Chapter 131
Over the years, they had gradually established themselves in the city and returned to the village less and less frequently. In the first two or three years after moving to the city, they would go back every ten days or half a month. Ruijin and Ruili had grown up in the village, so they missed it dearly when they first arrived in the city. But as they grew older and became more familiar with city life, Ruijin became increasingly occupied with his studies and imperial examinations, and their visits dwindled from monthly to only during festivals.
Later on, the only time the whole family returned together was during the New Year for ancestral worship. On ordinary days, it was mostly Zhang Fangyuan who traveled back frequently for business.
This time, they planned to stay at their old village home for a few days. The night before, maids and servants had already begun packing clothes and luggage for the family. Early the next morning, a carriage for passengers was hitched at the gate, along with two more carriages loaded with several large chests.
Zhang Fangyuan wasn’t particularly fond of riding in carriages. The morning was cool and clear, with no sun yet - perfect for horseback riding. Finding it dull to ride alone, he ordered servants to bring out two horses so Ruijin could accompany him.
Ruili also wanted to ride and gallop freely, but he was filial enough to consider that his Little Dad, Xu He, might feel lonely sitting alone in the large carriage, so he chose to stay inside and keep him company.
The journey from Siyang to Jijiucun was swift, taking just over an hour by carriage. Ruili spent the ride listing all the things he wanted to eat once they arrived in the village.
"This season, the watermelons from the neighboring village are at their peak. We must pick a few ourselves. And we can’t miss fishing in the pond, stewed fish soup is my specialty!"
Xu He laughed. "A few days should be enough for your plans. Just don’t get bored and rush back to the city."
"How could I? Our village has the most places to eat and play, it’s impossible to get tired of it."
"Wang Si, the mountain keeper, reported recently that the little critters in the hills have grown plump and strong. Didn’t you keep pestering us about going hunting? We can go in a couple of days when we have time." Zhang Fangyuan turned and noticed Ruili wasn’t sticking his head out the carriage window as usual. He guided his horse closer and overheard them discussing food.
"Great! That’s great!" Ruili immediately agreed, thrilled at the prospect of venturing into the woods again after so long. "Dad, Little Dad has already agreed to let us hunt in the mountains. You can’t back out this time, you have to shoot at least two pheasants for me!"
Ruijin glanced back at Ruili and shook his head helplessly. "Fine."
Ruili happily shook Xu He’s arm. The family chatted and laughed, and before long, they arrived at the village entrance.
It was harvest season, and though the sun wasn’t high yet, villagers were already working diligently in the fields, cutting crops in a lively bustle.
Though the Zhang family had returned with a modest entourage, their wealth had grown significantly over the years. What they considered simple and low-key was far from the days when the couple had only a few dozen taels of silver to their names and debated whether to walk or take an ox-cart to the city.
Villagers in the fields heard the commotion from the road and paused their work, craning their necks to look. Those closer to the road shouted, "Landlord Zhang is back!"
At the news, villagers hurried from the fields to the roadside to watch the spectacle. They marveled at the Zhang family’s large and small carriages, the luxurious coach, and clicked their tongues in admiration. When they saw Zhang Fangyuan on his tall horse, with Ruijin riding alongside - almost as tall as his father now, the crowd erupted.
"I heard Zhang Ruijin passed the imperial exams and has already been appointed as an official, how impressive!"
"It’s true! A while back, some of the Zhang clan even went to the city for the celebration banquet. It was grand, all the important people in town attended!"
"I always said Ruijin was clever since he was little. Look at him now, a high-ranking official!"
"Aunt Wu, I remember you saying back then that Ruijin didn’t cry at birth and might be a fool!"
"When did I ever say such a thing?"
The villagers chattered excitedly, their enthusiasm hotter than the sun. As the carriages drew near, they crowded the road, blocking the way as they eagerly greeted the family, as if afraid the procession might pass too quickly.
The quick-witted ones began addressing Ruijin as "My Lord," flattering the Zhang family to no end. It was as if their past gossip, calling Zhang Fangyuan a ruffian and Xu He cold and eccentric belonged to another lifetime. Now, they only regretted not having ingratiated themselves with the family sooner.
Zhang Fangyuan had expected the villagers’ enthusiasm. Given that the whole family rarely returned together and Ruijin now held an official rank, he patiently greeted everyone despite the heat.
"Uncle Zhang, Little Uncle! Ruijin, Ruili, you’re back?"
Just as the Zhang family’s carriages were stalled by the villagers, two more cargo wagons approached from behind. Two men who looked like hired hands followed the wagons, while a young man rode ahead on horseback. Initially annoyed by the blockage, his expression brightened when he recognized the family.
Zhang Fangyuan and Xu He turned at the cheerful voice and saw Fei Yazheng, the eldest son of the Fei family.
The boy was a year younger than Ruijin and Ruili but didn’t look it. When he was born, his father, Fei Lian, had hoped his eldest son would follow in his scholarly footsteps, so he gave him an elegant name.
But Fei Yazheng hated studying and constantly clashed with his father. At ten, after a huge fight, he ran away for nearly half a month. The Fei family, with only this one heir, searched frantically. Fei’s mother and Xu Shaochun cried until their eyes swelled.
After days of fruitless searching, Xu Shaochun begged the Zhang family for help. Zhang Fangyuan sent men to scour Siyang, and they finally found Fei Yazheng - already thriving in a job in the city.
After that, Fei Lian dared not push him too hard. Every time he pressured Fei Yazheng to study, Fei’s mother and Xu Shaochun would protest. Freed from his father’s control, Fei Yazheng abandoned his studies and joined Zhang Xiaotian and Zhang Xiaoxuan’s trade caravan.
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