Chapter Fifty: Resurrection

Chapter 50 Back from the Dead

Broad daylight, and it’s like seeing a ghost!

Auntie Juhua, startled, slammed the door shut again. Snow dusted Xiao Xun’s head, and he knocked once more, "Auntie?"

Auntie Juhua opened the door, her eyes a mix of shock and fear. She grabbed Xiao Xun’s arm and touched it—warm and alive. "You’re actually alive! Your parents have moved away, to the town. They said they opened an eatery on South Street. You’ll need to ask around for where exactly; I’m not too sure."

She had thought Li Cuihua was talking nonsense, but Xiao Xun was truly alive—this was such good news.

Auntie Juhua had a good relationship with the Xiao family. She said, "You should hurry now. What happened? Back then, they said you died in battle, then Li Cuihua claimed you were alive. I thought she was lying."

Nothing Li Cuihua said was ever reliable; who would believe her?

Xiao Xun didn’t know the full story either. He didn’t answer, nor did he ask why his family had moved. He said, "It’s a long story. I’ll head to the town first."

Xiao Xun mounted his horse, its hooves sinking into the snow, leaving widely spaced prints. Auntie Juhua lingered at the door for a long time. Next door, Li Cuihua came out her door. She only saw his back as he rode away and asked, "What’s going on? Who was that? Aren’t you cold standing out here?"

Auntie Juhua said, "Xiao Xun is back. I thought it was a lie, but he’s really returned."

Li Cuihua’s face stiffened. "I… I delivered the news myself. How could I lie to you?"

After saying that, she shut the door hastily. She had thought it would take much longer, but Xiao Xun had returned so soon. She had to get to the town to find Dawei. But with Xiao Xun on horseback in this snow, he’d no doubt be faster than her.

Maybe wait till tomorrow?

Worried waiting would cause problems, Li Cuihua gritted her teeth, bundled up, and went straight to the town.

Who knew if the snow would be worse tomorrow? If she kept putting it off, and the Xiao family went to the government office to pay the taxes, it’d all be for nothing.

What else could she do? Even if the snow was three inches deep today, she had to go to the government office.

*

The brown horse took several turns. Ahead, a branch stretched out, weighed down by a pile of snow. Xiao Xun ducked low in the saddle, and once past the bend, he dug his heels in and urged the horse faster.

The wind was like a blunt knife, but Xiao Xun only narrowed his eyes slightly, without slowing. The trees, withered grass, snowflakes, the horse’s mane and tail, and even a few strands of hair at his temples streamed back as he sped onward.

The cold wind howled across the icy, snow-covered landscape. On this road, only the hoofprints from his arrival were visible. The horse’s hooves kicked up a spray of snow, startling a wild rabbit that had been hiding. It stood up for a moment before darting back into its burrow.

"Giddy up!"

Xiao Xun’s brow was high, but even so, a few snowflakes landed on his eyelashes. Having been in the snow for too long, his fingers were red from the cold.

Riding hard, a journey that would normally take over half an hour on foot took Xiao Xun just a little over fifteen minutes to reach Yu'an.

Amid the wind and snow, after passing through the city gate, Xiao Xun reined in his horse and slowed down. Auntie Juhua had said his family had opened an eatery on South Street, so he headed there, dismounting and asking along each street.

After two unsuccessful attempts, Xiao Xun tried a third shop. Surely someone would point him in the right direction.

*

Inside Xiao Family Eatery, Shopkeeper Shi was brewing a pot of hot tea. "Ouch, hot, hot, hot!"

He set the cup on the table, shaking his hand before sitting down. The tea, of course, was his own, and he had brought along a teapot and cups.

Now the counter was filled with his belongings: an abacus, account books, a teapot, cups, a wooden lunchbox—sometimes he took home dishes that could be carried back. Other items that couldn’t be displayed on the counter were stored in the cabinet below.

Besides these, there was also a pillow and a thin quilt. On days when he didn’t go home at noon, he would sleep here, clearly planning to stay for the long haul.

There were also other things left behind by customers, waiting to be claimed. The weather was cold, but the eatery was warm. Today, Xiao Dashi had bought firewood and charcoal—Lin Qiuran was never stingy with these.

Shopkeeper Shi narrowed his eyes contentedly, planning to buy a reclining chair in a few days to bring here. In the future, he would often nap at the eatery at noon. After a meal, it saved him from the cold trip home, and he could also keep an eye on the place.

Just as he was thinking this, the door pushed open, and wind and snow blew in. The glare from the snow outside made Shopkeeper Shi squint and shrink his neck. Without even seeing the person clearly, he said, "Customer, come in and take shelter from the snow. If you’re looking for someone, I can call them for you. If you’re here to eat, you’ll have to wait—we don’t start business until *youshi* (5–7 p.m.)."

"Looking for someone."

Shopkeeper Shi blinked and rubbed his ears. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he finally saw the person clearly—tall, with a straight posture, high brow and nose bridge, eyelashes dotted with tiny droplets of water, and a dusting of snow on his shoulders. He carried a bundle and a sword. Where had he come from?

Shopkeeper Shi stood up and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Xiao Xun glanced around the eatery. There were several tables inside, a thick curtain ahead, and a staircase in the front, with sounds coming from above.

If they were living here, it meant his family hadn’t suffered too much these days. He looked toward the curtain. "I’m looking for... Xiao Dashi, Sun Xiuying, Lin Qiuran. Are they here?"

This was who knows which shop Xiao Xun had asked at. Many people said they hadn’t heard of them. After all, the eatery had just opened. Its popularity was mostly among customers; some knew about the eatery but not who the cook was, only that there was a shopkeeper and a server in the front. So when Xiao Xun asked, he didn’t realize it was Xiao Family Eatery.

It was only after asking at a tea house where the staff often came to eat that he finally found the place.

Shopkeeper Shi said, "They’re here. I’ll call them for you. Have a seat first."

As he passed Xiao Xun, Shopkeeper Shi gave him another glance. Xiao Xun stared ahead, fists clenched. He didn’t sit but followed Shopkeeper Shi step by step until they reached the thick curtain separating the backyard from the front hall.

Xiao Xun stopped, not daring to go further.

Shopkeeper Shi rubbed his nose, lifted the curtain, and saw Sun Shi sweeping snow. She had already swept several times, clearing a path two people wide from the kitchen to the rooms and the front hall, with piles of snow stacked to the side.

The ground was paved with stone slabs, so the snow had to be swept constantly. Otherwise, once trampled, it would turn hard and icy. She was worried Lin Qiuran might slip, so she kept sweeping.

Lin Xia was also helping, though mostly to play. Having been with the Xiao family for a while, she had forgotten the past. Young and lively, she was building a snowman in the corner.

Shopkeeper Shi wasn’t sure who this was and called out, "Sister Sun, someone’s here to see you."

Sun Shi looked up. When she saw Xiao Xun, she froze, the broom dropping from her hands. She had dreamed of this scene—Xiao Xun not dead, returning alive.

Countless times in her dreams, she had pushed open the door or lifted the curtain to find Xiao Xun there, the family happy together. Lin Qiuran cooking, Xiao Xun doing rough work in the yard, even hunting to supplement the family income. But upon waking, there was nothing.

When she first learned Xiao Xun had left, Sun Shi was heartbroken, but there was nothing to be done. Later, she tried not to think about it during the day, but at night she still dreamed. After waking, she would tell herself, let it be, life was fine now.

If Xiao Xun had a heart, he would watch over Qiu Ran and her son from heaven.

The dead could not return to life; she could only advise herself to let go. What else could she do?

Sun Shi didn’t speak, but two lines of tears already streamed down her face. Her eyes held shock, joy, and anger. When her vision blurred, she pinched herself. Looking again, it was still Xiao Xun.

Not a dream. He had really returned.

Xiao Xun took a few steps forward. "Mother, I’m back."

Sun Shi’s nose and face ached. The cold air stung her nose and lips. Her heart was heavy, and she couldn’t find words as she looked at Xiao Xun. Finally, she picked up the broom and swung it at him. "You’re alive! Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t you tell us sooner! You made us wait, for so long!"

"And Qiu Ran, Qiu Ran she…" Remembering how they had worked tirelessly day and night, how Lin Qiuran had almost been persuaded to abort the child and remarry, Sun Shi felt even worse. She hit him several times but couldn’t bring herself to continue.

Shopkeeper Shi was astonished. This was Sun Shi’s son? Husband of Madam Lin?

Xiao Xun didn’t dodge. He knelt and said, "I sent a letter. Maybe it didn’t arrive because you moved. Mother, what happened to Qiu Ran?"

With such a commotion outside, it was impossible for Lin Qiuran not to hear. She had been listening behind the curtain and now had to step out.

She lifted the curtain and stood at the doorway. Xiao Xun looked up, his breath catching.

Xiao Xun knelt on the ground, the stone slabs Sun Shi had swept now white again.

He had been kneeling toward Sun Shi, but now his body tilted, turning toward Lin Qiuran. Snowflakes swirled thickly between the two of them.

Lin Qiuran held the curtain with one hand, her hair tied up without any adornments. She wore a padded coat, her belly swollen, clearly showing she was pregnant.

Xiao Xun was too stunned to speak, while Lin Qiuran’s mind was reeling. When she first arrived at the Xiao family, she was already carrying a child. Part of the reason she decided to keep the baby was because Xiao Xun had died—keeping the child but losing the father, living peacefully as a family of three seemed like a good option. Otherwise, who could accept not only having a child after crossing over but also a husband?

The child was hers, and after all this time, she had developed some affection for the baby. But as for Xiao Xun, Lin Qiuran felt no connection to him at all and had no idea what kind of person he was.

Lin Qiuran knew her reaction wasn’t how someone who had lost her husband and just learned he was alive after a long separation should behave—just look at Sun Shi. But aside from shock, she felt nothing else. There wasn’t even time to think about what to do next; everything was moving too quickly.

She glanced at Xiao Xun, then at Sun Shi. Xiao Dashi had gone out to buy something and hadn’t returned yet.

Should she be happy, or should she be moved to tears?

In the end, Lin Qiuran only said, "Mother, please let him get up first."

Sun Shi’s broom fell to the ground again. Without a word, she helped Lin Qiuran back into the room. Lin Dong and Lin Xia watched the man cautiously, burning with curiosity.

Shopkeeper Shi returned to the front hall, rubbing his nose. What a day—a man returning from the dead. Though Sun Shi had swung the broom at him, in her heart she was thrilled. It had just been too long...

He turned and called Lin Dong and Lin Xia to the front hall, wanting to give the family some space to talk.

Only Xiao Xun stood alone in the snowy yard. He picked up the broom, stood up, and swept the snow from the ground. After lingering at the doorway for a while, he finally peeked inside.

"May I come in?"

Sun Shi had stopped crying but hadn’t collected herself. The two sat by the bed, Lin Qiuran holding Sun Shi’s hand, comforting her, "Mother, though there were hardships along the way, him coming back is wonderful news. We don’t know what happened during this time. Let’s not leave him waiting outside."

Sun Shi was also glad Xiao Xun had returned, but if he was alive, why hadn’t he sent a letter home? It would have been so much better if he had let them know earlier. She said, "You’ve suffered all this time. Why didn’t he say anything..."

Thinking of how Lin Qiuran had cooked while heavily pregnant, borrowed money from her family to move to the county town, prepared banquet dishes for others, and slowly turned a small stall into the Xiao Family Eatery...

Lin Qiuran said, "He said he sent a letter, but we moved, so it never reached us. Xiao Xun, come in."

Lin Qiuran knew Sun Shi was upset on her behalf, but after all, they were mother and son. Though Xiao Xun didn’t look much like them—when she first arrived, she thought Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi were decent-looking, with pleasant features, and assumed the original host must have been good-looking, so the child would likely be fine too.

But Xiao Xun was handsome, with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and strong features, though very thin. If nothing had happened, his death wouldn’t have been reported. His return was already a miracle; they could deal with the future later. For now, they shouldn’t leave him out in the cold.

Xiao Xun stepped inside, and Lin Qiuran noticed something else about him—why was he so tall?

Taller than Xiao Dashi, probably well over six feet. With such height, would giving birth later be difficult?

Sun Shi’s emotions were still unsettled, and Lin Qiuran knew it wasn’t the time to dwell on such thoughts, so she looked away.

Lin Qiuran lowered her head, remembering when she first arrived. Sun Shi and Xiao Dashi, unable to bear the blow, had cried every day. Though she was glad Xiao Xun had returned alive, the events of the past had nearly tore the family apart.

If Lin Qiuran had insisted on getting rid of the child and remarrying, after just losing their son, losing the grandchild too might have broken them completely. They might not have made it to today. Seeing Xiao Xun now brought joy, but the pain back then was real.

How could they easily accept the news and weep with joy? Moreover, they had even erected a memorial grave for Xiao Xun, burying their son with their own hands.

Xiao Xun’s return needed time to sink in. Lin Qiuran was also relieved she didn’t have to face his return immediately; she too needed time to process it.

Sun Shi’s tears hadn’t fully stopped. Lin Qiuran asked Xiao Xun, "What exactly happened? Where have you been all this time? Why did the village headman say you were dead?"

The two had married in early May, and Xiao Xun left on the third day. Now, over half a year had passed. So much had happened in that time that Xiao Xun didn’t know how to start.

He thought of dragging himself, bleeding from a wound, from the burial ground, waiting to die, only to be rescued. As soon as he could move, he chased after the army, recovering while traveling, then risking his life to earn honors. If he told them all this, it would only worry them.

Xiao Xun opened his mouth, intending to say it was all a misunderstanding. But before he could speak, Shopkeeper Shi hurried over. "Madam Lin, Sister Sun, someone from the yamen is here."

Lin Qiuran: "The yamen?"

Everyone was confused. Shopkeeper Shi knew the Xiao family had been running an honest business, with a good reputation lately. The Xiao Family Eatery hadn’t even had any troublemakers. Why would the yamen send someone?

Lin Qiuran said, "I’ll go see."

Sun Shi’s heart tightened. Xiao Xun said, "Let me go check first."

Sun Shi nodded at Lin Qiuran. With a man in the house, he should handle such matters.

As soon as he left, the room felt brighter.

A captain and three officers in blue uniforms had arrived. The captain said to Xiao Xun, "Are you Xiao Xun?"

Xiao Xun nodded. "May I ask what this is about?"

The captain said, "Someone has accused the Xiao Family Eatery of tax evasion. The owner of the eatery, and you, come with us."

Xiao Xun said, "I’ll go with you. If the eatery’s owner is involved, I’ll answer for it."

The captain produced two documents: one was the agreement between the Xiao Family Eatery and the government allowing them to sell food, and the other was a copy of the land deed. "The owner is Lin Qiuran, right? She needs to come too."

The snow fell heavier, covering the freshly swept yard with a thin layer of white.

Xiao Xun remembered when he was kneeling in the yard earlier, Lin Qiuran lifting the curtain and stepping out.

Lin Qiuran was pregnant. How could she go out in such freezing weather?

Xiao Xun said, "I’ll go with you. If you need to question anyone else, you can come back for them."

The captain replied, "That won’t do. The accused is Lin Qiuran. What use is you going? Hurry up, it’s already past noon. Do you want to spend the night in a cell?"

An officer added, "We have to take her. Don’t make this difficult..."

Lin Qiuran stepped out of the room, followed by Sun Shi.

Lin Qiuran said, "Let’s go. I’ll accompany you."

Shopkeeper Shi looked anxious. "Madam Lin..."

Lin Qiuran felt a visit to the yamen wouldn’t be a problem. She had run an honest business, without cheating anyone. Besides, facing Xiao Xun now, she didn’t know what to say or do. Treat him as her husband? She couldn’t. Treat him as a stranger? She could use the shock as an excuse for now, but what about later?

Sun Shi immediately said, "I’m coming too."

Lin Qiuran glanced at Sun Shi, knowing she couldn’t dissuade her, and only instructed Shopkeeper Shi, "We won’t open tonight. When Wan Niang arrives, let her know and send her home. And Lu Fan, if any customers come..."

Shopkeeper Shi sighed inwardly. "Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. Come back soon."

Lin Dong and Lin Xia were anxious and confused. They wanted to go too, but Lin Qiuran said, "Stay at the eatery."

If something happened to the Xiao family, they didn’t know where they would go.

The street was a sea of white, with a few pedestrians and footprints. Sun Shi brought two umbrellas, handing one to Xiao Xun.

As Lin Qiuran was about to step down, an umbrella appeared over her head, and a hand reached out. Xiao Xun’s fingers were slender, his palm flushed—whether from the cold or the warmth indoors, it looked like an unfamiliar piece of jade.

Xiao Xun didn’t speak, but his eyes held a stubborn determination. Lin Qiuran wanted to say she was fine, but the snow was heavy, and she didn’t want to risk a fall so soon after Xiao Xun’s return.

Lin Qiuran placed her hand in his, and the two walked into the snow. Sun Shi followed behind. By rights, she should be afraid in such a situation, but with the family reunited, she felt no fear at all.

"Haven't we made it through worse things before? The Xiao family has always run our business honestly, so what is there to fear?"

On the way, Lin Qiuran tried her best to ignore the warmth coming from her left hand. She wondered why the restaurant had been accused of not paying taxes. They hadn’t paid taxes, but that was because Xiao Xun was reported killed in battle, and the court had exempted them from taxes for five years.

This exemption covered not only land taxes but also business taxes. If the officials hadn’t come, even if Xiao Xun hadn’t returned, Lin Qiuran wouldn't have thought about this for some time.

She gently moved her left hand, and Xiao Xun lowered his head, asking, "What’s wrong?"

Lin Qiuran said, "Did you go back to Xiao Village first?"

Xiao Xun nodded. He had thought they were still living in the village. "I scaled the wall to get in, but the house was empty. I asked around and found out you had moved to the county seat."

So quickly—it seemed someone had been watching closely.

Lin Qiuran asked quietly, "Did you write home earlier?"

Xiao Xun also lowered his voice, "Yes, and I sent money back too."

Lin Qiuran shook her head, "But we never received any letters."

If they had received the letters earlier, Sun Shi wouldn’t have been so upset today. She would have happily welcomed Xiao Xun home and prepared a feast for him.

Naturally, the money never arrived either. If the letters had been sent to Xiao Village, it was likely that both the letters and the money had been taken by someone. The fact that someone filed a complaint as soon as Xiao Xun returned suggested that the accuser might be the one who had taken the letters. "How much money did you send?"

Xiao Xun said, "Five taels of silver. I’ll save more money now."

Five taels—given the Xiao family’s previous circumstances, five taels was not a small amount. Lin Qiuran thought to herself, but since Xiao Xun had returned, that didn't matter now. She whispered a few words to him and then turned to say a few words to Sun Shi.

Xiao Xun squeezed Lin Qiuran’s hand but didn’t catch what she said. "What?"

Lin Qiuran motioned him closer. Xiao Xun leaned down, and her voice reached his ears, with a slight warmth.

Xiao Xun nodded.

Lin Qiuran had been to the county government office a few times before, usually for shopping or errands. On several occasions, Zhao Guangcai had handled matters for her.

Snow weighed down the roof tiles, and the stone lions at the entrance were also covered in a layer of snow.

As the three of them entered, they saw Li Cuihua and Xiao Wei standing in the main hall. Officers stood on both sides, holding batons. County Magistrate Li sat high on the dais.

Beside County Magistrate Li were Assistant Magistrate Chen and Scribe Wang. Scribe Wang took a deep breath, and County Magistrate Li struck the gavel, announcing, "Court is in session!"

"Order in the court—!"

Sun Shi looked at Li Cuihua, and her last bit of composure broke. They're from the same village—how did things get this bad?

Seeing that Xiao Xun had indeed returned, Li Cuihua and Xiao Wei dropped to their knees and cried out, "We beg Your Honor for justice!"