After passing through Tongzhou City, the three people were utterly exhausted. Tiancheng turned back and asked, "Nurse, we’ve gone past the rest stop, and there are no inns ahead. Should we press on or find sowhere to rest for a bit?"
"Let’s wait till it’s completely dark," Ruan Jingliu replied without thinking, instructing Wan’er, "Hand him the water and dry rations."
Wan’er obliged, went out to replace Tiancheng in driving the carriage, while Tiancheng sat aside gnawing on a biscuit with cold water.
As darkness fully descended, Tiancheng looked around for a place to rest but spotted a glimr of light in a crevice between two hills near a stream. He smiled and said, "Nurse, there’s a family ahead; we might as well ask to borrow a fire and spend the night there."
"Okay." Ruan Jingliu rubbed her forehead; she was indeed a bit tired from the whole day of jostling in the carriage. But since Xiqiu had sent her personally, she assud the injury wasn’t minor and dared not delay.
The farmhouse had front and rear courtyards, and under the faint moonlight, the neatness and quiet of the yard were visible. Tiancheng called out at the gate, but no one responded inside. Instead, a short-statured youth wearing a short coat opened the door and happily said, "Excuse , we missed the rest stop on our journey; could we co in to borrow a fire?"
The person didn’t speak, silently walked over, and lowered his head to open the door for them.
"Thank you." Tiancheng turned back to invite Ruan Jingliu and then expressed his gratitude to the youth, just about to speak but paused, staring blankly at the youth before blurting out, "Mute?"
The mute quickly glanced at Tiancheng with an expressionless face, turned around, and headed inside, leaving them with a back view.
"Mute?" Ruan Jingliu also recognized the person as the mute who used to follow around Xu Tianqing. The mute paused in his steps but didn’t look back, entering the house without closing the door.
Tiancheng, Ruan Jingliu, and Wan’er stood at the doorway when a voice sounded within the house, and a girl in a gray cotton dress with horn-shaped braids ca bouncing out, "Who’s here?" standing at the door.
It’s Lyuzhu!
Tiancheng knew her, and Lyuzhu also recognized Tiancheng and imdiately displayed an annoyed look, "It’s you!" looking rather guarded.
"Who is it?" To their surprise, another person ca out from behind her, prompting Ruan Jingliu and Tiancheng to call out simultaneously, "Young Master Xu?"
Xu Tianqing looked at the people and froze, then showed a delighted expression, pulling Lyuzhu behind him to greet them, "Nurse Zhang, Tiancheng, Wan’er, how co it’s you?" gesturing for them to enter, "Quick, co in and take a seat."
Ruan Jingliu, Tiancheng, and Wan’er entered the house, and Xu Tianqing instructed the mute, "Serve the guests so tea."
Lyuzhu stood aside, glaring at Tiancheng with a resentful look.
After Ruan Jingliu and Tiancheng sat down, Xu Tianqing patted Lyuzhu’s head, smiling and saying, "Quick, greet the guests, how could you forget?" Lyuzhu pouted, punched her fist randomly, and said, "Greetings." Xu Tianqing then pulled her to the side.
In a low voice, she questioned, "What are they here for?" After speaking, she added unhappily, "Are they here to take you back?"
Xu Tianqing continued to smile, soothingly replied, "They seem to be just passing by; besides, if they were here to take back, it wouldn’t be Nurse Zhang coming, right?"
Lyuzhu tilted her head, looking at Xu Tianqing, who smiled back, saying, "Don’t overthink it, I’m not going anywhere; we agreed to live here together." After a pause, he continued, "They probably haven’t eaten; you and the mute should cook for them, be good!"
"As long as you rember," Lyuzhu turned her back on Tiancheng and Ruan Jingliu, heading straight to the kitchen without looking at them.
Xu Tianqing shook his head before returning to sit beside Tiancheng. Ruan Jingliu appraised him: a light blue soft silk coat, a little darker than before, but looking much better in spirit, healthier and stronger. She glanced around the house, finding the furnishings simple but complete, kept neat and clean.
"I didn’t expect to et you here," Xu Tianqing said with a smile. "Where are you headed?"
Tiancheng looked at Ruan Jingliu, who then replied, "Off to visit a sick friend." And after a pause, she asked, "Do you live here?"
Xu Tianqing nodded, "Yes!" Hearing this, Ruan Jingliu didn’t think much of it and complinted, "This place is nice."
Xu Tianqing chuckled softly, while Tiancheng seed a bit uneasy, glancing outside, and whispered, "Young Master Xu, how is it that you’re here... together with her?" Lyuzhu’s disappearance from the manor had prompted searches by the Marquis and Fourth Master with no results, yet unexpectedly, she was with Xu Tianqing.
"I happened to bump into them," Xu Tianqing said softly. "I found Lyuzhu when she was ill and decided to take them in. The three of us have stayed here as companions."
Tiancheng’s brow furrowed, apprehensive of Lyuzhu’s background and temperant, while Xu Tianqing said with a smile, "She has a sowhat domineering and willful nature, but she is kind at heart. Besides, she is still just a child..." Hoping to bring about a change in Lyuzhu.
Tiancheng had indeed noticed a change in Lyuzhu; back at the manor, he might have had chairs, tables, and benches thrown at him. anwhile, today, she rely displayed a sour face...
Xu Tianqing lowered his gaze, contemplating yet couldn’t refrain from asking, "Sixth Sister... how is Fourth Madam?"
Tiancheng remained silent, while Ruan Jingliu nodded and replied, "Everything’s fine!"
Xu Tianqing’s eyes moved slightly; he refrained from asking further questions. He shouldn’t disturb Sixth Sister’s life now, feeling content just to hear she was well from ti to ti.
As they were speaking, Lyuzhu and the mute brought in the als, both still showing stern expressions but saying nothing. After placing down the dishes, Lyuzhu didn’t look back and simply left the room.
"Simple fare," Tiancheng hesitated to eat the food brought by Lyuzhu, stood up hesitantly saying, "This is too embarrassing, we’ve already had dry rations on the journey, having rested, we’ll not inconvenience any longer."
Xu Tianqing was startled, looking towards Ruan Jingliu.
Since Tiancheng had spoken, Ruan Jingliu didn’t say more, rely nodding as she stood, "We’ll pass by again, and disturb Young Master Xu on our way back." After speaking, she nodded to Lyuzhu and the mute, heading out.
Seeing their determination to leave, Xu Tianqing said, "I’ll see you out then," accompanying them out.
Upon returning, Lyuzhu frowned, "Are they afraid I’d poison the food? Hmph! How petty of them." Xu Tianqing approached, shaking his head, "Alright, alright, quickly get so rest!"
"You co in too." Lyuzhu said, pulling Xu Tianqing into the courtyard, closing the door with a slam, then quietly questioning, "Did you ask about that woman’s situation just now?"
Xu Tianqing replied angrily, "Stop being unreasonable!"
Ruan Jingliu, Tiancheng, and Wan’er fed the horses, continuing their journey under the starlit night.
User Comments
0 comments from readers