Nan Zhi came back from the Wang family and began frantically preparing for her journey.
It was just past noon, and Nan Dazhuang was still working at the pork shop.
Nan Yi hadn't returned from the yamen yet, so only Chen Jingui and Nan Ye were at home.
In Nan Zhi's room, clothes and socks were spread all over the bed.
On the table, freshly baked pancakes smelled wonderful, still radiating heat.
A water gourd, a fire striker, and flint were placed together; Chen Jingui had even dug out Nan Dazhuang's straw raincoat.
“Sister, I don't know how long you'll be gone, so I packed two extra sets of thick clothes for you. If it gets cold, you can layer them for warmth. If they get torn or worn out, just bring them back and I'll mend them for you.”
Nan Ye was currently taking out a piece of cloth to wrap the spare clothes she had prepared for Nan Zhi.
“And your Demon Suppression Division uniform has been washed clean. I also sewed a pocket inside the waistband so it's easy for you to hide your silver there...”
Nan Zhi flipped over the waistband and indeed saw a very well-hidden pocket with fine stitching.
“Nan Ye, you really are a great helper for travel. If I weren't in such a rush, I'd really want to pack you up and take you with me.”
She pinched Nan Ye's cheek and said with a smile, “Once I finish this business, I'll come back as soon as I can and give you a proper hair-pinning ceremony.”
“Sister, I'm talking about serious business and you're teasing me. I'm ignoring you.” Nan Ye stomped her foot and turned back to packing the luggage.
In the Song Dynasty, a girl reached fifteen and underwent her hair-pinning ceremony, which involved binding her long hair with a hairpin to signify she had reached adulthood.
For the daughters of high-born families, the day of the ceremony involved not only inviting an elder to perform the pinning but also hiring a professional hair-styling lady to style the girl's hair.
There was a whole set of rituals, including the initial pinning, ritual washing, offering thanks, and choosing a courtesy name.
The importance of the hair-pinning ceremony to a woman was by no means less than that of the capping ceremony to a man.
Although the Nan family hadn't been wealthy in the past, they had still held a lively dinner when their two daughters reached the age for their ceremonies.
Nan Zhi had bought a hairpin for Nan Ye before, but she never saw her wear it.
Upon asking, she learned that neither Nan Ye nor Chen Jingui knew how to style complex hair arrangements.
Furthermore, Nan Ye was quite pretty. Ever since the news of Nan Zhi joining the Demon Suppression Division had spread, there were countless families coming to their door every day to act as matchmakers.
Nan Zhi this time had the idea of holding a proper hair-pinning ceremony for Nan Ye.
It would also serve as a public announcement to the neighbors that the daughter of their house was precious; if anyone wanted to propose marriage, it would have to be of her own volition.
Once they knew how much Nan Zhi valued her younger sister, any unscrupulous families would know to back off and stop harassing them.
Chen Jingui sat by the bed, clutching a quilt and sighing.
“Heavens, I remember when you were born, Sister Zhi. You were so tiny, like a little kitten. Even your breathing was shallower than other children's...”
“Your father and I were terrified every day. We didn't even dare close our eyes at night for fear that you'd stop breathing by the time we woke up.”
“Later, when you were a bit older, you were so sensible despite not knowing much. Every day when I went out to work, you would sit in front of the pork shop.”
“Just a tiny thing, never making a sound. With a straw hat on your head, you'd sit there all afternoon in the sun. Others said you were foolish, but I felt my Sister Zhi was the most considerate, my heart's precious darling...”
She wiped her tears as she helped pack, her mouth never stopping its chatter.
“Now you're grown and capable. But who knew that after joining this Demon Suppression Division for just a few days, you'd be like a spinning top, busy enough to never touch the ground.”
“First you rushed into Wenshan and killed a great tiger, nearly losing your life. And now, you're going on a long journey. Even the donkey at Qiao Niangzi's tofu shop isn't worked this hard...”
“Mom, what are you saying? How can you compare me to a donkey?”
Nan Zhi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She hurriedly comforted her mother.
“Since I've joined the Demon Suppression Division, I must do my job well. This current case is quite tricky and requires me to go as soon as possible.”
“Besides, I'm traveling with companions, so we'll look out for each other on the road. The family doesn't need to worry too much.”
“That may be so, but you're leaving so suddenly. Many things for the journey aren't even ready yet.”
Chen Jingui's movements slowed, her reluctance clear.
“How about this? Wait until tonight when Nan Yi and your father come home, and we'll have a nice family reunion dinner. We can feed the horse well, and then tomorrow morning, your father can personally drive the carriage to see you out of the city. That would put my mind at ease.”
“No, this is an urgent mission. I have to leave today. I probably won't be able to wait for Dad and Nan Yi to get home.”
Nan Zhi shook her head decisively.
“I don't know when I'll be back, but it will be at least three months. After I leave, if anyone asks, just say I've gone to stay at my maternal grandparents' home for a while.”
“If that doesn't work, just say I went after the Wang family's ghost. As for where I went, say you don't know.”
“In short, just push everything onto me. I have some friends in this county, and Nan Yi is working at the yamen now, so tell him to look after the family while I'm gone.”
“If something really happens, tell Nan Yi to go find Constable Zhang; he will definitely help. As for those gifts the Wang family sent, return them as soon as possible.”
“If anyone from the Wang family comes, say their evil spirit was too powerful and I couldn't subdue it, so I'm too ashamed to keep the gifts. And...”
Nan Zhi paused, her tone turning strange.
“Wine is not a good thing; don't let Dad drink it anymore. Those jars of ‘Immortal Brew’ in the house are harmful to the body. Find a secluded place and pour them out.”
“I've left three hundred taels in silver notes at home. Don't worry about the money. Eat and drink as you normally would, and just wait for my return with a peaceful mind.”
Although Nan Zhi hadn't explicitly said where she was going, Chen Jingui had a vague suspicion it was related to the Wang family.
Seeing Nan Zhi so cautious and hurried, Chen Jingui understood.
There had been ghostly wailing and people running in and out of the Wang residence since early morning, saying they had seen a ghost.
Just a moment ago, someone had run to the county yamen to report that Master Wang was dead and that the young master and the manager were missing...
Something big must have happened.
“In that case, you should leave the city quickly.”
The woman, who was well-versed in the ways of the streets, reacted instantly. She cast aside her previous reluctance and hurriedly began loading the luggage onto the carriage.
“Don't worry about things at home. I'll handle everything, big and small. If I can't, there's still Nan Ye and Nan Yi. It'll be winter in three months. If you run into heavy snow and can't travel, just stay away for a bit longer.”
“Just one thing—once you're finished with your business, send a letter home so the family knows you're safe.”
Nan Zhi naturally agreed to everything.
...
...
Driving a carriage was a skilled job.
Fortunately, Nan Zhi had watched others do it. After fumbling around for a bit, she actually found the knack for it and set off, the carriage wobbling down the road.
As she turned out of Lingbai Alley, she saw Zhang Long leading a group of men toward the Wang residence from a distance.
Wanniang hadn't harmed Old Lady Wang or Ma Chunxiang.
Those hair snakes had only put them and the servants into a drunken stupor.
Once they woke up and found Wang Fugui hanged and Wang Chen and Manager Wang missing, they would naturally choose to report it to the authorities immediately.
If the government investigated Wang Fugui's death, they would inevitably want to question Nan Zhi.
But she was already prepared.
Shen Luohe and Hua Xijian would be staying here for a while longer; they would naturally find a way to buy her some time.
Rate on N.U.
