The Journey Home (Part 8)
Lin Zhong turned his back and continued to tend to his pile of flowers and plants whose fate was unknown. After a while, he said, "Wine is a poison that goes straight to the intestines. It would be best if you didn't drink it, Master."
I was both angry and amused. I bent down, scooped up a handful of snow, and threw it at him: "Then how come you haven't been poisoned yet?!"
At that moment, Lin Zhong slightly lifted his heel, and the bamboo broom on the ground rose into the air, deflecting all the incoming snowflakes. He replied softly, "I have internal energy protecting me."
"You—" I grabbed a broken branch and threw it at his back, but as expected, I missed again.
"I can't be bothered arguing with you, I'm going to feed the horses!" I said sullenly, turned and ran outside, took the horse and headed to the backyard.
The stables have been cleared, the snow has been removed, and the feeding troughs are filled with fresh water and hay.
Hmph, just how early is this "slightly early"...?
After settling the horses, I went to the kitchen. Sure enough, the stove was still warm, and the moment I lifted the lid, white steam carrying the aroma of rice wafted out.
I quickly waved my arm, and through the rising steam, I saw the rice cakes on the steamer rack, and I was stunned. In this kind of weather, the rice batter would need at least three or four hours to ferment, so wouldn't that mean...?
The hot water at the bottom of the stove was bubbling. With a "bang," I put down the pot lid, went to the windowsill, grabbed a handful of snow, rubbed my hands together, shook off the water droplets, returned to the stove, picked up a piece of rice cake, and walked towards the front yard, tossing it between my hands.
"Hey! You came back last night?"
Lin Zhong squatted under the flower trellis and hummed in agreement.
"The snow and wind made travel difficult; didn't Mr. Liu and the others try to keep you?"
"I'm leaving, and no one can stop me."
I leaned against a pillar and nodded, saying, "You came all this way to make rice cakes for me? You have a conscience."
Lin Zhong raised his eyes, his tone calm and even: "I made it casually, anyone who wants some can take it."
I took a bite of the rice cake and looked at him, saying, "But the pot is full of salty food. Huai Xu and Feng Qiao both prefer sweet food."
Lin Zhong lowered his eyes: "The sugar jar is empty."
I chuckled: "The bamboo shoots inside look very fresh. Where were they dug?"
"Linchuan".
I chewed on the rice cake and said, "I need to discuss something with you."
Lin Zhong supported himself on his knees and slowly straightened up. The moment their eyes met, he lowered his gaze and said, "You speak."
"I plan to—" I coughed lightly, accidentally choking on the rice cake, "water."
Lin Zhong slipped into the room and brought over half a bowl of warm water.
I drank it all in one gulp, then looked at the small half-eaten rice cake in my hand and silently reminded myself: the more delicious the food, the more patient I need to be...
With that in mind, he handed the empty bowl back to Lin Zhong, sat down on a stool, and began to chew slowly.
Lin Zhong turned back into the house and poured me another bowl of water.
I swallowed the last bite of rice cake and ordered, "Go to the kitchen and get another one."
In the blink of an eye, Lin Zhong returned: "Here you go."
I smiled and extended my hand: "Thanks."
Lin Zhong paused for a moment before speaking: "The master's plans..."
Finally, I heard that question.
I said "Oh," and glanced at his expression. "I plan to hold Huai Xu and Feng Qiao's wedding next autumn."
Lin Zhong turned his face away: "When they get married is up to the master to decide; there's no need to consult me."
I slowly added, "I'd like to vacate your room."
Lin Zhong's voice was a little tense: "And then?"
"Then I'll clear out my room too. Huai Xu and Feng Qiao both love children, and I don't know how many they'll have. It'll be too noisy with all the kids crammed together, and I can't stand it. So, I'm thinking of giving them the front room and building a row of new houses along the east wall in the backyard." I turned to look at him. "What do you think about me moving in with you?"
Lin Zhong's shoulders visibly relaxed, and he glanced at me hastily: "Whatever."
I laughed and said, "Then I'll wait until after the New Year and ask Brother Xu Shan for help with this."
The busy days of the New Year passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, more than half a month had passed since A Dao said goodbye to everyone.
The imperial court issued a proclamation listing ten major crimes committed by Naremuze, including murdering his brother and nephew, harassing the border, and betraying his lord and abandoning the alliance. At the same time, Fu Qiu, the transport commissioner of Zizhou Road, was appointed as the pacification commissioner, Xiong Tu as the commander-in-chief of the punitive expedition, and Shen Yunzhi as the deputy commander-in-chief. The army of Changning and Renhuai was the main force, and seven thousand local people from Mahu and Nanguang were also conscripted to march south and punish the Shimen barbarians.
Some time ago, news came from the patrol officers who were supplying supplies along the way: the army's morale was high, and with Prince Adao accompanying them and Wazhi Guotou serving as their guide, the tribes along the route surrendered one after another. In just seven days, the vanguard had advanced to the Tanglang River.
In the battle to cross the river, Naremu was defeated and led his remaining troops to flee to Wulian Peak downstream, hoping to rely on the natural defenses to put up a stubborn resistance. However, the way down the mountain had already been blocked by the Song army, and now it was cold and the vegetation was withered. A group of defeated soldiers, lacking food and clothing, hid deep in the mountains, and they probably wouldn't last more than a few days.
I was sitting in the hall, drinking tea and watching Feng Qiao teach Huai Xu to cut paper flowers for the window. Suddenly I heard the neighing of horses outside the courtyard. I turned my head and said to Lin Zhong, who was sitting idly to the side, "Go and see who has come."
Lin Zhong remained seated, frowning as he said, "Guo Cheng."
Huai Xu hurriedly put down his scissors and ran out to greet him, asking repeatedly, "Inspector Guo, Inspector Guo! Has the Song army won another victory at the front?"
"Yes, Miss Huaixu."
"Really!" Huai Xu cheered. "Then Master Xiong and the others will be back soon, right? Has A Dao gotten his revenge?"
"It'll be soon, A Dao's great revenge will be avenged."
"Very good!"
"Qing Niangzi, Feng Qiao!" Guo Cheng called out loudly, stepped into the house, glanced at Lin Zhong in the corner, and grinned, "Brother Lin Zhong is here too."
I laughed and said, "Inspector Guo, please have a seat!"
Feng Qiao hurriedly handed over a cup of hot tea.
Huai Xu leaned over and asked again, "Inspector Guo, didn't that beast Naremuze hide in Wulian Peak? How did you catch him? Tell us quickly, sir!"
Guo Cheng took a sip of tea and put down his teacup: "Yesterday, I received a message from the front by carrier pigeon. Naremu led his entourage to break through the encirclement under cover of night and fled to the Luo Clan Kingdom. On the way, they were ambushed by Uncle Adao and died in the chaos of battle."
"At present, the leaders of the various tribes of Shimen have jointly drafted a letter of surrender. They are just waiting for Lord Fu and the Dali envoy to agree on the ownership of Dongchuan before the army can return."
Huai Xu clapped his hands with joy: "Thanks to the mountain god, our lives in Nanguangxidong are becoming more and more peaceful!"
"Indeed!" Guo Cheng laughed and chimed in, "The Shimen barbarians have surrendered and the three routes of the Bodao barbarians have united. Peace is about to be restored in the southwestern border region!"
I poured water for Guo Cheng and said, “Inspector Guo has worked hard all these years, braving wind and rain to patrol the border. If you are rewarded and promoted by the court, I hope you will remember our friendship and continue to support my shop.”
"You flatter me too much, Lady Qing." Guo Cheng stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and sat down again. "I am a rough man. It is already difficult enough for me to keep this salary. Where else can I expect to get promoted?"
Huai Xu asked in bewilderment, "I heard from Mr. Liu that the imperial court rewards meritorious officials, and our prefect and the Rongfu official are definitely going to be promoted. Inspector Guo rescued Prefect Wei and promptly sent a message to the Rongfu, which is also a great achievement. Why can't he be promoted?"
Feng Qiao said, "The Luo family holds a very important position in Nanguang. There are some things that are inconvenient to publicize. We'll have to trouble Inspector Guo to be our unsung hero."
"Haha—" Guo Cheng laughed heartily, "Helping others helps oneself, so why feel wronged? I am just a simple warrior, and I'll let those who understand do as they please. If we're talking about heroes, everyone here is one!"
"Sigh." Huai Xu suddenly sighed, "A Dao has already left, and it seems that Lord Wei will also be leaving after the New Year. I will miss them so much."
I laughed and flicked my finger on her forehead: "If you can't bear to part with them, then go with them, and take Feng Qiao with you too. It shouldn't be too difficult to find them jobs in Shimenfan or the government office."
“How can that be?” Huai Xu wrapped his arms around my waist. “Compared to them, I’m more reluctant to part with my godmother and Uncle Lin.”
Guo Cheng said, “Prefect Wei is honest, frugal, and dedicated to his duties. He is also very considerate of the people’s feelings. I am also reluctant to see him leave. But then again, Prefect Wei is in his prime and used to be an official in the capital. It would be a pity if he stayed in the border region for a long time and got entangled with those local tyrants and powerful families every day.”
Feng Qiao nodded: "Yes. Lord Wei is a man of great learning. The higher he rises, the more villagers will benefit."
Huai Xu perked up again: "Godmother, haven't you always wanted to go to Dali? How about I go with you next spring?"
I said, "We'll see."
Guo Cheng laughed and said, "Dali is a good place. It's like spring all year round. As long as the Shimen Fan in the middle doesn't cause trouble, people on both sides can move around freely."
Lin Zhong suddenly asked, "Inspector Guo has been to Dali?"
"No." Guo Cheng was taken aback. "You've been there?"
No.
"Brother Lin Zhong wants to go?"
"In no mood."
Guo Cheng awkwardly stood up, clasped his hands in front of everyone, and said, "I still need to go to Yanziping for a while. Let's talk another day." After saying that, his gaze returned to me and settled on me.
I got up and walked towards him: "Inspector Guo, let me see you out."
As we walked to the courtyard, I was about to go to the horse-tethering post to untie the rope when Guo Cheng blocked my way, saying, "Qing Niangzi, I... I received some news this morning, and I've been agonizing over it the whole way... whether I should tell you about it..."
Guo Cheng is efficient and straightforward. We have known each other for many years and rarely see him so hesitant. I couldn't help but feel uneasy: "Inspector Guo, don't be shy. Just say what you have to say."
Guo Cheng sighed: "Last month, the rebels from various villages fought in Shunxi. Elder Amo of Qingbin Village was hit in the left arm by a stray arrow. He is old and has not yet fully recovered."
"There are many ancestral rites in the twelfth lunar month, and the old man was probably exhausted. He fell asleep the night before last... and... never woke up again."
I was stunned for a moment, then forced a smile, and finally couldn't hold back my tears: "Oh, so that's what happened. The old man was over seventy, wasn't he? It's a happy passing..."
"Qing Niangzi!"
"It's nothing... I'm fine, thank you!" I waved to Guo Cheng, then turned around dizzily, my mind filled with that one sentence—my mother had already left the village before she died, and although Elder Amo and I are blood relatives, we have no worldly ties!
I stumbled and staggered towards the inner room, my head drooping. Just as I was about to bump into the corner of the table, Feng Qiao helped me up.
"Auntie, be careful!"
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