While the Wu family grew excited at home, Yi A Bao and his wife rode in a carriage toward their home in West River Town, even more excited than they were.
The lantern hanging at the front of the carriage swayed gently, its light rocking in the darkness to the rumble of the wheels.
The frogs and insects along the road occasionally fell silent at the noise. It also stirred many fireflies into flight from the roadside grass and fields, and quite a few danced around the carriage.
Being shut inside a carriage in summer could feel rather stuffy. The curtains were half open now, allowing those inside to see the beautiful scenery outside.
"How beautiful."
Lu was already well advanced in years, but surrounded by the lovely glow of fireflies, she still could not help exclaiming in admiration. Yi A Bao reached out and slipped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her against his chest.
"See? If we hadn't come back to see Granduncle, we'd never have seen such a beautiful night."
Lu could not help laughing.
"Yes, yes, you certainly have a silver tongue. What ordinary family hurries along the road in the middle of the night?"
"Naturally. Without a silver tongue, how could I be a teacher and educate the young?"
The two Yi Household servants seated up front were actually exhausted. Over the past two days, they had only had four to six hours of rest in total, but now they exchanged glances and chuckled secretly.
On the carriage roof, Hui Mian sat munching on a few grasshoppers he had caught. With a casual wave of his paw, more fireflies rose from both sides of the road.
Hehe, little A Bao, you'd better thank your Grandpa Marten!
Hui Mian amused himself in secret, then waved his