FMT 39

Chapter 39  Coming Home

That night, the two carriages entered Yongxing County. It was already dark when they reached the city, but most houses along the road had lanterns lit at their doors, and patrols carrying rows of lanterns passed by now and then, so the streets were not dark.

They stayed at a large inn.

When they went upstairs, the inn’s servant followed them. Liandan felt embarrassed to look around, but out of the corner of his eye he still caught glimpses of the bustling scene on the ground floor and couldn’t help glancing a few more times.

Chen Shuangning carried Xiaodan, and Liandan walked behind him.

The servant led them into a room. Past the entrance was a small hall, and beyond the screen was a sitting area for tea and guests. On each side of the sitting room was a door that looked like it led to bedrooms.

The servant poured hot tea for them, said the beds were all made, then left with a bow.

Once the man was gone, Liandan’s body eased, though the unfamiliar place still made him nervous.

Xiaodan reached toward him, wanting to be held, his mouth mumbling sounds close to “dad.” In the past few days, he was starting to form words.

Hearing this, Liandan stepped forward to take the child into his arms.

The boy was heavy. Excited to be in his daddy’s arms, he squirmed, almost knocking Liandan down. Chen Shuangning quickly steadied his waist with one hand.

Liandan raised his eyes to the young man and thanked him. Chen Shuangning shook his head, his gaze flicking toward the door, then relaxing again. Liandan realized it must be Leng Shan.

Sure enough, soon there was a knock. Leng Shan’s voice came from outside, “The food is ready. Should we bring it in now?”

Chen Shuangning answered, “Yes.”

The door opened. Two men in black carried trays in and set them on the table.

Leng Shan said, “I oversaw everything being made. You can be at ease.”

Chen Shuangning nodded.

Then Leng Shan beckoned toward the door. A young girl about ten came in carrying a tray, careful not to raise her head.

Leng Shan said, “This was sent over from them.”

He spoke vaguely. Curious, Liandan looked and saw fine-quality clothing on the tray.

He glanced at Chen Shuangning and could tell from his expression that he was in a good mood, apparently satisfied.

Chen Shuangning looked at the girl and said in a low voice, “You’ve been thoughtful.”

The girl quickly bent her knees in a bow, set down the tray, and left.

Leng Shan and the others also withdrew, leaving only the three of them in the room again.

Chen Shuangning said, “Wash up and eat.”

He picked up the clothing from the tray and examined each piece carefully, then said to Liandan, who was washing Xiaodan’s hands, “After dinner I’ll have hot water sent in. A soak will ease the travel fatigue. These clothes were a gift from a friend in the county. Keep them.”

Liandan froze, forgetting his hands. Xiaodan happily splashed in the basin, water hitting his chin. He came back to himself and wiped it with his sleeve, uneasy as he said, “For… for me?”

Chen Shuangning gave a quiet “Mm.” “I checked them. They’re safe to wear.”

What Liandan wanted to ask was not that, but since Chen Shuangning didn’t explain further, he held back.

Before bed, both he and Xiaodan were washed clean. The clothes were not only for him but also for the child, in exactly the right sizes.

After changing, the soft light fabric was comfortable. Xiaodan rolled happily on the bed. For a moment Liandan forgot the fright of the day and smiled.

….

The next day, they didn’t rush to leave. Chen Shuangning took Liandan and Xiaodan around the county city, ate some food, and bought toys for the child.

Though Liandan kept saying it wasn’t necessary, Chen Shuangning still went into a shop selling powders and ornaments.

The shop assistant brought out many items. Liandan was dazzled, not knowing what they were for.

The man held up rouge and asked Liandan which shade he liked. Liandan let out a small “ah” and turned to look at Chen Shuangning.

Chen Shuangning studied his face for a while, then picked out a jar. “This one.”

The shop assistant laughed. “Young master has good taste. With your husband’s fair and tender skin, this shade will look even better.”

Liandan’s face flushed red, redder than if he had put on rouge.

After they ate a famous local dish at a well-known restaurant, they set out again in the afternoon.

Liandan had never traveled far before and could not tell which direction they were going. He only knew that the journey had already lasted ten days or so. Normally it should not have taken that long, but since they stopped to rest and stroll at the larger towns or county cities along the way, the trip stretched out.

The road had been peaceful, with no more incidents. But Liandan felt troubled.

Since those clothes they first received, at every place they stayed afterward, someone always brought things for him. Not only clothing but also jewelry, paintings from famous artists, books, and so on. There were even items especially for Xiaodan. Day by day, his belongings piled higher.

He felt anxious about it, but Chen Shuangning reassured him, saying it was just friends trying to cheer him after the fright he suffered, and that he should accept them.

Chen Shuangning even told Leng Shan to prepare two chests to hold all these gifts, tied to the back of the carriage during travel.

After more than ten days, they passed through a bustling town, then traveled half an hour into the outskirts until they reached the entrance of a valley. One of the black-clad men got down first to report inside.

The carriage continued forward. They passed through the narrow mouth of the valley, turned around rocks and trees, and suddenly the view opened wide.

Inside the valley stood a great residence built against the mountain, red walls enclosing buildings arranged along the slope, high and low, scattered in order.

As the carriage drove in, a crowd was already watching from ahead, faces full of joy. When the carriage stopped, Leng Shan called for people to unload the luggage. Chen Shuangning was the first to step down.

Liandan heard someone call out, “We came out to look every day. At last you’re back!”

Chen Shuangning gave a quiet “Mm,” then lifted the curtain and held out his hand. Liandan, holding Xiaodan, was lifted down by his waist.

Before he even stood firm, an old woman scooped Xiaodan into her arms, delighted. “Oh my, what a big, plump boy, how precious.”

Liandan had not yet reacted when a soft hand caught his. He turned and saw a girl of about fifteen smiling at him. “You look exactly as I imagined, so handsome.”

“You…” Liandan opened his mouth in surprise, but before he could finish, his hand was passed to someone else — this time a ge’er in his twenties. He had fine features and a warm smile. “After so many days on the road, you must be tired. Come, we’ll take you inside to rest and have some tea.”

Only then did Liandan realize that the chatter all around came from women and ge’er. Surrounded, he was ushered into the courtyard.

He didn’t know anyone and grew nervous. Turning his head, he saw Chen Shuangning speaking with a few ge’er. They all bent slightly, respectful in manner. Feeling his gaze, Chen Shuangning looked over.

“You and Xiaodan go with them first. I’ll come find you shortly,” he said.

Liandan felt a bit calmer and followed the others into a square hall.

Past the entrance, behind a painted screen of flowers and birds, a young girl in light green stood in the hall. She had just set down a tray of food on the table. Hearing movement, she raised her head.

Her lips curved in a smile, her gaze soft.

Liandan froze, then quickly walked over, grasped her hand, and called out with joy, “Xue Ming.”