Seeing that the matters were settled, Qiao Hezhi tactfully said, "If there's nothing else, I won't disturb the master's reading. It's still early; I'll go out to the tailor's shop to place the order for the winter clothes. I collected the servants' measurements today. When they heard the master was arranging winter clothes for them, everyone was very happy. I'll take care of this sooner, so the master has one less thing to worry about."
Fang Yu put away his writing brush and ink. Qiao Hezhi's diligence was so thorough it made Fang Yu feel almost ashamed of his own idleness. "Since you are going out, I will accompany you," he said. "That way, I can at least share in deserving the servants' gratitude. After we place the order for the clothes, we can also stop by the family's shops and bring the account books back together."
"With... with me?" Qiao Hezhi raised his eyebrows, asking again in disbelief.
"What's wrong? Is it inconvenient?"
"No, not at all." Qiao Hezhi quickly shook his head, as if afraid Fang Yu would change his mind, and promptly stood up. "I'll go and get ready right away."
Fang Yu smiled and nodded. "Go ahead. Once you're ready, come directly to the main gate. I'll wait for you there."
Qiao Hezhi turned and left the room. Pausing at the courtyard gate, he could no longer restrain the smile on his face. He had never gone out with Fang Yu before. Being able to go check the shops together today was something he hadn't even dared to dream of.
"SiYu, hurry up, don't keep the master waiting."
Men generally required little preparation for outings. Fang Yu simply threw on a heavy cloak and made his way to the main gate.
By now, a small horse-drawn carriage was ready at the main entrance. It was made of plain, unpainted wood, with only a single cushion inside. The furnishings were very simple. Parked in front of the main gate of the Fang residence with its red lanterns, it looked all the more shabby and impoverished.
Xuezhu saw it and immediately scolded the person. "Who prepared this carriage? It's completely unsuitable for the master! What thoughtless fool is responsible? Go and switch it for the family's large carriage at once!"
The groom holding the horse felt wronged. "This servant didn't know the master was going out. Miss SiYu said Zhengfu was going out, so this carriage was prepared. This servant will go change it immediately."
Fang Yu furrowed his brows. "Since it's already arranged, we'll just take this one. It saves the trouble."
Xuezhu advised, "This carriage is usually used by servants for long trips. The ride is hard and cold. Riding in it in summer is fine for the coolness, but in winter it's pure suffering. The family's large carriage is spacious and has a heating brazier inside. Zhengfu isn't in good health, he would find the journey far more comfortable in that one."
"You're right, as always." Fang Yu then smiled. "Then quickly go and prepare the large carriage. The Young Master will be here soon."
The groom turned back with the small carriage. Fang Yu looked at the carriage and shook his head. "This young master is really too frugal. Why does he still use a carriage like this?"
Xuezhu said quietly, "Has the master forgotten? Zhengfu comes from a merchant family, registered under the merchant class. He cannot ride in ornate carriages into the city."
Fang Yu suddenly understood. The current suppression of merchants wasn't just talk, there were restrictions everywhere. Although Qiao Hezhi was now part of the Fang family and his status should, in principle, follow his husband's, the law required a two-year waiting period before his merchant registration could be changed to the scholar class. Furthermore, this change could only be processed if his husband personally accompanied him to the government office. Until then, he was only permitted to ride in the large carriage when traveling together with his husband.
Of course, with the protection and backing of his husband's family, even before it was time to change his merchant registration, he could actually ride in it himself. But given Qiao Hezhi's current status in his husband's family, there was no need for him to test the waters and see if his husband's family would protect him if he were detained by the authorities.
The Fang family's original household registration was under the farmer class, a status far less prestigious than what they hold today. It was only after passing the imperial examinations at the county level and earning the title of Tongsheng that they were able to register with the authorities as part of the scholar class.
If it weren't for the fact that children of merchants could not take the imperial examinations and had no right to study and change their household registration, there wouldn't be so many people trying to change their status through marriage, enduring all sorts of grievances.
"Master, sorry to keep you waiting."
Fang Yu was pulled from his thoughts by the voice. Turning, he saw Qiao Hezhi fastening a thick, white-furred cloak—the same one he had worn that morning to pay respects at Madam Chen's courtyard. He must have rushed over, as two faint spots of color bloomed high on his cheeks from the exertion.
"You could have come slowly. They just went to prepare the carriage, it will still be a while."
As soon as he finished speaking, the family's large carriage arrived. Fang Yu looked at it, it was truly spacious. The wood was carved with patterns, the canopy and window curtains were made of high-quality, wind-blocking fabric suitable for the winter season. The two of them stepped up using a small ladder.
The interior was spacious enough to comfortably seat six people. A charcoal brazier glowed in the center, filling the space with warmth rivaling that of a heated room. The seating cushions were thickly padded and expertly sewn, providing both softness and insulation against the cold.
Fang Yu sat down heavily against the cushion and said to Qiao Hezhi, "This family carriage is really quite good. Going out in such cold weather doesn't feel cold at all. From now on, if you go out, use this carriage. It's much more comfortable than that small one. You too, even if you aren't allowed to ride in ornate carriages, you don't have to be so scrupulous as to always use such a simple one."
Though Qiao Hezhi had been raised in comfort, his merchant status had never permitted him the use of such a fine carriage. His eyes lingered on the spacious interior for a moment longer before he turned to explain to Fang Yu, "In the past, my family was falsely accused to the authorities because of a carriage. The family had to pay out over a hundred taels to smooth things over. After that, my father instructed the family members to travel simply when going out. We just all started using plain carriages to avoid giving people a handle to cause trouble. I've gotten used to it."
"That was then, and the circumstances didn't allow it. Now there's no need to worry." Fang Yu pulled the brazier closer. "Come warm your hands."
Qiao Hezhi nodded gently and stretched both hands out towards the brazier, moving a little closer to the person beside him. "Thank you."
"Why thank me? This is simply how things should be."
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