The next morning, Nanny Li hurried across the corridor into the main room. Jiang-shi had just gotten up, sitting at her dressing table, having a young maid help wash her face and rinse her mouth.
The night before, she had stayed up reviewing the Wu family’s betrothal gifts stored in the granary, and had slept late, dreaming of Dalao securing a position at the county office, so she was slow to rise.
Nanny Li leaned in and said, “The Wu family sent word—they wish for Shurui to visit them, and have prepared venison for a spring feast.”
Jiang-shi’s fine brows knitted. That old man’s eagerness never faltered for a moment. She spat out the mouth rinse and wiped her lips with a towel.
“They just sent the betrothal gifts, and now they want him over already—as if they fear he might run off,” she muttered.
Nanny Li, knowing the Wu family’s reputation, agreed, “Merchant families aren’t strict. They don’t follow etiquette precisely.”
Jiang-shi said nothing, setting down the towel. “In peaceful times, customs are loose. With the match and betrothal already arranged, a visit is no issue. Go tell them, and help Shurui prepare to leave.”
Nanny Li, slightly startled, nodded and left.
After a while, Jiang-shi, having finished washing, was properly dressed when she heard hurried footsteps.
Nanny Li appeared, breathless and clutching her waist.
Jiang-shi looked at her. “Did a ghost chase you?”
Nanny Li barely caught her breath. “Shurui is gone!”
Jiang-shi responded calmly, “He’s a grown young man. He can’t just vanish.”
Nanny Li, frustrated, explained, “He usually rises early, but today the room was locked. I knocked—no answer. I pushed the door open—he wasn’t there!”
Jiang-shi, seeing her alarm, felt slightly annoyed at her overreaction. “Perhaps he went to the kitchen?”
But Nanny Li thumped her thigh. “Madam, I checked everywhere—his room, asked Old Wang the gatekeeper—no sign of him leaving!”
Finally, Jiang-shi’s brows tightened. Together, they rushed to Shurui’s room.
The room was empty.
Jiang-shi called all the household servants for questioning. No one had seen him today. The last time he had been seen was the previous night.
Panic rose in her chest. She overturned Shurui’s room. The neat inner room was in disarray. Drawers were pulled open, the bed unmade—all empty. Aside from some books, nothing valuable remained. Even the chest he had brought into the Bai residence earlier had vanished.
Even Jiang-shi could see clearly now: Ji Shurui had run away.
Her chest tightened, the room darkened before her eyes, and she slumped into a chair. “That brat! How dare he run!”
Nanny Li quickly steadied her, rubbing her chest.
“Shurui has no relatives outside to rely on, nowhere to go. A young boy like him can’t have gotten far. He probably just hid in town. Madam, send people—he’ll be found soon enough.”
Jiang-shi calmed slightly, realizing Nanny Li was right. She sent people out to look for Shurui in town and to decline the Wu family’s invitation.
“Clever boy! So obedient in front of me, acting the dutiful fiancé, yet he had two faces all along. He buttered me up for silver just to do this. When he’s found, he deserves a good beating, locked in the woodshed for three to five days!”
She was furious at being tricked, yet worried she wouldn’t be able to explain to the Wu family if he wasn’t found.
If he weren’t needed, she would have been glad to have him rot outside, saving three meals a day—but he was needed to marry this man.
While Jiang-shi’s people searched the town blindly, Shurui had already passed through and reached the county seat.
Traveling at night, he packed himself tightly, leaving only his dark eyes exposed. Despite this, the late-April night was cold, especially near the seaside. The wind bit, making him shiver.
By dawn, he arrived at the county. He dismounted the donkey cart and ate a hot bowl of meat soup from a street stall, finally regaining his strength.
Not daring to linger, he went on to find the master arranged by the town agent, who would take him to the prefectural city.
He was content to have the master who had brought him to the county continue on to the prefectural city. That master was an honest sort, focused on the road and never asking unnecessary questions—just the kind of person Shurui liked.
The only caveat was that this master was primarily a goods courier, not a professional in transporting people; Shurui had simply been lucky to find such a convenient arrangement.
The people Shurui had instructed before only arranged passage as far as the prefectural city. Beyond that, from Jizhou Prefecture to Chaoxi Prefecture, he would have to make plans once he arrived. But once in the city, he wasn’t in any real hurry; the prefectural city was vast and bustling, and finding someone there wasn’t so difficult. Even if his aunt commissioned the Wu family to look for him, their connections wouldn’t be enough to find him immediately.
Lost in thought, he kept up the pace. The donkey cart traveled steadily toward Jizhou Prefecture, and by late morning, the sun was high. Shurui wore a sunhat and sat at the back of the cart, glancing at the old escort master driving the donkey. Over the past two hours, he had noticed the man secretly studying him more than once.
“It’s almost May, and the sun’s high overhead. Aren’t you hot, dressed so tightly?” the escort master asked, his tone playful.
Shurui sensed the man might not be entirely straightforward. Taking advantage of the conversation, he adjusted the cloth wrapping his head and replied with some coyness, “I’m traveling alone, with no family or friends around. Though I carry no wealth to attract trouble, I’m of proper age—better to dress properly than risk any lecherous eyes noticing me.”
The old escort master laughed, pleased. “Where’s a young master like you from, that your family would let you travel alone?”
“Heading to Jizhou Prefecture; my family’s there.”
Shurui continued, weaving a story: “Also, my aunt married into Gan County. Before the New Year, she sent word to my father, saying she had matched me with a suitable family. I traveled so far, only to find the young man reluctant to show himself—wasted trip!”
He muttered, “What a fellow… not even generous like a proper gentleman. If I married him, I’d have no happy days!”
“Still,” he added, “I caught a glimpse—he’s tall, and not without looks. Ah, but his fortune isn’t meant to meet someone like me…”
The escort master stared, bewildered, then glanced again at Shurui. “How can there be such a fool of a man!”
Squinting, he added, “You’re right, young master. That fellow isn’t lucky—but there’s good fortune waiting down the line.”
Shurui chuckled. “I think so too. This good young master… surely he’ll find someone suitable.”
After a pause, Shurui shifted in his seat, feigning heat. He intended to lift his sunhat but glanced at the escort master first. The old man grinned mischievously: “In peaceful times, the roads are safe. No need to worry.”
Taking the cue, Shurui loosened his headscarf, revealing most of his face. A face that looked dark, as if smeared with earth and bitter herbs, with several pockmarks on the cheeks and a noticeable mole above the lip.
The escort master caught only a quick glance, then turned his head abruptly, flicking the donkey with a heavy lash. “What an ugly fellow, always causing trouble!”
Just moments ago, hearing only Shurui’s voice, he’d thought him a fine young man. Now, seeing the face, he figured the heavens had intervened.
Shurui, observing the escort master’s reaction, couldn’t help but smirk. Most men were shallow; a less-than-handsome appearance spared a young gentleman many unnecessary complications with women. Feeling the breeze, he fanned himself with the hat and let his mischievous side out—usually, it was men teasing young ladies; today, he got his turn.
Shurui leaned forward slightly. “You said my fortune lies ahead, and I notice from your eyes and brow, in youth you must have been handsome. Tell me, old sir, where are you from? Family? How many?”
The escort master stiffened, realizing Shurui was probing. His face darkened. “I’m an old bachelor, no children.”
Shurui’s expression fell slightly. “A shame indeed.”
By the time they reached Jizhou Prefecture, three days later, the escort master, irritated by Shurui’s looks and lack of bashfulness, had been surprisingly easy to manage. Shurui arrived safely in the prefectural city, relieved, and checked into an inn for a proper night’s rest.
For the next leg of the journey, he planned to purchase a donkey and drive himself to Chaoxi Prefecture. In these peaceful times, livestock was more abundant, though still costly—buying an animal and cart would set him back ten or so strings of cash. Not a small expense, but Shurui calculated that once in Chaoxi Prefecture, having a donkey for transporting goods would be very useful. Even if he sold it later, he would recoup the cost, so it wasn’t a loss.
His only concern: although he had often fed donkeys at the Bai household and could judge their quality, he had little skill driving them. He had practiced a few times, but never for a long journey. If he couldn’t handle it, he would have to find another escort master.
From Jizhou Prefecture to Chaoxi Prefecture would take at least ten days. A trustworthy and honest escort was rare; one with a foul temper could cause serious trouble.
Over the previous three days to Jizhou, Shurui had managed the old escort master without incident, but his nerves had been on edge the entire time. Compared to handling difficult people, he preferred dealing with animals.
The next day, following the innkeeper’s recommendation, Shurui purchased a donkey and cart, spending nine strings and eight coins—still within his budget. He stocked up on provisions, then, not wanting to linger, set off early while the city was quiet.
The morning was cool. Driving slowly, he felt the breeze on his face, enjoying the ride—until the donkey suddenly refused to move, drawn to fresh grass by the roadside.
No matter how he tugged the reins, the stubborn animal wouldn’t budge. Frustrated, Shurui cracked the whip against its rump.
“Ah!” The donkey yelped in pain and bolted.
“Easy, easy! Slow down!” Shurui’s face whipped by the wind, heart leaping into his throat. He tightened the reins, but the donkey seemed determined to rebel, running faster.
At a sharp bend, one wheel of the cart lifted three or four inches off the ground, tilting his entire body. His heart raced, feeling ready to leap from his chest.
He saw a dark figure on the road just ahead. Before he could react, there was a dull “thump” as the donkey collided with something. The animal finally stopped.
Lying across the smooth road was a man.
Shurui’s ears rang; darkness crept over his vision.