The room had a brazier lit, and inevitably, a few tiny sparks of charcoal were scattered on the floor, burning hot. If one stepped on them by accident, it would be surprising if they didn’t scorch the skin.
ng Yuhuai saw Hua Xiaomai getting out of bed barefoot again, and before he could speak, he had already gently and skillfully lifted her into a chair, his eyebrows knitting together, "How many tis have I told you not to walk around on the floor barefoot? Why won’t you listen?"
Hua Xiaomai was too busy to chat with him and waved her hands dismissively, "I didn’t get burned. You worry too much. I’m asking you sothing!"
"You know about Qi State. After taking the mountain road, one must also travel by waterway. Even if the weather’s good and nothing goes wrong, it will still take at least twenty days to get there." ng Yuhuai lowered his head and saw the light from the lamp reflecting in her eyes, like two fires blazing. The rest of his words beca difficult to voice, "This round trip... we definitely won’t make it back in ti for Chinese New Year..."
"When are you leaving?" Hua Xiaomai’s heart sank a little, and she bit her lip before asking again.
She knew well that anyone in this line of work inevitably had to travel far. If soone stayed at ho all year round, it would an they were either not valued or the Escort Agency had no business and couldn’t keep going. She had heard before how ng Yuhuai was often out on Escort Master duties, but... back then, they weren’t yet married. How could their current situation compare?
"... The day after tomorrow." ng soone spoke quietly, noticing the corners of her lips drooping. He reached out to touch her face and gently smiled, "Are you worried that with not at ho, my mother might give you trouble and you’ll have nobody to support you? But I saw how you stood your ground that day. You didn’t give her an inch; it’s clear you can handle yourself without my worry."
"That’s not what I’m worried about," Hua Xiaomai sighed and leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder and speaking gloomily, "I’ll be careful not to provoke mother and make her angry, especially during the New Year. She probably won’t do anything to . I’m just feeling... We’ve only been married a month, and the first New Year we should be celebrating together, you’re going to be away. I’m unhappy, is that okay? The last ti you went on an Escort Master duty, you ran into pirates, and it scared ..."
ng Yuhuai’s heart softened imdiately, but he was not good at saying sweet words to comfort her. He just wrapped his arm around her and gently patted her back. After a while, he said, "I’ll be back in a month or two. Then I’ll stay a few more days at ho—If anything happens at ho that you can’t handle on your own, go and ask Great Saint for help. He’s willing to help and certainly won’t stand by and watch."
"I understand," Hua Xiaomai replied, and then suddenly, as if she rembered sothing, she pushed him away, hopped off the chair, and ran out, this ti not forgetting to put on her shoes.
"What are you doing now?" ng Yuhuai hurriedly followed her and saw his wife run straight into the kitchen. She quickly lit the lamp and moved several jars and baskets from a cool place, picking through their contents. On closer inspection, they were nothing more than pickles, salted fish, and sweets that wouldn’t spoil for a long ti.
"Take these things with you to eat on the road," she said, busy working without looking up, "I heard this is called ’road provisions.’ People who travel need to bring so with them."
ng soone stood by the door, at a loss for what to say, and after a while, he spoke softly, "You don’t need to rush. I’m not used to that, my mother never prepared such things for ."
"You and mother might have the sa way of doing things, but with , we have to start a different tradition," Hua Xiaomai naturally turned back to smile at him, "I know you Escort Masters are particular. If you don’t co across a reliable and safe inn, you’d rather sleep outdoors. And if you’re unsure about the food, you’d rather go hungry. These homade items, if packed in a bamboo basket, won’t spoil for two or three months, and you’ll eat with peace of mind. You can share so with your brothers in the Escort Agency if you want; just don’t go short yourself."
"Even if that’s the case, you don’t need to rush it. You can still pack them tomorrow," ng Yuhuai simply went over and crouched beside her, "it’s too late now, and if you don’t rest soon, you won’t be able to wake up early."
"I want to sort them out early to avoid a last-minute scramble and possibly overlooking sothing. Besides, don’t I need to pack your things tomorrow evening?" Hua Xiaomai insisted, and only after she had packed up all the items, did she follow him back to the room.
...
A day later, ng Yuhuai indeed led people toward Qi State. Before leaving, he instructed the Escort Agency not to take on any new business until after the New Year. With his departure, the ng Family’s courtyard was left with only Hua Xiaomai and old Lady ng.
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