Chapter 20
Shu County was only a three-day journey from Fengjie, and the road gradually widened, less bumpy than in Shu. Li Rong lifted the curtains to let the wind in. The wheels rolled, accompanied by the neighing of horses. They headed east, not even bothering to visit the counties and cities they passed. They stopped only for a few hours in Fengjie to freshen up and change into new clothes at an inn. Su Si had already found a driver to head straight for Jingzhou. Li Rong stowed his luggage in the new carriage and continued his journey day and night.
The clouds lingering around the moon gathered and dispersed, slowly revealing a crescent moon. Then, in the silence of the journey, its outline slowly grew into a round shape. It was nightfall when they arrived in Jingzhou. The long streets were bustling with people, and vendors had already set up lanterns, illuminating the bustling city. Li Rong closed the curtains, dismounted, and found a new driver to drive all the way back from Jingzhou to Luzhou.
He had heard the nighttime flow of the river within Jingzhou City, the clamor of the crowds ringing in his ears. Li Rong sighed softly and coughed softly against his lips. It wasn't a cold, perhaps fatigue from days of traveling. Su Si couldn't bear it any longer, curling up in the carriage and falling asleep. Li Rong, after arranging his cloak, also closed his eyes, feeling drowsy. The gentle breeze couldn't lift the curtains, and the bustle of Jingzhou was cut off from him. Although sleep was difficult, he felt a sense of peace. In two or three days, he would be able to see his father and mother. After such a long journey, he wondered if everything was okay at home.
He calculated the days. Xue Heng would be coming of age in the spring. If Chang'an and the Central Plains hadn't snowed, he could have reached Linyi by now, riding his horse. Only after the coming of age would the name be officially chosen, and only then would it be proper etiquette to call Xue Zhuozhi. Thinking back to his own coming of age ceremony, Li Rong worried about Xue Heng, who was alone, and wondered how to arrange it. Writing a letter about this seemed like a waste of time, and he thought, in his heart, wishing Xue Heng a smooth journey.
The patter of rain pelted against the carriage curtains. The road from Jingzhou to Luzhou was flat and wide. He closed his eyes and listened to the delicate sound of the rain. Despite the rain, merchants and travelers continued to travel on the road. Occasionally, those with valuable goods would even ride horses into the city. A breeze blew away a corner of the carriage curtain, revealing gray clouds in the sky. Su Si entered the carriage with a cheerful expression, "Sir, we'll arrive in Luzhou in one day. Tomorrow will be the Lantern Festival. Let's go home."
He opened his eyes and looked at Su Si, who was smiling. A smile also forced its way onto his lips, and his brows curved. "Yes, I'm going home." He would soon see his father and mother. As for his own servant, it was also a good time to give him a hairpin and propose marriage. Tonight, Li Rong was so sleepless. He tossed and turned, gazing at the gradually waxing moon, like a jade plate hanging in the sky, waiting for everyone to look up. Suddenly, he understood the meaning of homesickness. He missed the winding river in Luzhou and the familiar streets and alleys of the city, but he was also afraid that after being away for half a year, he might not recognize everything when he saw it again.
But he was happy, the joy of being home overflowing, diluting the path he had chosen during his study abroad, the heaviness he had given up, the unforgettable scenes, and everything he was powerless to do. At least that night, despite his chaotic thoughts, Li Rong didn't let out a single sigh.
The driver led the horses slowly into Luzhou City. It was almost noon, and the streets were bustling with people. Vendors had already set up brightly lit lanterns and other items to attract customers that evening. Su Si paid the driver in advance. Li Rong lifted the curtain of the carriage, took in the familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings, and took off his cloak to pack his bags.
He got down from the carriage and took the gifts for A Niang and the others. Su Si held the remaining luggage and knocked on the door of the house. The first thing he saw was Xu. "Madam, look who's back?" Li Rong was a step slower and looked up at the house which had not changed much, as if he had said goodbye yesterday.
He heard Su Si's cry and smiled, shaking his head. No one would blame his servant for being rude at this moment. Li Rong heard his mother call Su Si's name, "But my son is back?" He looked up and met Xu's eyes, seeing the tears flowing from the corners of her eyes. He didn't bother to pack his bag, but took out a white handkerchief from his bosom and handed it to her.
"Don't cry, mother. I'm back." Li Rong was about to raise his hand when Xu took it and wiped her tears. Her voice was choked with sobs, yet it was filled with joy. "It's good that Rong'er is back, it's good that he's back." Xu took Li Rong's hand and looked at it carefully with red eyes. "You look much thinner. You must have suffered a lot while studying abroad. I've told your father so many times that he insists you go to Chang'an."
Li Rong let A Niang look at him carefully while Su Si packed his bag. "Let's not talk about this for now. It's been a long time since I've had A Niang's cooking. I wonder what A Niang is planning to do for this year's Lantern Festival?"
Xu continued to wipe her face and said hello several times, "Mother will go pick out the ingredients now. Of course, I'll make something that Rong'er likes. Mother also learned how to make the new popular pastries in Luzhou this year. I won't make them too sweet. Rong'er must try it tonight."
Su Si finished packing her bags before taking over. "I'm sure the young master will love whatever the madam cooks. Don't just focus on the young master. I haven't tasted the madam's cooking skills in a long time." Xu smiled coaxedly and took the maid to the kitchen to prepare. "How could I forget you? Let's all come to the table tonight. Put more sugar in your portion."
Su Si sighed and stood beside his son, watching Xu walk away. Li Rong then slowly unpacked his bag and divided the gifts for A Niang in the courtyard. He first opened the wooden box to confirm that it was intact, then rewrapped it and told Su Si to take it into the house first, preparing to explain it to A Niang in detail tomorrow.
He opened the window to let in the light. He had been away from home for half a year, yet the furnishings inside remained unchanged. Li Rong lowered his head and ran his fingertips over the table. The bamboo scrolls he had sent back from Jinling were arranged on the edge of the table, conveniently placed. He sat quietly. The long-unoccupied room was filled with the faint scent of agarwood from the beams. Most of the servants were busy preparing lanterns and decorations. Su Si had just asked, and his father was still out shopping. He'd probably have to wait until the evening family dinner before seeing him again.
Li Rong sorted through the scrolls, thinking his mother must have taken great pains to keep them clean. He held a scroll of bamboo slips in his hands, the teachings of the sages he had learned in the past still fresh in his mind. However, after all his travels, he felt it was time to put the scrolls aside for a while, wander around the city more, and find something he could do.
The maids and servants in the house were busy as the sky gradually darkened. In Luzhou, there was no need to wear a cloak. The cool breeze blew across his face, and the chill seeped through his outer robe. Li Rong coughed lightly and prepared to light the oil lamp himself to illuminate the room. "Master, Master," Su Si knocked on the door and hurried in. "Dinner is ready. The master just returned. Let's go."
Li Rong nodded in agreement, straightened his clothes in front of the mirror, and then entered the main house with Su Si. The side rooms on both sides were decorated with lanterns, illuminating the lush flowers and plants in the courtyard. Because the servants were also present, the house was left open to the outside. Li Rong bowed and said, "Father, Mother." Seeing Li Zheng and Xu nod, he took a seat and waited.
The Lantern Festival family feast was naturally rich. Li Rong took his chopsticks and tasted the cake closest to him. A Niang's newfound skill in making the pastry was as delicious as ever. Taking care not to overdo the sweetness, the pastry's natural rice fragrance shone through. "A Niang's cooking skills have improved again," he whispered. Since it was a family feast, there was no rule of not talking while eating.
Xu smiled and picked up a piece of meat for Li Rong, "Rong'er, eat more if you like it. Your father is going to the restaurant for a party at noon. I think it doesn't matter if you eat less at night." Li Rong thanked him and looked at his father. Li Zheng heard his wife's complaints and smiled helplessly, unable to refute.
Su Si was eating his food on the side, and his eating manners were deliberately restrained, which made him look a bit polite.
The full moon outside cast a silvery glow, and the lanterns hanging from the eaves had also been updated with this year's new styles. As they ate, Su Si kept coaxing Xu into praising his wife's culinary skills as unparalleled. Li Zheng also joined him, and Su Si's presence certainly made the family dinner more lively.
Li Rong ate his meal slowly. With Su Si present, A Niang didn't have a chance to ask about his studies. Li Zheng, finding a rare moment, opened a jar of wine for himself. The homemade plum wine was naturally sweet and sour, and it was delicious. Li Rong took the jar and filled it for himself and Su Si. A Niang had always been in poor health and was not used to drinking.
Luzhou City was going to be even busier tonight. After dinner, Li Zheng returned to his shop duties. Li Rong and Su Si accompanied Xu on a stroll down Chang Street. Xu had always disliked noise, but since it was the Lantern Festival and her son had returned from his studies, she decided to join the fun.
Su Si recounted to Xu Shi the novel experiences he had had while studying abroad, while Li Rong helped Xu Shi to avoid being jostled by the crowd. Occasionally, children holding lanterns ran along the street, their bright yellow reflections shimmering on the river. He was a little dazed, but he was definitely back home, back to his mother, back in Luzhou.
Xu strolled around for less than half an hour before returning home to rest. Li Rong and Su Si took the lantern Xu had chosen and hung it by the side of the room, giving them some free time. "Sir, I'm going out for a bit," Su Si said as he descended the wooden steps. Li Rong knew he was going to accompany his beloved girl on another stroll. "Go ahead, we don't have much to do tonight. By the way, remember to give the girl the hairpin you had earlier." He reminded Su Si, and he heard him respond, "Sir, just wait for my good news."
Li Rong hid his sleeves and chuckled softly as he watched Su Si hurriedly straighten his clothes, pack up the wooden box, and go out to look for someone. During the Lantern Festival, the family didn't impose too much control on the servants. He poured himself a cup of tea and sat in the pavilion, gazing at the round, bright moon.
Looking back now, the half-decade I spent studying abroad felt more like a dream. When I woke up, I was still home, with my parents, and nothing had changed. The Lantern Festival in Chang'an was probably more lively than in Luzhou, and the same was true in Jinling, Gusu, and other places. I wonder what Linyi, Yingchuan, and the surrounding counties are like now, after so much time has passed. The murky, smelly water will surely dry up with the north wind, and the old woman might be able to spend the winter peacefully in her thatched cottage, her eyes no longer dazed by tears.
Now when I think about it, all these things have nothing to do with him anymore. I can only look at the moon and wish for a full moon and a happy night with lights everywhere.
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