Chapter 118 Awaiting the Good Time "All is well, awaiting your return."...

Xue Chan arrived in Chaoxi at nearly the end of July.

Although it's only almost August, it's much colder than in Kyoto and Tamagawa.

Before heading to Chaoxi, Xue Chan wrote a letter to Zheng Tan, informing him of her upcoming trip.

As soon as they arrived, members of the Jiang family came to pick them up. Because the two families lived far apart, she had never met any members of the Jiang family from Chaoxi, except for the wedding gifts.

This is the first time this has ever happened.

Jiang Ce's uncles, aunts, brothers, and sisters were mostly from the same lineage, all of them unconventional and outstanding.

After exchanging pleasantries, the uncles and aunts went elsewhere with Xue Chenghuai, leaving Xue Chan to face a group of aunts and sisters.

With so many people around, everyone was asking questions, leaving Xue Chan unsure of whose to answer first.

It was probably Fourth Aunt. She pulled Xue Chan aside and looked her over, feeling both gratified and wistful.

"That rascal Bozhou, do you really have such a refined girl? I didn't quite believe it when she wrote back."

She seemed to sink into despair, and sighed, "Bo Zhou, he..."

Xue Chan paused for a moment, then remembered Jiang Ce saying that when they were in Chaoxi, this aunt took good care of him.

Someone nudged her and said irritably, "It's not easy for people to come all this way, and you still bring up these sad things!"

Aunt Si finally stopped crying and asked Xue Chan, "How is your mother-in-law? I haven't seen her for several years. When Erlang was sent back, she often wrote letters and sent things, asking us to take good care of Erlang."

Xue Chan was slightly taken aback. Looking at her fourth aunt's concerned expression, she thought that Yu Niangzi must have had a pretty good relationship with her sisters-in-law when she was in Chaoxi.

"When I left, my mother was still in good health."

Fourth Aunt nodded, then said wistfully, "She is too..."

Perhaps because she had been grieving for a while, she immediately pulled Xue Chan along, saying, "This place is your home too, so feel free to settle in."

Xue Chan thought for a moment and asked, "I heard from my mother that they used to have a small house..."

"The old residence of Erlang and his family is still there, but it has been empty ever since they went to the capital. It's all deserted now."

Fourth Aunt didn't really want Xue Chan to live there alone, as it would easily remind her of her loved ones, so she tried to persuade her again.

"Why don't you stay with us? It's nice to have all the sisters together, you'll have someone to talk to, and it'll be lively."

Xue Chan knew she was sincere, so she smiled and said, "I did intend to, but Mother said the old house is uninhabited and it would be a pity to leave it in ruins. Since we're here, we should go and take a look. Besides, mooring the boat is also..."

Mentioning Jiang Ce, Fourth Aunt suddenly felt a little sad again, and said, "Well, it's not far away anyway, so it's convenient to visit each other."

Xue Chan nodded, and her fourth aunt then had someone help clean the house.

Xue Chan arrived at that small house the next day.

This house has always been taken care of, and Jiang Ce stayed here when he came to Chaoxi a few years ago.

Xue Chan was led into the house by her servants. She slowly walked through each place, passed through a long corridor, and saw a small back garden connected by a path of bamboo.

There was even a music room and a painting studio.

She first went into the music room, but since she had taken many things with her, only some sheet music remained.

On the long table sat a zither case.

Xue Chan carefully opened it, and inside was an excellent zither.

Although it has been there for many years, it is still carefully maintained. She reached out and plucked the strings, producing a clear and resonant sound.

"Why don't you take such a beautiful instrument with you?"

A maid standing nearby said, "I heard from Madam that when the lady left, she deliberately didn't take anything with her, only instructing people to take good care of her."

Xue Chan nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

She walked around the small pond into the painting studio on the other side, and even found paintings that Jiang Ce had practiced as a child on the shelves. In the corners of some books, there were also his scribbles, fragments of sentences, and complaints from when he didn't study properly.

"Early in the morning, I drew poorly and was scolded by my teacher for wasting paper and brush."

The next sentence is: "I must make you look at me with new eyes."

Xue Chan smiled and flipped the book over.

"Forget it."

There are many, many more examples like this.

She flipped through the pages slowly by the window, tracing the traces that were gradually fading away.

"Gurgle gurgle"

"Thump, thump, thump"

Xue Chan looked up at the sound and saw a persimmon tree that reached as high as the eaves. The tree was so large that it had grown for countless years, covering most of the eaves.

Sparse green leaves, dotted with dense orange-red.

From afar, it appears as vast expanses of brilliant light, quite breathtaking.

The ancient blue tiles were covered with persimmons, glistening in the sunlight. As the persimmons fell, a gust of wind blew them into the pond with a gurgling sound.

Xue Chan looked at the painting in her hand, then at the view through the window frame.

Spring flowers have faded, summer trees are sparse, autumn grasses are withered by frost, and winter snow is coming.

She picked up her pen and, in the same place and the same season, painted the same scene.

"I'm just waiting, waiting for this year's snow to fall, so we can celebrate the New Year together and have a day of family reunion..."

Xue Chan held the childlike painting "Snow Persimmon" in her hands and murmured softly.

She stayed in the small house for two or three days, practicing calligraphy and painting with Xue Chenghuai, or brewing tea and listening to music with the two sisters of the Jiang family. It was a peaceful and harmonious time.

Having spent too much time in the painting studio, on a whim, he led people to pick persimmons from the tree.

Baskets of bright red, crystal-clear persimmons were picked, bringing a touch of sweetness to the otherwise peaceful days.

The day before Frost's Descent, Fourth Aunt asked someone to invite them to her home to celebrate the festival.

With the New Year approaching, everyone was busy cleaning and preparing. The whole family was together, enjoying a lively and joyful reunion.

When Xue Chan arrived, her fourth aunt and two sisters were making winter clothes.

“You’ve traveled a long way, so you probably didn’t bring much with you. Since you’re here, why don’t you make some new clothes for me?” Without saying a word, Aunt Si held up a piece of fabric to compare against her.

Xue Chan was about to say something, but she guessed correctly and said directly, "Putting everything else aside, winter is coming and the New Year is coming soon. Even if it is a period of mourning, what does it matter if it is a couple of sets of clothes? It's enough to remember it in your heart, it's not like you're going out in the street to make a big fuss."

She spoke quickly and frankly, and Xue Chan, while feeling sentimental, was quite moved, so she also began to make her selections seriously.

"Erlang was quite mischievous when he was little. He could make new clothes faster than he could wear them out. His mother was meticulous and therefore slow at making things. One time when he came home, the clothes she had just made were ruined in an instant, and I gave him a good scolding. When he came back when he was about ten years old, he wasn't as naughty, but his clothes still wore out easily."

When Fourth Aunt recounted the past, her expression softened considerably.

When they mentioned new clothes, Xue Chan was also thinking that she should make winter clothes for the maids.

Chaoxi is much colder than Shangjing.

They were sitting there talking intimately when it quietly got dark outside.

The maids came to urge them to eat dinner.

Fourth Aunt walked briskly ahead, while Xue Chan walked with her two younger sisters, talking in hushed tones about what they had seen and heard along the way.

The two listened intently and laughed, "Second sister-in-law, you've just arrived, and there are so many beautiful sights in Chaoxi. You probably haven't been to Egret Village yet, right? That's wonderful! Let's go together, and I'll make sure you don't come for nothing."

Xue Chan met their bright eyes and smiled gently, "Okay."

Xue Chan, Xue Chenghuai, and her fourth aunt's family gathered together after the Frost's Descent.

She had just finished eating when her two younger sisters dragged her into the room to draw the Nine-Nine Cold-Dispelling Chart.

Looking at Xue Chan's painting, the third sister rested her chin on her hand and said, "Second sister-in-law, don't rush back to the capital. Let's make some kites and fly them at Bailuting when it gets warm in spring, and ride horses at Rimu Slope."

Xue Chan continued drawing stroke by stroke, and said with a smile, "I think I'll see all four seasons of Chaoxi before I leave."

She hasn't visited all the places Jiang Ce mentioned to her yet.

The group huddled together again, chattering about how they would spend the New Year.

"Beep beep beep"

There was a knock at the door. Fourth Aunt pushed the door open and came in. She walked up to Xue Chan, grabbed her shoulder, and her eyes glistened with tears.

“I just received a letter from your fourth uncle…” Her voice trembled slightly, but it was firm. “Erlang is still alive.”

Xue Chan raised her head, slowly trying to decipher what she was saying, before asking a question after a moment.

"What?"

Fourth Aunt handed her the letter: "This is a letter sent back with the mail, from Erlang to you."

Xue Chan received the letter, and the first thing she saw was the four words "To My Wife" on the envelope.

She didn't open the letter at the time, but put it in her sleeve, asked about his recent situation, and after receiving the news that he was safe and well, she sat back down and slowly drew those few winter-dispelling pictures.

Because Jiang Ce is currently reclaiming two small towns at the foot of Changping Mountain from the Western Rong, he will not be able to return for the time being.

After Xue Chan left the Jiang residence and returned to her small house, Yun Sheng and the others were quite happy, saying they would have someone clean the house thoroughly to welcome him and You Yu.

What do you think, young lady?

Yun Sheng, Chu Tao, Ying Yue, and the others talked for a long time without Xue Chan saying a word, so they asked for her opinion again.

Xue Chan took out the letter from her sleeve, placed it in front of the dressing table, and thought silently for a while before saying, "He won't be back for a while, why are we so anxious?"

Chu Tao blinked: "If you're not in a hurry about that, then what are you in a hurry about?"

Xue Chan said, "Go and send letters to the two younger sisters of the Jiang family, inviting them to visit Bailuting tomorrow."

Although Chu Tao and Ying Yue didn't quite understand, they didn't say anything and quietly went out to have someone prepare the arrangements.

After all, Xue Chan only said there was no rush, not that she wouldn't do it.

Yun Sheng ground ink for Xue Chan inside the room, and handed it out after she finished writing.

After everyone had gone about their business, Xue Chan slowly opened the letter.

Compared to the lengthy letters of the past, this letter can be described as concise and to the point.

"All is well, awaiting your return."

Xue Chan carefully put the letter away, placed it on the dressing table, and quietly went to sleep.

The next morning, she went to Bailuting with the Jiang sisters as usual.

Xue Chan even sailed across Tingzhou at dusk when the sky was ablaze with the glow of sunset. The water and sky were gradually dyed crimson and purple, and a dark mountain was reflected in the setting sun.

She didn't know if she had seen the same scenery as him, but the autumn wind was cold and she sneezed when she got off the boat.

"Could it be that he caught a cold? Let's get a doctor to take a look."

Xue Chan coughed and smiled, "The scenery is beautiful and the wine is fine, why are you sick?"

Seeing her laughing heartily, the group then drank wine in the setting sun at the Misty Rain Pavilion.

It wasn't until late at night that Xue Chan returned home, accompanied by the newly formed autumn frost.

She had been drinking and felt a little dizzy.

Yun Sheng and Chu Tao helped her into the house, but Xue Chan waved her hand as she entered and sat down under the eaves.

She sat quietly, looking down at the two large chrysanthemums placed under the eaves.

Xue Chan took a lamp from Yingyue's hand, stood up, and half-squatted down to look at the flowers.

These pots of chrysanthemums were specially sent by Aunt Cui. They were orange-pink, emerald green, bright yellow, and pearly white, a truly magnificent and splendid display of flowers.

Even on an autumn night, with only one lamp, the light still shines brilliantly.

She asked softly, "How much longer can we keep going?"

After a while, she said again.

"Let's keep it running a little longer."

However, things in this world are mostly unsatisfactory and not always perfect.

Xue Chan developed a fever in the middle of the night.

Everyone rushed to find a doctor, get a prescription, and get medicine. By the time her aggressive illness subsided, several days had already passed.

Xue Chan was in excellent health the entire way from the capital to Chaoxi, which made Xue Chenghuai extremely pleased.

But just before Jiang Ce was about to return, she fell ill.

She had a fever for two days, which subsided on the evening of the second day, and then she spent several days resting in bed.

By the time news of Jiang Ce and the others' triumphant return reached Chaoxi, almost half a month had passed, and even the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed.

Autumn arrives earlier in Asakaze than in Kamijō-Tamagawa.

The flowers that bloomed so beautifully under the eaves withered overnight. The petals that had once shimmered in the sunlight faded.

Yun Sheng was very worried; he had originally wanted to have everyone take them away.

But Xue Chan said, "Chrysanthemums never droop when they wither. Even though they look a bit worn out, they are still quite interesting. Let's keep them."

As the weather gets colder, those flowers will soon be finished blooming.

One rain, two gusts of wind, and silk flowers fall to the ground.

However, Jiang Ce was mostly busy, so busy that apart from that one letter, no other news came in.

On the fifteenth day, a large bunch of abundant red fruit was sent back.

Yun Sheng carried the two large branches of fruit to the bedside, and Chu Tao helped the weak Xue Chan up to look at them. She reached out and touched the fruit with her fingertips.

Fine as pearls, bright red and abundant, extremely plump.

Xue Chan gently broke off a small branch and let Chu Tao pin it to her simple, unadorned hair. The green hair and red fruit complemented each other, creating a charming and unique effect.

The only downside was that Xue Chan was too pale and weak; the rich color made her face look like it was covered in grease.

"Let's keep it in a bottle."

Chu Tao then put away the medicine bowl that Xue Chan had finished drinking from and helped her to rest on the pillow.

Xue Chan buried her head and curled up, her black hair drooping listlessly against her back.

Seeing that she seemed to be asleep, Yun Sheng tiptoed past the bed and whispered to Chu Tao, "A letter has arrived saying that my husband will be home today or tomorrow."

"Really?" Chu Tao's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she tugged at her sleeve and continued to whisper, "After such a long journey, we've finally been reunited thanks to God's mercy."

Yun Sheng laughed, "That's right."

The two chatted and laughed quietly for a while.

Xue Chan turned over and sat up.

She asked, "Where is my father?"

Yun Sheng replied, "It's a holiday outside today. The old man said he's going to buy you some delicious food and fun things to bring back."

"A holiday? What holiday?"

Chu Tao chimed in, "They say it's a festival to celebrate the autumn harvest, held once a year, and it's very lively."

Xue Chan leaned against the pillow, gazing at the newly blooming flowers in the porcelain vase for a long time before speaking.

"Let's go out and celebrate the holiday together."

Yun Sheng and Chu Tao looked at each other, initially intending to say that she wasn't fully recovered.

However, Xue Chan had already gotten out of bed and knew that she had no choice but to leave through this door.

They cleaned Xue Chan's face, combed her hair, and helped her change into a padded jacket and thick skirt before leaving the house.

The maids were taken out to play by Xue Chan, and the courtyard was empty in an instant.