The third watch, asking for pink.
*****......***
Three days later, at noon, Lady Zhang, Lian Manman, Wu Lang, and Xiao Qi, a family of four, finally stood in front of the County Yan in Taicang County.
The County Yan of Taicang County is located on the eastern section of Central Street in Taicang County Town, on the north side of the street. Lian Manman alighted from the carriage, looked around with keen eyes, saw a whitewashed wall in front of her, followed by a Xuanhua Fang, and behind that was the main gate of the County Yan. Judging by the look of it, there were at least hundreds of rooms within the Yan.
This was Lian Manman’s first ti seeing a County Yan of this era; last ti she went to Jinyang County Town, she was preoccupied and in a hurry, thus she hadn’t thought to take a detour to see the Yan.
Second Young Master Lu of the Lu Family parked the carriage to one side and then carried the two bundles Lady Zhang and her group brought from the carriage on his back.
"Auntie, let take you inside."
When leaving ho, the Woo Family brothers had made a commitnt to ensure the safety of Lady Zhang and her children, and had promised to deliver them securely to their destination. Second Young Master Lu was dependable; seeing no one had co to receive them, he planned to take them directly inside, and would leave after he saw people from the Lian Family of Taicang.
"Ah, thank you, Xiao Woo," said Lady Zhang with a smile.
Second Young Master Lu’s full na is Lu Bing Wu. Although only seventeen, he appeared mature beyond his years. Along the way, he had ticulously cared for the mother and children who had never traveled far from ho before.
The group then walked towards the main gate. They had just passed the Xuanhua Fang when they saw two people hurriedly walking out from inside.
"Fourth Auntie, you’ve finally arrived."
Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang ca out to et them. Zhao Wencai’s family had set off a day earlier than Lady Zhang and her children; Lady Zhang had asked them to let Old Master Lian know that they would arrive today.
After exchanging greetings, Lady Chiang and Lian Jizu led Lady Zhang and her children inside.
"Fourth Auntie, we’ve almost arrived at ho... we’ve just been waiting for you. My grandpa and grandma have been anxiously waiting, worried that you wouldn’t make it on ti," Lady Chiang said with a smile. It was a tight schedule, for tomorrow was Lian Xiuxiu’s wedding day.
Lady Chiang and Lian Jizu saw Lu Bing Wu, but neither greeted him nor offered to take the bundles he carried.
Let alone Lian Jizu, Lady Chiang was indeed soone who knew her place. Lian Manman thought to herself, it seed that being accustod to their status as grandparents, they mistook Lu Bing Wu, dressed in plain attire, as a servant.
Lian Manman tugged at Lady Zhang’s sleeve.
"Jizu, Jizu’s wife," understanding this, Lady Zhang introduced Lu Bing Wu to Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang, "This is Bing Wu from the Lu family in our town. On this trip, we were very well taken care of by this young man."
By ntioning this, Lady Zhang signaled that Lian Jizu and Lady Chiang should treat Lu Bing Wu with the courtesy due to a guest.
"Oh," Lian Jizu then greeted Lu Bing Wu, but still did not think to take the bundles from him.
Lady Chiang subtly nudged Lian Jizu, and then Lian Jizu reached out to Lu Bing Wu.
"It’s okay, the bundles aren’t heavy, I’ll carry them," said Lu Bing Wu. "Auntie, let help you bring them inside."
The group continued walking inside. The layout of Taicang County Yan, like most official residences, was in the style of front office and rear residence. After entering the main gate, they walked further inside towards the Gate of Ceremonial Entrance.
"Inside there is the main hall," Lady Chiang pointed inside the gate and softly said.
Lian Manman looked inside, only to see a solemn main hall, outside of which a few governnt officials dressed individuals were either standing or sitting; it was noon, and presumably, the Magistrate was resting, hence these people were relatively relaxed.
Lian Shouren was the County Magistrate, and his residence was not here but further from the Ceremony Entrance towards the east, through a side gate, and after a short walk, they arrived at a separate small courtyard.
This was where the County Magistrate handled his office work and where he lived. The courtyard had two sections; the first section consisted of three rooms, with those at the sides being the offices of the County Magistrate and the middle one being a hall that had its doors wide open. Passing through the hall and descending the steps, there was another wall screen. Bypassing the wall screen, there was a small courtyard.
This was the inner residence of the County Magistrate; Old Master Lian and his whole family lived here.
Lian Manman took a visual tour of this small courtyard, examining it thoroughly. The courtyard had three main rooms at the front and three wing rooms on each side. In the West Wing Room, one room with a chimney was emitting smoke, carrying the scent of food.
The courtyard had paved blue bricks, with trees planted around; since it was already winter, the leaves had already fallen off, leaving the bare trunks and branches, which looked sowhat desolate.
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