The wind is still blowing and the snow is still falling, and the crows are crying at sunset.
At this moment, the sun had already dipped in the west, and Zhu’s father also drove the last oxcart back to his home, eating the fragrant dinner made by Chen.
Soon after, a young man’s figure appeared on the road from Guanshan Town to Xihe Village, carrying a big travelling bag, ignoring the snow falling, walking on the road and singing with ease.
“Listen to my mother, don’t let her get hurt, I want to grow up fast so I can protect her, beautiful grey hair, happiness is always sprouting, angel’s magic is warm and kind.”
Zhu Pingan walked very fast and could not wait to see his mother Chen’s surprised expression when she saw him.
Cluck, cluck
The cackling sound made by stepping on the snow resounded all the way.
“Is it Mr Zhu ahead?”
While Zhu Ping An was stepping on the snow and singing, a question came from far behind him, Zhu Ping An turned around and saw a carriage coming from the back, and soon stopped steadily not far from his side.
The driver of the carriage was a little familiar, it was a man with the appearance of an uncle, it seems that he had seen it in the house of Li Dazhong.
“It’s really Mr Zhu, what a coincidence. I am the back kitchen picker of the Li family, I have seen Duke Zhu when he borrowed a book, I went to the town in the afternoon by the order of the lady to pick up some goods, I was delayed, I didn’t expect to actually run into Duke Zhu, Duke Zhu just returned to the bar, I am really lucky to be the first one to see Duke Zhu. Congratulations to Mr Zhu on his high school graduation, he has brought honour to our town.” This uncle is still a chatterbox, gurgling some words, and finally very enthusiastic to take Zhu Pingan for a ride.
He was able to ride in the car and did not have to get wet in the snow. Zhu Pingan naturally arched his hand to express his gratitude, and then got on the carriage.
There were quite a few vegetables and meats that Uncle had picked up on the carriage, but inside the carriage was enough for Zhu Pingan to sit down, and the gifts could also be put down just right.
“I’m not in a hurry here, I won’t be able to use it until tomorrow. It doesn’t take much effort. Besides, helping others to the end, sending Buddha to the west. Besides, Duke Zhu is a Lifted Master, I’m considered to have been blessed.”
After arriving at the Upper River Village, the carter uncle also insisted on sending Zhu Pingan to the Lower River Village with great enthusiasm.
Zhu Pingan’s house was brightly lit at the moment, with two large red lanterns hanging in front of the door. In a falling snow, these two red lanterns looked particularly warm, they should have been hung recently, they had not hung any red lanterns when they left home.
“Mother, it’s good that the lanterns are hanging. We light two candles here every day.”
At the dinner table, Zhu Pingchuan thought about lighting two candles every day, and couldn’t help but feel a little heartbroken, it’s okay to light candles for the lanterns on Chinese New Year’s Day, but this isn’t a holiday.
Mother Chen sniffed unhappy, “What do you know, this is if the swine child came back at night, can also see our door, save the wrong door.”
“How could swine brother come back at night. It’s always in the morning; besides, swine brother isn’t a child, so how could he go through the wrong door.”
Zhu Pingchuan retorted in a low voice, but was met with a hard glare from Chen. Then he turned off the flame and didn’t dare to squeak.
“Is there movement outside?” As she ate, Chen suddenly put down her chopsticks and stretched her ears to ask.
“Mother, it’s another mishearing, I even went out to look just now.” Zhu Pingchuan whispered.
Before his mother Chen could say anything, Father Zhu, who was eating quietly on one side, suddenly put down his chopsticks. Raising his head, he glanced outside and then said. “It’s a commotion, it seems like a carriage heard our entrance.”
Father Zhu had been driving the carriages. He was more sensitive to the sounds of cars, and the oxcart and carriage could be heard at once.
When Chen heard this, she put down her chopsticks and got up to go outside, these days Chen always felt that Zhu Ping An was coming back, now that she heard Zhu father say that a carriage had stopped at the door, Chen immediately couldn’t wait to go out to see if Zhu Ping An was back, she would rather make a few more mistakes than let go of the possibility of one.
Outside the door Zhu Pingan took his travelling bag off the carriage and arched his hand to thank the Li family’s driver. He was able to arrive at the doorstep of his house just as night fell, thanks to the carriage driver’s warm ride.
While Zhu Pingan was expressing his gratitude, the door of the Zhu family was pushed open and his mother, Chen, came out from inside the door and just with a glance, he recognised Zhu Pingan who was standing at the door pouting and arching his hand in thanks.
“Swine child.”
Mother Chen covered her mouth in surprise, her surprised voice still glowing out.
“Oh, Mother, I’m back.” Zhu Pingan instantly heard Chen’s surprised voice, and after arching his hand to thank her, he turned around, scratching his head with a naive smile on his face to look at Chen.
Originally, he had wanted to give his mother a sudden surprise, but he did not expect her to go out so quickly. However, looking at his mother Chen’s surprised appearance, Zhu Pingan felt that it was worthwhile for him to come all night.
“You silly child why rush the night road ah, how unsafe ah, tomorrow take advantage of the bright to come how good.” After Chen’s surprise, she pretended to be angry and criticised Zhu Pingan for not rushing all night.
Zhu Pingan smiled honestly as usual, so that Chen could not help but be annoyed and nodded on Zhu Pingan’s forehead.
“This one is?”
Chen asked in confusion as she only realised with hindsight that there was a carter standing on the side.
“Back to madam, I’m from the back kitchen of the Li family in Shanghe Village, I went to the town to make purchases this afternoon on the orders of our young lady, and I was delayed in town, so I just happened to run into Mr Zhu on my way back. Mr Zhu has made our town famous, and is the youngest man ever to become a scholar in our county, so it’s a great honour for me to have the chance to give him a lift.” The driver had a lot to say, and although his words were upside down, the general meaning of the words was clearly expressed.
The Li family in Shanghe Village, these words immediately attracted Chen’s attention, and then heard the driver say that by order of the Miss Li family to go shopping in the afternoon, coincidentally, on the way to piggyback on the rushed home of Zhu Pingan.
So, Chen can not help but think of Li Shu, think this is fate, originally may have to brave the wind and snow to rush to the middle of the night Zhu Pingan, genius dark on the way back, which and Li Shu relationship ah, unintentional action to let Zhu Pingan exempt from braving the wind and snow trekking really exuberant husband ah!
“Home to go ah, after drinking hot soup to warm up the body.” Chen’s face warmly invited the driver to her home.
“That’s right, Brother Wang don’t be polite.” Zhu Pingan also extended an invitation to the carter.
“No Madam, Mr Zhu, I still have to go back to deliver my orders.” The coachman shook his head and politely refused Chen and Zhu Pingan’s goodwill, insisting on catching a ride back to the Li family.
“The family has all the food ready, it’s not too late to finish the soup before you leave, my swine’s son is thanks to you coming, or else he’d still have to suffer on the road.” Chen invited once more.
“No madam, my lady is in charge of the house and has set the rules, I have to go back now. Being able to carry Mr Zhu is also a blessing that our family has cultivated. Madam, Mr Zhu, I’m going back now.”
The coachman still shook his head, got into the carriage, and took his leave.
Looking at the departing carriage, Chen was even more satisfied with the young lady Li Shu who had left the family, listening to the coachman was that Li Shu had even started to take charge of the family, beautiful, filial and good at keeping a house, this was simply a daughter-in-law that fell from the sky.
A certain idea had become a huge tree in Chen’s heart.
Zhu father and Zhu Pingchuan also came out of the house at this time, saw Chen’s out did not go back, also heard the sound of talking outside, so they hurriedly came out to find out what was going on.
Then they saw Zhu Pingan.
“Back.” Zhu father’s voice was very calm, but his movements were very sharp and swift as he reached out and took the travelling bag that Zhu Pingan was carrying, which made Chen very satisfied.
“Swine brother, you’re back.” Zhu Pingchuan’s business was much more elated.
At this time, Chen gently blanked Zhu Pingchuan, “Hmph, who was it that said just now that swine’s son couldn’t possibly return at night, and smacked me with a bit of wax fee?”
“Mother.” Zhu Pingchuan stretched his voice.
“Father, big brother, I’m back.” Zhu Pingan responded with a simple smile
