Chapter 114
The large team arrived back in Tongzhou as the Minor New Year was approaching.
Once they entered Tongzhou's borders, the air became noticeably much colder. By the time they crossed the border county and entered the pass boundary of Tongzhou's prefectural city, the snowflakes had changed from scattered, broken flurries into a sky full of goose feathers.
"We're back! Good, good, you've all worked hard."
"The weather is bitterly cold, have some hot soup before continuing your journey!"
Not long after entering the gate boundary, they could see temporary sheds built beside the official road. A middle-aged man wearing a felt hat stood outside, calling out to travelers with luggage to come and drink some soup.
The weather was so cold that everyone's breath turned into puffs of white mist. Seeing the hot soup and tea, they couldn't resist gathering around.
Although they were eager to return home, they had already entered the gate boundary, which counted as having returned to their hometown.
After the long journey, everyone's hands and feet were stiff and almost numb. Having some hot soup before heading back would actually help them move better.
"Two pots of hot water, preferably just boiled."
Ji Taoyu, suddenly back in Tongzhou, was somewhat unable to withstand the cold snowy weather for a moment. Seeing the stall with hot soup, he eagerly ran down from the carriage.
Huo Shu's large cloak shielded him underneath. He poked his head out and instructed the vendor.
"Does the young master have his own water flask? We don't have any here."
Ji Taoyu, hearing the authentic Tongzhou dialect on the road, felt a particular sense of homecoming in his heart.
The Tongzhou area had always used the official language. Because of this long-standing practice, the region's official language was more refined than that of other areas. For instance, even when speaking the official language, places like Yuchang still retained noticeable local accents.
"We have some."
Ji Taoyu instructed an attendant to retrieve their water flask.
The vendor advised, "Fetch it directly from the pot by the stove, the water is hotter there."
Ji Taoyu responded with a smile and asked, "How much?"
He was about to take out some silver, but the vendor said, "Our hot soup and water here are free. Everyone has had a hard time traveling back in this weather. Having a warm drink on the road is more comfortable."
"We are all fellow villagers. Now that you have returned, those of us who can't do much else can only boil some water to warm everyone up."
Hearing this, Ji Taoyu felt moved and couldn't help but look at Huo Shu, a visible smile on his face.
Huo Shu rubbed Ji Taoyu's shoulder from under the cloak, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
Though the weather was cold, the kindness of fellow villagers made people's hearts exceptionally warm.
Along the official road, there were few people leaving, but rather many carriages and horses carrying families heading towards the city.
There were not just one or two stalls along the roadside, welcoming those who had fled due to the war and were now returning, all the way leading to Tongzhou city.
By the time everyone reached the city gate, Uncle Fan and the others had been waiting for a long time.
Home was already not far away; one could say they were now on familiar ground. The group parted ways here for the time being. The Ji family returned to the city first, while the remaining villagers proceeded directly back to the village.
This time, the city appeared much livelier. Compared to Huo Shu's previous visit, significantly more shops had opened along the streets.
The city was decorated with lanterns and banners, the atmosphere of the New Year very strong. Everyone felt it was even more intense than in previous years.
It was said this was to celebrate the pacification of Tongzhou and to welcome those returning from outside.
However, both inside and outside the city, most people were travelers. Those buying and selling goods were fewer than in previous years.
Once conditions slowly stabilized, the major merchant houses would return one by one. When trade routes reopened and recovered, prosperity should return. The foundation for it remained after all.
Under the management of Uncle Fan and Huo Shou, the two family shops had been completely cleaned up and had reopened. Although there hadn't been much business in the past two months, there was still some liveliness.
The horses brought from Yuchang were all temporarily placed at the riding archery field. Those who had originally followed Huo Shu naturally stayed at the riding archery field to manage the business.
Everyone ate a meal in the city and rested for a while. Huang Yinsheng took Huang Qi and returned to the medical hall first. During their time in Yuchang, Huang Yinsheng had received no shortage of rare and precious medicinal herbs. Now he had brought them all back. He treasured them and took them back to the medical hall, which also needed to be reorganized and reopened.
Although Wu Lianhe had reunited with her family, she was married after all. She and Zhao Pan had lived in the city for many years and still intended to first check on and manage their property there. When they departed previously, they had been unable to take many possessions with them.
Yuan Huiru also went with the mother and son to their residence first.
Thus, only the several branches of the Ji family returned to the village together.
The snow in the city had been cleared by people, so conditions remained manageable. Outside the city, villages lay blanketed under white snow. These settlements were no longer as lively as before, with far fewer people visible. Not only had many residents who fled the conflict not yet returned, but numerous able-bodied men who remained had been conscripted for battle and now lay buried in distant mountains and wilderness.
The sorrow and gloom of war still lingered over this city, even as the heavy snow attempted to conceal those painful traces.
"We're back!"
When the carriage stopped at the courtyard gate and that familiar house once again came into view, Ji Yangzong held Huang Manjing's hand, his eyes unavoidably reddening.
His voice was hoarse with emotion.
Ji Taoyu leaned against Huo Shu's side, bundled up so only his two eyes were visible. Xiao Taohe, held upright by Huo Shu, raised his hand and pointed at the unfamiliar house, looking at Huo Shu: "Dad..."
"Let's go in first, don't let Xiao Taohe get cold."
Seeing the little one make a sound, Ji Taoyu adjusted his sleeves for him.
Ji Yangzong patted Huang Manjing's hand: "Go in, go in and see."
Da Niu had returned to the village early. The snow in the courtyard had been swept clean, and there was no sign of dust or neglect.
The family of four seemed as if they had just returned from visiting relatives.
The gravel stone path leading straight to the eaves still lay quietly in the courtyard. The two tall camphor trees in the west stood as upright as ever. The pavilion under the trees was still in its old place.
Every scene and object seemed unchanged. But how could Ji Yangzong, who had lived here for decades, not see the clues?
The wood of the pavilion under the camphor trees was brand new. Bricks and stones had been patched here and there on the house walls. The residence had clearly been renovated.
After they left, tenant farmers held much hatred and malice towards wealthy families, leading to looting, burning, and killing. Many wealthy families suffered calamities.
Although they had left in time, the house was still here, and it was likely that the tenant farmers had broken in and looted it.
Thank you for the update!!
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