BXBX NOVEL Chapter 46: Wheelchair
At least for now, she felt her relationship with Zhao Xiyan resembled that of a fan and an idol.
She would be moved by him, do things for him, and even take care of all the Zhao Family members because of him.
However, to willingly work for the Zhao Family just because of these things was far from enough.
After all, Qi Yue had a mature modern soul, and having lived two lifetimes, she had grown indifferent to almost everything.
No matter how confused and touched she was by Zhao Xiyan, or how moved by the closeness and love of his family, when she calmed down, she would only make the choice that was best for herself.
That night, the exile team finally arrived at the inn before the gates of Longnan County Government closed.
It really was the southernmost part of Beiyuan, the weather had not become cold but had turned slightly warm.
Looking around, the vegetation was lush and showed no signs of decay, thoroughly resembling a Southern Kingdom climate.
Of course, these appealing sights in Qi Yue’s eyes were symbols of fear and horror in the hearts of the people of Beiyuan.
The dense forests and hills indicated the presence of venomous insects and fierce beasts, and deadly miasma and mosquitoes!
And they had yet another 15 days’ journey ahead.
One could imagine what that place would be like.
The morale of the exile team notably declined, and even Guan Yidao rarely used his whip on anyone.
Instead, he announced a two-day stopover, urging everyone to make necessary arrangements quickly, as after reaching Longnan Ridge, they would never be allowed out again.
The phrase “never allowed out again” plunged the relieved exile team back into sorrow.
This was going to be their last period of freedom in their lives.
To call it freedom, not everyone was permitted to go out.
Because if the person granted permission ran away, his entire family would be executed.
Qi Yue was definitely going to make a trip.
Making a wheelchair for Zhao Xiyan was something she had agreed upon long ago, and since the remaining path was very narrow, the wheelchair would be the best mode of transport.
Once they reached Longnan Ridge, he would not always have to stay in bed and could go out anytime by moving the wheelchair.
After telling Shen Yu about this, she became so emotional that she was on the verge of tears.
“Yueyue, mother thanks you, thank you for considering Yanyan.”
She grasped Qi Yue’s hand and pressed into it the jade United Hearts Button she had given her previously.
“Yueyue, this is all mother has now, do you think it’s enough to build the kind of chair you mentioned?”
Qi Yue persistently declined.
After all, she was someone with a space filled with gold and jewels; how could she possibly accept the last love token of an elderly woman?
“Mother, I have silver, don’t worry, I’ll definitely bring back what we need, and whatever you and Shuanghua need as well, I’ll bring it all back.”
Shen Yu moved her lips, wanting many things.
But going to Longnan Ridge, whether they could survive or how long they could live was uncertain—why bother with making arrangements!
In the end, she said nothing.
“It’s okay, there’s nothing needed right now.”
Qi Yue could naturally guess what was going on in her mind.
She found it inappropriate to say more and left, only to be followed out the door by Zhang Zhao, who gave her a 50 silver note. He asked her to buy some things for the children and Cong Zhonglan.
Qi Yue did not say much and simply accepted it.
The inn where the exile team was staying was far from the center of the County, but luckily Guan Yidao had lent her an old horse, significantly speeding up her travel.
It took her less than a Shichen to reach the busy market gate.
Seeing the words “West Market” above the gate, Qi Yue knew she was on the right path.
When she had come, she had inquired with Guan Yidao and learned that the West Market of Longnan County Government had many craftsmen and even specialized carpentry shops.
Leading the horse and observing as she went, she realized that Guan Yidao’s words were true.
Longnan County Government certainly didn’t disappoint as the most prosperous county in the southern part of Beiyuan Kingdom, with a well-developed handicraft industry.
After choosing a relatively large carpentry shop and tethering his horse to a tree by the entrance, a young attendant promptly came forward to greet him.
“Welcome, madam. Please come in. What would you like to see?”
An uncommonly enthusiastic and familiar greeting.
Qi Yue couldn’t help but look down at her own attire.
There was nothing special about it really, quite ordinary, indeed, even her face had been deliberately darkened a few shades!
“I’m looking for a type of chair with wheels underneath, so that someone with limited mobility can move around freely. Do you have something like that?”
Qi Yue stated her needs directly.
She hadn’t harbored much hope, since such a thing was non-existent even in the capital of Beiyuan Kingdom.
“Are you talking about a cart with four wheels, madam?”
Upon seeing the rudimentary wheelchair in front of her, Qi Yue was somewhat startled.
It really was a four-wheeled cart!
More accurately, it resembled a human-drawn cart.
With two wheels in front and two at the back, there was a seat in the middle for someone to sit, a pair of handles at the front for pulling, and, resembling a wheelchair, there were protruding wooden rods on either side at the back, presumably for pushing.
Although this contraption was far more convenient than a cart, it was still too long.
Seeing Qi Yue frown in silence, the shopkeeper timely interjected.
“Madam, if there is anything unsatisfactory about this chair, we can modify it.”
Upon hearing about the possibility of modification, Qi Yue got an idea.
The credentials of this shop seemed respectable, with meticulous workmanship and materials, why not ask them to recreate the wheelchair according to her specification.
“Shopkeeper, may I borrow some paper and a pen?”
Soon, Qi Yue had sketched out a design for a wheelchair.
Seeing the shopkeeper scrutinizing the design and remaining silent, Qi Yue grew puzzled.
“Shopkeeper, is there a problem with the design?”
The shopkeeper suddenly came back to his senses and started praising enthusiastically.
“The design is perfect! It has solved a major issue I’ve been facing for a long time!”
“Madam, you are really incredible. With these adjustments, not only will the wheelchair be easier to navigate, but it will also be lighter and more agile.”
Seeing that the shopkeeper was confident in manufacturing it, Qi Yue was also pleased and decided to engage more deeply in the conversation.
She suggested integrating small mechanisms into the armrests of the wheelchair for emergencies.
She proposed changing the rear wheels to a dual-layer and using a chain drive mechanism to smoothly overcome minor obstructions, which would also stabilize the wheelchair.
Overwhelmed with excitement, the shopkeeper exclaimed that Qi Yue’s blueprint was worth a fortune.
Honest shopkeepers like him were rare these days; thus, Qi Yue immediately offered to give him the design for free.
Grateful, the shopkeeper promised to have the craftsmen work overnight so that the wheelchair would be ready by the next day.
Qi Yue set a time to pick up the wheelchair the following day, and then went to the east market to buy quite a few items.
Pots, pans, ladles, salt, vinegar, tea, bedding, mattresses, and a variety of grain seeds were a given, not to mention clothes for everyone.
She also chose some fabrics, planning to use them to make clothes when she returned.
The items collected in the Marquis Residence, although numerous, were all luxurious goods which were impractical for their soon-to-be life in Longnan Ridge; buying them would have been a waste!
Along the way, she found a secluded spot and stored most of her purchases in her space, leaving only the urgently needed items and the ones bought for Zhang Zhao.
After everything was set, Qi Yue was about to head back, but she unexpectedly saw Qi Fengzhang sneaking into a teahouse.
From his demeanor, it was clear he wasn’t there to buy things.
Remembering that someone had been secretly giving Qi Fengzhang silver notes, Qi Yue quickly hid in her space to change into men’s clothing and, after disguising herself, she also entered the teahouse.