The ox cart stopped outside the town school, and Old Song personally carried his eldest grandson down, instructing him to study well. He promised to make him something delicious when he returned home later in the month.
Yuanbao nodded repeatedly. He thought that his father’s long journey was fraught with danger, which made him uneasy. His little face was full of worry as he looked at Song Wei, "Father, please take care. I’m still waiting to show your Prefecture’s exam essay to the teacher!"
Song Wei nodded, patting his shoulder, "It’s getting late, hurry inside!"
Yuanbao didn’t leave and turned to look at Wen Wan.
Wen Wan gave him a smile.
Only then did the little one feel reassured. He waved to his grandfather and parents, turned around with his schoolbag, and headed through the gates of the town school.
Old Song turned the cart around, heading towards the county town.
By the time they reached the county town, it was already noon. Song Wei wanted to take Old Song to a restaurant for a meal, but Old Song declined, saying he had brought pancakes with him and would just nibble on a couple of them, feeling there’s no need to waste money.
Song Wei disagreed, "Father rarely comes to the county town; we can’t just not have a proper meal and go back, right?"
Old Song looked at Song Wei, his face showing a father’s affection, but with a tinge of worry in his heart.
Eating can wait, but his youngest son might not be able to return safely from every trip.
Having lost his eldest, this father couldn’t bear the loss of another son.
"Third Son still has to rush to the Prefecture for exams, don’t waste time on me. Father will wait for you—when you return safely after the exams, we can eat whatever you want."
Old Song waved his hand, stopping him from continuing, "Hurry up, you can rent a carriage not far ahead. Oh, by the way, do you have enough money with you? If not, I brought some more. Your mother always says, ’Be frugal at home but not on the road.’ It’s fine to save at home, but you must have some extra travel funds on you. Here, take it. In case of an emergency, it might come in handy."
As he spoke, he had already pulled out a rough cloth bag, carefully wrapped layer by layer. Inside, there weren’t even broken silver pieces, just copper coins. Before leaving, Granny Song had instructed him to buy some common ointment for injuries in the county town, as he often went hunting in the mountains and would get injured to some extent. It wasn’t practical to travel far every time to see a doctor.
Old Song thought about his son going on a long journey, knowing there would be many expenses, and now he gave it all away.
Song Wei didn’t take the money. His gaze fell on the hand Old Song extended, which was dark, rough, and etched with deep lines like plow marks, the nails thick and hard, tinged with a weathered yellow from years of sun and rain, impossible to wash clean.
Standing next to the tall and robust Song Wei, Old Song appeared slightly hunched, but he seemed to not want his son to notice anything, constantly trying to straighten his back. Yet, the more he tried, the more it seemed strenuous.
Wen Wan looked at Old Song and thought of her own father, standing silently by with pursed lips.
"Father, then we’re leaving, please take care."
When Song Wei turned around, Wen Wan saw that his eyes were red.
This was the first time Wen Wan had seen Song Wei show emotion since she came to the Song family.
She thought, her husband must have a lot to say to his father, but her husband is a man of action, who, once determined, would simply carry out his plans without making grandiose speeches, regardless of how uncertain the outcome might be.
So, her husband chose silence.
Wen Wan matched Song Wei’s steps, neither of them looking back. But Wen Wan knew that her father-in-law would surely still be standing there, watching them walk away with his own eyes.