"If you keep arguing, I'll make you into a fire." Her words were bitter, and her mouth was bitter too. Lin Hongchu hadn't figured out how much tea leaves were in that cup of Gaolu tea; it was so bitter that it numbed her tongue.
A vengeful little girl.
Lou Yunchun untied the donkey for her, then helped her sit on it, asked her to hold the lamp, and led her along.
"Don't you ride a horse?"
"The wind is strong."
Xu Jiang inadvertently recalled that he had led her horse at the Lantern Festival, and she felt the bitter taste in her mouth faded a little.
"Master Lin is a close friend of my master. Last time I asked him to write the seal, we met and we've been like family ever since. He's making things difficult for you today because he cares too much about me. Please don't blame him."
"I don't blame him. On the contrary, I'm grateful to him." He stopped and looked up at the light. "I'm grateful that he has become your relative and your bond."
Xu Jiang was slightly startled, and felt as if her heart was being pulled. Lou Yunchun's words made her feel uncomfortable.
She reached out and gently stroked his brow, and asked softly, "Don't you know?"
"What?"
Lou Yunchun stared at her without blinking. She sighed, leaned over and touched his forehead, "You are also a bond."
The slightly cool touch soothed the uneasiness in Lou Yunchun's heart. He shook her hand and smiled, "From now on, I know."
The lantern dazzled the stubborn donkey. It opened its mouth to chew, but Xu Jiang quickly moved it away and scolded it, "Aren't you afraid of burning your mouth?" Then, smiling at Lou Yunchun, she said, "Let's go! The wind will pick up soon."
"Yeah." Lou Yunchun took her hand and walked forward again.
The long street is silent, with the sound of clappers. A donkey, a horse, and a pair of people walk through the cold night holding lanterns, heading towards the place where there is a tile and a tree, to take root.
Xu Jiang knew Yilaer had many friends in the capital, but she hadn't given it much thought. The street leading out of Cao's tile house was packed with people coming to see him off. She and Lou Yunchun couldn't squeeze in, so they waited at the street corner.
When Ilal saw them from afar, he said goodbye to everyone and led his camel to the street corner.
The three of them walked side by side until they reached the Golden Light Gate, where all the talented people had left.
Ilale turned around and waved to everyone, then sighed, "Looking at them, I felt reluctant to leave for a moment."
Xu Jiang smiled, "Then stay."
"No, I don't want to change my decision. Besides, it's not like I won't come back."
Outside the Jinguan Gate is the official road. There is a post station not far from the city gate for travelers to rest and replenish supplies. The caravan from Suiye City is waiting for Ilale here.
Xu Jiang gave him the letter and the silver Yuan Zuzhi had sent him, and explained to him the places where Dong Lingzi's disciples had appeared, and asked him to search for them one by one in the four towns of Anxi.
Yilaer readily accepted the letter and the money, and promised, "Since Madam Xu's friend is so generous, Yilaer will do his best to help him bring the book back."
"Then I'll entrust this matter to you. Thank you for your concern."
"Just be at ease."
There was a call from afar. It was Ilal's companions urging him to set off.
Lou Yunchun handed the six wine bags in his hand to Yilaer and said, "They are filled with the best Xinfeng wine in the capital. It's snowing hard all the way, so it's good to keep you warm on the road."
The wine bag was the one Yilale had given Xu Jiang earlier. He tore open one of the bags and poured a large gulp into his mouth. The sharp brew burned all the way to his lungs, stirring his blood.
"Great!" He handed the wine bag to Lou Yunchun.
Lou Yunchun also drank it happily, and the hot steam instantly hit his head, making his face red.
Xu Jiang didn't hesitate. She took the wine bag from Lou Yunchun and said to Yilale, "Yilale, I hope you have a safe journey and are not overwhelmed by the wind and snow."
He then took a big sip and returned the wine bag to Yilale, saying, "If you see Wuluolan and Mo Ming in Furong City, please say hello to them for me."
"must."
Yilale's companions urged him again. He turned back and responded, then said to Xu Jiang and Lou Yunchun, "I should go now."
Lou Yunchun said: "Have a safe trip."
Yilale looked up at the city gate and shouted towards the prosperous capital, "Chang'an, I'm leaving."
Chang'an saw him off silently.
Xu Jiang waved at him and watched him join the caravan. Only when the caravan disappeared into the distance did she realize, "I forgot to ask him for the menu."
Lou Yunchun continued: "That's okay, he will be back next year."
"That's true." Xu Jiang turned to look at him and said with a smile, "Let's go back too."
"Yeah." Lou Yunchun turned around, but his feet shook.
Xu Jiang quickly gave him a hand and asked, "Are you okay?"
He stopped and then shook his head, "I drank too quickly just now."
Xu Jiang heard his slow tone and knew he was drunk again. She couldn't help but sigh. "Luckily, we drove a carriage today. Otherwise, it would be difficult to get this drunk cat back home."
After returning, Lou Yunchun slept by the stove in the inn for most of the day. When he woke up, he saw Xu Jiang sorting out the newly published poetry collection, so he got up to help.
Lin Hongchu went to the street to rent an oxcart and asked its owner to bring it to him at dawn the next day, so that he could load the cart and send it off. After he had counted the poems and Xu Jiang had signed the deed, everything was finally ready.
The three of them sat down and had tea.
Xu Jiang breathed a sigh of relief. "Tomorrow I'll deliver the book to the Imperial College, and this job will be over." Then he pinched Lin Hongchu's face and thanked him, "You've worked hard these days, little hoe. I'll give you a raise."
Lin Hongchu's eyebrows lit up with joy, "Okay."
Lou Yunchun also raised the corner of his lips and said, "I'll take you there tomorrow morning."
"Okay." Xu Jiang agreed to him, imitating Lin Hongchu's tone.
He agreed to let him go, firstly because he remembered Du Hui's words that they should support each other, and secondly because he wanted him to make a good impression in front of Du Hui so as to avoid being caught and scolded again.
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