Chapter 2 Bianliang

Every day at 8 o'clock, there will be an update. Welcome book lovers to bookmark, recommend, and support. O(∩_∩)O

－－－－－－－－－－－

In early spring of February, the branches are budding green, and the orioles are singing melodiously.

In the slightly cool spring breeze, there is a faint scent of fresh grass. After a whole winter in Bianliang, thawing from the severe cold, the charm of early spring gradually emerges.

There are many people strolling and picnicking by the Bian River. Handsome scholars in Confucian robes are reciting poems with a swaying gait, well-dressed young gentlemen are chatting and laughing with their attendants, and occasionally, there are beautiful young girls shyly smiling behind their fans.

Not far away, there is a pier.

People come and go on the pier, laborers carrying heavy loads on their shoulders, and vendors shouting to sell food and other goods, creating a lively and bustling scene under the morning sun.

A government ship is slowly approaching from a distance.

A young man in a green Confucian robe stands at the bow of the ship. He is about sixteen years old, with a slender figure and handsome features. There is admiration and a smile in his bright eyes: "Under the heavens, it is indeed extraordinary."

This is just the outer city pier of Bianliang. If they were to enter the inner city, who knows what it would be like!

The young man standing with his hands behind his back is Xu Zheng.

Xu Zheng enthusiastically looked for a moment, then turned back to the cabin, smiling at Mrs. Zou and Xu Jinyu, "Mother, little sister, don't stay in the cabin. We've been on the boat for over half a month, go out and see what Bianliang City looks like."

Mrs. Zou smiled and said, "If you feel bored, you can stand at the bow of the ship for a while. Jinyu and I will stay in the cabin."

In today's society, the requirements for women are not strict, but proper young ladies would not casually show themselves in public.

Xu Zheng did not force Mrs. Zou and turned to the slightly lowered Xu Jinyu, "Sister, are you feeling better now?" She had been restless and crying until the early hours of the morning last night, and he didn't know if Xu Jinyu had calmed down.

Hearing the deep concern in her brother's words, Xu Jinyu felt warm in her heart and showed the first faint smile since waking up last night, "I'm fine now, big brother, you don't need to worry about me."

Really fine?

Xu Zheng carefully observed Xu Jinyu.

The fourteen-year-old girl had smooth and delicate cheeks, arched eyebrows, a straight nose, and small rosy lips, all beautiful. The most beautiful part was her calm and clear eyes. When she smiled slightly, it was like a spring breeze brushing over the lake, causing ripples in one's heart involuntarily.

Except for the slightly swollen eyes, she was the same as usual.

But Xu Zheng keenly noticed that she seemed to be somewhat different from before.

What exactly is different? Xu Zheng pondered silently, unconsciously staring at her for a little too long.

Xu Jinyu pursed her lips and smiled lightly, with a dimple appearing on her cheek, "Big brother, is there something dirty on my face? Why have you been staring at me?"

Xu Zheng came back to his senses and joked casually, "Nothing. I was just thinking, you were crying and refusing to stay at the Marquis's mansion last night, how did you change your mind overnight and become so calm now?"

Xu Jinyu pretended to be embarrassed and glared at Xu Zheng, provoking a burst of hearty laughter from him.

When Xu Zheng laughed, he looked clean and clear, very handsome. The slightly dim cabin also brightened because of his smile. Mrs. Zou also smiled along with him.

Xu Jinyu looked at her mother and brother's smiling faces almost greedily and made a silent vow in her heart.

In this life, no one would dare to hurt her and her loved ones again.

...

The official ship slowly stopped at the pier.

The Bian River runs through the inside and outside of Bianliang City, and ships carrying goods and passengers come and go frequently, with more than a dozen large and small piers. This pier is one of the largest. The official ship they were on was luxurious, but it did not stand out.

Li Mama hurriedly left the cabin and soon returned with a smile on her face, "Madam, the people from the Marquis's mansion are waiting at the pier."

Li Mama is similar in age to Mrs. Zou, with slightly dark skin and an ordinary appearance. She was a maid who accompanied Mrs. Zou when she got married and has remained unmarried, making her Mrs. Zou's most trusted confidante.

Mrs. Zou nodded, "First, send someone to move the luggage onto the carriage."

Li Mama acknowledged and led the servants to move the luggage from the cabin onto the carriage.

Mrs. Zou's family came to the capital, so naturally, they had a lot of luggage. There were dozens of large and small boxes, and Xu Zheng brought four boxes of books and writing materials. Fortunately, the Marquis's mansion sent four carriages.

A woman in her thirties, wearing a silver-red jacket and skirt, walked into the cabin and greeted Mrs. Zou, "I am the stewardess Mama He by Madam's side. Madam can just call me Mama He. Madam has been on my mind, so I sent someone to wait at the pier for half a month, and today I finally received Madam."

Mama He has an ordinary appearance but is articulate and eloquent.

After all, she has been living in the Marquis's mansion in the capital for a long time, so even a stewardess like her has such grace.

Mama He smiled and greeted the siblings, praising, "I have never been to Lin'an, but just by looking at the young master and the second miss, I know that Lin'an is a place of outstanding talents and spirits."

Mama He was not just flattering. Upon seeing this pair of siblings for the first time, even the most critical person would secretly praise them.

Xu Zheng has handsome features and a clear smile, with an outstanding demeanor.

Xu Jinyu has picturesque features, a gentle smile, and a serene temperament.

The two siblings look alike but have different temperaments. Standing side by side, they are like a pair of bright pearls, emitting dazzling brilliance, which touches Mrs. Zou's heart.

Mrs. Zou's smile brightened, "They are still young and inexperienced. How can they compare to the young masters and misses of the Marquis's mansion? Mama He, you are too kind."

Xu Jinyu remained composed as she listened to the two people chatting, showing no sign of anything unusual.

This Mrs. He is the second-ranking steward in the Marquis Hou's mansion. When she was in favor, she would be extremely accommodating, but when she fell out of favor, she would spare no effort to make things difficult. She was a person who would go with the wind and flatter the powerful while stepping on the weak. She had suffered a lot in the Marquis Hou's mansion in the past. Now, seeing the overly attentive Mrs. He, she felt nothing but disgust.

But no matter how much she loathed her, she couldn't show the slightest hint of it.

Once inside the Marquis Hou's mansion, she would encounter people much more cunning and malicious than Mrs. He. If she couldn't even maintain a facade of composure, she would only end up being manipulated and framed, just like in her previous life.

Mrs. He smiled and said, "This is the outer city. It will take three or four hours to reach the Marquis Hou's mansion after entering the inner city. If we delay even a little, we might arrive at the mansion after dark. Please lead the young master and the young miss onto the carriage and set off early."

Mrs. Zou nodded with a smile.

The Marquis Hou's mansion carriage stopped on the official road near the pier.

Xu Jinyu lowered her head slightly and got onto the carriage with Mrs. Zou. The wooden wheels creaked as they moved along the smooth official road toward the Marquis Hou's mansion.

...

The Marquis Hou's mansion carriage entered the outer city through the South Xun Gate. It took two hours before they finally reached the Vermilion Bird Gate.

The tall and sturdy city gate, the neatly arranged soldiers guarding the city, the long line of people waiting to enter the city outside the gate... everything was orderly and there was no sign of chaos. The Marquis Hou's mansion carriage didn't have any special privilege to enter the city ahead of others and had to wait in line like everyone else. It took another fifteen minutes before they entered the gate.

Once inside the Vermilion Bird Gate, they were in the inner city of Bianliang.

The Great Yan Dynasty had been established for over two hundred years, and its national strength was flourishing, especially in the wealthy southern regions. Mrs. Zou and her children had lived in Lin'an for a long time and had always been proud of it. However, compared to the city of Bianliang, Lin'an seemed insignificant.

The streets were wide and smooth, with shops lining both sides and bustling crowds of people.

Xu Zheng lifted the curtain to look outside and a spirited look appeared on his young and handsome face. "To be able to make a name for myself in Bianliang, it's not in vain to live this life."

His words were filled with the ambition of a young man.

Even Mrs. Zou couldn't help but lean out and look around, smiling and sighing, "I've been away from the capital for less than three years after getting married and followed your father to Lin'an. At that time, you were just born. It's been more than ten years in a flash, and now, looking at Bianliang, even I feel unfamiliar."

The mother and son each had their own feelings of nostalgia.

Sitting beside Mrs. Zou, Xu Jinyu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

At this time, the Great Yan Dynasty was flourishing and the capital Bianliang was peaceful and prosperous. Who could have imagined that in just six years, the Great Yan would undergo earth-shaking changes, and the streets of Bianliang would flow with blood...

"Sister, why have you been silent all this time?" Xu Zheng looked at her with concern.

Xu Jinyu was gentle and clever, but she was also playful in front of her family. However, after getting on the carriage today, she had been silent and showed no excitement about entering the capital, which was quite surprising.

Xu Jinyu came to her senses and smiled, "When we arrive at the Marquis Hou's mansion, I should be more gentle, virtuous, and speak less, shouldn't I?"

Xu Zheng's smile faded, and a look of regret appeared in his eyes. "I'm sorry for making you suffer for my sake." The Marquis Hou's mansion might be good, but it was still living under someone else's roof. Xu Jinyu clearly didn't want to stay at the mansion, but she reluctantly agreed for his selfish reasons.

Seeing her brother's apologetic expression, Xu Jinyu regretted her words and pretended to be cheerful, "Brother, don't say that. It was my childishness and ignorance before. There's nothing to be sorry about staying at Aunt's house."

Since they had already decided to go to the Marquis Hou's mansion, there was no need to show reluctance and make Xu Zheng and Mrs. Zou feel upset.

The decision made, Xu Jinyu also pretended to be happy and looked outside the carriage from time to time, exclaiming from time to time. Mrs. Zou was quite pleased to see her behaving as usual.

But Xu Zheng was not so easily fooled. He gazed at his sister's smiling face and made a determined decision in his heart.

He must pass the imperial examination as soon as possible and embark on an official career. By then, his sister and mother would no longer have to live under someone else's roof and be at the mercy of others.

At noon, they had a hasty lunch at a restaurant and then got back on the carriage.

As evening approached, they finally arrived at the Marquis Hou's mansion.