Having finalized their plan, Shen Mingqing gave Zhao Nuan some instructions before going to find the government runner responsible for allocating mountain areas.
Naturally, such matters weren’t suitable for bringing children along, so Duan Zheng stayed behind to look after things at home.
“Wait, let me change clothes.”
Shen Mingqing: Huh?
“Since I’m posing as a Zhou Family member coming ahead to make arrangements, I can’t dress too shabbily. The more remote and impoverished the place, the more people judge others by their appearance first.”
If Zhao Nuan was going to move about Suizhou, she couldn’t remain hidden forever.
She and Shen Mingqing had agreed that she would use the pretext of being a Zhou Family member arriving early to prepare.
Firstly, this gave her an identity.
Secondly, it would intimidate these government runners, hinting that the Zhou Family still had influence and might possibly be restored to favor.
Most officials assigned to this bitter cold frontier were either demoted or those who had offended powerful figures at court without backing themselves.
Upon learning that a Zhou Family member had come to make advance arrangements, and seeing that although Zhao Nuan wasn’t wearing luxurious silks, her clothes were neat and clean, her hair meticulously combed and adorned with a silver comb, the official immediately became enthusiastic.
“Ah, young Shen, you’ve been away lately – those beggar boys have been slacking off in their work.”
Shen Mingqing introduced her cheerfully: “This lady is from the Zhou Family, here to scout the terrain.”
After speaking, he winked at the official.
Then with some obsequiousness, he said to Zhao Nuan: “Madam Zhou, this is Lord Liu. He oversees all the mountain areas in Suizhou City. You…”
Zhao Nuan clasped her hands over her abdomen, not concealing her assessing gaze.
Overall, he somewhat resembled the Turtle Minister from cartoons.
“Well, greetings, Lord Liu.” Zhao Nuan performed a slight curtsy. “My mistress said there’s no need for special treatment. We just want to find a quiet mountain area, as we may have people coming later to help with charcoal burning. If the space is too small, we won’t be able to manage properly.”
“Killing the hounds after the hares are caught” wasn’t a complimentary phrase. Zhao Nuan was certain that the Yuchi royal family, who had masterminded everything, along with Chancellor Sun’s family, wouldn’t publicly announce to the nation: “We want the Zhou Family, whose achievements overshadow the sovereign, dead and gone forever.”
Sure enough, this Lord Liu nodded repeatedly: “This humble official understands, understands completely.”
Saying this, he brought out a topographic map and invited Zhao Nuan to choose.
For him, wherever she picked would still be for charcoal burning – just granting a favor that cost him nothing.
After making her selection, Zhao Nuan’s smile became more sincere: “Lord Liu has worked hard during your years in Suizhou. Please take this small sum to buy some drinks. When my elderly mistress and young master are settled, we’ll visit you again to reminisce.”
“Madam Zhou, you’re too kind! The Zhou Family has produced heroes for generations. This is just a temporary setback.”
The ten ingots of five-tael government silver were quite heavy. When Lord Liu tucked them into his sleeve, even raising his hands for a bow became somewhat awkward.
“Lord Liu’s talents are wasted here.” Zhao Nuan bowed in return. “I’ll take the deed back now then. We’ll come express our thanks again after getting settled.”
Lord Liu accompanied her all the way to the government office entrance before turning back cheerfully.
The Zhou Family might represent a glimmer of hope. He didn’t want to stay in this damned place a single day longer.
“Whew…”
“I thought you weren’t afraid.”
“When traveling far from home, one’s identity is what one makes of it. I’m not afraid, but the thought of hauling all that stuff up the mountain gives me a headache.”
“Leave it to me.” Shen Mingqing looked up at the surrounding mountains. “I hope you succeed.”
Zhao Nuan glanced at her. “It will definitely work out.”
Having watched so many short videos, she might as well treat this as a wilderness survival show.
Shen Mingqing observed her frowning profile, wondering what background this wet nurse really had to speak so casually about such matters.
Meanwhile, Zhao Nuan was considering whether to transport the supplies up the mountain first or scout the location to build the house beforehand.
Duan Zheng, having served in the military, had experience moving supplies.
Since carts couldn’t enter the mountains, he asked Shen Mingqing to rent some mules.
“Let’s just buy the mules instead,” Zhao Nuan suggested after a moment’s thought. “We’ll need them later to transport charcoal down from the mountain too.”
Shen Mingqing was momentarily stunned. “…Alright then.”
When Lord Liu heard that Zhao Nuan wanted to buy mules for mountain transport, he became even more attentive.
Ultimately, with his assistance, Zhao Nuan purchased three mules for thirty taels of silver.
“Thank you, Lord Liu. Without you, I wouldn’t have known mules are divided into donkey-mules and horse-mules.”
“It’s perfectly normal for the Zhou Family’s lady not to know. Come back to this shop if you need more in the future. He wouldn’t dare cheat you.”
The shopkeeper bowed repeatedly. “I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. The lady clearly isn’t ordinary, and being acquainted with Lord Liu, how could I possibly deceive you?”
Her prompt payment earned praise from the shopkeeper while also putting Lord Liu in his debt.
Lord Liu was so pleased his mustache trembled with laughter.
After buying the mules, Zhao Nuan purchased twenty saws.
This astonished the blacksmith, who stammered, “Madam, saws cost two hundred coins each. Twenty would amount to four taels of silver.”
“Then make it five taels’ worth. We’ll need them anyway, and since we still have some money now, we might as well buy them.”
Saws were more effective than axes for cutting trees, and because they used less iron, they were much cheaper than axes.
When they returned to Shen Mingqing’s house with the mules, Duan Zheng nodded in satisfaction.
“Liu Chen turned out to be decent—he didn’t cheat you.”
“His name is Liu Chen?” Zhao Nuan burst out laughing. “Sounds like the turtle minister from the Dragon Palace.”
Duan Zheng smiled, then shook his head. “Actually, he has some connection with the Marquis. He was a county magistrate back then, unlucky enough to get trapped under a beam during an earthquake. The Marquis happened to be passing by on his return to the capital and saved him. Later, someone submitted a memorial accusing him of unjust conduct as magistrate, claiming it brought divine punishment, so he was demoted here.”
So that’s how it was, Zhao Nuan chuckled inwardly, thinking she had intimidated him herself.
With preparations nearly complete, Shen Mingqing selected about ten youths.
“These are practically raised by me. They’ll carry some supplies up the mountain with us tomorrow. They can run errands for us if needed in the future.”
Zhao Nuan nodded. “Thank you.”
She could tell Shen Mingqing had taught these children well.
Hearing Zhao Nuan’s approval, the youths cheered excitedly.
One slightly sturdier boy shyly asked her, “Sister Zhao, after we finish moving everything, can we have another bowl of sweet ginger soup?”
Shen Mingqing rapped him on the head. “You rascal, always thinking about food.”
“Hehe.”
The other boys chuckled too, several already swallowing saliva.
Looking at their dark faces and sparkling eyes, Zhao Nuan said, “Of course. We’ll add more sweet potatoes to make it even sweeter.”
Come spring, she would plant some sweet potatoes.
The autumn sun had dried sweet potatoes into soft, chewy strips, adding a touch of sweetness to these children’s difficult lives.
Three mules, over ten youths carrying back baskets.
Yan’er rode on a mule, while Zhao Nuan carried Zhou Ningyu on her back.
Perhaps frightened by the sudden sight of so many people, the child cried whenever anyone else tried to hold him and refused to leave Zhao Nuan’s side even for a moment.
The mountain was lush with vegetation, the ground blanketed in a thick layer of fallen leaves, beautifully illuminated by the sunlight.
They had set out before dawn, when the sky was still dim.
Following the mountain stream, it took them four hours to reach the foot of the mountain.