Chapter 37: Does it matter whether one lives or dies?
Tonghua Inn, being the largest inn in Shangyang Village, could easily accommodate two superior rooms, but the superior rooms were expensive, costing 800 coins per night.
At a time when ordinary people earned only thirty or forty coins a day, this was undeniably exorbitant. However, upon closer inspection, Yang Youyang did possess a sliver of conscience.
The furniture and beds inside were all made of the finest wood, and the candles and oil lamps were also of superior quality, free of impurities, bright and clear, without occasional pops or acrid burnt smell; instead, they emitted a faint, pleasant aroma.
Besides these features, the room was spacious, with enough room for three people to lie down comfortably on the bed. The blankets were clean and warm, clearly having just been aired out in the sun.
Song Jin tossed and turned on the bed like a jumping insect, which prompted Niu Tielan to kick her in disgust.
They've been traveling day and night for the past few days, spending most of their time sleeping in the car. Even the most comfortable car can't compare to being in bed. Niu Tielan has felt like she's floating on clouds these past few days, constantly dizzy and only managing to stay awake through sheer willpower. Now she can finally rest.
She was annoyed: "Just go to sleep already! Sleeping is like a dung beetle rolling around in poop!"
Song Jin rolled over and tumbled next to Niu Tielan, clinging to her like an octopus, and said defiantly, "No way! I'm a very well-behaved sleeper; I wouldn't fall off a tree even if I were lying on it."
Niu Tielan chuckled: "If you can't sleep in bed, go downstairs and sleep with Xiaomei and Xiaoer."
Before Song Jin could even speak to the suggestion, Xiao Er hurriedly interjected, "No, Miss, please don't come any closer! I almost got kicked to death the year I slept with you!"
When Xiao Er was first bought, she was only seven years old. Having just experienced the deaths of her parents and siblings, she was then betrayed and became extremely timid. Because she was rescued by Song Jin, Xiao Er only trusted Song Jin and insisted on sleeping with her. Song Jin, feeling sorry for her, agreed.
Since Xiao Er was so small, she only took up a corner of the bed when she slept. Who knew that even in that small corner, she would be kicked off the bed and get a big bump on her head? From then on, she grew up and was no longer afraid to sleep alone.
It's all filled with bitter tears.
In response, the relatively composed Xiao Mei, though direct, also asked tactfully, "Miss, you can't sleep, is something on your mind?"
Disliked by everyone, Song Jin pouted, snorted, and rolled onto the floor with her blanket, lying down alone and staring blankly at the flickering candlelight hanging on the wall.
Just when everyone thought she was going to behave herself, she suddenly asked, "Xiao Mei and Xiao Er, do you miss your parents?"
The breathing in the room quieted down.
Niu Tielan, lying on the bed, opened her eyes and looked at Song Jin, wrapped in a blanket on the floor, with a complicated expression.
When asked about this topic, Xiao Er was the first to respond. Even though she was very young when her parents had their accident, she still remembered it vividly. When she talked about them, she was mostly lively and happy.
"Yes, my dad was about my height, with a round, chubby face. He always smiled, and everyone liked him. I remember once he took me to pick peaches. He stood on tiptoe to pick them for me, but we both fell to the ground. My younger brother had to climb the tree to pick them for us. When we got back, my mom scolded us for it..."
She knows these little things by heart, and she often talks about them over the years, always with the same joy.
Little Mei lay beside her, watching the tiny specks of light flickering in Little Ear's eye, and she slowly spoke.
"Sometimes I think about it. My father was honest, hardworking, generous, and kind. He was known as a great man. He was deeply devoted to my mother. Even when she was seriously ill, he never abandoned her. He only sold me, his daughter, because he had no other choice."
Song Jin knew this too; she had asked Xiao Mei if she wanted to go back.
Although being sold must have left her with resentment, ultimately her parents did it to save her life, which, in ancient society, is somewhat understandable.
Xiao Mei refused at the time, and Song Jin thought that Xiao Mei might be afraid of being sold a second time, so she didn't ask again. After all, Xiao Mei was already ten years old at that time, which was considered a young woman in those days, and she had her own ideas.
However, Xiaomei's next words revealed that things were not that simple.
"But if he hadn't shown all his kindness to outsiders, lending all the family's money to those unfortunate people outside, how could the family have been so poor? And if they hadn't used some kind of folk remedy to cause my mother to miscarry several times and ruin her health in order to have a son, how could she have become so seriously ill? In the end, he would rather sell his daughter to save his wife than force those poor people outside to their deaths. He was truly a renowned philanthropist."
As Xiao Mei spoke, her voice became more sarcastic.
Her mother didn't object to selling her daughter in exchange for a son in her womb, only saying from beginning to end that women have to accept their fate.
So even though Song Jin and the others have kept saying they could let her go back all these years, even though she's had time, freedom, and money, and even remembers where her home is, she has never gone back.
Xiao Mei: "Anyway, consider it repaying their lives. Now I have no parents, only Miss, Madam, and Xiao Er left."
Xiao Er, listening from the side, was stunned. She had always thought Xiao Mei had been sold simply to save her mother, but she hadn't expected there to be such a hidden story. She suddenly jumped up, fuming.
"How can you do this? No matter how much suffering outsiders endure, they are still outsiders."
How can we let outsiders cause suffering for our own people?
Xiao Erqi said angrily, "Xiao Mei, do you still remember where your home is? When we have time later, we'll have A Mao and Xiao Duo avenge you."
Xiao Mei was both amused and exasperated: "How can I get revenge? Beat him up a couple of times, or sell out my little brother too? So many years have passed, I might not even recognize them if I saw them again. It's all in the past. Now, having you all is enough for me."
Having started the conversation, Song Jin wrapped herself in the blanket, pinching her mouth, her face betraying her guilt. She was just looking for an excuse to start a conversation; besides, if they wanted to go home, they could do so before heading to the capital.
Who knew the game would start so badly?
She cleared her throat, about to say something to ease the tension, when Niu Tielan on the bed spoke coolly: "What, you're about to acknowledge someone else as your father, and now you're thinking about your real father?"
She wasn't missing her father at all; she was just confused by him. Thinking of the person with the same name she'd met today, Song Jin rolled on the floor again, muttering to herself as if it were nothing.
"I'm just curious. We're almost at the capital, and you still haven't told me anything. Aren't you afraid I'll be lured away by someone else? Song Xingzhi said I look seven-tenths like that person."
She specifically emphasized that she and Song Shang shared a similar temperament.
Niu Tielan said calmly, "Even if you resemble him nine-tenths, it's not true. You don't look like your father at all."
As she spoke, she placed her hands behind her head, gazing at the bed curtains swaying in the wind through the dim light. Her thoughts drifted, and as she tried to recall, she realized that so much time had passed that she could no longer remember what that person looked like.
Whether out of guilt or sadness, Niu Tielan tugged at her hair, thought carefully for a moment, and then slowly said, "Your father is half a head taller than you, and only bears a slight resemblance to you. His nose, mouth, and overall features are nothing like yours."
Song Jin: "Huh?"
Niu Tielan continued, "Just look at your eyes, your eyes are alike, but everything else is different. Your father was very upright, honest, and dignified; you could tell at a glance he was a gentleman and a good person."
That's why, after she escaped from there, she believed him without hesitation the moment she saw him, never expecting it to end like that.
If she had known it would end like this, she would have run far away and died anywhere, rather than dragging others down with her.
Song Jin was unaware of her mother's complicated feelings; she was simply shocked: "What? Mother, are you saying I don't look like a good person?"
Niu Tielan's complicated mood was ruined by her, and he said irritably, "Don't you know what you look like?"
Song Jin was very beautiful, but her striking and aggressive looks, combined with her flamboyant and unrestrained temperament, made her stand out with an air of charisma.
troublemaker
She looks like someone you don't want to mess with; most people would keep their distance when they see her.
Qu Maoze, on the other hand, is an upright man whose integrity inspires trust at first glance. Just by standing still, he exudes the aura of a good person.
If Niu Tielan had encountered someone who resembled Song Jin by more than seven-tenths after escaping, she would have run faster than a rabbit.
Although judging a book by its cover is wrong, in this life-or-death situation, Niu Tielan spoke with righteous indignation: "Look at yourself, you little rascal, and then look at your mother! If I hadn't personally watched you come out of my belly, I would have thought someone had switched the babies!"
She still can't understand why her child with that man has such a bad temper.
Mutations?
Faced with her mother's suspicion, Song Jin angrily crawled out from under the covers and sat up cross-legged: "Mom, you've gone too far!"
She grew up inside her mother's womb, absolutely genuine, no substitutions. She even suspected that the red thread curse on her mother had lasted so long because of a special ability she possessed from birth.
Niu Tielan glanced at her: "You asked the question yourself. You wouldn't want to hear it anyway. In any case, your father can't possibly be that Grand Secretary, so stop dreaming about getting rich quick."
Song Jin rolled on the ground: "Who's thinking about getting rich and powerful? I'm just here to pay for your medical treatment!"
Niu Tielan chuckled: "Who was it that had eyes that lit up like lanterns when they mentioned someone else's vast wealth and fertile land? Don't think your mother is easy to fool."
Song Jin touched her nose, feeling guilty: "That's ten thousand taels of gold!"
Besides, she was fooled by Qi Zheng.
Qi Zheng said that Song Shang's mother's surname was Qu, and she also had the given name Maoze. Doesn't that all make sense? Especially since her mother also had this messy Red Thread Gu, anyone would think in this direction.
But now, the moment they arrived, they ran into Qu Maoze...
Isn't this name too common?
After hearing her mother say that, Song Jin also felt that Song Shang was indeed not her biological father. After all, names can be faked, but body shape and appearance can be faked.
Thinking this way, she felt a little more at ease.
Since Song Shang wasn't her father, she didn't have to worry about her mother beating her after seeing him.
Thinking of this, Song Jin loosened the blanket, poked her fluffy head out, and continued curiously, "Mom, how exactly did my father die?"
Niu Tielan remained silent for a long time, then said calmly, "The house caught fire, and they burned to death."
Song Jin frowned: "Did you see the body?"
Niu Tielan fell silent again for a long time before finally saying, "Jin Jin, does it matter whether he lives or dies?"
It's impossible anyway.
Song Jin paused for a moment, then said earnestly, "It's not important, Mother. Your health is the most important thing. Let's focus on getting better and recover properly. Once we're better, we'll travel the world. In a couple of years, I'll find a son-in-law to live with us, have a child, and we'll live a simple life as a family."
Niu Tielan lay on the bed, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said in a muffled voice, "Aren't you ashamed? Don't roll around on the floor, you've dirtied the blankets. Come up here to sleep, you little rascal, I'm so sleepy."
Song Jin crawled out of the covers, jumped onto the bed, and snuggled into Niu Tielan's blanket. She hugged her tightly, resting her head on Niu Tielan's shoulder, and gently coaxed, "Okay, okay, don't be angry. I was just curious. Didn't I go to the kitchen with Qi Zheng today? We ran into someone. Guess what his name was?"
Niu Tielan gently tugged at her ear: "What are you guessing for? You little rascal, you're really audacious! Don't take advantage of Prince Qi's good temper and push your luck. The current emperor's surname is Qi, and he even gave him the title Qi. We commoners can't interfere in royal affairs, but we must still show him proper respect."
Song Jin pouted, but she also knew what was good and bad.
The biggest difference between here and the apocalypse is that in the apocalypse, strength determines everything; you can insult someone, beat them up, and if you can escape, you're fine. Here, royalty is above all else; the emperor can behead someone for a single word.
She nuzzled against him and said, "I know, I know, I was just telling you a secret. I'm being careful when we're out."
Niu Tielan was speechless from being rubbed against like that. He helplessly poked her forehead, then held her hand down, and they slept together like that, without even asking what the strange person's name was.
It doesn't matter anyway.
The mother and daughter embraced each other and quickly fell asleep.
Under the bed, Xiao Er opened her arms to Xiao Mei and whispered, "Come here, let me hug you."
Xiao Mei was speechless, but she still slowly leaned closer and snuggled into Xiao Er's small arms.
Over the years, they've become closer than family, even if they're not related by blood.
**
The rainstorm came suddenly and stopped just as suddenly.
When Song Jin woke up the next day, the weather outside was already sunny.
She glanced at Niu Tielan, who was still fast asleep, then at Xiao Mei and Xiao Er, who were sleeping soundly. Knowing they were tired from their journey, she didn't want to wake them. She quietly got out of bed, carefully closed the door, and left.
A sudden downpour overnight left the yard in disarray, withered leaves flying everywhere, and puddles scattered all over the place, making it look quite messy.
Song Jin stood on the third-floor corridor, casually running her fingers through her messy long hair as she walked, then absentmindedly fixing it with a wooden hairpin before heading downstairs.
At this time of day, people don't have many evening activities, so they go to bed early and wake up early. It's only just past dawn, and the sky is faintly lit up with light; sunrise is still a while away, but most people are already up.
Smoke rose from the kitchen chimney, and the sounds of people and horses could be heard outside the inn.
As soon as Song Jin stepped down, he saw the guards packing up their belongings and tidying up the carriages and horses, indicating that they would continue their journey after breakfast.
"Oh, Song Jin's up?"
As soon as she stepped down, the familiar guards greeted her, and she returned their greetings warmly.
"Everyone's up early!"
"You've worked hard, you've worked hard."
During this trip, Song Jin spent most of her time outside the carriage, hanging out with the guards every day. She remembered everyone's name and could chat with anyone as if they were brothers. She was incredibly friendly and outgoing.
She greeted everyone as she walked into the living room, raising an eyebrow.
"Lord Qi, you're up so early! Why don't you rest a little longer? And Young Master Qu, how did you sleep last night? Did you remember anything?"
Qi Zheng and Qu Maoze sat facing each other at the same table. Both of them stood upright, holding bowls and chopsticks, eating breakfast slowly and gracefully.
One was tall and handsome, with a solemn and aloof air; the other was slender and upright, with a face like jade, honest and composed. Sitting together, they were a truly pleasing sight.
Song Jin whistled, swaggered over to them, plopped down in the middle, crossed her right leg over her shoulder, rested her elbow on the table, and propped her chin up.
"Oh, you're eating so lightly? Waiter, bring me a bowl and chopsticks, and two more pieces of meat. The roast pork knuckle from last night is gone?"
The two people who were eating stopped at the same time
Qi Zheng felt helpless about this, but he had gotten used to it along the way, simply saying, "A light breakfast is better for your stomach."
Song Jin waved her hand dismissively: "Whether it's good or not, it's just so-so. If you don't eat well when you're young, you won't be able to eat it when you're old."
Qu Maoze looked surprised, his expression revealing a hint of strangeness, but he quickly recovered and laughed, "Miss Song is so open-minded. Life is indeed about enjoying oneself while one can, otherwise, like me, one knows nothing and can't even enjoy life."
Song Jin gave him an approving look: "Not bad, not bad, young man, you know how to talk. Judging from your demeanor, you're definitely not from an ordinary family. Your family should have already reported you missing."
As long as there's no criminal record in the government, this person won't be much worse off even if they go to the capital.
Qu Maoze smiled: "Then I'll take Miss Song's good wishes. However, I'm already fortunate to have escaped death this time, and I dare not expect too much."
Song Jin smiled and said, "That's hard to say. We should always try to think positively. By the way, besides your own name, do you remember anything else?"
Qu Maoze shook his head bitterly.
Song Jin comforted her, "It's alright. As long as you haven't committed murder or arson before, Lord Qi can get you a temporary identity. With your looks, you can support yourself by carrying loads. If that doesn't work, you're quite good-looking; you could become a live-in son-in-law, and there would definitely be suitors."
Qu Maoze's face froze: "Miss Song is joking."
Song Jin smiled and said, "You look to be around twenty years old, and your family background isn't bad. Even if you don't have a wife, you should have a concubine, and who knows, you might even have two older sons."
Qu Maoze gave another wry smile: "I don't remember."
"According to the old story, your wife and children are now eagerly awaiting your return, living a life of hardship. And you, having come to the capital with us, will likely soon catch the eye of a powerful woman, start a family, and obtain an official position. Then, many years later, when you regain your memories... oh dear!"
As he spoke, Song Jin shrugged, shook his head, and sighed deeply: "The world is going to the dogs."
Amnesia is something that is essentially unsolvable, both now and in the future.
If you know someone nearby and can find your family quickly, that's fine. But if you can't, one or two years is manageable, but three or four years... it's really not right to leave someone lonely and miserable for the rest of their life.
But his wife and children at home
Tsk tsk
Song Jin smiled at the frozen Qu Maoze again, and said in a pretentious tone, "Oh, Young Master Qu, please don't mind, I'm just stating the truth."
She examined him yesterday and confirmed that he was indeed seriously injured and hadn't fully recovered. Furthermore, his explanations were flawless, so it's tentatively confirmed that he has amnesia.
If not, Song Jin drank a cup of tea and smiled meaningfully.
That would be even more interesting.
Qu Maoze took a deep breath, helplessly saying, "I never expected that Miss Song would see me as this kind of person."
Song Jin raised an eyebrow: "Please don't misunderstand, I'm not targeting you. I'm just treating everyone the same; I think all men are the same. But I understand, after all, it's hard to sleep alone."
Qi Zheng, who had been shot at, silently put down his chopsticks and asked, "So, if Young Master Qu never regains his memories, he should remain chaste for the rest of his life?"
Song Jin waved her hand: "I didn't say that. Anyway, if I lose my memory, I will definitely spend my whole life looking for my mother."
The two: ...
It looks like I won't be able to finish this breakfast.
Qu Maoze smiled wryly and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "Miss Song, rest assured, I will not consider marriage until I regain my memories."
Song Jin: "What promises are you making to me? I was just saying. Take it or leave it. You men are all the same anyway."
Qu Maoze: ...
Qi Zheng looked at her with a complicated expression: "Did your mother tell you about your father?"
Otherwise, why would I be so irritable this morning?
Song Jin did indeed think of her dead father. After talking to Niu Tielan last night, she was certain that Song Shang and Qu Maoze were not the same person, and there was no misunderstanding or faked death or anything like that.
However, the red thread curse on Niu Tielan was genuine, and it was true that she was raising the child alone. The person responsible for all of this was the man.
Song Jin curled her lip: "What's there to talk about with a dead person?"
Whether that person is dead or not, in her eyes they are dead.
Qi Zheng: "...It seems Lord Song will be disappointed."
Judging from Song Jin's appearance, it's probably certain that her biological father isn't Song Shang.
But is it really just such a coincidence?
Qi Zheng glanced at Song Jin, and through her bright features, he thought of Song Shang. Something felt off.
Are there really people in this world who look so alike for no apparent reason?
Song Jin noticed his scrutiny and rolled her eyes: "It's good enough that that treacherous official is still alive. What's the point of thinking so much?"
Thinking about this made her feel a little irritated.
Whether Song Shang is her father or not is unimportant; what matters is whether he knows how to deal with the Red Thread Gu, and more importantly, he is alive.
Thinking of all this, Song Jin suddenly stood up: "I'll go call my mother and the others; it's best to get to the capital as soon as possible."
The curse on her mother needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.
With that, she strode off the table and ran into the room.
Qu Maoze watched her hurried figure, his eyes deepening, and he chuckled softly, "Miss Song is truly frank and straightforward. How did Lord Qi and she meet? Judging from her accent, she's not from the capital."
Qi Zheng said expressionlessly, "Even with amnesia, you can still distinguish accents?"
Qu Maoze smiled: "I've heard some of their official speech these past few days, and it's clear that Miss Song and Lord Qi speak somewhat differently."
Qi Zheng's gaze deepened: "Even with amnesia, Young Master Qu is like this; before his amnesia, he must have been a top scholar. He should be able to find his family easily."
Qu Maoze: "Borrowing Mr. Qi's auspicious words"
...
Niu Tielan is a meticulous person
She opened her eyes and saw her daughter's wrinkled clothes and messy hair. Her eyelids twitched, and she reached out to grab her ear, cursing and swearing.
"You little brat, you may be shameless, but I am!"
Song Jinsi: "Ouch, ouch, ouch! I was wrong, I was wrong! Mother, let me go, I'll comb my hair right now!"
Niu Tielan glared at her fiercely: "Little eyebrows and little ears, you guys did this to her, it's infuriating!"
After saying that, she took the wooden comb and started combing her own hair while keeping a close eye on Song Jin. Song Jin was so captivated that no one dared to utter a word; she just sat there timidly, letting Xiao Mei and Xiao Er, who were trying to suppress their laughter, groom her.
Her long hair was styled, she wore silver jewelry, and her lips were rouged...
It was half an hour before they came downstairs.
The carriages and horses outside were already prepared, the guards were fully armed, the horses were tall and strong, and the procession was impressive and majestic.
If all goes well, they should be able to reach the capital before nightfall. Since the court officials will be watching, they must present their best image.
The scholars, young and old, at the inn looked around curiously, trying to guess the identities of these people.
Ta-da!
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the wooden stairs.
Qi Zheng and Qu Maoze turned around
Song Jin's phoenix eyes flickered slightly, her red lips smiled, and her flowing red dress, cinched at the waist with a gold belt, swayed gracefully. With a long stride, she was radiant and elegant, her beauty almost dazzling against the golden light streaming in from outside.
As she took a few steps, the fair-skinned and slender Niu Tielan followed closely behind. Her skin was as white as snow, her eyes like water, and she wore a long, moon-white gauze dress that swayed gently with her movements. Her fair wrists were like jade, and her neck was like a magnolia blossom, light and graceful, elegant and charming.
The two walked together, their styles quite different, making it difficult to say who was better.
The entire inn fell silent instantly. The group of scholars, young and old, forgot all about the caravan; their eyes were fixed on the empty house.
A beautiful and graceful lady is a gentleman's ideal.
"Mother, let's get in the carriage first. These people are so annoying."
Noticing these gazes, Song Jin frowned and glared at them. She carefully helped her mother, intending to guide her to the carriage, but after taking two steps, Niu Tielan remained motionless.
Song Jin stopped in confusion and looked down at her mother: "Mother?"
Niu Tielan stood there motionless, staring intently at the person in the distance. After a long while, she asked in a hoarse voice, "Who is that person?"
Song Jin followed her gaze and saw Qu Maoze sitting there, looking stunned. A sense of unease immediately rose in her heart, and she whispered...
"Mother?"
Niu Tielan stared intently: "Who is it?"
An ominous premonition deepened. Song Jin looked at her mother, whose eyes were red with emotion, then glanced at the man who looked to be only around twenty years old. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth.
"This is someone the innkeeper found. He has amnesia. His name is... his name is... his name is Qu Maoze."
Niu Tielan stared intently at the man, tears welling up in her already brimming eyes. It was hard to tell whether she was crying or laughing; her voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, each word spoken with deliberate clarity.
"Qu, Mao, Ze?"
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