Chapter 33.2

The servant led Song Dingxiang and Song Xingyi into the courtyard. Before they entered the hall, Wang Yuanwai came out to greet them, saying with a smile, "Oh, esteemed guests are here, I apologize for not welcoming you from afar."

Song Xingyi, unfamiliar with such situations, hurriedly knelt down and said, "I pay my respects to Wang Yuanwai."

Song Dingxiang also bowed, while Madam Wang inside the hall said, "Why are you still chatting outside in this cold weather? Come in quickly!"

Wang Yuanwai warmly invited them to get up and brought them into the hall. There were several braziers burning in the hall, radiating warmth.

Nervously, Song Xingyi sat on a chair in the hall, not daring to lift his head, let alone speak. He did not understand why he had agreed to accompany his granddaughter to deliver the gift.

He was not afraid all along the way, but seeing the two large stone lions at the gate of the Wang family made his legs weak.

However, his granddaughter was completely fearless, speaking earnestly and confidently, much better than him as a grandfather.

Song Dingxiang bowed to Madam Wang and sat on a chair, saying with a smile, "Wang Daren has helped our family immensely, and we are all very grateful. We have been extremely busy and hadn't been able to find time to visit. And we also didn't have anything fresh to offer. Last year, we only sent some homegrown goods, which weren't that impressive. This year, our family has made some fresh dishes that are very delicious. We hurriedly picked out the best and brought them as a gift for Daren and Madam Wang."

Although Madam Wang smiled and said everything was fine, she didn't really think highly of these rural goods. After all, with their estate, she had already seen and eaten the best of everything.

However, Wang Yuanwai was very enthusiastic and friendly. Not only did he open and inspect the dishes, he also tasted each one, praising them one after another.

"This Eight Treasures dish with porridge is absolutely delicious, crispy and fragrant. This pickled vegetable looks tender but is actually very crisp and refreshing, with a hint of spicy flavor that whets the appetite. As for this spicy cabbage... We usually make pickled vegetables here in winter, but this spicy cabbage is something new to me, and it tastes much better than the others. Madam, you will definitely like this spicy cabbage."

Madam Wang smiled and said, "In that case, cut some extra for porridge tonight. The color looks beautiful, so it must be delicious too."

Song Dingxiang hurriedly added, "These are just homemade dishes, nothing special due to the lack of ingredients in winter. However..." She glanced at Wang Yuanwai and continued, "I came across a blurry recipe in some old books and tried making it at home out of curiosity. Surprisingly, it turned out to be quite good. Our family is just a rural household and we feel we don't deserve such a good thing. My grandparents suggested that instead of keeping it, we should gift it to you and Madam Wang as a token of our gratitude."

Wang Yuanwai frowned and looked at the parcel in her arms, asking, "What is it?"

Song Dingxiang opened the parcel and took out square bars of scented soap.

Madam Wang, with a keen sense of smell, detected a delicate fragrance and asked, "Are these desserts?"

Song Dingxiang replied, "No, they are for washing hands and face on a daily basis."

She opened a bar of jasmine soap, a bar of sandalwood soap, and a bar of ordinary soap made from waste oil. Then she unfolded the recipe and handed it to Wang Yuanwai.

At first, Wang Yuanwai just smiled slightly while looking at the recipe, but as he continued to read, his expression turned serious. He looked at Song Dingxiang, then at Song Xingyi who had been smiling and silent, then back at Song Dingxiang, and asked, "Is this... for me?"

Song Dingxiang said, "Of course, it's for Wang Daren. How could our simple rural family bear to use such things? Even the most common soap is considered precious in our eyes. After much thought, we decided that only Wang Daren is truly worthy of it."

Wang Yuanwai remained silent, but Madam Wang seemed to have understood something. She took the recipe and her expression changed instantly.

Though the recipe was simple, the huge potential profits behind it were clearly visible. Such a good thing could easily earn a fortune, yet the young girl in front of them didn't seem to care.

Seeing Wang Yuanwai still silent, Song Dingxiang got up from her chair and bowed, saying, "Daren and Madam can also see the true value of this recipe. It was discovered by a common girl, but the money it could fetch is far beyond what she could earn. Rather than inviting trouble in the future, it's better to offer it first to Wang Daren who once helped this girl's family. If you like this recipe, this girl and her family can rest assured."

Madam Wang asked uncertainly, "Is it really that effective?"

Song Dingxiang smiled and replied, "Madam will know once you try it."

After thinking for a moment, Madam Wang signaled to a nearby maid, hesitated for a moment between the jasmine soap and the cheapest soap, and picked up a piece from the cheaper soap, whispering a few words to the maid.

The maid left and soon returned with a smile, saying, "It cleans very well and is more effective than soap powder, without causing a mess."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuanwai smiled and said, "Quickly go and bring a hundred taels of silver to give to Sir Song and Young Lady Song."

Song Dingxiang bowed again and said, "Daren, I don't seek a hundred taels of silver. In fact, I don't need any silver at all. I only ask for... I only ask for..."

Wang Yuanwai, delighted at the prospect of making money, chuckled and asked, "If not silver, then what do you want? If you wish for your husband to return, that can also be arranged. But considering your husband's military achievements, his return might be regrettable..."

Upon hearing that Wang Yuanwai could arrange for Zhou Yinuo to return, Song Dingxiang couldn't help but look towards Song Xingyi. Song Xingyi seemed a bit dumbfounded at first, but soon a glint of joy appeared in his eyes.

However, upon learning about Zhou Yinuo's military achievements, he showed some hesitation in his expression.

Song Dingxiang pondered for a moment and said, "I do indeed miss my husband, but he is still young. Since he has achieved military success for the country, returning to our small village may only hold him back. Although it is difficult for me to bring up this matter, I must. My family in the village is relatively well-off. I was engaged to a scholar in the past, but after the engagement, an incident occurred which led the scholar to hastily break off the engagement and marry my cousin instead."

Madam Wang asked, "What incident? Whatever it is, marrying your cousin instead of you is unacceptable."

Song Dingxiang smiled faintly and said, "Madam understands. Later on, I married my current husband, and we have a good relationship. But I don't seek for him to come back. Instead, the scholar who recently passed the imperial examination and attained an official position is the one I am concerned about. Our families have always had conflicts, and I fear..."

Madam Wang interjected, "You fear his family seeking revenge on yours once he becomes an official, right?"

Song Dingxiang nodded and continued, "Yes, exactly. Of course, it may just be needless worry on my part, but I have to think ahead, considering my parents and grandparents at home. It's better to be safe than sorry. I hope that if his family causes trouble for mine in the future, Wang Daren can help mediate."

Wang Yuanwai stroked his beard in thought for a moment and said, "I know who you're talking about. Indeed, there was a young scholar this year who passed the examination, a young Jinshi this year, but missed out on entering the Hanlin Academy. Fortunately, the emperor wanted to include some young talents and granted him a county magistrate position. His name seems to be Xu Qiang... the official name is Xu Jingyan, only eighteen years old. I recall sending fifty taels of silver to his house as a congratulatory gift."

Song Dingxiang said, "Indeed it is him. Perhaps I am being overly suspicious, but..."

Madam Wang interrupted, "I understand. A scholar who broke off the engagement with you and immediately married your cousin, can he be considered... forget it, since he has become an official, it is normal for you to have concerns. Master..."

Wang Yuanwai nodded and said, "I am aware of this matter. Young lady Song, rest assured, Xu Jingyan has taken on the role of county magistrate in a distant land. Even if he manages to secure his position in the coming years, what does it matter? Your husband has been achieving military feats repeatedly, and who knows, he may even be granted the title of captain in three years. Such a position is far superior to that of a county magistrate. Though scholars are currently valued more than warriors, the border regions are still plagued by conflicts. At a time when the emperor is in need of capable individuals, he will not allow any injustices to befall the family of a soldier."

Song Dingxiang once again bowed and said, "Thank you, Daren and Madam Wang."

Madam Wang quickly raised her hand and said, "Please rise. You are a good young lady, don't let these matters trouble you. Since my husband has taken care of your husband, there is absolutely no reason for neglect. Relax and live your life as you please. I can see that you have a fortunate face, and the best days are yet to come."

Song Dingxiang suppressed a smile, with their reassurances, she now had a strong backing!

--- Author's Note: Song Dingxiang was not a protagonist with a powerful plot device. She was a thoughtful and forward-thinking person, knowing the importance of taking steady steps in life. Sometimes, a steady and uninterrupted flow of water is the most genuine.

--- TNote: Examination hierarchy: • Entry-level examinations (collectively known as tóngshēngshì (童生试) or simply tóngshì (童试); lit. "child examinations"): held every year locally and accessible to educated individuals from their early teenage years. Degree type: Shengyuan (生員, lit. "student member"), commonly called xiucai (秀才, lit. "outstanding talent"), a scholar who had passed the academy examination of the entry-level examinations.

• Provincial examination (called xiāngshì (鄉試) and fǔshì (府試); lit. "countryside/hometown examination" and "prefectural examination"): held every three years in provincial capitals. Degree type: Juren (舉人, lit. "recommended man"), a scholar who passed the triennial provincial examination.

• Metropolitan examination (called huìshì (會試), shěngshì (省試) and lǐbùshì (禮部試); lit. "metropolitan examination", "department examination" and "ministry of rites examination"): held every three years in the national capital. Degree type: Gongshi (貢士, lit. "tribute scholar"), a scholar who passed the triennial metropolitan examination.

• Palace examination (called diànshì (殿試), yùshì (御試) and tíngshì (廷試); lit. "hall examination", "imperial/government examination" and "courtyard examination"): held every three years in the imperial palace and often supervised by the emperor himself. Degree type: Jinshi (進士, lit. "advanced scholar"), a scholar who passed the triennial palace examination.