Chapter 59: An Encounter on the Road

The snow had stopped, but the sky hadn’t cleared. The streets remained covered with thick snow, making it cold and slippery. Few people were outside. Even though Lian Da was a skilled driver, he navigated the horse-drawn carriage carefully along the tracks left by other carts, moving at a reasonable speed.

Inside the carriage, it was warm. As instructed by Madam Feng, Lian Sao had placed a half-covered brass firepot in the carriage. She sat in a corner, but pushed the firepot toward Meinang. Meinang smiled and reached over to pull her closer, insisting they share the warmth. Though Lian Sao initially resisted, she eventually sat across from Meinang, watching her and remarking with a smile:

“The young mistress dressed like this is truly handsome. There’s no other gentleman on the street as striking as you.”

Meinang replied, “What about our young master?”

Lian Sao quickly agreed, “Yes, yes, only our young master can match you. I haven’t seen anyone else as impressive.”

Meinang laughed, “If only I had been born a man… By the way, Lian Sao, just call me Second Master when we’re outside.”

“Yes, I understand,” Lian Da replied. She then leaned out of the carriage to shout to the driver, “Old man, did you hear that? Only call her Second Master outside.”

Meinang felt a bit embarrassed. Fortunately, they were already outside the city, otherwise, Lian Sao’s loud announcement would have caused a scene on the main street.

Lian Da tightened his thick cotton robe and grumbled, “What are you yelling for? Do I need you to teach me? Watch out for the cold air blowing in and freezing the Second Master, you’ll be the one in trouble.”

Lian Sao muttered under her breath, “This cranky old man…”

Meinang chuckled, “Lian Sao, isn’t Brother Lian just in his early thirties? Why call him an old man?”

Lian Sao explained, “Why shouldn’t I? His eldest son is already thirteen, and he has two daughters, one seven and the other nine.”

Meinang sighed enviously, “You two are truly blessed with a complete family. They’re all grown up.”

Lian Sao laughed, “That’s nothing! You don’t know, but Lu Fu and his wife, who came with us as attendants, are even younger than we are and already have seven children—one each year. Now that’s real good fortune!”

Meinang was stunned, imagining a woman having a baby every year for seven years. She shivered at the thought.

Lian Sao quickly moved the firepot closer. “Are you cold, young mistress? Shall I add some more charcoal?”

Meinang nodded, “Go ahead. The warmer, the better. And tell Brother Lian if he can go a bit faster.”

Lian Sao called out, “Old man, the Second Master says, ‘Can you go any faster?’”

Lian Da shouted back, “Alright! Hold on tight! The snow’s uneven, so it’ll be bumpy!”

Sure enough, as the carriage sped up, the interior became more chaotic, with the cushions and blankets sliding around. The firepot shifted from side to side, and Lian Sao focused on keeping it steady. Meinang simply sat on the blankets to keep them in place, swaying with the jolts of the carriage, laughing as if she were dancing. Lian Sao watched in amazement, thinking this mistress was extraordinary able to handle the bouncing without issue. Little did she know Meinang had ridden roller coasters and pirate ships in her past life, riding a horse-drawn carriage was nothing.

After a while, the carriage suddenly stopped. Relieved, Lian Sao released the firepot and called out, “Why aren’t we moving?”

There was a pause outside, and then Lian Da jumped down and ran off. Soon, he returned, announcing, “Second Master, someone’s blocking the road ahead, asking to see you.”

Lian Sao was taken aback and responded, “We’re not meeting anyone. Our master meets no one.”

Lian Da lifted the curtain, poked his head in, and whispered, “The gentleman looks unusual. He’s with four or five fierce-looking men. They have horses, but the gentleman can’t ride. They’re asking to trade their horses for our carriage.”

Meinang remarked, “Nonsense! If we give them our carriage, what are we supposed to do? I can’t ride a horse.”

Lian Da hesitated, “But they won’t let us pass. If we try to force our way through, we might not succeed, and if we fight, we’re outnumbered… Shall we go back?”

Meinang felt uneasy. Why was her journey met with this obstacle? She thought for a moment, then instructed, “Go tell them we won’t trade the carriage, but if he truly can’t walk, we can give him a lift.”

Lian Da relayed the message. After some time, there were the sounds of several people approaching. It seemed they accepted the offer. Meinang’s heart pounded with some regret, but there was no other option.

Bracing herself, she told Lian Sao, “Just sit there; there’s nothing to worry about.”

Lian Sao nodded, staying still.

Outside, a voice rang out, “My name is Xing, requesting an audience with Second Master Qin.”

Meinang guessed his position based on his voice, imagining him standing a few steps to the right of the carriage, bowing respectfully. Resigned, she straightened her hair and adjusted her clothes, then gracefully stepped out of the carriage, bowing and responding in a low voice, “Greetings, Brother Xing. I am Qin Er. I’m feeling a bit under the weather and can’t stay in the wind long. I hope you’ll understand.”

She raised her head, only to be nearly startled off her feet.

Lian Da had said there were four or five men, but there were easily over a dozen. They stood in a dark cluster below, each strong and intimidating, dressed in sturdy garments and dark cloaks embroidered with gold patterns. They had various striking looks, and among them was a young, coldly handsome man who looked like he had stepped out of a comic book. His silver-fox fur cloak stunned Meinang, stirring a flicker of vanity. She had borrowed a fox-fur cloak from Zheng Mei Yu and thought it extravagant, but this man’s cloak was on another level. If he weren’t a man, she might feel a pang of jealousy.

The silver-fox man observed her with a cold, proud gaze.

Is he the one injured? It’s hard to tell. He radiated arrogance, his hands braced against his men, wearing an elaborately embroidered outfit, with a wide belt embedded with jewels and thick-soled boots. His head was held by a purple jade clasp, and he had a face that looked even more imposing with the delicate, jeweled forehead band.

She thought, “These people are clearly wealthy and powerful” it’s best not to provoke them.” If they truly insisted on the carriage, so be it better not to stir up trouble now.

With an air of courtesy, Xing said, “We were returning from a hunt, and my master unfortunately injured his leg. With no villages or inns nearby, Second Master Qin, your youth and generosity are well-known. Could you lend our master your carriage? We offer you these fine horses and a sum of silver in exchange.”

Meinang raised her brows and responded generously, “There’s no need to speak of money. Fate often brings people together. Just leave us three horses for traveling, and that will do.”

Before she could finish, Lian Sao leaned out of the carriage, exclaiming, “But Second Master, your health is poor, and you can’t stand the cold. You can’t ride a horse!”

Meinang was briefly stunned, then scolded, “Lian…Lian Sao! Since when can you interrupt the master’s decision?”

Calling Lian Da over, she instructed, “Come, help me down. They can take the carriage.”

But the silver-fox man interrupted, “If you can’t ride a horse, then don’t. Go on your way.”

Xing was taken aback. “Master…”

With an icy expression, the silver-fox man replied, “Let him go. What does it matter if my leg is injured? No need to make others suffer.”

The men beside him, alarmed, begged him to reconsider, but he rebuffed them with a frown. Meinang shivered in the cold wind, her teeth chattering as she watched the scene unfold. Finally, Xing approached her and pleaded, “Our master does not wish to take others’ belongings by force. Could Second Master Qin kindly invite my master to share the carriage?”

Seeing no other choice, she agreed, and, with the help of his men, they finally got the silver-fox man into the carriage with some difficulty.

Meinang exhaled in relief, thinking she’d freeze into an icicle before getting him to his destination.

The silver-fox man, now seated, demanded that Lian Sao leave. Meinang, slightly annoyed by his rudeness, firmly stated, “She is my old servant. She suffers from rheumatism and cannot stand the cold. I hope…you understand.”

He glanced at her and said coolly, “Twenty miles ahead, take me to Gui Yun Manor.”