Chapter 11: A Glimpse of the Past

The Ning family feared she would endure hardship in Liangzhou, so years ago they deliberately sold their shop in the capital and purchased nearly half a street of shops west of Liangzhou city. This was once celebrated as a heartwarming story; everyone assumed the Nings were so pleased with this marriage that they spared no effort in preparing the dowry.

A parent's love for their child leads them to plan with far-reaching care.

Only Ning Junruo truly understood the painstaking intentions hidden within her elders’ actions.

When she previously visited the Xuan Nu Temple, she had passed by these shops. But whenever she saw them, she thought of the shops in the capital, which were the Ning family's primary source of income.

Living in the capital was no easy matter. The annual social obligations alone were a considerable expense. Without income from those shops, she wondered if the Ning family had to tighten their belts.

Seeing these things brought bittersweet feelings to her heart, making her unwilling to linger.

This time, since she had promised the Dowager Consort to stay for several days, she had to investigate where the losses had come from.

The largest inn in Liangzhou, the Ning’an Inn, was bought by the Ning family in her name. In the backyard of the inn was a secluded courtyard built especially for her, never used to entertain outsiders.

Though Ning Junruo had never stayed there in five years, the courtyard was cleaned and maintained daily without fail.

Because the lady had specifically instructed that since the young mistress was alone in Liangzhou, she must not be left without a place to rest.

Not only was the courtyard cleaned every day, but maids and caretakers were kept on hand to be ready in case the young mistress returned suddenly.

In the courtyard, Manager Yuan was instructing the maids and caretakers to speak little and work diligently, making sure to serve the young mistress and her guests well, warning them not to blame him for being harsh if they failed.

It was already March, yet the wind in Liangzhou still carried a biting chill.

Fortunately, the carriage was warm enough. Ning Junruo closed her eyes, lost in thought, while Huai Xi and Nurse Wei whispered softly.

“Miss truly impressed everyone today; I was quite worried on her behalf,” Huai Xi murmured.

She asked softly, “Nurse, do you think Miss should stay longer?”

“As long as Miss wishes, I am in favor,” Nurse Wei replied.

Ning Junruo leaned comfortably against the soft seat with her eyes closed, unaware of the fond gaze Nurse Wei cast upon her.

The carriage slowly came to a halt. Just as Ning Junruo opened her eyes, the driver called out loudly, “Reporting to the Princess Consort: there seems to be a fight ahead, blocking many carriages.”

Huai Xi immediately lifted a corner of the curtain to peek out. “It really looks like a fight.”

Zisu rode over on horseback, leaning down to lift the curtain. “I looked ahead; there’s a brawl and it looks like we’ll be stuck for a while. If Miss can’t wait, I can lead you through a shortcut.”

Having always been escorted by carriage, Ning Junruo had yet to experience the local customs of Liangzhou. Hearing this, she agreed without hesitation.

The three of them had just stepped down when Zisu led the horse forward. “This alley is home to common folk, a mixed and unruly lot. Miss must be careful.”

Ning Junruo nodded. “It’s good to see how the people live.”

Handing the reins to the attendants, Zisu, dressed in sturdy attire, led them to the nearby Qingyi Alley.

The uneven cobblestone street was crowded with people, noisy and lively.

The scents of fish and herbs mingled with the rising calls of street vendors, creating a vivid sense of everyday life.

It was her first visit to such a place; Ning Junruo’s eyes darted everywhere.

She was just turning her gaze toward a young herbalist girl when a child suddenly ran into her arm.

She had been so focused on the ironmonger's shop that she hadn’t noticed the scruffy boy.

Trained in martial arts, Zisu swiftly grabbed him. “You bump into someone and try to run off!”

The child was thin and weak, his tattered clothes making him look pitiful. He raised his dirty face timidly toward Ning Junruo and mumbled, “I... I didn’t mean to.”

His bright eyes looked innocent, yet Ning Junruo saw stubbornness and defiance within them.

She looked at his swollen, reddened arm peeking from beneath his short sleeve. “Give him some silver and have him get his arm checked.”

Nurse Wei quickly withdrew two small silver coins from her pouch and pressed them into the boy’s hand.

He stared at her in disbelief.

“How rude! Who told you to stare at Miss like that!” Zisu tightened her grip, making the boy wince in pain, but he still refused to look away.

“Let go, don’t scare her,” Ning Junruo said with a gentle smile.

As soon as Zisu released him, the boy bolted away like the wind.

“Truly, rough mountains breed rude folk. No manners, and he took the silver without even a thank you,” Zisu grumbled, watching his retreating figure.

Ning Junruo shook her head with a smile. “Forget it, there’s no need to be angry with a child.”

“Miss is simply too soft-hearted,” Huai Xi remarked.

Huai Xi looked at a group of slightly bigger children squatting on the ground playing with stones. “Don’t these kids go to school? Why have we met so many unruly children along the way?”

Nurse Wei’s round, kindly face showed sympathy. “Look at these people—either their faces are sallow or full of sorrow, indicating a hard life. The writing materials in Liangzhou are imported and cost about thirty percent more than in the capital. How many children in ordinary families can afford to study?”

“No wonder people say the four northwestern provinces are backward. If Liangzhou is like this, the others must be worse.”

“This alley is truly filthy and chaotic. We can’t come here again.”

...

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Ning’an Inn.

Manager Yuan craned his neck anxiously at the entrance. Seeing them, he greeted them with delight.

“I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Miss, please come inside and rest.”

He escorted her to the courtyard gate and wisely withdrew.

Upon entering, she saw over a dozen maids and caretakers standing in two lines at the doorway, bowing deeply. “Welcome home, Miss.”

Ning Junruo was momentarily stunned; tears shimmered in her eyes.

She had only visited once when the courtyard was newly built. Now, with flowers and plants flourishing, seeing the familiar furnishings nearly brought her to tears.

The furniture and plants were remarkably similar to those in the capital chamber. How much care had been taken?

Ning Junruo only regretted not coming sooner.

Lost in thought, a maid with a capital city accent entered carrying a bronze basin to help them wash their hands and change clothes.

“Alas! My sachet is missing!” Ning Junruo realized as she changed that the fragrant pouch tied to her waist was gone.

Though not valuable, it was painstakingly sewn by her mother’s own hand. Whenever she missed her parents, she would hold it close, inhaling its scent.

“That little thief!” Zisu set down her tea cup and hurried outside. “Don’t worry, Miss. I’ll find him. When I catch him, he won’t get away scot-free!”