nucmednet Chapter 340 Arrival at the Yelü Family
Chapter 340 Arrival at the Yelü Family
Gu Mochen and his group were on the vast grassland with Yelü Fengqi's party. Horse hooves trod across the grass, raising a faint scent of grass, and the tracks left by carts also released the fragrance of wildflowers. The grass here was ordinary; it wasn't that there were no medicinal herbs, but these herbs were so common they could be found anywhere, so Ye Qingchen didn't bother to even glance at them. As they walked, dusk gradually fell.
Night fell like a vast, thick black silk, silently and resolutely unfurling itself, completely enveloping the boundless grassland. Just then, they arrived at a cluster of yurts, scattered like stars in the sky. Beside the white yurts stood a large, neatly arranged courtyard of brick houses. Bathed in the cool, watery moonlight, these houses exuded a unique, intriguing tranquility.
Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen looked up, and in an instant, their eyes widened in astonishment, as if a pebble had been thrown in. They had been convinced that this vast, seemingly one with the heavens and earth, grassland was dotted with yurts like stars, each one a pure white flower blooming on a soft green carpet, pristine and beautiful. But now, the sheer scale and imposing grandeur of the brick houses before them was like a sudden bolt of lightning, striking them hard and leaving them utterly bewildered and filled with shock and surprise. Gu Mochen couldn't help but ponder to himself, "I originally thought the grasslands were all nomadic camps. Such a vast expanse of brick and tile houses is truly unimaginable unless seen with my own eyes. It seems the customs and traditions of the grasslands are far more complex and diverse than I knew." Ye Qingchen was also deeply moved. She murmured to herself, "Although I know about the nomadic lifestyle of the grasslands, such a scene is truly unheard of. I wonder what stories lie behind these houses."
Looking at Yelü Fengqi again, his face beamed with a smile as bright as the warm sun, and he was enthusiastically leading the group toward the houses with light steps. The group arrived at the gate of an extremely spacious and grand courtyard. A lithe and agile young man, like an arrow released from a bow, quickly stepped forward and knocked on the door knocker. The "thump, thump, thump" of the knocking was exceptionally clear and loud in the silent night, as if time itself had frozen, each sound striking a chord in everyone's hearts. Yelü Fengqi then personally came to the carriage, bowed slightly, and with a respectful and polite posture, sincerely invited Gu Mochen, Ye Qingchen, and the others to enter through the main gate.
Crossing the high, weathered threshold, Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen looked around. The courtyard was incredibly spacious, so vast it seemed to encompass the entire world. While it lacked the usual ornate, exquisite pavilions and towers reminiscent of the Jiangnan water towns, its sheer size was undeniably luxurious for the nomadic grasslands, inspiring awe. The ground was paved with smooth, even flagstones, each one seemingly carefully selected and polished, shimmering softly in the moonlight. Drought-resistant plants lined the sides, their shadowy forms in the night adding to the mystique. Ye Qingchen couldn't help but recall her conversation with Gu Mochen, how, even in her time, most grassland dwellers were still nomadic peoples, moving with their livestock in search of water and pasture. Following the unpredictable weather, they chased after lush pastures, setting up camp wherever the grass grew abundantly. Their tents were all made of thick, rough materials, mainly to withstand the biting, bone-chilling winds of the grasslands. The lightweight yet warm and exquisitely designed tents that Gu Mochen and he carried were a first for this grassland. Looking at everything before him, Gu Mochen thought to himself, "This Yelü family's courtyard is so conspicuous on the grasslands; their family must hold a very high position and have a profound background in this area." Ye Qingchen also silently marveled, "I never expected that such refined dwellings would exist on this seemingly rugged grassland; it's completely different from what I imagined grassland life to be like."
As soon as Yelü Fengqi stepped into the courtyard, the door to the main house creaked open as if blown by a mysterious breeze. Several elegantly dressed ladies, adorned with jewels, and a steward in a dark robe, exuding competence and composure, immediately emerged. One of the older women, with a kind and gentle face and warm eyes, her gaze filled with joy and concern, hurried forward as if chasing time, saying, "Master, you're finally back! You've been gone for over half a month!" As she spoke, her gaze swept over Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen, like a searchlight. Looking at these unfamiliar faces with their unique aura, she paused slightly, her lips parted, but something seemed to choke her throat, leaving her speechless, unsure of what to say.
The atmosphere in the courtyard was slightly tense, as if the air itself had frozen. Gu Mochen felt somewhat uneasy. He knew that he and Ye Qingchen were outsiders, and their sudden arrival was bound to surprise the host family. The lady of the house probably rarely saw outsiders, hence her sudden awkwardness.
Seeing this, Yelü Fengqi laughed heartily, his cheerful laughter instantly breaking the awkwardness. He gestured for everyone to wait a moment, then quickly walked to the older woman and said, "Madam, this is my brother Gu Changfeng, whom I met on the road, along with his wife, sister, and brothers-in-law." The woman listened attentively, nodding repeatedly, her expression gradually shifting from initial confusion to a bright and cheerful one, as if the clouds had parted to reveal the clear sky. She had been startled, thinking they were daughters or sons her husband had brought home from outside. Hearing they were outsiders, she felt relieved. There were already several women in the household; she was truly afraid that some outsider would come and compete for her husband's affections.
Immediately afterwards, Yelü Fengqi turned to face the crowd and said loudly, "Friends, this is my wife. It is truly fate that we can travel together. Although this courtyard is not as exquisite as your mansions in the south, it is spacious enough, so please feel free to settle in." After saying this, he instructed the steward to arrange for the servants to prepare tea and food to properly entertain the guests who had come from afar.
Gu Mochen and Ye Qingchen exchanged a glance and nodded slightly in thanks. They followed Yelü Fengqi and the ladies towards the main house, their footsteps echoing melodiously on the stone path. Entering the main house, their eyes were immediately drawn to the interior. While the decor reflected the rich, authentic characteristics of the grasslands, the furniture was arranged neatly and orderly, each piece seemingly placed in its perfect spot. Exquisite animal hide paintings adorned the walls, lifelike depictions of legendary grassland tales, and the gleaming bows and arrows further emphasized the owner's status and taste. Everyone took their seats, and soon servants brought out steaming, fragrant milk tea and various exquisite and mouthwatering pastries. In this warm and harmonious atmosphere, the conversation gradually became more lively, and the fatigue of the journey vanished like snow under the sun.