Chapter 16: A Generous Invitation
1131 Words
The young madam nudged the man beside her, who quickly said, "It just so happens that we’re also heading to Suzhou. Why not travel together?"
Meng Tianchu, eager to leave the area as quickly as possible, didn’t think twice and cupped his hands. "Thank you for your generosity!"
Hearing him agree, the young madam’s eyes lit up with joy. She stepped forward and said, "Wonderful! Please, join us in the carriage."
Just as Meng Tianchu was about to climb in, he remembered his forensic kit. He hurried over to the Xia family’s luggage carriage and retrieved his kit, leaving behind the box of books. Carrying the kit back, he tied it to the back of the couple’s luggage carriage and was about to get in when Xiahou Fengyi’s voice called from the inn’s doorway:
"Husband! Are you really leaving? You have no money—how will you..."
Meng Tianchu paused for a moment but didn’t turn around. Coldly, he replied, "No need to worry. We are done. Even if I starve to death, it has nothing to do with your Xia family!" He climbed into the carriage, wiping away tears that had started to well up.
The man and the young madam also boarded the carriage, while their maid and Old Hetou rode in the luggage carriage. The group left the inn behind.
Xiahou Fengyi stood in the doorway, watching the two carriages disappear into the distance, unsure of what to do.
Feiyan whispered, "Miss, what should we do? Should we return to the capital?"
"Return to the capital? No," Xiahou Fengyi replied, shaking her head. "If Father finds out about this, he’ll kill us both."
"Then... we could say he ran off on his own, and we couldn’t find him..."
Xiahou Fengyi shook her head again. "Father wouldn’t believe that."
"Or we could hide somewhere until a year passes and get the divorce letter from him before returning."
"But he already tore up the recommendation letter. He won’t go to Pinghu County. In a year, Father and Mother will definitely send letters or people to check on his situation there. When they find out, it’ll all come crashing down. He might even say something outrageous!"
Feiyan lowered her head. "It’s all my fault. I got so angry thinking about all the awful things he’s done in the past that I just wanted to provoke him. I never thought he’d really have the guts to leave. If I’d known..."
Xiahou Fengyi sighed. "Yes, no matter how much we provoked him before, he always laughed it off and avoided confrontation. But now, it’s like he’s a completely different person. And he’s really left. What should we do? If Father finds out..."
Feiyan hesitated before suggesting, "Maybe... maybe we should catch up to him and apologize. We could just follow him."
Xiahou Fengyi nodded. "There’s no other choice now." Without finishing their meal, they quickly bought some buns and dumplings, called the driver, and set off in pursuit.
In the lead carriage, the man introduced himself and the young madam. His name was Qin Yiyun, and the young madam was his wife. Their maid was named Jiwen. Qin Yiyun was a businessman in Suzhou who had recently visited the capital to see family. Having finished his affairs, he was now returning home.
Meng Tianchu introduced himself in turn.
Qin Yiyun asked, "Brother Meng, what business takes you to Zhejiang?"
Not wanting to mention the recommendation to become a document advisor, Meng Tianchu replied casually, "Just exploring."
The young madam, Madam Qin, frowned and said, "Your wife was so cruel to you earlier. How could she treat you like that? Even we couldn’t stand it."
Qin Yiyun nodded. "Exactly. My wife couldn’t bear it, which is why she offered my clean clothes to you."
Meng Tianchu forced a smile, not wanting to dwell on the painful topic. He turned to look out the window.
Seeing his sadness, Madam Qin offered comfort. "Don’t be upset, brother. You have your health and strength. You can go anywhere and won’t starve."
Qin Yiyun added, "That’s right. But do you have any plans for the future?"
Meng Tianchu replied, "I’ll take things one step at a time. Thank you both for your kindness. I’ll get off at the next town."
Hearing this, Madam Qin panicked. "Don’t! You’ve already spent your money on clothes. Where will you go with nothing left?"
Meng Tianchu thought about his forensic kit—his last possession. It contained items from the modern world that might be of value. He said, "No need to worry. I still have some things I can trade for silver. I won’t starve for now."
Madam Qin clearly didn’t want him to leave and, glancing at Qin Yiyun, said, "We have several shops in Suzhou and need extra help. If you don’t mind, you could come with us and help manage the business."
"This..." Meng Tianchu hesitated. In his current predicament, their offer of friendship moved him deeply. But working as a shop assistant wasn’t what he aspired to. Back in the modern world, he was a forensic expert and a proud professional. Becoming a clerk felt worlds apart from his former life.
As he deliberated, the sound of wheels from behind caught their attention. Madam Qin peeked out and said, "Brother Meng, it looks like your wife’s carriage is catching up."
Meng Tianchu leaned out to look and saw that it was indeed Xiahou Fengyi’s carriage.
He thought to himself, What now? Has she not humiliated me enough? Has she come to deliver more insults? If so, she can’t blame me for being ruthless this time. In the modern world, even during his worst dating failures, he’d never been humiliated as badly as this. Resolving to stand his ground, he said, "Brother Qin, please stop the carriage. I’ll see what they want."
The carriage came to a halt, and Meng Tianchu jumped out, walking toward Xiahou Fengyi’s carriage.
Their carriage also stopped. Feiyan lifted the curtain and glared at Meng Tianchu with her usual disdain.
Crossing his arms, Meng Tianchu sneered, "Why are you following us?"
Feiyan, accustomed to bullying the former Meng Tianchu, retorted sharply, "This is a public road. You can walk on it, and so can we. Who says we’re following you?"
Meng Tianchu nodded. "Good. As long as you’re not following me." He took a few steps back, paused, and said coldly, "Let me give you a piece of advice. Two young women wandering around alone—it’d be a pity if some bandits snatched you up, ravaged you, and sold you to a brothel!"
"You...!" Feiyan’s face turned red with fury, but she was momentarily speechless.
Laughing heartily, Meng Tianchu turned to leave, only to hear Xiahou Fengyi call out, "Husband! Please wait!"
- Writer
