Chapter 465: Maintenance

Although Beiping had been upgraded to Beijing as early as the beginning of the Yongle era, due to the large area and small population, there were many uncultivated wastelands in the suburbs. Aside from a few who saw potential in investing in land by hiring laborers to cultivate it, most people initially invested in properties in the Jiangnan region. It was not until the decision to move the capital was officially made that the fertile lands around Beijing became highly sought after. After all, grain prices in Jiangnan were extremely low; even if one sold the crops produced there and sent the money to the capital, they still had to buy grain, making the cost difference unaffordable. As a result, counties such as Tongzhou, Huairou, Miyun, and Baoding were filled with estates belonging to noble families, and even the numerous wastelands saw an increase in farmers.

Following Zhang Fu’s advice, the Baoding Marquis’s household had acquired several hundred hectares of land early on. After Meng Xian’s incident, Meng Ying, concerned that his nieces and nephews, left without parents and living outside the city, would face difficult times, secretly had Meng Jun transfer a 1,000-mu estate to Meng Tao and Meng Fan. Although it was not convenient to visit them often, he still sent gifts during festivals as before.

It was the 15th day of September, at noon, when a carriage and several large carts entered Langfang Hutong. The gatekeeper at the Baoding Marquis’s main entrance, seeing that the vehicles were heading to his household, stepped down to ask questions. Upon learning that they were sent by Meng Tao and Meng Fan from Huang Village outside the city, the two gatekeepers exchanged glances, quickly led the visitors to the west gate, and then rushed inside to report.

The four large carts contained fresh meat and vegetables, while the carriage carried a young woman dressed in a plain white Hangzhou silk jacket, a silver cotton skirt, and a plain armor coat—none other than Cui Mo. When the household manager came out to greet her, she presented the master’s letter of introduction and then said confidently, “This year, many areas in Beizhili suffered from floods. Fortunately, none of our estates were affected, and we had a good harvest of grain in the summer. So the young masters and ladies sent me to the capital to bring some gifts and express our gratitude for the Marquis’s household’s support over the past year. If the ladies are too busy to receive us, I hope the manager can convey our regards on their behalf.”

The household manager, who often visited Huang Village to deliver gifts, naturally recognized Cui Mo. Hearing her speak so properly and act like a proper manager, he couldn’t help but marvel at how circumstances shaped people. Since Young Master Meng Jun had left, Lady Lu had personally dealt with the unruly servants in the household and since then had left matters to their usual course. Thus, Zhang Qing was still in charge of household affairs. Realizing that neither of the masters was home, he hesitated for a moment.

After pondering for a moment, he smiled and said, “Since Miss Cuimò is here on behalf of the young masters and ladies, the madam and the eldest lady should have met her. But today is the 15th, and the madam has gone to Qingshou Temple to offer incense, while the eldest lady has visited the old lady at the Yangwu Bo’s residence. The other two ladies are too young and delicate to deal with such trivial matters. How about Miss Cuimò sits down, has lunch, and waits for the madam and the eldest lady to return?”
“No need for that,” replied Cuimò with a bow, her beautiful face showing two faint dimples. “Please tell Marquis Baoding and his wife that everyone at home is well. Thank them for always caring. Once the mourning period for the young masters and ladies is over, I will definitely visit them in person.”
After leaving the corridor, Cuimò took out some money to reward the farmers who pushed carts into the city, sent them back, and then got into a carriage to head straight for Qianmen Street. It was the first time she had entered the city since leaving the capital at the end of last year. Looking through the carriage curtains at the increasingly bustling streets, she felt no interest at all. All she wanted was to stop by Wanxiangzhai on Qianmen Street to pick up some delicate pastries to take back and please the younger young masters and ladies at home.
Qianmen Street faced Daming Gate, with the Five Army Commanders’ Office and the Six Ministries located ahead, so there were many shops and eateries along the street. After getting out of the carriage in front of Wanxiangzhai, Cuimò told the driver to wait nearby while she went in through the main door. Seeing a few other customers ahead, she glanced casually at the counter, still undecided about what to buy, when a voice came from behind her.
“Cuimò, you really have a lot of nerve to even enter Beijing!”
Spinning around like a whirlwind, Cuimò immediately recognized the burly man in the sapphire-blue robe. Panicked, she stepped back two steps. Remembering the sorrow and despair she had felt when she received the news at the Anyang Prince’s mansion, her heart clenched tightly. Anger replaced fear, and somehow she mustered the courage to retort, “Why wouldn’t I dare enter the capital? I’m an innocent person.”
“What a clever girl. Since you dare enter Beijing, come with me to see the prince!” Kong Yeye, a guard from the prince’s mansion, sneered and grabbed Cuimò’s wrist. Seeing that she tried to shout, he said darkly, “Go ahead and shout if you want. See if anyone in Beijing dares to interfere with the affairs of the Anyang Prince’s mansion!”

Seeing that the shopkeeper, employees, and customers had all fled in terror, Kong Ye grew even more proud. He chuckled again and said, “If it hadn’t been for the sudden explosion on your father’s side, things wouldn’t have turned out this way! If not for the Prince’s desire to avoid trouble, do you think you could have hidden in Huang Village until now? Betraying one’s master is a grave crime worthy of death. Without the Prince’s help, your whole family would have died long ago! The Prince is currently struggling to find a suitable girl to give to the King of Shouguang. I was sent to fetch a few, and by chance, I ran into you. Your mother was buried by the royal family, and your father’s crime was paid for by them—shouldn’t you repay our royal family’s kindness?” With a cold sneer, he pulled Cui Mo outward forcefully. As they neared the door, he suddenly felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, leaving him unable to move. Frustrated, he turned around angrily and spat out several vulgar curses, only to recognize the attire of the man who had acted. His strong and muscular build was one thing, but the golden goose hat, the precious flower-patterned coat, and the soiled-patterned boots were the signature clothing of the Jinyiwei officers. Realizing that his master also didn’t want to get involved with the Jinyiwei, Kong Ye reluctantly released his grip but still refused to let go of the person he had caught. After a while, the Jinyiwei officers stepped aside, and a young man strode in leisurely. He wore a bright red robe adorned with colorful cloud patterns, deer leather boots, a fair face without a beard, but his eyes carried a sinister glow. Having often dealt with various nobles and officials, he recognized this man immediately, and his arrogance diminished by half. In the past, Lu Feng, who always sought to keep everyone happy, would have pretended not to see such a scene. But having just parted with Zhang Yue, he had already made up his mind. He stepped forward, narrowed his eyes, and said calmly, “This is the capital. The two of you are pulling at a girl in public—aren’t you afraid of ruining Prince Anyang’s reputation?” Cui Mo, still shaken, was relieved to see someone step in to rescue her. But she didn’t dare stay long. After taking a few steps, she quickly fled from Wanshangzhai. After stumbling forward for about ten steps, she heard muffled shouts behind her, which made her even more panicked. Seeing a side alley nearby, she ran into it without thinking. Finally reaching the end of the alley, she felt footsteps not far behind her and instinctively ran forward, almost bumping into someone. “A lady should be more careful when walking… Huh? Are you Cui Mo?”

Hearing this sound, Cui Mo finally raised her head. Recognizing the person, she was overjoyed. Before she could explain anything, she saw a carriage stop beside that person and hurriedly climbed in. Caught off guard by this strange situation, Zhang Yue glanced around and found no one chasing after the girl, which puzzled him. After pondering for a moment, he lifted the hem of his robe and got into the carriage as well.

Once inside, he saw Cui Mo curled up in a corner of the carriage, hugging her knees and still trembling. It reminded him of the timid little girl from the Daxiangguo Temple who could hardly speak. After gently calling out to her, seeing her lift her head, he asked, “No one is chasing you. Why are you in such a state?”

Cui Mo seemed to ignore him completely, holding her knees even tighter and murmuring to herself. The men and women of the Meng family were in mourning for Meng Xian and Lady Wu, and she too had been dressed in black. Aside from Meng Min and the brothers Meng Tao and Meng Fan, no one knew she was mourning her deceased parents. She had forced herself to forget their death, but today, after meeting Kong Ye, all those memories she had suppressed surged back, nearly driving her mad.

The more Zhang Yue watched her, the more he sensed something was wrong. He was about to order the coachman to find a medical clinic when he suddenly caught a few words from her speech and became attentive. Although Cui Mo’s words were unclear, he already knew a lot about last year’s incident. As he listened and pieced things together, the missing pieces gradually came into focus. Thinking of how the Kang family of three, though poor, had supported each other, yet now only Cui Mo was left, he felt a pang in his heart.

It turned out that those conspiracies were exposed because of a determined man who was determined to avenge his wife!

After a long while, Cui Mo came back to her senses and realized she was in tears. Seeing the person sitting across from her, she quickly reached out to wipe her tears, only to see Zhang Yue offering her a handkerchief. Though she had once been angry with Zhang Yue, times had changed, and now she couldn’t help but think of those silver coins that had helped their family survive years ago. Taking the handkerchief, she wiped her face vigorously. Realizing he had heard all her nonsense, she clutched the silk handkerchief tightly and recounted everything that had happened before.

Even though Zhang Yue wasn’t easily angered, he was still furious now. They had fought so fiercely before, and now they were united for profit—these royals really were despicable! It seemed he needed to make a few more preparations before leaving, just in case they had other schemes! After pondering for a moment, he said, “I’ll have someone send you back. Although the Prince of Anyang is currently a county prince and might become a prince in the future, his days are numbered. Your father was truly great—live well from now on and don’t disappoint his efforts to protect you!”