CHAPTER 206: CHAPTER 205: IT’S GOOD TO BE HOME

The boat returned to the small dock at Lin Family Manor in Mao County at the hour of Xushi. A waning moon, shaped like an eyebrow and a bow, hung in the sky. Torches were lit at the dock, and there were voices, showing the Lin Clan members eagerly awaiting their return.

Lin Wanwan held the tired and sleeping little Qingyu and said to Xiao Chong, "It’s already late, and traveling at night is inconvenient. Why don’t you stay at the schoolhouse tonight, cousin?"

Xiao Chong smiled slightly and said, "In that case, I’ll trouble you."

Lin Wanwan replied, "Oh, it’s nothing, really. Anyways, the schoolhouse is empty at night; just the conditions are simple. I hope you two cousins don’t mind."

Xiao Ce shook his folding fan and said, "That’s not a problem."

As they spoke, Lin Mengbo and others had already dropped anchor, tied the ropes to the mooring posts, opened the gangway door, and set the plank in place.

Everyone disembarked from the ship, and Lin Wanwan greeted her clansmen at the dock with nods. Back on her home turf, even the wet, sticky sea breeze felt comforting.

Sun Chuyao and a group of young servants, who had been waiting at the dock, hurriedly came forward, performed a deep bow, and with a voice tinged with tears, said, "Madam, you have finally returned."

He wasn’t purely loyal but worried about the antidote as the two-month period had ended. He had been fearing the onset of the poison every day, waiting for Lin Wanwan to return quickly.

Actually, Lin Wanwan had long forgotten her initial threats towards Sun Chuyao. Seeing him so emotional now, she was quite moved, pondering to herself: The servants of the Great Tang are truly loyal. Even after a month without seeing their master, they become so emotional.

"Has anything happened at home during these days?"

"Blessed by Madam, everything at home is as usual. Not even a single thief has appeared."

"That’s good," Lin Wanwan nodded. "So late at night, why are these kids still waiting here? Lead them down to rest; staying up late isn’t good for growing children."

Sun Chuyao bowed and said, "Madam’s kindness is a blessing to these young ones."

Then, he instructed the tallest child among them: "Quickly lead everyone to rest; you can come to greet Madam tomorrow."

"Yes!" The children had long been yawning, and if not for the sea breeze, they might have already fallen asleep. With permission granted now, they immediately lined up and headed into the yard.

The Clan Leader hadn’t slept yet tonight. Although no lamps were lit, he was lying in bed waiting for news. Now hearing the commotion, he got up and draped his clothes, while Niu Shi beside him mumbled sleepily, "Why are you getting up?"

The Clan Leader replied, "Wanwan has returned; I’m going to see."

"Oh." Niu Shi turned over and continued to sleep.

The early spring night was still cold, and the Clan Leader tightened his cold attire and headed towards the dock, just as he heard Lin Wanwan’s pleasant voice that sounded like silver bells.

"Cousins, leave the goods on the boat; we can unload them at daylight tomorrow."

Lin Mengbo laughed back, "That’s not possible; your belongings are treasures and shouldn’t be left on the boat. If they attract thieves at night, it would be bad. With the torches lit, it’s no trouble, especially since we took the medicine you gave; now there are no night-blind people in the clan. We have many people; it will be quick. You handle your tasks, don’t worry about us."

He finished speaking and dived into the cabin with a few other cousins to start moving things.

The things Lin Wanwan brought back were indeed numerous. For Great Tang nobles, traveling without a procession of ten carts would be considered light.

Seeing Lin Mengbo and others insist on moving the goods, Lin Wanwan left Kun Lun and Sun Chuyao to help, taking the rest home first.

Xiao Chong glanced at Shu Qi, who obediently stayed behind to carry the luggage.

After walking a few steps, they bumped straight into the approaching Clan Leader.

Lin Wanwan smiled and curtsied, "Uncle Clan Leader, it’s so late, and I’ve disturbed you."

The Clan Leader said, "Why return so late? According to them, they left to pick you up last night."

Lin Wanwan replied, "We delayed during the daytime in Qiantang and set off at noon, hence the lateness."

The Clan Leader was about to speak again when he saw Xiao Chong out of the corner of his eye. Hastily, he saluted and said, "I didn’t know Xiao Mingfu would grace us; I apologize for my neglect."

Xiao Chong responded indifferently, "No need for such courtesy."

"Cousins, what would you like for supper?" Lin Wanwan asked casually as she walked, "How about a bowl of braised beef noodles?"

Xiao Chong showed a slight smile and gladly said, "Very good."

Xiao Chong wouldn’t say that one reason he stayed was to enjoy Lin Wanwan’s hospitality. Her kitchen had always captivated him, always able to create mouth-watering delicacies.

After tasting dishes lovingly seasoned with numerous spices, even the clear and plain broth from his own kitchen seemed tasteless.

Xiao Ce felt the same as Xiao Chong; the Silla maid’s cooking at Lin Wanwan’s house indeed made one linger.

Lin Wanwan also invited the Clan Leader, "Uncle Clan Leader, come join us; let’s have supper."

The Clan Leader waved his hand repeatedly, "No need, no need. We’ve all had dinner; why a supper? You eat yours. Seeing you return safely, I’m at ease. I’ll go back to sleep now."

Unable to persuade him to stay, Lin Wanwan watched the Clan Leader rush back home in the night.

Hua Nong, once home, went straight into the kitchen, aided by Sun Chuyao’s elderly mother and Lin Qin Shi from next door, to start the big pot, preparing the noodles. The braised beef had long been roasted and set aside for use, and today’s noodles were ready-made, so they weren’t hard to prepare.

Entering the main hall, Lin Wanwan gave little Qingyu to Yun Shang to hold and quietly said, "You take this little one upstairs to sleep first. She played wildly during the day and is very tired; she won’t wake up tonight."

"Yes."

Yun Shang took little Qingyu from Lin Wanwan’s arms. Little Qingyu drowsily opened her eyes to see the person holding her, then closed her eyes again and continued sleeping.

Soon, the courtyard became lively with the Lin Clan members moving the luggage, setting several clothing chests in the main hall, and the rest directly into the storage room.

Lin Wanwan said to the crowd, "Hua Nong is already cooking supper; after moving the items, you all join for a meal."

"Great, we’ll have good food again tonight," the Lin Clan members answered with smiles.

Though Hong Yan was visiting Lin Wanwan’s countryside home in Mao County for the first time, she didn’t show any unfamiliarity. Instead, once inside, she expertly arranged the seating for the meal.

By the time Hua Nong served the first pot of noodles, the three cousins in the hall had already taken their seats.

Since Xiao Chong was present, Lin Mengbo and the others all ate their noodles crowded in the kitchen, unwilling to hang around the main hall.

Xiao Chong slurped his beef noodles without speaking.

Once he finished a bowl, Xiao Chong said, "Cousin, your courtyard is lively indeed, full of the atmosphere of life."

Lin Wanwan smiled and said, "That’s right."

This is precisely what she loved about the Great Tang. No matter how late she returned, there were always people waiting for her, longing for her, making her feel clearly that she wasn’t alone. This is what home feels like.