They were supposed to say goodbye to Grandmother and leave the mountain on Saturday morning, but Si Ang suggested that she take them to see Maple-Leaf Valley first.
After all, seeing that valley was the reason they had come.
Although their experiences along the way had been far richer than simply visiting the valley, that had still been their original goal. Going there now would mean staying true to their purpose.
Richie quickly supported Si Ang's suggestion. Grandmother agreed that they could visit Maple-Leaf Valley, since it was on the way anyway. There was more than one path down the mountain.
In less than thirty minutes, Grandmother had brought Si Ang and Richie to Maple-Leaf Valley.
Looking out across the valley from their peak, they saw maple trees covering every slope.
It was autumn now, and all the maple leaves looked as though they had been waxed, shining a fierce, brilliant red.
Richie couldn't help marveling. He looked up and asked Grandmother whether they would pass by the maple trees later.
Grandmother said their route back would take them right through the trees. For now, she was letting them take in a panoramic view of Maple-Leaf Valley from the peak.
Richie looked forward all the more to the feeling of strolling beneath those maple trees.
At that moment, Richie felt that the venerable Du Mu's poem truly was wonderful:
"Far up the chilly mountain, a stone path winds askew; deep within the white clouds, homes come into view. I stop my carriage, drawn to the maple woods at dusk; frost-touched leaves glow redder than flowers of the second month."
The frost-touched leaves really were redder than flowers of the second month! The red blanketing the mountains looked like a fire blazing throughout the valley.
Curious again, Si Ang asked what