Chapter 220: Chapter 89: Qi County Chapter 220: Chapter 89: Qi County Yueyao and her party were not in a hurry, and their pace was rather slow, taking four days to cover a three-day journey. They didn’t arrive until nearly noon on the fifth day, but fortunately, it hadn’t rained during those four days. Apart from the first day, when the sun was strong, the sky remained overcast for the next three days.
When Yueyao stepped out of the carriage, she looked at the plaque hanging above the main entrance: “Lian Mansion.” The characters were bold and powerful, clearly the work of decades.
Tingli said with a smile beside her, “Third younger sister, these characters were written by the Old Grand Master. They’ve been there for decades.” Back in those days, many people sought the Great Grandfather’s calligraphy, but unfortunately, even with a fortune, they couldn’t acquire it.
The Lian family had reached its zenith under the Great Grandfather’s reign. His competence also allowed him to confidently separate from the main family branch. Continuing the family’s glory, however, would depend on the efforts of the younger generation.
Yueyao followed the servants into the courtyard. With each layer of courtyards and each threshold, the deeper she walked, the more secluded it became.
The mansion, long uninhabited, still carried a faint odor despite news that the servants had cleaned it. This scent made Yueyao very uncomfortable. Nanny Deng immediately fetched incense to fumigate the room, and it took quite a while before they could settle in.
When Yueyao was at the nunnery, she did her own laundry, sewing, and cleaning. Now things were different; she was a precious, sheltered daughter who couldn’t possibly be expected to do such coarse work. If she insisted, it would only create more chaos.
Yueyao conscientiously picked up a book and sat in the courtyard to read. It was an overcast day, and the yard provided a place to read without the sunlight hurting her eyes.
Qiao Lan brought over some tea.
When Tingli came over, he saw Yueyao engrossed in her book amid the gently wafting tea aroma and the misty air. He couldn’t help but feel complex emotions, “Sister, what book are you reading?”
Yueyao would only read “The Great Learning Commission” in her own room, as it was deemed more appropriate for men than women. She hadn’t even brought her medical texts, as it wouldn’t be proper for others to see her delving into those; so now, she was reading the “Great Yuan Geological Map.”
Tingli was surprised. He had expected Yueyao to be reading poetry and songs, not this book. The “Great Yuan Geological Map” primarily depicted the territories of the Great Yuan Dynasty, focusing on detailed descriptions of the provinces, counties, demographics, and land. Such books were seldom read by women, and this was the first time Tingli had seen a woman reading one.
Yueyao had come across this book by chance. Previously, when reading travel books that described local conditions, she didn’t recognize the counties mentioned, so she used the geological map for reference. However, with each reading, Yueyao found her knowledge lacking and realized she didn’t even fully understand her own country. Thus, she took every opportunity to read and memorize it carefully.
Yueyao set the book on the table beside her and stood up, “Brother, please, have a seat.”
Tingli was there to tell Yueyao to prepare for a meeting with relatives from the main family branch the next day.
In her previous life, Yueyao had never visited the main family and knew little about them. From what she learned on the road, Yueyao didn’t believe the main family would welcome them; at best, they would maintain superficial ties. Considering how the Great Grandfather had cut ties when he gained power and was now seeking to reconnect, it all seemed too convenient. Maintaining superficial ties was likely only because Tingli and the others were accomplished, “Brother, tomorrow is my mother’s death anniversary. I would like to visit my parents’ graves first and then call on the relatives.” Important matters should be handled first, leaving visits to the relatives for later.
Tingli thought for a moment and then nodded, “Hmm, I was also planning to visit in the afternoon.”
Yueyao still shook her head. It wouldn’t be right to meet the relatives with a sorrowful appearance, as it would only add to their burdens, “Brother, you go ahead with your business. Brother Zheng and I can visit the day after tomorrow.” One’s mood must be right before visiting senior members of the clan. Given the already distant relations, coming in a state of grievance would not be an overture but a provocation.
Though Tingli felt uneasy seeing Yueyao’s insistence, he could only agree with her decision, “All right, then you rest early today.”
Yueyao nodded. However, that night, displeased and restless, she found it hard to sleep. Tossing and turning, she stared out the window. The night was still and profound, the clear and shallow moonlight seeping through the window, dampening the entire room like water,
Yueyao got up, dressed, and walked to the courtyard, which was much colder than the Capital City. Once outside, Yueyao couldn’t help but shiver from the cold.
Nanny Deng didn’t urge Yueyao to return indoors, instead, she instructed Hua Lei to fetch a thick coat from the room and stood beside Yueyao herself.