Since traveling by water was faster, it was soon time to leave home. Qi Jiao and her entourage boarded the large boat bound for the capital.
Bringing along the two children, Xia Jiao and A Hu, Qi Jiao asked Chun Niang to accompany them so that Chun Niang could help share the burden of taking care of the kids.
Since Chun Niang was going, there was no way to leave Niu Niu behind. During this period, Niu Niu had been eating well and sleeping soundly, and her face had rounded out a lot.
Qi Jiao was also reluctant to part with Niu Niu in her heart.
Moreover, everyone in the family had their own affairs. Leng Yao had recently become pregnant and simply couldn't spare the time.
With three children in tow, Qi Jiao and Chun Niang were already a bit overwhelmed.
As for Pei Xia, as he was responsible for protection, he spent most of the twelve hours by Hui Zhenyu's side, leaving very little time to take care of the children.
Fortunately, Fang Yunxin was extremely considerate and directly assigned two of the servants who had previously taken care of Shuang Jiang to Qi Jiao. Only then were they able to avoid chaos and ensure that both the adults and children could rest well.
**
Spring is the most beautiful season of the year. In mid - April, the official boat sailed steadily northward along the canal.
The clear blue water and the blue sky, the fragrant plants on the banks, were all beautiful scenery in sight.
"Jiao Niang, come and have a look quickly. We're about to reach Luzhou.
When we get to the dock, we'll disembark and then take a carriage for two hours, and we'll be in the capital!"
Qi Jiao and the two children had just finished breakfast when Fang Yunxin pulled her out of the cabin.
Of course, Fang Yunxin was more familiar with the return journey to the capital than Qi Jiao. As they were getting closer to home, Fang Yunxin was quite excited. She pointed at the increasingly clear outline of the city in the distance and introduced it to Qi Jiao.
Hearing that they were almost there, Qi Jiao also perked up. "Sister has such a good memory. If I traveled this far, I'd never remember the route. I'd be completely confused."
Fang Yunxin laughed heartily. "Once I take you home, grandmother will surely like you very much. Maybe she'll even take you as her granddaughter."
Qi Jiao replied with a smile, "I've long admired the old lady's grace. I'll surely pay my respects to her when the time comes."
The women were staying at this end of the official boat. Qi Jiao could see Pei Xia at the other end.
Pei Xia was standing beside Hui Zhenyu, and the two were looking at the water and chatting about something.
The boat sailed for another half - day and finally reached the territory of Luzhou.
The group disembarked to rest and reorganize. After having a meal at an inn, they changed to carriages and smoothly reached the territory of the capital.
It was already dusk when they reached the city gate. The last golden rays of the setting sun shone on the watchtower on the city wall, looking magnificent and grand.
Qi Jiao lifted the curtain and looked out. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, she was deeply shocked.
The city gate was painted red with golden nails, and carved with winged horses and flying dragons. It was tall and wide.
Both the common people and the noble lords passing by all had a radiant look on their faces.
Grand, magnificent, and full of wealth and splendor. This was the capital.
The Duke's Mansion and the Marquis's Mansion had both sent their trusted stewards to greet them at the city gate early on.
When the Fang and Hui families saw their masters, Hui Zhenyu and Fang Yunxin, they poured out their feelings.
However, this didn't affect their efficiency in handling affairs.
After a simple greeting, Qi Jiao followed Fang Yunxin back to the Duke's Mansion.
As for Hui Zhenyu, he had to rush back to the Marquis's Mansion to handle official business. Due to his status, he was afraid that the Marquis's Mansion would treat his wife badly, so he decided to let Fang Yunxin return to her natal home first.
Pei Xia would surely follow Hui Zhenyu.
Both the husband and wife were smart people. They just exchanged a glance from afar as a farewell.
After all, they would see each other soon.
The Duke's Mansion.
The Duke of Wei's Mansion was an established noble family. It was a seven - courtyard mansion with five side - yards. Every plant, every brick, and every tile carried the family's heritage.
Before Fang Yunxin set off with Qi Jiao, she had written a letter home in advance, mentioning all of Qi Jiao's good qualities in the letter.
Her mother, Lady Fang, had always doted on her eldest daughter. After reading the letter, she also took a fancy to Qi Jiao. She had already had a courtyard cleaned up specifically for Qi Jiao and her companions, and had also sent two capable maids and two capable women - servants.
After the family returned to the mansion, they first paid their respects to the elders.
After the formalities were completed and the family had taken a good look at Shuang Jiang, Fang Yunxin was as eager as if she were showing off a precious treasure. She quickly pulled Qi Jiao to meet everyone.
The old lady was indeed a kind - faced and amiable elder. When she saw Qi Jiao, she immediately took a liking to her. She didn't look down on Qi Jiao just because she was a merchant's daughter. Instead, she said warmly, "Jiao Niang, don't be a stranger to me. Since you're Yunxin's close friend, stay in the mansion well. If there's anything you lack, just tell your aunt."
Aunt here referred to Lady Fang, Fang Yunxin's biological mother.
Fang Yunxin and Lady Fang looked about fifty percent alike. Naturally, Qi Jiao loved Lady Fang because of her fondness for Fang Yunxin. She respectfully bowed to Lady Fang.
Lady Fang let go of Shuang Jiang in her arms and personally helped Qi Jiao up. "Good child. From now on, just think of me as having one more daughter. I heard you have a pair of children. Where are they? Hurry and bring them here for us to see."
The servants quickly carried Xia Jiao and A Hu over. Qi Jiao taught them to greet everyone.
The two children's voices were soft and sweet, and their pronunciation was very clear. Standing side by side with Shuang Jiang, their cute and endearing looks made everyone in the room love them to bits.
After chatting, they sat down to have a meal. After the meal, Fang Yunxin sent her trusted senior maid to escort Qi Jiao and her group back to the side - yard.
"The mansion is really being too generous. I've brought a wet - nurse with me. Sister, you've already sent two people for me. Zhen Zhu, you'd better take them back." Qi Jiao said with a smile as she declined, looking at the four maids and servants in front of her.
But Zhen Zhu said, "Lady Qi, you're not an outsider. You don't know. The lady originally wanted to send more people, but then she thought it over and reduced the number. Moreover, since you've just come to the capital, you may not be familiar with many things. You'll surely need them in the future."
In this case, Qi Jiao had no choice but to accept them all. "It's getting late today. I'll go and thank the old lady and the lady tomorrow."
Zhen Zhu smiled, gave a few instructions to the maids, and then took her leave.
After the long journey, Qi Jiao was already extremely tired. She didn't inquire in detail about the people in the Duke's Mansion. Seeing that the children were well taken care of by the servants, she felt relieved. She quickly washed up and fell into a deep sleep.
Perhaps it was because of the high bed and soft pillows in the Duke's Mansion that Qi Jiao slept soundly and sweetly that night.
Early the next morning, Qi Jiao got up and got busy.
She changed into a flowing satin outfit, a skirt with a pattern of wild geese, a low - key yet luxurious outfit. She also wore a set of South Sea pearl headdress. In her hair was the double - petaled hibiscus gold hairpin that Pei Xia had given her, looking elegant and noble, making it hard to guess her status.
There were bound to be many social events during her trip to the capital, so Qi Jiao had long prepared all kinds of gifts.
There were gifts suitable for men, women, the old, and the young.
Most of the less expensive gifts had been shipped to the capital a few days ago.
Qi Jiao carried the valuable ones with her, such as the gifts she was going to give to the old lady and Lady Fang of the Fang family today.
Qi Jiao was well - versed in the ways of the world. These two women had the highest status and absolute power in the Fang Mansion, and they were Fang Yunxin's grandmother and mother respectively.
Qi Jiao had prepared the gifts with extra care.
For each of them, there were twenty top - grade South Sea pearls, a set of jadeite headdress, two coral bracelets, two top - grade down jackets, ten bolts of brocade satin produced by the Tang Han Weaving Workshop, and two bottles of perfume and scented lotion each.
The old lady also got an extra agarwood walking stick compared to Lady Fang.
In addition, everyone in the Fang Mansion received corresponding gifts.
Even the servants in the Fang Mansion received the minced crab roe and tea bags that Qi Jiao had given them.
For a while, everyone in the Fang Mansion praised the newly - arrived "Lady Qi" to the skies and respected her as if she were a young lady of the mansion.