Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 13: Exploring the Old House
"No, no, of course I haven't thrown anything away." The old woman let them in and came to her senses and continued ramblingly, "I think the young lady is thinking about her mother's belongings. There are also some things she used to use. I will have someone pack them up right away. Please take them to the young lady."

"Take it out first and let me see it. You don't have to take everything. You have to pick and choose."

"Ah, good, good."

They did come up with quite a few things—

Most of them are old things left by Tan Huaike’s biological mother.

The Hu Ji was from Wuxu in the western borderlands. When Wuxu was conquered and annexed by the Tilun army, its people were enslaved, and those who escaped migrated to Daxuan. After entering the Pass, Hu Ji earned a living as a dancer. She was bought as a concubine by Tan Li, and lived a comfortable life for several years. Her belongings were all fine clothing and jewelry from Wuxu and Daxuan. They were exquisite, but to Shentu Zhuo, an expert in this field, they looked like styles from many years ago, long out of fashion.

The rest are all Tan Huaike's old things.

They were all children's clothes and toys, including a cloth tiger with a broken thread, a wooden horse with a broken leg, and a rattle in the style of Wuxu weaving. It seemed that they were made by Hu Ji herself for her daughter.

Shentu Zhuo took a rough look and had an idea in his mind. He instructed Ah Shuo and Ah Hui to pack up all the things of Tan Huaike's biological mother and take them back. He didn't even take Tan Huaike's clothes, nor did he want the cloth tiger and wooden horse. He only took the rattle.

While Ah Shuo and Ah Hui were busy, he went to find several other servants.

Just from looking at those old things, Shentu Zhuo had already discovered the most obvious problem: Tan Huaike's clothes were too small and too old. There were only one or two clothes that fit her current size, and they seemed to have been borrowed from somewhere recently. She couldn't even find enough clothes to wear year-round. Who would believe that she had been kept here all her life?

However, Shentu Zhuo did not say anything. He walked around and casually asked other servants in the mansion.

He asked the young cook Tan Huaike what kind of food he liked. The cook hesitated, sometimes saying sweet and refreshing, sometimes saying something with a strong spicy flavor.

He then asked the maid and the old man in the garden about Tan Huaike's personality. The maid said that the young lady was lively and cheerful, and she couldn't stay idle at home, so she often played with him. The old man said that the young lady had a gentle temper, was very quiet, and spoke in a soft voice. She was definitely a good wife.

He looked like two completely different people, and Shentu Zhuo even laughed.

He was about to ask the others about Tan Huaike's preferences, but the old woman who opened the door stopped him, saying that everything was packed and they could take it back. As if afraid they would stay longer, the old woman said apologetically, "I thought the young lady had returned home, or sent someone to pick up something, and it must be at the Tan family mansion in the city. So we didn't make any preparations here, so we won't let you have dinner."

Shen Tu Zhuo said magnanimously: "No, no, we'll leave now. I definitely won't be able to get used to the food here."

After saying that, he called Ah Shuo and Ah Hui and went out.

Ah Shuo, carrying a bulging bag, said, "I don't think there's any problem. At most, the young lady from the Tan family isn't favored, so her life is a little rough."

Ah Hui did notice something unusual, but he was a man of few words. He just followed orders and did his work without asking too many questions. Upon hearing this, he glanced at Ah Shuo indifferently and continued walking forward.

Shen Tu Zhuo touched the jade pendant, thought for a moment, and said, "You two go back to the mansion first. Don't give the things to Tan... or to my sister-in-law. Put them all in my room. I'll be back later."

Ah Shuo asked curiously, "Second Young Master, it's getting late. Where are you going?"

Shen Tu Zhuo obviously didn't intend to tell him, and said, "If mother asks, just say I went to see Chi Fanyu."

After saying this, he turned around and went to Youlin Village again. Ah Shuo was still looking around curiously, and was pulled away by Ah Hui.
-
In the side courtyard of Shentu Mansion, Tan Huaike was comforting Pei'er.

Ever since she'd heard the gossip on the wedding day, Pei'er had been worried the Shentu family would harm her and her. She'd been relatively reassured during the days of the Qinglu ceremony and wake, feeling they wouldn't strike at a time like this. But now that the wedding and funeral were over, the young lady had become a widow, and the thought of her becoming a widower filled her with dread.

Pei'er said worriedly, "My dear, what if they just abandon us?"

Tan Huaike laughed out loud: "Where did you learn that? What? Am I a donkey?"

"That's not what I meant..." "Okay, I'm just teasing you." Tan Huaike said, "Just put your mind at ease. Even if I'm a donkey, my husband who died in the battle is the millstone, and this millstone has something to pull."

"Do you still need to grind the mill later?"

"Of course." Tan Huaike analyzed the situation for her while sorting through his existing land deeds, house deeds, and silver. "Do you still remember what Madam Cao said at the door on the day of our wedding? Madam Cao was kind-hearted. She told me the truth in public, which was a favor to me. The Shentu Mansion is a respectable family after all, and they wouldn't want to give a widow like me an excuse to gossip.

"Besides, the death of the young master was a huge blow to them. The path to military merit was cut off. If they wanted to maintain their status as a noble family, the Shentu family had to find another way out. That's why they were thinking about the new imperial merchant decree. This was their most important chance to turn things around.

"The Tan family is a major merchant in the four counties of Hexi. At least I'm still a daughter of the Tan family, so they won't cut off their support. Even though my father and brother are unreliable, it's okay to borrow their name for now. It would be best if I could take over the business myself later... In short, the Shentu family has to let me run the millstone and won't do anything against me."

Pei'er didn't understand most of what she said, but one thing was very clear to him - his young lady was a capable and opinionated woman, and the Shentu family couldn't do anything to her at the moment.

"As long as the young lady succeeds," Pei'er finally let go of the stone in her heart. "Listen, the bell is ringing. I'll go get the food."

"Remember to call me Madam." Tan Huaike reminded, "Why can't you change your words?"

Normally, marriage meant an independent household, but she had no living husband when she entered the family, and the household expenses were managed by the old lady, so she couldn't divide the family. The mistress of the family was still the old lady, and Pei'er couldn't call her mistress, and since she couldn't see the male owner, she still used to call her "little lady" as she did before she got married.

However, Tan Huaike hoped that Pei'er would adapt quickly, and that everyone else in the mansion would adapt as well, because she needed to consolidate her position in the Shentu family. Even if she was not valued, she was still Shentu Heng's widow, a mistress who deserved a place in the family.

After Pei'er left, Tan Huaike calmed down and thought.

The attack outside the Great Wall had only been a month ago, but it felt like a long, long time had passed. It had been so long that the carefree self she once was had become a blur, and so long that she had grown accustomed to this new identity, like she had become a brand new person.

She was no longer willful and no one could tease her. She had seen the vast world but was trapped in a small room. She had to be cautious with every person she faced and every step she took.

There are many things to do. She has not forgotten the deep hatred of her father and brother, the princess's last wish, and her former ambition.

The most important thing for me now is to find a way to redeem my indenture from Tan Li when I have enough energy. This matter is very risky and there is no need to rush it, but the implications are serious and I must do it without leaving any trace.

That small piece of wood was the shackle that gave her a dual identity, and it was also her proof of her true origin. No matter what, she needed to be free and not be controlled by others.

When he has more money, he will redeem the sapphire beads that the princess gave him first. Only then will he be able to find Prince Mohe and have hope of avenging his father and brother.

And that marriage...

How will the marriage alliance end? Why have all the clues been hidden? Why have Mo He and Da Xuan both chosen silence?
After dinner, Tan Huaike was still immersed in these doubts until night fell.

It was bedtime, and Pei'er also went to sleep. Suddenly, in the quiet courtyard, the sound of a bell rang out.

Ring ring ring.

Ring ring ring.

The voice was small but melodious, slowly approaching from the darkness, like a wandering soul from hell, with resentment and resentment, and stopped by her window.

Ring, ring, ring.

Tan Huaike, already upset, opened the window and shouted angrily, "Shen Tu Zhuo, are you sick?"
-
　Next chapter: Face to face confrontation.

　　Thanks to Mi Li Lang Yan for the monthly ticket~
　　Thanks to Mi Li Lang Yan, Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Han, Xia Xi Chan Ming, Shu Hai Gu Dao, Shu You 8574, and Yu Da Gu Ping for their recommendations~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)