Entering the City

The mule cart traveled non-stop, and near You time (5-7 PM), Yan Province City finally came into view in the distance.

Because the sky was overcast, the light was already somewhat dim, and the distant city was a bit hazy, only the general outline could be seen.

At this time, Liu Yuanzhou sat on the shaft of the cart, constantly looking at the scenery in the outskirts of Yan Province City. Distant mountains stood tall and majestic, villages lined both sides of the road, smoke curled upwards, and the sounds of chickens and dogs could be heard.

All of this was so unfamiliar, yet so familiar.

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

Third Master didn't know when he had crawled out of the cart shed, squatted behind Liu Yuanzhou, pointing out the famous landmarks along the way.

Twenty Li Shop, Ten Li Shop, Treasure Pagoda Mountain, Cool and Refreshing Mountain, Shi River, the mule cart passed through, leaving behind two shallow ruts.

The mule cart crossed the Shi River Bridge, and a long slope led to the Grass Market outside the east gate. Looking at the market, several times larger than Crouching Tiger Slope, the bustling crowd, the rising and falling cries of vendors, and the dazzling array of goods, Liu Yuanzhou finally felt the atmosphere of the city.

Liu Yuanzhou and Third Master got off the cart and walked through the Grass Market, with Brother Niu driving the mule cart behind them. It was late, and the three did not linger in the Grass Market, quickly reaching the east gate.

At this time, there were not many people entering the city, and the three lined up behind the crowd entering the city, and soon it was their turn.

Liu Yuanzhou saw Third Master take out his Identity Plate and hand it to the official for inspection, and he also hurriedly took out his plate from his arms and carefully handed it over. The official took the plate, checked and compared it, then looked up at Third Master and the others, and waved them through.

After entering the city gate, they passed through East Main Street, entered North Main Street, and then turned into an unnamed alley. Finally, the mule cart stopped in front of a courtyard.

"Second Child, we're here, this is your Uncle Jiali's house." Third Master said, getting off the mule cart and going forward to knock on the door.

Liu Yuanzhou also jumped out of the cart and looked around. He saw that the alley was narrow and deep, with high walls standing tall, vermilion doors lined up, and occasionally lush green branches protruding from the high walls.

After a moment, the door opened, and three or four people came out. The man in front, in his late forties, looked seven parts similar to Third Master. Liu Yuanzhou knew that this must be his uncle Liu Jiali. He quickly greeted him, following behind Third Master.

"Dad, you must be tired from the journey, come in and rest." Liu Jiali said with a smile, stepping forward to support Third Master's arm, then turned to look at Liu Yuanzhou for a moment, nodding and smiling, "This must be Second Child, right? Hmm, good."

Liu Yuanzhou felt a trace of nervousness for no reason. He secretly took a breath, bowed deeply, and stood up to answer, "Hello, Uncle, I am Second Child."

"Come into the house quickly." Liu Jiali patted Liu Yuanzhou's shoulder and helped Third Master enter the door.

"Brother Yuanzhi." Liu Yuanzhou waved to Liu Yuanzhi, who was standing aside.

"Haha, Second Child, I've been looking forward to your arrival." Liu Yuanzhi walked closer with a big laugh, took Liu Yuanzhou's arm, walked to the mule cart, and helped unload the things from the cart.

Soon the things on the cart were unloaded to the ground, and the cart driver Brother Niu greeted Liu Yuanzhou and drove the cart away. It was late, and he had to rush to the mule and horse shop outside the city to rest for the night. As for the money for hiring the cart, Third Master had already paid it before departure.

"Uncle Zhao, Aunt Li, come and help move things into the house." Liu Yuanzhi shouted to a middle-aged couple standing aside.

Uncle Zhao and Aunt Li were servants hired by Liu Jiali's family.

Liu Yuanzhou picked up the carrying pole, which contained heavy things like rice, beans, and potatoes. Uncle Zhao and Aunt Li each took two packages, which contained Liu Yuanzhou and Third Master's personal belongings, which were not heavy. Liu Yuanzhi carried a small basket, which contained some fresh melons and fruits.

Seeing that Liu Yuanzhou was carrying heavy things, Uncle Zhao came to grab the carrying pole, but how could Liu Yuanzhou agree? Uncle Zhao had no choice but to give up.

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

"He's at the Prefecture Yamen, he won't be back from work so early." Liu Yuanzhi replied casually. Liu Yuanzhou knew that Liu Jiali's eldest son, Liu Yuanyang, worked at the Prefecture Yamen, but he didn't know exactly what he did.

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

"Busy with his own affairs, hehe, Second Child, do you believe it or not, the old man will definitely be furious later." Liu Yuanzhi winked at Liu Yuanzhou, with a smile on his face.

Just as he was about to ask the reason, there was a loud crash, and the sound of a cup breaking came from the main room. Liu Yuanzhou was startled, and then Third Master's roaring voice came: "This rebellious son, is he trying to anger me to death?" Then there was Liu Jiali's constant voice of persuasion.

Liu Yuanzhou was stunned, looking at Liu Yuanzhi. Liu Yuanzhi smiled mysteriously, without explaining, only urging, "Let's go, quickly put down your things."

This was a courtyard with two sections. The front yard was not large, but very exquisite, surrounded by verandas, decorated with green plants, stone tables and stools. The main room was in the front, with several side rooms on the left and right. A carved screen wall blocked the gate. The back yard was the bedroom for Liu Jiali's family.

Liu Yuanzhou followed Uncle Zhao and the other man through the passage on the left side of the front yard. Behind it was a small patio surrounded by a kitchen and utility rooms. After putting his things in the kitchen, Liu Yuanzhou took his and Third Master's packages, thanked them, and was led back to the yard by Liu Yuanzhi, entering a side room on the right.

"You and Grandpa can sleep in this room." Liu Yuanzhi said, pointing to the room.

"Thank you, Brother." Liu Yuanzhou thanked him and glanced at the room. The room was not big, with two beds placed separately in the corners, a wardrobe in the middle, and a table and chairs under the window. The room was quite tidy, obviously cleaned regularly.

Liu Yuanzhou put the package on the bed. Before he could catch his breath, he was pulled out of the room by Liu Yuanzhi, "Let's go, it's almost time for dinner."

Dinner was eaten in the main room. When Liu Yuanzhou and Liu Yuanzhi walked in, the dishes had already been placed on the table, and everyone was sitting around the table.

Liu Yuanzhou looked over and saw that the one sitting in the main seat was naturally Third Master. On Third Master's left was Liu Jiali, and on his right was empty. Next to Liu Jiali was his wife, Gao Shi. Next to Gao Shi was a woman in her twenties, presumably Luo Shi, the wife of his cousin Liu Yuanyang. Next to her sat a five or six-year-old boy, who should be their son.

When everyone saw Liu Yuanzhou and the other man coming in, they greeted them to take a seat. Liu Yuanzhou greeted everyone and sat down.

Gao Shi looked at Liu Yuanzhou with a kind expression, and sighed, "It's been more than ten years since I've been back to the village, right? I remember the last time I went back, Second Child was only as big as Shuwen. In the blink of an eye, Second Child has come out to work. Time flies." She couldn't help but sigh.

Third Master and Liu Jiali both nodded in agreement, with equally emotional expressions.

"Uncle Second Child, did you have to study when you were as old as me?" The boy looked at Liu Yuanzhou with wide eyes and asked in a childish voice. He was naturally Shuwen in Gao Shi's words.

"Uh, I guess I had to study too." Liu Yuanzhou's old face turned red when asked. In fact, when he was five or six years old, he wasn't studying at all. He spent his days with a group of children in the village, catching birds in the mountains and fishing in the river, having a wild time.

"Alas, studying is really tiring." Shuwen frowned and sighed like an adult.

Everyone was amused by him and laughed loudly.

"What's so happy?" someone said outside the door. Quick footsteps sounded, and a person walked in.

Liu Yuanzhi turned his head and saw a man of twenty-five or six years old, dressed as a yamen runner, with handsome features, quite similar to Uncle Jiali. It was his cousin Liu Yuanyang.

"Dad is back." He shouted, jumped off the chair and ran towards the man.

Liu Yuanzhou quickly stood up and said, "Brother Yuanyang."

Liu Yuanyang picked up Shuwen, looked at Liu Yuanzhou and smiled, "You must be Second Child, don't be polite, sit down." He was honest and not good at words. After greeting Liu Yuanzhou and Third Master, he sat down with Shuwen in his arms.

"Everyone is here, let's start eating." Liu Jiali announced the start of the meal, and everyone picked up their chopsticks and began to eat.

The meal was extremely rich, with chicken, duck, fish, shrimp, beef, mutton, and dishes that Liu Yuanzhou didn't recognize filling the table. Liu Yuanzhou's index finger twitched, but after all, it was his first time eating at his uncle's house, and he was worried about being impolite, so he only tasted a little of each dish and didn't dare to eat his fill.

Although the Liu family was not a wealthy family or a scholarly family, they also valued the principle of not speaking while eating or sleeping. People rarely spoke at the dinner table, so the family quickly finished eating.

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

Liu Yuanzhou followed Third Master back to his residence, and Third Master said, "Second Child, coming here is like being at your own home, don't be polite." He saw that Liu Yuanzhou ate very little during the meal, so he guessed that he was still restrained, so he said this.

Liu Yuanzhou nodded, indicating that he understood.

Liu Yuanzhou went to fetch hot water again and served Third Master to wash up. After he finished washing up himself and went out to pour water back, he saw that Third Master was already lying on the bed snoring.

Liu Yuanzhou covered Third Master with the quilt, went to bed and lay down, and soon fell asleep.