Chapter 107 The Lady of Andong
"The Zheng family of Wanfeng County rose to prominence through commerce, valuing profit and being shrewd in business. They sent many of their women to powerful and influential families, while their sons donated money to obtain official positions and education. Over the years, the Zheng family produced quite a few officials, although most of them were ordinary officials. But it's hard to say what will happen in the years to come..."
The boat traversed mountain streams, sailing downstream along the river, breaking through the night and following the rising sun, finally entering the borders of Andong Prefecture.
Song Jin leaned against the ship's railing, listening to Qi Zheng recount the Zheng family's situation.
Their biggest backers were actually the Prince of Jin and the Duke of Ying's mansion.
The previous dynasty was plagued by constant warfare, with heroes emerging from all corners of the land. The Zheng family, as merchants, had neither the qualifications nor the ability to participate in the struggle for power. However, they cleverly sent women from their clan to various factions to "surrender." This indiscriminate casting of a wide net easily provoked resentment from those factions, who then took their anger out on the women.
But the Zheng family didn't care; even if nine out of ten failed, if one succeeded, they would still have succeeded.
They did succeed.
That year, the seemingly insignificant woman sent to the Qi family, with the most humble demeanor, managed to send her son into the palace, becoming the ultimate victor. She then sent her new bride to the Duke of Ying's mansion.
Twenty years later, Zheng's actions, which were despised by many at the time, propelled them to become local tyrants, and few dared to provoke them.
Hearing this familiar tactic, Song Jin's eyes darkened slightly, and she smirked, "They must have a lot of kids."
Qi Zheng: "Most of them are adopted orphans from outside the family, raised up, and then sent back under the Zheng family's name."
The Great Yan family values filial piety, even more so the debt of gratitude owed to those who raised them. Those raised by the Zheng family could never truly leave, nor was there any need for them to. Therefore, outside the family, the Zheng family members remained quite united.
The Zheng family is like a big tree, and the Zheng family members are like its branches. Branches sprout branches, veins connect veins, and the branches and leaves have spread too far. Now, it's practically impossible to remove them all.
Upon hearing the word "adoption," the ferocity in Song Jin's eyes intensified. She turned to look at the person opposite her.
Niu Tielan stood to the side, holding a fishing rod, awkwardly pulling it back and forth, both surprised and delighted.
It was supposed to be a simple trip, but she had been on the verge of death several times in recent years and rarely went out, let alone went on vacation.
Song Jin only came here to take Niu Tielan to Andong Prefecture to see Ruan Nanlin and relieve her of her lingering resentment, but she always seems to run into these messy things.
She forced a smile and asked, "What's the relationship between the Zheng family and the Yu family?"
Qi Zheng looked down at the fierce look in her eyes and had already guessed what was going on. He whispered, "The current matriarch of the Zheng family is the younger sister of the head of the Yu family."
Song Jin sneered twice: "What a coincidence, they're all in Wanfeng County?"
Qi Zheng: "The Zheng family is here, the Yu family is in Qianhe County."
Song Jin's eyes darted around: "Right next to Andong County? That's interesting. Do you think my grandfather knows about this?"
Even if he didn't care about his mother as his daughter, he couldn't forget the grudge after his family was massacred and he barely escaped with his life.
Qi Zheng wasn't entirely sure, but drawing on the information he had from various sources, he guessed, "He probably doesn't know. I've heard of An Dongjun before; he's a man who hates evil as if it were his enemy. If he knew about this life-or-death feud, he wouldn't be so calm."
Currently, the two sides are keeping to themselves and not interfering with each other.
Song Jin glanced at her mother struggling to catch fish all over the deck and thought, if that person really knew the truth and didn't care, then their whole trip had been a complete waste.
I just hope that's not the case.
She looked quietly at Niu Tielan, then slowly moved her gaze to Qu Maoze's smiling face: "Then tell me, does he know?"
Compared to the others, Song Jin cared more about Qu Maoze.
Putting everything else aside, just considering his inherent danger, she would find it difficult to fully trust him. Furthermore, from the moment they met until now, he had always maintained a calm and composed demeanor, making it hard to discern his true thoughts.
He was too well hidden. It was only because Niu Tielan's Gu poison truly needed him that he was willing to sacrifice himself and bleed; otherwise, Song Jin wouldn't have let him come along.
Qi Zheng also looked over.
Over there, Niu Tielan frantically tried to catch the fish, finally managing to bring it back to the bucket and let out a huge sigh of relief.
A smile played on his lips as he watched Du Qumaize lift his foot, spilling a bucket of water onto the floor. All the fish and shrimp inside scrambled out, jumping and splashing on the deck. Du Qumaize feigned innocence, saying, "Oops, accidental!"
Niu Tielan angrily said, "Qu, Mao, Ze, pick it up for me! Pick it up yourself!"
Qu Maoze hissed softly, "My hand hurts a little."
Niu Tielan gritted her teeth and glared at him fiercely, but she couldn't bear to lose a single one of these fish, which she had caught herself with a net or fished out.
So she grumbled and squatted down to pick up the fish and shrimp, glaring at each one she picked up, then glaring again at each pair she picked up.
Qu Maoze chuckled softly, then turned around and met Song Jin and Qi Zheng's scrutinizing gazes. He stopped laughing, coughed lightly, and squatted down to pick up fish and shrimp with Niu Tielan. However, he wasn't very well-behaved, occasionally picking up the same fish as Niu Tielan and pressing her hand down.
That's shameless.
Song Jin gritted her teeth: "Tell me, does he know or not?"
Since he orchestrated Hou Qiaohe's faked death, he must know what happened behind the scenes. But he hasn't said a word about it all this time, just leisurely harassing her mother every day.
Song Jin was annoyed just looking at him.
Seeing her conflicted expression, Qi Zheng pondered for a moment and carefully said, "Young Master Qu definitely knows. As for why he hasn't said anything, perhaps he wants you to speak first?"
Song Jin glared: "Why should I go first? Do I owe him something?"
Qi Zheng looked at her silently without saying a word.
Song Jin just stared at him, her expression changing little by little.
She really owes him.
Without him, she would just be an ordinary countrywoman, with nothing special except for her martial arts skills.
Because of him, she is now a princess; she has gained status and wealth.
Thinking about all this, Song Jin scratched her head in annoyance, kicked him, and muttered, "So annoying, can't you talk properly?"
Qi Zheng hesitated and shook his head, remaining silent.
He really can't speak.
Song Jin rolled her eyes at him, turned around, put her hands to her mouth, and yelled at the top of her lungs, "So annoying—"
Qi Zheng: ...
On the other side, Niu Tielan was startled by her sudden shout. She strained her hand and was poked by a shrimp, letting out a hiss.
Qu Maoze pulled her hand over, saw the blood on her fingertips, and gently put it in his mouth.
Niu Tielan froze for a moment, her cheeks quickly flushing red. She glanced nervously outside, making sure Song Jin and the others weren't looking their way, before letting out a sigh of relief. She tried to pull her hand away, but couldn't.
His fingertips were gently held in his mouth, his tongue lightly brushing against them, warm and sticky.
Her face flushed, and she whispered, "What are you doing? Let go, you're filthy!"
She had just picked up a whole bunch of fish and shrimp from the ground; they all smelled fishy.
Qu Maoze gently licked his fingertip twice, then released it. A moment later, the wound on his fingertip disappeared completely. He smiled and said, "Fish and shrimp bones are poisonous; if you're unlucky, it's easy to get an infection."
Niu Tielan was stunned for a moment, staring at her restored fingertip, biting her lip, and glared: "More poisonous than the Red Thread Gu?"
Seeing that she wasn't fooled, Qu Maoze lowered his voice and changed the subject: "What's wrong with Jinjin? Should we go check on her?"
Song Jin was still yelling loudly over there; it was only because they were already far away from the canyon area that her voice would have been even louder.
Niu Tielan glanced at it and then looked away, saying irritably, "What's so interesting? Are you crazy?"
Qu Maoze chuckled, stopped his antics, and quickly gathered up the remaining fish and took them back.
They caught quite a few fish along a stretch of road where there were schools of fish, but only a few small, miscellaneous shrimp that Niu Tielan had personally gathered remained.
He chuckled, looking at the lively little shrimp still jumping around in the wooden bucket. "We'll arrive in Andong County in an hour. Just in time to take them over for my father-in-law's lunch."
Niu Tielan pursed his lips, a look of worry creeping onto his face.
Qu Maoze reached out and touched her furrowed brows: "What's wrong? Don't you want to see anyone?"
Niu Tielan shook his head: "No, it's just..."
Twenty-seven years have passed, and she only has a vague memory of her father. She can't recall what he looks like, and she wouldn't recognize anyone she met, let alone her father.
Her situation is also complicated; it's unclear whether recognizing each other is a good or bad thing.
Qu Maoze blurted out habitually, "Feeling apprehensive as you approach home? What's there to be apprehensive about, that old geezer?"
Niu Tielan looked at him expressionlessly.
He coughed lightly. "I'm used to it. I had some minor disagreements with my father-in-law in my younger days, but don't worry, Madam, I'm not the kind of person who holds grudges. I've long since put those old grievances behind me."
Niu Tielan sneered: "Is that so?"
How come she didn't notice it had happened before?
Qu Maoze chuckled: "Of course, everything from before is just a passing cloud. But now I'm penniless and have no roots. I don't know if my father-in-law will look down on me. I hope my wife won't abandon me then."
Niu Tielan rolled her eyes at him: "Without a matchmaker, without betrothal, without a formal title, we can't talk about such things."
This wasn't the first time she'd said this; you could say it was a knot in her heart.
Qu Maoze looked at her gloomy expression, reached out and lifted a strand of hair from her forehead, and sighed, "Although we didn't have a grand wedding procession, we still paid respects to our parents and the heavens and earth. How can you be considered nameless and without status?"
Niu Tielan's almond-shaped eyes were bright, and she didn't quite believe Qu Maoze's words, so she asked in return, "Really?"
Qu Maoze sighed, "I wouldn't joke about them. The moon is right there, and they can see us. If this isn't a grand hall, what is? Does it have to be those two pieces of wood?"
Niu Tielan stared at him blankly.
Thinking back to that year, also under the full moon, he suddenly pulled her close, dressed her in red, and they kowtowed to the moon, completing their wedding ceremony so simply and hastily. At that time, she had just come from the mountains and knew very little about such things, only finding it different from other forms of romance. Later, raising her child alone, she realized the true difference.
Qu Maoze's explanation, if given to anyone else, would be no different from fooling people, but it was him.
Niu Tielan bit her lip and looked away: "That's still not legitimate."
Qu Maoze just stared at her, the smile on his face gradually fading.
Niu Tielan didn't back down an inch either, and just stared back.
Suddenly, Qu Maoze reached out and pinched her cheek, his voice tinged with regret: "You've really grown up."
In the past, she would never have expressed her dissatisfaction so bluntly.
Niu Tielan slapped him, grabbed his wrist, and continued to look at him with her bright almond-shaped eyes, full of stubbornness.
Qu Maoze gave in, holding her hand and playing with it. After so many days of ambiguous and unclear interactions, he made his first promise: "When you're better, I'll take you back to pay respects to my mother and that man."
Niu Tielan shifted her gaze, stubbornly replying, "Who cares?"
Qu Maoze gently squeezed her hand and chuckled, "I'd love to, but before that, we still need to meet your father. Shall we go straight there, or rest for a bit first?"
Niu Tielan clenched his fists tighter and tighter, hesitating for a long time before finally backing down.
"Let's find an inn to rest for a while."
...
Andong County was one of the six counties south of the Yangtze River, and the most developed of them all, thanks to the presence of Prince Nguyen Dong Lam of Andong.
During the three years of turmoil, Ruan Donglin single-handedly quelled the unrest in Jiangnan, suppressed the remaining troops, and maintained neutrality amidst the various conflicts. When Qi Ye victoriously captured Yong'an City and began to subdue other forces, Ruan Donglin was the first to surrender and bring peace. He was also the only marquis whose fiefdom was used as his title.
Marquis of Andong, commonly known as Lord Andong
He was generous, righteous, and hated evil. He was skilled in military strategy and management. However, he didn't get along well with Song Shang. Although they rarely met, they almost always ended up fighting and disliking each other.
Even so, when Song Shang withdrew from the new tax law and changed the land law, he was the first to respond and implemented it best among the six prefectures of Jiangnan. Andong Prefecture was also the prefecture with the most land ownership per capita among the six prefectures of Jiangnan.
Upon entering Andong County, one can see vast tracts of cultivated land. Even in the dead of winter, the people are still busy in the fields, and their physiques and complexions reveal that they are living quite well.
The boat came to a smooth stop in Pyeongyang Prefecture, where Andong-gun resided. There was a large ferry crossing there, with waterways connecting it to all four directions, making travel very convenient. With convenient transportation, fertile land, and people living in peace and prosperity, the area was thriving.
Wu Mazi and Lang Lihei carried the luggage onto the carriage. He whispered, "Qi, Brother Yan, shouldn't I come along? Although I'm not very capable, I know this area well and can speak up for myself if anything comes up."
Looking at Wu Mazi like this, Qi Zheng felt a pang of emotion. When they first met, Wu Mazi was dirt poor, even reluctant to eat meat. Now, he had a decent amount of money.
He shook his head: "No need. We're here on personal matters. You go and take care of your business, but don't be reckless. Your parents in heaven would certainly want you to live a good life."
Wu Mazi's eyes reddened: "I understand, Brother Yan, don't worry."
Qi Zheng nodded, then looked at Lang Lihei and the others, and said, "Let's go back and start over. We were lucky this time, we still have a chance to turn over a new leaf, but we won't be so lucky next time."
When Lang Lihei and the others learned that he was a prince, their legs went weak. Now they felt incredibly lucky to be alive and didn't dare to speak, just nodding their heads obediently.
Wu Mazi said, "Brother Yan, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on those idiots."
He had only instigated this in advance out of fear that they might be manipulated into acting rashly later, so he'd let them suffer a loss and learn their lesson. Who would have thought that the former chivalrous hero would transform into a prince, almost costing them all their lives?
Wu Mazi felt a mix of fear and guilt.
He'll probably get a beating on the ship back.
Song Jin chuckled twice, patted Qi Zheng on the shoulder, and turned to get into the carriage.
Qi Zheng glanced at Wu Mazi a couple more times, gently patted his shoulder, and whispered, "Please accept my condolences, and take care of yourself in the future."
After saying that, he also got into the carriage, leaving Wu Mazi wiping away his tears, clutching the token in his arms, a surge of hatred welling up in his heart.
That corrupt official, he will make him pay with his blood.
...
Here, the carriage clattered along towards Pingyang Prefecture.
The environments of Pingyang Prefecture and Guangning Prefecture were actually quite similar, but compared to the chaos there, the order here was significantly better. Pedestrians and vendors running back and forth kept to the sides, not daring to wander around. They spoke in their local dialect as they ran, chattering away.
Song Jin couldn't understand
Niu Tielan paused for a moment, then murmured, "It seems so, someone is distributing grain at the city gate."
Song Jin exclaimed in surprise, "Mother, you understand?"
Niu Tielan shook his head, looking disappointed: "I can only roughly understand a little bit."
She was seven years old when the accident happened, and she spoke very clearly. More than thirty years have passed, but she can only understand a little of what she says now.
Song Jin took her hand and praised, "That's great too, Mother. You have such a good memory. When you get better, you can become a female tutor and teach the little ones to read."
Niu Tielan's melancholy dissipated, and he resolutely refused: "Teaching you, you brat, has already nearly killed me. You want to teach me anything else? I think you're asking for trouble."
Song Jin said resentfully, "It's not that exaggerated."
Niu Tielan pinched her cheek and sneered, "Do I need to talk to you about how many pens you broke and how many sheets of paper you tore when you were little?"
Song Jin shrank back to the side, pulled back the carriage curtain, and looked at the growing crowd in front of the city gate. Suddenly, she remembered: "Speaking of which, Yang Yanjun's Autumn Banquet has started, hasn't it?"
They were originally going to go, but now that they're out, they can't. However, they still left a donation, hoping it will help the children have a warmer winter. This winter came earlier than usual and is also much colder.
Niu Tielan: "It'll be in the next few days."
Song Jin couldn't help but sneer, "If you're talking about an autumn banquet, you might as well rename it a winter banquet!"
Niu Tielan ignored her and followed her to the carriage door, looking at the people outside.
The land shapes its people, and the Jiangnan region has always been known for its beautiful women. The people here have fairer skin than those in Si'an, and with their improved living standards, both men and women appear vibrant and energetic. Of course, even in the wealthiest places, there are always those who are poor.
The people queuing up to drink the meat soup were dressed much worse, and their complexions were also more sallow.
Unlike last time when they brought wine, today they were just a cartload of people and some luggage, completely inconspicuous at the city gate of Pingyang Prefecture. The guards didn't search them, glanced at them, collected the toll, and let them pass, not forgetting to remind them...
"Go inside. There's a curfew in Pingyang Prefecture; don't go out at night."
This tells us they're from out of town.
Song Jin then asked, "Does the official know who is distributing the grain over there?"
These days, those who can distribute grain either have money or power, or at least some degree of influence. Otherwise, they wouldn't dare come to the city gate; it's too conspicuous.
The guard smiled and said, "That's our Lady of Andong. She distributes grain at the city gate every month. She's done a lot of good deeds over the years and is a well-known philanthropist in our area."
Song Jin paused, and subconsciously turned around to look.
Niu Tielan clenched her hands at her sides, her expression darkening.
Twenty years have passed, this is normal.
Niu Tielan didn't want Song Jin to worry, so she suppressed the bitterness in her heart, forced a smile, and said softly, "It's alright, let's go into the city and rest for a while."
Song Jin pursed her lips and lowered the carriage curtain.
The carriage continued inwards.
Just half a mile away at the city gate, under tight guard, a middle-aged woman in dark green brocade patiently served meat broth and cornbread to the poor people queuing up, until the pot was completely empty, not a single piece left.
She wiped the fine sweat from her brow and gently said to the person in front of her, "Good child, come again next time. There aren't any more this time."
The dirty little boy wiped his eyes, his voice trembling with tears, "But my... my mother is sick and hungry. I haven't eaten for days."
The woman in the dark green brocade robe smiled gently. Beneath the shallow wrinkles, her almond-shaped eyes were bright and moist. She said, "Naughty boy, you were here just now."
The little boy's expression changed, and he stopped insisting on getting the food. He grabbed the bowl and ran away as fast as he could, afraid of being punished by her.
The woman shook her head and chuckled, saying, "That clever little devil, Lan Yan, go back and donate some meat to the orphanages in the city; their lives aren't easy either."
The maid named Lan Yan smiled and said, "Madam has donated quite a lot lately. If it weren't for the Marquis's ability to make money, our entire household's wealth would have been donated away."
Tai Qingxin retorted angrily, "You're making fun of me again? It's just that I wasn't paying attention last year and sent away most of the charcoal from the manor. Is that something you're holding a grudge about for a whole year?"
Lan Yan sighed, "I wasn't making fun of you, I was just worried about you. It's been so cold this year, and you've been working so hard outside. You haven't even bought yourself any new clothes, and it breaks my heart to see that."
Tai Qingxin touched her face and sighed, "I'm already so old, there's nothing much to tidy up. Besides, I have more clothes than I can wear in the mansion, there's no need to waste this money."
Lan Yan sighed: "You..."
Tai Qingxin smiled indifferently, watching the geese flying across the sky, and said softly, "We're both getting old, so these things don't matter anymore. I just hope that I can help others suffer less hardship, and that God will also take care of my Lingling. That child is so delicate."
Lan Yan felt a pang of heartache and could only say, "Madam, please rest assured. Miss is a lucky person and will surely be safe and sound. Perhaps she'll even be surrounded by children and grandchildren."
Tai Qingxin's eyes crinkled slightly, and though the wrinkles on her face were undeniable, they couldn't diminish her beauty. She smiled and said, "Indeed, she's thirty-five this year, a grown woman."
Lan Yan: "Yes, Madam, it's cold outside, let's go back first."
Tai Qingxin: "I'm in perfect health."
Lan Yan: "Even the best things can't withstand constant wear and tear. We're not young girls in our twenties or thirties anymore."
Tai Qingxin smiled: "Of course, these days we call girls in their twenties and thirties 'little girls'."
...
The maids followed behind, helping them into the magnificent carriage. Guards escorted them, and the carriage slowly made its way into the city.
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