There were quite a few child students from Pingjiang County heading to the Prefecture for the exams, mostly traveling in groups. Those with better conditions would hire a covered carriage with three or four others, making it not too expensive when split; those with worse conditions would go with a merchant convoy to the Prefecture. The merchant convoy used open freight wagons, and the students didn’t take up much space, so they could be taken for just a few copper coins.
When Song Wei and Wen Wan asked at the carriage service, hiring a covered carriage to the Prefecture without taking on other passengers halfway would cost two taels of silver.
If they allowed other passengers halfway, it would be one tael of silver.
Wen Wan frowned lightly.
Whether it was two taels or one, she felt it was too expensive, tugged at Song Wei’s sleeve, and shook her head indicating she didn’t want to hire it.
After all, a carriage is a carriage; to her, there’s no difference between having a cover and not. As long as they reach the Prefecture before the exam, Wen Wan thought the open freight wagons of the convoy were quite fine—not to mention cheaper, and she could enjoy the scenery along the way.
Song Wei didn’t listen to her; he had already taken out two taels of silver and handed it to the Shopkeeper, "No other passengers along the way, arrange a driver for us immediately, and we’ll set off now."
This was a profligate move!
Wen Wan turned away in anger, not wanting to deal with him.
The driver quickly got the carriage ready and brought it over. Song Wei loaded his book basket and luggage onto it, then came to calm Wen Wan, a smile playing on his lips, "Are you angry?"
Wen Wan walked a few steps forward with her head down. A two-tael silver carriage, whoever wants to ride it can ride it; her butt isn’t that precious.
Song Wei gently took hold of her wrist from behind, speaking softly, "Going to the Prefecture from here, even by carriage, takes a day and a half. Now that the weather is getting hot, you’d suffer on an open wagon."
Wen Wan didn’t turn her head, letting out a slight huff inside. Who said she couldn’t stand it? Since childhood, she’s worked in the fields and the house—what hasn’t she done? Has she not been sunburned enough?
Seeing she still ignored him, Song Wei continued, "You don’t know, if we hire an exclusive carriage, we can go directly to the Prefecture. But if we go with a convoy, they’ll detour to other places to deliver and pick up goods. If it rains, everyone will have to stop and find a place to take shelter. A few dozen copper coins are cheap, but if it delays my exam time, even dozens of taels of silver couldn’t get it back."
These words indeed startled Wen Wan. She turned around slowly, looking at him as if asking: Are you not lying to me?
Song Wei chuckled, "Of course I’m not lying to you. Otherwise, why do you think the convoy is willing to take the students to the Prefecture for just a few dozen copper coins? They’re not doing it on purpose; they’re just taking a few people along while handling their business. Their route is winding and difficult, with all sorts of things that could happen along the way."
Only then did Wen Wan reluctantly believe him and agree that her husband’s exam was more important. Eventually, she was pulled back onto the carriage by him.
Having reached her age, it was the first time Wen Wan had ridden a carriage. Though it was painfully expensive, she had to admit it was really comfortable—the inside was padded with soft cushions, and there was a thin blanket that she could cover with if sleepy. The journey didn’t feel bumpy at all.
When they arrived at the Prefecture, two days remained until the exam.
Having spent two taels on the carriage, Wen Wan insisted on not staying in an expensive inn. After a round of searching, they settled in the simplest, cheapest inn they could find.
Then Wen Wan discovered that there were still many students staying at this inn.
After settling their luggage, Song Wei took Wen Wan downstairs to eat.
On the way, they didn’t buy much food, subsisting on a few eggs given by Second Lang’s wife.
Seeing how Wen Wan didn’t mind, Song Wei felt even more tender towards her and planned to get her something hot to warm her stomach as soon as they arrived at the Prefecture.
They went to a noodle shop, which was filled with people, mostly students there for the exam.
Song Wei ordered two bowls of braised beef noodles, and Wen Wan sat down, glancing around.
With that glance, she had a bad premonition.