Side Story 3: This Life Is Enough

Upon arriving in Jiangnan, the two enjoyed a truly leisurely period.

Listening to the rain while sipping tea, boating on the lake, admiring flowers and watching fish, all the busyness and turmoil of the first half of life settles in the misty rain of Jiangnan.

However, after only half a year, Lou Jin became restless.

It's not that I'm not used to a leisurely life, but rather that my deep-seated habit of serving the world and its people is hard to change.

Ye Xunyang watched him occasionally staring blankly at the empty courtyard and couldn't help but complain, "Ah Jin, I think you're just not destined for a life of leisure and comfort."

Lou Jin chuckled and pulled him close, saying, "Perhaps. I just feel... I should do something."

So the two left the bustling and comfortable water towns of Jiangnan and found a quiet but open mountain area nearby, where they built several rows of houses.

They no longer hide in the city, but in the mountains and forests, not to protect themselves.

Lou Jin spread the word that he would take in homeless orphans and homeless beggars.

At first, they just gave us food and shelter from the wind and rain.

Later, seeing that some of the children had good physiques and bright eyes, Ye Xunyang couldn't help but start teaching them some martial arts to strengthen their bodies, while Lou Jin would occasionally tell them some simple military strategy stories.

Unexpectedly, this teaching became uncontrollable.

More and more children are coming here either because they hear about it or because they are sent here.

The two decided to turn the place into an informal martial arts school, which was called "Qingshan Camp" by the local people because it was located in the mountains.

Here, there is no distinction between noble and lowly, only character and talent matter.

Ye Xunyang was in charge of honing physical strength and teaching martial arts. He was extremely strict, and anyone who was lazy or tried to slack off would be chased all over the mountain by him with a small tree branch.

Lou Jin taught him military strategy and the principles of conduct, subtly cultivating his character and educating him from a young age.

Those who achieved academic success and passed the character test were personally recommended by Lou Jin and Ye Xunyang to join either the Lou Yan Army in the Northwest or the Ye Family Army, starting from the bottom and rising through the ranks based on military merit.

Those who are less talented or whose temperament needs further tempering will remain in the mountains to be "trained" by the two.

The young men who went out to serve gradually gained a good reputation in the army. They were skilled in martial arts, knowledgeable in military strategy, and, more importantly, loyal and reliable, becoming a solid force in the border army.

The news eventually reached the capital.

Upon hearing this, Lou Wu was filled with emotion and admiration, insisting on personally inscribing a plaque to bestow upon his elder brother, the Emperor, and General Ye, to commend their merits.

Upon hearing this, Lou Jin wrote three letters to dissuade him, but to no avail. However, he was eventually persuaded to stop by someone.

It was none other than the current Empress, Ye Ying.

Ye Ying is the first daughter of Ye Xunqin and Anar. She inherited her father's heroic spirit and her mother's intelligence and grace. She was exceptionally intelligent and courageous from a young age.

For some reason, at a palace banquet, Lou Wu, who was more than ten years her senior, took a liking to her and, against all odds, made her empress.

She knew that her third uncle and great-uncle's actions were intended to cultivate talent for the country, not to seek fame, and she did not want to be involved in any kind of turmoil in her later years.

While the plaque personally inscribed by the emperor was certainly an honor, it also meant that the two elders would once again come into the public eye, which contradicted their original intention of living in seclusion.

At her urging, the emperor finally gave up the idea of ​​bestowing a plaque, but instead sent some supplies needed in the mountains in his private capacity from time to time, providing silent support.

Decades have passed quietly amidst green hills and white clouds, the children's clear voices reciting their lessons, and the shouts of drills.

Ye Xunyang had passed the age of fifty, and Lou Jin was already an old man in his sixties. They gradually felt their energy waning and could no longer teach new students.

Fortunately, several of the outstanding disciples trained in the early years have long lived in the mountains, inheriting their mantle and legacy, and continuing the legacy of this mountain villa.

News came from the Northwest that Prince Lou Yan and Yu Beichen had passed away peacefully in the Northwest military camp many years ago. Before their deaths, they entrusted the burden of the Northwest to the Seventh Prince Lou Jing.

Princess Anuo of Nanzhao has also abdicated in favor of her daughter and is now living out her days in her homeland.

Lou Shang, a resident of Beijing, is surrounded by his children and grandchildren, enjoying the bliss of family life.

Ye Xunjin was stationed in the Ministry of War in the capital, while his son inherited his father's ambition and was stationed in the northern frontier.

Ye Xunqin had long since resigned from his official post in the imperial court and settled down in Kapok Village to be the chieftain and husband of Anar, spending his remaining years with him.

Five years later, on an autumn day.

Lou Jin was eventually old and frail, and a serious illness struck, which proved ineffective with any medicine.

He held Ye Xunyang's hand, which was covered in calluses but still warm, and looked at the lover who had accompanied him throughout his life, his eyes filled with a calm that was a mixture of relief and reluctance.

"Xunyang... In this life, having you by my side is enough..." The voice gradually faded until it fell silent.

Lou Jin, the regent who once held immense power and also found solace in nature, peacefully closed his eyes.

Ye Xunyang did not cry or wail.

He simply sat quietly by the bed, holding Lou Jin's already cold hand, and watched him all night.

The next morning, when the disciples came to pay their respects, they found Ye Xunyang dressed neatly, lying peacefully beside Lou Jin, having already passed away.

His face was serene, and there was even a smile on his lips.

Just like the day they got married decades ago, the autumn sky was clear and cloudless.

(End of article)