Chapter 421: Chapter 421: Arriving in the Capital City_1
Then, Wei Ruo said to Xiumei, “You go to the Zhao Family on my behalf and inform the Zhao brothers that they needn’t worry. The matter of marriage alliance can temporarily be set aside. Also, help me deliver two letters to the Four Treasure House and have someone there send them to the provincial city to my wet nurse and Uncle Xu.”
Wei Ruo had instructed the Zhao brothers to propose to the Wei Family’s eldest daughter on Xu Heyou’s behalf. The Zhao brothers didn’t fully understand the motive behind this, but out of gratitude to Wei Ruo for saving their lives, they had been diligently managing this affair.
Now that the matter had been called off, Wei Ruo wanted to notify the two of them, so they wouldn’t worry. Also, Wei Ruo had some other matters to instruct them on.
Moreover, since Brother Xiaoyong would remain in the Anti-Japanese Army, she wouldn’t take her wet nurse and others with her when she went northbound this time. She had left letters to instruct them on the tasks they needed to handle in the following period, arranging for the fields and shops in Taizhou prefecture and Lin’an prefecture.
Although poor climatic conditions had led to a reduction in grain production in the Jiangzhe region these two years, Wei Ruo believed that as long as the climate improved, the grain production in this region would definitely be very substantial.
Thus, she wanted to purchase farmlands, with the farmlands in the Jiangzhe region being her first choice. No matter where she went, she would hold onto these farmlands here.
“Alright, I’ll go immediately.”
Xiumei was swift in action. She changed her attire, ran back and forth, delivered the letters, and conveyed Wei Ruo’s intentions.
Afterwards, she returned to Tingsong Garden to pack with Wei Ruo.
Wei Ruo had quite a lot of belongings. Any valuable items needed to be taken along.
The number of carriages in the residence was limited. Wei Ruo didn’t plan to use them since she already had a carriage, which had been reinforced a few days earlier.
Wei Ruo planned to purchase another carriage specifically for carrying her luggage.
It wasn’t exactly for the carriage to carry loads of luggage. No matter how much luggage there was, Wei Ruo could store them all in her space.
But while traveling, she couldn’t endlessly take things out from her space, as that could arouse suspicions. Thus, having an extra carriage could be more convenient.
In addition to having enough stuff for the trip, it was also necessary to make sufficient preparations for defense.
The journey to the capital city was far, and considering the disorder these past few years, one couldn’t guarantee that some danger wouldn’t be encountered on the way.
Even if it wasn’t used this time, there would likely be a time for its use in the future. Being well-prepared was always the right approach.
So, Wei Ruo, accompanied by Xiumei, made several trips to the streets, hired a few carpenters and blacksmiths, and busied herself for a few days.
###
Before leaving Taizhou prefecture, there was one thing Wei Qingwan had to do—purchase Dr. Xu’s Scar Removal Ointment.
Not only had the ointment purchased with the three hundred taels from Wei Mingyong and two hundred taels from Madam Yun ran out, but the two boxes of ointment she purchased with another two hundred taels from Wei Mingyong, after she failed to see Dr. Xu a second time, also had barely any left.
All seven boxes of ointment were now down to the last half-box.
However, the scars on her back had been mostly removed, with only a third of the original traces remaining.
Given the long travel to the capital, it would be difficult to purchase the ointment again, so she had to buy enough ointment before departing for the capital city.
Fortunately, Madam Yun had recently sold some farmland and shops for a sum of silver. Upon Wei Qingwan’s earnest request, Madam Yun lent three hundred taels of silver to purchase the ointment.
Wei Qingwan immediately sent Nurse Li for a trip to Tongde Hall.
However, this time Nurse Li returned empty-handed, bearing bad news: the shop had sold out of the Scar Removal Ointment.
Weo Qingwan inquired to know when they would restock.
However, Nurse Li relayed Tongde Hall’s response—since the ointment was sold on consignment by Dr. Xu, they couldn’t guarantee when they would have more. It could be in a few days, or there might never be more.
Weo Qingwan immediately paled; she had thought the matter of her scar was resolved, and that as long as she got the money, she could fully recover.
She didn’t expect the ointment to sell out! And that Xu Heyou was evasive as ever!
Besides his charity medical consultation a while ago, he hardly ever showed up in public.
Now where was she to find him?
###
On the fifteenth day of the winter month, the Wei Family set out for their journey. Wei Yichen, Wei Mingyong and the other men rode horses, while Madam Yun, Wei Ruo, and the rest of the women travelled in carriages.
Madam Yun and Wei Qingwan shared a carriage, and Wei Ruo was in her own. Following behind them were four carriages to carry the luggage, three of which were provided by the residence, and one was Wei Ruo’s own.
In addition, there were also maids and guards from the residence accompanying them.
Only a few personal maids were brought, but they didn’t economize on guards. It was hard to guarantee that the journey would not bring dangers, so having more people for protection was more reassuring.
Since they had womenfolk and a large amount of luggage, their journey was relatively slow.
It took them more than one month to travel.
During this time, the Emperor of the Capital City carried out the enfeoffment ceremony for the sixth prince, Liu Heng, and the seventh prince, Chu Lan. Among them, Liu Heng was conferred as Yudu (the Prince of Abundance), and Chu Lan was conferred as King Jing.
At the same time, the ninth prince also attended the enfeoffment ceremony and officially entered the court and government ministries.
However, the ninth prince was weak and fragile. It was said that he had to be helped away halfway through the ceremony due to ill health.
What surprised people was the Emperor’s attitude towards the ninth prince. After confirming that the ninth prince was indeed the son of the late Empress Xu, the Emperor started to show great concern for him, more than any of his other princes so far.
After a long and laborious journey, Wei Ruo finally arrived at the Capital City with the Wei Family on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month.
The Loyal and Righteous Duke Duke Residence was located at the end of Suzaku Street in Capital City with its grand gate and two majestic stone lions at the entrance.
On the bright red gate, a prominent plaque hung, the four characters of ‘Loyal and Righteous Duke Duke Residence’ inscribed on it powerfully.
Upon closer observation, Wei Ruo could see traces of weathering on the red lacquer of the gate, a corner of the bronze ring on the gate was missing, and the majestic stone lions had some damage.
The wall around the house was high. From outside, one could see the grey-green roofs and pavilions inside.
The procession moved past the front gate and into the side alley.
The front gate was usually kept shut, and the household members typically used the side door for entering and leaving the residence.
When entering the gate, Madam Yun reminded Wei Ruo once more to be cautious and not rash in her actions.
Among everyone, Wei Ruo was the only one visiting the Loyal and Righteous Duke Duke Residence for the first time. Even the young Wei Yilin had lived in the Duke Residence before.
After entering the residence, Wei Ruo was led by a servant to Changchun Garden, then she was taken by two maids to freshen up.
Wei Ruo was attended to by a few maids, who cleaned her from top to bottom, then they helped her change into the clothes they had prepared in advance.
Looking down, Wei Ruo noted that the clothes were newly made, fitted well, and were made of high-quality silk. It was evident that they had put in great effort.
Immediately after, Wei Ruo was taken to the Shou’an Hall, the residence of the grand lady.
Navigating past the screen, Wei Ruo entered the inner room, which was already full of people.
