C7 The Inn in the Tongshui Ancient Town

In the third year of the Great Tang, during the sixth month, peace had reigned for three years since the empress took the throne. The citizens lived in tranquility, their livelihoods flourishing with each passing day.

Nestled within the borders of the Great Tang, the Ancient Town of Tongshui was a gem of geomancy. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the town boasted breathtaking scenery, and the villagers thrived off the land and water.

Enveloped by the grandeur of the Great Mountain, the town was largely self-sufficient, save for the occasional inconvenience villagers faced when traveling to the city.

The life-giving Tongshui River cascaded down the mountains, sustaining countless lives and lending its name to the town.

Home to roughly a thousand families, the town's size was modest. Its residents, perhaps due to their secluded existence, had limited dealings with the outside world. Their customs were pure and simple, evoking the essence of a hidden utopia.

As the sixth month heralded the onset of summer, the days grew warmer.

At dawn, when the sky began to blush with the first light, breakfast vendors in the town were already firing up their stoves. Amidst billowing steam, baskets of fragrant, pillowy white steamed buns emerged.

The aroma of fresh wheat mingled with the morning air, as the buns, fluffy and white as clouds, tempted the early risers.

On the stoves, old copper pots simmered with colorful mixed-grain porridge, bubbling and wafting a rich scent. Fried buns, crispy pancakes, and bowls of spicy soup with a side of dumplings made for a hearty breakfast.

The vendors' boisterous calls signaled the start of the day, and thrifty women rose especially early to seize the day's best deals at the market. They returned home with their bargains, tucking a few hot buns into oil paper for the journey.

After breakfast, the men set out to their tasks. Some headed to the fields, others to the mountains, while shopkeepers took their posts, awaiting the day's patrons.

As the sun rose, the daily hustle and bustle of the small town commenced. On the bustling old street, the bluestone pavement, worn smooth by hundreds of years of foot traffic, gleamed. The shops along the street were thriving, as the scarcity of goods from the mountains ensured a steady stream of customers. Yet amidst this vibrant scene, one restaurant stood out for its quietness.

This establishment was as old as the street itself, a relic of the past. The restaurant bore no sign or name, just a long bamboo pole with a red cloth attached. The town's schoolteacher had used bold ink to inscribe the word "restaurant" on the fabric.

Despite its age, the building was expansive, boasting two floors, a front yard, and a backyard. It was, in fact, the town's sole restaurant. The local men would often gather here to enjoy a drink at noon or in the evening, and it was the go-to place for hosting friends and relatives.

In recent years, the restaurant's fortunes had improved significantly. Three years prior, a blind young man arrived with an infant in tow. He was surprisingly generous, renting out the entire restaurant. No one knew their origins, but the townspeople were kind and didn't pry.

Taking care of a child is no small feat for anyone, let alone a blind man. The compassionate women of Tongshui Ancient Town frequently visited the restaurant to lend a hand, or simply to enjoy some melon seeds and tea while engaging in leisurely conversation.

What truly captivated them, though, was the restaurant owner's handsome face—a stark contrast to the rugged mountain men they were accustomed to. Over time, the town's unmarried young women grew bolder.

They would sometimes visit the restaurant under the pretense of helping with the baby, ordering plates of sweet osmanthus cake. They'd steal glances at the proprietor and break into fits of giggles.

But now, with no festival in sight nor any grand occasion necessitating a feast, the women who usually filled the restaurant with chatter were likely still busy with their own affairs...

In the spacious restaurant hall, a young man dressed in simple linen sat quietly at the shopkeeper's counter, his fingers dancing over the beads of an abacus. A pristine white cloth covered his face, concealing his age from view.

"Aunt Li, I'm not saying this to criticize you. You've seen me in our town for three years now, raising a child on my own. Don't you think it's exhausting?

Over the years, you've introduced me to plenty of nice girls. The Wang family's daughter didn't work out, nor did the Li family's...

I'm not trying to be rude, but playing both father and mother roles isn't sustainable. Eventually, I'll need to find someone to help with the child, right?"

At that moment, a slightly plump middle-aged woman stood at the counter.

She was dressed in a vibrant red outfit, and the mole on her chin quivered as she spoke.

Nibbling on peanuts from a small dish, she spoke with genuine concern, trying to persuade Ye Zi to consider marriage.

"Ye-zi, listen to me. The Zhang family's granddaughter is of marrying age this year. She's just fifteen, fresh-faced, and fair-skinned.

She's the kind of girl who will make a fine homemaker. They don't care that you're blind, so why are you holding back?

If you're willing, offer a modest betrothal gift, and I'll go to the Zhang family to arrange the match. I assure you, you could be married by the end of the month."

The woman's enthusiasm was palpable, her spit flying as she spoke, and she had even picked out the wedding date, just waiting for Ye Zi's agreement. Finally, the clicking of the abacus in the shop ceased. Ye Zi slowly lifted his head, peering at the woman through the white cloth over his eyes.

"Aunt Li, it's time to leave."

"Oh? What's this? You've finally taken an interest, haven't you? I always said a man like you would need to marry eventually. Are you eager for me to arrange it now? Hold on, proposing marriage is a serious matter. Let's discuss the betrothal gift first..."

Upon hearing Ye Zi's response, the woman was ecstatic. After years of playing matchmaker, it seemed her efforts were about to pay off.

She beamed, her eyes crinkling and her brows arching even higher with delight. But her smile abruptly vanished the next moment.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not looking to get married at the moment. Zhixian has already returned with breakfast. It's time for you to head home, Aunt Li."

Stepping away from the counter, Ye Zi offered an apologetic smile as he gently declined the lady's kindness.

He quietly picked up a white cloth and meticulously cleaned the oilwood table in the tavern, seemingly getting ready for breakfast.

"Goodness, you're such a loner. I wonder how many years you can manage raising a child by yourself!"

Frustrated by Ye Zi's repeated refusals, the woman's irritation flared. She snatched a handful of seeds from a small dish, tucked them into her waistband, and stormed out of the tavern.

Shortly after the woman departed, Ye Zi finished wiping down the table. Just then, the tavern's old wooden door burst open.

A little head peeked inside, and upon seeing the youngster, Ye Zi's lips curled into a handsome smile. He tapped on the table, chuckling.

"Has Zhixian returned?"

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