Chapter 7: Seeking Plum Blossom

Chapter 7: Seeking Plum Blossom

"Where is the chilblain cream that Xun Mei gave me? Bring it to me." Meng Yuan instructed Jiang Tang.

Jiang Tang obediently went to fetch it and soon returned with the cream.

Meng Yuan tucked it into his embrace and stood up, saying, "I'll go ask Li Zhuangtou."

"I'll come with you," Jiang Laobo hurriedly said.

"I can go by myself," Meng Yuan smiled, reassuringly, "Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble. I just want to ask a question."

Stepping out, they saw the howling north wind, a starless sky, and the sound of dogs barking, signaling an impending snowfall.

At Li Zhuangtou's courtyard, Meng Yuan got straight to the point, "Zhuangtou, what about my request to learn martial arts in the Royal Mansion?"

Li Zhuangtou sighed, "Alas, there's no way. I specifically asked, but the Empress Dowager wants a child. The two taels of silver you sent were also used, and I even had to add another tael. But there's just no way to get through this."

Li Dabiao laughed, "I told you, little castrator, just focus on your work. In three to five years, if the Empress Dowager still needs someone, my dad will definitely go and plead for you!"

This father and son were quite amusing, treating people like fools.

"Then I'll trouble you, Zhuangtou."

Meng Yuan didn't want to drag it out, and added, "Zhuangtou, I'm thinking of taking a day off tomorrow to go into town and get some medicine."

"Get medicine? What about tomorrow's work?" Li Zhuangtou was immediately anxious, "Listen, when you get old, you'll get sick, and medicine won't help. You should just focus on your work, that's the right thing to do!"

"I haven't even learned my craft yet. If Jiang Laobo gets sick and can't work, the loss will be on the village. I'll make up for it by working extra after I get the medicine." Meng Yuan appealed to Li Zhuangtou's soft spot.

Hearing this, Li Zhuangtou finally agreed.

By the time Meng Yuan left the village, snowflakes were already fluttering in the air.

Without having breakfast, Meng Yuan headed straight out of the village, not towards Clearwater Town, but directly towards Songhe City.

The reason Li Zhuangtou had gained such influence was due to his status as an elder servant who had accompanied the Empress Dowager as part of her dowry. This was the sole reason for his preferential treatment.

Therefore, to counter his influence, one must sever the protection of the Empress Dowager!

Of course, years of master-servant relationship couldn't be severed so easily.

Li Zhuangtou's usual dealings in reselling manure, piglets, and chicks were not considered major issues, and at most, he would receive a scolding.

However, based on recent events, the Empress Dowager's emphasis on rules, kindness, consideration for the people, and reputation was evident.

When Xun Mei had previously inquired about someone using the Royal Mansion's name to take advantage of others, she was the Empress Dowager's close attendant, and her inquiry was as good as the Empress Dowager's. This showed that the Empress Dowager was also on guard against her subordinates, but she hadn't caught Li Zhuangtou's misdeeds.

But now, Li Zhuangtou was colluding with outsiders, humiliating single women and widows, and using the Royal Mansion's name to seize others' land, clearly offending the Empress Dowager's taboos and damaging her good name.

Therefore, to counter his influence, one must start here.

Of course, Meng Yuan didn't have the power to directly counter him, and needed to borrow a knife. Xun Mei was that borrowed knife.

As the wind and snow intensified, the world turned white.

With the internal essence and fire growing stronger within him, Meng Yuan became less and less afraid of the cold, his body filled with vigor, and he didn't feel tired even as he hurried through the snow.

"Without power, money, or a knife in hand, it's truly difficult to get things done!" Meng Yuan ran forward, slipping and falling on his butt, feeling even more that he needed to learn martial arts.

Only by doing so could he avoid being treated like a castrated animal and live up to the name of 'Caun Jiang'.

After running and walking for over forty miles, he finally reached Songhe City around noon.

Meng Yuan first went to get the medicine and, while he was at it, asked about the location of the Royal Mansion. Only then did he set off with the medicine bag.

After half an hour, he arrived at the grand entrance of the Royal Mansion, which was already lit up with lanterns and colorful decorations, exuding a festive atmosphere.

"Go to the back door," Meng Yuan was instructed after expressing his gratitude.

At the back door, he saw a maid guarding it.

"Sister, I'm from the Southern Livestock Farm, here to see Xun Mei," Meng Yuan said, offering two coins and taking out the porcelain bottle of chilblain cream from Xun Mei.

"Xun Mei is busy during the festival. Please wait," the maid said, seeing Meng Yuan's disheveled state but unable to hide his handsomeness. She took the money and porcelain bottle and went to inform Xun Mei, returning after a while to say, "I've reported your arrival. Please wait. If she doesn't come, it's not my fault."

Meng Yuan thanked her and stood by the wall, his mind turning.

There were two difficulties with this task.

The first was that Xun Mei was busy and couldn't see him, so Meng Yuan had specifically brought the porcelain bottle of chilblain cream, hoping Xun Mei would see the old item and remember their past affection.

The second difficulty was that the nature of this task was essentially reporting someone. If he reported honestly, Xun Mei would probably think it was because Li Zhuangtou had stopped him from learning martial arts, and that's why he was secretly investigating Li Zhuangtou's wrongdoings, harboring a grudge.

In this case, even if Li Zhuangtou's misdeeds were dealt with, Xun Mei might still feel resentment.

This was a real test of adaptability.

"Always worrying and toiling, I should've just become a close attendant!" Meng Yuan sighed inwardly.

After half an hour, covered in snow, he finally smelled a faint plum blossom fragrance.

Xun Mei stood at the door, wearing a light-colored cloak. She had just seen someone holding a porcelain bottle, seeking an audience.

With the festival approaching, it was a time for exchanging gifts. Xun Mei was accustomed to worldly manners and, upon asking the maid, learned that the young man had come with a grass paper package, which made her feel a bit displeased.

The last time Xun Mei gave the chilblain cream, she had hinted to the young man that if he was earnest and diligent, she would definitely help him in the future. She hadn't expected that, not even a month later, he would come bearing gifts and trying to curry favor.

It seems that Meng Yuan is a clever and opportunistic individual, blessed with good looks but lacking in substance. He even played the act of standing in the snow, clearly having never read a book, which is truly uninteresting.

"Meng Yuan?" Xun Mei's voice was calm as she tucked her hand into her sleeve.

As soon as Xun Mei spoke, the young man snapped out of his daze, his face turning red. His eyes were exceptionally clear, and a happy smile appeared on his face as he exclaimed excitedly, "Sister Xun Mei!"

"How did you get here?" Xun Mei maintained her cold demeanor.

The young man held up the bundle of grass paper in his hand and explained, "Jiang Laobo has a chronic cough, and I took leave to buy medicine. I originally planned to go to Clearwater Town, but I've never been there before. With the heavy snow, I got lost, so I followed the main road to the city instead."

"Then how did you find this place?" Xun Mei was relieved to learn that the young man was here to seek medicine for his family, rather than delivering gifts.

The young man's gaze was direct and sincere as he explained, "With the heavy snow, I saw many homeless people by the city walls. I thought that if the Empress Dowager doesn't take us in, I'll still follow her and bow to show my gratitude. Since I'm already in the city, I figured I should come and bow to the Empress Dowager, and also to thank you, Sister Xun Mei."

"You're not lying to me, are you?" Xun Mei asked.

"No, no." The young man quickly waved his hands, still holding the medicine bag. "I need to bow to the Empress Dowager and Sister Xun Mei, then hurry back to prepare medicine for Jiang Laobo."

"Don't rush. Listen to me," Xun Mei said, no longer feeling any animosity towards the young man. Instead, she found him sincere and genuine, a person who values both loyalty and filial piety. Even his good looks became more pleasing to the eye.

Xun Mei led the young man inside and into a side room, where she removed her cloak and personally poured him a cup of tea.

"Thank you, Sister Xun Mei," Meng Yuan sincerely expressed his gratitude.

"How are the living conditions in the village?" Xun Mei asked.

"Sister, I'm a survivor of the famine, so having a place to sleep is enough for me," Meng Yuan said with a smile.

"You're quite content," Xun Mei smiled and nodded, then asked, "Tell me honestly, has Li Zhuangtou done anything wrong?"

"Well..." Meng Yuan felt a bit awkward, but seeing Xun Mei's sincerity, he replied, "I saw him selling manure outside, and he also sent chicken eggs and chicks away."

Meng Yuan only mentioned minor incidents.

"It's not greed, but he's from my hometown, so I can't treat him too harshly."

Xun Mei smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager ordered people to send eligible children to learn martial arts, but why didn't you come? I think you might be a martial arts prodigy."

"Sister, you're joking," Meng Yuan held his teacup and said sincerely, "I'm not hiding anything from you. I discussed it with Jiang Laobo, and we planned to give it a try. We even paid to ask the village head, but he said I came to the village too late and told me to wait for a couple of years. I'm just a stranger, waiting a few years won't hurt."

"That's an outsider's perspective. The earlier you start martial arts, the better. Waiting a few years will be too late," Xun Mei said with a smile.

"It doesn't matter. I don't understand martial arts anyway, whether I practice or work in the village, it's all the same to me." Meng Yuan had a simple and honest demeanor, devoid of desires.

Meng Yuan spoke like an old and loyal subject.

"I didn't expect you to be so sensible," Xun Mei nodded in approval and asked, "Have you eaten lunch? I'll have someone bring you some food."

"Sister, please don't," Meng Yuan quickly stood up to refuse, holding the medicine bag. "I need to prepare medicine for Jiang Laobo, and there's work to be done in the fields. I can't afford to waste time."

"Do you think I don't know the difference between wheat and barley? During the winter solstice, farmers don't go out either. What work is there to do in the fields?" Xun Mei asked with a smile.

Meng Yuan honestly replied, "I was almost starved to death on the side of the road. It's thanks to the Empress Dowager that I have food and clothing. I can do more work, but I can't afford to delay."

Xun Mei was initially smiling, but after hearing this, she put down her teacup and asked, "Where is the newly purchased land located?"

"It's on the west side of the village, about ten acres. We're almost done plowing, and we've already applied fertilizer. Sister, rest assured, I guarantee a bountiful harvest next year," Meng Yuan said sincerely.

Xun Mei nodded, then after a moment of thought, she smiled and took out several silver coins from her embroidered pouch, saying, "You've worked hard to come here. Since you don't want to eat, keep this money and buy some food on the way."

"Sister Xun Mei, I have no shortage of food and drink in the village, and I receive a monthly salary. I can't accept this money," Meng Yuan refused, very firmly.

"Then I won't force you. You have a simple and honest nature, perhaps too honest. If anyone bullies you, just come to me. Don't let my title of 'Sister' go to waste," Xun Mei smiled and said, "Also, don't tell anyone about your visit today."

Meng Yuan agreed and bid farewell to Xun Mei.

Throughout this encounter, Meng Yuan didn't utter a single lie, speaking only the truth.

"It's hard to pretend to be smart, but even harder to pretend to be simple. Fortunately, I'm naturally pure and genuine, so it's not an act," Meng Yuan vowed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end