CHAPTER 231: CHAPTER 231: HE ENDURES

The next morning, when Yu Xiaolian woke up, Sun Daji’s wife was cooking porridge, and Yu Xiaolian went over to see that the porridge was still incredibly watery.

Without saying a word, she turned to the rice sack and scooped out a bowl of rice, which she poured into the pot.

Not to mention not washing the rice, the rice she took was of the no-rinse variety.

This rice wasn’t even the best she had in her storage; the best was a long-grain aromatic rice, very expensive, which Yu Xiaolian never took out because this type of rice simply didn’t exist in ancient times.

At this time, all the rice was small-grain, and it didn’t have the concentrated aroma of modern rice, nor was its texture as good.

Once the porridge was ready, Yu Xiaolian brought over the eggs boiled yesterday and said, "Whoever wants one should take it themselves; I won’t hand them out one by one. Let’s eat quickly—after breakfast, the South City Gate should be open, and we can hit the road."

Yu Xiaolian was enjoying her porridge and egg when she saw Mrs. Duan and Ning Chuyu walk in.

Her appetite vanished instantly.

"Weren’t you gone? Why are you back again?"

Ning Chuyu and Mrs. Duan looked much cleaner and more refined than yesterday; it seemed they stayed at an inn last night.

Ning Chuyu ignored Yu Xiaolian’s question and went directly to Su Jingchen’s side.

Before Ning Chuyu even spoke, tears welled up, "Brother Jingchen, after my mother and I left yesterday, we discovered our road permit was missing, leaving us unable to proceed. The Escort Agency also refuses to escort anyone without a road permit.

Brother Jingchen, please have pity on us, let us join you?"

Su Jingchen frowned, "Weren’t your road permits kept close? How did they get lost?"

With tears like dewdrops on a pear blossom, Ning Chuyu said, "Yesterday my mother put the road permits in the bundle; surely that beggar who stole the bundle thought the road permits were silver notes and took them."

Su Jingchen’s voice was filled with helplessness, "Without a road permit, there’s nothing I can do to help you."

Suddenly, Ning Chuyu grabbed Su Jingchen’s arm, pleading, "Brother Jingchen, you can help these strangers; why can’t you help me?

The matter of breaking off the engagement was not my wish; my father forced me. In my heart... I truly have feelings for Brother Jingchen."

"Cough...," Yu Xiaolian coughed lightly as if by accident.

Su Jingchen shook off Ning Chuyu’s hand, "Luckily, you lost your road permits inside Weicheng; why not spend some silver coin to obtain a temporary residence status here and settle down?"

Temporary residence status is akin to a modern-day temporary residence permit; Yu Xiaolian and the others have the same status in Luocheng.

Locals in Luocheng have a permanent residence status known as Huangji, which grants them permanent residency, whereas temporary residence status needs renewal every three years.

When renewing, the Government checks for any criminal or bad records in the area; if any are found, renewal is denied, and you’re sent back to your original place.

Who can obtain permanent residence? Newborns in the area or scholars with academic titles.

All states and regions warmly welcome scholars with academic titles to register their residency, even granting them privileges and exempting them from fees.

Aside from the scholar, his immediate family can also reap the benefits.

Only direct relatives qualify—not extended family like aunts and uncles.

For someone with temporary residence like Yu Xiaolian, you must live locally for over ten years and cause no adverse impact before converting to permanent residence.

Another way to obtain permanent residence is by making excellent contributions to your temporary residence, recognized by the Government, who will make an exception for the family.

Such situations are rare; most migrants only manage a temporary residence and, after a brief refuge, are sent back once the home conditions improve.

Ning Chuyu was young and didn’t know what temporary residence meant; her intention wasn’t to settle down but to follow Su Jingchen.

Last night, after much effort convincing her mother, now with Su Jingchen casually suggesting they settle in Weicheng, it couldn’t work.

Ning Chuyu kept shaking her head, "Brother Jingchen, we grew up together, we were once engaged; can you really leave me behind?"

Su Jingchen half-covered his mouth and coughed for a while, then Yu Xiaolian heard his voice weaken, "It’s not that I can’t help you; it’s simply impossible. You know why I’m heading to Yu State.

If Jingyue hadn’t been abducted to Yu State, why would I journey there alone?

You see that I’m helping the Sun Family; in reality, they’ve been looking after me.

With the weather getting colder, I cough uncontrollably upon breathing in cold air. Whether I can make it to Yu State at all is uncertain."

Su Jingchen’s message was clear: he couldn’t take care of himself, so how could he care for others?

Yu Xiaolian mischievously suggested, "Scholar Su, with your health enduring hardships along with us, you might not handle it well.

Why not travel with Miss Ning and the others?

They have money and a carriage, and if your old illness flares up, Miss Ning might extend a helping hand. We don’t have the money for treatment if you stick with us!"

Sun Daji’s wife, not understanding, hurried to Yu Xiaolian’s side, "Nephew, Scholar Su has helped us a lot along the way; how can you send him away?"

Yu Xiaolian feigned helplessness, "Scholar Su indeed helped, but you’ve both taken care of each other, haven’t you? Didn’t you save him when he fell from the horse?

If you ask me, you’re square—a wash for both sides."

Feigning innocence, Yu Xiaolian pulled Sun Daji’s wife aside, lowering her voice, "Didn’t you notice him coughing every now and then? It’s likely tuberculosis, a contagious illness. Otherwise, why do you think I’m sending him off?"

Su Jingchen was so infuriated that his lips merely twitched.

He tolerated it!

Yu Xiaolian wasn’t finished and continued telling Sun Daji’s wife, "I even saw Scholar Su coughing up blood this morning..."

Even though Yu Xiaolian lowered her voice, the Duan mother and daughter heard every word clearly. They knew Su Jingchen’s health was weak but never suspected tuberculosis.

Ning Chuyu was stunned, while Mrs. Duan quickly pulled her in panic, "Stand farther away; so close, you want to catch it?"

Ning Chuyu, pulled off balance, struggled to point at Yu Xiaolian, shouting, "You’re lying! Brother Jingchen doesn’t have tuberculosis!"

Mrs. Duan fiercely pinched Ning Chuyu’s arm, "He’s always worn a mask outside; I’ve said he’s got something nasty. Let’s go, stop dawdling."

Ning Chuyu pleaded with Mrs. Duan, "Mother, Brother Jingchen is merely frail; it’s not tuberculosis, it isn’t.

Brother Jingchen, tell my mother it’s not tuberculosis."

Su Jingchen shot Yu Xiaolian a secret glare.

Then he covered his mouth and started coughing again; with each cough, those nearby jumped back a distance.

Su Jingchen couldn’t stop coughing; it grew more severe, almost breathless from coughing. Seeing this, Ning Chuyu hesitated about his condition, allowing Mrs. Duan to drag Ning Chuyu away.