Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Pei Mu had bought quite a few firecrackers. Wang Pingan, loosened by the drink, wasn’t as steady as usual and set off several with Chen Xiaorong. Sun Yunniang, however, refused to join in, merely watching the younger ones play with a smile.

After they finished setting off the firecrackers, Wang Pingan and Chen Xiaorong took their leave. Pei Mu’s family of three didn’t turn in yet either; on New Year’s Eve, they had to properly stay up all night.

Pei Mu and Zhong Yizhu brought out the melon seeds, pastries, and preserved fruits they had bought and placed them on the main hall table. There were also the leftover roast chicken and braised meat; whenever they wanted a snack, they could skewer them and toast them over the fire, making them fragrant again.

Once everything was done, midnight was near. Sun Yunniang had the two of them light lamps in every room. The main hall, of course, was lit up so brightly that every corner was clearly visible. Sun Yunniang explained it was a tradition called “lighting lamps to see through the year,” praying for safety and smoothness in the coming year.

This was the first time in Pei Mu’s life he had celebrated the New Year so properly. After lighting the candle in the bedroom, he reached out and poked Zhong Yizhu’s rosy cheek. The skin beneath his fingertip was hot and smooth. Zhong Yizhu tilted his head and nudged his finger. “What’s wrong?”

Pei Mu wanted to ask if their New Year celebrations at the Zhong mansion had been this lively, but he changed his words just in time. “I had no idea there was so much to do for the New Year.”

Zhong Yizhu reached out and held his finger, his eyes curving into crescents. “This is nothing. Come on, let’s go get red packets from mother.”

Pei Mu was pulled along by him to the main hall, still dazed, while Zhong Yizhu rattled off a string of auspicious New Year’s wishes without repeating himself. His words were sweet and his expression charming, and Sun Yunniang laughed so hard that fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes.

She took out two red pouches, handing one to Zhong Yizhu and one to Pei Mu. They were clearly prepared well in advance.

Only then did Pei Mu come to his senses. He was a bit stunned and, imitating Zhong Yizhu, said, “Wishing mother good health and all the best.”

Sun Yunniang smiled and replied, “You and Xiao Zhu Ge’er, take care of yourselves. You’re both good children.”

The red pouch dropped into his palm, a little heavy, with the feel of strung copper coins inside.

Pei Mu had never received lucky money even as a child. Now, after marrying, it was being handed to him with such heartfelt blessings.

He wanted to say that now that he was married, he shouldn’t accept lucky money, but the words of refusal stuck in his throat and it came out as “Thank you, mother,” just like Zhong Yizhu.

Pei Mu had thought the night would be long, but when the first light of dawn seeped through the distant sky, he realized how quickly time had flown.

Zhong Yizhu was leaning against his shoulder, half asleep, still mumbling to Sun Yunniang.

Sun Yunniang pursed her lips with a smile, then stood up and said to Pei Mu, “Take him to rest. Nothing to do today; sleep as long as you like.”

Pei Mu nodded, wrapping his arm around Zhong Yizhu as he stood. “Mother, you should rest early too.”

Sun Yunniang glanced at Zhong Yizhu, already asleep in Pei Mu’s arms, her eyes full of affection. She said yes, then turned and opened the door to leave the main hall and go to her room.

Pei Mu gently lifted Zhong Yizhu into his arms and carried him back to the bedroom. He had become very skilled at undressing him; by the time he had undressed him and tucked him into bed, Zhong Yizhu’s breathing hadn’t changed at all.

Pei Mu placed the lucky money pouch beside his pillow, then took off his own outer clothes and placed his own red pouch beside his. Before he could reach out, Zhong Yizhu seemed to sense the warmth and pressed close, fitting himself into Pei Mu’s embrace. Pei Mu kissed the crown of his head. Closing his eyes, an unconscious smile touched his lips.

The first day of the new year was spent asleep. On the second day, the traditional day for visiting the wife’s family, the three of them went up the mountain to sweep Zhong Laoer’s grave. They brought his favorite braised meat. Sun Yunniang talked to him about recent events, then said that Zhong Yizhu and his husband were going on a buying trip in a few days, telling him not to slack off and to remember to bless them.

Zhong Yizhu and Pei Mu walked a little farther away to let Sun Yunniang talk to her husband. After a while, Sun Yunniang came over with red-rimmed eyes. Zhong Yizhu said nothing, just reached out and supported her arm.

Pei Mu returned to the grave and lit a string of firecrackers in the clearing.

Echoes reverberated through the mountains.

On the third day, Pei Mu and Zhong Yizhu went to Songyun County to pay New Year’s visits to Gong Laosi and Yao Sheng, and then went to He Agong’s house to give New Year’s gifts.

On the fourth day, they visited around the village. Pei Mu’s family had no real relatives or close acquaintances, so they only visited the village head’s house and Wang Pingan’s house. The families who rented their land came to pay their respects, and the family reciprocated with New Year’s gifts.

On the fifth and sixth days, Zhong Yizhu and Pei Mu began to hurriedly pack the things they needed for the long journey.

A change of clothes, common medicines, cloaks for rain and snow, hand warmers, mufflers... Zhong Yizhu also put in some of his own-made scented ointments and pills. After all, they were going to a place known for spices; maybe these would come in handy?

Pei Mu, on the other hand, sharpened his knives, prepared plenty of arrows, and exchanged the silver he had gotten from the pharmacy for silver notes at the money changer, keeping only some loose silver and copper coins on hand.

He had agreed with Zhong Yizhu that they would only use the one hundred and eighty taels of silver for this spice purchasing trip. That way, whether they made a profit or a loss, it wouldn’t affect their plan to open a shop after the new year.

Zhong Yizhu nodded, only saying that they wouldn’t lose money, and that no matter what, once the shop was open, these spices could all be used up.

Pei Mu knew that Zhong Yizhu was trying to reassure him. He said “Okay” and stroked Zhong Yizhu’s hair.

Tomorrow was the day of departure, and Zhong Yizhu was having trouble sleeping.

Apart from the time he went to Rongyang Prefecture for the funeral procession, he had never left Rongyang city. He had no experience of long journeys. Although he knew the road would be hard, he was inexplicably excited and nervous. He was about to travel unfamiliar roads, go to unfamiliar places, and see a different world.

This was something he had never thought about before, but now it was suddenly right in front of him. He felt dizzy, as if it weren’t quite real.

“Can’t sleep?”

Pei Mu’s voice came from above. Although Zhong Yizhu tried not to move, Pei Mu was holding him and could naturally detect that his breathing was off.

Zhong Yizhu hesitated, then squirmed upward, wedging himself from Pei Mu’s chest into the hollow of his neck, poking his face out from under the quilt.

“Pei Mu, are we really going to Quzhou Prefecture?”

Pei Mu helped him seal the draughty gaps, kissing his warm forehead. “Of course it’s true. We’re leaving tomorrow; how could it be false?”

Zhong Yizhu’s mind was racing. He remembered a book of stories he had secretly read. “What if you pity me for the hardship of the journey and sneak away early tomorrow morning? Then when I wake up, only I’ll be left in bed...”

Pei Mu couldn’t help but laugh. “Then what? Maybe you should stay awake all night keeping an eye on me, so I don’t have a chance to sneak away?”

Zhong Yizhu thought it over and seriously tried to sit up. He planned to put a stool in front of the door and sleep there, so that when Pei Mu opened the door, he would definitely wake up.

Pei Mu rolled over and pinned Zhong Yizhu down, immobilizing him. His voice sounded lazy in the darkness, but his tone was serious.

“Silly, if I were going alone, why would I have bought a cart? How could I rest easy leaving you here? Sleep peacefully. Even if you’re not awake, I’ll carry you into the carriage and take you away. I promise.”

Even though it was just words, Zhong Yizhu was easily comforted by Pei Mu. He lifted his head and brushed Pei Mu’s lips. Pei Mu quickly returned the kiss with interest.

His breath was taken away, and the jumble of thoughts in his head was also forgotten. Zhong Yizhu touched his slightly numb lips and fell asleep without a single thought.

The next day, the whole family woke up very early.

Zhong Yizhu woke up at the same time as Pei Mu. He put on his gray, practical short hemp clothes and, looking at Pei Mu beside him, who had also changed into last year’s old clothes, he finally felt the reality of setting out on a long journey.

The sky wasn’t light yet; the fire in the kitchen was burning brightly, but it was cold outside, and every breath turned into white mist.

Sun Yunniang had started preparing dry rations for them two days ago. The weather was cold, so the flat cakes and steamed buns would keep for several days. That morning, she got up again and made them a hot porridge, remarking that hot meals would be rare on the road.

The three of them sat together to eat breakfast. Zhong Yizhu looked at his mother beside him, and a feeling of reluctance slowly began to build.

After the meal, they checked their luggage one more time, and it was time to go.

Pei Mu went to the backyard to hitch the ox to the cart. Zhong Yizhu helped feed the ox a few mouthful of hay. When they led the cart to the front yard, Zhong Yizhu’s eyes were already red.

The things inside the carriage were already prepared, including two quilts—one to make the ride more comfortable for Zhong Yizhu, and one to keep warm if they had to sleep outdoors.

There was nothing left to prepare. It was time to leave.

Pei Mu stepped onto the shaft of the cart, looked at Sun Yunniang, and said, “Take good care of yourself. Don’t worry, I will definitely look after Zhu Ge’er.”

“Alright,” Sun Yunniang replied. But seeing Zhong Yizhu, she couldn’t hold back her tears.

Their pampered young man had never been apart from her for so long since he was born; the last time, when she was ill and he came a few days late, she was worried, and now how could she not worry?

Zhong Yizhu, seeing his mother like this, held back his own tears. He took Sun Yunniang's arm and said, "I promise I'll come back safe and sound, Mother. Take care of yourself, or I'll worry while I'm away."

Sun Yunniang wiped her tears. "What is there for me to worry about? You've already asked the Wang kids to stay with me—what could happen to me? Silly boy, it's different out there than at home. Take good care of yourself, and you too, Pei Mu. Don't be so stubborn with people. Material things don't matter, and if business doesn't work out, you can start over. The two of you are the most important, got it?"

Zhong Yizhu had told Sun Yunniang where the money was kept at home, so she could use it whenever needed. Seeing how considerate the two youngsters were, she couldn't keep looking this way and worrying them.

"Alright, any later and you'll delay things. Go on, Mother will wait here for you to come back."

Sun Yunniang gently pushed Zhong Yizhu's back. He stood in front of the cart, turned to look at her once more, then climbed onto the cart.

Pei Mu tugged lightly on the reins, and the ox cart slowly moved forward. Zhong Yizhu kept waving behind him until Sun Yunniang's figure vanished and the small courtyard at the foot of the mountain disappeared from sight.

Pei Mu drove the cart and reached out to touch Zhong Yizhu's hand; it was warm, so he didn't rush him into the carriage. With one arm around him, he let Zhong Yizhu lean against him to ease the pain of parting.

Zhong Yizhu felt the cold wind on his face and suddenly remembered he had forgotten to buy some face cream. He hadn't brought the hand balm he had bought for Pei Mu either. It was his first time traveling far and he had no experience; the preparations weren't complete. He would have to buy them at the next town they stopped at.

The sky was gradually brightening, and some of his sadness was carried off by the cold wind. It was still the depths of winter; although it wasn't snowing, frost and ice crystals clung to the bushes on either side of the road.

He was wearing the cloak Pei Mu had given him. Sitting out in the wind was okay for a little while, but after a longer time, he felt the cold. Pei Mu told him to get into the carriage, and he obediently climbed in. Away from home, he absolutely couldn't get sick.

Sitting in the carriage with a hand warmer in his arms, Zhong Yizhu saw the finely stitched cotton cover on the hand warmer. His nose stung, and he felt like crying again.

He moved forward a little and looked at Pei Mu's back through the carriage door. Pei Mu seemed to have eyes in the back of his head; he immediately turned around and asked him what was wrong.

Zhong Yizhu shook his head and said it was nothing, but every now and then he would scoot over and lean into Pei Mu, separated by the door—a gentle, ineffectual gesture, like a little animal seeking comfort.

Just as the sun rose, Zhong Yizhu, sitting in the carriage, heard the sound of approaching commotion.

He looked out through the side window. Outside the city gate, a long merchant caravan was being tallied. Dozens of men, some lean, some burly, sat or stood by their carts.

Zhong Yizhu lowered the curtain over the window. Soon, he heard Pei Mu talking to someone outside: "Manager Wang, we've arrived."

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Author's note: Here we go. It's like a curse—every time I write a novel, around the middle, I end up house-hunting and moving, but at least this time I don't have to cross provinces. Thanks for waiting, dear readers!