Tang Chen: Starting from the Xuanwu Gate Incident

Chapter 10 Returning Home in Glory

Shenjia Village, located less than ten miles from Xianyang City, had nearly two hundred households at the beginning of the Sui Dynasty. However, due to years of war and conscription, it is now less than one hundred households.

The villagers built their homes along the Wei River. Unlike the wealthy landlords in the city, these people who toiled in the land for a living were already hoping for two full meals a day.

At the eastern corner of the village stood the Shen family's house. The earthen walls surrounding the courtyard were less than a person's height. Several neatly cultivated vegetable plots stood in front of the courtyard, and the three tiled houses indicated that this family was not a poor tenant farmer.

Inside the main room, several rough blue porcelain bowls were placed on a low table, with steaming hot soup noodles still rising from them.

Squatting on the ground, Shen Wang, who had been holding back for a long time, finally couldn't help but speak cautiously: "Mother, last night I heard from Uncle Liu, who came back from the city, that there was a war in Chang'an, and the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qin are fighting. What do you think about my elder brother...?"

Fifteen-year-old Shen Wang, the second oldest in the family, had been taking care of his mother since his older brother was away. He helped with the farming and dared not travel far. On days when his older brother did not write, every time he talked to his mother about his brother's safety, he would be scolded by his mother.

"The people of Guanzhong are strange; they don't speak, they rely on verbal communication."

Seeing his mother staring blankly at the empty bowl in her hand without saying a word, he shook his head, took the empty bowl, scooped out a few pieces of noodles from the basin, poured half a bowl of noodle soup, and carried it to the inner room, placing it in front of Shen Qishen's memorial tablet.

He kowtowed respectfully, saying, "Father, please eat first." His younger sister followed suit, kowtowing as if worshipping a Bodhisattva.

Although the family was short of food, he couldn't go against his mother's wishes. Even if she had to eat less herself every day, he had to make sure his father had something to eat.

Shen Wang took the bowl from Shen Liu's hand, filled it with water, and placed it in front of her. Seeing that she still refused to touch her chopsticks, he, being hungry, began to eat on his own.

While eating, he smacked his lips and muttered under his breath, "The taste is too bland, there's no meat at all."

Madam Shen Liu glanced at the gossipy Shen Wang: "I still have a piece of dead skin on my heel, do you want to eat it?"

Speechless, Shen Wang fell silent, but his hands swung around rapidly.

He clearly remembered that six years ago, his father had just joined the army and died suddenly in the military camp before even reaching the battlefield. The gossip in the village piled up like snowflakes. His eldest brother couldn't stand it and went to argue with them. In a fit of anger, he also joined the army. From then on, his mother rarely smiled.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Shen Xiaoman skipped over to Shen Liushi's side, tilted her head, and said in a childish voice, "Mom, after we finish eating, we'll wait for Big Brother to come back. He always brings me delicious food from Chang'an City when he comes back. We'll eat together then."

Shen Liu, who had been silent, suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide, and muttered, "My son is back, my son is back."

Shen Ce arrived at the outskirts of Xianyang from Chang'an in less than an hour by fast horse.

Shen Ce stared blankly at the small courtyard in front of him, his mind filled with fond memories of "himself" having been here.

This time, I won't be walking alone in this world.

Quietly vaulting over the courtyard gate, my hand hovered in the air for a long time before finally pushing open the door.

"Brother," a tearful cry shattered Shen Ce's estrangement from his family.

Shen Xiaoman pouted and darted over instantly, hugging Shen Ce tightly and refusing to let go. She then clung to his legs like a koala. Shen Wang hurriedly helped him unpack his bundle and, with a heavy heart, pushed the rice bowl in front of him.

Shen Liu slowly stood up. Years of hard work had made her back hunched. Her mouth was open, but no sound came out. She slapped her thighs hard with both hands, and tears streamed down her face.

Shen Ce felt a strange pang in his heart. This was the home he had always wanted. He slowly dragged his little sister along, walking forward step by step.

Holding Shen Liushi in his arms, he knew what this middle-aged woman was worried about, and gently patted her back: "Mother, I'm back. There will be no more wars, no more wars."

Shen Ce was held even tighter, and Shen Liu kept expressing her worries and thanking her husband for his protection. Shen Ce also absorbed the warmth from his family without restraint, while suffering the torment of his soul.

"Did His Highness the Prince of Qin win?" Shen Wang, seeing his mother crying incessantly, couldn't help but interrupt.

After everyone was seated, Shen Ce told them the news that Li Er had become the crown prince.

In the countryside, news is passed down level by level, from the city to the countryside, and from the countryside to the village. The village head is holding a big clapper and shouting loudly at the village entrance. There's no other way; in this rural area where the literacy rate is less than 10%, news can only be spread by word of mouth, unlike in the city where a notice can be posted.

"That damned village head, relying on his relatives working in the Eastern Palace, has bullied the villagers countless times. It's been two days since this happened and he hasn't come out to deliver the message. He's probably hiding." Thinking of the bullying he had suffered in the past, Shen Wang spoke viciously.

Shen Ce listened quietly to everyone's chatter; this warmth was something he had never experienced before.

A moment later, the bundle was placed on the table, and gently opened. Xiaoman sniffed the aroma and exclaimed, "It's jujube cake!"

Shen Ce patted Shen Xiaoman's head affectionately: "Eat up."

Shen Wang, standing to the side, pointed to another package: "What's this?"

Shen Ce then opened another package, revealing a green robe inside: "Mother, look, this is my official robe."

"Hey, there are so many turtle shells on here," Xiaoman said, pointing vaguely with her mouth full of food.

"Be careful not to make a mess," Madam Shen Liu slapped Xiaoman's hand away and said angrily, "Stop eating and come with me."

She clutched her official robes to her chest with one hand and pulled Shen Ce along with the other, hurrying towards the main hall.

Shen Ce was dragged by his mother to the memorial tablet. Feeling guilty, he dared not look up, afraid the tablet might suddenly jump onto his face or something else bad might happen.

Fortunately, the memorial tablet was secure, and nothing strange happened. His mother simply kept talking and sobbing, unaware of his unusual behavior.

Following the rules, Shen Ce lit three incense sticks, placed them in the incense burner, and knelt down respectfully to kowtow, truly praying for blessings.

A wisp of smoke enveloped the altar, seemingly seeping into Shen Ce's remorse little by little, and his father seemed to accept his offerings.

"Kneel down"

Shen Liu solemnly placed her official robe on the table, muttering incessantly, thanking her husband for his blessings.

"My son has become an official, a high-ranking official in the Crown Prince's Palace. What's his name again?" Madam Shen Liu asked, turning her head as she spoke.

"Chief Clerk of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices"

Madam Shen frowned: "It doesn't sound grand at all."

Then, happily, he said, "Ce'er, quickly tell your father."

Shen Ce kowtowed three more times respectfully, then stood up and helped Shen Liu Shi up as well: "Mother, you don't need to kneel. There will be plenty of time later. I'll tell Father slowly." He turned to look at Shen Wang with a questioning gaze.

Shen Wang sighed and said helplessly, "Ever since you joined the army, Mother has become like this, talking nonsense all day long. She only gets better when you come back."

Shen Ce held Shen Liu's hand, which was even rougher than his own, a man who had fought for many years.