It rained yesterday evening, bringing a bit of chill at night, but as the east became brighter and the sun rose, the spring breeze warmed up again, and the road became lively. What I saw was no longer the bleak scenery of the mountains and hills before. Willows and flowers were blooming on both sides of the official road, and various wine flags were fluttering in the wind. Further away, I could vaguely see some ridges and eaves dotted in the mountains and forests. Those were villas and gardens built by dignitaries outside the city. From time to time, there were endless convoys covered with red and purple. I think they were all people who came to see the flowers and appreciate the spring. Their accompanying servants rode on horses, all dressed in bright clothes and looked majestic. The wind fluttered the brocade curtains around the carriage, accompanied by the pleasant tinkling sounds of the jade phoenix tied to the horse's neck. The ladies' laughter and joyful conversation in the carriage flew up, mixed with the yellow dust raised by the wheels on the road, and rushed towards the pedestrians on the side of the road like a wave, and in the blink of an eye, left the pedestrians far behind.
Xuyu was lucky today. When she was tired of walking in the afternoon, she caught a mule cart that was carrying spring water to Xishi. The water was taken from Xishan, a hundred miles west of the city. The plains there were high and the valleys were deep. The water was sweet and clear, which was incomparable to the water from the wells and canals in the city. Because the palace and the mansions of dignitaries needed it all year round, this business was born. Many families near Xishan made a living from it. In order to ensure the freshness of the spring water, they often went into the mountains to fetch water in the middle of the night, and delivered it to Xishi in time the next day to sell it to merchants who specialized in collecting water there.
The owner of the water cart was an old man living in the West Hills. He had gray hair and beard, dark hands, patched clothes, and straw sandals. He looked like a laborer who could be found everywhere in the countryside. Seeing the man carrying a bag, dusty clothes, and a little mud on his boots, he knew he had come from a long way. He was also very polite, so he guessed he was a scholar going to Beijing to take the imperial examination. When he heard her say that she was willing to give him the fare, he waved his hand and said, "It's a blessing for me if you don't mind my mule cart as an insult to my status."
Xuyu thanked him and found an empty spot to sit down.
The car was loaded with a dozen round wooden barrels sealed with green bamboo strips, which looked like wine barrels. It was not light, so the speed was not fast, but it was still faster than walking. She was worried that she might not arrive before dark today, but now she didn't have to worry about it.
She leaned against the wall of the barrel and dozed off. After walking for ten miles, she heard a noisy sound. She opened her eyes and saw an official post station on the roadside ahead. Next to the official post station, there were many inns and taverns of different sizes for ordinary travelers to stay. Travelers came in and out, and carriages and horses came and went, just like a lively small market. On the hitching post outside the official post station, there were a row of ten tall horses. The most conspicuous one among them had a lacquered saddle with precious patterns painted on it. The horse's bridle was decorated with gold, and even the saddle under the saddle used as a mud barrier was wrapped with expensive Shu brocade. Through the open door, she could see the figures of postmen running back and forth and serving in a hurry. It must be that a high-ranking official or noble passed by here and stopped inside to rest.
The horse team tied outside the post station took up almost half of the road. The old man was afraid of bumping into them, so he drove the mule carefully around them.
"That place is Lingao Posthouse. Young master, you may not know this, but there are two most famous official posthouses in Chang'an, one in the east and one in the west. Changle Posthouse outside Tonghua Gate in the east, and Lingao Posthouse in the west. Whether you are going to Shuofang and Ganliang in the north or Jiannan Shu Road in the south, you must pass through here. Officials, scholars, welcoming and seeing off guests, and holding banquets are all here, and they are busy all year round. After we pass Lingao Posthouse, we will reach Chang'an in another 10 or 20 miles!"