Chapter 514: 514. The Tranquility of Time

The setting sun cast a brilliant glow on the western sky.

Su Liang and Gu Ling were watering the vegetables in the backyard with the children when they heard someone calling, “Sister Su Liang! Sister Su Liang!”

Su Liang put down the water ladle and went to the front yard to find a tall and a short teenager running towards her. It was Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi, who had just returned from school.

The once rough and mischievous little boys had grown into refined and elegant young men. Bai Xiaohu had grown much taller and slimmer in the past two years, and his eyes sparkled brightly, retaining their innate simplicity and innocence when he smiled. Zhuzi, who used to be sickly, was now rosy-cheeked, and still grinned sheepishly with squinted eyes.

As soon as the two entered the house and heard from their mother that Su Liang had returned, they rushed over without even putting down their school bags.

However, they became shy once they reached Su Liang and stopped in their tracks. Bai Xiaohu saluted her solemnly, “Sister Su Liang, you’re finally back.”

Zhuzi mimicked him, which amused Su Liang to no end. She patted Bai Xiaohu on the shoulder, “You’ve grown quite a bit taller.”

Zhuzi silently straightened his chest, and when Su Liang praised him as well, “Zhuzi has grown taller too,” he immediately beamed with joy, his eyes squinting.

Looking at the two brothers, Su Liang seemed to see a reflection of her own time after crossing over. She hadn’t paid much attention to her own physical changes, although Gu Ling had mentioned that she had grown taller since she first arrived—but through the children, she could clearly sense the passing of time.

Gu Ling appeared behind Su Liang, and Bai Xiaohu quickly saluted him, calling out, “Brother Gu.”

“Mm,” Gu Ling nodded as he appraised them, “You’ve both grown up.”

Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng brought Gu Xiaonuan over, and Su Liang introduced them to each other.

Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi glanced at Gu Xiaonuan, then at Gu Ling, and couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty, which surpassed even the fairy children depicted in New Year paintings!

Su Liang laughed, “Your grandmother said the same thing. Let’s go inside and sit down.”

Once they were in the room, Su Liang presented the gifts she had prepared for the two children. Over the years, while they were in the capital city, they had kept in touch with Su Village through letters. Every year, Mr. and Mrs. Bai would send local specialty products from their home to the city, and Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi would write to Su Liang and Gu Ling after school. Su Liang would always send them letters and gifts in return.

Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi took their gifts and thanked Su Liang, telling her that Mrs. Bai had asked them to invite Su Liang and Gu Ling over for dinner.

“Alright, you go back first, and we’ll be there shortly,” Su Liang said, ruffling Zhuzi’s hair like she used to.

Zhuzi nodded vigorously, “Sister Su Liang, do come quickly!”

After Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi left, Ji Xiaoshu asked Su Liang, “Mother, they call you ‘brother’ and ‘sister’, doesn’t that make them higher in status than the three of us? Isn’t that inappropriate?”

Su Liang laughed, “Don’t worry about that; we can treat each other separately.”

As they were about to leave, Su Bai arrived, looking travel-weary. The County Magistrate had called him to the county government for a meeting, and as soon as he returned to the village and heard that Su Liang and Gu Ling were back, he came straight to see them without even going home.

“I heard you’ve been quite busy lately,” Su Liang said with a smile.

Su Bai shook his head, “It’s all thanks to your good fortune!” Everyone knew he was Su Liang’s uncle and the two families had always been in touch.

Seeing the exhaustion on Su Bai’s face, Su Liang suggested he go home and rest first, and they would catch up properly tomorrow.

Su Bai could tell they were headed to the Bai family home for dinner and nodded repeatedly. He took a moment to admire the three children, asked Su Liang if she would be at home tomorrow, and agreed to come over again in the afternoon.

When Su Liang, Gu Ling, and the children arrived at the Bai family home, it felt very familiar despite the newly repaired gate, the stones laid in the courtyard, and the refurbished house—brighter and more spacious than before.

Mr. Bai, who was tending the fire, tapped the dry pipe on his leg—just like when Su Liang first met him.

After exchanging pleasantries, everyone sat down in the main room and the steaming hot dishes were served. Mr. Bai had slaughtered two plump chickens in the afternoon, bought a freshly hunted hare from a village hunter, and asked his son to fetch meat and ribs from the town. The preparation resulted in a lavish spread, even more extravagant than their New Year’s Eve feast.

Although Su Liang’s family didn’t care for meat, it was clear that it was the highest standard of hosting among the village folk. In the past, the Bai family could only enjoy meat during holidays and significant events, which showed that their lives had genuinely improved.

Su Liang noticed that Old Man Bai wanted to hold Gu Xiaonuan but didn’t dare to reach out, so she handed her over.

Gu Xiaonuan had grown very fond of the older people in the capital city’s home, snuggling happily onto Old Man Bai, who grinned, his wrinkles blooming like autumn chrysanthemums, as he eagerly served her food, his voice much gentler.

Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi took turns telling Su Liang and Gu Ling about the books they were studying. Their young uncle also decided to go back to school after a school was set up in the village, preparing to take the first new imperial examination after the unification. As for the imperial examination system, Duanmu Chen had previously consulted Su Liang and Gu Ling.

Madam Bai clearly thought that Gu Ling looked even better than before, still initially aloof but with much gentler eyes and expression.

Gu Ling asked Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi some questions, which they both answered correctly.

Su Liang laughed and said, “In your previous letters, you mentioned wanting to take the imperial examination and go to the capital city. Keep up the good work!”

Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi nodded their heads with determination, saying that they would work hard.

The Bai Family elders were both happy and relieved. Nowadays, their family was one of the better off ones in the village, able to let their children study without worrying about making a living, all thanks to Su Liang and Gu Ling’s help.

Dinner was lively. Ji Xiaoshu was a natural at socializing and a good hand at enlivening the atmosphere. The Bai family was initially a bit reserved, as their former neighbor had returned with a vastly different status. However, Ji Xiaoshu’s witty and sweet words soon had them all laughing, and the atmosphere lightened.

Gu Xiaonuan was passed from Old Man Bai to Madam Bai, then taken in turns by the Bai Family members. In the end, Zhuzi held her, his younger sister standing timidly nearby. Gu Xiaonuan was very enthusiastic, and the two little girls soon played together.

After dinner and cleaning the table, Madam Bai brought out a basin of freshly picked wild fruits from the mountains.

Everyone agreed it was delicious, and Su Liang even asked where they picked them so that they could go there too.

“I still remember Sister Su Liang and Uncle Ning…Uncle Gu, taking me to hunt wild boars!” reminisced Bai Xiaohu.

Ji Xiaoshu immediately chimed in, “Master and Madam, let’s go hunt wild boars too!”

Su Liang nodded with a smile, “We have that planned. When Xiaohu and Zhuzi have a day off, let’s all go hunting in the mountains together, and call Erniu too.”

Erniu was Su Dakuan, Gu Ling’s carpenter master’s only grandson. They planned to visit Su Dakuan the next day.

The children all cheered enthusiastically.

As it grew late, Gu Ling and Su Liang said their goodbyes with the children and were escorted out by the Bai family members.

With a choked voice, Madam Bai held Su Liang’s hand, her eyes welling with tears. “You two are truly our whole family’s benefactors and lucky stars. Without you, we can’t even imagine what our life would be like now!”

Su Liang smiled, “Madam, don’t say that. It’s fate that brought us together as neighbors.”

“Yes, fate!” Madam Bai nodded repeatedly. “It’s the fortune our family built up in our previous lives that gives us such a connection with you!”

Su Liang understood the Bai family’s gratitude. The Bai family was kind-hearted, and although they struggled in the beginning, they never took advantage of others. The family loved and supported each other and raised their children well. Su Liang truly enjoyed interacting with them.

Watching Gu Ling and Su Liang walk away with the three children, Old Man Bai sighed, “They’re not only our family’s lucky stars but also the lucky stars of the whole world!” Even though their village was initially far from the war, they still worried about the possible conscription of able men. Such things had happened many times in history. Fortunately, they no longer had to worry about that now.

After returning home, they first gave the children baths. Gu Ling arranged for Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu to sleep with their younger sister while he slept with Su Liang.

“If you’re not planning on having a baby brother for us, Master, why do you insist on sleeping with Madam?” Ji Xiaoshu asked a soulful question.

Su Liang couldn’t help but laugh, watching how Gu Ling would answer.

Gu Ling replied simply and bluntly, “She’s my wife, and I like it.”

Ji Xiaoshu held his forehead, “No need to ask, Madam also likes it. Forget it, my elder martial brother and I, along with our sister, are just in the way. Sooner or later, you two will elope and leave us behind!”

Gu Ling’s expression was nonchalant, “If you say that now, there won’t be any surprises when it happens.”

Ji Xiaoshu: …He just knows!

But actually, the children have long been used to it. Ji Xiaoshu is just more used to arguing with Gu Ling. This is the fun that Su Liang sees every day. Zhengzheng is also like Su Liang every time, watching Ji Xiaoshu and Gu Ling argue, smiling but not speaking on the side.

After a round of laughter and commotion in the neighboring children’s room calmed down, Su Liang and Gu Ling leaned on the bed, looking at the extremely familiar room, not speaking for a while, and not feeling sleepy.

“Great God, what are you thinking about?” Su Liang broke the silence.

Gu Ling hugged her and sighed softly, “If we had consummated our marriage in this room the first time, what would it have been like?”

Su Liang coughed lightly, “This hypothesis is interesting, but you wouldn’t have done that at that time, and I couldn’t have let you do that either.”

Gu Ling raised his eyebrows slightly, “Who was the one who said that when they first saw my face on the night of our wedding, they were amazed by my beauty?”

“That’s true, but to be honest, when I saw you at that moment, I thought I was in the Netherworld.” Su Liang laughed softly.

Thinking about tomorrow’s events, they still had a lot to do: watch the sunrise early in the morning, visit Su Bai in the noon, and visit Su Dakuan in the afternoon. Maybe Hu Er would come to visit after hearing the news.

“Let’s go to bed early.” Su Liang said.

Gu Ling nodded, blew out the candle by the bed, and hugged Su Liang, “The first night back home, we should celebrate.”

The sky hadn’t brightened yet, the children were woken up already.

Ji Xiaoshu looked at Gu Ling groggily, “Master, what’s the matter…?”

“Watch the sunrise.” Gu Ling said.

By the time they left the house, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu had both woken up and were full of energy, while Gu Xiaonuan was still sound asleep in Gu Ling’s arms.

“Be careful, watch the road.” Su Liang reminded the children not to run too fast and trip themselves.

“Master’s wife, what were you thinking when you and Master went up the mountain to watch the sunrise before?” Ji Xiaoshu “interviewed”. He was very interested in everything about Gu Ling and Su Liang’s past and had endless questions.

Su Liang thought for a moment, and smiled, “I was thinking at that time, the Great God is so handsome, which fairy sister will he end up with?”

Gu Ling’s eyebrows and eyes were full of smiles, and Ji Xiaoshu laughed, “In the end, Master’s wife found out that the fairy sister turned out to be you! So what was Master thinking at that time?”

Gu Ling told the truth, “I didn’t pay much attention to appearance, I just thought this girl was so interesting and knowledgeable that she wouldn’t be interested in the men here.”

Ji Xiaoshu snorted lightly, “Master, just flatter yourself, I know you’re very pleased!”

Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu have never slackened in their martial arts practice, their physical fitness is excellent, and they have often climbed mountains in the capital before, so climbing the back mountain of their home is a breeze.

By the time they reached the top of the hill, it was the darkest time before dawn.

The large rock Gu Ling and Su Liang used to sit on to watch the sunrise was still in its original place. They sat down with the children, and Gu Ling looked down and saw that Gu Xiaonuan was still sleeping soundly, so he didn’t wake her up.

While waiting for the sunrise, Ji Xiaoshu suddenly said, “Actually, if that spatial magical treasure belonged to Master, it would be nice. Then Master’s wife could bring us to live inside!”

Gu Ling decisively gave Ji Xiaoshu a head knock, “You wish.”

“My sister is too young, when she grows up, she can take us to play outside!” Ji Xiaoshu said.

The first ray of light in the morning broke through the clouds, and the sun quickly leaped above the horizon, making everything bright between heaven and earth.

“It’s so beautiful!” Zhengzheng exclaimed, “Nature is so wonderful!” Having learned a lot of new knowledge from Su Liang, the two children were beginning to sound more and more like her.

After watching the sunrise, the sky brightened, and Gu Xiaonuan woke up.

When they went up the mountain, Su Liang carried a bamboo basket from home, and on the way down, they picked fresh wild vegetables with the children, playing and walking back home.

A bamboo basket was placed at the entrance, filled with a pocket of eggs and plenty of fresh vegetables, definitely sent by the Bai family.

After they went in and washed up, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu went to practice martial arts, and Gu Xiaonuan watched them on the side, seriously imitating them, looking very cute.

Gu Ling took the lead in cooking, with Su Liang helping with the fire. They beat eggs and mixed them with the freshly picked wild vegetables to make the filling, then cooked golden and fragrant vegetable pancakes. The pancakes were cooked, and the porridge was ripe. It was made of millet and red dates, sweet and tempting.

The sun rose warmly. Breakfast was set in the courtyard. Children washed their hands and ran over to sit down. Their little faces glowed under the sunlight.

“It’s delicious!” Zhengzheng praised Gu Ling’s pancakes.

“It’s because of the wild vegetables we picked!” Ji Xiaoshu seized every chance to poke fun.

“Then stop eating.” Gu Ling blocked Ji Xiaoshu’s hand with chopsticks as he reached for more.

Ji Xiaoshu chuckled, “Isn’t it because Master’s cooking skills have already reached the peak? There’s nothing left to praise!”

Gu Ling nodded, “You guys should focus on learning next.”

Although this world wasn’t very industrialized, Su Liang felt that the air in Su Village was fresher than in the capital city. After coming back, even if they didn’t do anything and just stayed, they felt happy. Gu Ling felt the same way.

After breakfast, Su Bai arrived. He earnestly reported to Su Liang and Gu Ling about the development of the village in the past two years, not only about the school and children. The appearance of the village was very different from it was before.

“Uncle Bai, thank you for your hard work,” Su Liang smiled.

Su Bai hurriedly shook his head, “It’s all thanks to your blessings. Otherwise, how could we have such good days now? Are you planning to stay longer this time?”

Gu Ling shook his head gently, “It depends on the situation.”

“Alright, you two are busy people. Whenever you decide to leave, please let me know in advance. I will see you off,” Su Bai said with a smile.

Knowing the character of Su Liang and Gu Ling, Su Bai didn’t invite them to his home for dinner. After discussing the matters, he left, as he was really busy.

Su Bai had just left when Hu Er arrived. He had been particularly caring for Su Village and had some “informants” in the village. When he heard that Gu Ling and Su Liang were back, he rushed over immediately.

Like Su Bai, Hu Er also sincerely reported to Su Liang and Gu Ling about his business over the past few years and expressed his heartfelt gratitude. After recovering from his illness, he had become a well-known and kind person, and his temperament had changed dramatically from when they first met.

Hu Er brought many gifts, mostly precious and lonely books he had collected one after another. He knew what Gu Ling and Su Liang would like, and he also specially brought interesting little toys as gifts for the children. They were not expensive, but very thoughtful.

At noon, Su Liang invited Hu Er to stay for lunch, but he quickly declined, saying he had other things to do. He wasn’t rejecting the invitation because he didn’t want to eat there, but he felt he shouldn’t. Even though Gu Ling and Su Liang were polite, he couldn’t forget his status. They were his benefactors, not his friends, and he should be respectful to them.

For lunch, Gu Ling, according to what Su Liang said yesterday, picked the tender squash from the backyard to make dumplings.

The children sat in a row, and Gu Ling taught them how to wrap the dumplings. Zhengzheng had learned it a long time ago and wrapped them quickly and well, while Ji Xiaoshu insisted on taking the innovative route, determined to make dumplings with a different style than Gu Ling’s. Gu Xiaonuan played happily with the dough, treating it like a rubber mud.

The dumplings were wrapped and then boiled in a pot. Soon, they floated up, plump and white.

Gu Ling prepared dipping sauce, and the dumplings were ready to serve.

Bai’s mother sent over some dishes that she made at home, which she remembered Gu Ling and Su Liang loved. She couldn’t refuse Su Liang’s insistence and took a big plate of dumplings back with her.

The sunlight was bright, and the children’s laughter shone brighter than the sun.

As Gu Ling and Su Liang tasted the familiar flavors and listened to the children’s laughter, they felt that these were the best moments of their lives.