From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 415: Chapter 416: Contrast

Ancient Wen Heng had finished giving his final instructions over the past few days. Before leaving, he hugged both his children, then called out, "Let’s go," and was the first to step into the carriage.

Gu Benluo, being a little older, tried to wriggle free from his nanny to climb onto the carriage. But with his small frame, how could he possibly escape the nanny and a prepared Qingzhu? He could only purse his lips in grievance, not shouting or screaming, just letting tears stream down his face.

Jin Qianqian couldn’t dwell on her own sorrow at that moment. She quickly held her son and comforted him, "Daddy is going ahead to prepare our new home. Once the weather gets a little warmer, we’ll take your little brother and go join him."

This was the safest timeline they had previously agreed upon. With winter fast approaching, traveling with two young children was simply not a wise move, so they had decided on the time after spring began.

"But I want to go with Daddy," Gu Benluo said, his face full of grievance.

Jin Qianqian could only squat down to his eye level. "Daddy is going away on important business. In a few days, Mommy will take you back to Gaoling Village, and then Luo Luo will have lots of little friends to play with."

This was also part of her plan. Rather than spending a lonely Spring Festival in Shangjing with the children, it would be much better to return to Gaoling Village and enjoy a peaceful life.

"Really?" Gu Benluo still remembered his doting grandmother. With the carrot of new playmates dangled before him, he completely forgot about the daddy he had just been crying to follow.

Inside the carriage, Ancient Wen Heng was so exasperated he almost laughed. ’That kid switched sides so quickly.’ To keep himself from feeling reluctant to leave, he didn’t even dare to lift the carriage curtain.

Guards took turns driving. They had two carriages for this trip. Besides being loaded with essentials, they also had a few empty seats so everyone could take turns resting.

Compared to their grand procession of over a dozen guards, the other three officials seemed a bit undermanned.

It was as if they had coordinated; each of them brought only a personal attendant and two guards.

Only after the carriages had gradually disappeared into the distance did the families of the other three households come over to bid farewell to Jin Qianqian.

Having just experienced a parting, no one was in the mood for networking. They exchanged simple greetings and went their separate ways.

Gu Lehuan escorted Jin Qianqian and the others back to the residence, then immediately got busy.

Although his small courtyard only had three rooms, he had meticulously tidied them up.

Over the past few days, he had not only whitewashed the interior walls but also rebuilt the kitchen stove. With pots, bowls, and basins all prepared, the place was starting to look like a proper home.

Today was supposed to be the day he started the exchange of betrothal cards, but in order to see his Seventh Uncle off as he left the capital, he didn’t dare cause any trouble by bringing it up, no matter how anxious he was.

He picked up the carrying pole beside him, ready to first go to the general store to pick up some goods and start his day’s work.

Just as he stepped out the main gate, he was stopped by Dazhuang.

"Dazhuang?" Gu Lehuan was rather startled to see him. "Is something wrong with Miss Xu?"

Dazhuang shook his head. "The young miss sent me to check. I heard that Mr. Gu has been appointed as the Magistrate of Lu City. Is this true?"

It wasn’t surprising they were out of the loop; they had been refusing all visitors lately. They only caught wind of this news because a serving woman happened to overhear someone mention it while she was out shopping today.

Gu Lehuan said, "I just saw my Seventh Uncle off today. You came all this way just for this?"

Seeing Gu Lehuan’s completely unconcerned expression, Dazhuang couldn’t help but ask, "Lu City is so dangerous right now. Aren’t you worried at all?"

Gu Lehuan mimicked Ancient Wen Heng’s tone. "What’s the use of worrying? Can it change anything?"

Dazhuang was speechless.

...

"Madam, didn’t we investigate before? The other officials all have decent family backgrounds. Why did they only bring so few people?" Qing Mei asked, unable to hold back once she saw no one else was around.

Jin Qianqian had been comforting her son the whole way back, and her own sadness from the parting had subsided.

"Those are old aristocratic families. Some are already in decline, getting by on the last remnants of their ancestral property."

At this, Jin Qianqian glanced at Liu Qingmei. "If our family hadn’t earned some income these past few years, how could we possibly afford to support so many guards?

Look at Lord Ning, who became an official in the same year as the Master. Isn’t he still renting a house? With just that meager salary, buying a house here in Shangjing is harder than hard.

If the Master hadn’t been assigned to a post everyone is desperate to avoid this time, I bet many people would be making sour remarks again. ’Three years as an honest magistrate, one hundred thousand taels of silver.’ That saying isn’t just for show."

Liu Qingmei clicked her tongue in amazement. So there was such a huge difference between one official and another.

"Madam, Chief Steward Hu is here to see you." Qing Lan lifted the door curtain and quickly let it fall back into place, preventing the cold air from rushing in.

Feeling that trace of cold, Jin Qianqian’s heart clenched again. ’Traveling at this time of year... Wenheng is sure to suffer greatly.’

No matter how thorough their preparations had been, at a moment like this, it still felt like it wasn’t enough.

"Madam, would you like to see him?" Qing Lan asked softly when Jin Qianqian didn’t respond.

Jin Qianqian snapped back to her senses. "Yes, I’ll see him. Is he waiting in the side hall?"

It was better to keep busy at times like this to distract herself. She could even see the worry in her maids’ eyes.

She composed herself and broke into a smile for her maids. "Let’s go! We need to hurry up and handle matters here in Shangjing, then we can go back to Fu County and have a nice, quiet New Year."

When she reached the side hall, Jiang Zhongfu was already waiting outside, with Xu Dawang behind him.

He had asked for Jin Qianqian’s permission two days prior. He was determined to follow her to Lu City after spring began.

But affairs in Shangjing couldn’t be left unattended. Xu Dawang, who usually served as his deputy, had been learning for a long time and was more familiar with the connections in the capital than anyone else. He would gradually hand things over to him.

"Madam, Chief Steward Hu is waiting for you inside." Jiang Zhongfu breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her arrive, looking to be in decent spirits. He quickly went over and held up the curtain for her.

"What’s the big rush?" Jin Qianqian asked as she walked into the side hall and saw Hu Dong already standing there waiting for her.

"On a cold day like this, shouldn’t you be cooped up in your room, putting on some weight?" Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but chide him, looking at a Hu Dong who hadn’t changed much.

Hu Dong smiled and said, "I’m about to get sick from being cooped up in my room every day. I wanted to discuss something with you today, Madam. I think I can work while I recuperate."

Jin Qianqian laughed and scolded, "You’re really something else. Other people would kill for a chance to rest, yet you’re actively looking for work.

"Just focus on getting better. No one is going to accuse you of slacking off. In fact, I wish you’d slack off more, so I can exploit you for a much longer time."

Hearing Jin Qianqian speak of exploitation so righteously, everyone nearby was amused.