On the day they reached the capital, it was already the fifth day of Lunar February, more than half a month since they first planned to set up a nursing home. Because they had delayed their trip to the capital by half a month to help Huo Yuan set up the nursing home, Huo Yuan felt touched and also slightly delighted.
How kindly little sister Wei’er treated him!
By now it was Lunar February, and the weather was not as cold. Mu Zhongqing’s family were delightfully on the road to the capital. Along the way, they occasionally admired the scenery, experiencing the different local customs at each place they passed. On the road with them was the well-travelled, cultured and congenial Huo Yuan, which made their journey far from lonesome.
The further south they traveled, the closer they got to the capital. The weather grew warmer, while in Qingyun town it was still freezing with water turning into ice. However, in the South, mountains were showing their greenery and trees were budding.
Upon seeing these scenes, Wen’er and Wu’er became restless in the carriage. They often poked their little heads out of the carriage window to appreciate the birds singing and flowers blooming, and to relish the beautiful spring scenery. Sometimes, they stared wide-eyed at the pedestrians who were walking at a leisurely pace.
At this time, the pedestrians had all taken off their padded jackets and switched to lightweight coats, walking in the bright sunshine of spring. As the weather became warmer, it seemed to lift their spirits.
The Mu family members were all still wearing thick padded clothes. The coat they used to wear was a coarse cloth filled with patches, which was too tattered to be worn outside. Moreover, they had all been left in Mu Family Village and never brought out. Cai Wei planned to buy a new coat for her family members in the next city, as they were too hot in their cotton jackets and couldn’t wear them anymore.
However, before they reached the next city, Huo Yuan had already arranged for coats to be sent to the six members of the Mu family. Each person received four sets, made of top-notch material and finely crafted. Anyone who knew about fabrics could tell at a glimpse they were made by the Capital City Shu Embroidery Workshop.
Regarding Huo Yuan’s generous gift, Mu Zhongqing couple did not vehemently refuse as they did when they received his gifts in the past. They symbolically declined once, then accepted.
After spending half a month together, the couple had genuinely developed a liking for this jade-like, gentle, and courteous young man. If it were not for his birth in a prestigious family, Zhongqing and his wife would have persuaded their daughter to marry him without any hesitation. Even though he was born in a wealthy and prestigious family, they would be delighted if their daughter agreed to marry him.
Cai Wei felt troubled by Huo Yuan’s actions and her parents’ change. She had already declined Huo Yuan’s marriage proposal, yet he was so persistent that he, in a roundabout way, won over her parents. If she allowed this situation to continue, her parents might one day force her to marry him.
Fortunately, a few days later, before her parents entirely succumbed to his influence, they arrived at the capital city.
The capital, where the emperor resided, was far more prosperous than Qingyun Town or Yushu County. Even compared to Lin’an Prefecture, it paled in comparison.
Upon entering the capital, Sister Wei and her siblings were immediately attracted by its prosperity. The streets of the capital were wide and endless. Various shops lined up one after another, making it hard to take everything in. Crowds of pedestrians bustled on the streets, shoulder to shoulder, showing signs of prosperity everywhere.
No matter the dynasty, as long as the royal power stood, the capital was always prosperous and peaceful. It attracted merchants from all directions and distinguished people from various nations who came to travel. Whether it was folk customs or culture, it had unique inclusiveness.