Chapter 267: Favorable For Travel
Today is a fine day with gentle breezes and warm sunshine, suitable for travel, suitable for breaking ground, suitable for weddings.
Three carriages were parked in front of Shang Manor. The one in front carried people, while the two behind were loaded with food and supplies for the road.
As for the other luggage, it was all stored in Shang Wan’s space.
“Sis, everything is packed.” Shi Tou ran over to tell Shang Wan after checking the carriages.
Shang Wan put the written letter into an envelope and instructed the steward to send it to the post station. Only after the steward left did she say to Shi Tou, “We’ll leave as soon as your brother-in-law returns.”
“Oh.” Shi Tou couldn’t stay still. After saying that to Shang Wan, he ran out again.
Chu Xu and Yuan Yuan sat to one side eating osmanthus cake. The two children took turns grabbing pieces, leaving pastry crumbs all over the table.
“You two should eat less, or you’ll get indigestion.” Xiao Huan came in carrying a large bundle filled with dried meat, cured meat, fried meatballs, and the like, all made overnight by her.
With Chu Xu in the room, she couldn’t openly hand it to Shang Wan to store in the space, so she placed it on the table first.
Yuan Yuan grinned and fed the piece of osmanthus cake in her hand to her, “Auntie, eat.”
Xiao Huan leaned in, took a bite, then took it with her hand and ate it in two or three bites.
Seeing that half a shichen had passed with no sign of Lu Chengjing, Xiao Huan couldn’t help looking out the door. “Why hasn’t brother-in-law come back yet?”
“He should be back soon.” Shang Wan took a towel to wipe the two children’s mouths.
Qiao Yu’an also needed to go to the capital city to take the imperial examination. He had arranged early with Lu Chengjing to travel together for mutual support.
Early this morning, A Le had run over to invite Lu Chengjing to Qiao Mansion without saying what for. Worried that something had happened, Lu Chengjing went along.
Xiao Huan muttered, “He didn’t even say what it was about.”
After waiting another quarter of an hour, just as Shang Wan was about to send someone to Qiao Mansion to check, Lu Chengjing returned.
Coming with him were two carriages from Qiao Mansion and four guards.
Qiao Yu’an entered the room with Lu Chengjing, a trace of unresolved anger between his brows.
“What happened?” Shang Wan let Lu Chengjing help her put on her cape and asked softly.
Lu Chengjing fastened the cape ties and gently shook his head at Shang Wan, meaning he’d explain later.
Shang Wan didn’t ask further and just said, “It’s about time. Let’s go.”
Everyone headed out the door. Lu Chengjing had Shang Wan and the others get in the carriage first, then called the steward aside and gave quiet instructions. Only after the steward acknowledged each one did he get into the carriage.
Shang Wan lifted the cloth curtain and glanced at the plaque above the gate, wondering when she would return.
Shi Changsheng had taken his men, those soldiers, ahead on horseback to outside the city, waiting at the city gate.
Shang Wan’s carriage was in front, Qiao Yu’an’s carriage behind, followed by the luggage carriages. The four guards rode alongside the carriages, and the carriage train headed to the East City Gate.
In the carriage, Lu Chengjing took a sip of hot tea and, under several curious gazes, slowly explained what happened at Qiao Mansion.
Qiao Weiwei’s fiancé Zhang Ning had suddenly come to annul the marriage. Qiao Yu’an was so angry he wanted to beat him to death. The family couldn’t stop him, so A Le came looking for Lu Chengjing.
Shang Wan found it strange. “I remember the wedding is on the ninth of next month. That’s not far off. Why would he suddenly come to annul the marriage?”
Lu Chengjing pressed his lips together and said softly, “Young Lady Qiao hasn’t married yet, but Zhang Ning became a father half a month ago.”
Xiao Huan exclaimed, “He kept a concubine?”
Lu Chengjing nodded.
In this situation, Qiao Mansion could never marry Qiao Weiwei off to him.
“Zhang Ning isn’t completely shameless,” Shi Tou said. “He didn’t wait until after Young Lady Qiao married before confessing.”
Lu Chengjing shook his head. “It wasn’t that he didn’t want to hide it. Yesterday evening, the child’s mother came to the door holding the baby, making such a scene that all the neighbors knew. The Zhang Family couldn’t cover it up.”
So Zhang Ning had gone to Qiao Mansion early the next morning to discuss the marriage annulment.
One could imagine how everyone at Qiao Mansion reacted upon hearing it.
Qiao Weiwei fainted from anger on the spot. Madam Qiao nearly fainted too. Qiao Yu’an kicked Zhang Ning hard several times. If Qiao father hadn’t stopped him, Qiao Yu’an would have beaten him to death right there.
When Lu Chengjing arrived, Qiao Mansion was in chaos. The Zhang Family people were crying and wailing in Qiao Mansion, shouting things like help, they’re bullying us with their power, they’re murdering someone.
The shouting carried far. Those who didn’t know might think someone was being murdered in Qiao Mansion.
If not for the Qiao Mansion servants blocking the doorway, people would have rushed in to watch the excitement.
Shang Wan asked, “How was it handled in the end?”
“Marriage annulment. The Zhang Family was in the wrong, so even though Zhang Ning was beaten, they didn’t dare make a real fuss, let alone go to the government.”
Lu Chengjing thought of the chaos at Qiao Mansion earlier and felt a headache. He said, “There must be more to this behind the scenes, but since we’re leaving soon, we can’t investigate.”
That’s why Qiao Yu’an was in such a bad mood. He knew he’d been schemed against but couldn’t stay to look into it.
In Lu Chengjing’s view, if Qiao Yu’an was truly held back by this and missed the trip to the capital city, that would truly play into the schemer’s hands.
Xiao Huan sighed softly. “A marriage annulment harms the reputation. If Young Lady Qiao finds out, I’m afraid she’ll be sick with anger again.”
The world was just this unfair. Even though Zhang Ning was at fault, Qiao Weiwei would probably have a hard time finding another husband later.
Shang Wan thought Xiao Huan was worrying needlessly. Once Qiao Yu’an made his mark, would his sister have trouble getting married?
By then, Qiao Weiwei might even find a husband several times better than Zhang Ning.
As they talked, the caravan exited the East City Gate.
Shang Wan heard someone calling her from outside the carriage. She lifted the cloth curtain to look out and met the gaze of Niangzi Shu and her group.
Hua Niangzi smiled and waved to her. “Wanwan, we came to see you off together. Xiao Huan, come over too, so us sisters can chat.”
Shang Wan and Xiao Huan got out of the carriage holding Yuan Yuan. Chu Xu wanted to follow, but Shi Tou stopped the child. “Women talking. What are you going for?”
Chu Xu puffed out his cheeks and sat still.
“Treasure, come to Flower Auntie.” Hua Niangzi reached out and took Yuan Yuan into her arms, kissing her chubby little face several times. “Don’t forget Flower Auntie, okay?”
“Mm-hmm.” Yuan Yuan nodded her little head obediently.
“Don’t forget Lou Auntie either.” Niangzi Lou snatched Yuan Yuan into her arms. “Remember to come back to visit your mom.”
“If you can’t come back, sending a letter is fine too.” Tang Niangzi leaned in and pinched Yuan Yuan’s little cheek. “Then Tang Auntie will have someone bring you your favorite snacks.”
Hearing there were snacks, Yuan Yuan’s big eyes lit up, and she immediately agreed. “Okay.”
“You’re just spoiling her.” Shang Wan reached out and took Yuan Yuan back. “There’s still a whole box from last time we went shopping.”
Yuan Yuan hugged her mother’s neck and pouted. The cub didn’t think there could be too many little snacks.
“Safe travels.” Niangzi Shu handed the bundle slung over her arm to Xiao Huan. “A little something from us sisters.”
Xiao Huan looked to her sister and only took it after Shang Wan nodded.
Everyone chatted for a bit. Then Niangzi Lou turned her head and wiped away tears. Her crying set off the others, their eyes turning red with reluctance.
But seeing a guest off for a thousand li must end in parting.
Shang Wan finally said “Take care” and pulled Xiao Huan back to the carriage.
