The next morning, the old man got up very early again. He stood by the door of the main hall, wrapped in his coat, lost in thought, gazing at the glistening frost flowers on the bluestone path.
"Father."
Fu Yu knew that his elderly father had been feeling down these past few days. He had been keeping a close eye on his father's movements every day.
Upon hearing the faint sound of a door opening and closing outside, he immediately got up, put on his clothes, and walked out of the room.
"Why are you up so early too? You're still young; you should sleep more."
"Your son isn't sleepy; I woke up long ago."
"Alas." The old man knew his son was worried about him, so he didn't say any more.
The father and son walked along the bluestone path to the screen wall, and then to the main gate.
Unlocking the bolt and pushing the heavy door open, father and son stood at their doorstep, looking out at the endless fields before them.
At this time, the fields were barren. The wheat, corn, and sorghum that had been planted had already been stored in the granaries. Only large piles of straw remained in the fields.
At this early hour, as dawn was just breaking, diligent young boys and seven or eight-year-old girls, carrying baskets or bags, were picking grains from the harvested fields.
Their laughter could be heard from afar, and occasionally their exclamations of joy.
Seeing this scene, the old man's mood seemed to improve. "It's good to be a child. A cob of corn can make them happy for half a day."
"Yes." Seeing his father's expression lighten, Fu Yu's face also broke into a smile.
"Has your wife's family sent word yet?"
"Speaking of which, your son finds it strange. According to Uncle Song, your father-in-law, mother-in-law, and younger brother's family are all fine, but we haven't received any letters from them for months."
"Perhaps it's due to the flood. The road connecting their village to the outside world is cut off."
"Your son has also considered that."
"What did your father-in-law write in the last letter he sent you?"
"Just usual greetings and concerns, and that Xiao Tao's wife is pregnant again."
"Ah, the news of Xiao Tao's wife's pregnancy should be the key."
"Mm."
"Your father-in-law and mother-in-law are good people."
"Mm."
Fu Yu thought about their peculiar status. He usually didn't dare to contact the Fang family often, for fear of implicating them.
"Alas!" The old man also felt sorry for his son and daughter-in-law, and he asked with great apology, "Yu'er, do you and Mrs. Fang know the specific address of Xiao Tao's wife's maiden family?"
"We don't. When your father-in-law last wrote, he only mentioned a small village on Qingniu Mountain, and didn't even specify the name of the village."
"There are several villages on Qingniu Mountain. We are so far away, it's not convenient to inquire, even if we wanted to."
Their family, although not explicitly forbidden from leaving Liaodong, would certainly attract suspicion if they did.
Especially since those people were watching them covetously, they couldn't afford to make any mistakes.
"Yes. Your son is also anxious now and doesn't know how to explain to Mrs. Fang."
"Yu'er, there's no need to be too anxious. With your father-in-law's wisdom, he will write to us if it's convenient."
"Mm, that's what your son thought before. But after seeing Uncle Song and the others, your son lost his confidence."
"Alas." It wasn't just the son who felt uncertain; the old man's heart was also hanging in suspense.
However, their status dictated that they couldn't openly go out to search. Even if they wanted to entrust someone with the search, they wouldn't dare to do so without complete trust, for fear of making things worse.
…
The day Yan Yi escorted the disaster relief supplies to Eagle Beak Cliff, it happened to be an autumn rain.
The light rain drizzled, starting before dawn and continuing until noon without stopping.
What was most annoying was that the rainfall wasn't heavy, but it delayed everyone's work.
In the past few days, to build the houses for the refugees of Qingzhou as quickly as possible, Qi Yuanshan and Old Jin had sent soldiers from the Thousand Households Office and the Garrison.
With the help of soldiers from two platoons, the houses were being built rapidly. Just as they were nearing completion, it suddenly began to rain, making Song Banto and the others so anxious they were about to jump out of their skin.
As Yan Yi's carriage drove into the mountain pass, he had a clear view of Qingxi Town.
The distant mountains stretched and folded, like an ink-wash landscape painting, set against the vast expanse of heaven and earth.
The small town nearby was bustling with life, with pedestrians hurrying through the streets under oil-paper umbrellas.
Gradually, wisps of cooking smoke curled upwards. From the partially open courtyard gates, occasional adult voices could be heard, along with the playful laughter of children.
The carriage followed the straight sandy road towards the Thousand Households Office.
As the saying goes, an autumn rain brings a chill. The cold autumn rain dripped onto the hand extending out of the carriage window.
The hand was well-proportioned with distinct, strong knuckles. Even though the thin calluses on the palm and fingertips were noticeable, it was evident that this was the hand of someone of noble status.
Qi Yuanshan had already received news from Uncle Meng Er that Yan Yi was bringing disaster relief supplies to Liaodong.
However, he hadn't expected that Yan Yi, in such weather, would not stay in the city or at the post station but would come to their place despite the rain.
Startled and surprised, Qi Yuanshan had no time to think further and led the way out to meet him.
"Your subordinate, Qi Yuanshan, pays his respects to Lord Yan."
"Commander Qi, you may dispense with the ceremony."
"Lord Yan, please come inside."
"Mm."
As Yan Yi entered the gate of the Thousand Households Office, he turned and pointed to the convoy of carriages behind him, saying, "Commander Qi, the carriages are loaded with cotton-padded clothes and bedding to be distributed to the refugees of Qingzhou, as well as some common medicinal materials. It is late today, Commander Qi should find a proper place to store these items so they do not get wet. Tomorrow, I will hand them over to Uncle Meng Er for him to distribute to the refugees."
"Yes, your subordinate will arrange for it immediately."
Qi Yuanshan attached even greater importance to these supplies than Yan Yi.
After all, stabilizing these refugees would ensure peace within this region.
Qi Yuanshan observed the tightly covered tarpaulins on the carriages. Fearing that others might not handle the task properly, he directly summoned Wang Dabao, Xiao Linzi, and others.
"My Lord Commander, please rest assured, your subordinates will handle this matter properly and ensure that these items suffer no damage."
"Mm, you may go."
Yan Yi walked ahead, not walking too fast, and overheard the conversation between Qi Yuanshan, Wang Dabao, and the others. He smiled faintly and walked into the room.
He was no stranger to this Thousand Households Office; it felt like his own territory.
After Qi Yuanshan followed him in, Yan Yi, playing the host, sat in the main seat and gestured for Qi Yuanshan to sit down as well.
The two were acquainted, so they spoke without much reservation.
Yan Yi didn't treat himself as an outsider at all, showing no airs of superiority, and behaved quite amiably.
Initially, Qi Yuanshan was somewhat apprehensive, but as Yan Yi's conversation topics broadened, Qi Yuanshan gradually let down his guard.