Feng Yu Heng sat in the carriage. She gently lifted the curtain and snowflakes immediately poured in with the wind. Even though she was cold, she immediately shrunk her neck back.
Magistrate Lu glared at her and Feng Yu Heng quickly lowered the curtain. Madam Lu was currently eating rations. She had spent most of these two months in the carriage. Even if they stopped, they would directly go to the inn to rest. All day, other than eating, she would sleep. After two months, she had gained quite a bit of weight.
Feng Yu Heng asked her: "Madam, how much longer until we reach Guan Zhou?" She hugged her body as she spoke, "It's so cold."
Madam Lu also felt cold, but she was fat and had a lot of fat. Therefore, she could not endure it. Finally, she finished eating the last bite of snack and drank some water before saying: "We'll be there in two more days. This is your first time coming to the North. You have to be careful with your words. This place is not like the Central Plains. The people here are fierce. Sometimes, even buying steamed buns can cause a fight."
Feng Yu Heng pretended to be shocked: "Really?"
Reality proved that it was indeed true.
Two days later, the Lu family's carriage stopped outside Guan Zhou City. Feng Yu Heng was the first to get out of the carriage. The driver helped magistrate Lu down. She then went to help madam Lu.
Who would have thought that when madam Lu got out of the carriage, there was a person selling roasted sweet potatoes outside the city gates that was placing raw sweet potatoes into an iron stove. One of them did not hold onto it and rolled out. It rolled right at madam Lu's feet. She did not see it and stepped on it. Her body tilted and she almost fell. Fortunately, Feng Yu Heng and magistrate Lu worked together to support her. Only then did she manage to stabilize her body. Madam Lu lowered her head to look at the sweet potato. She lifted her foot and kicked it away. She casually said: "A group of unruly people."
Her voice was actually very soft. Even the driver in front did not pay attention to it. However, it fell into the ears of the person who had rushed over to pick up the sweet potatoes. Adding on the fact that madam Lu had kicked his sweet potato, this person immediately became angry. He asked with a northern accent: "Who are you talking about? Who are you calling unruly people? The sweet potatoes rolled over by themselves. Do you think I was happy? You even used your feet to kick it. This is something that humans eat. Are your feet made of gold? "
"You —" No matter what, Madam Lu was still the wife of an official. She couldn't do such a thing in public. But just because she couldn't curse, it didn't mean she didn't have any other methods. She pushed Magistrate Lu to the front and said in a small voice: "As a man, you should stick out at this time. What are you hiding behind me for?"
Magistrate Lu also felt that he should speak up. Thus, he pointed at the sweet potato seller and said sternly: "How dare you! A mere commoner actually dares to block an official's carriage? Even if this official were to beat you to death today, no one would stand up for you! "
Feng Yu Heng snickered inwardly. A mere magistrate really thought he was a high-ranking official. However, the customs of the North were indeed fierce. The Lu family's carriage couldn't be considered good, but it definitely wasn't the kind that couldn't be picked out after being thrown into a pile of carriages. Being able to sell things outside the city gates meant that the peddlers were used to seeing people come and go. They should have the basic ability to judge large and small households. However, he still dared to speak to madam Lu like this. Aside from the temperament of the North, there must be some other reason.
When the sweet potato seller saw that magistrate Lu had stepped out, his anger immediately shifted. He wasn't scared by the words "this official" at all. Instead, he pointed at him and said with disdain: "You're just a broken official the size of a sesame seed. You still have the good intentions to show off. Look at your clothes and look at your carriage. If I were to say, you're at most a sixth rank official. You don't even have any real power. What are you showing off for? "
Feng Yu Heng nearly suffered internal injuries from holding it in. This eyesight was truly accurate!
Magistrate Lu's face also turned red from the scolding, as the sweet potato seller continued: "Why don't you take a look at what sort of place Guan Zhou City is. This is the South gate of the North! After passing through Guan Zhou and heading North is Song Zhou. That is where leader Duan Mu is stationed. Every year around this time, there are countless officials that come to celebrate the leader's birthday. I've seen all sorts of officials. Which one of them isn't better than you? I'll tell you that you kicked my sweet potato. Five taels of silver! Give the money! If you don't give it, just stay here. Counting the days, there aren't many days until the leader's birthday. I really want to see, in your hearts, whether celebrating the leader's birthday is more important or these five taels of silver is more important. "
Magistrate Lu was completely convinced. Sure enough, the people of the North were all fierce. Could they still be reasonable? Was there still any law?
But even if he was angry, it was as that person had said. There were not many days until Duan Mu An Guo's birthday. If he did not hurry, he feared that he would be late. Moreover, the other party had already said it to this extent. There were people coming and going at the city's gate that were listening. If he continued to argue, it would mean that he did not place any importance on the leader. That would mean that in his heart, the leader was not worth more than five taels of silver.
This label was placed very well. Even if magistrate Lu was unwilling, he still had to obediently hand over the money. Only then could he successfully enter the city.
Guan Zhou had a rule. When entering or leaving the city, one had to dismount from their horse and get out. After that, they had to be inspected by the guards before they could enter. Especially during this period of time, when the people of the three northern provinces went out, they had to bring along the identification cards that were issued by the government. Those that came to celebrate the birthday needed to bring along a visiting card before they could enter. Also, for the people that came to celebrate the birthday, there was a limit to the number of maidservants that they could bring. Each master was limited to two.
This sort of rule was much stricter than when entering the capital, but the people were still willing to abide by it because Duan Mu An Guo, the local ruler of the North, could indeed allow them to reap some benefits. Now that Qian Zhou was in chaos, the three northern provinces were Dashun's Northern gates. In the eyes of others, Duan Mu An Guo's position had risen by a few levels. Even if the third prince was already deposed, the people still believed that Emperor Tianwu would not touch the Duan Mu family. After all, touching them would be touching the foundation of the North.
It was just that the people did not know that the Duan Mu family had already defected to Qian Zhou. The court already knew about it, but for the sake of not causing panic among the citizens, they did not announce it to the world. As for Duan Mu An Guo, he definitely knew that his matter had already been exposed; however, he still wantonly allowed the officials that had come to celebrate the birthday into the city. Perhaps there was something else going on here.
Feng Yu Heng followed at the side of the Lu family and successfully entered Guan Zhou. This was his first time coming to the North. The sky was still filled with snow, and the snow on the ground had reached his shoes. When he stepped on it, crunching sounds could be heard.
But she did not show any signs of interest. In fact, there was not even a smile on her face. This caused madam Lu to begin to think. When the three got back into the carriage and continued on their way to Song Zhou, she asked: "Qian Xi, it looks to me like you've been to the North before?"
Feng Yu Heng shook her head, "I've never been here before."
"Oh, that doesn't look like it." Madam Lu revealed a cautious expression, saying: "People that come to the North for the first time are usually curious about this world of ice and snow. Why is it that it looks to me like you're very normal. There's no sense of novelty at all?"
Feng Yu Heng sighed, "It should have been a novelty, but this sort of snow makes me think of the Winter disaster that happened in the capital last Winter. So many people died. It's so scary."
When she spoke, her expression was sorrowful. This immediately brought the Lu family couple's thoughts back to last Winter. That Winter disaster affected practically the entire North. Xiao Zhou was not spared. Feng Yu Heng's words dispelled madam Lu's suspicions. She nodded, saying: "That's right! That Winter disaster was really too scary. The snow in Xiao Zhou City reached waist height. I've never seen such heavy snow before. Even in the North, it has never happened before. "
Once the topic became serious, no one was in the mood to talk. This was exactly what Feng Yu Heng wanted. She simply leaned against the carriage in a daze. But even though she seemed to be in a daze, her mind was constantly turning, thinking about everything she might encounter after arriving in Song Zhou.
The carriage traveled for another five days before finally arriving in Song Zhou.
Compared to Guan Zhou, the traveling expenses at the city gate here were much stricter. Outsiders even had to register on paper. If they encountered any suspicious people, they would be asked to provide proof of household registration.
Madam Lu patted her forehead and said to Feng Yu Heng: "When I bought you, I really forgot to ask them for your household registration."
Feng Yu Heng also had a bitter expression as she said: "Even if they asked for it, there shouldn't be any. Young master can't bring those things when he goes out. After all, within Hetian Prefecture, no one has the ability to cause trouble for him."
Madam Lu felt that what she said was reasonable. Thus, she nodded and said: "It's fine. In any case, we are relatives of the Duan Mu family. In the past years, we have never been questioned too much."
Reality proved that madam Lu was right. When the guards saw the Lu family's name card, they immediately sent someone to escort them to the designated inn to rest.
When madam Lu entered the city, she raised her head high. She was very proud and arrogant, as if she was superior to everyone else here.
Finally, the guide stopped in front of a three-story inn. He pointed inside and said to Madam Lu: "This is the resting place that Lord Lieutenant has specially prepared for his colleagues who have come to celebrate his birthday. Madam, please come inside. There is a special room reserved for you and Lord Magistrate."
Arriving here, madam Lu's position was naturally much higher than magistrate Lu's. It was to the point that the servants all looked at her. Magistrate Lu had completely become a subordinate. He wasn't unwilling and obediently followed madam into the inn. Then, a waiter led them to the room.
The room had two rooms. The master slept inside. Naturally, the servants on night watch slept outside. Feng Yu Heng quickly carried the luggage outside then helped madam Lu sit down. While pouring some tea for her, she very happily said: "Everyone says that in the North, even the third rank officials in the capital are inferior. Back in the Feng manor, master said that even if he came to the North, he would have to wait for leader Duan Mu to summon him before he could meet him. However, this servant just saw that the servants here were so polite to madam. Thinking about it, madam must be someone who has a say here. This servant is honored to follow madam. "
Madam Lu was praised to the point and immediately smiled, "That's right. Although I am from a branch family of the Duan Mu family, I have often come to the North. Naturally, I am much closer to the main family." As she spoke, she glanced at magistrate Lu and continued: "Moreover, isn't there a concubine's daughter that married over? Although she doesn't have any blood relations with me, I am still a member of the Lu family. I still have to give her some face. Master, "She turned and said to magistrate Lu:" Later, send someone to inquire about that girl's situation. Since we came this time, we have to meet her. "
Magistrate Lu nodded, "That's natural. Otherwise, sending her here would have lost its meaning." As he spoke, he stood up and walked to the window to look outside. It didn't matter if he didn't look, but when he looked, he let out a "ya" sound. Then, he turned his head and said to madam Lu: "Madam, something's wrong outside!"
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