From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 480: Chapter 481: Mrs. Nan Wang

Jin Qianqian listened quietly. Fortunately, Miss Nan had a good disposition and was currently playing with the two children off to the side.

"Madam, you needn’t worry. Miss Nan is gentle and lovely; she’ll find a fine husband."

Mrs. Nan Wang glanced lovingly at her daughter, then lowered her voice to a whisper. "There is something I was hoping to ask you about, Mrs. Gu, if I may be so bold."

Jin Qianqian raised an eyebrow. "Please, Madam, go ahead. I’ll answer truthfully if I can."

After all, Prefect Nan had taken good care of them recently.

He sent over banquets every few days and even had Le City’s government officials stand guard at the inn to prevent anyone from bothering her and the children.

"I just wanted to ask... what was it about Mr. Gu that made you choose him back then?"

It was the first time someone had gossiped about her private affairs right to her face.

"Mrs. Gu, you misunderstand," Mrs. Nan Wang said, realizing her gaffe. "To be honest, Madam, my husband and I wish to choose a good husband for my Yue’er from among the scholars and Scholars."

"We don’t dare hope she’ll find a talent like Mr. Gu, who was the top scholar of his year. We just want someone with some ambition, who can give my Yue’er a stable and peaceful life."

Jin Qianqian’s mind drifted back. She had ended up with Lao Gouqi because he had promised to handle her grandmother’s funeral for the Jin Family.

She had been in a desperate situation at the time, and so she’d clutched at that last straw, marrying the then-penniless Lao Gouqi.

Those first few years had been truly miserable; they were so poor they sometimes had to borrow grain just to eat.

"If this is difficult for you, Mrs. Gu, please just pretend I never asked," Mrs. Nan Wang said quickly, seeing that she hadn’t yet answered.

But Jin Qianqian shook her head. "I was just lost in thought, remembering the past."

"It’s almost funny to think about now. I was with my husband because of my grandmother’s wishes and a matchmaker’s arrangement."

"Life was rather uneventful at first. Later, we had to flee a famine, and we supported each other through it all. That’s how we got to where we are today, one step at a time."

Everything she said was public knowledge. She understood a mother’s love for her daughter, but she still disliked having her privacy probed like this.

"A bond forged like that is the strongest of all," Mrs. Nan Wang said. "No one will ever be able to come between you and Mr. Gu."

"That’s true," Jin Qianqian agreed. "If you’re willing to hear it, Lady Nan, I do have a small suggestion."

"Please, Mrs. Gu," said Mrs. Nan Wang. "I’m listening."

Jin Qianqian glanced at Nan Yue’er. "Your daughter has a very innocent nature. If you want to help her find a husband, it would be best to look for a family with a simple household."

"An only son, you mean?"

Jin Qianqian shook her head. "You should look at the character of his parents, and his own. After all, these are the people she will have to spend the rest of her life with. Getting to know them early will make for a more harmonious future."

"But how can one ever be sure about such things?" Mrs. Nan Wang asked.

These were all matters of the women’s quarters, and a woman’s temperament as a daughter-in-law was a world away from her temperament as a mother-in-law.

Jin Qianqian leaned forward slightly, whispering something in her ear. The onlookers could only see Mrs. Nan Wang nodding repeatedly, occasionally giving Jin Qianqian a thumbs-up.

"I’m so very grateful for today," Mrs. Nan Wang said as she left, holding Jin Qianqian’s hand, reluctant to let go. "It’s such a pity you have to follow Mr. Gu to his new post. Otherwise, I would have insisted you stay with me a while longer."

Just a moment ago, Prefect Nan had sent a messenger to inform them that a merchant caravan had arrived. After resting for two days, it would be heading to the prefecture just before Lu City.

With the government office making the arrangements, the caravan was of course willing to take them along.

Jin Qianqian squeezed her hand in return. "There will be plenty of time in the future. Who knows, perhaps our paths will cross again soon."

"Sister Wang, you must write to me often. Don’t you forget about me."

"How could I possibly forget? A dear sister like you is a treasure. Now, don’t mind my nagging, but you must be fully prepared when traveling. Is there anything else you need? Just tell me, and I’ll have it sent over to you."

Jin Qianqian immediately and politely refused. After a good deal of back-and-forth, she finally saw her guest off and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Madam, please have some tea." Seeing her finally sit down, Lichun quickly brought her a cup.

Jin Qianqian took several small sips. "It’s getting late. Tomorrow, you and the steward go out and see what supplies we need to prepare."

"We already prepared quite thoroughly, but you can never have too much of certain things. Just buy whatever you think we’ll need."

Although she had just been addressing Lady Nan with the familiarity of a sister, she could tell what was genuine and what was for show. Both sides intended to build a good relationship, and their conversation was lively, but only they knew how much sincerity was truly behind it all.

Lichun assented, planning to take people out the next day to stock up on as many supplies as possible for the two young masters and the Madam.

Unexpectedly, two carriages arrived at the inn early the next morning, a special gift from Lady Nan.

Jin Qianqian was unable to refuse and had no choice but to accept. ’I’ll just have to send a gift in return once we’re settled,’ she thought.

That was only the beginning. For the rest of the afternoon, there was a constant stream of people at the inn’s main entrance, delivering gifts. Some even just dropped them and left, giving her no opportunity to refuse.

Helpless, Jin Qianqian had no choice but to send a message to Mrs. Nan Wang, asking for her help in returning all these gifts.

Mrs. Nan Wang even made a special trip over. "My dear sister, just accept them. These people are used to currying favor wherever the wind blows. It’s all just insignificant trifles."

"But how can I?" Jin Qianqian protested. "I won’t be staying in Le City, so I’ll have no way to return the courtesy."

"My dear, you are still too naive. In the life you’re about to lead, this will become commonplace." Mrs. Nan Wang lowered her voice, offering a word of advice. "You know the saying: ’Three years as an ’honest’ prefect, one hundred thousand silver.’ This is how it’s accumulated."

Jin Qianqian was speechless. ’It really is a different world. No wonder people in every era scramble so desperately to climb the ladder.’

"Rest assured, they only want to establish a friendly connection. They aren’t expecting you to reciprocate," Mrs. Nan Wang said, covering her mouth with a chuckle. "Did you never encounter this sort of thing in Shangjing?"

Jin Qianqian shook her head, a bit dazed. "My husband was at the Hanlin Academy before. He spent all day editing texts, so there was never anything else."

"Aside from the usual social calls between the ladies of various households, this is the first time I’ve ever experienced something like this."

This had to be the most gifts she had ever received in a single day. All of this stuff would probably cram both carriages to the brim.

Mrs. Nan Wang was momentarily speechless. "...You’ll get used to it after a while. Sometimes, refusing a gift can be more of a burden to the giver than accepting it."

"My husband tells me you’re set to depart before dawn tomorrow. I’ll come to the city gate to see you off."

Toward this newly-acquainted "sister," Mrs. Nan Wang was now showing a bit of genuine feeling. She just wondered what kind of picture this blank slate would become in the future.

Jin Qianqian quickly waved her hands in refusal. "How could I trouble you so, Sister? You see, I have all the staff and supplies I need. Tomorrow will just be a matter of resting in the carriage. There’s no need for you to make a special trip."

After much persuasion, Jin Qianqian finally convinced Mrs. Nan Wang to drop the idea.