Song Jiyun bid farewell to Madam Qian and her two younger sisters.
The weather had grown colder, and she couldn’t bear for them to stand in the cold wind at the wharf, so she didn’t let them accompany her there.
They couldn’t help but have teary eyes. Especially Madam Qian, who held her hand and gave her prolonged instructions.
As the proverb goes, a mother worries when her child travels far.
Jiyun understood well and could only keep comforting her mother and sisters: "I’ve left the household affairs to Steward Wu. He handles things reliably, you all don’t need to worry. If anything comes up, let him manage. If he can’t handle it, go to Young Master Yuan. Young Master Yuan will take care of you. Master Luo is watching over the Kiln Factory, and I’ve left other matters to Old Master Yan. In the clan, I’ve also notified the Eleventh Grand Master. Just wait peacefully for my return."
She had also left the dependable He Dazhi, the sharp Xiang Cao, and a name card from Magistrate Jiang.
She even joked, "When I return from Nanjing, I’ll bring you all kinds of delicious, drinkable, and enjoyable things!"
Madam Qian was amused by her.
Not wanting her to worry, Madam Qian wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded repeatedly, saying, "You go about your business without worry. Even if anything happens, we will wait until you come back."
Jiyun smiled and hugged her mother and sisters then, surrounded by Zheng Quan, Dai Sishi, Xiang Zhan, Xiang Ye, and others, she boarded the hired cart.
Just as the cart started moving, as if possessed, she impulsively glanced toward Yinyu Hall.
That place was still eerily quiet, with no movement.
Jiyun was startled in her heart.
What... was she thinking?
Yuan Yunzhong was just a guest living in her house; was she really expecting him to come and see her off?
Jiyun’s posture became somewhat stiff.
What was she thinking?
Since she had taken over the Song Family Kiln Factory, her future path was already determined.
She would not leave Jingde Town, nor would she leave the Song Family Kiln Factory.
She shook her head, casting all these distracting thoughts aside, and began pondering how to make a good start once she arrived in Nanjing.
The cart came to a stop amidst the rolling sound of wheels.
The wharf had arrived.
Jiyun was helped down from the cart by Xiang Ye.
The morning scene at Changjiang Wharf was a fusion of green mountains, clear waters, and swirling clouds.
With every breath, mist hit her face.
Huge grain transport ships were docked at the wharf, while porters methodically carried their luggage onto the ship.
Jiyun took a deep breath; the cool, fresh air circulated within her, making her feel rejuvenated.
"Let’s go!" she instructed Zheng Quan.
Someone jumped down from a nearby carriage.
The group involuntarily turned towards the source of the sound.
It was unexpectedly Shao Qing.
He was dressed in a brown padded silk jacket, carrying a bundle, and ran joyfully towards them: "Miss Song, why have you only just arrived? We’ve been waiting for you for almost an hour."
Jiyun’s heart seemed to have been struck by a stone, thumping heavily.
She looked towards the carriage.
Yuan Yunzhong had, at some point, already stood beside the carriage.
He wore a treasure blue satin robe and a dark overcoat, with black glistening marten fur at the collar highlighting his complexion, clean and pure as jade.
Jiyun was slightly startled.
Shao Qing had already run up to them, chuckling, "Miss Song, our Young Master has instructed me to accompany you to Nanjing."
He puffed out his chest and said, "I often visit Nanjing, and there isn’t a place I don’t know about. Wherever you want to go, I can lead the way. The Confucius Temple, Imperial College, Qixia Mountain, Pearl Spring," he chuckled and gave Zheng Quan a sly wink, lowering his voice, "even the Qinhuai River, I know a boatwoman, and I can show you around to see the sights."
Zheng Quan smiled sheepishly, scratching his head.
However, Song Jiyun’s gaze remained fixed on Yuan Yunzhong and never shifted away.
She watched as Yuan Yunzhong approached her with a leisurely stroll.
"Why have you come?" she whispered softly.
The morning chill had adorned his long robe with glistening dewdrops.
"I was thinking," Yuan Yunzhong looked into her eyes, speaking slowly, "that in case of any trouble, the name card of Prince Huai might not be very helpful. It would be better to have Shao Qing accompany you on the trip! He is quite resourceful."
"That won’t do!" Song Jiyun, without even thinking, refused again, "If he goes, what about you?"
She was very worried about him getting lost.
Yuan Yunzhong’s eyes flickered, exceptionally bright.
"It’s decided then!" he declared authoritatively, not allowing her to interject, "My family owns an old house next to the Imperial College, and I’ve already spoken to Shao Qing. Once you arrive in Nanjing, you can stay there. It’s very convenient to go anywhere from there, and most of the neighbors are scholars, quiet and with fewer disputes."
Song Jiyun could feel his goodwill and even... his concern.
It would have been too pretentious for her to refuse again.
She could repay him later when there was an opportunity.
Song Jiyun sincerely thanked him.
Yuan Yunzhong smiled faintly, looking very pleased.
Seeing this, Song Jiyun also felt very happy and smiled along.
The surrounding landscape, the fog, and the crowd at the wharf seemed to disappear.
The world seemed to shrink to just the small corner where they were alone.
Suddenly, a burst of hearty laughter broke the silence.
The small corner was shattered.
Both were startled and turned their heads toward the source of the laughter.
Shao Qing was vigorously slapping Zheng Quan’s shoulder, excitedly proclaiming loudly, "You don’t know about this, but when it comes to foot massage and ear cleaning, the masters in Suzhou are the best. Once we’re in Nanjing, just follow me! Other than foot massaging and ear cleaning, there’s a barber shop on Gaochun Street that is excellent at shaving,"
he extended his thumb, "My father used to visit it every other week when he was in Nanjing."
Zheng Quan and others displayed looks of anticipation.
Song Jiyun sighed and called Zheng Quan over, saying, "Young Master Yuan is worried, and is having Shao Qing accompany me to Nanjing, leaving him without anyone to look after him. I was thinking... you should stay by Young Master Yuan’s side..."
Zheng Quan was taken aback, but he quickly came to terms and said, "Miss, then I’ll stay."
He felt that Shao Qing would be more useful in Nanjing than him.
"Rest assured, I will serve Young Master Yuan well," he promised.
He hoped Shao Qing would also be able to assist their young lady well.
Song Jiyun said guiltily, "Once we have set up our shop in Nanjing, there will be plenty of opportunities to visit Nanjing in the future."
Zheng Quan smiled naively, "We are going there for business, not for fun. Miss, please don’t talk like that."
Song Jiyun nodded, handing Zheng Quan over to Yuan Yunzhong, "Let him stay by your side, and if there’s anything you need, you can rely on him."
Yuan Yunzhong could hardly hide his surprise, but after a moment, he gradually showed a faint smile.
"All right!" He did not decline nor say much, instead, he looked at the gradually emerging gorgeous morning glow in the sky, then looked down into her eyes and softly uttered "Take care," saying, "May your journey be smooth!"
Song Jiyun nodded, turned her head towards Shao Qing and others waiting for her at the wharf, exchanged a "Take care" with Yuan Yunzhong, and then turned and walked toward the crowd.
Along the way, she felt as if Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze was fixed on her the entire time, making her back feel slightly warm.
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