Chapter 126 Hometown Ties

Chapter 126: Nostalgia

Chang Jinhua, seeing that they had really returned, was so happy. "I had a feeling you'd be back soon. What perfect timing—right in time for the festival!"

She led Meng Wan through the front door, her usually stern face now beaming with smiles.

Bi Yun pushed open the door, and Xue Sheng, along with the guards, began unloading the carts one by one. Some warm-hearted villagers came forward to help. It was the off-season now, before the autumn harvest, so there wasn't much work in the fields for any household. Sixth Uncle Song and Sixth Aunt Song were both in town helping their son and daughter-in-law.

"Lord Song, we won't linger here. We need to head to the nearby county town to find some odd jobs. Someone will be stationed in the market town, so you can look for him there before you return to the capital," the escort leader said politely to Song Tingzhou.

Although this job for the Song family had been a long journey, their agency had handled even longer ones. The couple had been kind and easygoing along the way, and the young husband was easygoing.

Whenever they stopped at a town to rest, the hosts would also bring them whatever they were eating—making this one of the more hassle-free assignments they had undertaken.

Song Tingzhou exchanged a few pleasantries with the escort leader and settled the rest of the payment for the journey.

These four carriages were all rented. Once the goods were unloaded, the drivers would take the carts and follow the guards to the market town to find some work for a few days.

The flagstone courtyard was piled high with belongings, while Bi Yun and Xue Sheng were still busy organizing.

Meng Wan, eyes crinkling with a smile, surveyed the new home. The house was still on the original site, but it had been set back about ten meters, making the front courtyard deeper.

As soon as he entered the gate, there was an inverted house, just like in Changping City. The main door was in the center, with one and a half rooms on each side.

This was what Meng Wan had instructed before leaving—Xue Sheng could stay here, or it would be convenient for any outside male guest.

On the east side of the courtyard, a long wing of rooms had been built, about the size of four rooms.

No wing was built adjacent to the Tian family's side. Next to the gatehouse, a stable had been set up, followed by a pigpen and a chicken coop. The courtyard had grown deeper, leaving some open space at the back.

Facing the gate was the main hall, used for receiving guests. A screen divided the space, with a daybed and a back door behind it. On the left and right were two bedrooms each. Flanking the bedrooms were two kitchens, used for heating the kang and cooking. The kitchens also had back doors leading to the rear yard.

As before, Chang Jinhua lived on the east side, Meng Wan and Song Tingzhou on the west, and Bi Yun lived in the side room next to Chang Jinhua's.

The rear yard was also spacious. Two outhouses sat near the edge, separated for men and women.

Meng Wan was tired too. After a quick look around, Chang Jinhua called him to the west room.

Knowing that Meng Wan liked to stay clean and must have had a tough time on the journey, she pointed to the large pot in the west kitchen and said, "This pot of yours is clean. I just scrubbed it again and filled it with water. Once the water heats up, mix it with some cold water and wash up. The bathtub is in your room."

Meng Wan said eagerly, "Mom, make me something to eat, please. I'm craving dumplings. We'll boil the water ourselves."

Chang Jinhua readily agreed. "Alright, I'll make them for you. What filling do you want?"

After eating dried rations all the way, Meng Wan was craving everything now. "Do we have shepherd's purse? I want shepherd's purse filling."

"Then I'll go to the butcher next door to buy some fresh meat. I haven't bought the mooncakes yet either. You all wait at home." Before she finished speaking, Chang Jinhua was already walking out to the courtyard.

Seeing this, Meng Wan quickly called out, "Mom, be careful on the road. No need to rush."

Chang Jinhua replied without turning her head, "Got it!"

Song Tingzhou soon boiled the water. There were no old clothes at home, so Meng Wan pulled out their clothes from the luggage.

The west room was now two or three times larger than before. The kang faced south, while the study faced north, separated by a wooden screen. The design wasn't as stylish as those in the capital, but it was very practical.

He draped the clothes over the screen. Song Tingzhou helped him place the bathtub near the study, using the screen to block the window, and let Meng Wan take a comfortable bath first.

Meng Wan came out in fresh clothes, drying his hair as he pointed to the wooden basin holding the dirty laundry. "Husband, hurry and change the water to wash yourself. Pile the dirty clothes in the basin. I've hung the clean ones on the screen for you."

By the time Song Tingzhou had also washed up, Meng Wan's hair was half-dry. He put his hair up, then went to the side room to call Xue Sheng, telling him to heat some water and wash up in his own room.

When he stepped into the side room, Xue Sheng and Bi Yun had already roughly sorted through everything. Their clothes and items used on the road—those that needed washing were set aside for washing, and those to be put away were properly stored.

The cloth, malt candy, tea leaves, and other purchased goods were to be carefully stored in the side room for visiting relatives and giving as gifts tomorrow.

The remaining items were Song Tingzhou's books, already packed neatly in boxes—they could be moved directly to the study later.

Fortunately, the house was now spacious enough to hold everything.

By the time things were mostly in order, Chang Jinhua had returned home. Earlier, Huang Zheng had driven the carriage back to the village when he brought her home, but neither she nor Bi Yun knew how to drive it.

Afraid that walking would be too slow, she had asked the village head's son to take her to the neighboring village by ox cart.

Meng Wan first greeted the driver, the village head's son. "Brother Zhu, sorry to trouble you to take my mother on that trip."

"What trouble? Since you're back, if you need anything, just come to my house and ask," Zhu replied warmly.

Chang Jinhua got off the ox cart and pulled out a few copper coins to give to Zhu, but he quickly stopped her. "Auntie, don't embarrass me. Your son Da Lang and Wan Geer have done so much for the village. This little favor—how could I take your money?"

"No, no, one thing at a time. I can't take advantage of you."

Chang Jinhua insisted on paying, but Zhu absolutely refused, his face turning red with agitation.

Meng Wan lifted the basket off the cart and persuaded Chang Jinhua, "Mother, if Brother Zhu doesn't want it, let it be. Anyway, tomorrow my husband and I are planning to visit the village head."

Visiting the village head with gifts would amount to far more than a few copper coins, so Chang Jinhua let it go.

The two each carried a basket into the courtyard. Song Tingzhou, having finished his bath, came out and took the things from their hands. "Why did you buy so much?"

Both baskets were heavy.

The three entered the east room's kitchen. Chang Jinhua took out items one by one. "Today is the festival, so I bought eight jin of mooncakes from the neighboring village. There are many of us, and I need to leave two jin to offer to your father."

She opened two oil-paper wrappers and motioned for them to take some. "Five-nut and date paste. Come, Wan Geer, try one."

Meng Wan took a date-paste mooncake, broke it in half, and gave a piece to Song Tingzhou. "Delicious! The filling isn't too sweet." The crust was a bit firm but chewy, with a rich jujube flavor—sweet but not cloying. It was indeed tasty.

"Eat a little; don't spoil your appetite. I'll make you plenty of good food later." Chang Jinhua then pulled out a pork knuckle, half a slab of ribs, and a slab of pork belly from the basket.

"So much meat! Let me help you, Mother." Meng Wan was practically drooling.

Chang Jinhua shooed him away. "I don't need you in the kitchen. Go get Bi Yun to help me. If you have nothing to do, go to the vegetable patch and pick some vegetables."

There was a small vegetable patch in the backyard and one at the front gate, so greens were plentiful. Meng Wan took a vegetable basket and went with Song Tingzhou to pick vegetables.

When they had returned earlier, a crowd had gathered at the gate. Now most had dispersed, leaving only a few in a more secluded spot, sitting on big rocks and chatting, occasionally gesturing toward their courtyard.

Zhang Xiaoyu, carrying a child in one arm and a basket on the other, was walking over—clearly heading their way.

Meng Wan went to meet him. "Second Uncle, you had your baby! Is it a boy, a girl, or a ge'er?"

Zhang Xiaoyu held the baby closer. "Born last year during the twelfth month. It's a girl. Want to hold her?"

"No, no, let me carry your basket." Meng Wan had held his own younger cousin before, even making formula and changing his diapers for him. The boy was cute when small, calling him "brother" all the time, but grew up to be a little terror. This had given Meng Wan a bit of a phobia around children.

The basket contained wild vegetables Zhang Xiaoyu had dug up. He was smart this time—knowing that the Song family lacked neither vegetables nor meat, he brought something you can't get in the city. Seeing that Chang Jinhua was busy, he didn't linger, said a few polite words, set down the vegetables, and left.

Meng Wan saw him off. "Second Uncle, tomorrow we'll visit the clan leader and the village head. The day after that, we'll come to your house."

Zhang Xiaoyu said cheerfully, “Excellent! Excellent! Then I’ll have your second uncle go out and buy some meat tomorrow.”

After Song Tingzhou passed the imperial examination, heralds arrived beating gongs and drums all the way to the Song residence. Everyone in the surrounding villages learned that Song Tingzhou was about to become an official. Chang Jinhua was overjoyed—so much so that she hardly knew how to contain herself. The eggs and fruits gifted by villagers were manageable; after all, these came from people with whom they’d long had dealings, and the Song family could reciprocate when those neighbors held their own celebrations.

But the local gentry and landlords insisted on forcing boxes of fine goods into the courtyard—and Chang Jinhua and Bi Yun simply couldn’t stop them.

“I remembered Wan Geer’s instructions: no matter how excellent others’ gifts may be, they aren’t ours. Later, men from our clan stepped in and returned each gift one by one. Some even dropped items at the gate and fled—but Zhu Zi and the others loaded them onto an ox cart and delivered them back.”

Chang Jinhua was busy preparing dishes in the kitchen, while Meng Wan sat on a small stool by the door, picking vegetables and chatting with her.

Meng Wan spoke solemnly: “Mother did exactly the right thing. They’re trying to curry favor now that our family has risen in status. If we accepted their gifts, rumors would spread—not only damaging my husband’s reputation, but worse: if they caused trouble under his name and the provincial governor launched an investigation, discovering actual ties between our family and them, my husband’s official career would be ruined.”

Chang Jinhua’s expression turned stern. “Don’t worry. Your mother isn’t someone blinded by money. You’ve shared such vital advice with me—I’ve taken it to heart.”

Meng Wan gave her a thumbs-up. “Mother truly is the most reasonable mother-in-law in the world!”

Chang Jinhua chuckled at him. “You and your flattery! I’m heading to the backyard to gather firewood—the jujube tree in our yard didn’t die last year. Go knock down some dates to play with.”

This jujube tree was quite ancient. Its fruit wasn’t fully ripe yet—half green, half red. Meng Wan dashed to the vegetable garden outside the gate, picked up a long pole, and gently tapped the branch laden with the most dates. Seven or eight plump fruits tumbled down with a soft clatter.

Meng Wan planned to let them ripen for a few more days. He scooped up this small handful from the ground. A well now stood in their courtyard, so he rinsed the dates clean and went off to find Song Tingzhou.

“Dates from our own yard—want to try?”

Song Tingzhou was arranging books in their bedroom. At the sound, he turned his head and saw Meng Wan leaning against the thick wooden screen, smiling at him.

He had just bathed and changed into a blue-green robe. His hair was completely dry—jet-black strands loose and soft—and his features exquisite. He extended his fair hand, palm up, holding several reddish dates, modest in size.

Song Tingzhou reached out—but instead of taking the dates, he seized Meng Wan’s wrist and pulled him into his arms, pressing his lips firmly against Meng Wan’s rosy ones.

Meng Wan instinctively clenched the dates tightly in his palm. Off-balance and without leverage, he stumbled backward under Song Tingzhou’s kiss.

Thankfully, Song Tingzhou exercised restraint. Fearing he might topple the screen, he wrapped his arms around Meng Wan’s slender waist and back, lifted him off the ground, and pressed him gently against the wooden cabinet beside the desk.

Meng Wan’s arms circled his neck, still clutching the dates tightly. Song Tingzhou’s tongue skillfully parted his lips, and drool—too much to swallow—trickled from the corner of Meng Wan’s mouth. Song Tingzhou lowered his gaze and tenderly licked each drop away.

Then he kissed lower, down to Meng Wan’s neck, partially concealed by his collar. The fabric there had already loosened. Song Tingzhou’s gaze grew hazy; his hot breath fanned across Meng Wan’s skin, making him dizzy. Meng Wan tilted his head back, his vacant eyes shimmering with moisture.

Suddenly sensing a hand fumbling impatiently at his waist, tugging at his belt, Meng Wan whispered, trembling, “No… wait until tonight.”

Hearing this, Song Tingzhou reluctantly released him—but then sucked hard on Meng Wan’s collarbone. Meng Wan nearly lost himself from the sensation and couldn’t help but moan.

Song Tingzhou held him close for a moment longer. Only then did they straighten their clothes and step out together.

Meng Wan splashed cold well water on his face, letting its chill soothe his flushed skin.

The rich aroma of cooking meat drifted from the kitchen. A pork elbow simmered gently in an earthenware pot on the stove, while spare ribs stewed slowly in a large cauldron.

Bi Yun chopped vegetables on the cutting board, ready for stir-frying, while Chang Jinhua kneaded dough to make dumplings. Xue Sheng cleaned the stable, and Song Tingzhou continued sorting through his books.

The sky darkened gradually, and the full moon glimmered faintly overhead.

Meng Wan sat in the courtyard, enjoying the cool evening breeze. His ears filled with a pleasant medley of sounds—the sizzle of woks, the murmur of voices, the rustle of leaves. He squinted contentedly, savoring the moment.

“Wan Geer, come help your mother roll out dumpling wrappers!” Chang Jinhua called from the kitchen.

Meng Wan opened his eyes, a smile playing on his lips. “Coming, Mother!”

They prepared many dishes today, requiring several trips to carry everything into the main hall. Before the meal, Song Tingzhou and Meng Wan first offered incense before the ancestral tablet of Song Tingzhou’s late father, then washed their hands and returned to the main hall for dinner.

It was the Mid-Autumn Festival—a family reunion feast. With no outsiders present, Xue Sheng and Bi Yun also joined the table.

Chang Jinhua and Meng Wan made two steamer baskets of shepherd’s-purse dumplings as the staple dish—not too many, since the focus remained on the main courses.

The braised pork elbow was so tender the meat nearly fell from the bone; the braised spare ribs were equally succulent—both served as centerpiece dishes. Other offerings included braised eggplant, shredded potato stir-fry, cucumber-and-egg stir-fry, stir-fried pork slices with cabbage, and a bowl of wild greens and tofu soup.

Meng Wan’s lips glistened with grease—not because he craved meat as intensely as he had upon first arriving at the Song household, but because he hadn’t tasted Chang Jinhua’s cooking in so long, and nothing he’d eaten elsewhere had satisfied him.

Song Tingzhou ate even more heartily—consuming half the pork elbow along with generous portions of other dishes and rice.

After the meal, Meng Wan refused to let Chang Jinhua wash the dishes. He and Bi Yun cleared the table, while Xue Sheng handled the washing.

Chang Jinhua carried quilts—dried in the sun earlier by Bi Yun—into the west room. “All the old bedding was ruined in the flood, so I gave it away. These are newly made and have been aired in the sun several times.”

Meng Wan climbed onto the kang to arrange the bedding. Hearing this, he patted the quilt twice—it was soft, fluffy, and carried a faint, comforting scent of sun-warmed cotton.

“Mother, wait a moment before you go.” After all the bustle, the family hadn’t yet had a chance to sit down and talk properly.

Meng Wan retrieved his small bundle from the cabinet, found a small wooden box inside, and handed it to Chang Jinhua.

“What did you buy me again? We have everything we need at home—spend the money on yourself,” Chang Jinhua scolded gently—but her hand automatically opened the box.

She stared, wide-eyed. “Why did you buy such large gold bracelets?!”

Inside lay a pair of gold bracelets wrapped in red silk, adorned with intricate filigree work—neither overly encrusted with pearls nor ostentatious, yet exquisitely crafted, engraved with auspicious characters including the character “福” (blessing).