The moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival is full.
Near the northwest border.
Qin Bohong and his group huddle at the entrance of the woodshed, holding their knees and looking up at the sky lanterns.
"It’s the autumn festival."
During the Mid-Autumn Festival and New Year in Da Feng, people are used to setting off sky lanterns to pray and make wishes, expressing their melancholic thoughts.
They reached the station and saw the travelers there, only then remembering that it was Mid-Autumn Festival. After settling down, they exchanged what little silver they had left for a few meat buns to celebrate the festival.
"Father, I miss mother." Qin Mingyan leaned into Qin Bohong’s embrace, father and son warming each other.
Qin Bohong hugged him, saying, "Father knows, you’ve suffered."
He touched the child’s arm under his cotton clothes, thin and frail, and observing his dirt-covered face, his heart couldn’t help but feel pity.
"I’m not suffering," Qin Mingyan quickly looked up, saw his father’s eyes, and then hung his head again: "I just miss home a little." Home, did they still have one?
If the old house counts, then it is somewhat a home, but they didn’t know if they would ever have the chance to return.
Qin Mingmu, sitting not far beside them, looked at the affectionate scene between his uncle and cousin, a hint of envy appearing in his eyes. Glancing at Qin Boguang who was half-squinting nearby, he unconsciously moved a bit closer.
Qin Boguang was startled, opened his eyes, and seeing his legitimate son, asked, "What’s the matter?"
Qin Mingmu said, "Father, if you are tired, why not sleep inside the woodshed? The wind is quite strong here."
Qin Boguang was indeed tired; these past days, the men had to take care of their elderly father, look after the two youngsters, and deal with the exiled prisoners eying them.
Just before, their acquisition of thick cotton clothes to keep warm attracted covetousness, wanting to rob them, forcing them to resist and fight—a fight that left their faces swollen.
The intense vigilance and fatigue had worn Qin Boguang, but since father wanted to watch the sky lanterns, he stayed out a bit longer.
"Father, brother, there’s a letter from home." Qin Boqing rushed over with a tray of oil paper packages and a gourd, holding a thick letter in his hand.
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately stood up.
"Father." Qin Bohong assisted the elderly man.
"Let’s go inside." The elderly man held back his excitement and turned to enter the woodshed.
The woodshed was lit by a single Wind Lamp, which they had somehow managed to borrow; they had to blow it out before sleeping to prevent any fire accidents.
The six of them entered the woodshed.
Qin Boqing put down the items he was carrying and said, "Father, I just helped a group of merchants unload goods outside, and they gave me a pot of liquor and a bag of mooncakes."
Qin Yuanshan was startled for a moment, looking at the bag. As Qin Boguang opened it, shiny and fragrant mooncakes appeared before their eyes, prompting a longing look.
Seeing his two grandsons, both drooling, he said, "It’s the autumn festival today, let’s each have a piece. It’s a celebration for us as well."
Qin Boguang laughed, broke a mooncake in two, shared it, opened the liquor jug, and its fragrance wafted out. He took a sip first, eyes sparkling, and said, "It’s liquor. Dad, you should take a sip too, to warm your stomach and body."
Qin Yuanshan took a gulp, then handed it to his eldest son, turning to Qin Boqing, "Hurry, see what the family letter says?"
Qin Boqing, eager, bit into a mooncake, placed it on his lap, opened the letter and started reading. As he read, his throat choked and his hand shook.
Witnessing this, Qin Yuanshan was startled, impulsively grabbed the letter, and quickly looked through it.
"Father, what does it say?" Qin Boguang leaned in.
But Qin Yuanshan smiled and responded, "It’s good news." He handed the letter to Qin Bohong and pointed at Qin Boqing, "You see, you always react so dramatically."
"Father, I—I’m a father again, Mrs. Gu gave birth to twin boys for me, I have sons now." Qin Boqing sprang up, darting around the woodshed, shouting and laughing, then suddenly squatting down, he burst into tears: "The children were born in July, not yet full-term, and twins. She didn’t mention it in the letter, but I know it must have been perilous. I’m useless, not being by their side, I’ve let her down."
He held his head in his hands, pounding a few times.
Qin Mingmu swiftly pulled his hands down, saying, "Third Uncle, don’t think . Third Aunt gave birth to two little brothers, no matter the hardships, it’s ultimately a joyous occasion because mother and sons are safe. You need to take care of yourself."
Qin Boqing lifted his head, wiped his tears and mucus, and said with a laugh, "Happy, I’m truly happy in my heart."