Chapter 5

The commotion caused by Wen Yan and Wen Changning was considerable—after all, two daughters of the housekeepers had come to blows over a single headdress, which was hardly something to speak of favorably. The staff at the Treasure Pavilion had been silenced by the Wen family, so no gossip spread outside, yet among the servants within the mansion, many whispered and concocted stories behind closed doors.

However, these murmurs were mostly aimed at Wen Yan. It wasn’t that the servants disliked her, but she was simply out of favor. Those who served below were the most perceptive and opportunistic. When the lady returned to the main courtyard that day, flanked on either side by the second and fifth young ladies, many had seen it. Everyone understood the subtle distances in relationships.

Thus, when the dishes were served, the private talk naturally targeted Wen Yan. Though she had overheard such things faintly before, she paid them no mind. In her previous life, there had been far more who hated her openly and cursed her to her face; it was hardly worth her attention.

Compared to all that...

Wen Yan took a sip from her tea bowl, looked up at the sky, and said calmly, “The weather is fine. Let’s go out for a stroll today.”

Behind her, Qingyun, who attended to her, hesitated for a moment before obediently replying, “Yes, Miss.”

The decision came suddenly, but Wen Yan was always spontaneous, without much ceremony. She didn’t even change her clothes, only sending Qingyun back to fetch some silver, and soon the two set out.

The Wen Residence was situated in Wenchang Alley, most of which was occupied by the Wen family’s estate, while the remainder housed scholars with official titles.

Originally, the Wen Residence had not been so large; it was only after the family grew wealthy that they bought and connected the neighboring houses, renovating them to form the current grand scale. Because of this, Wenchang Alley was much quieter than other parts of the city, with few passersby.

Only upon exiting the alley and entering the bustling market outside could one truly feel the city’s vibrant life.

Though Wen Yan seldom ventured out, she was quite familiar with the surroundings of the Wen family estate.

Yet today, something seemed different...

Her foot halted, and she glanced back at the treetops peeking over the high walls by the main gate of the Wen Residence. The Wen family, being officials, maintained a high threshold and tall walls, so the trees that rose above naturally towered.

But one tree stood apart from the rest — evergreen all year, its branches lush and thick, resembling a splendid canopy that shaded most of the roofs behind it.

“What’s wrong, Third Miss?” Qingyun asked, following her gaze, but saw nothing.

Wen Yan withdrew her eyes and said faintly, “There’s a rat.”

“A rat?”

Wen Yan said no more, smiling lightly. “Let’s go.”

With that, she strode ahead.

“Third Miss, wait, your servant!” Qingyun, still pondering Wen Yan’s words, was startled to find she had already walked far ahead. She quickly dismissed the thought of the rat and hurried to catch up.

Outside Wenchang Alley lay the liveliest market in West River City.

Since the docks were completed, West River City had become a necessary stop for merchant ships from all over. With ships docking frequently, more people naturally came into the city.

Once a poor and nearly starving place, the city had gradually grown through contact with these merchants, evolving into what it was today.

Not only had the city more than doubled in size, but several new streets had also been constructed.

The street outside Wenchang Alley was one of these new additions.

It was broad and smooth, wide enough for three horse-drawn carriages to travel side by side.

The street swarmed with people, bustling and noisy, banners fluttering on either side, shops lining the road, and various stalls set up in empty spaces.

The clamorous voices washed over like the rising tide of a river.

Qingyun stood obediently beside Wen Yan, but her eyes darted about uncontrollably, taking in the many new and unfamiliar sights.

“Madam, young lady, please, spare some coins so this child can eat and have a full meal.”

“Kind-hearted young lady, show some charity.”

A few ragged beggars had appeared from nowhere, surrounding a mother and daughter just stepping out of a silver shop.

The beggars were so thin that the slightest touch seemed as if they would fall apart. Perhaps among them were either frail women or very young children.

The servants accompanying the mother and daughter dared not use force to drive them away for fear of a scene, which only emboldened the beggars to press closer, pushing everyone back toward the silver shop.

Qingyun watched and murmured, “Are these the displaced people?”

It had been long since West River City had seen anyone truly hungry; even beggars were usually well-fed.

Wen Yan quietly observed the scene, her eyes calm and still.

After a while, someone fetched the patrolling officers, who dispersed the mother and daughter’s predicament.

The officers immediately recognized some of the beggars, shouting angrily as they seized them.

“Is it you lot sneaking out again?”

The beggars shrank back silently.

One officer scolded harshly, “You won’t do the work assigned to you and only want to freeload. Keep this up and West River City won’t have a place for you.”

Qingyun was surprised by the officer’s words. Having only arrived in West River City recently, she asked others to understand the situation.

She learned that due to the influx of displaced people, unrest had arisen. To stabilize the situation, the magistrate relocated all displaced persons outside the city and organized them to exchange labor for food or money, dividing them into groups.

Some worked at the docks, others built temporary housing outside the city, and some took on tasks from local merchants.

Displaced people were assigned work based on their abilities and voluntary participation.

In every respect, their needs were carefully considered.

Yet some, perhaps out of laziness or the weariness of displacement, constantly evaded their duties and came back into the city to beg.

These were precisely such individuals.

With the officers escorting the displaced away, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Qingyun said, “Third Miss, the magistrate truly is a good official.”

Displaced persons scattered everywhere were a burden to many places, and local governments rarely accepted them to protect their own citizens.

But Wen Yan’s father had taken them in without causing trouble for the locals.

His willingness to take on such a responsibility was genuinely admirable.

Wen Yan agreed, a smile touching her lips.

“He is indeed a good official.”