Chapter 0024: Gu Ying Who Shuts Her Door, Gu Ying Who Elopes Over the Wall
Bian Yangchun couldn’t help but glance at him. “Brother Cheng, why do you say that?”
“Just a sudden reflection,” Xie Chengze offered no further explanation. “Let’s leave now. Brother Ji looks quite unwell.”
Turning around, Bian Yangchun noticed Ji Songhua’s pale complexion and apparent nausea, prompting him to say urgently, “You’re right, let’s go. My friend lives in the town up ahead.”
They all boarded the carriage.
The town ahead was called Peilin County. Though conditions were slightly better there, the improvement was minimal. Upon entering Peilin County, Xie Chengze suggested, “Since we’re imposing on someone, we should bring some gifts to avoid appearing rude or neglectful of etiquette.”
“No need, my friend is very easygoing,” Bian Yangchun waved dismissively. “He might even get upset if we’re too formal.”
Xie Chengze shook his head. “I’ve brought quite a few people with me, and we have no prior friendship with him. It’s still necessary to prepare something.”
Ji Songhua, standing nearby, agreed, “Yes, we can’t expect him to take us in for nothing.”
Reluctantly, Bian Yangchun nodded. “Alright, I’ll buy something too.”
They discussed it and decided to visit a bookstore and a pastry shop by the street. However, with prices soaring due to the times, many writing materials had become several times more expensive, not to mention food and pastries. Xie Chengze didn’t hesitate and paid for everyone.
“Brothers, there’s no need to stand on ceremony with me. I may lack talent, but I can contribute some gold and silver. If any of you achieve success in the imperial examinations in the future, please don’t forget me.”
“Brother Cheng, you’re too modest!” Bian Yangchun said, moved. “I felt an instant connection with you and consider you a lifelong brother! Whether I pass the exams or not, I will definitely seek you out!”
Ji Songhua gently massaged his forehead but added, “When I succeed in the exams, I will surely invite Brother Cheng to the capital to celebrate and enjoy the splendid banquet together.”
They asked for directions along the way and found the friend’s residence. The family was indeed well-off, with a standalone grand courtyard in the county town. The plaque above the gate bore two large characters: “Gu Residence.”
Bian Yangchun stepped forward and spoke with the two guards at the entrance. One of them went inside to report.
They waited on the street, but to their surprise, nearly half an hour passed with no response.
Xie Chengze thought to himself, It seems gaining entry won’t be easy.
Bian Yangchun grew restless and said to the remaining guard, “Sir, could you go in and hurry them along?”
The guard glanced at Bian Yangchun, likely assuming he was some poor acquaintance the young master of the house had picked up somewhere, now showing up with a whole entourage during such tense times. A trace of disdain and annoyance flickered across his face. “Certainly not. If I leave, who’s to say you won’t force your way in?”
Understanding the implication, Bian Yangchun frowned and was about to argue when Ji Songhua quickly stopped him. “Forget it. It seems we’re not welcome here.”
Dejected, Bian Yangchun returned to the carriage group.
Xie Chengze offered comfort. “It’s understandable. With the famine ongoing, hosting such a large group is difficult for anyone. Why don’t we split up? You wait here, and we’ll go to the next town to find an inn.”
“This…” Bian Yangchun was hesitating when suddenly he heard a thud behind him. Turning around, he saw a dark figure with a travel pack jump down from the wall. Upon spotting Bian Yangchun, the figure waved excitedly, “Brother Bian! I’ve come to join you!”
Bian Yangchun: ?
“Hurry! If my old man finds out I’ve run off with you, he’ll definitely break my legs!” Gu Ying, lively as a little black puppy, nimbly leaped onto Xie Chengze’s carriage and urged, “What are you standing around for? Let’s go! I brought silver!”
Bian Yangchun had no choice but to look at Xie Chengze, whose eyes immediately filled with laughter as he cooperated, “Let’s go!”
As the carriage set off, they soon heard a booming voice of an old man shouting curses in the street behind them—mostly things like “Don’t come back if you dare leave!” “You wretched brat!” and “Be careful you don’t die out there!”
Gu Ying wiped the sweat from his brow and explained, “Sorry to keep you waiting so long, Brother Bian. My stubborn old man is too rigid—he thought you were just here for a free meal, so he didn’t dare welcome you.”
“I received your letter, and I want to see the Min River area too!” He patted the short knife at his waist, dashingly declaring, “You’re just a scholar after all—it’s dangerous there. I have martial skills to protect you—”
He paused, then quickly added, “…all of you!”
Bian Yangchun disagreed somewhat, “We’re going to Yi Province for the exam questions there. With your martial prowess, Xiao Ying, you could easily earn the title of top military scholar. There’s no need for you to suffer through that journey.”
“Ah, I’ve got nothing better to do anyway!” Seeing Bian Yangchun still looked unconvinced, Gu Ying rolled his bright puppy-dog eyes and changed tack, “Besides, isn’t it said that court officials will be coming to Yi Province this time? If I show off my skills there, maybe I’ll catch the eye of some official. Then, when I go to Jingcheng, my career will soar, and I can look after you!”
Ji Songhua couldn’t help interjecting at this point, “Then we’ll have to rely on Brother Gu a great deal.”
Gu Ying seemed to notice the others only then. Glancing at Ji Songhua, he turned back and asked, “Brother Bian, who’s this?”
“His name is Ji Songhua, a scholar from our village.” Bian Yangchun introduced them one by one. When he got to Xie Chengze, Gu Ying’s eyes widened, staring fixedly, “Wow, brother, you are so, so, so, so handsome!”
Xie Chengze returned the compliment, “Brother Gu is also ex-ex-ex-exceptionally dashing.”
Xie Zimiao, off to the side, silently counted: three “ex”s, implying the opposite—her second brother was definitely saying the other wasn’t exceptionally dashing at all.
“I really am exceptionally dashing.” Gu Ying narcissistically stroked his face, then quickly changed the subject, “So, where are we staying tonight? My dad says the famine is going to get worse, so we should stock up on rice early. Otherwise, if we get there and have no food, we might not make it to next year’s Spring Examination!”
“Hard to say. If we’re on the road, we’ll have to sleep where we stop. If we happen to reach a county town, we might find an inn to stay in temporarily.”
“No problem, I’ll stick with Brother Bian!” Gu Ying said spiritedly, wrapping an arm around Bian Yangchun’s in a friendly manner, “You can’t just leave me to fend for myself.”
Bian Yangchun couldn’t help but lower his head with a slight smile, “Of course not.”
The group continued on their way. Two days later, when they reached Jiangdu Xian in the middle reaches of the Min River, they found many additional guards stationed outside the city gate.
This exceeded the usual garrison size of an ordinary county town. Currently, Jiangdu Xian was the hardest-hit area, with more refugees fleeing the famine-stricken city and few going against the tide.
After sending someone to inquire, they learned that the Yizhou Zhifu, upon hearing of the scholars coming to observe the reconstruction of Jiangdi, had specially arranged inns for accommodation. Any scholar who came could rent a room by paying a small amount of silver.
“I never expected the Yizhou Zhifu to be so practical, preparing lodging for us scholars who came upon hearing the news,” Bian Yangchun exclaimed in delight. “This is truly a model for officials!”
Shen Yuan frowned slightly and glanced at Xie Chengze.
Xie Chengze wore an innocent expression and joined in the praise, “Indeed! This magistrate is such a good official!”
Shen Yuan’s brow furrowed even tighter.
He roughly guessed what Xie Chengze was scheming.