Stepping Through Snow to Find Mei

"Where's the frostbite cream Miss Xun Mei gave you? Get it for me," Meng Yuan instructed Jiang Tang.

Jiang Tang obediently went back to get it and quickly brought it over.

Tucking it into his embrace, Meng Yuan stood up and said, "I'll go ask Manor Head Li."

"I'll go with you," Old Man Jiang quickly said.

"I can go by myself," Meng Yuan said with a smile, reassuring him. "Don't worry, I won't cause trouble. I'm just going to ask a question."

Stepping out the door, he saw the north wind howling, no stars in the sky, and the sound of dogs barking, as if snow was coming.

Arriving at Manor Head Li's courtyard, Meng Yuan didn't waste words and asked directly, "Manor Head, how is the matter of me entering the Royal Residence to learn martial arts progressing?"

"Ah, there's nothing I can do. I specifically went to ask, but the Princess Consort wants someone born and raised in the household. The two taels of silver you gave me were used, and I even added one tael myself, but that path is truly blocked," Manor Head Li sighed.

Li Dabiao laughed twice and said, "I told you, little gelder, just focus on your work for now. Wait three to five years, and if the Princess Consort still needs people then, my father will definitely go and ask for you!"

These father and son were truly interesting, treating people like fools.

"Then I'll trouble the Manor Head further."

Meng Yuan didn't linger and added, "Manor Head, Old Man Jiang has been coughing at night these past two days. Tomorrow, I'd like to ask for leave to go to town to get some medicine."

"Get medicine? What about the work tomorrow?" Manor Head Li became anxious upon hearing this. "Let me tell you, when people get old, they get sick, and taking medicine is useless. You should focus on working hard, that's the right way!"

"I haven't mastered my skills yet. If Old Man Jiang gets sick and can't work, the manor will still suffer losses," Meng Yuan seized his weakness and added, "After I get the medicine and come back, I'll definitely work extra hours to make up for it."

Manor Head Li finally agreed after hearing this.

The next day, snowflakes were already falling.

Meng Yuan didn't eat breakfast and left the manor directly. He didn't go to Clearwater Town but headed straight for Songhe Prefecture city.

The reason Manor Head Li could gain influence was because he was an old servant who came as part of the Princess Consort's dowry, which was why he received preferential treatment, and nothing more.

Therefore, to diminish his influence, the Princess Consort's protection must be severed!

Of course, how could years of master-servant affection be severed just like that?

And the reselling of manure, piglets, and chicks that Manor Head Li usually did were not major issues, at most warranting a reprimand.

But according to recent events, the Princess Consort followed rules, was kind-hearted, sympathetic to the common people, and valued her reputation.

That Miss Xun Mei had previously asked if anyone was causing trouble in the name of the Royal Residence. She was the Princess Consort's close attendant, equivalent to the Princess Consort asking, which showed that the Princess Consort was also wary of those below her, but hadn't caught Manor Head Li red-handed.

However, now Manor Head Li was colluding with outsiders, bullying orphaned girls and widowed mothers, and seizing people's land in the name of the Royal Residence, clearly violating the Princess Consort's taboos and damaging her good name.

Therefore, to diminish his influence, one should start from here.

Of course, Meng Yuan didn't have the sharp blade to diminish influence; he needed to borrow a knife, and Miss Xun Mei was this knife.

The wind and snow grew heavier, and the world turned white.

As the essence flame within him grew stronger, Meng Yuan became less afraid of the cold. His body was full of strength, and he didn't feel tired even when walking quickly on the road.

"Without power or money, and without a knife in hand, doing things is truly difficult!" Meng Yuan jogged forward, stumbled, and fell on his backside, feeling even more strongly that he needed to learn martial arts.

Only then could he avoid being like cattle and sheep, and only then would he live up to the name of a gelder.

Forty-odd li, running and jogging, he reached Songhe Prefecture city near noon.

Meng Yuan first went to get the medicine, and while he was at it, he asked for the location of Prince Xin's Royal Residence. Only then did he carry the medicine bag and go looking for it.

It took him half an hour to reach the main gate of the Royal Residence. It was still more than half a month until the New Year, and the Royal Residence was already decorated with lanterns and streamers, exceptionally festive.

"Go to the back gate," after Meng Yuan explained his purpose and offered a qian of silver, the gatekeeper gave him directions.

Meng Yuan thanked him and went to the back gate, where he saw a maid guarding the door.

"Sister, I'm from the South of the City Pasture Manor, here to find Mei-jie," Meng Yuan offered two qian of silver and took out the porcelain bottle of frostbite cream that Xun Mei had given him.

"Mei-jie is busy during the New Year. You wait here first," the maid saw that although Meng Yuan was disheveled, his handsomeness was undeniable. She took the money and the porcelain bottle and happily went inside to report. After a while, she came back and said, "I've reported it. Just wait here. If she doesn't come, don't blame me."

Meng Yuan thanked her and stood by the wall, waiting, while also pondering in his heart.

There were two difficulties in this trip.

The first was that Xun Mei was busy and he might not be able to see her. Therefore, Meng Yuan specifically brought the porcelain bottle containing the frostbite cream, hoping that when Xun Mei saw the old item, she would remember a bit of past affection.

The second was that this matter was essentially reporting someone. If he told the truth, Xun Mei would likely think that he was secretly investigating Manor Head Li's mistakes because Manor Head Li had obstructed him from learning martial arts, and that he was reporting him out of resentment.

In this way, even if Manor Head Li was dealt with, it would make Xun Mei think he was cunning, and she would inevitably look down on him, putting him at a disadvantage.

The matter of learning martial arts ultimately rested on Xun Mei, so Meng Yuan had to expose Manor Head Li's evil deeds without making Xun Mei feel ill will towards him.

This would greatly test his ability to react spontaneously.

Spending all this effort and trouble, I should have just become a male favorite! Meng Yuan sighed in his heart.

After half an hour, when he was covered in snow, he finally smelled a faint scent of plum blossoms.

Xun Mei, wearing a light-colored cloak, stood at the door. She had seen someone requesting a meeting with a porcelain bottle and knew who had come.

With the New Year approaching, it was a time for exchanging gifts. Xun Mei was used to worldly affairs. When she asked the maid who had delivered the message and learned that the young man had come with a package wrapped in straw paper, she felt a bit displeased.

When she had given him the frostbite cream last time, Xun Mei had hinted to the young man that if he was diligent and hardworking, she would definitely help him in the future. She hadn't expected him to come with gifts and try to build connections before even a month had passed.

Now it seemed he was just someone who knew how to scheme, despite having a good appearance. He was even playing the trick of standing in the snow, which showed he hadn't read many books and was truly uninteresting.

"Meng Yuan?" Xun Mei's voice was faint, her hands tucked into her sleeves.

As soon as Xun Mei spoke, she saw the young man come back to his senses. His hands were bright red, his eyes exceptionally clear, and a happy smile appeared on his face. He said excitedly, "Mei-jie!"

"Why are you here?" Xun Mei was still indifferent.

But the young man held up the paper package in his hand, seemingly unaware of Xun Mei's coldness. Instead, he said excitedly, "Old Man Jiang has a night cough, so I asked for leave to buy medicine. I originally wanted to go to Clearwater Town, but I've never been there, and I got lost as soon as it snowed, so I just followed the main road to the prefecture city."

"Then how did you find this place?" Xun Mei felt much relieved after seeing that the young man was seeking medicine for a relative, not bringing a gift.

The young man's eyes did not dodge, and he said simply and seriously, "The snow was heavy today. I saw many displaced people still under the city wall, and I thought that if it weren't for the Princess Consort taking me in, I would be just like them. I figured since I came to the prefecture city, if I didn't come to kowtow to the Princess Consort, it would be too ungrateful, and Old Man Jiang would also blame me for being ignorant."

The young man's hands were frozen red, and he rubbed them while exhaling, his face still smiling simply. His clothes were dirty, but he showed no trace of self-pity, showing his pure heart and sincere gratitude to the Princess Consort. Xun Mei couldn't help but soften her heart a lot.

"Having this intention is enough. The Princess Consort doesn't like these superficial formalities." Xun Mei smiled gently and said, "It's cold outside, come in and have a cup of tea to warm up."

"No, no." The young man quickly waved his hand, still holding the medicine package. "I'll kowtow to the Princess Consort and Mei-jie, and then I have to hurry back to decoct the medicine for Old Man Jiang."

"There's no rush at this moment, be obedient." Xun Mei no longer had any ill feelings towards this young man. Instead, she felt he was simple and sincere, a person who was both loyal and filial. Even his appearance seemed more pleasing to the eye.

Leading the young man through the door, they arrived at a side room. Xun Mei took off her cloak and personally poured him a cup of tea.

"Thank you, Mei-jie." Meng Yuan thanked her sincerely.

"Are you living well in the manor?" Xun Mei asked.

"Mei-jie, I'm someone who has fled from famine. I'm content as long as I have a place to sleep," Meng Yuan said with a smile.

"You are indeed content with what you have." Xun Mei smiled and nodded, then asked, "Tell me honestly, did Manor Head Li do anything bad?"

"This..." Meng Yuan was a little embarrassed. Seeing Xun Mei's seriousness, he said, "I saw him selling some manure outside, and also sending out some chicks and eggs."

Meng Yuan only mentioned minor matters.

"Ignorant and greedy, but he's from the old family, so we can't be too harsh."

Xun Mei smiled and said, "The Princess Consort ordered people below to send some children of suitable age to learn martial arts. Why didn't you come? I think you might be a martial arts prodigy."

"Mei-jie is joking." Meng Yuan held the teacup and said sincerely, "To be honest with Mei-jie, Old Man Jiang and I discussed it, and we originally thought of giving it a try. We even paid money to ask the manor head, but he said I came to the manor too late and told me to wait for two or three years. I thought his words made sense. After all, I'm a stranger, and waiting for a while is nothing."

"Those are the words of an amateur. The earlier you practice martial arts, the better. It will be too late if you wait a few years," Xun Mei said with a smile.

"That's nothing either. I don't understand whether to practice martial arts or not." Meng Yuan had a simple appearance of having no desires. "Anyway, whether it's practicing martial arts or working in the manor, it's all working for the Princess Consort, so there's no difference."

As soon as Meng Yuan spoke, he sounded like an old loyal minister.

"I didn't expect you to be so sensible." Xun Mei nodded in approval and asked, "Have you eaten lunch? I'll have someone bring you some food."

"Mei-jie, I really can't." Meng Yuan quickly got up to refuse, holding up the medicine package. He said, "I have to hurry back to decoct the medicine for Old Man Jiang, and there's also work to do in the fields. I can't delay too long."

"Do you think I don't know about farming? In the winter season, farmers don't go out. What work is there in the fields?" Xun Mei said with a smile.

Meng Yuan answered honestly, "I was someone who almost starved to death on the roadside. The Princess Consort gave me food and clothing. Doing more is also my way of showing my gratitude. Besides, the manor head said that the land was newly bought by the Princess Consort, and after plowing, we need to replant spring wheat, so we can't delay."

Xun Mei was originally smiling, but after hearing this, she put down her teacup and asked, "Where is the newly bought land?"

"It's just west of the manor, about ten mu. A few of us have almost finished plowing it and have also applied fertilizer. Mei-jie, don't worry, we guarantee a good harvest next year," Meng Yuan said very sincerely.

Xun Mei nodded and thought for a while. Then she smiled and took out a few pieces of broken silver from her embroidered pouch, saying, "You came all this way. Since you don't want to eat, keep this money and buy some food on the way."

"Mei-jie, I don't lack food and drink at the manor, and I also get a monthly allowance. I can't take this money," Meng Yuan refused firmly.

"Then I won't force you. Your nature is simple and honest, too honest. If anyone bullies you, just come and find me. It won't be in vain for you to call me Mei-jie." Xun Mei smiled and said, "Also, don't tell anyone about you coming to see me today."

Meng Yuan agreed and bid farewell to Xun Mei.

On this trip, Meng Yuan did not say a single lie, every word was true.

"It's hard to pretend to be smart, and even harder to pretend to be simple. Fortunately, I am inherently pure and innocent, so it's not really pretending," Meng Yuan vowed.