Chapter 824 Accompany Me to See the Snow

Song Chunxue took a roasted potato, tapped it on the ground to knock the dirt off the skin, and then peeled off the skin.

The potatoes, roasted to a slightly golden brown, emitted a delicate aroma. She broke one open with both hands; the inside was roasted until it was loose and slightly yellow, with a sandy and soft texture. She blew on it a couple of times and took a bite—it was delicious.

The second son, not getting a reply from her, also cracked the potato on the ground, took a bite with the crispy bits, and said, "Mmm~ this is delicious. I'll roast a few more when I get home."

“I’m going to the capital with him and won’t be back for several years. I guess I’ll settle down there and never come back.”

Suddenly, Song Chunxue uttered these words.

The second son was stunned for a moment, and a strong sense of disappointment enveloped him instantly, but only for a moment. He could understand his mother's actions.

After all, my mother is getting on in years, and it's not easy to find someone who understands and cares for her. It would be so nice to support each other. But suddenly we have to separate, and she might regret it for most of her life.

That man was no ordinary man; he was Lord Xie.

Besides, Lord Zhao and the others are still in the capital, so Mother won't be lonely over there.

"Mother went to the capital with Lord Xie, which puts our minds at ease. Besides, the capital is the safest place. If there is any unrest, with so many guards, even if the country changes hands, they will only storm the palace and not rush into the homes of ordinary people."

The second son, chewing on the burning words, said in a serious tone, "Lord Xie has even more connections over there, and he can protect Mother very well."

Song Chunxue laughed, "Truth or dare?"

“Yes, to be honest,” the second son said earnestly, “I’ve only realized since we got married that living with someone is better than living alone.”

“I used to think that people become more mature, sensible, independent and self-reliant as they get older. But in fact, adults are not as good as children. Children don’t particularly want a stranger to accompany them, except for their parents, but adults do.”

Song Chunxue said irritably, "That's you, I didn't."

The second son laughed too, stuffing the remaining potatoes into his mouth, his cheeks bulging.

"That's because you haven't separated yet, and you're far away from Lord Xie. You must miss him terribly."

"Smack!"

The second son received a solid slap on the shoulder.

"Aren't you ashamed? You're not me." She let out a sigh of relief. "Actually, I want to stay."

Just as Lord Xie reached the doorway and was about to lift the curtain, he stopped.

The third child, who was following behind, stood silently, wanting to turn around and leave.

"Why?" The second brother was surprised, a joyful smile unconsciously spreading across his face. "You're worried about us?"

“It’s not just that,” Song Chunxue sighed softly, “In the capital, my situation, as well as Wu Bing and Wu Shuang’s, will suffer as well.”

"Although Lord Xie is highly regarded by the Emperor, the arrival of Wu Bing and Wu Shuang shows that in the eyes of those in high positions of power, I am me and Xie Zheng is Xie Zheng."

"Furthermore, I am a cultivator, not a woman who has remarried. I have disciples, and I have you all. Currently, there is unrest in various places, and all realms of humanity are also restless. The weapons I gave you before were things that others coveted."

She chuckled lightly, "I can't find any peace in the capital. I'm easily manipulated by various forces. Although I have my senior brother, he's not a god with all the power in the world. I'll only cause him trouble."

Thinking of his senior brother's repeated instructions before leaving, Song Chunxue suddenly realized what he meant.

His implication was quite clear: no matter what happens, one must maintain one's original intention and persevere in spiritual practice.

The eldest brother probably foresaw this day long ago, and there are probably many reasons why he gave her these instructions that she doesn't know.

Therefore, after weighing the options, she will not go to the capital.

Lord Xie is a good man. It would be wonderful if we could stay together forever, but they both have their own missions and are not free to do as they please.

If there weren't so many scheming people in the capital, she might consider following Lord Xie to the capital for cultivation, and taking Changfeng and Changyun with her.

Now that she had taken on apprentices, she couldn't hold them back.

Furthermore, Lord Zhao had already left his apprentice Wuji behind, foreseeing that she would not be able to enter the capital.

"Cough cough cough..."

The sound of Sanwa coughing came from outside the door.

The second son stood up instantly and turned around to see Lord Xie stepping into the room.

He quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, sir."

"Are you eating roasted potatoes?" he asked with a smile. "Did you save some for me?"

"There's one more."

As they were talking, Song Chunxue saw the second son step out of the threshold of the warm pavilion, lift the curtain outside the room, and whisper something to the third child.

Soon, the second and third children ran away, their footsteps crunching through the snow.

Song Chunxue picked up the fire tongs and took out the last potato.

"You heard everything?" Her expression was normal, and her tone was the same as usual. "You received an imperial decree ordering you to go to the capital?"

Lord Xie took the potato, weighed it in his hands, and then touched his ear.

"Yes, the Emperor has ordered me to set off for the capital within five days. If I disobey, Yun'er will be imprisoned."

He sat down and scoffed, "His methods are nothing special; he's finally revealed his true intentions."

Song Chunxue noticed that his hands were trembling slightly as he peeled the potatoes.

She reached out and pressed his hand down, "I'll peel it for you."

The next moment, she was held tightly in Lord Xie's arms.

The potato was a little hot, but he held onto it tightly.

The two of them squatted on the ground; it looked so awkward.

Song Chunxue pulled him up, put her arms around him, and the two embraced tightly.

Xie Zheng buried his face in her neck and let out a sad groan.

"Spring Snow, Song Chunxue."

His voice carried a sense of helplessness, sadness, reluctance, and a hint of resentment towards the current situation.

"Yes, I'm listening."

Unable to accompany him on his journey to the capital, she could only spend the rest of her days with him.

"Although I had anticipated your choice, hearing what you said still makes me..." He sniffed, stroked her back, and held her shoulders with both hands, speaking in a muffled voice, "I'm still sad."

A wave of indescribable emotions washed over Song Chunxue, and she even considered letting lust cloud her judgment and follow him to the capital.

But reason told her she couldn't do that; the capital wasn't a place for her.

Even if she goes, she will have no choice but to come back.

Or, it's hard to say whether they'll even make it back alive.

She still wanted to live a good life.

Separation is difficult, and over time it feels like being torn apart.

But that's life; nine times out of ten, things don't go as planned.

"Ah Xue, can you come outside with me to see the snow?" He gently nuzzled her cheek. "Spend these last five days with me."

Her Adam's apple bobbed, and after a moment's hesitation, she nodded in agreement.

"Aren't you going to take care of the government's affairs anymore?"

“Someone will take care of it, and I will send people to keep an eye on things at all times. I will go over and deal with any problems that arise.”

He reached out and touched her cheek, looking at her with red eyes, his tenderness and reluctance so intense it was impossible to tear them away.

Song Chunxue avoided eye contact.

He cupped her cheeks in his hands, forehead to forehead, and a thousand words seemed inadequate to express his feelings.

“Let’s go see the snow.” Song Chunxue took out a thick fox fur coat from her storage ring. “It’s getting colder and colder, and you’re getting older. When we get to the capital, we can find someone to take care of you.”