WSMTATMC C167

Chapter 167

After the New Year, preparations began for Chen Qingyan’s trip to the capital.

The metropolitan exam is held every year in mid-second month; although there was still some time, to avoid delays on the road, they planned to depart on the eighth.

Ordinary people who wish to go to the capital must first complete procedures with the authorities to obtain a travel pass; otherwise, they cannot even enter the city gates of the capital.

Handling this travel pass is extremely troublesome: one must submit application materials to the prefecture, stating name, address, age, and purpose of travel, and have five guarantors simultaneously stand surety; moreover, a fee of ten strings must be paid. Thus, most common folk cannot visit the capital even once in a lifetime.

Of course, this was not necessary for Chen Qingyan. Since he was going to sit the examinations, he did not need to pay extra; he only had to apply in advance at the prefectural yamen.

This time, since they were going with the Liu family, they did not even need to prepare a carriage—just bring luggage and one attendant.

That night, lying in bed discussing the matter, Wang Ying said: “For this trip to the capital, who are you planning to bring?”

Chen Qingyan turned over and hooked an arm around his waist. “If possible, I’d most want to bring you.”

Wang Ying kicked him. “Don’t be naughty; speaking seriously.”

“Then Ershun.”

“Not suitable—Ershun’s wife is well along in months. Leaving her alone at home is worrisome.”

“What about Old Chen?”

“Old Chen is elderly; in such cold weather, unwilling to have him rush back and forth.”

Chen Qingyan nodded. “True. Then I’ll go alone.”

Wang Ying shook his head. “No. If something happens, having someone at one’s side is best. Let Xiao Ma go with you—among these few servants, he’s the nimblest.”

“Leave it to your arrangements.”

Wang Ying toyed with his fingers. “Once you leave, it’ll be two or three months before returning. If Yuanbao finds out, tears are guaranteed.”

Hugging him close, Chen Qingyan said: “After this exam—regardless of the outcome—we won’t separate as a family again.”

—

In a blink, it was departure day. Before dawn, Wang Ying rose and checked the packed luggage carefully again to avoid leaving anything behind.

“The silver has all been placed in the test plot; take it when needed.”

“Right.” Chen Qingyan donned a thick cotton robe with a cloak outside and a fur hat with sable trim; bundled up tight.

“If something arises, leave a message in the test plot. Check it daily; otherwise, don’t enter often—careful not to be discovered.”

“Understood.”

“Tell Yuanbao?”

Looking at his son sleeping with a red little face, Chen Qingyan shook his head. “Don’t wake him. If he knows I’m leaving, he’ll cry a storm.”

Wang Ying’s nose stung. “When he wakes and can’t find you, he’ll cry anyway.”

Chen Qingyan went to the small bed and kissed the boy’s cheek lightly. “I’m off; the household is in your hands.”

“Go. Be safe on the road and don’t catch a chill.”

“Rest easy.” Carrying his bundle, he went out. The front courtyard lamps were lit; Madam Li and Chen Rong were already up, boiling hot dumpling soup for him.

Ma Zhandong also ate a bowl. After breakfast and a chorus of admonitions, the two boarded the Liu family carriage to set off for the capital.

In the cart, Liu Changyi’s rims were red; he had just hugged his wife and cried before leaving.

Qingyun was fine—little anxiety at parting—planning to return to her mother’s home to rest with the pregnancy.

In the carriage, both were quiet, closing their eyes to rest and doze again.

The Liu family had prepared three carriages in all. The first two were for people, and the last was loaded with goods—prepared by Father Liu for Elder Brother. Though New Year’s gifts had been sent, they still brought many things.

Since the son’s entry into the capital would inevitably trouble the elder brother’s household, more was better.

Near the city gate, dawn was breaking. Because they were from the residence of a high official, inspection was light and they went straight out.

From Jizhou to the capital was a journey of more than ten days; given slippery winter roads, it might take half a month. The good thing was the route was an official road with ample travelers and merchants—relatively safe.

Just out of the city, they encountered a caravan also heading to the capital, and the drivers drove along behind them.

—

Yuanbao did not wake until the end of the yin hour(3;00-5;00). As usual, the nursemaid washed and dressed him.

Once dressed, he went with Mutou and Chunsheng to the front courtyard. At breakfast, he noticed father was absent. “Grandmother, where is father?”

Madam Li set down her chopsticks. “Your father went to take care of business.”

Yuanbao kept eating. At noon, Wang Ying returned from the shop and, seeing his son still cheerful, thought he already knew about Chen Qingyan’s departure and did not pay it mind.

By evening, when father still had not returned, he grew anxious.

“A-fu, why isn’t father back yet?”

Wang Ying said: “Didn’t Grandmother tell you?”

He squatted down, holding his son’s hands. “Father has gone to the capital to take the exams; he’ll be away two or three months.”

Tears poured down Yuanbao’s face. “But father promised he wouldn’t go…”

“Circumstances changed. Don’t blame him.”

“But I miss father so much.” The little temper flared and the more he cried the more the tears fell; his eyes turned into bursting sluices, flooding down.

Unable to soothe him, Wang Ying carried him to the front courtyard. Madam Li had lain down to rest; hearing the noise, she threw on clothes and got up.

“Oh my precious grandson—what is it?”

Wang Ying said: “Qingyan left without telling him. Just told him now, and he can’t bear it.”

“This child—come to Grandmother.”

Sitting in Madam Li’s lap, Yuanbao sobbed and hiccuped: “Grandmother lied—liar… Didn’t you say father—father went to do errands?”

“It’s Grandmother’s fault—I shouldn’t have lied.”

Lip quivering with grievance, the tears surged again, softening the old lady’s heart until she wept along with him.

Lest Madam Li be upset further, Wang Ying soothed the boy. “Don’t cry—this isn’t forever. In a little while father will be back. Next time, no more leaving behind; if he must go, we’ll all go together.”

Yuanbao sniffled: “He must—must keep his word!”

“He will—certainly.”

After coaxing for half an hour, the little one finally slept. Since it was cold, they did not move him back and let him sleep in Madam Li’s room.

Wang Ying put on a robe and returned alone to the bedchamber. The empty room made him recall last night when Qingyan had held him, discussing the journey, and he felt all the more hollow inside.

Unable to sleep, he simply entered the test plot to stroll.

He picked two baskets of tomatoes, one of cucumbers, cut thirty jin of chives and celery, pulled ten jin of scallions, picked many string beans, plus a few pumpkins and winter melons.

Only two jin of chilies were picked—too few buyers; most people were not used to such intensely spicy flavors.

The second crop of cucumbers at the side were already finger-length; in ten days they would be ready. Tomatoes were blushing as well; Wang Ying picked a slightly redder one and ate it.

A few days earlier, he had tallied the money in the test plot. In the two months before the New Year, selling vegetables yielded over six hundred seventy strings, all changed to silver.

Together with what remained after buying the house, he’d saved nearly one thousand taels. It’s said passing the jinshi exam wins a reward of five hundred taels from the prefecture; passing in the first class brings even more—could be a windfall.

With little else to do, he took out the partially written compendium and resumed compiling.

Knowledge must be reviewed frequently to lodge deeply; many points were nearly forgotten.

After grinding ink, he set his thoughts in order and began to write. Two hours later, when the test plot reminded that shared time was nearly up, he stopped.

Stacking the pages neatly back into the box, Wang Ying pulled up the light screen and watered the plot, noticing a flashing little exclamation mark in the corner.

He tapped it open; unexpectedly, new experience had been added—only 200 points.

Curious where it had come from—perhaps the writing just now? It was late; he would test again tomorrow.

—

At dawn the next day, Wang Ying and Lin Sui went to the shop as usual to sell vegetables.

The weather was frigid these days; as soon as they arrived, they lit the brazier.

By the time the room warmed, the vegetables were delivered. Tian Ju and Ershun unloaded and laid them out. Before long, customers came to buy.

Most were regulars; prices needed little explanation, and after choosing they came straight to settle accounts.

They sold over seven strings in the morning. With the afternoon gloomy, Wang Ying planned to close early and go home.

As they were packing up, hoofbeats sounded outside, and Wang Ying looked up to see Marquis Wuping dismount.

Wang Ying called to Lin Sui, “The Marquis has come.”

Lin Sui’s ears flushed red; he set down the vegetables and went to meet him. “What brings Marquis here?”

Li Mu came with urgent business. Removing his hat, he came to the point: “War has broken out in the Northwest. In a few days I must lead troops to battle. I wish for Qing’er to acknowledge you as her foster father. While I am away, I trouble you to help care for her.”

Lin Sui froze and only came back to himself after a while. “Why would war break out so suddenly?”

Wang Ying was nervous too. “Where in the Northwest? Not near Shanzhou, is it?”

Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt were in Shanzhou!

War matters were not convenient to detail, so Li Mu only said briefly: “It hasn’t reached Shanzhou—further still, beyond the Jade Gate. Don’t worry—it won’t reach here in a short time.”

Lin Sui’s heart twisted. “How long… will it take?”

“That can’t be predicted. Most likely half a year at least. If the wedding is delayed, we’ll set the date when I return.”

“All right… I’m in no hurry…”

Seeing he was about to cry, Li Mu’s heart itched, and he regretted not marrying him sooner; then he could hold him openly and comfort him.

“I’ll go. In a few days, I’ll send for you.”

They saw Li Mu to the door.

Staring after him, Lin Sui murmured: “Why did it break out so suddenly… it sounds frightening.”

“It does. My heart is thumping. Come, let’s go home.”