Chapter 226
While Lu Gu and Shen Yan were cooking, Shen Xuanqing held Lingjun under an umbrella and went to the Yang family’s house.
Since Lu Gu mentioned that Yan Shi and Lao Yang had been worried about him for the past half year, often visiting and even helping take care of the child, it was only right for him to go and let them know he was safe and had returned.
The moment Yan Shi saw him, she burst into tears, calling him "our Erqing" between sobs. Even Lao Yang’s eyes turned wet, but at least the heavy stone in their hearts had finally been lifted.
The rain was heavy, but he still invited Yan Shi and Lao Yang over for dinner, and on the way, he also called for Yang Xian and the others from the tavern.
Few customers came to eat in the rain—only those who had entered before the downpour started. Yang Xian left the tavern in the care of his assistant, and the group headed to Zhenzhu Alley.
As for the Gu family, since Shen Yan wasn’t married yet and they weren’t considered proper relatives, and with the rain growing heavier, Shen Xuanqing decided not to invite them over. Still, they had taken good care of Lu Gu and Shen Yan, so he thought he’d invite them over for a proper meal another time.
After half a year away, the food at home tasted different from what he’d had outside. He ate a little too eagerly, and everyone at the table made sure he had his fill, piling food into his bowl and serving him rice first—after all, he must have suffered outside.
Once he was full, Yan Shi asked why he hadn’t sent any word home for so long.
At this, Lu Gu also looked at Shen Xuanqing.
Shen Xuanqing took a sip of tea. Ni'er sat at the table too—older than Lingjun and his little brother, old enough to understand adult conversations. He hesitated, glancing at the children.
Since this concerned Shen Xuanqing, Lu Gu didn’t want to miss it, so he glanced at Shen Yan.
Understanding his look, Shen Yan stood up and took the three children to her room to play. As for what was said outside, she could always ask later.
Only after they entered the room did Shen Xuanqing sigh softly and say, “Back then, halfway through the journey at Tianying Ridge, we unexpectedly ran into two groups—one hunting down the other. The mounted group was camping in the mountains at night and, afraid we’d seen them, the masked men in black tried to silence us.”
“Court affairs are complicated, and I only half-understood them myself. You must also remember not to speak of this. Though the matter is resolved and peace has returned, to avoid further trouble, keep it strictly to yourselves.”
Seeing everyone at the table nod solemnly, he continued, “While fleeing in the mountains, only Biaozi, Qiu Laoda, Qiu Laosan, and I were left. We tried to shake off the pursuers and return home, but in the forest, we stumbled upon Cui Rongwei—that Lord Cui from the capital.”
“I didn’t recognize him at first, only having heard his name. But Qiu Laoda, who’s traveled widely, knew more. The man and his two guards were injured, hiding in the mountains. Those masked men had been hunting them down the whole way.”
“Lord Cui had reinforcements. Later, we escaped together. Since the capital wasn’t safe, we hid in Yuncheng up north. The mounted group’s carriages had markings, and the men carried wooden tokens—things those black-clad men could trace back to us. That’s why I didn’t dare send letters, afraid it’d expose our whereabouts and bring trouble to you all.”
“Luckily, Lord Cui, unwilling to let us suffer unjustly, used some means to tie up the hidden enemies, keeping them from turning their attention to small fry like us.”
“Court matters are beyond my understanding. Back then, caught in the conflict, I didn’t dare act rashly. Ten days ago, Lord Cui said the matter was fully resolved—ven he no longer needed to hide, so we set off back home. Last night, we rested at Shichuan Town. Early this morning, I rode ahead alone. With today’s rain, Biaozi and the others must’ve stopped at Yuqing Prefecture.”
In just a few sentences, he summarized half a year.
The talk of pursuit and escape left Yan Shi stunned. A country woman like her could never have imagined such things happening.
Shen Xuanqing made it sound easy, never mentioning the dangers of their flight, but everyone present knew surviving couldn’t have been simple.
“You’re back, that’s what matters,” Yan Shi murmured, then couldn’t help adding, “Amitabha.”
They chatted about everyday matters until the rain lightened. Seeing it was getting late, the Yang family left first, telling him to rest well that night.
Shen Xuanqing had originally thought of rushing back to his hometown that very night to let Wei Lanxiang know he’d returned. But the rain never stopped, the roads were muddy and slippery, and night travel was too dangerous, so he had no choice but to wait until the next morning.
Shen Yan, having missed his explanation in the room, couldn’t contain her curiosity. When he and Lu Gu came in after closing the gate, she asked him to repeat it.
Shen Xuanqing recounted the same story, then asked about her marriage plans. After some idle talk, the water in the clay pot boiled, and they ladled it out to wash up. Since he’d been traveling hard, Lu Gu made sure he got the first basin of hot water to soak his feet and ease his fatigue.
Lu Gu went ahead to make the bed and coax Lingjun to sleep. He was in high spirits, his eyes brimming with uncontainable joy.
Outside, the sky had darkened. A lamp was lit in the room, and Shen Xuanqing sat at the table soaking his feet when Guaizi trotted in and rubbed against his leg.
After half a year apart, the dog whined and whimpered. He reached down and ruffled its head.
Lu Gu tucked Lingjun in, then rummaged through the chest for Shen Xuanqing’s clothes. “Change out of what you’re wearing tonight. Tomorrow, when we go back to see Mother, wear this set.”
“Alright,” Shen Xuanqing agreed. With the child asleep, he looked at Lu Gu and said quietly, “You’ve lost weight.”
No comments:
Post a Comment