Chapter 62: The Xiao Family

After finishing their wontons, the two of them headed in the direction the innkeeper had pointed out.

The streets grew increasingly crowded.

Peddlers carrying shoulder poles, women with baskets in hand, elderly women leading children by the hand passed back and forth, brushing shoulders as they went.

Seven or eight carriages were parked in front of the carriage rental shop—some open cargo carts, others covered passenger carriages. A few drivers squatted by the wall, drinking water from coarse porcelain bowls while chatting.

A young worker in a short, belted jacket was feeding grass to a horse; the animal swished its tail and lowered its head, eating contentedly.

No sooner had Lu Fengmian stepped inside than a plump middle-aged man approached with a smile.

“Looking to rent a carriage, sir? Where are you headed?”

“To Lin City,” Lu Fengmian replied.

The man sized them up, his gaze lingering briefly on Lu Fengmian’s seemingly expensive robe. His smile became even more enthusiastic.

“You must be from out of town, the two of you? Lin City isn’t far. I have a top-quality carriage here—spacious compartment, soft cushions, guaranteed comfort.”

As he spoke, he led them further inside. “Take a look at this mule. The wheels were just made, so it rides very smoothly. This gray mule is obedient and steady too, not easily startled.”

Lu Fengmian glanced outside and saw a carriage with a blue cloth canopy parked in the corner.

“How much?”

“Thirty wen. If you need a driver, that’s another twenty,” the man said. “If you can drive it yourself, it’s just thirty wen a day for the carriage.”

Xiao Jin volunteered, “I can drive.”

Lu Fengmian shot him a glance.

The middle-aged man slapped his thigh. “Wonderful! Driving it yourself gives you more freedom—you can go wherever you like. One hundred wen as a deposit. Just return the carriage to our branch in Lin City. We’re all the same company.”

Xiao Jin listened carefully and memorized the address.

After paying the deposit, Xiao Jin climbed onto the driver’s seat and took hold of the reins. Lu Fengmian stepped into the carriage and settled into a comfortable position.

From outside, Xiao Jin called, “Sit tight,” flicked the whip, and the carriage began to move.

Hooves clattered against the stone-paved road. The wheels rolled rhythmically over the ground as the early morning streets slowly receded beyond the window.

Once they passed through the city gate, the road turned to dirt, and the sound of the wheels grew deeper.

Leaning by the window, Lu Fengmian let the wind slip in through the gap in the curtain.

The sun rose, warm and bright. On either side of the road, crops in the fields flourished in lush green abundance.

In the distance, farmers bent over to weed, occasionally straightening up to fan themselves with straw hats.

Xiao Jin rode at the front, his back straight, occasionally giving the reins a light shake. The horse did not run fast; its hoofbeats were pleasant to the ear, like a soothing melody.

On the ridges between the fields, several children were flying kites. Though crudely made, the kites soared remarkably high, their tails fluttering loudly in the wind as the children ran after them with upturned faces.

The carriage rocked steadily forward. Lu Fengmian leaned back and closed his eyes.

The sounds of hooves, wheels, wind, and occasional birdsong filled his ears.

After a full day of travel, the view ahead finally opened up.

From afar, they could see towering city walls built from orderly gray-blue bricks. The gate tower rose three stories high, its eaves curving upward; beneath it hung bronze bells that chimed in the wind, their sound carrying into the distance.

Pedestrians on the road gradually increased.

There were merchants riding tall horses, followed by mule caravans; noble youths seated in luxurious carriages with curtains half-lifted to reveal embroidered cushions within; and cultivators gliding overhead on flying swords.

Amid the bustling crowd, their blue-cloth carriage appeared especially inconspicuous.

Xiao Jin drove up to the city gate and slowed down.

Two soldiers stood at the entrance with sabers in hand, inspecting people and vehicles entering the city one by one.

One soldier stopped a cargo cart, lifted its canvas to look inside, then waved it through. The other leaned against the wall, yawning in boredom.

When it was their turn, the yawning soldier merely glanced at their unremarkable old carriage and waved them through without even stopping them.

The scene inside Lin City was entirely different.

The streets were three or four times wider than those of Guanyang City, and the shops were impressive—some two stories tall, others with intricately carved signboards hanging at their entrances.

In front of the spiritual medicine shop, rows of medicine cabinets were displayed; workers dressed in green sprinkled water over the signboard, brushing away dust. The artifact shop’s display windows were brightly lit, attracting many rogue cultivators who stood outside pointing and exclaiming in admiration.

The crack of a storyteller’s wooden clapper drifted from a teahouse, mingling with the customers’ cheers.

All kinds of people walked the streets.

Some cultivators in Daoist robes, jade pendants hanging at their waists, strolled leisurely; others were vendors carrying flutes, hawking freshly steamed cakes.

Following the address they had been given, Xiao Jin found the branch carriage rental shop.

A staff member came out, checked the receipt, and led the carriage away.

Xiao Jin stood there, watching as it was taken into the back courtyard, and suddenly found himself unable to move.

He stared at the bustling crowd, his gaze somewhat vacant.

After paying the remaining fee, Lu Fengmian turned around and, seeing him like this, patted him on the shoulder.

Xiao Jin snapped back to his senses.

“Let’s go,” Lu Fengmian said.

Xiao Jin nodded and walked onto the street, somewhat absent-minded.

Although he was heading in the direction of the Xiao residence, he missed several turns in succession. Lu Fengmian followed behind him and soon realized they had already circled the same street three times.

He did not expose him, simply following at an unhurried pace.

After passing through seven or eight alleyways, Xiao Jin finally entered an old street.

The bluestone pavement had been worn smooth by years of use, and the tall, thick walls on either side spoke of former glory.

Vines climbed along the walls, and birds occasionally landed there, chirping briefly before flying away.

Xiao Jin stopped in front of a residence.

The main gate was vermilion red, its paint somewhat chipped but clearly well maintained. Above the lintel hung a plaque with a black background and golden characters, bearing two large words:

Xiao Family.

A male servant in worn green clothing stood at the doorway, leaning blankly against the doorframe. He squinted into the sunlight, his head nodding slightly as if on the verge of sleep.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes and looked toward the gate.

He froze.

The servant rubbed his eyes again.

Then he leapt up from the steps.

“Young Master!!”

Before Xiao Jin could even speak, the servant had already dashed inside, running faster than a rabbit, shouting at the top of his lungs:

“The Young Master is back! The Young Master is back!!”

His voice carried deeper into the residence, growing fainter as it went.

Xiao Jin stood frozen in place, his hand still raised as if about to knock.

Lu Fengmian stood behind him and smiled.

“It seems you’re quite popular here.”

Hurried footsteps sounded from within.

“Help me up, help me up…”

An aged voice came from inside, tinged with urgency.