Chapter 21: The Whole Family Moves North
“Reward, reward, reward,” the Old Madam repeatedly called out.
For a time, the entire Cheng Residence was abuzz with joy, everyone beaming.
Outside the main gate, crowds of congratulatory messengers arrived in waves.
I instructed the Steward to pack bundles of silver ingots and hand them to the officials who came to deliver the good news.
The Old Madam ordered a Servant Boy to set up an incense table in the courtyard facing north, light a few sticks of incense, and inform the Master, the Grand Master, and all the ancestors of the Cheng Family.
“May the virtue of our ancestors bless Huaishi. Our family’s prosperity is within reach,” the Old Madam said, her voice trembling.
Finally, she couldn’t help but weep for her late husband.
“If you were alive, you would have seen this day of glory…”
For several consecutive days, guests flocked to the Residence.
Old friends and relatives all came to offer their congratulations.
Even the newly appointed Prefect, Geng, paid a visit, drank a cup of tea, and praised Yangzhou Prefecture for its talented people, the Old Madam for her excellent upbringing of her son, and Cheng Huaishi for his exceptional talent.
At the end of the month, I heard that with the patronage of Prime Minister Zhang, Cheng Huaishi had been appointed to serve in the Hanlin Academy.
This was naturally another momentous occasion.
High officials in our dynasty emerge from the Hanlin Academy.
The Hanlin Academy is a place for nurturing talent and cultivating future leaders. It is responsible for compiling historical records, drafting imperial edicts, serving as tutors to the imperial family, and acting as examiners for the imperial examinations. In short, for any local official aspiring to become a Grand Secretary or a powerful minister, entering the Hanlin Academy is a stepping stone.
Not to mention far away, take Minister Zhang, for example; before becoming the Emperor’s tutor, he served in the Hanlin Academy.
The people of the Cheng Residence seemed to see a bright future for Cheng Huaishi.
The Old Madam patted my hand, weeping and sighing, “Sang Yu, my good child, you have finally persevered. Huaishi has achieved success, and it is not in vain that you have worked so hard managing the household…”
The servants looked at me with different eyes.
In the evening, He Hua helped me wash up, while Xiao Yin chattered beside me, “Miss, do you know what those gossips in the household are saying?”
I smiled, “If they are gossips, why bother listening?”
“I am angry on your behalf. They say that marrying Second Master was a huge bargain for you. The Old Madam only arranged for you to marry him in a ghost marriage because she thought Second Master was dead. If Second Master were alive, you would have already been overreaching by marrying him. Moreover, now that Second Master has succeeded and become an official, with your background, how can you be an official’s wife? You will be divorced sooner or later!” Xiao Yin said, her face turning purple with anger.
I pinched Xiao Yin’s cheek, “You, after following me to Yangzhou for so long, still haven’t learned to be more discerning. You believe anything you hear. Go rest now, don’t overthink it.”
Xiao Yin mumbled and left.
The spring night was gentle with a soft breeze.
I got into bed.
He Hua suddenly said, “Second Master is now an official in the Capital City. Second Young Mistress should go join her husband soon.”
I remained silent.
She continued, “Although Second Young Mistress trusts Second Master, it is ultimately not ideal for husband and wife to be separated. Even if Second Master is a righteous person, one fears others might have ulterior motives and try to usurp her position.”
I still did not speak.
He Hua lowered the beaded curtain and went to prepare her bedding to rest.
I tossed and turned on the bed.
It has been nearly half a year since I saw Cheng Huaishi off at the Ferry Terminal. I wonder what the situation is like in the Capital City now?
At the beginning of May, I received a letter from Cheng Huaishi.
He asked the Old Madam and me to go to the Capital City.
He had acquired a residence in the Capital City. He was alone in the Northern Lands and was worried about his family.
His letter was earnest, and the Old Madam immediately decided: the entire family would move north.
The business matters in Yangzhou Prefecture would be handed over to Wu Bi.
He was experienced and cautious in his work, and always loyal, making him the most suitable candidate.
The Old Madam instructed him to report the accounts in the Capital City every six months.
Third Miss quietly asked the Old Madam, “Mother, should Lu Gui also go to the Capital City with us?”
The Old Madam smiled, “He will naturally stay in Yangzhou with Shopkeeper Wu. The business in Yangzhou is our foundation.”
Having weathered decades of storms, the Old Madam had foresight and deep consideration.
Third Miss then went to the Counter.
She saw Lu Gui and said, “You got off easy. Now that I’m leaving Yangzhou, no one will argue with you anymore.”
Lu Gui’s hands, which were tallying on the abacus, paused.
Seeing that he didn’t speak, Third Miss said, “You must be overjoyed that I’m leaving. You’ll probably set off firecrackers later.”
Lu Gui picked up his brush, wrote down the accounts on paper, and softly said, “No firecrackers are as good as the ones on the night of the Lantern Festival this year.”
Third Miss was stunned.
Lu Gui looked up.
They looked at each other for a few moments.
Third Miss turned and walked away in a fluster.
She told me, “Second Sister-in-law, I don’t know why, but my heart is so chaotic and confused.”
I smiled, “What is chaotic, what is confused?”
“I… I should really dislike Lu Gui. I, I’ve liked Mingxu since I was little. But… but I don’t know why, before leaving, I kept thinking about going to the Counter to find Lu Gui and argue with him, to keep arguing… In my mind, I recalled the scene of him saving me that day. He was so annoying, and yet… and yet, perhaps not so annoying…”
She frowned, resting her chin on her hand.
I gently tapped her forehead with my finger.
An outsider sees clearly, while those involved are confused.
The person you most want to see is the one in your heart.
“Enemies are destined to meet,” I smiled.
She lowered her head.
Lu Gui was a skilled businessman.
This time, staying behind in Yangzhou was his opportunity to shine.
As for him and Third Miss, they still lacked an opportunity.
An opportunity for Third Miss to fully see her heart’s desire.
An opportunity for the Old Madam to willingly accept him.
Of all the people during this move north, my greatest concern was He Hua.
Before I left, I really wanted to see her overcome her inner struggles and reach an understanding with Wu Bi.
Wu Bi had been widowed years ago, remained unmarried, and was fond of her. He was kind and considerate, willing to accept her child and treat them well, making him the most suitable match.
The window paper between them always remained unbroken.
I said to Wu Bi, “Do you have any intention of marrying He Hua?”
Wu Bi scratched his head, “Second Young Mistress, you may not know, but I have mentioned it to her a few times, but she always keeps her distance. She is a strong-willed person and always says she was divorced by her husband’s family, her reputation is not good, and she is not worthy of me. I have the intention, but lack the power.”
I thought for a moment and said, “I do have a method—”
I explained my plan.
Wu Bi hesitated, “Will this… work?”
I smiled, “Just try it.”
Towards dusk, He Hua indeed came to me with red eyes, “Second Young Mistress, I have followed you for so many days, and my heart aches to go to the Capital City with you. But… Shopkeeper Wu suffers from a hidden illness, and I cannot rest easy. If he were healthy and could find a better woman to be his companion, I would never want to burden him. But now… I must take care of him and cannot be ungrateful.”
“What happened to Shopkeeper Wu?”
“The doctor has told me, he, his illness… alas…” He Hua said, her face full of worry.
I said solemnly, “Shopkeeper Wu must be feeling unwell after falling ill. If you agree to marry him at this time, how comforted he would be.”
He Hua pondered for a long time and nodded.
On the third day of May, the locust flowers bloomed a pure white.
After a rain, the city of Yangzhou was filled with a faint fragrance.
The sky, washed clean by the rain, was even clearer, with white clouds leisurely drifting in the azure expanse.
I personally helped He Hua put on her wedding attire and officiated her marriage to Wu Bi.
He Hua’s child, Song Guo, clapped his hands and laughed.
He Hua and Wu Bi, a couple who had weathered many storms, now had a look of peace and melancholy in their eyes, as if they had seen it all.
Marriage is indeed a woman’s greatest gamble.
However, even if the gamble is lost, one should not fear to reshuffle and start anew.
Grasp your life.
Grasp yourself.
This cold-faced woman finally found warmth in her remaining years.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the Old Madam ordered a propitious day to be chosen, and we set sail for our journey.
Those remaining in Yangzhou saw us off at the Ferry Terminal.
He Hua, dressed in new clothes, stood beside Wu Bi, waving at me, tears streaming down her face, “Second Young Mistress, please take good care of yourself. I will pray daily and ask the Bodhisattva to bless Second Young Mistress with an early son…”
I nodded, my throat feeling tight.
Behind the large willow tree at the Ferry Terminal, I vaguely saw a figure in a blue robe flash by.
The boat set sail.
The reflections of people in the water were shattered by the oars, slowly drifting away.
The Grand Canal rippled with clear waves.
The bustling prosperity of the southern flowers and willows, the affectionate wealth of the water towns, all receded behind us.
A few days later, we arrived in the Capital City.
From afar, I saw Cheng Huaishi, dressed in official robes, waiting on the shore. His features were still so noble and resolute, his lips tightly pursed. As I watched him, my eyes involuntarily misted over.
The boat docked.
I helped the Old Madam ashore.
Seeing her son, the Old Madam sighed with joy, embraced him tightly, and called out, “My son, you have indeed lost more weight…”
Cheng Huaishi said, “I am truly uneasy that Mother has endured such a arduous journey.”
The Old Madam pulled me over and said to Cheng Huaishi, “Huaishi, while you were away, Sang Yu handled many important matters for the family…”
Cheng Huaishi’s gentle gaze swept over me, like a spring willow brushing against a pond.
A reunion after a long separation.
Seeing him again, I felt as if I were warming myself by a fire in winter or fanning myself in summer; worried when near, and worried when far.
“Madam.”
He squeezed my hand.
My palms were clammy, and I couldn’t speak, only smiled slightly.
The group boarded a Horse Carriage and traveled for about half an hour, arriving at Cheng Huaishi’s residence in the Capital.
Servant Women helped the Old Madam, and he held my hand as we entered the Residence.
However, the household affairs were found to be in perfect order, and the backyard was neat and tidy, not at all as if no women had been managing it.
