Xue Shao climbed out of the water. When the night wind blew over him, he shuddered.
Something stirred in Xue Shao's heart. Thoughtfully, he looked up at the starlight-dimmed sky.
Xi Jin had fallen onto the field ridge. He scrambled to his feet and supported Xue Shao anxiously. "Young Master, you're soaked through."
Coming back to himself, Xue Shao lifted his robe and wrung out the water as he reassured him, "It's all right. Let's hurry to the village and ask for shelter."
The common folk were simple and kind-hearted. Once night fell, the village went dark. Whether they could sleep or not, everyone had gone to bed. Especially on a rainy night like this, it was even better for sleeping.
Yet when Xi Jin knocked, the villagers still opened their door. Seeing the pair in such a bedraggled state, their clothes soaked through, they invited them inside.
Sounds gradually rose within the house as the whole family was roused. An old man came out draped in clothes, coughing as he asked, "Youngest, who is it?"
The villager replied, "A gentleman and his bookboy passing through, asking to stay the night."
The entire farmyard was without light. Both father and son were night-blind, and only when they leaned close could they make out Xue Shao.
At a glance, he seemed approachable. He was clearly a scholar.
The old man smiled as well and hurried to light a torch in the kitchen. He called up his wife and daughter-in-law too, asking them to boil water and prepare food for the two men.
Xue Shao declined, saying softly, "We have already eaten and aren't hungry. Thank you for your hospitality, Elder, but I must ask Auntie to brew some medicine."
The old man readily agreed.
This household was surnamed Wang. Their son