Chapter 17: Setting Out for the Capital (Part Two)
“Everyone, rise.” After instructing Mrs. Feng and Xiangling to stand, Jiang Nian turned to Qiu Fu and said, “Give a detailed account of the search for the person.”
Qiu Fu reported succinctly and clearly: “Following Master’s orders, we arrived at Daruzhou, found the Feng family, and met Sister-in-law Feng and her father, Feng Su. However, Miss Xiangling’s father had left home several years ago and his whereabouts remain unknown. I explained Miss Xiangling’s situation to Sister-in-law Feng and Feng Su, requesting them to accompany Sister-in-law Feng to Jiangning so she could reunite with her daughter.”
“But that Feng Su is greedy and detestable. He accused us of trying to abduct Sister-in-law Feng and claimed that Miss Xiangling was his granddaughter, taken away by kidnappers. He insisted that since we bought Miss Xiangling, we should pay him the ransom, not the kidnappers... He rambled on, but it was all to extort money from us. His demand was outrageously high—five hundred taels.”
“Master had anticipated such a possibility and gave me fifty taels of gold. Following his orders, I did not hand over all of it lightly. I bargained with Feng Su, saying I only brought twenty taels and could give it to him, but if he refused, we would leave without giving him a single tael. Sister-in-law Feng quarreled with Feng Su, threatening to leave on her own if not allowed to go. Only then did Feng Su reluctantly agree. Therefore, I still have thirty taels of gold unused.”
After speaking, Qiu Fu carefully produced a package, cautiously unwrapped it, revealing thirty gleaming taels of gold. He respectfully held the package with both hands and offered it to Jiang Nian.
Recalling the original portrayal of Feng Su, Jiang Nian had suspected that Feng Su might take advantage to extort money during Qiu Fu and He Zhong’s search for the Feng family. Hence, he instructed them to carry fifty taels of gold as a precaution.
At the gold-to-silver exchange rate of the time, fifty taels of gold equaled five hundred taels of silver.
The choice to bring gold instead of silver was due to convenience: five hundred taels of silver weighed over thirty catties, making it cumbersome to carry, while fifty taels of gold weighed just over three catties.
At this moment, Jiang Nian took the package, withdrew two ten-tael gold ingots, and handed them to Qiu Fu. “You have done well on this errand. Moreover, I will set out for the capital the day after tomorrow. I entrust you and your wife with guarding this residence. Please be diligent and avoid any mistakes. These twenty taels of gold are your reward.”
Qiu Fu’s face lit up with joy. He bowed deeply, his voice full of gratitude and solemnity: “Thank you, Master, for your generosity! Rest assured, my wife and I will wholeheartedly guard your residence.”
Jiang Nian nodded lightly, knowing Qiu Fu was loyal, steady, and reliable.
At that moment, He Yun asked, “Master, have you decided to depart for the capital the day after tomorrow?”
Jiang Nian smiled gently, his tone calm: “Since we have found Xiangling’s mother, we should not delay any longer.”
Xiangling stood nearby, her eyes moist, tears trembling on her lashes.
She lifted her tearful gaze to Jiang Nian, a surge of gratitude and relief filling her heart. Silently, she thought, “To be able to follow Master is my great fortune. He is accomplished in both literature and martial arts, wealthy and noble, and treats me kindly. Now, he has even found my mother, allowing us to reunite. From now on, I shall devote myself to serving Master with all my heart to repay his kindness.”
...
Traveling from Jiangning to the capital could be done by land or water, with the water route being more convenient.
However, Jiangning was not located along the Grand Canal between the capital and Hangzhou. Traveling by water from Jiangning to the capital required passing through the water post stations of Dasheng, Longjiang, Jiangdong, and Longtan, reaching Jingkou Station in Zhenjiang Prefecture. From Jingkou, one could then follow the Grand Canal northward to the capital.
The next day, precisely the eighth day of the second lunar month.
The weather was clear and sunny, the sky a pristine blue—perfect for departing by boat.
---
The bustling Jiangning docks were filled with towering masts and sails like clouds, crowded with people in a scene of lively prosperity.
Stone steps paved with bluestone led directly to the water’s edge, worn smooth and slippery from years of river moisture, moss growing between the crevices.
Wooden piers lined the shore, with thick hemp ropes tightly securing numerous boats of all sizes, swaying gently with the river’s waves as if whispering tales of distant journeys.
Behind the docks, warehouses and shops stood closely packed, their oilcloth canopies sheltering heaps of sacks and bamboo baskets. The air was thick with the mixed scents of rice, tea, and preserved goods.
Porters hurried by, shoulders bearing loads, sweat streaming down their faces; merchants shouted loudly, vying for customers with a variety of calls.
Many had just arrived in Jiangning.
Others were bidding farewell.
Aunt Xue, Xue Pan, and Xue Baochai stepped onto the deck, ready for their journey.
Xue Jin and Xue Ke stood on the dock, waving their goodbyes.
Xue Baochai moved gracefully, her robes fluttering in the breeze as she entered the cabin. Leaning against the window, her gaze wandered out over Jiangning, her heart stirred with countless thoughts. Silently she mused, “This parting today—when shall we meet again? Perhaps I may never set foot on this homeland again in this lifetime.”
She was bound for the capital, where she was prepared to marry into a noble family...
Lost in thought, Xue Baochai felt the great ship hired by the Xue family begin to move, cutting through the river’s surface.
The water flowed gently, the ship moving slowly forward. Her gaze remained fixed on Jiangning through the window.
The ship gradually receded, the outline of the dock fading from view.
...
The following day, the ninth day of the second lunar month.
The weather was again clear and sunny, the sky pure and blue, equally suited for departure.
Jiang Nian arrived at the docks of Jiangning, accompanied by He Yun, Mrs. Meng, He Zhong, Qi’er, Qin’er, Xiangling, Meng Xiong, Dong Liang and his family of four, as well as Mrs. Feng.
Mrs. Feng willingly followed Jiang Nian, even offering herself as a slave to show her loyalty.
However, Jiang Nian did not allow her to become a servant but instead retained her as an employee.
---
Though Mrs. Feng had only been with them for two days, Jiang Nian had already discerned that she was a woman of gentle temperament, wise in propriety and righteousness.
At this moment, Jiang Nian stood on the deck with his hands behind his back. The river breeze flapped the few strands of dark hair at his forehead and billowed the wide hem of his robe.
His gaze was deep as he looked toward Jiangning, silently pondering, “If all goes well, the Xue family will be heading to the capital, though I do not know exactly when. Miss Bao, we shall meet again in the capital!”
The Xue family did not know that he was setting out for the capital today.
He did not know that the Xue family had departed yesterday.
Only a single day apart.
Fate seemed to play a small joke.
Yet, traveling from Jiangning to the capital was a long, arduous journey. Perhaps their paths would cross along the way?
Jiang Nian withdrew his gaze and thoughts, turning to enter the cabin.
Soon, the great ship hired by the Jiang family slowly set sail, leaving the dock behind.
The ship sailed farther and farther away.
The endless river seemed to carry the countless secrets of many hearts, flowing toward the distant horizon.
Jiang Nian leaned by the window, his eyes fixed on the flowing water outside.
The vast water and boundless sky stirred waves within his heart.
Though the journey ahead was long and arduous, his ambition stood taller than mountains.
A thousand sails rose with the wind, stars hung far across ten thousand miles.
Fearless of the dangers ahead, his heroic spirit soared to the skies.