Chapter 480: A Visit

Yu Lin followed the three scholars Mi Ti Ya, Balthasar, and Gaspar as they walked through the streets and alleys of Bo Li Heng.

They followed the guidance of the converging starlight, turning left and right.

Finally, they stopped in front of a small inn that looked fairly clean but was obviously already full.

However, the direction where the starlight phantom finally settled pointed not to the main building of the inn, but to a relatively low and plain house right next to it.

It seems that Yuese's family, after enduring the initial difficulties, had fortunately found this place to lodge, rather than staying in the stable all along.

Considering that disturbing a woman in labor and a newborn in the middle of the night would be highly improper, Mi Ti Ya decided to restrain his urgent feelings and first return to the stable where they had stayed the previous night, waiting for dawn.

Their return drew sideways glances from the other early-rising travelers in the stable.

After all, the sight of these three strangely dressed figures 'casting spells' under the starlight was still fresh in everyone's mind.

But seeing them return and then close their eyes to rest like ordinary travelers, offering no explanation, others, though curious, dared not ask further, and the atmosphere settled again into a delicate silence until drowsiness once more overtook them.

…………

The next morning, Bo Li Heng awoke completely.

The sunlight dispelled the night's chill, and the flow of people on the streets became denser and noisier than the day before.

Almost everyone surged toward the several designated household registration points inside the city; the lines wound about, voices rose in a tumult, mixed with children's cries, adults' shouts, and the occasional reprimand from soldiers keeping order, making it almost uproarious.

Yu Lin mingled in the crowd, holding a freshly baked, still steaming flatbread, eating it leisurely as he walked, forming a stark contrast with the hurried, anxious people around him.

Mi Ti Ya and his two companions followed closely behind, their expressions focused, their eyes occasionally scanning the route they remembered from last night.

Not long after, they arrived once more in front of the house beside the inn.

Mi Ti Ya took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and gently knocked on the somewhat weathered wooden door.

Knock knock.

"Hello." Mi Ti Ya's voice was gentle.

A faint movement came from inside the door, followed by the steady response of a middle-aged man:

"Just a moment."

Footsteps approached, and the door was pulled open a crack with a "creak."

A middle-aged man with a square face, dark skin, and wearing the local common coarse short robe poked his head out, his face showing puzzlement as his gaze swept over Mi Ti Ya, whose attire and demeanor were markedly different from the locals:

"Sir, what is the matter?"

"Good day, may you be at peace." Mi Ti Ya again placed his hand over his chest in a salute, his attitude humble and courteous:

"Sorry to disturb you; we are travelers from afar, currently seeking a few others who also came here for household registration, perhaps they are staying with you."

"I wonder if, these past few days, you have taken in any guests returning from elsewhere."

He paused, seeing that the man's wariness had not faded, and then added sincerely:

"Please rest assured, we harbor no ill intent."

"On the contrary, we hope to offer them some help, perhaps to answer some of their doubts."

The middle-aged man, named Feili, listened to Mi Ti Ya's sincere words, then took a closer look at him and his companions—though dusty from travel, they bore an extraordinary bearing—and the doubt on his face lessened slightly as he nodded:

"I see… please wait a moment; I need to ask them first."

He turned and walked back inside, his footsteps fading into the inner rooms.

Not long after, he reappeared, followed by a young man.

That young man was about twenty-one or twenty-two years old, slender in build, not particularly strong, but with broad shoulders that gave an impression of steadiness and reliability.

He had the typical appearance of a Jewish man, with neatly trimmed curly hair, a lean face, slightly high cheekbones, a straight nose, dressed in an ordinary grayish-brown hemp robe, a belt tied at his waist, and his feet clad in dusty old straw sandals.

That was Yuese.

His eyes now held evident confusion and caution as he surveyed the four uninvited guests outside the door.

"Hello, may you be at peace."

Yuese stepped forward, "I am Yuese."

"May I ask… what business do you have with me?"

His gaze mainly rested on Mi Ti Ya, but quickly swept over Balthasar and Gaspar, finally lingering a moment longer on Yu Lin's face.

After all, only his face was covered by a cloth, revealing only a pair of dark eyes.

Mi Ti Ya stepped forward, drew slightly closer, and spoke in a volume only Yuese could hear: "Mr. Yuese, may peace be upon you and your family."

"We… are scholars who have come from the East."

"We have received the strange guidance of the ancient stars, crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, and come here to seek that one… the 'Christ,' the child destined to be the King of the Jews."

He fixed his gaze on Yuese's eyes: "According to the stellar signs we have observed, he… should be your son."

"Is that so?"

Yuese's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing the words 'Christ' and 'King of the Jews.'

He did not immediately deny it, nor did he show excessive panic; he simply fell silent for a moment.

Finally, he slowly nodded, his voice lowered further: "Yes… he is my and Mary's son."

"Is… there a problem with that?"

He admitted it, but at the same time remained wary, wanting to know the true intentions of these strangers.

Upon hearing Yuese's personal acknowledgment, Mi Ti Ya's face instantly lit up with joy, but he quickly restrained his emotion, his voice remaining gentle:

"No problem, Mr. Yuese; please don't be nervous."

"We bring not trouble, but blessing and confirmation."

"We have come here for a single request—may we be allowed to see that child? We… wish to pay our respects to him in person."

Yuese did not answer immediately, but turned his head to look at the landlord Feili, seeking his opinion:

"Brother Feili, these… guests wish to talk with me about family matters."

"Would it be convenient to let them come inside to talk?"

Feili was a straightforward person; although he didn't know exactly what was going on, seeing that Yuese seemed to know the other party, he readily nodded: "Of course, take your time talking."

"It just so happens I need to go out to buy some flour and salt needed today, and meanwhile check whether there are still many people at the registration office."

He said this, picking up an empty bag, nodding at Mi Ti Ya and the others, then stepped out the door, also pulling it shut behind him, leaving the space for them.

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Feili." Mi Ti Ya thanked Feili's retreating back.

Only then did Yuese turn to the four Mi Ti Ya, making a 'please' gesture: "Gentlemen, please follow me."

His gaze swept over Yu Lin again; the other's eyes beneath the headscarf were calm and waveless, easing his strange feeling somewhat, though not dispelling it entirely.

The group followed Yuese through the simple but clean and tidy main hall, heading toward the inner rooms.

The light grew somewhat dimmer, and the air was filled with the scent of herbs and a faint milk fragrance.

Yuese stopped before a tightly closed door, knocked lightly, then pushed it open.

Inside was an even smaller room, with only a small window letting in a bit of morning light.

On the wooden bed against the wall sat a young woman with a delicate appearance.

She looked about sixteen or seventeen, with a soft oval face, fair complexion, a finely shaped nose bridge, and dark brown hair neatly coiled at the back of her head, wrapped in a plain cloth headscarf.

Although her attire was plain, just a simple linen dress, she possessed a natural serenity and purity that made one forget worldly concerns upon seeing her.

This was Mary.

And in her arms she was carefully holding an infant wrapped in clean swaddling clothes.

The swaddling was slightly opened at one corner, revealing the baby's sleeping little face, skin rosy, breathing even, appearing to have been born not long ago, immersed in sweet dreams.

But at this moment he had nothing miraculous about him; he seemed just an ordinary infant, no different from other babies.

Mary saw Yuese bringing several strangers in; a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, but she did not panic, merely instinctively tightening her hold on the child in her arms, her gaze turning to Yuese:

"Who are these people?"