Chapter 725 A Dream of Youth 257
Flowers bloom profusely along the riverbank, vying for attention and beauty. The clear river reflects the sunny sky, and occasionally a few egrets leap down from the floating clouds, splashing water droplets and creating ripples.
The wharf in Shangquan Town seemed to have expanded. Willows drooped downwards, crisscrossing and swaying in the wind. Suddenly, a light rain began to fall, and the stalls along the shore set up awnings to shelter from the rain.
The laborers carrying the goods continued to carry them on their shoulders, trip after trip. Occasionally, when they took a break, they would sit down at a small stall and order a bowl of warm soup to warm themselves up.
Some people ordered steamed buns or sesame cakes to fill their stomachs, while those who were reluctant to spend money took out a portion of dry rations from their cloth bags to eat. Those who came out to do manual labor could not earn much money, but by eating the dry rations they brought with them, they could save a few more copper coins to take home.
Xie Ning held a hand warmer, and Qingxu opened a light yellow oil-paper umbrella to protect her as she disembarked. A dozen servants followed behind her, and the steward busied himself carrying the luggage to the Xie family's small courtyard in town.
Since we'll be staying for a while, we brought quite a bit of luggage.
Of course, the original courtyard couldn't accommodate so many people. Fortunately, Xie Wangzhi had arranged for the courtyard to be expanded a long time ago, so it was able to accommodate them.
As the group disembarked, the busy dockworkers couldn't help but look over, remarking, "How impressive! I wonder which family's lord they are."
"They look like officials." Many merchants come and go from here, and they've seen some of the most impressive ones, but the style of clothing worn by officials and those without official rank is different.
As everyone was talking, the young man who had been setting up a stall at the dock for the past two weeks to help people write letters put down his pen and walked over. "Uncle."
The young man first bowed to Xie Wangzhi, who was walking in front, and then bowed to the elders who came later.
Although he hadn't returned for many years, the young man in the long robe still retained a trace of his youth in his eyes. Xie Wangzhi nodded gently, "Qingshan."
Xie Qi and Xie Ning returned the greeting, "Brother Qingshan."
This is the child of the second branch of the Xie family. He is of the same generation as Xie Qi and Xie Ning, but a few years older than Xie Qi. He looks very mature.
Xie Wangzhi glanced at Xie Qingshan's stall and asked, "Why are you setting up a stall here to write letters for people?"
He knew that Xie Qingshan would be taking the provincial examination this autumn, and promised that Xie Qingshan and several other younger members of the clan could stay at his courtyard in Quanzhou for a period of time to facilitate the examination.
Although Xie Wangzhi appeared gentle, he was, after all, an official and possessed an air of authority. Xie Qingshan tensed up as he replied, "My father said that my uncle and cousin should be returning soon, and he specially sent me here to receive them."
After saying that, Xie Qingshan couldn't help but smile as he looked at the laborers who were secretly watching from not far away. "Besides, helping people write letters here allows you to read books when you're free. It's a peaceful place amidst the hustle and bustle, and it can also help you build up your endurance."
"Not bad." Xie Wangzhi nodded approvingly.
However, he didn't have time to examine the students right now. He simply had the servants move the luggage to the courtyard and then led his men toward the covered bridge.
He was pressed for time and didn't want to linger. Besides, his grandfather was in a hurry to get back to his hometown, and before nightfall, he might be able to rent two awning boats.
Xie Qingshan also hurriedly packed his luggage and returned to the village with everyone.
Yesterday, we received a letter saying that my great-grandmother was not well, so my father took my grandparents back to the village first, leaving only him and his wife here to wait for the third branch of the family.
He was always a thoughtful person, so he booked the boat well in advance, and therefore he wouldn't have trouble finding one.
Fortunately, he booked three covered boats, otherwise there wouldn't have been enough room for everyone.
Xie Ning sat with his grandparents and Xie Yun. Next to him sat Wang, Xie Qingshan's wife, who had an oval face and crescent-shaped eyes when she smiled.
"Grandfather, would you like to sit under the shed and enjoy the breeze?" It would be good for you to relax.
The awning boat has a canopy supported by four pillars at the front, and the cabin is at the back. There are small windows on both sides that can be opened to enjoy the view.
After so many days, Grandfather Xie had actually recovered. His mother was also quite old, eighty-seven years old. Even if she passed away now, it would be considered a long life and a happy death.
“Grandfather, this lantern is so beautiful. Do you know how to make it?” Xie Ning asked, trying to distract his grandfather.
Upon hearing this, Grandfather Xie also looked at the bamboo lanterns hanging under the shed.
As dusk settled, the boatman lit lanterns. A gentle breeze stirred, causing the lanterns to sway and cast dappled shadows that shifted and changed, revealing intricate patterns.
"Of course, when we get back, Grandpa will weave a lot of them for Bao'er to hang in your little bamboo pavilion." There is a small bamboo pavilion in the courtyard of Shangquan Town. It is a small pavilion that Xie Ning used to rest in during the summer when he was young.
Although Xie Ning is older now, she can still sleep there. After all, when Xie Qi felt hot back then, she would go there to sleep. There were fine gauze curtains hanging all around, so she wasn't afraid of mosquitoes.
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