In the study of the backyard of Liang County Government Office, Magistrate Jiang was reading the official documents sent from the Capital City under the light of a lamp.
Jiang Xiaosi came in with some refreshments. "My lord, you’ve been reading official documents all day. Take a break," he said.
As he spoke, he placed the refreshments on the desk and turned to open the window.
The sound of the rain, accompanied by the moist air, poured in, bringing a burst of fresh aroma.
Magistrate Jiang couldn’t help but take a few deep breaths, set down the documents he was holding, and looked at the blue and white porcelain dish on the red lacquer tray with gold outlines. "Taishi cakes, date flower cakes, salt and pepper cakes... Where are these Capital style pastries from?" he asked, picking one up to taste. "It’s plum-flavored, similar to what Dashun Restaurant would make."
Jiang Xiaosi pursed his lips with a smile, saying, "They were sent by Lord Xu from the Inspection Division. He mentioned that his family came to visit him and brought some pastries, so he shared them with people he knows."
Magistrate Jiang nodded and took a sip of tea.
A servant boy rushed in and announced, "Young Master Shao has arrived."
Magistrate Jiang startled, promptly said, "Let him in quickly."
The servant boy led Shao Qing in.
Shao Qing was completely soaked. Xiaosi quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wipe his face. Seeing this, Magistrate Jiang said, "Why didn’t you wear any rain gear? Lucky for you, our builds are quite similar. Xiaosi, hurry and have someone prepare a bowl of ginger tea with plenty of brown sugar, and go to my room to fetch some of my unworn clothes for Shao Qing to change into. This spring rain may not look serious, but getting drenched like this could make you seriously ill."
Xiaosi said "Yes" and ran off.
However, Shao Qing waved his hand at Magistrate Jiang, urgently asking, "Has the young master arrived?"
Magistrate Jiang was surprised and said, "What happened? I haven’t seen him."
Shao Qing grew anxious and said, "I don’t know what happened. I was talking nicely with Boss Song when he suddenly changed his expression. He even said he was going to find you. By the time I grabbed an umbrella, he had vanished without a trace."
Magistrate Jiang’s face turned pale as well.
Yuan Yunzhong had a habit of getting lost; all those close to him knew this.
Otherwise, Shao Qing wouldn’t have accompanied Yuan Yunzhong to Liang County for the task.
"First, drink some ginger tea," Magistrate Jiang said. "I’ll give the orders now, and we will search for him together." He tried to reassure Shao Qing, "Liang County is only so big, and he is extremely skilled. It’s most likely just like before; he has simply gotten lost again."
Shao Qing had no appetite for ginger tea. Once Magistrate Jiang had gathered the government officials, they all left the County Yamen together.
The rain grew heavier, striking the lush trees, stone pavement, oil-paper umbrellas, and bamboo hats, making a crackling sound. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
After several rounds of searching between the County Yamen and the Song Family’s residence to no avail, the group split up to look different places.
A flash of lightning and thunder tore through the sky as if opening a tear, with torrential rain pouring down, flowing off eaves and rooftops, forming small streams.
The raincoats had become mere decorations.
Magistrate Jiang wiped the rain off his face and shouted to the barely visible government official nearby, "Any news from Lord Shao’s side?"
The government official shook his head, then realizing they could hardly see each other’s expressions, shouted back, "Someone has been sent to check, but there is no response yet."
Magistrate Jiang stood somberly under an archway for a moment, then said to those nearby, "Let’s go, we’ll search again on the way back between the County Yamen and the Song Family’s residence."
The group exchanged looks and gathered around, seeing that Magistrate Jiang silently headed towards the Song Family’s residence, they too could only quietly follow behind him.
A group of people hurriedly turned the street corner and suddenly saw a person staggering down the rain-flooded center of the street.
Everyone was taken aback, and Jiang Xiaosi had already sprinted over.
"My Lord! It’s Young Master Yuan!" he exclaimed joyfully.
Magistrate Jiang had already run over, taking three steps in two.
Yuan Yunzhong was completely drenched, rainwater flowing down his hair and clothes, dripping at his feet into a small puddle.
His confused and helpless expression shocked Magistrate Jiang even more.
Yuan Yunzhong had never been an obedient child since he was little, and even when questioned by a great scholar like Master Jinghu during his childhood, he had never doubted himself.
But now...
Magistrate Jiang felt panic rising within him, clumsily removing his soaked straw coat while hastily draping it over Yuan Yunzhong. He anxiously said, "What happened? What is it that cannot be discussed with me? If I’m not up to it, isn’t Senior Brother Huang also in Jiangxi? If all else fails, a rushed, 800-mile dispatch to send a letter to the Capital City would do!"
"Brother?" Yuan Yunzhong looked at Magistrate Jiang dazedly, his gaze vacant and dull, like that of a clay Bodhisattva, tall and handsome yet devoid of spirit.
Magistrate Jiang felt a pang in his heart and immediately responded with an "Eh," reaching out to support Yuan Yunzhong.
Yet Yuan Yunzhong swayed and collapsed.
*
Song Jiyun lay in the black lacquered shell mother-of-pearl inlaid bed with a canopy, listening to the sound of the wind and rain outside, as if hiding in a tiny room. No matter how chaotic it was outside, she still had her own little corner.
Usually, this was Song Jiyun’s favorite moment.
But tonight, she couldn’t fall asleep even with her eyes closed, until the sky slowly brightened, and the wind and rain ceased. Xiang Zhan came to help her out of bed, but she still felt out of sorts, even after breakfast, using the excuse of spring fatigue to sleep until the afternoon sun set. It was only when Nanny Zheng worriedly touched her forehead that she finally woke up.
The rain had stopped at some unknown time, and the young servant girls had opened the window frames. Fresh air mixed with the rich fragrance of flowers poured in.
Song Jiyun took a deep breath.
Nanny Zheng said, "You gave me quite a scare. I thought you caught a chill at the Nameless Temple yesterday. I didn’t dare to disturb Madam, so I sent for a doctor. When he arrives, he can take your pulse for safety, which will reassure me."
Song Jiyun leaned back against a large welcoming pillow on the bed and smiled, inquiring about Song Jiyu’s marital arrangements: "Has someone sent a message over from there?"
Speaking of this, Nanny Zheng immediately beamed, "How could they not send someone? Not only did they send someone to discuss Miss Two’s marriage arrangements, but they also brought a thank-you list for the matchmaker. Believe it or not, there are three or four lists, such a generous gesture."
"Isn’t that wonderful?" Song Jiyun smiled, took a deep breath, uplifted her spirits, and tucked away the chaotic emotions deep within her heart.
Time will heal all.
Nanny Zheng personally helped Song Jiyun dress up, and together they went to Madam Qian’s place.
Madam Qian was with several close servant girls and nannies, tallying her dowry, instructing Song Jixue to help her reorganize the account books.
Seeing Song Jiyun enter, Song Jixue immediately dropped her pen, pouted, and complained to her, "I haven’t even finished the homework my brother-in-law assigned to me, and Mother insists on pulling me to help her organize the accounts. This isn’t something particularly difficult. Steward Wu could easily handle it. If Steward Wu is not available, it would work to transfer a steward from the Kiln Factory’s account room. Asking me to help with recording is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, a complete squander of talent!"
I fear even these arithmetic lessons might end.
Song Jiyun affectionately touched Song Jixue’s head and asked Madam Qian, "Mother, why did you suddenly start sorting through the dowry?"
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