Published at 5th of October 2018 09:14:02 PM
Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Departure
The Chen estate resumed their work . With about a dozen servants left behind, they began to load the horse-drawn carriages with what little clothes and rice they had left .
After Chen Rong had distributed her wealth, only ten carriages were needed to transport the rest of her assets . Three were used to hold rice and silk, one was filled with her clothes, and bamboo slips occupied the remaining six .
In the past, Chen Rong had used only one carriage to hold books – the books that hid gold leaves . The rest were used to carry other items . Because of this, she spent a decade after returning to the south being stigmatized for her vulgar ways . The scholars had criticized her for she would rather fill her carriages with clothes than to bring valuable books .
In an era where even the air was filled with ‘elegance and courtesy’, the stigma of a vulgar nature could completely bring down a noblewoman’s future . In the ten years since then, despite doing everything she could and using every means she knew, she had had no way to restore the reputation that’d been destroyed .
It had been too late .
The gate was tightly shut tonight at the Chen estate . With each change of night shifts, no unexpected guests came to visit through the whole of the night . It made sense, of course, since Chen Rong’s action of dispersing her wealth during the day had spread through town . What blind thieves would take the risk to rob what was now only a small fry?
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye .
Early in the morning, the Wang estate sent a servant to inform the Chens that they were to meet at the south city gate .
By now, the Chen house had finished loading their luggage . Chen Rong sat inside a horse-drawn carriage and marched toward the meeting place .
The streets were packed with carriages . In this hubbub, everyone was rushing to the south gate .
As Chen Rong’s carriage was running on the street, people would turn to look at her from time to time . Faint judging sounds came to her ears: “That’s Ah Rong of the Chen house . ”
“What a beauty . ”
“I heard she had distributed her family wealth to the servants yesterday . Look at her troop, the large Chen estate is now reduced to only a dozen carriages . Was the news true, then?”
“Of course it’s true . Even the godly Wang Qilang made a personal visit . ”
“Only in times of crisis can we see people’s true nature . I heard that despite her young age, Ah Rong of the Chen house still chose honor over money in this turbulent time . That is indeed a difficult thing to do . Difficult thing to do indeed . ”
This translation belongs to hamster428 .
Amid the coming and going buzz, Chen Rong softly smiled and slowly withdrew her gaze .
She soon reached the south gate . Here, she saw the Wang clan’s procession, whose flying flags stretched to the end of sight . It was an impressive spectacle, all right .
As Chen Rong’s carriage approached, a man of about twenty rode near and raised his voice to ask: “Are you Ah Rong of the Chen house?”
The appellation ‘Ah Rong of the Chen house’ had spread like wildfire a day ago . Had this been any other time in the past, he’d surely only call her ‘Miss Chen . ’
Chen Rong drew the carriage curtain and replied, “It is I, Chen Rong . ”
The young man was dressed in a purple cloak, possessing fine facial features . He laughed and remarked, “I see it’s true you’re quite a beauty . Since the Chen estate has few people, you should join the middle of the queue . It will be safer this way . ”
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Gratefulness showed on Chen Rong’s small, beautiful face . She bowed to the man from her sitting position in the carriage, saying: “I thank you, Wulang . ”
Wang Wulang’s bright eyes stared back at Chen Rong as he shook his head and observed, “According to Qilang, Ah Rong of the Chen house carries with her a graceful ease though she is a woman . I hadn’t expected to meet such a ceremonious Ah Rong . ” While saying so, he repeatedly shook his head, seemingly disappointed .
Chen Rong gave a closed-lip smile as she thought to herself: But you’re not Wang Qilang either . If I lack etiquette in front of you, I would be shunned!
Under Wang Wulang’s guidance, the Chen carriages went toward the middle of the queue . The Wangs had so many carriages that one couldn’t see where they ended even if one tried . Compared to them, the Chen estate seemed rather pathetic .
Along the way, Chen Rong learned from the Wangs’ whispers that, this time, smaller families who wanted to join the Wang house were numerous in number . Many of them even offered items much more precious than Chen Rong’s coral, but all were refused by the Wang house .
As soon as the Chen carriages joined the group, they launched full speed ahead, kicking dust with each galloping hoof that gradually obscured the crowd in sight .
Chen Rong turned to look at the city walls that were receding farther and farther behind her . In her memory, the nomadic riders would be attacking this city within a month . Then, they would plunder those who did not leave the city before torching this bustling miniature Jiangnan to ashes .
She had lived in the City of Ping for fifteen years since her previous life, but it was to become just a name in her memory now . Only at night in her dreams would she ever see the familiar courtyard and its occupants again .
Upon this reflection, Chen Rong gave a soft sigh .
Suddenly, Wang Wulang’s chuckle gave rise: “Why does Ah Rong sigh?”
Chen Rong replied in a low voice: “My heart saddens to think I’ll never see this place again . ”
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Wang Wulang grew silent .
After four hours of traveling, Wang Wulang had exhausted the etiquettes required of him as the host . He bade goodbye and returned to the forefront of the team .
Chen Rong closed her eyes to rest . From afar, the Wang girls’ laughter could be heard ahead . These young ladies were raised in the privacy of their chambers; how far beyond the door could they have left? Although they were fleeing at present, in their hearts, this journey still felt more exciting than anything they’d yet encountered .
This translation belongs to hamster428 .
At noon, the crowd began to eat .
Chen Rong sat in her carriage looking to the Wangs’ damask mats and satin cushions spread out on the grass . She quietly shook her head .
The fragrance of meat and wine wafted from the tables . She noted that in front of every young gentleman and lady were four tables, on which filled with food .
She knew these were people who would throw everything away if they didn’t finish it .
She gave some thought and bade Old Shang, who was driving the carriage: “Old Shang, go forward . ”
“Aye . ”
As Chen Rong’s carriage pulled up during the Wangs’ mealtime, dozens of eyes turned her way . From the distance, Wang Wulang stood up, raised his glass toward Chen Rong and flashed a grin: “Is Ah Rong here? Come, come, come and eat with us . ”
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Chen Rong shook her head, gave him a slight curtsy, and then told Old Shang to drive the carriage toward the Wang patriarch, Wang Zhuo .
She gave a quick glance, but not detecting Wang Qilang, quickly withdrew her gaze .
She stepped down from her carriage, faced Wang Zhuo, who was having his meal, and said in her crystalline voice: “Good greetings, Sir Wang . ”
Wang Zhuo was surprised to see her . A congenial smile emerged on his round face: “Ah Rong? Why are you here?”
“I have something I would like to say,” Chen Rong said, bowing again .
“Speak . ”
“On this trip south, there are also a large number of migrating commoners in addition to gentry folks like us . In my humble opinion, even if these commoners had brought all of their wealth along, what they could take would only last for half a month at most, if not ten days . ”
The Wang clan was presently partaking their meal . At her sudden appearance and eloquent talk, all the young ladies of Wang house instantly frowned: It’s said that we do not talk during meals and sleep . This Ah Rong of the Chen house is already very rude for coming when others are eating . Now that she’s here, she has to speak of the dirty and crude commoners, how very inconsiderate . What was wrong with Qilang’s eyes that he praised this woman incessantly?
Chen Rong recognized the dissatisfaction in the eyes of the Wangs, but she just smiled and continued . “They say honor and disgrace can only be discussed after our stomachs are fed . In Ah Rong’s humble opinion, after those commoners finish their food, they might turn desperate due to hunger and cold . ”
Chen Rong’s eyes gave a glance at the line of food heaping high on the tables: “I’m sure you’re not afraid of one or two refugees, but what if there are hundreds and thousands of them? At a time like this, I think meals can afford to be simpler . ”
When she finished, she again bowed to Wang Zhuo and bade Old Shang to turn the carriage around .
As soon as her carriage made the turn, Chen Rong heard a ripple of disdainful laughter behind them: “Ah Rong of the Chen house is such a worrywart . She is the one who is afraid of the commoners . How could she point fingers at us when it was she who dispersed her wealth?”