations on your coming of age, my son."
Wang Chuan presented a cup of sweet wine, saying, "Congratulations on your coming of age, elder brother."
"Congratulations on your coming-of-age ceremony, elder brother." Xi Mei also presented a cup of sweet wine.
"Congratulations on your coming of age, elder brother." Wang Shan was the youngest, so he was last.
Wang Zhou drank three cups of sweet wine in turn, thus gaining the right to sit at the table and serve wine.
"When you were born, your father and I asked your third uncle to name you. Compared to Wangchuan, we owed you a name, and we're making up for it today. Your father and I consulted more than ten books and finally settled on the two characters 'Huaiji'. The Book of Changes says, 'Hollow out wood to make a boat, and carve wood to make an oar.' We hope that our son will have the capacity to help himself and others," Meng Qing said.
Six months ago, the family talked about Wangzhou's coming-of-age ceremony. Meng Qing originally wanted to ask Master Konghui to give him a courtesy name, but after hearing this, Wangzhou insisted that she give him a courtesy name. In his heart, she was the most virtuous and respected person.
“Huaiji, Wangzhou.” Wangzhou read his courtesy name and given name aloud, and smiled happily. “Mother and Father have gone to great lengths. I like it very much.”
"Mother, at my coming-of-age ceremony seven years from now, I want you and Father to crown me, and Third Aunt to be the master of ceremonies," Wangchuan requested. "I also want you and Father to give me a courtesy name."
“If your third uncle doesn’t compete with me, the position of Master of Ceremonies is mine,” Yin Caiwei said.
Wang Chuan hesitated; this was something his third uncle was capable of doing.
“Your third uncle gets the right to choose your brother’s name, and your father and I will choose his courtesy name. When it’s your turn, it will be the other way around. We will choose your name, and he will choose your courtesy name.” Meng Qing pointed to Wangchuan and Wangzhou. “It’s fair to you two brothers.”
"Alright," Wangchuan reluctantly agreed.
"And me?" Wangshan asked. "I want my second uncle to be my crown bearer."
“You’re still young, and your coming-of-age ceremony is a long way off. It’s really too early to worry about it now.” Du Li didn’t compete with Du Min for the job. He added, “By the time you come of age, your father will probably be the prime minister. Your coming-of-age ceremony will definitely be a grand affair, with guests filling the house. Families with daughters will all be vying for your son-in-law.”
Wang Shan blushed and said disdainfully, "I don't want a big celebration, and I won't be a son-in-law."
Yin Caiwei chuckled and shook her head, saying, "If you say he's clueless, he's shy; if you say he's enlightened, he doesn't understand right from wrong."
“It’s not that we don’t know what’s good or bad, but that we don’t understand.” Meng Qing pointed at Wang Zhou and said, “He is the eldest brother, and his coming-of-age ceremony today is a template for them. If they like one kind, they will naturally dislike the other.”
"That's right." Yin Caiwei nodded.
"I'll go get the longevity noodles," Du Li interrupted the conversation. "It's windy on deck, shall we eat back in the cabin?"
"I want to eat on the deck, enjoying the longevity noodles while looking at the river view. How wonderful!" Ximei said happily.
"Alright then." Du Li only felt cold and didn't see anything beautiful about it.
Meng Qing and Yin Caiwei didn't want to endure the cold wind, so the two sisters-in-law went back to the cabin, leaving the four siblings to enjoy the scenery upstairs.
After crossing the Yangtze River, the weather grew hotter day by day. When they reached the Jiangnan region, the scenery was quite different from that of the Central Plains. Wangzhou, Wangchuan, Ximei, and Wangshan would run to the deck as soon as they opened their eyes. Some were writing poems, some were painting and writing calligraphy, and some were reciting poems while shaking their heads. The four siblings, the oldest of whom had reached adulthood and the youngest who had just started school, were able to play together.
With four children by my side, this journey south was easier than any of my previous trips. The two-month journey seemed to fly by on the ship this time.
On April 14th, the official boat arrived at the Wumen Ferry. The long-lost Wu dialect entered his ears, and Meng Qing was stunned for a long time.
"Fourteen years have passed since we parted, it feels like a lifetime ago," Meng Qing sighed. She pointed to Wang Zhou, "After crossing this bridge, go around the bend, and then cross another bridge, that's our old home. Do you remember?"
Wang Zhou nodded. "When my third uncle returned to his hometown after being appointed to an official post, I was already six years old, and I still remember it. I watched from this bridge as my third uncle, wearing a big red flower, went to thank his teacher. He was surrounded by people, and he was very impressive. After he returned from thanking his teacher, I was herding geese under the bridge, and he took me to a feast at someone else's house. We came back late that night, and you, my father, and my uncle were waiting for us at the bridgehead."
Wang Chuan craned his neck to watch. He didn't have the fortune to experience it firsthand, but he could recreate the scene through Wang Zhou's narration. He complained with a mixture of envy and jealousy, "Mother, I'm going to cry. I'm not in many of your memories with my brother. It's so heartbreaking, it's not fair. In the next life, you must let me be the eldest brother."
"You lost to me in your past life, and you still want to win in this one? You'll still lose. In the next life, I'll still be the eldest brother." Wang Zhou laughed smugly.
Wang Chuan roared in anger and gritted his teeth as he charged at Wang Zhou. Wang Zhou grabbed his head and pulled him into his arms, refusing to let go no matter how much he struggled.
"Sister, little brother, come save me!" Wang Chuan shouted in a muffled voice.
Xi Mei and Wang Shan were busy admiring the scenery at the ferry crossing and temporarily lost their hearing.
"Second sister-in-law, do you want to go back and take a look? We've come all this way," Yin Caiwei suggested. "I also want to see the place where you used to live."
Meng Qing looked towards the shore; Du Li had hired a small boat and hadn't returned yet.
“Come on, I’ll take you there. We can buy a basket of paper funerary objects to take back with us.” Meng Qing sought a legitimate reason.
Wang Zhou let go of his hand and took a big step to jump off the boat first.
Fourteen years have passed, and the ferryman has grown old. He stared at Meng Qing for a long time until her figure crossed the bridge, at which point he finally matched her with a blurry figure from his memory.
“Prefect Meng…” The supervisor stood up to shout, when suddenly a hand landed on his shoulder.
“Uncle, it’s been many years. I didn’t expect you to still remember us. Thank you for thinking of us.” Du Li let go of his hand and explained, “We came back this time to observe mourning and do not want to make a fuss. Please rest your voice, Uncle.”
"Is she Lady Wu?" the supervisor asked in a low voice.
Du Li nodded.
The official smiled, leaned forward for a few more glances, and said happily, "This is the woman from our Wu County, she's truly blessed."
Du Li, mindful of his mourning period, didn't dare laugh, but nodded in agreement.
“Young master, you need to hire a boat, right? I’ll help you find a clean one.” The supervisor took over the task. “Go and take a look at the old house where the Lady of the County used to live. Jiayu Lane has been renamed Lady of Wu County Lane. There’s a memorial archway and a stone tablet outside the lane. It’s quite impressive.”
Du Li thanked him and went to chase after Meng Qing.
Meng Qing and his group stood outside the former Jiayu Archway. The archway had been completely transformed. The gate had been rebuilt and was tall and imposing. Outside the archway stood a memorial archway more than ten feet high. To the right of the archway stood a Taihu stone more than a person tall. The stone tablet was engraved with words of praise. The words were too ornate. After reading them, Meng Qing blushed.
“Mother, I’ve found out. The stone tablet and banners were erected by the government, and the archway was built by the original residents themselves with funds raised by them. After the archway was completed, the original residents sold their houses at a high price and moved away. The residents of today’s neighborhood are all newcomers who moved in in recent years, and their houses were also rebuilt.” Wang Zhou walked over quickly.
Meng Qing: ...You've been smug for nothing.
"Second sister-in-law, you've brought good fortune to everyone, even your chickens and dogs!" Yin Caiwei teased.
Meng Qing waved her hand, "Don't mention it, it's a bit embarrassing. Let's go buy some funerary objects."
“I’ll lead the way,” Wang Zhou said eagerly. “Let’s see if I can still find the paper horse shop.”
“Okay, lead the way.” Meng Qing followed him.
Upon reaching the foot of Ruiguang Temple, Wangzhou called out, "Mother, I've seen Lord Zheng."
Meng Qing also saw it; among the crowd of people dressed in black, white, brown, and blue, a purple figure stood out.
"Qingniang, did you go to Jiayufang?" Du Li caught up with them. "There's a memorial archway outside Jiayufang, it was erected for you."
Not far away, Governor Zheng heard these words and looked up.
Meng Qing immediately led her family forward to pay their respects.
"You're back? When did you arrive?" Governor Zheng asked.
"We arrived today to buy paper offerings and paper money," Meng Qing replied. "Is Lord Zheng here to worship Buddha and offer incense?"
"I've come to see Dr. Xu." Governor Zheng stared at her for a few moments and asked, "Has Du Min not returned?"
"We went back first; he might be a few days later." Meng Qing suddenly sensed something was wrong. "Is something the matter with Dr. Xu?"
"Dr. Xu told me that a few days ago someone inquired about Du Min and tried to bribe him. It seems that someone wanted to frame Du Min for being unfilial to his parents." Governor Zheng has been busy cleaning up Du Min's mess these days and is very unwilling.
Meng Qing frowned. "Who's behind this? Have you found out?"
"I've arrested two of Lu's men, and they've already confessed. Today I'm here to get Dr. Xu's confession. It's true that the two tried to bribe him. I can submit a memorial impeaching Prefect Lu for framing and falsely accusing Du Min, but I don't know if Du Min needs me to submit a memorial." Prefect Zheng threw the problem to Meng Qing.
"Why isn't it discounted?" Yin Caiwei wondered.
“He has made many enemies, and he is currently in mourning for his father. If someone interferes, he will have no way to defend himself.” Meng Qing still had to cover for Du Min in front of Cai Wei. “Lord Zheng, what do you think?”
"I'll wait for him to come back." Governor Zheng was determined to seize this opportunity to ridicule Du and make him forever bow down in his presence.
Upon hearing this, Meng Qing breathed a sigh of relief. There was time to maneuver, and she could return to Dujiawan to resolve the potential problem.
"It's getting late, we won't keep Lord Zheng any longer. We're in a hurry to get back, we want to pay our respects to my mother-in-law before dark." Meng Qing was about to leave.
Governor Zheng glanced at her and said, "Your father-in-law has also passed away."
"When?" Meng Qing was startled, but at the same time breathed a sigh of relief. With both of Du's parents dead, she was no longer afraid of anyone accusing Du Min of being unfilial.
“He was buried on the 28th of the first month,” Governor Zheng replied. “If Du Min returns, send me a message. If it’s inconvenient for him to come into the city, I will go to find him.”
"good."
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Author's note: See you tomorrow night.
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