Chapter 108: The Desire to Journey to Chang'an (2)

“Going to Chang’an? Wonderful!” Liu Ertiao suddenly sat up on the bed, his previous despondent and troubled expression replaced by excitement. “I’ve never been to Chang’an in my entire life. I really want to broaden my horizons and see the splendor of the imperial capital.”

It was no wonder Liu Ertiao was so thrilled. Chang’an was the capital of the Tang Dynasty, the most prosperous and bustling city in the empire. It was home to countless renowned scholars and beauties, as well as innumerable talented and outstanding individuals. Moreover, it was the political center of the Tang, filled with high officials and abundant opportunities. Even Liu Yitiao, who had seen much of the world, was eager to witness what this ancient city from over thirteen centuries ago looked like and how it differed from Xi’an in the present day.

Liu Yitiao, sitting on the bed, slipped on the tall boots that Lady Liu had made for him and said to Liu Ertiao, “Spring plowing is still about half a month away, so we have some leisure time. Let me think… tomorrow, the day after… yes, the day after tomorrow. You should ask your private tutor for a few days off starting then. I’ll take you to visit your respected teacher, Lord Wang, the Chief Historian of Zhongzhou. If possible, we’ll stay there for a couple of days so you can receive his guidance firsthand.”

“Thank you, big brother!” Liu Ertiao said happily, bowing to Liu Yitiao before turning around and heading out the door. “I’ll go inform Father and Mother now, so they can prepare in advance.”

Seeing how eager he was, Liu Yitiao shook his head with a smile, glanced over him to see that he was properly dressed, then rose and followed him out.

“Yitiao, I heard from Ertiao that you’re taking him to Chang’an to visit his teacher? Is that true?” Old Liu asked anxiously as soon as Liu Yitiao appeared.

“Oh,” Liu Yitiao said as he approached the dining table, noticing the whole family was there, all watching him expectantly. He chuckled softly and sat down close to the table. “Yes, we plan to set out in two days. The main purpose is to pay respects to Ertiao’s mentor, Chief Historian Wang. Ertiao will soon begin preparing for the county and provincial examinations this year; it’s the perfect time for him to receive guidance. This visit will greatly help him in his upcoming tests.”

“Indeed, indeed, that’s only right,” Old Liu nodded repeatedly. Liu Ertiao was the family’s only scholar with a real chance to achieve distinction. The future honor of the Liu family rested entirely on him. So whenever something could benefit Ertiao’s studies or prospects, Old Liu would wholeheartedly support it—even if it cost a lot of silver.

Old Liu knew well that Chang’an, as the imperial capital, was magnificent and prosperous.

But correspondingly, the cost of living there was high—far beyond what ordinary folk like them could easily afford. He worried just how many strings of silver would fly out of their hands on this trip.

“Setting off the day after tomorrow—might that be a bit too soon? Why not delay a few days? Your new clothes will be finished soon, and it would look better to wear them. Remember, Chang’an is the imperial capital, a large and splendid city. If you and Ertiao go dressed like this, people might look down on you,” Lady Liu said, displaying the wisdom and care of a good wife and mother, immediately considering her sons’ attire.

“Mother, there’s no need,” Liu Yitiao reassured her. “The clothes we wear now are fine—though made of coarse cloth, they are comfortable and warm. Besides, they were made by your own hands. No finer clothes could there be. There’s no need to care about others’ opinions. Those who judge by outward appearance are shallow and not worth our attention. We shouldn’t change ourselves to suit their tastes; otherwise, how are we different from them? With spring plowing approaching, we don’t have much time to waste. The new clothes will have to wait until my wedding day.”

“Um…” Liu Ertiao was about to suggest perhaps buying some new clothes when Liu Yitiao shot him a sharp look. He swallowed back his words and muttered quietly, “Big brother is right. No need to wear the new clothes.”

“Heh heh, I’m glad you think that way,” Lady Liu smiled happily. Her eldest son’s words warmed her heart; a tender feeling coursed through her as she realized her boys were truly growing up and becoming sensible.

“Since you’re going, don’t rush back. Stay as long as you can with Lord Wang. Don’t worry about things at home; just leave everything to me. I’ll help manage those wastelands of yours, Yitiao. The tenant farmers are honest folk, and with Brother Li watching over them, nothing will go wrong,” Old Liu added. “Remember to bring plenty of gifts for your teacher. Don’t be stingy; let him feel our sincerity.”

“I understand, Father. Don’t worry,” Liu Yitiao said, anxious to avoid further protracted discussion. He picked up his chopsticks and pointed to the dishes on the table. “Father, Mother, let’s eat before the food gets cold.”

Saying this, he picked up a piece of fatty pork belly and placed it in Liu Xiaohui’s bowl, tenderly remarking, “Look, Xiaohui must be starving.”

“Thank you, big brother!” Liu Xiaohui happily popped the meat into her mouth, chewing with delight as she mumbled her thanks. She hadn’t been listening to the earlier conversation at all; from the moment the food was placed on the table, her wide, sparkling eyes were fixed solely on the feast before her.

Liu Yitiao affectionately stroked her hair. “Our little Xiaohui is so good! Here, big brother will give you another piece.”

Seeing Xiaohui eat so contentedly, Old Liu and Lady Liu exchanged pleased smiles and began to eat.

That night, on their shared bed, Liu Ertiao tossed and turned restlessly, unable to find a moment’s peace. He shifted east, then west, wide awake, disturbing Liu Yitiao’s own thoughts. Liu Yitiao wondered what was troubling his brother.

“Big brother,” Liu Ertiao finally sat up and whispered. Seeing Liu Yitiao was still awake, he snuggled close to his pillow and quietly asked, “Have you ever been to Chang’an? I wonder what that city is really like.”

Oh, so that was it. Liu Yitiao suddenly understood. For someone traveling far for the first time, anxiety was only natural. After all, Ertiao was only fifteen, still a boy. Such restlessness was to be expected.

Liu Yitiao turned to face him. “Don’t worry, little brother. Though I’ve never been to Chang’an, most cities share many similarities—city walls, markets, streets, crowds—they’re all much the same. Just think of it as a larger version of Sanyuan County.”

“Uh?!” Liu Ertiao felt a cold sweat drip down his forehead. A ‘larger Sanyuan County’? That… big brother’s words were certainly not ordinary.