Chapter 57 Moving to Ye City (Part 2) The jade moon hangs high above the earth, laughter and chatter fill the air…

Standing in front of the Chen residence, Chen Qun frowned habitually as he looked at the uninvited Guo Jia and his wife. His helpless tone was tinged with feigned resentment: "You two... are really not polite."

Guo Jia, without any hesitation, chuckled and raised the wooden box in his hand, pointing to the basket full of fresh fruit in Deng Jie's hand, "Brother Changwen, you are mistaken! When you come to visit, you should be courteous. Why are you being impolite?"

He strode in and shoved Chen Qun through the door, saying, "These were all carefully selected and prepared by Yi. As for the fruit, neither of us has ever tasted it before, yet we rushed to deliver it to you!"

Chen Qun glanced back at Xun Wei, who was traveling with Deng Jie, and said irritably, "...That's not what we were talking about. When did our two families become so close that we could just casually drop by each other's doors, or even... freeload off each other?"

"Yes!" Xun Wei, standing behind him, interrupted him without giving him any face.

As she spoke, she was about to take the basket from Deng Jie's hand, but Deng Jie pulled her back, and she helped her carry it inside.

She chuckled softly and told her maid to prepare more food.

Guo Jia chuckled and raised his eyebrows at Chen Qun triumphantly. Chen Qun awkwardly shook off his hand and quickly walked ahead to lead the way for the group.

The group arrived at the elegantly decorated courtyard, and night quietly descended with the moonlight.

The silvery light cast a clear, ethereal glow, making the courtyard exceptionally serene.

The stone lanterns emitted a soft glow, and the maid lit the candlesticks in the pavilion, instantly illuminating the small area with nine connected candles.

The servants quickly set up a small table and a brocade mat in the pavilion.

Guo Jia clicked his tongue in amazement: "How rare! How rare! Today I am fortunate enough to dine at the same table with Brother Changwen and have a long talk with him! This is truly the greatest fortune of my life!"

When Deng Jie thought of their estrangement in Xiapi, he teased, "It seems that Young Master Chen has finally gotten used to dining like this. No wonder he seems much closer to Shen Ge."

Chen Qun irritably flicked his sleeves, seemingly wanting to distance himself from Guo Jia, "If you ask me, I'd better sit separately from you!"

Deng Jie glanced at him and helped Xun Wei sit down next to Chen Qun. "You're still weak. It's a chilly autumn night, you shouldn't sit for too long."

Xun Wei, however, seemed to be in high spirits. Pointing to the bright moon in the sky, he laughed and said, "It doesn't matter. Look how beautiful the scenery is tonight! The moon is full and the stars are few, it's the perfect time to admire the moon. It's rare to have the two of you with us, how can we miss it?"

Chen Qun beckoned to the maid, took the blouse and draped it over her. Xun Wei smiled slightly, "It's a bit stuffy inside. It's much more comfortable here."

At this moment, the maids came in a line carrying food trays, food cauldrons, wine cups, and fruit platters, and placed the dishes on the table.

In front of each of the four people was a food stand, in which, besides millet rice, several lacquered plates were filled with fish soup, roasted lamb ribs, pickled mustard greens and sunflower seeds, and chive sauce.

Pork stewed in the central cauldron was bubbling and simmering, filling the air with its aroma.

The fruit that Guo Jia and his companions had sent was now being portioned into plates, with the pomegranates even peeled and piled up, glistening and translucent in the candlelight.

Chen Qun tucked his sleeves into his pocket and poured wine for everyone, gesturing for them to enter.

Looking at the grand display before him, Guo Jia couldn't help but tease, "As expected of Young Master Chen and Clerk Chen! Such delicious food, especially with such a beautiful view, is truly exquisite and elegant. I have underestimated you."

Chen Qun snorted and raised his eyebrows proudly, "Such elegant things help to maintain harmony in the family... We can't be like you, doing all sorts of unsightly things all the time, only making us a laughing stock and bringing trouble to the world."

Deng Jie chuckled and leaned closer to Guo Jia: "It seems that Fengxiao has been worrying too much. Young Master Chen and Shenge's friendship is growing stronger, and they are in perfect harmony. Why should we worry about them?"

Xun Wei, however, deliberately ignored Chen Qun's request and pulled Deng Tjie close to his ear to whisper, "Hmm... actually, your 'Moon Fragrance'... is indeed amazing."

Deng Jie was taken aback for a moment, then opened her eyes wide and looked at her, covering her mouth and laughing so hard that her shoulders swayed. "Then, that's good."

She was referring to the incense recipe that Deng Jie had improved.

But the two men on the other end had obviously heard this too. Guo Jia turned his head away, trying to suppress his anger, while Chen Qun's face flushed red instantly, and he coughed loudly, "Shen Ge, Mo... Mo Mo said too much!"

Xun Wei pouted and glanced at him lightly, her eyes both reproachful and amused, which immediately silenced Chen Qun.

Chen Qun gritted his teeth, raised his wine cup, and shouted at Guo Jia, "Hey! It's me who's lost my composure!"

Having said that, he drank the wine in the cup in one gulp.

Seeing Chen Qun's panicked appearance, Guo Jia couldn't help but sit down next to him, patted him on the shoulder, and laughed loudly: "Brother Changwen is so elegant! I love Brother Changwen's style!"

Over the years, Guo Jia's habit of teasing Chen Qun has never changed.

Chen Qun became even more embarrassed by his laughter and hurriedly shoved Guo Jia's wine cup into his hand: "Shut up! Drink!"

Just as Guo Jia happily accepted the wine cup, twelve-year-old Chen Tai came out from the backyard, approached the pavilion, and respectfully bowed to everyone.

Chen Qun quickly composed himself, put on a stern face, and invited him to sit down.

Chen Tai responded with a "Yes," glanced at Guo Jia and his wife by the table, blushed slightly, and then moved closer to Xun Wei, revealing a relaxed expression.

The maid behind him promptly served the young master a food stand and wooden chopsticks.

Xun Wei looked up and pointed to Chen Tai, saying, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival with a full moon. Tai'er, what are your thoughts upon seeing this scene?"

Following his mother's finger, Chen Tai looked up at the bright moon and pondered.

The pavilion fell silent for a moment, and even Guo Jia put away his joking expression, waiting for his reply.

Chen Tai gazed into the distance, lost in thought, yet found it difficult to speak. His words, however, carried the composure of a gentry's son: "To mention 'The moon rises bright, the beautiful woman is graceful. Her figure is alluring, yet my heart is troubled' seems frivolous..."

Upon hearing this, Deng Jie was caught red-handed stealing a glance at Guo Jia, and both of them barely managed to suppress their mischievousness in their expressions.

Chen Qun rolled his eyes as he watched the two exchanging glances, focusing on his wife's profile before waiting for his son's next words.

"...But to say 'riding the vast ocean, floating on the mighty Milky Way' would ultimately seem desolate and doesn't quite fit the scene today..."

He furrowed his brow slightly, deep in thought.

"There's no need to be overly critical of the words of the ancients; just express your own thoughts," Xun Wei said softly, stroking his forehead.

Chen Tai blinked, gathering his distant thoughts, and looked back at the exquisite dishes on the table and the gentle smiles on his parents' faces. A smile appeared on his face as well. He paused slightly, then softly said:

"The shadows of the osmanthus trees sway gently, and the jade moon hangs high in the sky, shared by all."

May the golden goblet be filled to the brim, and may laughter and joy continue year after year.

Upon hearing the child's sincere blessing, Guo Jia quietly took Deng Jie's hand, as if responding to the wish for "May we be together year after year."

A warm feeling welled up in Deng Jie's heart as well, and she returned his hand.

"Tai'er speaks so well, so sincerely!" Xun Wei praised his son without reservation, and eagerly poured him honey water and served him stewed meat.

"As Tai'er said, I congratulate my family on this earthly reunion and pray for blessings year after year!" Chen Qun raised his glass, proud of his son.

"Absolutely, absolutely! What you say is excellent, young master. From now on, my wife and I will often come to your residence for a 'reunion' like today!" Guo Jia also picked up his wine cup, taking the opportunity to gain an advantage.

Deng Jie jokingly scolded him for being shameless, but Chen Qun smiled and stopped arguing, inviting the two ladies to drink together.

The autumn wind brushes the eaves, carrying with it the sounds of laughter and chatter. The temperature within it is like a flickering candle flame, sometimes hot, sometimes cool, unpredictable yet enduring.

-----------------------

Author's note: I absolutely had to finish this during the Mid-Autumn Festival... but before I knew it, I was already sixteen.