Chapter 195: Song Xian’s Journey

Chapter 195: Song Xian's Journey

Zhao Xiping had been circling around the mountain with the yellow sheep over his shoulder until he finally reached the foot of the mountain. He placed the sheep by the roadside and ran back up to fetch his wife and their child.

"What were you two talking about?" Zhao Xiping patted the dust off his clothes, concerned that the little one might be uncomfortable. He took off his outer garment, stained with the smell of sheep blood and odor.

"Come here, let me carry you. Your mother is tired from carrying you." He reached out his arms.

The child rushed into his arms, giving him an unexpected kiss, a look of pleasing affection on his face.

"What did you tell him? Another praise for how amazing I am?" Zhao Xiping was puzzled.

"No, I told him I'm going on a long trip and leaving him at home with you. His well-being from now on depends on you; of course, he's going to try to please you." Sui Yu, carrying a snake and a bow and arrows, walked behind and said, "He wouldn't understand these things."

Zhao Xiping didn't quite believe it, mainly because the child couldn't understand those words.

When they reached mid-mountain, Sui Yu took the child again, while Zhao Xiping carried the yellow sheep, the snake, and the bow and arrows, following behind.

It was past noon by the time they descended the mountain. Sui Yu pointed to a sand dune not far away and asked, "Little one, do you want to play sand sliding again?"

The child's eyes flickered. He shyly smiled and nodded vigorously.

Sui Yu immediately carried him over, picking up the sheepskin cushion that had a layer of sand on it. Mother and son climbed up the sand dune, their feet sinking deeply into the sand with each step. When they reached the top, the previous sliding marks were already faint. Sui Yu followed the blurred path and slid down again.

"We're flying—"

The child tried to open his eyes wide, but the sand stung his face, so he covered his eyes with his hands, peeking through his fingers.

When they reached the bottom, Sui Yu didn't need to ask again. She carried the child up the dune once more and slid down quickly again.

It took half a cup of tea's worth of time to climb up the dune, but only the time to swallow saliva to slide down. Sui Yu was getting tired, but the child had just started to enjoy the fun. She hugged him and continued to climb up again.

After dozens of trips, Sui Yu was out of breath. As she was about to carry the child up the dune again, the little one pulled her, unwilling to go further. He struggled to get down, his feet sinking into the fine sand, pulling Sui Yu and stopping her from going up.

"Not playing anymore?" Sui Yu knelt down and asked.

The child let go of one hand to wipe the sweat off her face.

Sui Yu couldn't hold back anymore. Before tears fell, she hugged the child tightly, wiping away the tears that slid down to her chin.

Zhao Xiping led the camel over, staying at a distance, looking afar, and occasionally crushing the sand under his feet.

"Mom?"

"Yes." Sui Yu looked up, forcing down the sourness stuck in her throat, clearing her voice before letting go of the child's hand.

"Want to play more? Your father is here; let him carry you. He's strong."

The child cupped her face, sensing her sadness, becoming upset himself, and suddenly sulking.

Sui Yu waved at Zhao Xiping and untied the rope bound to her leg. "You carry him."

"Okay."

Sui Yu stepped back, standing on the flat sand, watching them.

Zhao Xiping took big steps up the dune, carrying the child as they slid down. Both father and son's eyes were on the woman standing below.

"Mom—"

As the sliding motion stopped, the child didn't want to play anymore. He struggled out of Zhao Xiping's arms and walked towards Sui Yu, step by step, his feet sinking into the soft sand.

Zhao Xiping took off his shoes to empty the sand, occasionally glancing at his son walking unevenly. Compared to when he had just learned to walk, he was much steadier now, making sure to stand firm before taking another step.

Sui Yu knelt down, waiting for him to come over. As he got closer, she smiled at him.

The child suddenly became happy again, his eyes curved in a smile.

"Are you hungry? Let's go back and eat." Sui Yu held him, lifting his leg to take off his shoe and empty the sand.

"Bite—" The child pointed at his shoe, saying it bit him.

After shaking off the sand and putting his shoes back on, Sui Yu picked him up and said, "The bad thing that bit you has been beaten to death."

The child gave her a loud kiss.

"Let's go; it's time to head back." Sui Yu turned around.

Zhao Xiping followed, joking, "I thought you two had forgotten about me."

"No way." As she said that, Sui Yu felt the child tugging at her clothes, signaling he wanted to nurse. She immediately frowned and swatted his hand away.

The child withdrew his hand, head hanging low, not saying a word.

"We'll go back and eat meat. Yin Po must have stewed eggs for you, and you love the soup cakes." Sui Yu coaxed him, "You're a big kid now. You need to eat like A'shui and Da Zhuang; they eat to grow tall."

Zhao Xiping took the child, saying, "I'll carry him."

The child remained listless until they returned to the inn, where he ate a small bowl of soft noodles and some egg custard, regaining his energy after the meal.

Sui Yu slowly strolled with him until he became sleepy, and Zhao Xiping carried him back to the room to sleep.

"Wife, I've bought the camel hides. I got six pieces for 480 coins." Zhang Shun came over to report the expenses.

Sui Yu nodded and went to inspect the camel hides. The camel's fur was short and not very attractive in color. The hides were relatively cheap since they were mostly used for winter shoes. She bought them to make tents for their trading journey, to shelter from rain during overnight stays in the wilderness.

"Stitch three camel hides together, with fine stitches," Sui Yu said as she drew a diagram on the ground with a stick. "Sew it in this shape and leave an opening for people to enter and exit."

"Enter and exit? We’re going to live in it?" Xiao Chunhong asked.

"Yes." Sui Yu nodded. "I’ll leave this to you. I’m going to take a walk around town."

"Alright, Lady, rest assured."

Sui Yu went to Song Xian’s house. She had only intended to chat, but Song Xian handed her a sheepskin scroll.

"I asked my grandfather, his heart is set on raising camels, so he won’t be traveling for business like our ancestors did. This is of no use to us anymore, so you can have it." Song Xian’s expression was somewhat melancholic as she explained, "This is a map passed down from my ancestors, mostly of the areas beyond the pass. It marks where there are mountains, where there is water, and the places they’ve been. As a woman traveling with servants beyond the pass, it will not be easy. Take this; perhaps it will help you."

Sui Yu fell silent for a moment. The gesture was too heavy. She held the sheepskin scroll and said, "Thank you so much. Sister Song has been truly sincere to me, and I will remember your kindness."

Song Xian smiled and asked, "How are your preparations coming along?"

"Not much to prepare. After entering the pass, the weather gets hotter, and our local furs won’t sell well. So I’ll just exchange them for two bolts of silk and bring a few chests of money, buying goods on the way." Sui Yu confessed honestly.

"What do you plan to buy?" Song Xian asked with interest.

"Fabrics, silk, a small amount of lacquerware, tea—these are the basics. For the rest, I’ll have to see when I get there. Perhaps I’ll buy some medicinal herbs," Sui Yu said.

Song Xian nodded thoughtfully. She suddenly said, "I’ve heard that Chang’an is very prosperous..."

"I’ve heard that too, which is why I want to go and see. I’ve heard from merchants that the skills of the Central Plains are very popular beyond the pass. I plan to try my luck." Sui Yu smiled, somewhat wistfully, "I’ve never been to Chang’an."

Neither had Song Xian.

"Everything else is fine, but I just can’t bear to leave my child," Sui Yu said, feeling low again. Zhao Xiping was reluctant to let her go, so she couldn’t confide in him and came to talk to Song Xian instead: "Today, Zhao Xiping and I took the little one out of town to play. I was sliding down the sand dunes with him, and he sensed I was tired, so he stopped playing and wiped my sweat. I cried then; he’s too sensible. If he were a bit more mischievous, it would be better."

Song Xian smiled, "He’ll miss you a lot once you leave."

Sui Yu nodded. She consoled herself, "Everyone goes through this. When he grows up, he’ll leave me too, and I’ll feel sad... Besides, I can’t always revolve around him. I’m not abandoning him; I’ll come back."

Song Xian looked down, saying nothing for a moment.

"I’ll treat it as a vacation. Since the little one was born, I’ve been with him every day, feeding him, comforting him, holding him. Now that he can walk and eat, I’ll let Zhao Xiping take care of him for half a year," Sui Yu said, propping her chin on her hand. "When he left home, the child cried day and night for his father. He was happy when he returned, but I suffered a lot. Now it’s his turn to taste what I went through."

Song Xian suddenly laughed, "Commander Zhao treats you well. Are you still being so petty?"

"It’s not about being petty," Sui Yu frowned slightly, shaking her head. "It’s hard to explain, but whatever I can do, he can do too."

They chatted until dusk, and Sui Yu felt much better. She left Song’s house, leading her camel to the street to buy a jar of wine. Without money, she put it on credit, planning to settle the bill next time she came to town.

Riding her camel out of town, Sui Yu suddenly heard Song Xian’s voice. She turned around, and sure enough, Song Xian was riding her camel to catch up.

"Sister Yu, can you take me with you when you go to Chang’an?" Song Xian shouted loudly, "When I was young, I wanted to leave Dunhuang, but my father stopped me. Now I have a family, a business, and money—things I lacked in my youth. Since I now have the means, why not follow my heart once?"

"Sure." Sui Yu agreed, "We’ll go together. I’ll take you to Chang’an."

"It’s settled then." Song Xian laughed. If she didn’t have the courage to travel this time, she would never know what lay beyond Dunhuang or what kind of people lived there.

Back at the inn, Sui Liang suddenly jumped out to block her, "Sis, can I go with you?"

"Where to? This is our home, and I’ll be back." Sui Yu put her arm around the young man’s shoulder and walked into the house, saying, "If I leave, your brother-in-law won’t be at ease. It’s better to leave you here to reassure him."

"Isn’t taking care of the little one enough?" Sui Liang didn’t believe her.

"Alright, it’s because I don’t trust your brother-in-law. If he has to leave on a mission again, the little one and the inn’s business will need your attention," Sui Yu looked at Sui Liang and asked softly, "Do you miss Father? I’m going to visit him too. If there are any traces, I’ll bring his grave back."

Sui Liang fell silent. He remembered that night but had a vague memory of that person’s face.

"Sis, do you remember what Father looks like?"

"You look like him. When you’re in your thirties or forties, your appearance might resemble his."

Sui Liang said, "Oh," and then asked softly, "What about Mother?"

"I look like her, but Liang, I can’t help you find her remains."

"I understand."

Sui Yu patted him, saying, "In ten years, you might be able to recall Mother’s appearance from mine."

Footsteps echoed inside the wall, and Sui Yu and Sui Liang exchanged a smile, pretending not to notice.

"Wow!" The little one peeked out from behind the door.

Sui Yu pretended to be startled, grabbed the little one, and tickled him.

"Mama—oh! Hahaha… Mama… Uncle—" The little one laughed so hard he almost fell to the ground, seeking help from Sui Liang.

Sui Liang snatched his nephew and carried him into the house.

Sui Yu followed with the wine jar, her steps unsteady even before drinking.

"Sister Song said she’s going to Chang’an with me," Sui Yu told Zhao Xiping during dinner.

"That’s good. She’ll bring her servants for protection, and I’ll feel more at ease knowing you have company." Song Xian’s servants were inherited from her father, and their loyalty gave Zhao Xiping peace of mind.