Surviving in the General's Mansion - Chapter 75

Xia Heng and Chuqing sat inside the carriage wrapped in padded coats, looking like two round dumplings stuffed into the compartment.

Xia Heng secretly lifted one corner of the window curtain. Cang Chuli’s personal guards rode alongside their carriage.

Dongfang Wei’s imperial procession traveled ahead under heavy guard, with Cang Chuli among the attendants.

Behind their carriage stretched another long column whose end she could not see. The entire procession was vast and imposing.

“There are so many people!” Xia Heng whispered.

Hearing her, Chuqing excitedly lifted the curtain on her side as well.

“I know! His Majesty’s procession looks magnificent too!

“Animals are fattest during the Winter Hunt because they’ve eaten their fill throughout autumn.

“They’re also gathering food for winter now, so they’re easier to find.

“And the hunt lets us kill wild boars and other fierce animals that ruin crops!”

Only after hearing Chuqing’s explanation did Xia Heng understand.

She had wondered why they would go hunting in early winter when the weather was already so cold. So that was the reason.

“Ah Heng, did we bring everything we need?” Chuqing asked.

She reviewed their supplies yet again, still worried.

Xia Heng understood the feeling perfectly. Whenever one left home, it always seemed as though something important had been forgotten.

But how much could anyone reasonably bring on a journey?

She patted her chest.

“Don’t worry! We brought everything we need. We’ll only be there three days. This is more than enough!”

As if they could possibly be underpacked. Uncle Zhao and Chef Xiang had added a great deal beyond the items on her list.

The men usually disliked carrying luggage and brought nothing more than clothes and bedding when they traveled. Yet even that had somehow earned their general a reputation for extravagance.

Uncle Zhao was furious. If people were going to call them extravagant regardless, they might as well make Cang Chuli comfortable!

This time, he had stuffed a bearskin blanket into the carriage and instructed Xia Heng to spread it beneath the General at night so he would sleep more warmly.

He had also packed Silver Frost Charcoal and a hand warmer, as though terrified Cang Chuli might suffer even the slightest chill.

Chef Xiang had gone even further.

When he learned that Xia Heng insisted on hot food, he was so pleased that he packed an entire bundle of dried noodles for her.

He said that if anyone wanted a bowl of noodles in broth, she could simply cook some in her little pot.

He had even divided a collection of seasonings into small packets and stuffed them into every gap in the supply chests, ordering them not to miss a single meal.

Outside, Mo Bai kept rolling his shoulders and scratching at his waist as he rode.

“Are you covered in thorns? Why do you keep squirming?” Mo Qing asked in confusion.

“It feels like something keeps stabbing me…”

As Mo Bai spoke, his hand found something sharp at his waist. He seized it and pulled.

A gleaming sewing needle.

“…Is that the outfit Chuqing made—the one you were showing off to me this morning?”

Mo Qing’s eyebrows shot upward.

“It’s the thought that counts! Her feelings are the most precious part. None of this matters.”

Mo Bai fastened the needle to his collar and stubbornly refused to admit defeat.

“Of course.”

That morning, Mo Qing had felt a little envious. Why had no one made him a new outfit?

Now his heart was as calm as still water.

After a long journey, they finally arrived at the hunting grounds.

The tents had already been erected. Neat rows stretched into the distance, arranged in clearly defined levels.

In front of each tent hung the official title and name of its assigned occupant, ordered from the highest rank to the lowest. With servants guiding the arrivals, each household quickly found its place.

Mo Qing and Mo Bai busied themselves unloading the carriage. Xia Heng and Chuqing carried supplies inside and immediately began arranging the tent.

The roof was waterproof, so Xia Heng spread oilcloth over the ground as a barrier against dampness.

On top of that, she laid a Tibetan rug Uncle Zhao had specially found. The entire tent immediately looked much cleaner.

Once the rug was in place, Mo Qing and Mo Bai carried in the sleeping couch and writing table.

Chuqing placed a padded mattress over the couch, spread Uncle Zhao’s bearskin on top, then added a pillow and quilt. Just looking at it made the space feel warm.

Dongfang Wei would deliver his opening address shortly. Every household was busy sorting its luggage, drinking water, or visiting the latrines.

Before any large event, the person in charge inevitably had to say a few words. Everyone needed to prepare in advance, because improper conduct before the Emperor was punishable.

Cang Chuli was among the imperial attendants and had no time to return to his own tent.

Seeing that the arrangements were almost complete, Xia Heng took out her little stove and began boiling water. At least her boss would have something hot to drink when he returned.

Chuqing thought they might not have enough charcoal and went to fetch more.

“Ah Heng!”

While her father was occupied, Xiao Yaqing slipped into the tent.

She had not seen Xia Heng for ages and could not wait to ask how she was doing.

She also desperately needed to describe the ordeal she had endured over the past few days.

Seeing Xia Heng seated beside the familiar stove, she pulled over an empty folding stool and dropped onto it.

“How are you? Have you completely recovered? I wanted to visit you, but those technical officials from the court held me hostage!

“Did you receive the alcohol I asked Mingxu to bring you?

“I wanted to send medicine too, but the physician said he couldn’t prescribe anything without taking your pulse.”

“I’m much better. I took medicine for several days. You know how it is—I tried everything else that might help too.”

Xia Heng winked at Xiao Yaqing. Then she glanced toward the noble sons and daughters gathered elsewhere and asked uncertainly, “But is it all right for you to come straight over here? Don’t you need to socialize with the young ladies from the aristocratic families? If you’re this open about it, won’t they gossip about you?”

Xiao Yaqing curled her lip.

“Forget it. The disdain in their eyes is practically overflowing.

“I could guess what they’re thinking with my eyes closed. They look down on the Xiao Family for having been merchants.

“If I went over, every sentence would come wrapped in a barb. We’re not part of the same circle, so why force myself into it?”

“Sigh. You don’t have it easy either!”

Xia Heng offered her deepest sympathy.

“What about you?” Xiao Yaqing asked. “How have you been? Mingxu hasn’t made life difficult for you, has he?”

“Well, work…”

When Xia Heng described the ordeal of teaching, Xiao Yaqing understood her pain perfectly and declared that they truly were sisters in suffering.

“But he gave me a raise! With enough money, I can put up with anything!”

“Oh? How much are you making now?” Xiao Yaqing asked with interest.

Xia Heng extended her thumb and little finger, making the shape of a six.

“Six taels? Look at you!”

Xiao Yaqing was delighted. Xia Heng tossed her head proudly.

“Of course! Gold shines wherever it goes!”

The two women continued chattering, occasionally exchanging meaningful looks whenever they glossed over something that could not be said aloud.

“When she tells Miss Xiao about her monthly wages, do you think she knows how much Miss Xiao earns in a month?”

Mo Bai returned just in time to see Xia Heng animatedly show Xiao Yaqing the number six. The sight made him wince.

“Miss Xiao probably earns a thousand times as much. How does Xia Heng dare boast?”

Mo Qing passed behind him, glanced toward the two women, and said quietly, “She only needs to know that Miss Xiao will be happy for her.”

With that, he carried Cang Chuli’s clothes into the tent.

Such friendship was rare even among men.

Mo Bai considered those words for a moment, clicked his tongue, and went back to moving luggage.