“After we married, she also often couldn’t stay home. The sect frequently had orders, and when she left, sometimes for months, sometimes for years. I never knew when she would return, so every day I could only light two lamps in front of the main gate. Lushui Town was very poor – no one lit lamps in front of their houses at night. But think about it, in all that darkness, those two lamps at the gate were very conspicuous. When your mother saw the lamps, she wouldn’t mistake the way and would know I was home waiting for her.”
Xin Mei blinked and turned to leave: “Then I’ll go light lamps outside the Imperial Tomb.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
Xin Xiong quickly pulled her back, wiping his sweat. This daughter of his was really difficult to communicate with.
“When two people are together, they always need to accommodate each other somewhat. You’re both still young, and your son-in-law is so capable. If your mother had been as capable as your son-in-law, I would have waited not just four years, but fourteen years. Unfortunately, she was injured before giving birth to you, and after you were born, she couldn’t last more than a few months. But during our marriage, we were very happy with no regrets left behind. So you shouldn’t always think about when your son-in-law will return – thinking like that ruins your own good days. His home is here, and he surely wants to return soon too. Don’t blame him.”
Xin Mei thought for a while and nodded: “If I blamed him, I wouldn’t wait anymore.”
Xin Xiong proudly stroked his beard: “My dear treasure is already the second-best woman in the world.”
“Why not the first?”
“Nonsense, first place is your mother.”
After offering incense, Official Zhao dragged Xin Xiong away. Over these years, the second part of “Fated Resentful Couple” had been revised countless times but never completed. Xin Mei said it should conform to facts, Xin Xiong said he disliked clichéd plot devices, Tao Guoguo wanted to see fighting, Yinglian wanted to see thought-provoking life lessons, and Si Lan said… he said let all those boring puppet plays go to hell.
Official Zhao was very troubled and could only discuss the later plot with Xin Xiong these days. Actually, in the entire Imperial Tomb, only Xin Xiong was willing to discuss plots with him.
Watching the two old men walk away, Xin Mei stretched and continued climbing the slope.
Lilac flowers were blooming, cherry blossoms and apricot flowers hadn’t yet withered – everything was brilliant and colorful, warm and peaceful.
This was a beautiful spring season.
Xin Mei sang a little tune on the slope: My beloved brother, why haven’t you come yet? I’ve waited until the flowers are nearly gone, dear.
The off-key singing carried far, startling countless small birds into flight.
On the fourth repetition, footsteps on grass came from up the slope. Xin Mei lay on the grass, craning her neck and squinting upward.
Two mud-covered boots walked right up beside her, and a person covered in dust sat down next to her, touching her head.
“…I’m back. Stop singing.”
If she continued, the birds in this forest would never dare nest here again.
Xin Mei bolted upright, staring wide-eyed with disbelief, wariness, and wild joy at the travel-worn man beside her. His mismatched red and black eyes were as deep and focused as ever, quietly gazing at her.
“Lu Qianqiao!” she shouted, grabbing his cheeks and pulling them left and right.
It was him, right? No mistake?
He smiled slightly, reaching out to gently grasp her cheeks, imitating her by pinching once: “Xin Mei.”
The next moment, she threw herself into his dust-covered embrace as he opened his arms to hold her tightly.
The one her heart longed for had finally come home.