Chapter 82 - 51: Hearing Its Sound Twice
Ran Yan observed through the crack in the window; the road was more than two feet higher than the fields on either side, making it impossible to make way. The only solution was for her to retreat along the way she came, or for the carriage on the opposite side to do the same.
Ran Yan naturally did not want to retreat! The road was long, and it took about a quarter of an hour to get to this point. If she turned back, it would waste another half an hour there and back.
A person from the other side ran over in the rain, saying urgently, "Everyone, we are in a hurry to return to the city. Night curfew is near, and if we delay even a little while longer, we won’t be able to enter the city. Please, could you do us a favor?"
The latter half of the statement was addressed to Ran Yan.
Ran Yan hesitated whether to make way or not, but the coachman became somewhat anxious, "Our family’s estate is in South City, still a long way off. With no lights and muddy roads, if we turn back and then return, we might not make it home until midnight! The stretch of road you’ve come from is short; a round trip is just the time for two cups of tea. Please, could you talk to your master about this?"
The person standing below the carriage, seeing the coachman reluctant, suddenly became anxious too, yet suppressed his irritation as he was in need, saying, "How could we catch up and enter the city in time if it’s delayed by the time of two cups of tea? Even if it’s midnight, don’t you still have a place to go? If we can’t make it into the city, we would have to spend the night outdoors in the rain. Please, do us a favor."
The city gates close at the hour of You, and by now, it must be at least a quarter past You; time was indeed urgent.
"Let’s turn back!"