Chapter 6, On the Road

As the carriage just turned around, Chen Rong heard a disdainful snicker from behind, "This Chen family’s A Rong is truly overly cautious. She is afraid of those commoners, and not only has she squandered her family wealth, but she also dares to point fingers at us. Hmph."

While the members of the Wang family were dining, she suddenly arrived and spoke at length, causing the young ladies and gentlemen of the Wang residence to frown. There is a saying that one should not speak while eating or sleep, and the arrival of this Chen family woman, A Rong, during mealtime was already quite impolite. Here she was, brazenly discussing the filthy and coarse commoners, which was truly beneath consideration. It is hard to understand what kind of judgment Qi Lang possesses to speak so highly of such a woman.

The young man, clad in a purple cloak, had refined features. Upon hearing the words, he chuckled and said: "Indeed, a beauty. Your Chen family has few members; it would be safer for you to come to the middle of the line."

Wang Wulang gazed at Chen Rong with bright eyes and shook his head, saying: "Qilang mentioned that although Chen's A Rong is a woman, she possesses a temperament that is open and unrestrained. I did not expect A Rong to be so courteous in front of me." As he spoke, he shook his head repeatedly, appearing somewhat disappointed

What a beautiful woman

It is indeed true that the divine Wang Jialang personally went to pay a visit.

Having said that, she once again bowed slightly towards Wang Zhuoying and gave a low command, prompting the old man to drive the carriage back.

Speak

On the low tables, the aroma of wine and meat wafted through the air. She noticed that in these royal residences, four low tables were set before each lady and gentleman, laden with an abundance of food.

It is night

As Chen Rong's carriage traveled down the street, people occasionally glanced her way. In the background, whispers could be heard, "She is indeed Chen Shi A Rong"

Chen Rong turned around to gaze at the increasingly distant city wall of Pingcheng. In her memory, a month later, the Hu cavalry would enter this city, robbing the people who had not left of everything they possessed, and then setting fire to this prosperous little Jiangnan, turning it into ashes

She knows that in such households, any uneaten food will certainly be discarded

Under the guidance of Wang Wulang, the Chen family's carriage drove towards the middle of the queue. The Wang family's carriages were so numerous that they appeared to stretch endlessly. In comparison, the Chen residence seemed rather insignificant.

Chen Rong smiled faintly, secretly pondering: You are not Wang's Seventh Son. In your presence, a lack of decorum may lead to resentment

As she pondered, Chen Rong let out a soft sigh

Chen Rong cast a brief glance and, not seeing Wang Qilang, quickly withdrew her gaze

Yes

Wang Wulang fell silent

She stepped down from the carriage, bowed to Wang Zhuofu, who was eating, and said crisply: "I have met Your Excellency, Wang."

Chen Rong shook her head, bowed to him in return, and then instructed the old man to drive the carriage to the residence of the head of the Wang family, Wang Zhuo.

Amidst the rising and falling murmurs of discussion, Chen Rong smiled faintly and slowly withdrew her gaze

Suddenly, Wang Wulang's laughter echoed, "A-Rong, why do you sigh so?"

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye

Before long, Chen Rong exited the South City Gate. As soon as she left the city gate, she saw the Wang family's convoy. From the edge of her vision all the way to the city gate, there were the banners of the Wang residence. Indeed, it was quite an impressive display

Early in the morning, the Wang residence sent servants to notify the Chen family members to proceed directly to the southern city gate for a meeting

In a single day, the name of Chen's A-Rong resounded throughout Pingcheng. In the past, that young man would only address her as 'Chen's'.

Chen Rong lifted the car curtain a little more and replied crisply, "Yes. I am Chen Rong."

In times of crisis, one can truly see the nature of a person. It is said that Chen's A-Rong is a frivolous individual, yet she is able to act with such righteousness and generosity when the Hu cavalry is approaching. This is indeed remarkable, truly remarkable.

On the street, there are horse-drawn carriages everywhere, and amidst the bustling crowd, everyone is hurrying towards the southern city gate

Chen Rong received the dissatisfied gazes of the Wang family members without flinching. She merely smiled and continued to speak eloquently, "As the saying goes: one only knows honor and disgrace after having enough food and clothing. I believe that those commoners, after consuming all their food, will likely resort to desperate measures due to hunger and cold."

Sitting in the carriage, Chen Rong gazed at the white satin spread across the grass in the royal residence, as well as the long tables arranged in a dragon formation on the satin, and subtly shook her head

Chen Rong's gaze swept over the pile of food that had formed a long line, "One or two beggar kings may not be afraid, but what about hundreds or thousands? Rong believes that at such a time, the food can be simpler.

Wang Zhuo looked at her in surprise, a kind smile appearing on his round face, "Why has A Rong come?"

After Chen Rong's generous distribution of wealth, the remaining possessions could only fill ten horse-drawn carriages. Among them, three were used to carry rice and silk, one was for her clothing, and the remaining six were all used to transport bamboo slips and books

At this moment, the Chen family had finished packing their luggage, and Chen Rong then boarded the carriage, setting off grandly towards the South City Gate

From then on, the fifteen years she spent in Pingcheng became a name in her memory. Only in the midnight dreams would she walk into that familiar courtyard and see those familiar faces

The Chen residence began to bustle with activity, as the remaining dozen or so servants started loading the few remaining rice and silk items onto the carts

In the previous instance, Chen Rong only loaded a cart with a set of books, which were intended to conceal gold leaves, while the rest were sacrificed to a single incense stick. For decades after returning to the south, she bore the reputation of a 'vulgar person,' with scholars reproaching her for preferring to fill her cart with garments rather than carry the extremely precious books.

Chen Rong once again said, "This humble girl has something to say."

As soon as Chen Rong's carriage appeared before the dining guests of the Wang residence, dozens of pairs of eyes turned towards her. In the distance, Wang Wulang stood up, raised his wine cup towards Chen Rong with a wave, and said with a smile: "Ah Rong has arrived? Come, come, let us dine together."

It is heard that she distributed all her family wealth to the servants and maidservants of the mansion yesterday. Just look at her convoy; in the vast Chen residence, there are only a dozen or so carriages. That news is indeed true

Chen Rong replied softly, "Thinking of an indefinite farewell makes my heart ache"

As soon as the Chen family's carriage entered the convoy, the procession set off, and the dust kicked up by the flying hooves gradually obscured the vision of the onlookers

After the team had traveled for two hours, Wang Wulang, having fulfilled the formalities of his host, took his leave and returned to the front of the team

Next, Chen Rong spent her time with her eyes closed in meditation. In the distance, the laughter of the Wang family ladies walking ahead echoed continuously. These young women, who were usually raised in seclusion, had rarely ventured far from home. Although this time was an escape from disaster, the sense of novelty still outweighed everything in their hearts

At noon, everyone began to have their meal

After some thought, Chen Rong said to the elderly driver: "Sir, please move forward"

In this journey to the south, besides us noble families, there are also a large number of commoners migrating southward. It is reasonable to assume that those commoners, even if they exhaust their family fortunes, can only bring along provisions sufficient for ten to fifteen days.

On this night, the gates were tightly shut, and the Chen residence, guarded in turns, remained quiet from beginning to end, with no unexpected visitors. It is understandable, as Chen Rong's actions of squandering family wealth during the day had already spread throughout Pingcheng. Which unscrupulous thief would take the risk to rob such small fry?

As Chen Rong's carriage approached, a young man in his twenties rode closer and called out loudly: "Are you Chen Shi A Rong?"

On Chen Rongqing's beautiful little face, a hint of gratitude appeared, and she bowed to the young man in the carriage, saying: "Thank you, Wulang"

In this era where even the air is filled with the essence of 'refined discourse and elegance', the reputation of mundane matters can completely ruin the future of a young woman from a noble family. For the following ten years, no matter how much effort she expended or how many means she employed, she could not restore the image that had already been destroyed

As she walked along, Chen Rong overheard the people of the Wang residence whispering. From their conversation, she learned that this time, numerous small families wished to travel together with the Wang residence. Many families even offered items more precious than the coral that Chen Rong had presented, yet the Wang residence rejected them all