Entering the City

The mule cart raced on without pause. Near the tenth mark of the Rooster hour, Yan Province City finally came into distant view.

With the sky overcast, the light had already dimmed somewhat. The city in the distance was hazy, and only its rough outline could be made out.

Liu Yuanzhou sat on the cart shaft, constantly taking in the scenery of Yan Province City's outskirts. Distant mountains stood tall and majestic; villages stretched in clusters along both sides of the road, cooking smoke curled skyward, and the sounds of chickens and dogs carried from one village to another.

Everything was so unfamiliar, yet so familiar.

At the end of his gaze, that hazy city reminded him that this was the seat of Yan Prefecture.

At some point, Third Master had also crawled out of the cart canopy. Squatting behind Liu Yuanzhou, he pointed out the famous landmarks along the way.

Twenty-Li Post, Ten-Li Post, Treasure Pagoda Mountain, Cool and Refreshing Mountain, Shi River—the mule cart passed them one by one, leaving behind two faint tracks in the road.

After crossing the Shi River Bridge, they went up a long slope and reached the Grass Market outside the eastern gate. Looking at a market several times larger than Crouching Tiger Slope, the bustling crowds, the rising and falling cries of vendors, and the dazzling array of goods, Liu Yuanzhou finally felt the pulse of the city.

Liu Yuanzhou and Third Master got down from the cart and walked through the Grass Market, while Brother Niu drove the mule cart behind them. Since it was already late, the three did not linger in the market and soon arrived at the eastern city gate.

There were not many people entering the city at this time. The three joined the line, and before long, it was their turn.

Liu Yuanzhou saw Third Master take out his Identity Plate and hand it to the constable for inspection. He hurriedly pulled his own plate from his robes and carefully offered it over. The constable took the plates, checked and compared them, then raised his head to glance at Third Master and the others before waving them through.

After passing through the city gate, they crossed East Main Street, entered North Main Street, then turned into an unnamed alley. At last, the mule cart stopped before the gate of a courtyard.

"Second Child, we're here. This is your Uncle Jiali's home." As Third Master spoke, he got down from the mule cart and went forward to knock on the door.

Liu Yuanzhou jumped down as well and looked around. The alley was narrow and deep, its high walls looming on either side, vermilion gates arranged in a row. Here and there, lush green branches stretched out over the walls.

A moment later, the main gate opened, and three or four people emerged. The man in front was in his late forties, and his features bore a seventy-percent resemblance to Third Master's. Liu Yuanzhou knew at once that this had to be his paternal uncle, Liu Jiali. He quickly went forward, following behind Third Master.

"Father, you've had a hard journey. Come in and rest." Liu Jiali smiled as he stepped forward to support Third Master by the arm. Then he turned to look at Liu Yuanzhou for a moment, nodded, and smiled. "This is Second Child, then? Mm, good."

An inexplicable nervousness rose in Liu Yuanzhou's heart. He secretly drew a breath, bowed deeply, then straightened and answered, "Greetings, Uncle. I'm Second Child."

"Come inside quickly." Liu Jiali patted Liu Yuanzhou's shoulder and supported Third Master into the house.

"Yuanzhi Ge." Liu Yuanzhou waved to Liu Yuanzhi beside him.

"Ha ha, Second Child, I've been waiting for you for ages." Liu Yuanzhi strode over with a laugh, took Liu Yuanzhou by the arm, and led him to the mule cart to help unload it.

Before long, everything had been unloaded from the cart. Brother Niu called out a farewell to Liu Yuanzhou, then drove away. Since it was already late, he had to hurry to the mule and horse inn outside the city to rest for the night. Third Master had paid the cart hire before they set off.

"Uncle Zhao, Aunt Li, come help move these things inside." Liu Yuanzhi called to the middle-aged man and woman standing nearby.

Uncle Zhao and Aunt Li were servants employed by Liu Jiali's household.

Liu Yuanzhou lifted the carrying pole. It held heavy things like rice, beans, and potatoes. Uncle Zhao and Aunt Li each took a bundle containing Liu Yuanzhou and Third Master's personal luggage, which was not heavy. Liu Yuanzhi carried a small basket filled with fresh fruits and melons.

Seeing how heavy Liu Yuanzhou's load was, Uncle Zhao came over to take the pole from him. How could Liu Yuanzhou agree to that? Uncle Zhao could only give up.

"Yuanzhi Ge, where's Yuanyang Ge?" Liu Yuanzhou asked casually after entering the gate.

"He's at the yamen. He won't get off work this early." Liu Yuanzhi answered offhandedly. Liu Yuanzhou knew that Liu Jiali's eldest son, Liu Yuanyang, worked at the Prefectural Yamen, but he did not know exactly what he did there.

"Where's Second Uncle?" Liu Yuanzhou asked again.

"Busy with his own affairs, of course. Heh heh, Second Child, believe it or not, the old man will definitely fly into a towering rage in a little while." Liu Yuanzhi winked at Liu Yuanzhou, his face full of amusement.

Just as Liu Yuanzhou was about to ask why, a loud smash came from the main hall—the sound of a cup shattering. Liu Yuanzhou jumped in fright, and then Third Master's roar rang out. "That unfilial son! Is he trying to anger me to death?" Liu Jiali's repeated words of persuasion followed.

Liu Yuanzhou stared in astonishment at Liu Yuanzhi. Liu Yuanzhi gave him a mysterious smile without explaining, only urging him on. "Come on, hurry up and put the things down."

This was a two-courtyard residence. The front courtyard was not large, but it was exquisitely laid out. Covered corridors surrounded it, green plants, stone tables, and stone stools dotted the grounds, and the main hall stood directly ahead, with several side rooms on either side. A carved screen wall blocked the view of the main gate. The rear courtyard contained the bedrooms of Liu Jiali's family.

Liu Yuanzhou followed Uncle Zhao and Aunt Li through the passage on the left side of the front courtyard. Behind it was a small patio enclosed by a kitchen and storage rooms. After putting the goods in the kitchen, Liu Yuanzhou took the bundles belonging to himself and Third Master, thanked them, and was led back into the courtyard by Liu Yuanzhi. They entered a side room on the right.

"You and Grandfather will sleep in this room." Liu Yuanzhi pointed at the room.

"Thanks for the trouble, Ge." Liu Yuanzhou thanked him and looked around. The room was not large. Two beds stood separately against the walls, with a wardrobe between them. A table and chairs stood beneath the window. The room was quite tidy, clearly swept often.

Liu Yuanzhou set the bundles on the bed. Before he could even catch his breath, Liu Yuanzhi pulled him back outside. "Come on, it's time to eat."

Dinner was served in the main hall. By the time Liu Yuanzhou and Liu Yuanzhi entered, the dishes had already been placed on the table, and everyone was seated around it.

Liu Yuanzhou looked over and saw that Third Master naturally occupied the seat of honor. Liu Jiali sat on Third Master's left, while the seat on his right was empty. Beside Liu Jiali sat his wife, Gao Shi. Next to Gao Shi was a woman in her twenties, who was presumably Luo Shi, the wife of his cousin Liu Yuanyang. Beside her sat a boy of five or six, likely her son.

Everyone greeted Liu Yuanzhou and Liu Yuanzhi and called for them to sit. Liu Yuanzhou greeted the others before taking his seat.

Gao Shi looked at Liu Yuanzhou with kindly eyes and sighed. "It's been more than ten years since I last returned to the village, hasn't it? I remember that the last time I went back, Second Child was only about Shuwen's size. In the blink of an eye, Second Child has already come out to make his way in the world. Time flows on like water." As she spoke, she could not hide her emotion.

Third Master and Liu Jiali both nodded in agreement, their faces equally filled with sentiment.

"Uncle Second Child, did you have to study when you were my age too?" The boy looked at Liu Yuanzhou with wide eyes and asked in a childish voice. He was naturally the Shuwen Gao Shi had mentioned.

"Uh, I suppose I had to study too." Liu Yuanzhou flushed with embarrassment. In truth, when he was five or six, how could he have been studying? Every day, he ran wild with a group of children from the village, climbing mountains to catch birds and going down to the river to feel for fish.

"Ah, studying is so tiring." Shuwen frowned and sighed like a little old man.

Everyone was amused by him and burst into laughter.

"What's everyone so happy about?" someone said from outside. Quick footsteps sounded, and a man walked in.

Liu Yuanzhi turned to look and saw a man of twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed as a yamen runner. He had handsome, upright features and looked very much like Uncle Jiali. It was none other than his cousin, Liu Yuanyang.

"Daddy's back!" Shuwen cried, jumping down from his chair and running toward the man.

Liu Yuanzhou hurriedly stood. "Yuanyang Ge."

Liu Yuanyang picked Shuwen up and smiled at Liu Yuanzhou. "You're Second Child, right? Don't stand on ceremony. Sit down." He was honest and kind by nature, not good with words. After greeting Liu Yuanzhou and paying his respects to Third Master, he sat down with Shuwen in his arms.

"Now that everyone's here, let's eat." Liu Jiali announced the start of the meal, and only then did everyone pick up their chopsticks.

The meal was exceedingly lavish. Chicken, duck, fish, shrimp, beef, mutton, and dishes Liu Yuanzhou did not recognize filled the entire table. His appetite was thoroughly stirred, but this was his first time dining in his paternal uncle's home. Afraid of committing some breach of etiquette, he merely sampled each dish and did not dare let himself eat his fill.

Though the Liu family was not some great household of scholars, they still observed the rule of not speaking while eating or talking while sleeping. There was little conversation at the table, so the family soon finished dinner.

After the meal, Liu Jiali told Third Master and Liu Yuanzhou to rest early. He had a social engagement and went out.

Liu Yuanzhou returned to their room with Third Master. Third Master said, "Second Child, now that you're here, treat this place like your own home. Don't be so formal." During dinner, he had seen how little Liu Yuanzhou ate and guessed that he was still feeling constrained, which was why he said this.

Liu Yuanzhou nodded to show that he understood.

Liu Yuanzhou fetched hot water and attended to Third Master's washing up. After he had washed up himself, he went out to pour away the water. When he returned, he found Third Master already lying in bed and snoring.

Liu Yuanzhou tucked the quilt around Third Master, then climbed into bed himself. Before long, he drifted into dreams.