WSMTATMC C31

Chapter 31

Two mule carts creaked as they traveled through the snow.

Chen Bo drove the lead cart, while Dunzi managed the second flatbed loaded full of New Year’s goods. The Chen family owned only one mule; the other was rented.

Inside the carriage, Wang Ying reached out and held Chen Qingyan’s hand. Feeling the warmth of his palm, he knew he wasn’t cold.

Originally, Wang Ying planned to go to the county seat alone with Chen Bo and Dunzi, but Chen Qingyan adamantly refused to stay behind and insisted on coming along.

“The cold will be harsh and the journey long. Your body is just recovering — what if you fall ill again?”

Chen Qingyan squeezed his hand back. “I won’t be at ease if you go alone.”

His words warmed Wang Ying’s heart. Except for his grandparents, no one had cared for him before he transmigrated. Now he had someone who understood and cared for him deeply.

Their fingers intertwined. Wang Ying nudged him with his shoulder. Since recovering, Qingyan seemed to have grown taller.

At their wedding he had been only two inches taller than Wang Ying. Now standing together, he was at least half a head taller, and his physique no longer looked so frail.

“By the way, a few days ago I mentioned your uncle’s family to Mother when discussing the New Year gifts — she seemed reluctant to associate with them.”

“That story is long and starts with my mother.

My maternal grandfather’s family is the Li clan from Tianyang County. The family produced three juren scholars and was well known locally.

Originally, my grandfather sought to arrange a marriage for my mother with my uncle, not my father.”

“Huh?” Wang Ying was taken aback.

“My father toured later in life. He’d been betrothed young, but when marriage came, the other family abruptly broke it off.

From then on, his proposals went badly. Five prospects were unsuitable, and by the time my grandmother passed away when he was twenty-three, familial mourning put an end to wedding plans for a year.”

Wang Ying nodded, understanding why Chen Biao’s children were all older than Qingyan.

“At that time, my uncle was preparing for the juren exams. My grandfather sent someone to propose marriage. Grandfather was delighted and took my father and uncle to call on my mother. My father happened to meet my mother by chance…

“He was in his late twenties, steady and reliable; they fell in love instantly.”

The Li clan opposed the marriage, citing my father’s lack of official rank and the wide age difference.

Still, my mother insisted and even eloped — or nearly did.

Though the elopement did not happen, being caught damaged her reputation, and the marriage was inevitable.

The Li family were scholarly and prideful. Not wanting to lose face, the marriage was rushed, and relations between the families severed.

“Later my mother had me. My father planned to take her to smooth things over with the Li family, but they wouldn’t even let them in the front gate.”

Wang Ying marveled at his mother-in-law’s youthful boldness. Though what she did was wrong, it was strange the Li family had yet to forgive them after so many years.

Qingyan added, “It’s good we don’t associate with them. If the Li family knew about my scandal during the examinations, they’d certainly cut ties with us again.”

“Still, you joke about it now?”

“I’m just talking — if others said that, it would hurt.”

“You’re honest. Are you uneasy about going to the county seat since the exam is held there?”

“A little, but it’s been so long that probably no one remembers me.”

“Don’t be afraid. It wasn’t your fault to begin with. If anyone mocks you, I’ll slap them.”

Qingyan laughed and bumped Wang Ying’s forehead.

Wang Ying held his head and groaned, “Being educated makes you different — even when you bump heads, it hurts more.”

They both laughed.

Outside, Chen Bo heard the young master’s clear laughter and couldn’t help smiling. He was glad his son-in-law was by him.

The journey from town to county seat was over 130 li (about 75 kilometers). Normally it took two and a half hours, but travel at night was unsafe, and winter roads were slippery, so they took three hours.

As dusk fell, they stopped at a relay station to rest.

Wang Ying had never been to such a place in ancient times. It was far less grand than the ones in dramas — a row of low, mud-brick buildings with faded yellow signs that still bore the word “relay station.”

Chen Bo and Dunzi went to the back to park and feed the animals, while Wang Ying and Qingyan entered the station.

Inside was dim, filled with the smells of wine and food. A clerk approached and asked, “Gentlemen, are you here to eat or stay?”

Wang Ying smirked inwardly. That question was just right.

“We plan to stay overnight and continue early tomorrow.”

“Very well.”

“Two rooms?”

The clerk showed them rooms at the back — another row of low thatched huts, quite old, walls cracked.

“These two eastern rooms are clean. Gentlemen, want to see?”

Upon opening a door, Wang Ying recoiled at the pungent stench of foot odor. The smell hit him hard.

The clerk, used to it, said the rooms had stoves, and if cold, they could bring wood to make fires. The fee was sixty cash per night, with keys due before noon the next day — late returns cost an extra day.

The price was reasonable, and Wang Ying paid.

Meals were available at the front, but expensive — comparable to modern service areas.

A simple vegetarian soup noodle dish cost ten cash; meat dishes twenty, and a plate of stewed meat was over seventy cash — enough for two jin of good meat.

Wang Ying was generous on the road, paying eighty cash for a bowl of meat soup noodles.

The soup noodles were thick, wide strips, topped with minced meat sauce — average flavor but filled him up.

After dinner, he requested hot water and retired early.

The room’s foul smell remained strong. Wang Ying tied a handkerchief over his nose; Qingyan copied him. Seeing each other’s ridiculous faces, they laughed.

Wang Ying said, “Laugh now, but by tomorrow we’ll be used to it, ready to go to Third Aunt’s and give the old lady a good smelling.”

Qingyan laughed until his belly hurt. “Gege, quit teasing.”

“Come, let’s go to the experimental field. Working there will tire us enough to sleep soundly.”

“All right.”

They closed the door. Wang Ying silently prayed to open the field. A flash of white light appeared, and they stood steadily on the ground.

Having experienced it before, Qingyan was less startled. Following Wang Ying’s lead, he began weeding.

After half an hour, feeling tired, they rested by the field’s edge.

Wang Ying picked two tomatoes and gave them to Qingyan. “Next time I’ll bring cooking tools. If we’re hungry, we can use field ingredients to cook.”

“That’s a good idea.”

A few transplanted peach trees had blossomed; as the breeze blew, petals drifted down like soft snow. The two leaned against each other, enjoying the rare peace.

“Gege.”

“Hmm?”

Qingyan brushed his arm against Wang Ying. Wang Ying knew instantly what he wanted, looked up, and kissed him. Qingyan cupped the back of his head and kissed back deeply.

Their mouths gave off the sweet scent of tomatoes, tasting fantastic. Wang Ying mischievously tangled tongues, refusing to let go. Qingyan pinched his waist playfully.

The closeness made Wang Ying weak in the knees, a soft moan escaping.

Damn, this body’s too sensitive! Wang Ying scolded himself as he wrapped his arms around Qingyan’s neck, nearly hanging on.

Just as they were about to do more, the scene went dark and changed. They were back at the relay station.

Qingyan continued his actions, but Wang Ying, overwhelmed by the stench, lost all interest.

“Damn it,” Qingyan pounded the bed in frustration. It was rare to hear him curse. Wang Ying laughed, nearly falling over. “Go to sleep — if I smell more, I’ll throw up.”

Early the next morning, Wang Ying handed over the room key and hurriedly left the relay station to continue their journey.

After three days of travel, they finally reached Longquan County.

Longquan belonged to Jizhou Prefecture, overseeing seventeen towns and a population of over ten thousand, a relatively large county. Its flat terrain and convenient land routes made it commercially developed.

On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, it was the county’s big market day. Many villagers and townsfolk came to trade, lining up to enter the city.

By the time their turn came, it was nearly noon. Chen Bo drew out the wooden travel permit he had prepared. The permit allowed travel within the county only. Leaving Longquan required additional paperwork; travel was cumbersome.

The clerk inspected the permit and asked, “What cargo do you have on the cart?”

“Respectfully, it’s worthless grains, dried vegetables, and wild mountain products. We’re visiting relatives and bringing New Year gifts.”

The officer looked up, got out, and inspected the cart, forcibly confiscating two wild chickens.

“This…” Qingyan became anxious. Why take their goods for no reason?

Wang Ying held him back. “Two chickens aren’t worth much. Don’t start conflicts—better to keep peace. The underworld is easier to deal with than ghosts. If they block us outside, we’d be in big trouble.”

The officer took the goods and waved them through. Chen Bo and Dunzi hurried on, leading the mules.

Entering the city, Wang Ying was drawn to street vendors selling food.

“Baozi! Baozi! Thin skin, thick meat buns!”

“Tanghulu! Sweet and sour!”

“Grinding knives! Kitchen cleavers! Ten cash each!”

Stalls billowed steaming food, hawkers shouted, beggars knelt pleading, and coolies squatted waiting for work.

This was the authentic atmosphere of ancient times.

notes:

1. Li (里) – Traditional Chinese distance unit, roughly 576 meters. 
2. Juren (举人) – A successful candidate at the provincial imperial examination level. 
3. Tongsheng (童生) – A student who passed the county examination, qualified to take the provincial exam. 
4. Chongxi (冲喜) – A marriage arranged to bring “joy” to the household, often to dispel illness or bad luck. 
5. A famous line from the Book of Songs (Shijing), expressing love and longing.