Chapter 117 Qingshan Mei “Yuchuan, Xue Taisu.…

As dawn broke and the sun rose in the east, the carriages and horses proceeded towards Xiangcheng.

When Xue Chan and the others arrived at the Huan residence, Xiao Yangjun was not there. According to the maid, she had gone to the outskirts of the city to find a craftsman to test the new loom, and it was estimated that she would not arrive until the evening.

Huan Che could only have people settle them down and instructed the people in the mansion to prepare a banquet for Xiao Yangjun's return.

Xue Chenghuai was invited away by him to discuss poetry and painting, and the maid took Xue Chan for a walk around the Huan residence.

I wanted to ask Xiao Yangjun about her recent situation after marrying into the Northern Frontier, but when the maids heard that Xue Chan was Xiao Yangjun's friend, they started talking to her like a floodgate had been opened.

"Everyone in Xiangcheng knows our wife's name. When the lord went north to quell the rebellion, our wife led the people of Xiangcheng to defend against the enemy. She was so brave. Our wife is a good person, always smiling and cheerful, and she's kind to everyone. Later, she personally repaired the fields and improved the machinery, which made everyone very happy."

Their eyes lit up when Xiao Yangjun was mentioned.

They said that Xue Chan listened, and the story continued until evening.

A voice announced from the corridor, "Madam has returned. Quickly invite the guests to the banquet."

The maids then stopped talking and led Xue Chan to see Lord Xiao Yang.

Xue Chan had just rounded the corridor when she saw a figure rushing towards her from afar. Before she could even speak, Xiao Yangjun had already embraced her completely.

"Are you alright? Is Huaizhu alright? Is His Highness alright? Is everyone alright?"

She spoke with tears in her eyes, asking several questions in a row.

Xue Chan said softly, "They are all fine."

Overwhelmed with emotion at not seeing his old friend for so long, Xiao Yangjun rode back on horseback, still with the ribbon tied to his sleeve.

She blushed and, while untying the silk ribbon, whispered, "I'm so sorry, I've made you laugh."

Xue Chan smiled and said, "Although I haven't seen anyone this afternoon, I've heard a lot about Miss Xiao's deeds. Miss Xiao is still the same Miss Xiao, with a heart as firm as a rock and unparalleled courage."

Her teasing remark caused Xiao Yangjun's face to flush red all the way to his earlobes.

But then he thought of Jiang Ce and felt a pang of sadness.

"you......"

Xiao Yangjun was afraid of hurting her, so he couldn't speak. Xue Chan walked beside her and comforted her, "Don't worry, I'm fine too."

"Speaking of which, are you and him doing well?"

The two walked across the corridor in the setting sun, with Xiao Yangjun kicking away small pebbles with the tips of his boots as he went.

“When I first came to northern Xinjiang, he went to quell a rebellion within two days. I didn’t even get a good look at what he looked like. He came back two months later. It was actually quite awkward. For a long time, we just did our own things. We would talk when we had something to do, and sit together when we didn’t. As time went on, we became more familiar with each other and could chat and laugh.”

Xiao Yangjun tugged at her skirt sash, her face burning from the summer heat, her low voice carrying a hint of shyness.

"At first, I thought people from the north were rough and unruly. But after getting to know him, I found he was quite different from what I imagined. He was very gentle and peaceful."

"I'm actually doing pretty well now, but I miss my parents, my brother, Huaizhu, and all of you. I miss the days in the capital."

She glanced at Xue Chan, her expression turning somewhat downcast.

"I wonder how long it will be before we meet again after this parting..."

Ten years, twenty years, or a lifetime?

"I haven't even properly met you and shown you any hospitality, and you're already thinking about saying goodbye? That's ridiculous!" Xue Chan strode forward and took her hand.

Xue Chan sighed and walked away from her, saying, "If I had known, I wouldn't have come."

Xiao Yangjun quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her closer.

"No, I'm so happy to see you. You have no idea how much I've wanted to see you all. I've been looking forward to it for so long. Don't rush off this time; stay a few more days."

Xiao Yangjun thought to himself, "I should stay a few more days and spend more time with her."

Huan Che hosted a banquet for them, showing them the utmost courtesy.

Later, when Xue Chenghuai mentioned him, he stroked his beard and praised him, saying, "No wonder His Majesty ordered him to succeed as the military governor. He is truly a talented man with both literary and military prowess."

After the banquet, Huan Che used the pretext of discussing calligraphy and painting to lure Xue Chenghuai away. He did not return, so Xue Chan naturally accompanied Xiao Yangjun.

It was the first time the two had talked in bed together since they last saw each other, and who knows when the next time would be.

The next morning, Huan Che left the mansion to deal with the bandits, while Xue Chenghuai went to see his old friend.

Xiao Yangjun stayed with Xue Chan, but then someone came to her door again, saying it was about modifying the loom.

This matter needed to be discussed outside the manor, but because Xue Chan was present, Xiao Yangjun originally intended to send a message to postpone it for another day.

Xue Chan said, "Since they've come looking for you, they must have something urgent to tell you. Go ahead."

“Then, I can’t just leave you alone in the manor.” Xiao Yangjun shook his head.

Xue Chan smiled and said, "It's alright, it's just painting anyway. You should be back by the time you're done."

"Alright then, you can wait a while."

Xiao Yangjun instructed his attendants to take good care of him, and then left.

Perhaps they were too busy with too many things, as it was getting late and they still hadn't returned. Xue Chan was always patient, and she felt much better along the way, able to paint again, though she hadn't fully recovered to her previous state.

She finished painting and let the maid collect it, but a gust of wind blew it away in the evening and carried it to the corridor.

Huan Sanlang, Huan Xi, picked up the painting as he passed under the corridor. Following the direction the wind had blown, he saw a person. Although they were some distance apart, he could still tell that the person was a woman.

I heard my sister-in-law has some guests at home, so I thought I'd come over.

When the maid came to ask for the painting back, he didn't think much of it, returned it, and continued walking through the corridor.

"Third brother?"

Xiao Yangjun bumped into him and, seeing that he looked somewhat dejected, asked, "Did you fail to become an apprentice again?"

Huanxi complained, "Stop talking, he absolutely refuses to accept me as his disciple, I don't know where his temper comes from."

"Third brother, if you're determined to become a disciple, you can't give up halfway."

He blushed at the comment and quickly walked away, saying, "My sister-in-law's guests are still waiting, I'll be going now."

Xue Chan stayed at the Huan residence for a few days.

Despite his reluctance, Xiao Yangjun still saw them off.

Since the journey from Xiangcheng to Chaoxi would pass by Jiujin Mountain, the two decided to visit one of Xue Chenghuai's old friends who lived in seclusion there.

Xue Chan had no idea how long she had been in seclusion or why she had chosen to live in seclusion.

I only heard from Xue Chenghuai that this old friend's name was Guan Shan, that he loved wine and travel, and that he was a skilled seal carver.

Their group traveled along the path through a small village at the foot of the mountain.

After passing the village, we followed a small path uphill, climbing the mountain trail.

Xue Chenghuai had difficulty walking and needed to use crutches, so he walked very slowly. Xue Chan accompanied him, looking around as they walked uphill.

Listen to the birdsong, observe the plants and trees, and count the fragrant flowers.

The group walked and stopped frequently, from afternoon until evening.

Xue Chan stood on tiptoe to look, then pointed to a house on the left: "Father, is that it?"

Xue Chenghuai looked in the direction she was pointing and saw a flag hanging on a long pole next to the house. He immediately nodded and said, "Yes, yes, no one but him would like to hang a flag."

"Let's hurry up and go, or we'll keep people waiting."

"good"

The two of them huffed and puffed as they moved along the mountain path, but the house, which looked close, was actually quite far away. By the time they finally arrived, the sun was almost setting.

"Beep beep beep"

I knocked on the door a few times, but no one answered.

Xue Chenghuai called out a few more times.

"Brother Guanshan!" "Brother Guanshan!"

Still, no one answered.

Xue Chan stood in front of the door, trying to push it open as she said, "Could they have gone traveling..."

"Clang!"

Before she could finish speaking, the door collapsed inside the house, leaving only a bamboo door handle in her hand.

Xue Chan opened her eyes wide, looked at the door knocker, and then at the bamboo door lying on the ground.

"Father, this..."

Xue Chenghuai tapped his cane on the ground: "Girl, don't worry about it. It's obvious he made the door look like this himself, just to extort money from people for drinks!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a series of thumping sounds, growing louder as they approached, were mixed with a few high-pitched shouts.

"Hey, hey, hey, if that door breaks, I'll have to pay for the wine!"

Xue Chan looked in the direction of the sound and saw a short-bearded man dressed simply, carrying a wine jar and leading a donkey, quickly approaching from a distance.

He led the reluctant little donkey, huffing and puffing as he walked up to the group, his face flushed red.

"Who are you? How can you be so rude, you've damaged someone's door!"

"..." Xue Chenghuai poked him with his cane. "Come closer and see who I am?"

Guan Shan squinted and leaned closer for a closer look, then exclaimed, "Oh my! I knew it! Isn't this Xue Amao?"

He then grabbed Xue Chenghuai's beard and looked him over from left to right: "Ah Mao, you've aged quite a bit!"

"..."

Xue Chenghuai rolled his eyes: "You talk as if you're very young."

Xue Chan, who was still standing in front of the door, coughed twice, interrupting the two of them.

Guan Shan looked at her again and asked Xue Chenghuai, "Who is this little girl?"

Xue Chenghuai said, "That's my daughter."

Xue Chan bowed to him and said, "This junior greets Uncle Guan."

“Oh, they’re so big already…” Guan Shan looked at Xue Chan, then at Xue Chenghuai, and shook his head. “They don’t look like the kind of child you could have.”

Xue Chenghuai said calmly, "She looks like her mother."

Guan Shan suddenly became more lucid, recalled the past, and truly felt how time flies; the two of them had really grown old.

His gaze fell on Xue Chenghuai's cane, and he sighed, "Ah, Mao..."

Xue Chenghuai nudged him: "Alright, as the host, how can you let your guests stand outside?"

Guan Shan nodded, stuffed the wine jar into his arms, and quickly stepped forward to invite the two inside.

"Fast forward, fast forward."

He swept the dust off the table and chairs with his sleeve and beckoned to Xue Chan: "Come, Xue girl, sit here!"

Xue Chan looked at Xue Chenghuai, who nodded before bowing to Guan Shan again and sitting down in a chair.

Guan Shan himself walked back and forth inside and outside the two small rooms, searching everywhere.

After rummaging through them, they found some fruit cakes and drinks.

He touched his sparse hair, his face still flushed: "You didn't even tell me you were coming, and there's nothing here..."

Xue Chenghuai sighed: "I brought them all."

Guan Shan's eyes lit up, and he raised an eyebrow: "This is so embarrassing."

Xue Chenghuai smiled, holding his wine glass: "You have no shame."

Xue Chan and her entourage plated the fruits, cakes, meat, wine, and drinks they had brought, and prepared a small feast.

Weary birds return to the forest, the sun sets behind the mountains on a clear day, and night falls completely.

Xue Chan lit another lamp and placed it on the table. The candlelight illuminated the two people who had not seen each other for many years, making their eyes brimming with tears.

She lit a lamp, added wine, and went outside to sit in another bamboo house.

The two rooms were not far apart, and through the window, one could see Xue Chenghuai and the others sitting under the lamp drinking together.

Faintly, one could hear Guan Shan's tearful sighs.

“Ah Mao…”

Xue Chan walked slowly, holding the candlestick, looking around. The room, neither too big nor too small, contained only a couch and a table, but also many shelves of various sizes.

There are books, paintings, and stones above, and on the desk under the window, there are unfinished seals.

With nothing to do, Xue Chan sat on the chair reading the poems and manuscripts, and when she got tired of reading, she would look at the engraved seals.

She was so engrossed in watching that she lost track of time.

"Little girl, are you interested?"

Xue Chan looked up as Xue Chenghuai and Guan Shan walked in. She shook her head and said with a faint smile, "It's just that an old friend of mine also knows how to carve seals."

Guan Shan scratched his head and said, "I was thinking of saying that if you like me, I'd take you as my disciple."

Xue Chan asked him, "You carve so well, haven't you ever taken on any disciples?"

Upon hearing her words, Guan Shan, who was already somewhat drunk, narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment.

“A few years ago, I took on a disciple. He really liked my seal and even gave me some wine, just so I could teach him. At first, I refused, but the wine was really good, so I reluctantly taught him a couple of moves. As it turned out, the kid was young, quick to learn, and sincere, so I taught him for two more days.”

Xue Chan then asked, "And your disciple..."

Guan Shan thought for a moment, then blurted out, "Dead!"

Xue Chan was taken aback.

Guan Shan lowered his head, somewhat regretfully: "I heard he died. Such high comprehension at such a young age, and such a sincere request to become a disciple..."

"Uncle has something for you."

Xue Chan approached, and Guan Shan handed her a small box, urging, "I heard from your father that he gave you a courtesy name. You also paint, so you should have your own personal seal to stamp on your paintings. Consider this your uncle's gift for our first meeting."

She accepted the box and bowed respectfully to express her gratitude.

"Thump"

Before he could finish speaking, he collapsed drunk on the ground right in front of Xue Chan.

Xue Chenghuai and Xue Chan quickly carried him to the bed, where Guan Shan mumbled incoherently.

"What a pity, what a pity..."

Several people carried him to the bed.

It was late at night when Xue Chan opened the box under the lamp and took out the seal to examine it closely.

A small seal with the four characters "Xue Taisu Seal" engraved on it.

However, she may never be able to paint a painting that can be printed with her name again, nor be worthy of the title "Xue Taisu".

Xue Chan let out a long breath, lay down on the table, curled her hands, tightly gripped the seal, and fell asleep.

The rooster crows at dawn, and it is just getting light outside.

Xue Chan glanced at the water clock, then tiptoed out of the house and sat down with her knees drawn up on a stone step outside.

The gentle mountain breeze brushed against my face, making me feel refreshed.

Someone sat down next to her.

Xue Chan turned her head and saw Cheng Zheng sitting beside her.

She was still so young, just like she had been after leaving Xue Chan.

Xue Chan couldn't imagine what she would look like when she grew old; she had never seen it.

She grew from an innocent child into a naive teenager, and finally into a dashing young man who rushed into her arms.

Cheng Zheng caught her, touched Xue Chan's face, and smiled gently.

“Our Qiaoniang has grown up too.”

Are you disappointed that I can't draw it?

Cheng Zheng looked down at her and smiled, then asked her a question.

Are you disappointed in yourself?

Xue Chan shook her head. The two sat quietly for a long time before she got up and left.

Cheng Zheng smiled and asked her.

Are you leaving?

Xue Chan answered her.

"Well, I should go now."

"This time, you won't cry and beg to stay anymore? You won't say, 'Don't abandon me,' will you?"

"You've always been here, haven't you?"

Xue Chan covered her chest and laughed, "I am your flesh and blood, a part of you is in my body, you shaped me into the complete person."

Her tears fell.

"I am here, you are here. Even if you are not here, I am still here, therefore you are here."

She made her who she is.

She became herself.

Xue Chan raised her head from her desk and sat up straight. The sky outside gradually turned blue and then white. A red sun pierced through the clouds and slowly rose from the rolling green hills.

As the sun rose and fell, Guan Shan saw Xue Chan and the others off.

He walked into the house with his hands behind his back and looked up at the painting hanging on the wall.

As the sun rises in the east, it shines upon the green mountains and long river, where the verdant peaks stretch endlessly, and the river's banks are a clear blue with reddish hues. A small boat drifts on the water, its prow propelled by a pole, cutting through the surface. On the opposite bank, the green mountains are faintly visible, with a narrow path winding its way through them.

Guan Shan stroked his beard.

Life is a long journey; how can one navigate it? Only by crossing it oneself.

"Hey! When are you going to accept me as your disciple?"

Huanxi crossed his arms, walked around to Guanshan, and asked with a furrowed brow.

Guan Shan smiled, shook his head, and walked out the door.

"When will your heart be as open as this painting?"

painting?

Huanxi lazily raised his eyes, then paused.

He chased after Guan Shan and asked, "Who painted that picture of yours?"

Guan Shan stood on the slope, stroking his beard, looking at the people walking on the mountain path.

Huanxi immediately mounted his horse and gave chase, until he reached the edge of the mountains and saw the somewhat familiar figure.

He asked loudly.

"May I have your name?"

Xue Chan mounted her horse without looking back, but spoke loudly.

"Yuchuan, Xue Taisu."