Chapter 194: Chapter 193: Encountering an Acquaintance on the Road
The He Mansion has recently been in such a turmoil due to their legitimate son’s antics that upon learning Lin Wanwan had acquired the title of Village Lady, He Wenyu believed she was worthy of being the primary wife of their family and refused to continue discussing marriage with the Xiao family of Southern Lanling.
Due to opposition from the family’s elders, he even took the step of privately seeking a matchmaker. However, matchmakers operating in Qiantang aren’t foolish; who would truly heed the instructions of a hedonistic son in serious matters!
Because the family was in chaos, and in addition, she blamed Lin Wanwan for her torn muscles and bones, He Miao was furious with Lin Wanwan, believing it was all her fault. She wrote a letter to Lin Wanwan with harsh words, denouncing her shameless behavior.
In the Great Tang Dynasty, aside from receiving a letter from Xiao Chong, Lin Wanwan hadn’t received a second person’s letter. She had mixed feelings when she got He Miao’s letter.
Upon reading the content, however, she scoffed.
This spoiled noble lady still thought the world revolved around her. To blame her for her brother’s random infatuation was simply absurd.
To show her disdain, Lin Wanwan didn’t waste ink replying to her. Instead, she ordered a modern-day online purchase of a mutt and instructed a runner to send it over, along with a verbal message: "I encountered a peddler at the workshop who was selling this puppy. The merchant said this dog is good at catching mice, so I gift it to Third Young Lady, surely you will like it."
The saying "The dog catches mice, minding others’ business" originates from the Qing Dynasty author Wen Kang’s "The Chronicle of Heroic Children," which was a thousand years after the Great Tang!
He Miao naturally couldn’t understand Lin Wanwan’s dark humor. Being inexplicably gifted a puppy, she thought Lin was apologizing to their family, and was somewhat delighted.
Upon learning of He Miao’s response reported by the runner, Lin Wanwan was speechless. Indeed, there was a deep cultural gap between ancient and modern people!
But upon further thought, Lin Wanwan was amused again. Isn’t this the favorite way ancient literati liked to curse people? They cursed you, yet you couldn’t comprehend it, and there arose a sense of superiority in culture and intelligence!
Ancient literati loved to mutually reference classics for mockery, with the best outcome being the other party unable to comprehend.
Putting aside the matter with He Miao, Lin Wanwan unexpectedly encountered an extraordinary old acquaintance while browsing the workshop today.
Although the East Market was crowded, and Xiao Chong wore only a slightly worn scholar’s attire, wherever he appeared, surrounding lights seemed drawn to him, making it hard to ignore.
"Cousin, what a coincidence, how come you’re also in Qiantang? Isn’t the County Magistrate very busy?" Lin Wanwan handed the horse to Kun Lun and walked leisurely beside Xiao Chong.
Upon hearing her voice, Xiao Chong turned and looked down at Lin Wanwan, saying: "The peaceful Village Lady is well, it happens that my presence here is related to you, to deliver auspicious tidings to the County Magistrate."
Lin Wanwan was curious: "Auspicious? Sweet potatoes?"
Xiao Chong replied: "No. Do you recall the seeds you gave me last winter?"
Lin Wanwan suddenly understood: "Oh, potatoes!"
Xiao Chong smiled and nodded: "The yield is so high, another auspicious sign; I have come early to give credit to you."
Lin Wanwan laughed: "Not early at all, just timely. If the timing wasn’t so perfect, it would have been troublesome to rid myself of that rotten peach blossom."
Xiao Chong smiled without speaking, not inquiring what "rotten peach blossom" meant.
Lin Wanwan naturally had no intention of explaining, but noticing Xiao Chong’s enigmatic smile, she paused, pondered for a moment, and looking at him she said: "Cousin, it’s not right; people from Lin Family Manor don’t know which neighborhood my maternal family resides in. Were you the one who guided the angel?"
Xiao Chong smiled and answered: "After the angel entered the boundary of Mao County, naturally I guided the way."
Lin Wanwan stared at Xiao Chong unwaveringly: "Cousin wouldn’t have known in advance that the people from He Mansion would come to take me as a concubine, would you?"
Xiao Chong didn’t answer, just replied calmly: "With the title of peaceful Village Lady, cousin has much more freedom to marry or remain single in the future. Congratulations, cousin."
Lin Wanwan chuckled dryly: "Hehe."
Xiao Chong’s gaze stayed on her face momentarily, then suddenly asked, "Cousin, when are you returning to Mao County?"
Lin Wanwan replied: "If nothing unexpected happens, the day after tomorrow. My brothers will sail over to pick me up."
Xiao Chong nodded: "Is cousin able to accommodate me for the journey? I also return the day after tomorrow."
"Sure!" Lin Wanwan agreed readily.
"Cousin has stayed quite a while in Qiantang this time. How was the Lantern Festival?"
Lin Wanwan gave a complex expression and said: "Don’t even mention it, I spent three days following old Master Sun saving lives; several people were injured by trampling when releasing lanterns."
"Cousin has worked hard." Xiao Chong said, "Every year, the Lantern Festival is the busiest and most chaotic time for the government, and likely it is the same for healers."
Lin Wanwan shrugged: "Isn’t that the case! Especially in large cities under curfew, it’s rare to have a few days of carnival, it’s odd if people don’t go out and party."
Xiao Chong smiled mildly in agreement.
After exchanging a few more words, Lin Wanwan was about to bid farewell and leave when a commotion suddenly erupted nearby. A crowd was quickly moving forward, evidently something lively was happening there, and Lin Wanwan and Xiao Chong were pushed to the wall of a nearby teahouse.
Curiously looking over, Lin Wanwan signaled Hua Nong who ran over to check out the situation. Shuqi quietly stood in front of Xiao Chong, separating him from the chaotic crowd. Kun Lun also led the horse over, shielding Lin Wanwan behind him.
A moment later, Hua Nong squeezed her way back, excitedly telling Lin Wanwan: "Madam, ahead a stage has been set up by a broker, publicly selling a beautiful female musician! Listening to the discussions around, I heard the musician was released from the Changshi Mansion and now she’s playing a Konghou Melody on the stage, it’s so melodious! It’s just as good as when Xiao Mingfu plays the qin!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chong showed no expression, but beside him Shuqi frowned, saying: "Nonsense, how can you compare the master with such lowly pleasure musicians?"
It’s because Hua Nong said it, if it were a different servant, Shuqi’s temper might have even led to physical reprimand.
Hua Nong shrank upon being scolded, lowered her head apologizing: "I misspoke, don’t blame me, Xiao Mingfu."
Xiao Chong gently replied: "It’s alright."
"Someone plays that well, from Changshi Mansion?" Lin Wanwan repeated in surprise, and looked up at Xiao Chong, "Can this happen?"
Xiao Chong’s expression remained calm: "It can, though rare."
Seeing him understood the situation but unwilling to gossip, Lin Wanwan was a bit disappointed.
So she leaned over to Hua Nong and whispered a few words, Hua Nong nodded repeatedly, then turned around and drilled back into the crowd.
Xiao Chong lowered his gaze to Lin Wanwan: "Cousin is interested in Konghou?"
Lin Wanwan said: "Hua Nong said she plays so well, it indeed sparked my interest. Besides, it’s idle time."