After leaving the Lan Ting scenic area, Luo Li’er still hoped she might catch another glimpse of that impressive woman, but the other party had already disappeared without a trace.
Pei Yunxi changed the subject.
"How about Lu Xun’s former residence? I want to see the two jujube trees in front of his house."
"Normally jujube trees can only live for twenty to thirty years; there’s a chance they’re not there anymore," Jiang Chen said with a smile.
"Then let’s go check out Baicao Garden and Sanwei Study Hall."
On this trip, Luo Li’er was clearly the main character, and her opinions were the action plan.
The three of them got into the car.
As a millennial ancient water town, Shaocheng had a river nearly every few hundred meters, and an ordinary-looking bridge could have a history of hundreds or thousands of years, with even the air seeming to be filled with moisture.
In the alleys, between the thick and thin lanes, you could always see elderly people over fifty sitting on bamboo chairs, either lazily in front of their doors or idly chatting, washing clothes, washing dishes, occasionally greeting passing tourists with a smile.
"Downstairs a man is dying, the next room is playing phonograph; opposite, they’re dealing with kids. Upstairs there are two people laughing madly; there’s also the sound of card playing. On the boat in the river, a woman is crying for her deceased mother. Human joys and sorrows do not communicate, I only find them noisy..."
Luo Li’er leaned beside the window, looking at the old buildings on both sides of the river and the black awning boats floating on the water, the scenes from the essays seemed to have stepped into reality.
Reading thousands of books is not as good as traveling thousands of miles; that’s actually the truth.
"I still prefer that line, ’Warm a pot of good wine, and bring on a dish of fennel beans.’"
Driving the car, Jiang Chen said with a laugh, "We must visit Xian Heng Inn later."
"I’ve been to Lu Xun’s former residence before; I’ll wait for you guys in the car and won’t go in with you."
Pei Yunxi suddenly said.
"Sis, you’ve been before, but you could go again. How boring for you to stay in the car by yourself."
"It’s okay. Lu Xun’s former residence probably has quite a few visitors. It’s better not to be recognized by people."
"But no one recognized you at Lan Ting just now either... "
Luo Li’er wanted to persuade her further, but Jiang Chen, sensing Pei Yunxi’s preoccupation, interrupted, "Luo junior, if Pei Miss has been there before, let it be. It’s the same if I accompany you around."
Seeing that her cousin really seemed to have no interest, Luo Li’er did not insist.
Lu Xun’s hometown is located on Lu Xun Middle Road. It’s the most well-preserved and culturally rich part of Shaocheng, showcasing the classic charm of an ancient water town and a unique style of the Jiangnan region.
Thanks to renovations, a narrow bluestone path flanked by white-walled, black-tiled buildings, bamboo gates, the ancestral home of Lu Xun, Lu Xun’s former residence, Baicao Garden, Sanwei Study Hall, Xian Heng Inn, and other points of interest are intermingled...
A small river flows past the front gate of Lu Xun’s former residence, with black-awning boats slowly drifting, easily evoking scenes from Lu Xun’s works.
"Jiang senior, why does it seem like my sister is preoccupied with something?"
Pei Yunxi indeed hadn’t gotten out of the car, as Jiang Chen accompanied Luo Li’er into Lu Xun’s former residence.
The former residence has a typical taimen-style layout, with six courtyards in a row. Crossing the threshold of the first taimen brings you to the flat house and corridor;
"Have you noticed that Miss Pei seems to know that woman we saw back at Lan Ting?"
"Whom are you talking about?"
"The one we encountered at Lan Ting."
Pei Yunxi’s odd reaction had begun after that memorial hall, and Jiang Chen tentatively asked Luo Li’er, "Luo junior, have you seen that woman before?"
Luo Li’er shook her head without hesitation, her answer quite certain, "If I had seen her, I definitely wouldn’t have forgotten."
Jiang Chen didn’t doubt her statement at all.
That woman indeed had a memorable quality.
The well-known pair of jujube trees had naturally perished, but Baicao Garden had been preserved; you can go directly through the door in the middle of the sixth courtyard to get there.
The garden, planted with Gleditsia and mulberry trees, featured low walls and wells among other structures. Jiang Chen acted as the photographer, taking many pictures of Luo Li’er.
Since Pei Yunxi was waiting in the car, the two didn’t linger for long, and after a cursory visit of over half an hour, they left.
Upon reaching the car, they found Pei Yunxi on a phone call.
Thus, they quietly waited outside until her call ended before Luo Li’er opened the car door.
"Sis, get out. Let’s go eat."
Xian Heng Inn, known far and wide because of the story "Kong Yiji."
At the entrance stands a bronze statue of Kong Yiji.
Upon entering, you can see an IOU posted on the bulletin board, stating: Kong Yiji owes nineteen coins, March sixth.
"Boss, bring a jar of wine and two dishes of fennel beans!"
The restaurant is bustling with noise, lively and extraordinary.
From the shouting of the diners, one could tell that most were probably drawn by its fame.
Pei Yunxi was still in disguise with a face mask and sunglasses, seated at an empty table in the northeast corner, by a window with a view of the river.
Jiang Chen and Luo Li’er sat on either side of her, consciously blocking the view of other patrons.
"What would you like to eat?"
A waiter, dressed like a character from the books, came over to serve them, a towel hanging over his shoulder, embodying the character.
"We’ll take a look first, will call you when we’ve decided."
Jiang Chen had him leave the menu.
"Alright, have a look."
Jiang Chen handed the menu to Luo Li’er.
Luo Li’er looked down, "Jiang senior, do you drink?
Jiang Chen hesitated.
"I still have to drive, maybe not."
"It’s going to be dark soon, and there’s nowhere else to go; why bother driving? Besides, I’ve heard Shaocheng’s wine is quite famous."