“YuAn.” As Xiao YuAn was packing his luggage inside the wing room, Third Aunt approached him with a letter on her hand. When she saw that he was alone, she was puzzled: “Where’s Yan-gongzi?”
“He went to the Inn first, I’ll meet him there later.” Xiao YuAn stopped what he was doing and looked up to ask her: “What’s wrong, Third Aunt?”
“A letter from LiuAn and Fengyue arrived.” Third Aunt handed the letter to Xiao YuAn.
Xiao YuAn took it and read it carefully, then he said with great surprise: “They said that Chungui’s illness is almost cured, and that they’re ready to come back next month.”
“Is that so? That’s great! But… but when they’re on their way here, you’re leaving.” Third Aunt sighed.
“Third Aunt, don’t worry, I’ll be back soon too.” Xiao YuAn showed her a reassuring smile.
“Auntie also doesn’t want to worry.” Third Aunt said sadly. “But this military recruitment… there’s no war without injuries and deaths. What if the Southern Yan Kingdom doesn’t succeed in conquering the Eastern Wu Kingdom? What will I do if you get hurt?”
Xiao YuAn held her hand and gently patted it: “Third Aunt, don’t worry. The Southern Yan Kingdom will definitely win.”
How could Third Aunt believe that? “The world is extremely unpredictable, how can you be so sure?”
Xiao YuAn smiled and avoided replying to that particular question. Instead, he said: “Third Aunt, when LiuAn and Fengyue arrive with Chungui, you must not tell them that I went to the army as a physician. You can just tell them that I went to travel.”
Third Aunt was slightly puzzled and thought that Xiao YuAn was afraid that they would worry about his safety if they knew, so she agreed in the end: “Alright, Auntie will definitely keep her mouth shut.”
Xiao YuAn smiled at her and replied: “Thank you, Third Aunt.”
Third Aunt stepped forward and reached out to help Xiao YuAn’s pack his luggage. For a moment, she felt that the army didn’t have enough clothes in the barracks, so she added several more clothes that she had sewed herself so that Xiao YuAn wouldn’t suffer. At another time on the day, she thought that the army usually doesn’t have enough nor good food to eat, so she wanted to make a pot of delicious food for Xiao YuAn to take with him. At another moment, she worried that Xiao YuAn would get so tired working all day taking care of the sick and injured, but no one would take care of him. However, the only thing she could do at this thought was frown and sigh.
It was hard to pack Xiao YuAn’s luggage, but when it was finally done and it was time to separate, Third Aunt didn’t say anything and the expression on her face was extremely bitter.
So, Xiao YuAn said: “Third Aunt, Fengyue, LiuAn and Chungui won’t arrive until a month from now, so if you feel bored and lonely, you can go and find Shenling. She also told me that she will come to see you everyday.”
“Fine fine fine, go ahead, go go.” Third Aunt pushed Xiao YuAn and made a gesture of ‘you can go now’.
“Auntie’s goodbye is so warm. Okay then, I’ll leave now.” Xiao YuAn bid his farewell and walked forward a few steps. However, he suddenly stopped walking and turned his head around, only to find Third Aunt standing at the entrance of their residence, watching him as he went away.
Then, Xiao YuAn turned around completely and trotted back. Third Aunt was surprised at this: “What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”
“Auntie, when I’m back, I want to eat your braised pork, roast chicken and marinated duck!” Xiao YuAn replied instead.
“Good, I’ll cook it for you.” Third Aunt’s face finally showed a smile: “When you come back, Auntie will make them all for you to eat!”
After saying goodbye to Third Aunt again, Xiao YuAn went to the medical shop. Zhang Baizhu was standing at the entrance looking around, as if he knew that Xiao YuAn would come. When he saw Xiao YuAn carrying his luggage, he looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself from doing so.
“What? Why are you acting with maternal mannerisms?” Xiao YuAn laughed at him.
Zhang Baizhu rarely didn’t fight and joke around with Xiao YuAn, however this time, he said: “You must be careful. This war isn’t a joke.”
“Don’t worry, I know.” Xiao YuAn patted Zhang Baizhu’s shoulder and asked him: “Where’s Shifu?”
“He’s in the inner hall.”
Xiao YuAn nodded his head and walked into the medical shop. In the not-so-bright inner hall, Zhang Changsong was slowly pounding medicine, and when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching, he didn’t look up, but said: “Are you leaving now?”
“Yes Shifu, I’m leaving.” Xiao YuAn replied with a smile.
“You must be very careful and take good care of yourself.” Zhang Changsong coughed twice and said slowly.
“Yes, Shifu, I know. Well then, I’ll get going now.” Xiao YuAn turned around ready to leave, when suddenly, Zhang Changsong called out to him.
“Xiao YuAn, I didn’t want to say any negative words, but you must remember that if something happens, you must let them send you back to Taoyuan Village. Even if you only have one breath left, I can still pull you back from the Guimen Pass1.”
“Yes, I’ll keep it in mind.” Xiao YuAn replied with a smile and bowed to Zhang Changsong. Then, he got up and walked out of the medical shop.
Outside, Zhang Baizhu was squatting against the wall beside the door, looking carelessly at the medicine pot that was bubbling in front of him. When Xiao YuAn saw this, he hit Zhang Baizhu’s back with his knee: “Zhang Baizhu, I want to be a godfather.”
“What? What are you saying?” Zhang Baizhu frowned and looked back at him. When suddenly he understood what Xiao YuAn meant and his whole face turned red.
Xiao YuAn laughed out loud, and with Zhang Baizhu’s loudly angry curses behind him, Xiao YuAn ran away wildly.
Merry Christmas!! ☃⛄🎄🎁🎉
And since I won’t be uploading next week, I wish y’all a Happy New Year in advance! ♡(*´ω｀*)/♡ I’ll be back on the first week of January~
I want to thank all of my readers for making my 2020 a better year for me personally~ I don’t think I could’ve gone through this year without the joy of translating this novel and the support of all of you❤ thank you for being here!! ((o(*>ω<*)o))❤❤
Footnotes
- 鬼门关 guǐ mén guān; Also translated as “The gates of hell”. In Chinese mythology, it’s outside the boundary between the Netherworld and the world of the living. The edge of death. It’s also used as a metaphor for dangerous situations.
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