Chapter 29 Through thick and thin, but you're all I have left as family...

Since the couple got married, there have been occasional times like this late at night.

Deng Jieming was sleeping very soundly, but he would suddenly tense up, breathe rapidly, and make some indistinct sobs in his throat.

Guo Jia was always prepared to deal with this situation at any time.

Upon waking up, he would immediately pull his wife to his chest, calling her name and comforting her, gently patting her back and pressing his hand against her face, coaxing her in a low, gentle voice: "Tell me, don't be afraid... Jia is here, home is here."

The root of this problem lies in that autumn of the second year of Xingping, a time when the air was thick with the smell of burning.

After the fall of Lujiang, the peaceful city of Wancheng, the administrative center, was shattered by the iron hooves of Sun Ce's army.

With Prefect Lu Kang dying for the city, the Deng family, as one of the wealthiest merchants in Lujiang, naturally became the primary target for plunder.

When Guo Jia and Deng Jie returned to Wancheng after overcoming numerous hardships, the once grand and imposing three-story mansion had been burned to the ground, leaving only scorched earth and ruins.

They bypassed the guards and sneaked in through a hole in the back building. What they saw were broken walls, charred beams and pillars, and tattered rags scattered all over the ground.

The air was filled with a nauseating smell of burning and... another, even more ominous odor.

Finding no other traces in the ruins, the two searched for the self-sufficient farmland beside the house, where Deng Jie suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Beside the garden, under that old locust tree, a pile of charred, unrecognizable skeletons, about a dozen or twenty in number, were hastily stacked together.

She approached tremblingly, suppressing the nausea and palpitations in her heart, searching for proof of her family.

Some fragments of clothing that weren't completely burned finally plunged her into despair.

The dark silk with a meander pattern was the deep robe that Mother usually wore;

The brocade must be the cuffs of the older sister-in-law's sleeves;

She remembered that the orange-red, frayed linen was her nephew Ming'er's favorite fabric...

Her legs went weak, and she let out a loud retching sound, but she couldn't cough up or vomit, and she couldn't even shed a tear.

An immense pain descended upon her like an ice curtain, and she felt her vision go black as she fell straight backward.

Guo Jia stayed close by and caught her with lightning speed.

He was also feeling bad at that moment.

Two years ago, they set off from here, and the family hurriedly put the half-asleep Guo Jia onto the carriage.

Guo Jia still remembered their repeated instructions and concern for him. The amulet coins given to him by Deng's mother were still weighing heavily on his chest.

But he couldn't fall; he had to protect Deng Jie and get him out of there safely.

Just as Guo Jia was carrying Deng Jie back to the rear quarters, the footsteps of a patrolling group of soldiers approached.

"There was a sound just now, hurry and find it!"

In desperation, he hid in the pigsty, which had been looted but still reeked of a foul stench.

He held his breath, shielding Deng Jie tightly beneath him, listening to the heavy footsteps growing closer, a tremendous fear almost choking him.

"Smack!"

An orange cat leaped down from the roof, landed on the edge of a half-broken earthenware jar, and kicked it with its hind legs, shattering the cracked jar into pieces.

Guo Jia stole a glance; it was the orange cat that had been hiding in the crevice of the rocks when he and Deng Jie first met under the locust tree.

Back then, it would wander around the mansion with Guo Jia, making Deng Jie blush and his heart race.

The orange cat arched its back, puffed up its fur, and stood up its tail in front of a group of soldiers who were pointing knives at it, making frightened "whimpering" sounds.

"It was a cat!"

"You've made me happy for nothing, just die already!" a soldier said, raising his sword, which startled the creature so much that it fled.

"Don't let it get away, or it'll come back to cause trouble next time!" The soldier commanded, brandishing his sword, and the group gave chase.

Guo Jia tightened his grip and watched through the gap as the little guy convulsed and collapsed in a pool of blood. The other soldiers kicked him in disgust and cursed.

After the group had gone far away, Guo Jia, feeling suffocated with frustration, carried Deng Jie back to their lodging with great difficulty.

When Deng Jie woke up, fragments of her memory pierced her mind like icicles, sending a chill down her spine.

"Say hello, you're awake?" Guo Jia noticed that she had opened her eyes and went closer to check on her.

But Deng Jie remained curled up on the couch as if he hadn't heard her.

The images of her loved ones' laughter and the charred remains of her body overlapped in her mind, causing her body to tremble involuntarily, and tears to silently stream down her face.

Guo Jia's eyes were full of heartache. He gently stroked her and turned to go find Bupa.

Just then, Deng Jie's eyes widened in surprise, and he pulled out a silver hairpin from his hair, intending to stab it into his throat.

When Guo Jia turned around, he was so frightened that he grabbed her hand and tried to snatch the hairpin.

"Say it!" he roared, snatching the silver hairpin and throwing it to the ground.

Deng Jie's defenses crumbled, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam. She sobbed, her mouth agape, "Mother...Sister-in-law...Ming'er..."

Guo Jiaqiang held her close, his arms tightly wrapped around her body, letting her feel his body heat as much as possible.

“My home is gone… my family is gone… let me go with them… sob…” She closed her eyes tightly, and large tears rolled down onto Guo Jia’s shoulder.

“I have no family left! You are my only family… What will I do if you leave?” Guo Jia trembled with her. He had always been reluctant to hurt himself, but now he was so anxious that he told the truth.

Deng Jie was taken aback by these words and was clearly stunned.

Guo Jia gently helped her up, staring into her blank eyes, and said, word by word, as if making a vow: "If even you abandon me in this world, then I... will not live alone."

The moment you leave, I'll follow you!

He pulled out amulets from his pocket. "You tied these on for me yourself three years ago on New Year's Eve. You said, 'No matter what the future holds, we'll always be family for now...'"

As Deng Jie looked at the token that her mother had placed in her hand, which she had then personally given to Guo Jia under the cover of night—a token representing "family"—she couldn't help but shed tears again.

At that time, I only thought of cherishing the companionship of the present moment, but my words have come true and have become my only attachment now.

"You've chosen your own husband, your own 'family'... and now you're just going to abandon him like this?"

Deng Jie still remembers Guo Jia's unusual behavior on New Year's Eve, where he kept himself far away from the festivities and hid in the darkness and cold, seeking self-consolation.

Overwhelmed by the pain of losing a loved one and the heartache of parting with Guo Jia, she collapsed helplessly into his arms, stammering, "I...I don't know...I don't know..."

"Look, there are still people guarding the ruins of the house today. It must be because Brother Yuanming appeared. They are waiting for him to come to them!" Guo Jia tried to find a reason for her to live.

These words brought a glimmer of light to Deng Jie's eyes. "Brother...are you really still alive?"

"Definitely! Brother Yuanming arrived a few days earlier than us, so he may have visited the Deng residence and then fled."

He must be somewhere waiting for us to come find him!

Guo Jia seized this glimmer of hope, cupped her face in his hands, and said, "You can't let Brother Yuanming also be left without any family..."

Deng Jie's small mouth trembled, and she began to sob again, "Brother..."

She threw herself into Guo Jia's arms and wept bitterly, this time with a deep longing for her brother and an outpouring of immense grief.

Guo Jia finally felt relieved and began to plan for her future, consolidating the life that had just been stabilized: "It was your Deng family that took me in and gave me a place to stay."

I now promise you that no matter the cost, I will support you and provide for your family.

He paused, his eyes sharpening. "Once we find Brother Yuanming, I will go and seek refuge with Wenruo."

He had previously advised me to go to Cao Mengde's side, but I refused, citing illness as the reason.

Deng Jie weakly raised his tearful eyes, his voice hoarse: "But...didn't you say you hated the infighting and backstabbing in Yuan Shao's officialdom the most? It was just a waste of energy..."

"Yuan Shao's factions were numerous and constantly fighting each other."

With Wenruo in charge, Cao Mengde would naturally support the scholars of Yingchuan.

Besides, what if you hate it?

For you... it's nothing more than navigating the complexities of human relationships; Jia is confident in her abilities.

The two embraced and encouraged each other to "live on," finally getting through that cold night.

From then on, whenever Deng Jie uttered such ramblings, Guo Jia would immediately offer her warmth and comfort, repeatedly confirming the only bond they shared in this chaotic world.

That day, Guo Jia returned from his inspection outside the city. Deng Jie, having nothing else to do, went for a stroll in the flower fields outside the city and waited for him on the road he was sure to pass.

Guo Jia's carriage indeed passed by, and he was overjoyed to see his wife waiting there. He helped her into the carriage, and the two of them nestled together.

As they reached the moat, Guo Jia gazed at the shimmering water outside the window and suddenly exclaimed, "My brother Lingde recently wrote to say that he plans to move to Guangling."

"Guangling... must be the place where Mr. Chen Yuanlong is the prefect."

“Indeed. Chen Yuanlong is indeed a capable minister. He has managed Guangling very well, and many local officials have submitted memorials praising him.”

He surveyed both banks of the river, noting, "Although Guangling is fortified, it faces Jianye across the river... Sun Ce is now in Jiangdong, no longer the dependent he once was. His power is like a tiger, and all the gentry of Jiangdong have submitted to him."

Although Deng Jie didn't know much about these military and political matters, the name "Sun Ce" still stirred her long-calm heart, and her eyes dimmed slightly. "You will be fighting Sun Ce sooner or later."

"That's natural."

The land of Jiangdong is crisscrossed by waterways, and further complicated by the presence of rivers.

Its soldiers were all skilled in water, and its boats and rafts were unparalleled in the world.

If our army were to march south in the future, it would surely be a challenge for our brave soldiers from the north…

Guo Jia stared at the children who had been called away from playing by the river and sighed softly, "Our soldiers are fearless when it comes to riding horses, shooting arrows, and charging into battle, but when it comes to the water..."

"Naval warfare... In short, can't we learn to swim?" Deng Jie recalled their time in Qiao County, his eyes filled with doubt. "Just like how you taught me to swim and how to rescue people in the water, if I could receive specialized training, I should be able to do that too?"

"Cough cough..." Guo Jia choked unexpectedly, his eyes darting around.

He dared not tell her that he had taught her to swim in Qiao County with the filthy intention of seeing her clothes soaked.

As for the method of saving people, it was of course just something I made up afterward to cover up my unease and bad intentions, and also to give myself a legitimate excuse to teach some physical contact.

Her candid question suggests she has probably completely forgotten what happened to her after being pulled from the water...

However, Guo Jia dared not tell her these things honestly. "Is...is that right..."

He gave a vague reply, his mind racing, trying to change the subject, "But after all, not everyone has the opportunity to practice in the water."

In the north, the weather is cold and the plains are mostly flat, so ordinary soldiers don't have the opportunity to specifically train in the water.

Naval warfare is not something that can be accomplished in a day. In my opinion, before facing Sun Ce in the future, we must first take Jingzhou.”

As he spoke, he kept glancing at Deng Jie's expression, afraid that she would continue talking about Qiao County. "The Jingzhou Navy has been cultivated by Liu Biao for many years and has a deep foundation. Letting them deal with the Jiangdong Navy is the best strategy."

Deng's attention was diverted by the topic of "Jingzhou Navy," and he nodded thoughtfully, no longer asking about learning about water.

Guo Jia secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The next day, when Deng Jie was returning home from Xiangfang, he passed by the river in the west of the city when a commotion suddenly broke out ahead.

"Someone has fallen into the water!"

"Help! Is there anyone who can swim?!"

"Quick, find a stick! Find a stick!"

"That's a girl from the Li family!"

Deng Jie's heart tightened, and he quickly squeezed into the crowd.

Although the spring tide is not entirely cold, it comes faster than in winter.

She watched the woman struggling in the water, gradually losing her strength, but no one on the shore came forward to save her. Even the soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, only urging each other to find long sticks.

They were all men from the north, most of whom couldn't swim. Going into the water in this weather was risky; whether they could save anyone was another matter, but they themselves would likely drown.

"The stick is coming! The stick is coming!"

The soldiers stretched their long sticks down, but the girl didn't appreciate it.

"Miss Li! Grab her quickly!" the people on the shore shouted anxiously.

"No way, she jumped down herself!"

"Someone still needs to go into the water!"

"She...she danced it all by herself...so...just leave it alone..."

These words reached Deng Jie's ears, and she was filled with conflicting emotions.

But no matter what... we can't just stand by and watch her die!

"What should we do? Should we... just give up...?"

The soldiers were about to put away their wooden sticks when Deng Jie stopped them: "Wait! I'm going down, you pull me up!"

Upon closer inspection, they realized it was the Lady of the Imperial Academy, and were startled, desperately trying to stop her.

Deng Jie took off his outer robe, gripped the wooden stick, and shouted sternly, "Hold on tight!"

The crowd surged forward, and even more people gathered on both banks, all on edge.

"Has...has the Lady of the Imperial Academy gone down?!"

"Quickly, go and summon the chief priest!"

"Hurry up!"

"Miss Li, please don't do anything rash!"

The icy river water instantly chilled Deng Jie to the bone, and she couldn't help but shiver from the cold.

She gripped the wooden stick and paddled with all her might, swimming toward the figure that was about to sink.

The soldiers on the shore coordinated with her movements, and more wooden sticks were extended to help her stop the young woman's body.

The icy water crashed against Deng Jie, making her movements increasingly difficult.

But the memories of Qiao County and Xishui sustained her as she silently told herself: Don't panic... approach from behind, grab her under the armpits... tilt her head back...

She finally caught the girl, used all her strength to turn her over, wrapped one arm around her armpit to hold her body tightly and gripped the stick, and used the other hand to paddle desperately, moving her towards the shore.

When she came ashore, her lips pale and trembling, the surrounding crowd cheered.

Ignoring her own trembling, she first laid the girl flat on the ground and pressed her chest against her chest. Only when the girl opened her eyes and woke up did she breathe a sigh of relief.

The rescued girl's family also arrived, and they held their daughter and cried bitterly.

Deng Jie sat slumped and instructed them: "Quickly...quickly take her back...change her into dry clothes...wrap her in a thick blanket...give her some hot ginger soup...be...be slow...don't burn her..."

As the surrounding crowd was clamoring for her to quickly take off a piece of clothing for his wife, Guo Jia eagerly squeezed in from outside the crowd.

He saw his wife sitting on the ground, soaking wet, shivering, and pale. His heart ached, and he quickly took off his outer robe and wrapped it tightly around her.

"Have you explained everything? Let's go home first!" Guo Jia helped her up, and the soldiers cleared a path for them to leave.

Back in the warm bedroom, Guo Jia lit a charcoal fire, wiped her body, changed her into dry clothes, and then gave her ginger soup.

Only then did Deng Jie's cold body finally regain some warmth, and her complexion improved.

Guo Jia's tense face suddenly darkened.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Guo Jia tried to suppress his anger, his voice low and filled with lingering fear as he roared at her, "This water is so cold, and you can't even swim, yet you dared to jump in?! Did all those people on the shore think you were dead?!"

Deng Jie trembled at his shout, but still raised his head and looked at him stubbornly: "Back then...back then no one dared to go into the water...it would have been too late if it had been any later!"

I know people from the North aren't good at swimming. But... but you taught me."

"I taught you?!" Guo Jia was so angry he almost laughed, his anger making him speak recklessly, "Do you think I taught you to swim with good intentions? I was just..."

He abruptly stopped talking, almost shouting out his dirty thoughts.

Looking into Deng Jie's innocent yet stubborn eyes, that lingering fear welled up in his heart again. "That shallow stuff... what good is it?! In this freezing weather, with the current so strong... you're already frozen stiff, what if, what if..."

He didn't dare mention the "what if," only feeling a sharp pain in his chest. "Do you know how dangerous that was? You almost got yourself killed!"

"Of course I know it's dangerous. If I'm in danger, everyone else is too! Besides, someone's already helping, isn't that right? I can't just stand by and watch someone die." Deng Jie turned his head away, unwilling to look at Guo Jia's unreasonable behavior.

Guo Jia's voice suddenly turned cold, and he said slowly in a low voice, "If one day I were the one who fell into the water, I would rather you just stand by and watch me die."

Deng Jie looked up at him in disbelief, then his face lit up with overwhelming grievance: "What nonsense are you spouting?! As long as I'm alive, I won't let you die! Whether it's drowning or disease!"

"…………" Guo Jia knew she was telling the truth.

He clearly remembered how she risked her life to follow the army for him, and how she, a weak woman, bravely went to Wancheng, hitting walls and asking for ways to get him out of prison.

But what he said was not a lie either.

Guo Jia could no longer suppress the pain in his heart. He pulled her into his arms and gripped her shoulders, trembling, "But you're my only family... You can't die."

These words made Deng Jie's heart tremble: "Am I the same..." She just clutched Guo Jia's clothes and silently shed tears.

Two souls, who depended on each other for survival in a chaotic world and regarded each other as their only family, embraced tightly. The heartache of lingering fear and the joy of having each other were intertwined, and they let their tears flow freely, expressing their fear, worry and endless love.

Although Guo Jia ordered Deng Jie to rest at home, she was still worried about the girl who had "caught her own death" and insisted on going to find her, otherwise wouldn't she have saved her in vain?

Guo Jia couldn't refuse her, so he had no choice but to accompany her on her search.

When they found the Li family's dilapidated house, they noticed that the atmosphere inside was somewhat strange.

The girl had caught a chill from choking on water and was running a high fever, yet her family forcibly tied her up and dressed her up.

Under duress and bribery, they learned that the family was after a wealthy old merchant and had forced the girl to enter his mansion.

The girl resisted to the death, and in desperation, she chose to drown herself yesterday.

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia and his wife both frowned in displeasure.

"Forcing someone to take a concubine is not the act of a gentleman," Guo Jia said coldly, but the family remained defiant.

Seeing that they were short of money and food, and remembering that the incense shop was newly established and short of manpower, Deng Jie asked, "If you could find a job to supplement your income, would you let Miss Li go?"

Deng Jie negotiated with them to hand over the girl. He offered to take her in with a monthly salary of three bushels of millet from his Jingnu Fang. The girl would keep one portion for herself and use the other portion to supplement her household expenses. Food and lodging were also guaranteed.

Upon hearing the terms, the Li family figured that even if they sent their daughter directly, it would only cost twenty bushels of millet, so they reluctantly agreed.

Upon hearing that she could break free from her bonds, Miss Li wept and thanked them on the ground.

Leaving the dilapidated house of the Li family, Guo Jia tightened his grip on Deng Jie's hand, saying, "Say Yi... you've grown up too."

Deng Jie looked at him with a puzzled expression, then remembered something, looked up at the horizon and whispered, "Only by surviving..." He leaned his head on Deng Jie's shoulder.

Guo Jia nodded slowly, feeling comforted, and leaned on him, walking side by side.