Chapter 21
After the Lantern Festival, Li Zheng was busy with his shop business and was often away from home. Naturally, Li Rong hadn't found the time to discuss his travels with his father, so he stayed home to accompany Xu. He gave Xu a boxwood comb and hairpin, which were in a wooden box, and sat at the table, watching his mother's joy.
He slowly pointed out the sundries he'd purchased and recounted the cities he'd visited in the past six months. "From Luzhou, it's only two or three days by boat to Jiangdu. Further south is Gusu. In autumn, the area outside Gusu is covered in red maple leaves." Xu listened carefully, her fingers delicately tracing the wooden comb.
"The silk cloth and storybook I sent to you were bought in Gusu. I wonder if you like them." Mrs. Xu said with a smile, "I naturally trust Rong'er's taste. You like them very much."
Li Rong poured hot tea for Xu and continued to recall the journey he had taken. "Later, we went from Gusu to Jinling. The attics in Jinling were all carved out of red wood. It was there that I sent a letter home to my mother from the shop."
Xu sipped her hot tea, her sleeves covering her face as if wiping away tears. When she looked up again, Li Rong could only see the red at the corners of A Niang's eyes. "It was almost mid-autumn when Su Si and I arrived in Xuzhou. Xuzhou was built right by the river, and the pheasant soup left by Peng Zu was truly delicious." Li Rong recounted the food in Xuzhou in detail. "I don't know if A Niang can handle spicy food. Su Si and I can't handle it. But thanks to him, every day before dawn, he would squat by the river to catch fat crabs. After cooking them, he would drizzle them with cold wine, and the crab paste would overflow from the shells."
"Then we arrived in Linyi. The cloak was bought in Linyi city. If you feel cold on winter nights, you will always feel warmer if you cover yourself with the quilt." Xu responded, put the wooden comb into the wooden box, and held the wooden hairpin in her palm.
"There are many people in the Central Plains, and it's harvest time. It's not much different from what I read in books." Li Rong said this quickly, then went on to talk about the peace and happiness in Chang'an. "My father always said that I would have no regrets if I went to Chang'an to study. Although it took some time, we arrived in Chang'an not too late, just in time to see the first heavy snow. It was like willow catkins floating in the air in spring. With a cloak on and sitting by the warm stove, I didn't feel cold at all."
"The streets and alleys of Chang'an are all lit up at night, just like during the day. I bought the wooden comb and hairpin from a shop in Chang'an. Aunt, try them first. I heard they have a calming effect."
Xu listened to Li Rong's words with a faint smile, but didn't ask for details. "When we left Chang'an, the weather was nice and sunny. The road to Shu County was more difficult, but the people in Shu are simple and honest. Vendors occasionally sell some foreign goods, and business is good."
"After that, I went from Fengjie to Jingzhou. Thinking of my mother, I went all the way to Luzhou. I happened to be able to spend the Lantern Festival with her." Li Rong also said with a smile, "I finally got to taste my mother's cooking again. The cakes in various places are all so sweet, but I still like my mother's the best."
Xu responded again, "Rong'er is at home now. If you want to eat, just tell me. I just stay at home all day."
Su Si had already told a lot about the rest of his novel experiences at the family dinner last night, so Li Rong stopped talking and talked about another important matter. "Did you see Su Si this morning?"
Xu shook her head. "I only saw him from a distance. I'm afraid he's still asleep inside. I wonder if he sneaked out to play again after sending me home yesterday."
Li Rong chuckled and continued, "He... did sneak out to see his sweetheart without telling Mother. I wonder if he gave away the jade hairpin he bought in Gusu?" Xu also laughed, "Rong'er and Su Si are both grown up, and it's time for them to think about getting married."
Li Rong smiled helplessly. "I haven't established myself yet, so I dare not think about getting married. I just returned from a long journey, and I still want to spend a few more years with you, mother." Xu sorted out the wooden box and closed the lid. "Rong'er, whatever you want is fine. Don't listen too much to your father. If there's a girl you like, I'll go and propose marriage for you. As long as you're safe and sound, I'll be content."
Thinking of Su Si again, "If that kid Su Si is interested, then let A Niang handle the matchmaking. A Niang has watched over him since he was little, and it's time for him to get married and have children."
Li Rong responded softly, "To be honest, mother, this is exactly what I meant when I said this today. When Su Si wakes up, I'll ask him to come over and discuss it in detail." Xu covered her sleeves and continued to smile, "Okay, leave it to mother, and remember to ask Su Si to pay more attention to it."
After saying this, Li Rong helped Xu to her room to rest. He didn't know what time Su Si had returned last night, as he had slept until almost noon before waking to see him. "Did you give any gifts to anyone last night?" he asked, sitting down and pouring tea for Su Si. Seeing his servant's face flush, he knew the answer and told Su Si about his mother's marriage proposal.
"Sir..." Su Si interrupted him hurriedly, "It's a private matter. I don't want Madam to worry about it day and night. Madam is already weak." Li Ronghe tapped his fan on his palm, "You've been with me for a long time. Mother has long regarded you as her second son. If you don't want Mother to worry, then follow Mother's arrangements. It's a happy occasion in spring. Let Mother be happy for a while."
Su Sicai responded, "Madam, you are kind-hearted. Then let Master and Mother arrange everything. Yingying has already had her coming-of-age ceremony and is of age." Li Rong chuckled and wrote it down, "Yingying...what a light and charming name. I wonder whose family she is from? It would be convenient for Mother to take care of it."
Su Si explained in detail, "The Jiang family on the street has a pastry shop." Li Rong understood and was afraid that before going on a school trip, his servant went out early in the morning to meet the girl he loved.
As for what Su Si had said to Xu, it was no different. After that night, Xu had been obsessed with it. She had prepared everything according to the proper etiquette, given generous gifts, and arranged the marriage through a matchmaker. She only needed to wait for Li Zheng to return from his shop in Jiangnan to choose an auspicious date for the wedding.
Su Si no longer often stayed with Li Rong recently. He held the account book and recorded the items needed for the wedding with Xu one by one. Li Rong would occasionally pass by and look at them but did not go forward to disturb them. He just sighed for the happy event. To him, it was as natural and happy as watching his younger brother getting married.
A Niang bought silk cloth and had it cut for Su Si. The bright red fabric was embroidered with golden patterns and fitted to Su Si's measurements. It was also the first time Li Rong had seen Su Si in his bright red robe, and even after adjusting his attire, he was a handsome young man. He went alone to the street and picked out a sandalwood folding fan for Su Si as a gift, to adorn the soon-to-be-married servant.
The family was in a peaceful atmosphere, and jokes about Su Si could be heard from time to time. Su Si had gotten used to it from just responding in the beginning, and most of the time he would say a few words in return, saying that not a penny of the gift money for the wedding could be less.
The river flowing into Luzhou City gradually warmed, and a few wild geese began to fly north. The clouds in the sky dispersed with the warmth, and the red sun bathed the grass and trees, revealing the tender green buds of spring. Li Zheng was still busy running around his shop in Jiangnan, overseeing the first batch of goods that had arrived this year, and he had no time to write home.
Li Rong accompanied Xu in handling Su Si's marriage, and he was delighted to see Xu's gentle smile as she inquired about every detail throughout the day. Su Si also often prepared small gifts, and as usual, he would go out in the mornings and always return with two or three packages of sweetened pastries. Li Rong watched their interactions and often teased Su Si. Although he felt a little uncomfortable without Su Si's nagging around, it also brought him a lot of peace and quiet.
Whenever he had time, he would pick up the bamboo scroll he had put aside and read over the great theory he had just recited, word for word. Every time he read, he couldn't help but think of his travels and studies, but his anxiety gradually faded, and the feeling of loss turned into occasional gentle sighs.
The house had been re-burned with new incense, a light floral scent filling his sleeves. He ran his fingertips over the unsolved passages he had previously noted, now reading them with a sense of discovery. He had yet to share his experiences with his father, wondering how he would react. He had probably failed his father's childhood hopes. If he had the chance, he would become a county magistrate, without regrets for all the years of studying.
Li Rongyan was writing. Su Si must still be with A Niang, preparing the betrothal gifts. He gathered his sleeves and took up his pen, his handwriting flowing gracefully. He slowly memorized the crimson maple forests of Jiangnan, the tranquil pavilions and towers, the plump crabs of Xuzhou and the simple customs of its people, the late autumn floods of Yingchuan, and Chang'an's first heavy snow.
He chuckled, thinking of the white rabbits that Xue Heng had brought him to feed in Shu, and also of Xue Zhuozhi riding away on his horse. According to the date, it should be Xue Heng's turn to have his coming-of-age ceremony, so he couldn't help but think that he, like a bright jade, should have his usual spirits by then, and no longer be so leisurely.
He paused, letting the ink stain the silk cloth, yet he felt a strange sense of unease. Li Rong paused for a moment before wiping the wet ink with a damp cloth. He thought he'd been restless lately, perhaps because half a year of studying abroad had taken its toll on his body. With a slight shake of his head, he folded the stained silk cloth and discarded it.
He lay back on the couch to rest, struggling to close his eyes before falling asleep. Perhaps influenced by recent events, Li Rong had a vision of Su Si's wedding. His father and mother sat on high seats, receiving the newlyweds' greetings, while he stood quietly by, drinking and congratulating them. His vision was hazy, and he seemed to dream of Xue Heng performing his coming-of-age ceremony. Linyi City wasn't as prosperous as Jiangnan or Luzhou, and the ceremony was extremely simple. Without a father or mother, a teacher or friends, I would probably bow three times to heaven and earth.
Spring in the north arrives slowly. No one knows when the leafless trees will sprout new leaves, or when they can finally take off their cloaks. He seemed to be standing nearby, watching Xue Zhuozhi pay homage to heaven and earth alone. His mindset was inherently in harmony with the natural order of heaven and earth, and if he simply followed the natural order, he feared that nothing would bow the white cranes, or stop the birds in their tracks.
Li Rong fell asleep, the crescent moon shining brightly over Luzhou City. The water beneath the bridge gurgled eastward, merging into the mighty river outside the city, then rushing from the south of the river to the sea in the east. Newly minted swallows had built nests under the eaves, flying into people's homes in pairs, occasionally singing before cuddling and sleeping together, accompanying the dreams of many and the coming of spring in Luzhou.
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