Chapter 417 - 8: Wuzhen

Chapter 417: Chapter 8: Wuzhen

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei shouldered their packs and embarked on the first stop of their journey through the Xia Kingdom—Wuzhen.

The morning sun streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei’s faces. Filled with anticipation for what lay ahead, their faces were brimming with excited smiles.

"Hey, Old Li, just how beautiful do you think Wuzhen is?" Huang Pengfei asked curiously, gazing at the fleeting scenery outside the window.

Li Xiao smiled faintly. "I’ve heard Wuzhen is a poetic place, with the unique charm of a Jiangnan Water Village. We’ll have to be sure to soak it all in."

After a drive of several hours, they finally arrived in Wuzhen. The moment they stepped out of the car, they were awestruck by the beauty before them. Ancient buildings were picturesquely arranged along both sides of the canals. The water was so clear you could see the bottom, and occasionally, a small boat would glide by, sending ripples across the surface.

"Wow, it’s like a living ink wash painting!" Huang Pengfei couldn’t help but exclaim.

Li Xiao nodded. "Come on, let’s check out the East Gate first."

They strolled along the bluestone-paved paths, soaking in the ancient town’s serenity. The East Gate had preserved many of its Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, which were full of old-world charm. They stepped into an old house, where the furnishings seemed to transport them back in time.

"Look at this carved bed and this exquisite furniture. People back then really had refined taste," Huang Pengfei said, glancing around.

"That’s right. They’re all a testament to history," Li Xiao responded.

After leaving the old house, they made their way to Mao Dun’s Former Residence. Inside the quaint old home, they learned about the life and literary achievements of Mr. Mao Dun.

"I can’t believe this is where Mao Dun came from. How incredible," Huang Pengfei remarked with feeling.

Li Xiao said, "Mao Dun’s works reflected the social landscape of his era. He made a tremendous contribution to Chinese literature."

After exploring the East Gate, they moved on to the West Gate. The scenery here was even more enchanting, and at night, the lights were breathtakingly beautiful. They took a small boat and glided slowly along the river, admiring the nocturnal scenery on either bank.

"This is so romantic!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed.

"Haha, it really is. I feel like I’m living inside a painting," Li Xiao responded with a laugh.

After they finished exploring, they realized they were hungry. So, they set out in search of local delicacies. Wuzhen had no shortage of delicious food, including Victory Cakes, Sister-in-Law Cakes, and soy-braised duck.

"Old Li, what should we eat first?" Huang Pengfei asked, his mouth watering as he stared at the street food stalls.

Li Xiao thought for a moment. "Let’s start with a Victory Cake. I hear it’s a local specialty."

They found a stall and sat down, and the owner enthusiastically served them two Victory Cakes. The cakes had an inviting color and a soft, chewy texture that was sweet without being overpowering.

"Mmm, delicious!" Huang Pengfei said, giving a thumbs-up as he ate.

After finishing the Victory Cakes, they also tried the Sister-in-Law Cakes and the soy-braised duck. The cakes were crisp and tasty, while the duck had a rich, mellow flavor that they savored long after.

"The food in Wuzhen really lives up to its reputation!" Huang Pengfei said contentedly.

After eating and drinking their fill, they headed to Wuzhen’s theater to watch a folk performance. It was a spectacular show, featuring Yue Opera, shadow puppetry, and more. The performers’ exquisite skill earned them round after round of applause from the audience.

"The Yue Opera singing is so beautiful, and the shadow puppetry is fascinating!" Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao was also deeply captivated by the show. "These folk performances are Wuzhen’s cultural treasures," he said. "They should be preserved and promoted."

After the show, they visited a local specialty shop. The store was filled with all sorts of local products, such as blue calico, Three-White Liquor, and Hangzhou white chrysanthemums.

"Old Li, what do you think we should get to take home?" Huang Pengfei asked.

Li Xiao replied, "The blue calico is quite distinctive; we could get a few pieces as souvenirs. The Three-White Liquor is a good choice too. I hear it has a very mellow flavor."

They selected a few local specialties and returned with their bags full.

「The next day」 They wandered around Wuzhen a bit more, experiencing the tranquility of the morning and the bustle of the evening. Then, they shouldered their packs and prepared to head to their next destination.

"Goodbye, Wuzhen! We’ll be back," Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei said, waving farewell to the beautiful ancient town.

Li Xiao and Huang Pengfei bid farewell to the picturesque Wuzhen and set off on their journey to Zhangjiajie. All along the way, the two were filled with anticipation for the magnificent scenery they were about to witness.

"Old Li, I’ve heard the mountains in Zhangjiajie are incredibly unique, unlike any we’ve ever seen before," Huang Pengfei said excitedly.

Li Xiao smiled in response. "That’s right. Zhangjiajie is renowned for its ’three thousand bizarre peaks and eight hundred beautiful streams.’ I’m sure it won’t disappoint us."

After a long journey, they finally arrived in Zhangjiajie. The moment they stepped out of the station, their eyes were drawn to the distant peaks soaring into the clouds. The mountains took on all sorts of shapes: some looked like swords piercing the heavens, others like dancing fairies, and still others like charming, naive animals.

"Wow, this is magnificent!" Huang Pengfei exclaimed, his eyes wide and his mouth agape.

Li Xiao was also awestruck by the sight. "Come on," he said, "let’s head to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park first."

They bought tickets and entered the park. The moment they stepped inside, it felt as though they had walked into a fantasy world. The air was exceptionally fresh, the path was shaded by lush green trees, and the air was filled with the sound of birdsong and the scent of flowers. They strolled along a small path, admiring the beauty all around them.

"Look, doesn’t that mountain look like a monkey?" Huang Pengfei said, pointing to a distant peak.

Li Xiao took a closer look, and it really did look like a monkey crouching there. He smiled and said, "You’re right. The masterful artistry of nature is truly astonishing."