Chapter 107.1
Since Wei Zhan and An Xuzhi returned, the atmosphere in the clan school had completely changed.
Wei Zhan was already a teenager and was especially fond of his younger siblings. Whenever someone didn't want to study in the school, he would find a way to secretly take them out to play. As a result, after his return, the school had never been fully attended again.
The children in the clan school all liked him very much.
Wei Wanyu wanted to go farming, which greatly upset her parents. They had hoped that Wei Zhan would come back and discipline her. However, not only did he not scold her, but he also helped her argue with her parents. There were so many noble ladies in the capital who could study, but Wei Wanyu was the first to want to farm.
Moreover, he often went to the vegetable garden to help fertilize.
Previously, Zhao Heng had been holding a grudge against him for hitting Li Wenjian. However, that day when he took her and Wei Wanyu to buy lanterns, he had shielded them alone when they were attacked, avenging them fiercely. After that, he often took them out to play, and Zhao Heng's hostility towards Wei Zhan disappeared.
When the broad beans were ripe at the end of May, she picked the first batch and sent it to him.
Wei Zhan was pleased for a while and bragged to Li Wenjian about how delicious the beans stewed were.
Li Wenjian found this person excessively childish. How come he hadn't noticed his childishness in his previous life?
He ignored his show-off and didn't tell him that ever since Zhao Heng's little vegetable garden had a good harvest, his supply of potatoes and beans hadn't stopped.
He had no particular preference for food as long as it filled his stomach. Although he didn't like potatoes and beans, Zhao Heng did. So he just went along with what she said.
The situation on the front line was much better than in the previous life. Relying on his memories from the previous life, he made some suggestions in some crucial battles. His parents were not unreasonable people. After receiving his letters, they carefully analyzed the situation and found that his suggestions could solve the dilemma they were facing.
Soon, the peasant army successfully crossed the river, completely wiped out Yang Yuan's remnants, and was marching northwards, aiming for the capital.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, the An family secretly decided to move the clan's young descendants to another place.
In order to prevent the Tyrant Emperor from noticing, people left in several groups.
Zhao Heng's grandmother was in poor health and was arranged to leave with the third group from the capital.
Li Wenjian knew that Zhao Heng was very sensitive, and just as she had settled down, she suddenly had to leave. He was worried about how to tell her.
In mid-May, Li Wenjian went to Yingzhou.
Since he left, Zhao Heng studied in the clan school every day. After school, she would go to the courtyard to tend to the vegetable seedlings, leading a simple yet fulfilling life.
However, she gradually noticed that there were many people taking sick leave from the clan school every day, and the once full school now had many empty seats.
The weather was good that day, with bright sunshine, and the clan school was off for ten days, so there was no need to study.
Zhao Heng took the opportunity of the good weather to wash her school bag in the courtyard. Xue Shi was sitting under the eaves cutting radish strips. She had made a lot of pickled vegetables last time and sent them to Yanshan Residence for Li Wenjian to eat with porridge. Li Wenjian said they tasted good, so she wanted to make more for him this time.
She knew that she could do very little for Li Wenjian, and her way of expressing gratitude was simple and sincere.
"By the way, Ah Heng," Xue Shi placed the cut radishes on a sieve to dry and smiled at Zhao Heng, saying, "Since the young master has helped us so much, I've been wanting to light a lamp for him at the Bai Ma Temple. I asked Madam Xu, lighting an eighty-year longevity lamp at Bai Ma Temple costs five taels of silver."
She consulted Zhao Heng, "Should we do it?"
"Let's do it!" Zhao Heng didn't hesitate at all.
"I agree. We have to light it for him no matter how expensive it is." Xue Shi nodded in agreement, and got up to go back inside the house. When she came out again, she was holding their money pouch.
She counted quietly, "We just need another two taels."
An family was too kind and just. Not only did she take care of their food and accommodation, she felt guilty not helping out in the kitchen. She also gave them wages for their work. They lived comfortably here, and since there was nowhere else to spend their money, the monthly wages accumulated into a considerable sum.
After thinking for a while with her chin in her hands, Zhao Heng felt that saving for another two years was too long. Someone as good as Brother Shulang, she couldn't wait to light a longevity lamp and establish a longevity plaque for him.
"I'll think of a way," Zhao Heng said.
"Don't do anything foolish again," Xue Shi recalled the time when she secretly went back to the mountain to pick herbs alone, still feeling a bit scared. She couldn't help but remind her, "Money can be earned slowly, but don't take risks anymore."
"I won't, I'll discuss it with Wanyu," Zhao Heng said.
After lunch, Zhao Heng went to find Wei Wanyu.
Wei Wanyu was sitting on a swing enjoying the sun, while a maid stood behind her holding two strings of pearl butterflies, saying something to her. Wei Wanyu was pouting with a displeased look on her face.
Zhao Heng really liked what she saw, and smiled gently, "Ah Yue, how much does it cost to buy this butterfly? I want to buy one too."
Ah Yue laughed, "It's not worth much, our family's lady ordered it in the Xianyue Pavilion, a pair only costs five taels of silver."
Zhao Heng swallowed, her grandmother's monthly salary of two qian silver, not eating or drinking saves up for more than two years just enough for a pair of hair accessories for Wei Wanyu.
"If you like it, I'll give it to you," Wei Wanyu grabbed the swing rope and looked up at Zhao Heng, generously handing her the butterfly.
Zhao Heng shook her head shyly, "Grandmother said we can't ask for things from others for no reason, I don't want it."
A Yue said, "Miss Zhao Heng, you play with our lady first, I'll bring you two bowls of yogurt."
Seeing A Yue's figure disappearing outside the gate, Zhao Heng climbed onto the swing and sat shoulder to shoulder with Wei Wanyu, looking around to make sure no one was nearby. She then lowered her voice and asked, "Last time you asked me to help you with your homework, and you offered me a reward, is the offer still valid?"
Wei Wanyu's eyes lit up at the mention, "You agreed to help me?"
She was focused on the vegetable garden now and had no interest in studying. However, her parents forced her to do homework every day. If she didn't finish, they wouldn't allow her to go to the vegetable garden.
She was not fit for studying at all. She went to the An family school at the age of three and still couldn't memorize the Thousand Character Classic after three or four years of study.
Zhao Heng came to the family school, and after more than ten days, she couldn't even write her own name, which gave Wei Wanyu some comfort.
Zhao Heng nodded seriously and said to her, "I will help you with your homework from now on."
Wei Wanyu clapped her hands and laughed, "Great! Zhao Heng, you are my savior. You not only tell me to farm, but also help me with my homework!"
Zhao Heng covered her mouth, signaling her to lower her voice. She lowered her voice and said, "But I have an urgent matter now, can you advance me some money?"
Wei Wanyu turned her head to look at her and asked, "How much?"
Zhao Heng hesitated, as she needed a considerable sum of money. She furrowed her brow and cautiously asked, "Can you give me five taels?"
Wei Wanyu was slightly surprised at the request, her pink lips forming a round shape, looking quite astonished.
"If you think it's too much, three taels will do..." Zhao Heng thought she might find it too much, so she suggested she could make do with three taels.
There was still some money at her grandmother's place, and she could sell some embroidery work in her spare time to accumulate it quickly. She explained, "I can help you with your homework from now on, until... you come of age!"
"But I don't have that small amount of silver." Wei Wanyu was a little hesitant.
Zhao Heng could write her homework for ten years with ten taels of silver, which was really cost-effective. She was afraid she would change her mind, so she quickly asked Zhao Heng, "Can ten taels do?"
Ten taels!
Zhao Heng had never seen so much money in her dreams, and she felt a surreal feeling for a moment.
Was studying so rewarding?
Could she make a fortune just by writing a few words?
She also feared that Wei Wanyu might regret it, so she quickly agreed.
Wei Wanyu happily went back to the house and took out a piece of silver coins from the silver box, which was specially made by her parents to give them new year's money last year. It was a silver coins in the shape of a rabbit, exactly ten taels.
She usually couldn't bear to spend it, but it was for Zhao Heng, so she generously took out a piece.
Everything was done so quickly. Not only did she have money to light a lamp for Shulang, but she also had a lot left over.
Zhao Heng almost skipped back to Qingyuan.
When she returned to Qingyuan, Xue shi looked at her with a smile and said, "You little greedy cat, you must have smelled the food and come back."
Zhao Heng happily took out the beautiful silver cake from her pocket and handed it to Xue shi, saying, "Grandmother, the money is enough."
Xue shi looked at the exquisite silver coins, and her smile gradually disappeared. Her face turned a bit pale, and she said, "Where did this silver come from? Zhao Heng, although we are poor, we still have to be dignified. We can't do things that are dishonest."
Zhao Heng hurriedly explained, "No, it's from Wanyu. She gave it to me as a reward for helping her with her homework."
"Don't lie to me." Xue shi clearly didn't believe her. "This silver is worth at least ten taels. How could she give you so much money for doing homework?"
"It's for ten years!" Zhao Heng was afraid Xue shi would think the money was stolen by her, so she explained everything about Wei Wanyu asking her before, "I only asked for five taels, but this is the smallest silver coins she had."
Xue shi was skeptical, "Is there such a thing?"
"Yes!" Zhaohuan explained, "Studying is useful. You can earn more money than farming."
Looking at the heavy silver coins in her hand, Xue shi felt incredulous. Could someone really spend money to have others do homework for them?
Zhao Heng felt that she still wasn't believed.
She added, "If you don't believe me, I'll bring Wanyu tomorrow, and you can ask her yourself."
The next day, Zhao Heng really brought Wei Wanyu to Qingyuan.
Wei Wanyu explained the situation to Xue shi very sincerely, and only then did Xue shi feel relieved, taking the silver coins to discuss the matter of the lamp with Madam Xu.
*
That day, Zhao Heng and Wei Wanyu finished picking beans and saw the maidservants of the main house hastily moving things in the yard. Zhao Heng carried the basket in her arm and looked around, "Isn't that Heyun and the others? Why are they in such a hurry?"
"They're probably going somewhere else," Wei Wanyu squinted her eyes due to the sun and wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve. She said, "Father and Mother told me yesterday that we are probably going to visit our maternal family."
"Why are you going to your maternal family?" Zhaohuan asked.
"I don't know," Wei Wanyu shook her head.
Zhao Heng only had a momentary flash of realization. She quickly averted her gaze.
Recently, the days were getting brighter early in the morning. If she couldn't sleep, she would get up early to pick bamboo dew for Elder An to make tea.
One morning when she was picking bamboo dew in the bamboo forest, she heard Elder An instructing his attendants to prepare the carriage and horses, and emphasized the need for secrecy.
Brother Shulang had gone to the capital a few days ago and hadn't returned yet.
Many people from the Duke's Mansion had been leaving one after another, and there were frequent reports of children taking leave from the family school. The usually strict old master did not investigate.
She vaguely felt that this matter was related. Were all of the An family's people moving away?
Back in Qingyuan, she helped Wei Wanyu with her homework and talked to Xue shi about the servants of the main house packing their belongings.
Xue shi, seeing that the room was dimly lit, lit a lamp on her desk and sighed, "Steward Xu, the steward of the outer court, said that there are battles everywhere outside, and the rebels might soon attack the capital city. The An family's people are moving away now, probably to avoid the chaos."
Zhao Heng paused her pen and turned to look at her grandmother seriously, "What will happen if the rebels attack?"
"I don't know," Xue shi frowned, "It all depends on the conscience of the rebels. Some people will treat the common people kindly, while others will massacre indiscriminately. I heard that many prominent families in the capital are planning to move away."
Zhao Heng gasped.
"So what about us? Will they take us with them?" she asked.
Xue shi still shook her head, saying she didn't know, and after a moment of worry, she added, "We have no connection to the An family. If they are willing to shelter us, it would be enough for us to be grateful for our whole lives. One should not be greedy. We cannot demand that they take us with them when seeking refuge."
She looked at Zhao Heng with determination and held her hand, instructing, "If, I mean if the An family is really evacuating, we must make sure to take good care of the young master's house."
Zhao Heng nodded in confusion.
She thought her grandmother's words made sense. Even if the old master and the others left, the house still needed someone to guard it. She should help Brother Shulang look after the estate. However, on the other hand, the idea of being separated from Brother Shulang for a long time made her feel a bit uneasy.
Putting aside her thoughts, she picked up her pen and decided to finish Wei Wanyu's homework first. Suddenly, someone called Xue shi from outside.
Xue shi put down what she was doing and went out. Zhao Heng looked out the window and saw Madam Xu from the kitchen.
Her grandmother was amiable and worked hard in the kitchen. The kitchen staff were particularly kind to both her and her granddaughter, and Madam Xu often secretly gave her delicious pastries.
"Thank you so much for helping me with such a big favor," Zhao Heng heard her grandmother's voice at that moment.
Madam Xu smiled and said, "Don't be so polite with me. It's just running errands. I didn't do much. It's getting late. You should rest early. I have to go back."
After Madam Xu left, Xue shi came back with a delighted expression on her face.
Before Xue shi could speak, Zhao Heng asked with a warm smile, "Has the lamp for Shulang been lit?"
"It has been lit," Xue shi beamed, "It has been lit for eighty years!"
Zhao Heng noticed a red tassel hanging from her hand and asked, blinking, "What is this?"
"I asked Madam Xu to get a talisman of peace from the temple for each of you and the young master," Xue shi handed it to her. "They say the talismans from there are powerful and will ensure your safety and well-being in the future."
"It's so beautiful!" Zhao Heng's eyes sparkled as she looked at Xue shi. "What about yours?"
"I am at this age, almost halfway to the grave, so why do I need a talisman of peace? It's better to save the money for you to use as a dowry in the future," Xue said.
Zhao Heng blinked and asked, "Will I have to leave you after getting married?"
Xue shi affectionately stroked her hair and said with a smile, "When you get married, you will have your own family, and it's enough for you to come back to see me occasionally."
"In that case, I won't get married," Zhao Heng thought.
What's so good about getting married?
She had seen young girls in the village get married, and both the new bride and her parents wept bitterly.
She didn't want to be separated from her grandmother.
Xue shi chuckled, "Silly girl, which girl doesn't get married? Marriage is a happy event."
"If it's a happy event, why do people cry?" Zhao Heng retorted, thinking about Yunniang's wedding where she fainted from crying.
"That's because she married too far away. She went to Jinling, so far away that she won't see her parents anymore, so she cried so much," Xue shi explained.
Zhao Heng carefully wrapped the two talismans of peace in a handkerchief and put them on her chest, solemnly saying, "Then I won't marry so far away. I will marry close by, so I can be with you every day."
Before Xue shi could reply, she raised her face and asked, "What do you think of Xiao Silang?"
After carefully considering the people around her, Xiao Silang wasn't much older than her. They played together every day, and he treated her well. If she married him, she wouldn't have to be separated from her grandmother.
Xue shi burst into laughter.
"Why are you laughing?" Zhao Heng furrowed her brows, puzzled. "Do you think Xiao Silang is not good?"
Xue shi poked her smooth and plump forehead, "Xiao Silang has a noble status. We, with our background, can't be compared to them."
"Why? Am I not good enough?" Zhao Heng furrowed her brows.
"No, my Ah Heng is the best in the world," Xue shi pulled her into her arms, her chin resting on her shoulder. She whispered, "It's not Ah Heng's fault. It's my lack of ambition, my low status that would make others look down on me."
Zhao Heng was such a good girl. If she hadn't been born into a common farming family, not to mention marrying the fourth son of the An family, she would even be worthy of marrying into the royal family. Unfortunately, she had such bad luck to be born into such a barren family.
Feeling her grandmother's tone was a little downcast, Zhao Heng turned her head, cupped her face with both hands, and said earnestly, "It's okay, grandmother. It's okay not to marry Xiao Silang. The Ning family and Xu family brothers in the backyard are also good people. I can also marry them."
Xue shi couldn't help but laugh and tapped her forehead, "You shameless little girl."
Zhao Heng blushed at the teasing.
"Grandmother, let Madam Xu get a talisman of peace for you tomorrow too. We don't need to save this money. I will work hard to earn money and save it for my dowry," she said earnestly.
Xue shi was amused by her words and didn't say anything, pushing her to the kitchen to start cooking.
*
When Li Wenjian returned to the capital again, it was early June.
The hot capital city was hit by rain, and the raindrops fell rapidly from the eaves, forming shimmering pearl curtains, and creating ripples in the puddles on the ground.
As soon as the teacher dismissed the class, Zhao Heng, holding an umbrella, stepped on the rainwater to the gatehouse.
Just as she passed the moon gate today, she heard someone calling for the young master at the gate.
Upon hearing this voice, Zhao Heng was delighted and hurried to the gate, where she saw Li Wenjian lifting his robe and stepping up the steps.
The servant turned to see Zhao Heng and smiled, saying, "Miss Ah Heng has arrived."
Li Wenjian had just returned from Yingzhou, covered in dust, but his face remained handsome. He handed the fan in his hand to the servant behind him, looked at Zhao Heng, and said with a smile, "I was just about to come and find you, and here you are."
The servant interjected, "After the young master left, Miss Ah Heng would come here every day to wait for you, and today she finally caught you."
Zhao Heng felt a bit embarrassed by the servant's revelation and pursed her lips.
Pretending not to have seen it, Li Wenjian walked over and casually took her hand, saying, "I told you I would be back soon."
"Kneel down a bit," Zhao Heng said, turning her head to him.
Li Wenjian raised an eyebrow in confusion but kneeled beside her as she extended her hand towards his lips. He then realized it was a candy, smiled, and took the candy from her hand with his mouth.
"Did Grandpa praise you?" he asked.
Zhao Heng looked at his profile for a moment, feeling a mixture of shyness and joy as she said, "He said I write well."
Li Wenjian took the handkerchief handed to him by the servant, glanced at her, and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"I always knew Ah Heng was clever," he said.
She looked at him, wanting to ask him many things, but at that moment, he held her hand and led her towards Qingyuan. She bit her lip and held back her words.
"Do you have something to ask me?" Li Wenjian noticed her hesitance.
She looked at him and finally asked, "Wanyu went to her maternal grandfather's house, and Qinghan's family also left."
"That's true," the young man nodded absentmindedly.
But as soon as he finished speaking, and after waiting for a while for Zhao Heng to speak, he lowered his eyes to look at her. Suddenly, she tightened her grip on his hand, clutching his fingers tightly.
"And you? Are you also leaving?" she asked suddenly after a moment.
"Yes," Li Wenjian replied.
Zhao Heng let go of his hand abruptly and stopped.
Li Wenjian silently watched her for a moment, then held her hand again, leading her into the deep courtyard amidst the pouring rain. The rain poured down heavily, creating a cacophony of sound in their ears.
His voice was clear and gentle, "Ah Heng, don't be afraid. We'll go together."
In the incessant rain, he held her hand tightly, looking down at her with lowered eyes, "we'll go anywhere together."
He saw her eyes become even more beautiful, clear and innocent.
"I won't leave you."