My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 96

Chapter 96: Avalanche

Back in the room, the two of them were sleeping soundly. In the middle of the night, Song Changxu heard something hitting the window, a pattering sound.

Song Changxu was a lighter sleeper than Xu Zhizhou. He woke up at the sound. The room was dark, and the lanterns hanging in the corridor gave off a dim light.

He went to light a candle. The charcoal brazier had already gone out. He put on his cape, opened the window, and hail fell into the room. A cold wind blew fiercely.

Song Changxu quickly closed the window.

Hearing the noise, Xu Zhizhou subconsciously felt for the person next to him and found no one. He said vaguely, “What are you doing?”

Song Changxu blew out the candle and got back into bed. It was much warmer in the quilt. He said, “I heard a loud noise. I looked, and it’s hailing outside.”

Xu Zhizhou said “ah.” He was a little awake, but he didn’t want to go and see. It was not yet dawn. He lay in Song Changxu’s arms. “Let’s go to sleep first. The hail won’t last long.”

Song Changxu nodded.

When Song Changxu woke up the next day, he could still hear the loud noise outside. It seemed that the hail had not yet stopped.

It was cold as soon as he got out of the quilt. Song Changxu put on his official robe and went to the Ministry of Personnel for work. It was much easier with a carriage now. He held an umbrella, and the hail was falling straight down. Song Changxu quickened his pace.

“Sir Song.”

Hearing a familiar voice, Song Changxu stopped. Director Zongzheng came over with an umbrella. He greeted him, and the two of them quickly went to the eaves to avoid the hail.

Director Zongzheng looked at the hail hitting the ground and sighed. “We haven’t had such hail in a long time. It’s not a good thing for the common people if it lasts for a few more days.”

Song Changxu said thoughtfully, “You’re right, Sir Zongzheng.”

When they reached the Ministry of Personnel, Ding Minde brought over the documents and also filled his teapot with hot water. He liked to drink goji berry and red date tea. This time, Song Changxu had also brought some Tieguanyin from home.

His brother-in-law had brought it over last night. He still had to drink some proper tea occasionally. But the goji berry and red date tea was also not bad.

Ding Minde withdrew from the room. He rubbed his arms and murmured to himself, “It’s so cold. I have to buy some more coal after work today, or I’m afraid the price will go up.”

He was a native of the capital. His family lived in a low-lying lane and farmed for a living. They had finally opened a grocery store in the lane, and he had worked his way up to the Ministry of Personnel. The family’s life was much better.

As long as he didn’t make a mistake or take the blame for someone else, he could work in this position until he was fifty or sixty. Sir Song was a good person. It was clear that he was not the kind of person who would let his subordinates take the blame. Ding Minde’s mood improved again. After so many years in the Ministry of Personnel, he knew how important it was to have a good superior.

Song Changxu did not yet know that he had been highly praised by Ding Minde. He flipped through the documents and approved a few pages. The hail outside finally stopped at noon.

When he went to the dining hall for his meal, he rarely thought about whether there was a shadow of this hail in the original novel. He could no longer remember, or perhaps it was not mentioned at all. After all, it was mainly about the love story of the two protagonists.

The matter of the hail not being mentioned should be a simple event.

Song Changxu told Pei Shengrong about his wine making. Pei Shengrong said with surprise, “So you even know how to make wine, Brother Song. When the plum wine is ready, I’ll have to have a taste.”

He was rarely so shy. “I just did it according to my own ideas. I’m afraid the taste won’t be to your liking.”

Pei Shengrong: “I’ll just have it for the novelty. It was hailing last night. I was reading and was almost scared.”

Song Changxu hesitated. “You weren’t asleep at that hour, Brother Pei?”

Pei Shengrong said, “I had some insomnia and started to read a ghost story. The more I read, the more energetic I became. You know, Brother Song, I never used to read these things. After I became the third-place graduate, I couldn’t help but be a little presumptuous.”

Song Changxu: “…You’ve been suppressed for too long, Brother Pei.”

Pei Shengrong: “What you said is interesting, Brother Song, but I know that my parents are doing what’s best for me, so in the end, I also got a good result. My result is not that good. After all, I’m just a pretty face, wuwu.”

Song Changxu comforted him, “The third-place graduate of the first class still has to have real substance. You see, some people are good-looking but have not become the third-place graduate.”

Pei Shengrong immediately stopped crying. He was quickly coaxed. “You’re right, Brother Song. I still have some substance in me.”

Song Changxu thought to himself that he was really easy to coax.

After he had cried, Pei Shengrong was even hungrier. He, who had previously looked down on the food in the dining hall, now ate a full bowl.

“My appetite has actually gotten bigger,” Pei Shengrong was a little shocked, and also a little worried about getting fat. He was the face of their family. He had been like a little white dumpling since he was a child.

Song Changxu held his forehead and said, “In the winter, the body consumes energy to keep warm. It’s good for your health to eat a little more.”

Pei Shengrong was fine again and ate with great pleasure.

The two of them separated at the dining hall. Pei Shengrong thought of something. He said, “Another day, I’ll go back to the Imperial College to find Brother Shen. I haven’t been back since I became an official. I miss the food there a little.”

Song Changxu was a little curious about the Imperial College. He echoed, “Brother Pei, you should take me with you then.”

Pei Shengrong readily agreed.

.

When Xu Zhizhou woke up, he washed up and waited for the hail to stop. After lunch, he went to see his hot pot shop.

The tables and chairs had already been moved in. Xu Zhizhou had also gone to buy a cook and had told him the base material Song Changxu had mentioned, and had had him stir-fry it.

“It’s still a bit of a chore to open a shop at first,” Xu Zhizhou said, and had them do the decoration, especially the hygiene of the kitchen.

A few iron pots had also been made. The cost of such pots was high. Ironware was not cheap in ancient times.

The shop could accommodate seven or eight tables, which was enough. Now was the best time. It could open in a few days.

Xu Zhizhou had a bowl of lamb soup outside before he went back. He was craving it and had also bought some braised meat.

He could eat whatever he wanted. He was his own master at home. Now that he had a child, it was normal for his appetite to get a little bigger.

He had someone carry the food. On the road, he ran into Xie Cang. Xie Cang saw him and smiled. “It’s been a long time, Zhizhou.”

Xu Zhizhou: “I heard that you and your elder brother went to the county town. I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

Xie Cang: “It’s been a while. After my elder brother has governed the county town, it will be winter, and I’ll be back first. My parents have found a few aristocratic sons for me. I’ve just come out of a teahouse.”

Xu Zhizhou’s ears perked up. “How was it?”

Xie Cang smiled faintly. “Alright. I’ve seen a few people and think that this sir is the most suitable for me. The most important thing is that his parents died early, and his relationship with his relatives is not close. After he inherited the family property, he studied hard in the Imperial College and is now a director of the Ministry of War.”

He was not too hardworking, but at least he was diligent. He had good land and shops at home, and his personality was a bit strong.

Xu Zhizhou: “As long as you’re happy. I think your parents have already found a good match for you.”

Xie Cang smiled and nodded. “Another day, I’ll invite you to my residence for tea.”

Xu Zhizhou nodded happily.

They had not been talking about Xie Feng and Luo Shuang’s marriages recently. The two of them were doing well in the local area. If their three-year term was up, they could seek a very good position when they were transferred to the capital.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhizhou smiled and returned to the residence. Xu Cheng was learning to read with Ran Xingwen. He had already finished the Thousand Character Classic. He now liked to go out and read the signs on the shops.

In the past, the capital had been covered in a veil in front of him. Now he could see it more clearly. He also liked to go to the entrance of the yamen to read the notices posted on it.

Xu Cheng: “In the future, when I go to the village, I can also help them read the notices.”

Xu Zhizhou also pitied him for his hard work. Every time he rested, he would have an attendant send over some pastries and snacks.

Xu Cheng was not tired of studying.

When Song Changxu returned home, Xu Cheng was warming himself by the fire, holding a book. Song Changxu glanced at it. It was the Thousand Character Classic. He read the characters one by one, very seriously.

Song Changxu couldn’t help but feel his heart soften. “How many characters do you know, Cheng Ge’er?”

Xu Cheng held up the Thousand Character Classic and said happily, “I already know them all.”

“So amazing.”

Xu Cheng was praised and was even happier. Song Changxu said, “Since you know all the characters, I also have to reward you. I’m on holiday tomorrow. I’ll take you to the bookstore to buy some books. You can buy whatever you like.”

Xu Cheng had never been to a bookstore. He nodded. “That’s great. You’re so good, uncle.”

The Bobo Chicken shop had few customers in the winter. Song Mingyan had come back early. It was still early, and they were talking.

Song Mingyan: “It’s hailing so heavily. It was still hailing when I went this morning. There was no one on the street. It’s a good thing it’s not hailing anymore, just raining.”

Song Changxu: “As the saying goes, a timely snow promises a good harvest. If there’s too much ice and snow and the farmland freezes, the growing cycle of the rice will be shortened, which will lead to a poor harvest.”

Song Mingyan was a little worried about the fields at home. He didn’t know how his parents were doing.

.

When they had come from Qishan Village, there had been four of them. When they went back, only Liang Su was left. The carriage took her to Qishan Village. Someone saw her and, seeing such a large cart of things, quickly called for Song Ye.

Song Ye came with a pushcart. Liang Su put the things on it. “There are also some things for the Xu family. After we’ve moved these back, you can take them over with the pushcart.”

Song Ye answered, “Don’t worry.”

The fellow villagers still wanted to ask Liang Su many things, their mouths chattering.

“Liang Su, weren’t there still Mingyan, Cheng Ge’er, and Cao Qin when you left? How come you’re the only one back?”

“What’s the capital like? I’ve never been there in my life. Tell us about it, so we can also broaden our horizons.”

“I heard that the Song boy has become a high-ranking official. How high is he?”

…

They talked as they helped Song Ye with a hand. Liang Su picked a few things about the capital to talk about. The people of Qishan Village were a little entranced.

“That’s a really good life. Your family’s boy is so promising.”

“The Xu family’s ge’er is lucky. You haven’t said why Cao Qin didn’t come back,” someone remembered.

Liang Su said, “Zhici is pregnant. Cao Qin is taking care of him.”

What good fortune. Xie Huaichuan and Xu Zhici had already settled down in the capital. In the future, their children would grow up there.

Liang Su chatted for a few more words and then sent them away. Song Ye looked at the dried goods. “There’s enough to eat until the end of the year.”

“We still have to send some to the Xu family. I’ll go with you. Zhizhou and Zhici’s meaning is that my in-laws can set off for the capital after the New Year when the snow has melted.”

Song Ye: “Without a wife here, and with so much land, Xu Sunzheng can’t do it all by himself.”

Liang Su smiled. “I also want to go to the capital. This time, Zhizhou wasn’t pregnant. It was Changxu who wrote a letter to trick us into going up. Don’t you think it’s strange? After we went up and were about to leave, Zhici got pregnant.”

Song Ye pushed the pushcart to the Xu family’s door and knocked on the courtyard gate.

Xu Sunzheng had just had a few mouthfuls of his food and called out “coming.” Cao Qin was not at home, and he would just have a simple meal by himself.

“Coming. So it’s you, in-laws. Why didn’t Cao Qin come back with you?”

Liang Su explained. Xu Sunzheng said “ah.” He was a little reluctant to part with his land, but what they had said was also right.

Liang Su: “We’ll leave after the New Year. You can come to our house for a reunion dinner, in-law.”

Xu Sunzheng agreed. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be right for him to be at home by himself during the New Year.

The things brought from the capital were all good. Xu Sunzheng left the New Year’s gifts and then put the things in his room.

“In-law, you’re at home by yourself. You can just have lunch and dinner at our house. It’s just a matter of an extra pair of chopsticks,” Liang Su said.

Xu Sunzheng waved his hand with embarrassment. “How can I? I’ll just have a simple meal by myself.”

Song Ye patted his shoulder. “We’re all one family. What’s there to be polite about? What can you eat by yourself? You should just eat with us.”

Liang Su and Cao Qin had gone to the capital together. Song Ye and Xu Sunzheng’s relationship had improved. After being persuaded like this, Xu Sunzheng agreed. He planned to go and chop firewood himself when the Song family ran out. He couldn’t just eat and drink at someone else’s house for free. He couldn’t take it himself.

After they had made things clear, Liang Su and Song Ye left. After Xu Sunzheng had finished his meal, he went to his room to count the family’s silver.

After Zhici and Zhizhou had gotten married, their family’s land was also under Song Changxu’s name and did not have to be taxed. They had also bought new land, so they still had some savings.

“The land has to be rented to an honest family. I’d rather collect a little less rent and have the land taken good care of.”

Their family’s land was all high-grade. He had been at home by himself recently and missed Cao Qin and his two sons a little.

The livestock at home would be sold, which would be a relief.

He also wanted to go to the capital to have a look and enjoy his old age.

.

It was cold in the winter, and there had been a few avalanches. Emperor Pingjing looked at the people below. He thought for a moment. “Minister Song, you can make a trip this time.”

It was almost the New Year, and he couldn’t trouble the old people too much. Besides, Song Changxu was young and was also a person he trusted. Emperor Pingjing was at ease with him in charge of this matter.

Song Changxu: “Thank you for your appreciation, Your Majesty.”

After Song Changxu had received the decree, Liu Wangsheng was a little tempted. He had originally wanted to recommend Shen Liang, but he hadn’t expected His Majesty to directly appoint Song Changxu.

It seemed that His Majesty still had Song Changxu in his heart.

The Xiao family had already fallen. The prefect of Youzhou, Bie Yu, had not been dismissed by Emperor Pingjing. No one knew what he was thinking.

Who didn’t know that Bie Yu was the first top scorer Emperor Pingjing had chosen when he was young, but he had defected to the Xiao family?

After the morning court, Emperor Pingjing returned to the Panlong Hall, a little tired.

Laifu brought Emperor Pingjing a new cup of ginseng tea.

“Your Majesty.”

Emperor Pingjing answered and took a sip of the ginseng tea. “Is there any news from Youzhou?”

Laifu said, “I heard that the avalanche in Youzhou is severe, but Sir Bie is still holding on. Although he has asked the court for help, his attitude is not strong.”

“I can’t deny that he is a capable minister. If he is honest and law-abiding and does a good job as a prefect in the local area, I will give him a good end in the future. He will never be a capital official in this life.”

Laifu: “Your Majesty is benevolent.”

Emperor Pingjing waved his hand. “It’s not that I’m benevolent, but that I have too few people I can use.”

Emperor Pingjing was good at making the best use of everything.

On the other side, Song Changxu returned to the Ministry of Personnel and was flattered by others. He gave a few perfunctory answers.

He personally went to the Ministry of Revenue to check the disaster relief items. The people there did not dare to give him shoddy goods when they saw him.

The one who was in charge of the handover with him was still Director Li.

“Sir Song, you can have a look at the list and then check it.”

Song Changxu was not coy. He carefully compared it and then nodded. “It matches the list.”

Director Li also breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled. “I just like to deal with people like you, Sir Song. Otherwise, when the disaster relief items reach the local area, if there’s a problem, the blame will be on the Ministry of Revenue.”

Song Changxu: “As long as there’s no problem with the items, there’s no problem with me.”

He had always been practical and would not deliberately find fault, nor would he intentionally cover up.

After work, Song Changxu told Xu Zhizhou about the matter. Xu Zhizhou answered, “Then remember to eat dumplings during the New Year.”

Song Changxu was strange. “Don’t you miss me? I can’t spend the New Year with you?”

Xu Zhizhou said with a smile, “Your future is important. Besides, if you don’t spend the New Year with me, I still have my elder brother, Cheng Ge’er, and my mother. It’ll be fine if you’re with me in August next year. By that calculation, it’s also a political achievement.”

It seemed that Xu Zhizhou had only come to this conclusion after some calculation.

“By the way, I want to make cotton-padded coats for the workers. How about we give them a set every winter? It’s like a New Year’s gift. The servants at the residence are the same.”

Song Changxu’s heart softened. “You’re doing the right thing.”

Xu Zhizhou held Song Changxu’s hand and said, “Our family is a large household in the village. We’re not short of cotton-padded coats in the winter, but some of them are not warm after they’ve been worn for a long time. They’ve become a lump, dry and hard. When I went to the sugar workshop, I saw that the cotton-padded coats they were wearing were not good, so I wanted to make them a set. Plus the people at the residence, there are not many in total.”

Song Changxu: “You’re right.”

This time, Xu Zhizhou did not pack for Song Changxu. The clothes he was taking for the winter were thick and heavy. He had packed two large bundles.

“His Majesty has sent you for disaster relief. You’re just distributing grain,” Xu Zhizhou said, and stepped on his foot.

“I also have to repair the houses. The most important thing is to distribute the grain. Many people make a profit from the disaster relief. They’re not afraid of choking themselves.”

***

Author’s Note:

Little Song: Accumulate some political achievements.

Little Xu: It’s best to be cooped up at home in the winter. [Hugs]