Nightfall

Off to be Outstanding in Chang'an

Early the next morning, Ning Que and Sangsang woke up and then began to pack in morning twilight. They had a few disputes, but they mostly kept silent.

Ning Que pulled out a long bag that had been hidden under the mud wall outside, and took a bow and some arrows out of it. He checked them carefully and then handed them over once he had ensured that they were fine. Sangsang took them and put them into a big bag made of cotton. She then took out three sheathed straight knives, covered with rust, out from under the fence. Ning Que took them from her and carefully scrubbed at the rust and looked at the edge of the knives while facing the sun, he then nodded and tied them with a straw rope to his back.

He took out a black umbrella from behind the door and tied it on Sangsang’s back with the rest of the straw rope. This black umbrella was made from an unknown material and looked as if there was some sort black oil on it that absorbed light and it appeared a little heavy. It looked large before it was fastened to Sangsang’s thin and small body but, once it was attached it almost touched the ground.

After preparing for the journey, Ning Que and Sangsang climbed over the shabby fence in tandem. They looked back at the small bluestone road and the tiny run-down hut at the same time. Looking up at Ningque’s jaw, Sangsang asked, “Young master, do we need to lock the door?”

“No.” Ning Que went silent for a while and said, “Evermore… maybe we hardly come back.”

…

…

The wooden wheel, covered by iron, rolled over the wet and soft ground. The noble’s convoy set out slowly, they were going to the outside of the City of Wei. Five carriages, from the front to the rear, attracted a lot of attention on the frontier. Today, there were many people lined along the road to say farewell. However, their focus was not on the noble’s carriage, but on the young man and handmaiden sitting in the first horse carriage. Boiled eggs were given to them from time to time, and some aunt, with black and red cheeks, said something and cried while clutching a dirty handkerchief.

“Wicked Ning Que, you are so bad. My distant nephew is a fine man, yet you won’t allow Sangsang to marry him. Now you are taking her to those horrifying places with you! You listen carefully. You must take good care of my Sangsang!”

Sitting on the shaft, Ning Que looked awkward as he answered, “Aunt, you have been asking Sangsang to get married since she was just 8, how could I let this happen?”

It began to rain and some of the people complained and made jokes. The slight drizzle lightly sprinkled on the line of people and it was a little cold. But, no one left, including the relatives of the soldiers of the City of Wei who were busy seeing Ning Que off or settling debts with him. The crowd was very boisterous.

In the rear of the group, the most exquisite carriage’s curtain opened a little, and that proud and indifferent maidservant popped her head out to look around. She couldn’t help but knit her brows.

When the carriages were ready to leave this border town, Ning Que stood up on the carriage and then saluted to the crowd.

Carrying the three old swords on his back, the lad saluted with bare hands in the rain. This scene made him feel a little brave and grand.

“Everyone, menfolk, children, sisters, and aunts, I don’t have many words to express my gratitude.”

After saying this, he opened his arms wide and clenched his fists in the rain, showing his chest muscles and his arms which were not very strong. He posed stupidly like this and shouted, “This time I will go to Chang’an City and if I don’t become someone, I will never come back!”