The Perfect Life in the Song Dynasty

Chapter One: Family Letters

Under the blazing sun, the earth felt like a steamer, heavy with humidity. Everything seemed shrouded in a thin veil of moisture, and even the cicadas' chirping on the branches lacked its usual cheerfulness.

Mu Qing stood at the doorway, watching the yellow dog squatting in the yard, its mouth wide open and tongue lolling out to cool off. Provocatively, she vigorously waved her round fan, making an unpleasant "whoosh, whoosh" sound. Looking at the pitiful-looking dog, Mu Qing couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Luckily, she hadn't been reborn as an animal; otherwise, in this awful weather, that fur would have made her swelter.

After standing there for only a short while, Mu Qing felt sweating all over. She quickly fanned herself and went inside, picked up the plum juice on the table and drank it all in one gulp. After finishing the bowl, she felt much better. "It's chilled, so refreshing!"

Looking down, she noticed a porcelain plate on the table filled with fruit, meant to accompany plum juice. She couldn't help but smile, "Biyan is so thoughtful, worried about my sour taste." As she spoke, she picked up the plate and examined it closely. Looking at the milky-white lotus seeds coated in sugar, Mu Qing suddenly became lost in thought, murmuring softly, "Sugared lotus seeds… Tangxin…"

Tang Xin! It had been so long since Mu Qing had heard this name that it sounded somewhat unfamiliar.

Three months ago, she tripped and fell while climbing a mountain. When she woke up, she found herself lying on the bed in the east wing of the Chen family's house. It wasn't until her mother, Qian Yueniang, rushed over and cried out "Mu Qing" that Tang Xin realized she had transmigrated.

She remembered that when her father, Chen Yu, saw her acting as if she didn't recognize him, he prepared generous gifts and specially invited a renowned doctor from Danling to treat Mu Qing. The doctor concluded that her body was fine, but the high fever had likely damaged her brain, causing her amnesia. He said she needed slow recuperation and guidance to recover. Later, she learned that Mu Qing, the six-year-old only daughter of the Chen family, had been mistakenly kidnapped and traumatized, resulting in a persistent high fever and unconsciousness upon her return. Five days later, the fever subsided and she awoke—it was Tang Xin, who had transmigrated from the 21st century.

"The fourth year of Tianxi..." Tang Xin was greatly embarrassed when she learned this reign title from Madam Qian. She was not well-versed in literature and history and did not remember the reign title clearly. Naturally, she did not know where she had traveled to. Fortunately, she later heard the merchants from the capital talking to her father about the Tianqi Festival, which commemorated the emperor's descent of the heavenly book. Only then did she realize that she had arrived in the era of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, the god-creating emperor.

The Chen family originated from Hangzhou. The father took over the family's tea business in Sichuan and settled in Danling, Meizhou for more than five years.

In her past life, Tang Xin was an orphan. Her parents died early, and she was raised by her uncle. Her aunt treated her badly, and her uncle was henpecked. However, out of respect for her deceased sister, he secretly saved money to support her through university. Later, she earned extra money to pay for her tuition by doing design work, relying on her drawing and writing skills. After graduation, she joined a consulting firm working on logistics projects. Just when she was finally making a name for herself, she accidentally lost her life while out having fun.

The love she received from her parents after transmigrating allowed her to experience the long-lost warmth of family affection. The initial confusion and guilt of being taken advantage of gradually dissipated with the careful care of Chen Yu and Madam Qian. From then on, she lived as Mu Qing.

Mu Qing snapped out of her reverie, her gaze returning to the plate of candied lotus seeds. She picked one up and popped it into her mouth; it was sweet. Whether it was Tang Xin or Mu Qing, once she came back to life, she would cherish it and peacefully enjoy these tranquil and sweet days, as sweet as candied lotus seeds.

At this moment, the bamboo curtain swayed, and a young girl in a green dress walked in. She was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with her hair in two buns and a cheerful face. "Young lady, a letter has arrived from Hangzhou. Fourth Master said that he will set off to return to Hangzhou in a few days."

"Biyan, look how happy you are. Are you homesick? Did your father ask why you're in such a hurry to go back to Hangzhou?"

Biyan noticed the fine sweat on Muqing's forehead and quickly wiped it dry with a handkerchief. She then took a round fan and fanned Muqing. "I heard it's the old lady's seventieth birthday. A letter came from home saying that Fourth Master should bring his family back to Hangzhou to celebrate."

"Birthday wishes?" Mu Qing tossed a candied lotus seed into her mouth, chewing as she said, "Mother's been quite busy lately! I wonder what Hangzhou is like these days? By the way, Biyan, didn't you ask the messenger about your family's situation?"

"Alas, this time it's Second Master Shu from the eldest master's family and Manager He who have come. Where am I supposed to ask?!"

"Hmm? Excuse me, Second Master, Manager He?" Mu Qing paused, patted the frosting on his hands, and murmured, "Strange, something's not right..."

Biyan asked, puzzled, "Young lady, what do you mean by strange?"

"It's nothing. Come on, let's go see if Mother needs any help."

"Young lady, how old are you? What can you possibly do? Young lady... sigh!" Before Biyan could even react, Muqing had already left.

When Mu Qing ran to her mother's room, Chen Yu and Qian Yueniang were talking inside.

Mu Qing stopped in her tracks, crouching low to the window and refusing to go any further. She then heard Chen Yu say angrily, "I don't know how the news of Mu Qing's kidnapping got back to Hangzhou... that allowed them to conveniently use the old lady's name as a pretext. I'm afraid that once she goes back, she won't be returning to Shu for a while."

"They haven't let us go back for so many years, but this time they suddenly sent a letter saying that the old lady is thinking about her great-granddaughter. What are those people up to? Do they think others can't see through them? Anyone with eyes can see that it's the eldest son's family who are jealous of the business that has improved in the last two years, and they're trying to persuade the old lady to let Shu'er replace you. I told you to keep a backup plan, but you wouldn't listen. You insisted on setting an example for the family. But why didn't Father send anyone to inform us beforehand? Did he just watch the eldest son's family blatantly take advantage of you?" Madam Qian asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Father? When has he ever cared about the family’s food, clothing, and daily necessities? He’s obsessed with those antiques and curiosities all day long, and when the mood strikes, he’ll paint a few strokes. Alas, who knows what benefits Uncle has promised him this time.” Chen Yu’s words were full of helplessness. “My third brother is an official outside, and my fifth brother is still studying. With all the bribes and daily expenses for everyone in the family, how can we possibly make up for it with the allowance from the public funds and the income from those estates and shops? Since no one in the family has said anything, I’ve let it go cleanly, fulfilling everyone’s wishes! Who wants to leave their hometown? It’s better to stay on a few acres of land, tend to flowers and bamboo, and live a carefree and happy life!”

Madam Qian comforted her, saying, "That's enough, don't get angry. Your health is the most important thing. Since things have come to this, let's prepare the birthday gifts and luggage first, and then we can discuss everything in detail when we get back to Hangzhou."

"Well, that's all we can do. I'll have to trouble you, Madam, to prepare the birthday gifts for the Old Madam. Also, find a fortune teller to calculate the departure date. I need to make sure I explain things at the shop to Shu Er in the next few days. And you should also talk to Mu Qing about the rules of the household."

"I understand, sir, please rest assured!"

Chen Yu gave Qian a few more instructions and then returned to the shop.

Mu Qing hid in the corner and waited until Chen Yu left before peeking out. Through the open window, she saw that only Qian Shi was sitting quietly in the room, lost in thought. Her pretty face was slightly furrowed, and she wondered what was troubling her. Was she reluctant to give up the lucrative income from her business, or did she simply not want to go back?

Although Mu Qing had only known Qian Shi for three months, she still understood Qian Shi's personality to some extent. She could tell that while Qian Shi outwardly advised Chen Yu, she herself was probably more anxious than anything else. Furthermore, Chen Yu and Qian Shi rarely mentioned Hangzhou, and Chen Yu's tone just now revealed that his feelings for that "home" weren't very deep. Looking at Qian Shi's expression, Mu Qing felt that the couple's relationship with their home wasn't as harmonious as it appeared; otherwise, they wouldn't have been "exiled" here five years ago.

Mu Qing knew she was still young and couldn't be of much help with these family matters, nor was it her place to worry about them. The only thing she could do was act like a child and try to make Qian Shi happy. She straightened her clothes and stepped into the room.

"Mother!" Mu Qing shouted, "Bi Yan said she's going back to Hangzhou. Is Hangzhou fun?"

Hearing her daughter's joyful voice, Madam Qian immediately smiled, stroking her daughter who had snuggled into her arms, as if reminiscing, "Muqing is always thinking about playing, hehe! Hangzhou? Mother hasn't been back for many years. I remember when Muqing left Hangzhou, she was just learning to walk, and now she's all grown up... If only there weren't those worries..."

At this point, Qian's face darkened, and she fell silent.

Seeing that Madam Qian remained silent for a long time and her expression was strange, Mu Qing knew, as she had guessed, that something must have happened between Chen Yu and his wife when they were at the main house. She tugged at Madam Qian's sleeve, "Mother, what's troubling you?"

"Where? Mother has no worries!" Madam Qian stroked Mu Qing's slightly disheveled hair. "When we return to Hangzhou, Mu Qing will be seeing her grandparents, uncles, and siblings. Remember the etiquette I've taught her, and don't be impolite in front of others. Do you understand?"

Mu Qing nodded, "I understand! I was running around in a hurry when I came out, and now I'm thirsty. I'll ask Mother for a bowl of lotus seed and rock sugar water!" Mu Qing interrupted Qian Shi's words inappropriately, waving her little hand to fan herself. She knew that if she let Qian Shi continue, she might nag for a long time.

Madam Qian poured a bowl of sweet soup from a porcelain cup and handed it to Mu Qing. "Here! You can have an extra bowl this afternoon. You're not very healthy, and even if the summer heat is hard to get rid of, drinking too much of this chilled sweet soup won't do you any good."

Mu Qing was truly thirsty, and holding the bowl, she gulped down the water. Madam Qian smiled helplessly, "How can you act like a girl? I've never seen you so carefree before. It's my fault for not keeping you properly disciplined these past few months, seeing you just recovered from your illness. If you're still like this when we get back to Hangzhou, I'm afraid people will gossip..." Madam Qian paused, as if thinking of something, and murmured softly, "If you were a boy, perhaps..."

After finishing her sweet soup, Mu Qing interrupted Madam Qian with a smile, "I'll enjoy every day as it comes, Mother, you don't need to worry!" Mu Qing licked the rim of her bowl, then smacked her lips a few times, "When Mu Qing returns to Hangzhou, she will abide by the rules and not let others gossip."

Mrs. Qian was slightly taken aback. Her daughter had really grown up and become more perceptive.

Madam Qian knew this change had begun after her serious illness. Her once somewhat slow-witted daughter was like a different person after recovering. She became articulate, no longer the timid six-year-old, and even proactively asked to begin learning to write. Even when playing around, she seemed to be perceptive, never behaving rudely in public again. If it weren't for the perfect match in build, appearance, and even the birthmark, Madam Qian would have truly believed she had adopted someone else's child. Seeing her anxious state, Chen Yu laughed and said that she worried about her child's naivety, but now that she was more perceptive, her worries were unfounded. Madam Qian later reflected that perhaps it was because she hadn't properly supervised her daughter, causing her to be innocently kidnapped, that her daughter had been traumatized and matured so quickly. Whenever she saw her daughte

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