Chapter 111: Not Yet in Yang Zhou, Part 2: The Canal Transport Hu Yan Family [Heartfelt Thanks for Everyone's Support

Little Eyes continued, "Brother, do you know where we should make our move? I've already scoped it out; the maids and female servants up there have skin as fair and tender as jade, si—cough, cough, cough."

"Listen to the Clerk's news! Knowing they're tough customers yet still thinking about women? I reckon you'll sooner or later die at a woman's hand! Let's go! Ahead lies the canal soldier garrison of the Hu Yan family; let's detour to avoid bad luck." Eight-Character Mustache crouched down from the earth mound.

Beneath the tree beside the earth mound where the two had just been crouching, a layer of fallen leaves was swept by the wind; while other withered leaves danced with the breeze, the leaves here remained rooted as if planted.

Eight-Character Mustache glanced down instinctively and spotted frosty ice beside the leaves.

"So it's frozen solid."

Eight-Character Mustache muttered to himself, and soon both men departed the spot.

Just after the wind passed, the forest fell momentarily still; not far away came the sound of Eight-Character Mustache and Little Eyes riding away on horseback, yet those leaves remained exactly as before.

Two quarter-hours later, Eight-Character Mustache stood where he had been earlier; something still felt off in his heart, and just as he was about to investigate, a canal soldier's boat sailed onto the river, with someone at the prow pointing toward this side.

The two men could only hasten their departure.

As dusk deepened, a figure rose cursing from beneath the withered leaves.

"Two thieving bird-bastards! Back then I ought to have stabbed you both to death and been done with it! Tui!"

Upon the Bianhe River,

with night obscuring the river's conditions,

three ships dropped anchor, linked together with hardwood mortise-and-tenon joints, and halted midstream in a straight line.

Aboard the Hou Fu vessel,

under the dim glow of candlelight, Xu Xu Zaijing, the Gu family members, and his eldest sister dined within the cabin; the fish, freshly caught and thoroughly cleaned, had been cooked by a renowned chef invited from Bianjing, yielding an excellent flavor.

Xu Xu Pingmei sat beside Bai Shi, serving portions of fish meat to her younger sister-in-law, younger brother-in-law, and youngest brother.

Gu Gu Tingyi said, "Sister-in-law, this fish soup is exceedingly fresh; please taste some!"

Bai Shi also smiled and said, "Ping'er, don't mind those two; just look after yourself. We have the female servants for that!"

At that moment, Cui Mama Chang picked up a white-jade-colored porcelain bowl, ladled in some fish soup, and presented it to Xu Xu Pingmei.

"Da Da Niangzi, please taste."

"Thank you, Cui Mama."

Xu Xu Pingmei smiled as she lifted the porcelain bowl, but the moment the fish soup touched her lips, an uncontrollable urge to retch surged up her throat.

This sudden action instantly threw everyone at the table into panic.

Cui Mama Chang was especially startled and flustered.

Qingxia, standing behind Xu Pingmei, quickly stepped forward to shield her and caught the porcelain bowl.

Sister Qingzhi hurriedly brought over a bowl of clear water.

"Da Da Niangzi, rinse your mouth first."

Bai Shi said anxiously, "Quick, summon the Physician!"

Yijie, standing nearby, asked, "Mother, isn't Sister-in-law immune to seasickness? What could be wrong?"

Cui Mama Chang tugged at Bai Shi's sleeve and whispered, "Could it be..."

Bai Shi understood immediately and ushered Xu Xu Zaijing, Gu Gu Tingye, and the young male servants out.

With only women remaining in the room, Bai Shi asked softly, "Ping'er, how long has it been since your last cycle?"

Xu Xu Pingmei frowned and glanced at Qingxia beside her; Qingxia replied, "It's been nearly a month without..."

Previously, the cycles of mistress and maid had never differed by much.

Sister Qingzhi and Yijie both wore expressions of utter confusion: What coming or not coming???

Just then, a female Physician entered the cabin, had Xu Pingmei sit properly, conducted a thorough pulse diagnosis, and then, beaming with joy, nodded to everyone and declared:

"It is a pregnancy pulse. Moreover, Da Da Niangzi's health is robust; there is no cause for concern among you all. Eat small meals frequently, and surely all will be well."

Joy filled the eyes of both Bai Shi and Cui Mama Chang.

"Thank you, Medical Lady. Someone, bestow a reward!" said Bai Shi.

"In the future, we shall still rely heavily on your care, Lady."

Holding the gold in her hands, the female Physician bowed and said, "Thank you, Da Da Niangzi; I shall certainly devote my utmost efforts!"

After the female Physician exited the cabin, Xu Xu Zaijing and the others entered; seeing the joy on the faces of Bai Shi, his eldest sister, and the female servants, Xu Xu Zaijing approached and asked, "Sister?"

Xu Xu Pingmei nodded.

Gu Gu Tingye also grasped the meaning: "Mother, does this mean I'm about to have a little nephew?"

Bai Shi smiled and nodded.

Just as everyone rejoiced, a servant announced from outside the door, "Da Da Niangzi, a messenger has arrived from the canal soldier garrison of Xia Yi County under Yingtian Prefecture along the bank, saying he wishes to meet a noble of Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu."

Hearing this, Xu Xu Zaijing bowed respectfully, took leave of everyone, and exited the cabin.

Outside the cabin, atop a sampan stood a man dressed as a soldier, accompanied by several others.

Brother Qingyun called out from the side, "Honored guest, this is Han Wulang of our Marquis Marquis Yongyi's Hou Fu."

"Greetings, Han Wulang. I am Hu Yan Zhao, Captain of the Xia Yi County Canal Soldier Garrison ahead. An urgent letter from the main branch in the capital informed us that relatives would be passing through; I have come specifically to pay my respects. Should you require any service, I shall comply without hesitation!"

"Brother Hu Yan is too courteous. Please board the stern vessel; fine wine awaits there. Allow me to accompany you aboard for a cup of warm wine to chase away the chill," said Xu Xu Zaijing.

"Then, I shall not refuse such gracious hospitality!" said the man on the small sampan.

With that, Xu Xu Zaijing walked toward the rearmost ship, while those aboard rowed the small sampan to follow behind.

Upon reaching the cabin of the last ship,

Zhu Zhu Qinghu, who had been sleeping, woke at the sound of someone entering and asked groggily, "Jing'er, what's wrong?"

"Cousin, nothing is amiss; you continue resting. You must stand watch tonight. I will call you when needed."

Hu Yan Zhao and his attendant from the sampan also boarded the stern; upon seeing the horses inside the cabin, their eyes lit up as they exclaimed sincerely, "Fine horses! Truly tall! Excellent indeed!"

"Hahaha! Brother Hu Yan, like Eleventh Lang, is truly a lover of horses! Since the forward vessels carry female family members, we can only host you here; please forgive us. Please, be seated."

"Han Wulang is too polite; please, you first. While in Bianjing, I was fond of polo, so naturally I appreciate fine horses even more!"

At this moment, Seeing Seeing Qingcao approached carrying a pot of warmed wine and wine cups; on the tray were also some meat dishes and green vegetables.

The two men then began toasting each other back and forth.

"In such weather, for Elder Brother Zhao to still come pay his respects truly makes me ashamed; here is a cup of wine to toast you."

"Young Master Jing is too polite."

"Elder Brother Zhao, serving as an official here must surely be very hard?" Xu Xu Zaijing said as he filled Marquis Hu Yan's cup.

"It is manageable; the snow is not as heavy as in Dengzhou, making things much more convenient. Come, since auspicious events are imminent for both our families, let us drink another cup!"

"Elder Brother Zhao, regarding my future brother-in-law, is there anything in Dengzhou that I do not know?" Xu Xu Zaijing suddenly asked.

Hu Yan Zhao paused, pointed at Xu Xu Zaijing, and said with a smile: "Young Master Jing, you are trying to get me to speak the truth after drinking! Eleventh Master definitely has something he hasn't told you!"

Seeing Xu Xu Zaijing's curious expression, Hu Yan Zhao lowered his voice: "When he was eight years old, he even wet his trousers, scared stiff when my Fifth Uncle tested his learning; you must not say I told you this!"

"Good, I will use this matter to threaten him in the future and see if he dares not drink a few more cups! Thank you, Elder Brother Zhao. Brother Qingyun, make the stove burn hotter."

Hearing the order, Brother Qingyun walked to the stove, pushed open the air vent, and the coal inside began to burn fiercely.

The humming flames surged toward the chimney.

Hu Yan Zhao, now slightly drunk, looked at the stove and said: "What a wonderful thing! It has already become warmer."

"Come, come, let us continue."

"Though Young Master Jing is young, he handles affairs with great tact; I am very impressed. Come, I toast you."

As the room grew hot, the several people inside took off their clothes and continued drinking for another two hours.

"It is getting late, Young Master Jing; I shall take my leave. If you need anything, simply come to the guard post to find me," Hu Yan Zhao said.

Brother Qingyun took Hu Yan Zhao's clothes and handed them to his attendant; the smell upon them forced Brother Qingyun to strongly restrain any reaction in his eyes or brow from showing.

Watching the small sampan rowing away with lanterns lit, Xu Xu Zaijing waved his hand.

Brother Qingyun said: "Young Master, that smell."

"In winter the weather is cold; surely one cannot bathe frequently." Having said this, Xu Xu Zaijing entered the side room and went to where Jing Biao Ge was staying: "Elder Cousin, the guest has left. Sleep a bit longer; you have night watch duty tonight."

"Mm."

This chapter counts as an extra update.





(End of Chapter)