Chapter 9, Doubts

Nowadays, we should not always think about returning to the capital. I have also considered that, as a sixth-rank official, my evaluations over the past few years have only been average. Even if I return to the capital, I would merely become a junior official, and it is likely to take ten or eight years of hard work before I have a chance to be promoted. My family is currently indifferent towards me; it would be better for me to stay in Fengtian, wouldn't it be more comfortable? Even for you, it would mean less trouble

I have long heard from the storyteller at Dongjiekou that this originated during the Song Dynasty, invented by a certain prince consort. He created it to please his princess wife with delightful fragrances. As a result, the kind-hearted princess decided to share the recipe with the poor, who then established workshops, produced soap, and earned money, thus escaping poverty. Little girl, when you grow up, you should also aspire to be a good person like that princess.

Previously, she was always carried around by others, and Shuning could not control where she went. Now, being able to move freely at home without worrying about someone following her, she took her first careful look at this home and everything within it. To her surprise, the more she looked, the more questions arose. She saw floral water, soap, a palm-sized mirror in the Tong family's makeup box, and a lampshade made of glass. Were these not items that only appeared in the late Qing Dynasty? Even if mirrors and the glassware she had seen before had already emerged, what was the deal with the floral water? Was it possible that there were other time travelers in this world? Had the history here already changed?

You need not worry about this. What I meant was to temporarily stay in Fengtian; I never intended to spend my entire life here. The matter of the Beijing Banner returning to the garrison is complicated and fraught with disputes, but I have gained some experience now. In a year or two, the governor or General Sa, seeing my diligence, will surely speak on my behalf. As long as my rank is elevated, is there any reason to fear a lack of prospects? If I can seize an opportunity to achieve merit for the two gentlemen, would that not be more advantageous than enduring the long wait for promotion back in the capital, where I would have to rely on my family's influence? Ultimately, rather than being a low-ranking official in the capital who is overlooked, it is better to be assigned to a post outside.

I have been in Fengtian for three years now. Among the more than ten people who came with me, some have returned to Beijing, some have been promoted, and now, apart from myself, only three or four remain, all of whom have little foundation. Last year, when the court quelled the three feudal lords, there was a nationwide celebration. I had the opportunity to return home, as it would only require some facilitation from my family. However, my family wrote to say that they wanted to take this opportunity to have my younger brother transferred back to Beijing, as there was a vacancy in the Ministry of War that would be suitable for him. Therefore, they asked for the money to be given to him first, and they would plan for me next year. I thought that my family did not have much spare money, and my younger brother was preparing to get married at that time, so I agreed without any complaints. Last autumn, the newly appointed Zhou Fu Cheng and I got along very well. During a drinking session before the New Year, I learned that my elder brother had lost a concubine last summer and had spent a considerable amount on her funeral. The funeral procession had at least a hundred people, costing at least one or two thousand taels of silver. If he had the money to arrange a funeral for a concubine, how could he not have the money to seek a position for his own brother? As a sixth-rank official, how much money can I spend? If he is unwilling, he should just say so directly, why deceive me?

This is floral water

Tong felt somewhat uneasy, but she sat down as instructed and listened attentively as her husband recounted the ins and outs of the matter

Indeed, after the fifteenth, Zhang Bao entrusted Zhou Fucheng to guide him, and personally went to visit the scholar Ding, feeling quite satisfied. Although he was merely a scholar and not young anymore, he was more than adequate to teach his son. He solemnly brought Duan Ning to pay his respects, and Ding gladly accepted the student, agreeing that each day Duan Ning would be taken by family members to his home for lessons, with lunch also provided there, as the meal expenses had already been paid to a nearby restaurant.

You need not worry; after the New Year, I will hire a teacher who will surely teach him well to read and become accomplished. What you said earlier also makes sense; it is not enough to only be able to read without the skills of horsemanship and archery. I will write to my family to recommend a good master. He let out a cold laugh and said, "Could it be that they would also say this small matter is impossible?"

Tong lowered his head in silence, and after a while, he raised it and said: "Although that is the case, we have managed well, but what about our son? We must consider his future. Should we really expect him to accompany us in such a place for a lifetime?"

What is this

Mr. Tong originally intended for his son to study at home, but that Ding Juren was somewhat rigid in his views. He believed that Zhang Bao went to the yamen every day and that there were mostly female family members at home, which would be inconvenient. He insisted on this, and Mr. Tong had no choice but to give up. Every day, he would watch his son leave the house, wondering when he would return home

Shuning felt as if she were listening to a historical drama; why did these stories sound so familiar? Although there were some discrepancies with the novels, why did they remind her so much of "Song Style" and "Good Men of the Tang Dynasty"? Could it be that the remarkable individual named Wang Zihao really traveled back to the Tang Dynasty to create floral water? However, if the events depicted in these novels truly occurred in history, then history must have been significantly different. Why, then, was she still living in the twenty-first year of the Kangxi era?

... ... ''

She felt that she no longer knew what to say, her mind was completely blank

In her current state, she has become somewhat indifferent to the affairs of the household. Shuning, however, pays her no mind and diligently practices walking and speaking every day. She possesses the soul of an adult, which allows her to learn much faster than an ordinary child. By the time Zhang Bao realizes that his son is not at home and that his wife is in a state of distraction, he discovers that his daughter has already learned to run, walk, and speak fluently.

... ... ''

What is floral water? Is it made from flowers? Who can't pretend to be a child?

That son ... ...

Zhang Bao was so agitated that he nearly slammed his hand on the table. Shuning was held too tightly by him, causing her some pain, but at that moment, she did not dare to speak. Tong stood up to comfort her husband’s back. Zhang Bao calmed down and, seeing his daughter with tears in her eyes, quickly handed her over to his wife, then sat dazed at the table. After a while, he spoke again

His words were quite extraordinary, and Tong did not dare to interject, instead handing him a bowl of goat's milk. Zhang Bao silently drank it and also took a bowl to feed his daughter

Zhang Bao would not let go, saying: "How could she understand? Let me hold her a little longer; we hardly get to see each other often." He turned around with his daughter and sat down at the table, then pointed to another chair: "You can sit down; actually, it wouldn't hurt to discuss this with you, so you have an idea of the situation."

Tong was a bit embarrassed after her husband said a few words to her. After a few months, she gradually got used to it and no longer sat idly waiting for her son to return every day. Instead, she began to spend her time thinking about the evening meals and the clothes for her husband and son. Her daughter was well-behaved and did not cause any trouble, so she felt at ease letting the children run around the house.

How did this come about

Zhang Bao, seeing her so cautious, instead smiled: "You can just speak your mind, there's no need for such evasiveness between husband and wife." Tong felt a bit awkward and said: "It's nothing much, but it seemed earlier that you were somewhat dissatisfied with the family. Is something wrong?" Noticing Zhang Bao's grim expression, she quickly added: "If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to tell me. After all, as a woman, I wouldn't understand these matters anyway." She paused and continued: "You've been holding our daughter for quite a while; you must be tired. Let me take her, it's not good for a child to hear about these things." With that, she reached out to take the daughter.

Wait... it seems that history has indeed changed a bit...

What is this

I cannot say for certain. This is a secret recipe of others, and it is said to have existed since the Tang Dynasty, which is over a thousand years ago. Everyone claims that this floral water is made from hundreds of fresh flowers, along with many precious medicinal materials, capable of refreshing the mind and repelling mosquitoes. A small bottle costs five taels of silver, and only the wives and daughters of wealthy families are worthy of using it. This large bottle belonging to Third Madam is worth a full ten taels of silver, and it was given to her by her family. In the years since coming to Fengtian, she has used less than half of it.

Although others may find her questions annoying, it is quite normal for a curious person to ask questions, and most inquiries can be answered. Among them, Gossip Xiao Tao has become the most favored respondent by Shuning, as she always enjoys rambling and often shares a lot of information, even though its credibility is quite questionable. Situations like the following often occur.

Shu Ning recalled the four characters "Jingqi Huitun" that she always heard. Could it be that "Water Boiling the Qing Dynasty" is also taking place? But the era doesn't match! My God, where exactly has she traveled to?

Zhang Bao continued, "With the whole family wielding swords and spears, what difference does it make to have a couple more scholars? Father always says we must revitalize the family business; can it really be done with swords and guns? My brothers are unwilling to part with the splendor of the capital and do not wish to suffer in the frontier, but where in the capital is there any military merit to be earned? Ultimately, we must strive for recognition in the court!"

This is soap. It is a substance used for washing, and it is very useful, as it can clean things thoroughly. It is much better than the soap made from soap pods that we use in the countryside. I have heard that there is also fragrant soap, which is infused with spices; just a little bit is enough to make clothes smell delightful for three days and three nights.

After a while, breakfast was finished. Mrs. Tong called for someone to clear the dishes and accompanied her husband to the study. Seeing that he did not appear to be angry, she cautiously probed his feelings.

At this moment, Shuning truly wished to delve into the historical books in her study to clarify what was actually happening. If history had indeed changed, then was the Qing Dynasty she lived in still the one she had always believed it to be?

Tong did not provoke him either, and the major concerns in her heart were finally set aside. Although her husband had a falling out with his family, she had never had a good impression of her in-laws, so she was not particularly saddened. As long as her husband and son had promising futures and could avoid returning to the large family, it was naturally for the best. Now, she was like the mistress of her own home, accustomed to being in charge of her small family. The thought of returning to that count's residence to be at the mercy of others did not interest her at all.

Unfortunately, no matter how intelligent Shuning is, it is still an astonishing matter for a two-year-old child to look at historical texts. The so-called abnormality is indeed a form of monstrosity; she is well aware of the consequences of being too conspicuous. At this moment, she can only suppress her curiosity; unable to consult books, she has no choice but to ask others. Thus, she pretends to be a curious child, pointing at things all day and asking, "What is this?" "What is that?"