If it were earlier in November, Xiaoyue City would have been covered with snow, and the sky and the earth would have been wrapped in silver.
But for some reason, the weather is always fine during the days when Yuan Musheng visits every year.
The sky is clear and blue without any clouds, which is perfect for gazing into the distance and for calming the mind.
Suitable, don’t think about anything.
In the busyness of the whole year, only during these few days did he no longer care about the trivial matters of the court or the changes in the officialdom.
Usually, he would go to Helian Mansion in Xiaoyue City first.
The first time I came here, the gates of the Helian Mansion were closed, the house was dead silent, and there was not even a doorman.
He waited outside the door for a long time until someone got the news, and then a servant came hurriedly and led him into the main hall.
After another cup of tea, an elderly woman was seen being supported out.
It’s Mrs. Helian.
Her hair had turned gray, her figure was thin, her steps were slow, and her eyes were full of fatigue.
But when she saw who the person was, a glimmer of light was ignited in her cloudy eyes.
That day, she held Yuan Musheng's hand and chattered for most of the day. Even at dinner time, she ate a lot more than usual.
She asked him if it had been hard coming all the way from Dacheng; she also asked how his life had been over the past year; and she also asked if his family was doing well...
He asked extremely detailed questions, as if he was using these questions to piece together his life over the past year.
Yuan Musheng also answered patiently, and gently recounted his experiences of the past year, even telling some trivial matters.
Mrs. Helian listened very carefully, holding his hand tightly the whole time.
After listening to it, she just nodded lightly, the corners of her lips slightly curved, and she kept repeating one word in her mouth -
"good."
"well……"
As it was getting dark, Mrs. Helian asked him to stay, and he did not refuse.
She personally led him to the guest house and arranged for him to live next to the courtyard where Helian Yu once lived.
When she reached the door, she stopped and stared at the closed door quietly, her expression dazed and her eyes dark.
But when she turned around, there was still a gentle smile on her face, and she handed the lamp in her hand to him.
"He's a talkative child..."
"Ah Sheng, go see him tomorrow."
Her voice was gentle, as if she was expressing some extremely cherished wish.
"Spend more time with him. He'll definitely be happy to know you're here..."
Yuan Musheng took the lamp, tightened his fingertips slightly, and felt the warmth slowly pass through the lamp and into his palm.
He lowered his eyelashes, was silent for a moment, and then slowly nodded.
"Okay, I will."
…
He did not tell Mrs. Helian that he would come next year.
Mrs. Helian never asked him if he would come again.
But when he came back the next year, the Helian Mansion had already opened its doors and hung lights, and it was no longer as desolate as it once was.
The servant who waited on him said to him,
"Madam had people clean the yard and prepare things a few days ago. She must have guessed that the young master would come..."
Every year after that, it became a habit for him to go to Helian Mansion first when he came to Xiaoyue City.
This is not a difficult thing for him.
It is also his duty to show filial piety to his friend's mother.
Mrs. Helian would also tell him about herself or the latest news in Xiaoyue City.
Jing Yang is occasionally mentioned.
There was always a hint of guilt in Madam Helian's eyes when she mentioned her, "It's also our Ayu who delayed this good child..."
Yuan Musheng just remained silent for a moment and comforted her.
"Don't worry, this is the life Jingyang chose."
Mrs. Helian didn't say it, but he knew it.
Ever since Jingyang went to Dacheng for his wedding, he has been traveling south alone.
In a year, I can only go back to Xiaoyue City a few times.
The two had never met each other in the few times Yuan Musheng came.
I guess she is still traveling outside these days and has no idea when she will return.
Yuan Musheng didn't force it. If he couldn't meet her, then he wouldn't meet her.
Madam Helian sighed slightly, then changed the subject and asked,
"A Sheng, has Her Royal Highness the Princess chosen a marriage for you?"
Yuan Musheng shook his head and explained, "My mother said there's no rush. It's better to treat me the way I like."
Madam Helian smiled slightly, and nodded without asking any more questions.
"That's right, you're a smart kid, it's best for you to make your own decision."
The next day, Yuan Musheng rode alone on horseback to the outskirts of Xiaoyue City and went to the Helian clan's tomb.
The snow in front of the monument was still shallow, and occasionally a few dead leaves fell on it, but it did not look messy.
I guess Mrs. Helian often comes here to take care of it.
Yuan Musheng slowly squatted down, brushed off the snow and fallen leaves, and his fingertips touched the body of the monument, which was surprisingly cold.
He cleaned carefully until the tomb was as clean as before, and then he sat down on the ground.
He brought wine, poured a glass skillfully, and placed it gently in front of the tombstone.
"You've chosen a good place."
Yuan Musheng raised his head slightly and looked into the distance.
Helian Yu's tombstone faces Xiaoyue City, with a very broad view. Under the sky and cloud shadows, the vast mountains and rivers are in full view.
He smiled gently, his eyes falling on the tombstone, as if the two of them could still sit side by side in the past, drinking and chatting.
——Even if we just have a sip of wine each, we can talk about everything under the sun for a whole day.
Just as he raised his glass to drink, he suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Mind if I get another drink?"
The voice was brisk and had a hint of a smile, like a breeze blowing through the winter snow.
The wine glass in Yuan Musheng's hand paused slightly, and his back suddenly tensed up.
Before he turned around, the man had already walked up to him with light steps and sat down beside him. His movements were so natural that it seemed as if they had made an agreement beforehand.
He turned his head and met a pair of eyes as bright as stars.
——It’s Jingyang.
Her eyes were full of smiles and she was smiling as always.
Behind her, Jinghong circled and descended, landing lightly on Helian Yu's tombstone.
The posture was exactly the same as it had been countless times in the past when it landed on its master's shoulders.
Yuan Musheng was silent for a moment, looking at the dark shadow on the tombstone with a deep and silent look in his eyes.
Jingyang didn't urge him, but took out a jar of wine from his package and poured two glasses skillfully.
She raised her glass, tilted her head slightly, and smiled.
"haven't seen you for a long time."
Yuan Musheng's eyes moved slightly, he came back to his senses, raised his hand and touched her lightly.
The crisp sound of wine glasses clinking echoed faintly in the empty cemetery.
He whispered,
"haven't seen you for a long time."
…
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