Chapter 261: Going Out
Editor: Atlas Studios
Mu Yangling placed a thick blanket on the carriage and patted it. Then, she turned around and shouted, “Mother, are you done?”
“Alright, alright.” Shu Wanniang carried a bag out and placed it in the carriage. Mu Yangling exclaimed, “Mother, we’re only going for a few days. There’s no need to bring so many things.”
“These are all Bosi and Kejia’s clothes. We have to bring them. Alright, quickly carry them out.”
Bosi and Kejia were dressed thickly and were sitting side by side on the brick bed with their calves hanging down. When they saw their sister enter, they stretched out their arms to ask for a hug.
Bowen helped them put on their shoes and reached out to hug Bosi. However, Bosi was chubby to begin with. Coupled with the fact that he wore thick layers during the winter, he slid down the moment Bowen tried to pick him up.
Mu Yangling took Bosi from him and picked up Kejia. “Alright, go get Xiuhong and the rest.”
When Qi Haoran rode over with his men, Mu Yangling and the rest had just packed up. The leather goods were placed in a donkey cart at the back. Shu Wanniang and the rest were sitting in the carriage. As there was hot tea in the corner, they did not feel cold.
Mu Yangling closed the door and instructed the Sun family to help look after the house. Then, she jumped onto Blackie and waved at everyone. “Alright, let’s go.”
The coachman immediately raised his whip and started riding. Qi Haoran rode beside Mu Yangling. Seeing that she kept looking back, he said, “Don’t worry. I’ve already instructed the soldiers who went to help you look after the rabbit shed to visit your house from time to time. It’ll only take five to six days. What are you worried about?”
“Do you think everyone is like you? I have a big family and business. It’s natural for me to feel worried now that everyone in my family is going out all at once.” Mu Yangling looked up at the sky and said, “The weather looks not bad. We should be able to reach Hanzhong Prefecture before dark, right?”
“It shouldn’t be a problem.”
As it was winter, the wind was strong and the temperature was low. Mu Yangling and the others did not say much as they rode on their horses. With their necks and mouths wrapped up, they stopped by the roadside for lunch.
This being the first time Bosi and Kejia had gone on a long trip, they widened their eyes and carefully moved their round bodies around the empty space. Not to mention the two children, Bowen, Xiuhong and Xiulan were also very excited. Although there were bare trees everywhere they looked, it didn’t stop them from running around excitedly.
Great-aunt placed the lumps of the bone broth that she had brewed a few days ago into the pot and increased the heat. Soon, a fragrant pot of bone broth was ready. She waved at Fei Bai and the others and said, “Hurry up and get a bowl. Everyone, drink a bowl of hot bone broth to ward off the cold. There’s a lot of ginger inside.”
Fei Bai squatted in front and swallowed his saliva. He happily responded and ran to the donkey cart to search for the bag containing the bowls.
Great-aunt cooked noodles using another large pot of soup, then said, “Only Ah Ling is so particular. If you ask me, we can just fill ourselves up with some dry rations on the way. Why do we have to bring all these things? Isn’t this a waste of time?”
Shu Wanniang said, “Ah Ling is considerate of the fact that Bosi and Kejia are still young and can’t eat pancakes.”
“Anyway, we can get there before dark. Grandma, what are you worried about? I think this is good. We can play on the road.” Xiuhong nudged her sister. “What do you think?”
Xiulan nodded repeatedly. “I like it, too.”
“This road is bare. What’s so fun about it?”
Mu Yangling and Qi Haoran dragged two pieces of firewood over. When they heard this, they said, “If you want to admire the scenery, we’ll come again in spring when everything revives. Qi Haoran said that the roads will be filled with wildflowers in spring. It’s quite a beautiful sight.”
“Don’t.” Great-aunt said, “Even if you want to come out and play, you have to wait until you’re done farming.”
Xiuhong stuck out her tongue at Mu Yangling and shrugged, indicating that she probably wouldn’t have a chance next year.
The group arrived at Hanzhong Prefecture at four in the afternoon, but the number of pedestrians on the streets did not decrease at all. The carriage headed straight for Qi Haoran’s residence.
Xiuhong and Xiulan rolled up the curtain of the carriage and leaned against the window with Bowen to look out. Shu Wanniang wanted to say that this was against the rules, but when she thought about how they were now farmers and didn’t have to observe these so-called rules, she swallowed her words.
This was also the first time Great-aunt had seen such a lively and bustling place. Her eyes widened as she looked outside and sighed. “Hanzhong Prefecture is even bigger than Xingzhou Prefecture.”
Shu Wanniang nodded. “Other than Jingzhao Prefecture, Hanzhong Prefecture is the largest in the north. The prosperity level is naturally not something Xingzhou Prefecture can compare to.”
This was also Mu Yangling’s first time shopping on such a lively street. She had been in a hurry the last time she came to Hanzhong Prefecture, so she had not taken a closer look. At this moment, she was also looking around with interest. “I think there are more people in Hanzhong Prefecture than the last time I came.”
“Of course.” Qi Haoran said, “With the recovery of Hanzhong Prefecture, merchants from all over Great Zhou have begun to come. Coupled with the large temple fair the day after tomorrow, there will naturally be many more people than last time.”
“By the way, where’s my father?” Mu Yangling asked. “Didn’t you say that you would let my father go on a break as soon as we arrived?”
“I’ve already asked someone to call him in advance. He’ll probably be here by the time you’re done packing.”
Qi Haoran’s mansion was in the west city. There were mainly officials and nobles from Hanzhong Prefecture living there. The house had five entrances and five exits, plus two small gardens. Qi Haoran had seized this house.
Qi Haoran was the first to attack Hanzhong Prefecture with his troops. After occupying the government office, the second place to occupy was here. This was because the nobles and officials of the Jin Kingdom in Hanzhong Prefecture lived here. Other than the treasury in the government office, they had seized the most money here.
At that time, Fei Bai was careful and directly occupied this house for Qi Haoran. He handled military affairs in this house. When Qi Xiuyuan came, he also stayed here. After the new magistrate took over, he did not dare to ask them to move out. Anyway, since this house would either be left vacant or sold to the squires of Hanzhong Prefecture, it made no difference to let Qi Haoran stay here.
Hence, Qi Haoran got someone to write a plaque that said “Qi Residence” and hang it at the house. This could now be considered his home in Hanzhong Prefecture.
As he rarely stayed here, Fan Zijin was the one who stayed most of the time. Since there was only one master or two most of the time, there were not many servants. As soon as Qi Haoran and the rest arrived at the door, the butler brought someone to personally welcome them at the foot of the stairs.
Fan Zijin stood on the steps. When he saw Qi Haoran and Mu Yangling dismount, he nodded slightly at Mu Yangling. Then, he smiled and went to the carriage to bow and greet Shu Wanniang and Madam Ma-Liu. Ever since Qi Xiuyuan said that the two families had become family friends, Fan Zijin had been very respectful to Shu Wanniang and Madam Ma-Liu, although his attitude towards Mu Yangling was still not considered affectionate.
Shu Wanniang liked this scholarly child very much. Seeing him come over, she smiled and asked Bowen to learn from him.
Mu Yangling, however, did not want her brother to learn Fan Zijin’s temper. She immediately went forward and said with a smile, “Mother, let’s go in first. Haoran said that Father might be here soon.
Shu Wanniang chided, “You child, how many times have I told you? Haoran and Zijin are older than you. You should call them elder brothers.”
“Yes, yes. Brother Haoran, Brother Zijin. Let’s quickly enter.”