“It seems I won't make it to an inn to rest,” He Xiuyuan muttered, shaking his head as he looked at the completely dark night sky.
Originally, He Xiuyuan had found a place to rest at sunset, but seeing that it seemed early, he wanted to travel a bit further.
He hadn't expected that he still wouldn't reach the next inn.
Thinking of this, He Xiuyuan couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, “Forget it, I’ll just find a clean stone and use that as a resting place.”
He Xiuyuan wasn't too particular about his resting place, so he immediately looked around for a stone.
However, as He Xiuyuan was looking around for a stone, he saw bright lights in the distance.
“There are people here?”
He Xiuyuan thought for a moment at this sight, then immediately walked towards where the lights were shining.
If he could find a house to stay the night, it would be better than sleeping outside.
Thinking this, He Xiuyuan walked a few steps and when he got closer, he realized this place was likely a village.
However, this village was surrounded by a huge fence, and at the main gate, there was a watchtower like an arrow tower.
The gate was tightly locked at this moment, but the village inside was brightly lit, and faint sounds of lively cheers could be heard, making it seem very festive.
He Xiuyuan was somewhat surprised by this scene.
“Who’s there?”
Just as He Xiuyuan was wondering how to call the gate, a person suddenly appeared on the watchtower. He looked down at He Xiuyuan below and asked sharply.
“I am a traveler heading to Chang'an. I got delayed on the road, and seeing the bright lights in this wilderness, I presumed there were people here. I’ve come hoping to find lodging for the night. Might Your Excellency offer some convenience?”
He Xiuyuan looked up at the burly man on the watchtower, cupped his hands, and said.
The burly man looked down at He Xiuyuan below, his brow furrowed slightly. He thought for a moment, then whispered something to the person beside him.
The person beside him immediately nodded, turned, and quickly left.
Only then did the burly man turn back and say to He Xiuyuan below, “Please wait a moment. The Village Head must approve this before we can let you in.”
He Xiuyuan immediately nodded when he heard this, “Thank you!”
After speaking, He Xiuyuan settled down to wait, occasionally glancing around with a curious look in his eyes.
It was quite uncommon to see a village so completely enclosed like this.
After all, doing such a thing would be extremely time-consuming and laborious.
After waiting for about half a cup of tea, He Xiuyuan saw the tightly shut main gate slowly open, and then about ten people emerged from inside.
Each of these ten people held a Sharp Weapon, and their eyes vigilantly stared at He Xiuyuan.
Among them, a white-bearded old man slowly walked out.
The old man slowly approached He Xiuyuan, leaning on his cane, and scrutinized He Xiuyuan for a few moments. Using the torch held by the burly man behind him, he also looked at the ground, noticing He Xiuyuan's shadow.
“Your Excellency, where do you come from?”
“Peach Blossom Town.”
He Xiuyuan replied upon hearing this.
“Do you have a travel permit?”
Seeing He Xiuyuan's answer, the old man continued to press.
Upon this, He Xiuyuan fumbled around on himself and pulled out a travel permit.
The Village Head took it, examined the travel permit in the torchlight, and after careful verification, confirmed that it was genuine and matched what He Xiuyuan had said.
Seeing this, the Village Head breathed a slight sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on his face.
“You’re actually a scholar! Young friend, you are quite impressive traveling alone. Come into the village first.”
Saying this, the Village Head returned the travel permit to He Xiuyuan and invited him into the village for a chat.
He Xiuyuan readily agreed and followed him inside.
Once everyone entered the village, the gate behind them instantly closed, and everyone resumed their cheerful, chatty demeanor.
“Is today some sort of auspicious day? Why is it so lively here?”
He Xiuyuan looked around and saw houses not far away decorated with lanterns and streamers, and he could hear shouts from drinking games.
“Your Excellency has arrived quite coincidentally today. There’s a newlywed couple in the village today. Since Your Excellency is here, you should come and have a cup of wedding wine.”
The Village Head, who was beside him, also said with a chuckle upon hearing this.
He Xiuyuan was momentarily stunned by these words, then hesitated, “I haven’t received an invitation, so perhaps it’s not very convenient?”
“Oh, a guest is a guest! And Your Excellency is a scholar. It would be a blessing for the children in our village to be touched by your literary Qi; they would be more than happy!”
The Village Head laughed heartily upon hearing this, then pulled He Xiuyuan and walked towards where the newlywed couple was celebrating.
A moment later, he led He Xiuyuan to the courtyard entrance. Inside the courtyard, there were more than ten tables set for a banquet, looking incredibly lively.
“Come, come, this is a scholar who just passed through our village and is staying the night. You're newly married, so I've brought him to have a cup of wedding wine, and you can also let your unborn child be touched by his literary Qi.”
The Village Head brought He Xiuyuan into the courtyard, then found the groom and briefly explained.
The groom seemed a bit inarticulate; he looked shyly at He Xiuyuan upon hearing this, then quickly said, “Good, good.”
He then immediately had someone make space for He Xiuyuan.
However, all the seats at the tables were already full; there really were no empty spots.
He Xiuyuan also saw this and immediately waved his hand, saying, “Since there are no more seats, there’s no need to trouble yourselves.”
The Village Head, seeing this, immediately frowned, “How can you be so thoughtless, child? Quickly prepare another table. He just arrived; are you going to make him eat other people’s leftovers?”
The newlywed groom was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then realized he had indeed been a bit negligent. He immediately called his family members to bring another table.
He Xiuyuan felt that the other party was being too ceremonious and quickly waved his hand, saying, “There’s no need for this; it would be too much of an expense.”
In a village like this, the conditions of every household were not very good.
If they had to prepare another table and add extra dishes, it would definitely be an expense.
He Xiuyuan was naturally unwilling to let that happen.
However, the Village Head heard this and said indifferently, “Oh, a guest is a guest; they should be well-treated. Just sit down and relax.”
Saying this, the Village Head pulled He Xiuyuan to sit down, telling him to just sit and enjoy the feast.
He Xiuyuan felt helpless and, after some thought, decided to leave some silver as a gift after eating.
With this thought in mind, He Xiuyuan calmly sat down.
