Chapter 56: Solo 37 “Look, we finally…
This autumn, Xie Qingyue was not included in the list of the Imperial Scholars, so he said goodbye to the emperor, accepted the post of a general guarding the border, and was about to set off.
Now everyone in the capital calls him General Xie.
Chen Ying's backyard is now full of herbs drying in the sun. She has set up a branch of "Dulan Mongolian Medicine" in Beijing. With the help of Shen's Pharmacy, her business is now doing very well.
The sweet-scented osmanthus flowers from the eaves have fallen all over the ground, making a rustling sound when you step on them.
When Xie Qingyue arrived, he caught her squatting by the stone table, sorting through herbs. Freshly dried herbs were spread out in a bamboo sieve. The sunlight fell on her light brown hair, giving it a warm glow.
He walked lightly, and Chen Ying turned around when she heard the noise.
He was wearing a very majestic black military uniform and a jade belt around his waist, which made him look very handsome.
Her eyes lit up, and she stood up and patted the medicine powder on her hands: "You're here. Are you leaving now?"
Xie Qingyue smiled and walked to the stone table and sat down. "Well, I'm leaving tomorrow and came to see you. Is there anything you want me to bring?"
"They shouldn't need anything. I'll write a letter and you can take it to them for me."
"good."
"Thank you, General. It's cold in the north. You should take good care of yourself now that you're going."
Xie Qingyue's eyes were fixed on her. "I have to say this to you, too. Dulan, take care of yourself. The capital is not like Nanjing. The situation here is complicated. You must not get involved with them. If you feel tired, come back to Loufan."
He took out a small leather bag from behind his waist and handed it to her.
She reached out and took it, somewhat puzzled.
"There's a musket inside. If the situation gets dire, feel free to use it. Ordinary people don't have this. As long as you can save your life, you can go anywhere in the future."
Chen Ying opened the cloth bag, picked up the gun and weighed it. It was heavy and the barrel was cold.
"You're so thoughtful that you even thought of this for me."
"This is a short pistol improved by military craftsmen. It has less recoil." He reached over and pointed at the hidden groove on the side of the gun. "The gunpowder is divided into three bags and hidden in the interlayer. When you need it, just pull the small bolt, load the powder, and pull the trigger."
Chen Ying nodded and put the musket back into the leather bag: "Thank you, this is very useful to me."
"I hope you never have to use it."
He stretched out his hand and suddenly placed his palm on her head. Chen Ying was startled but did not dodge. He was very restrained and only rubbed it lightly before moving away.
Chen Ying raised her hand to smooth her messed up hair. She said nothing, but just curled the corners of her lips, as if tacitly agreeing to this moment of intimacy.
Xie Qingyue withdrew his hand, the touch of her hair still lingering on his fingertips. He coughed lightly, feeling extremely reluctant to let go.
Chen Ying turned and walked into the house, took out paper and pen, spread them out on the stone table, and began to write the letter.
Xie Qingyue's eyes fell on the half-dried herbs in the corner of the yard, where bamboo sieves were stacked layer by layer. The Chen family has now moved into a large house on West Street, and the backyard is full of Chen Ying's medicine.
"What are you thinking about?" Chen Ying finished writing the last stroke and folded the letter paper.
Xie Qingyue came back to his senses, took the letter and carefully put it in his inner pocket. He was thinking, I don’t know when we will see each other again.
There was a hint of smile in Chen Ying's eyes: "Stay for dinner tonight."
Xie Qingyue suddenly asked, "Is your little one about to be born?"
Chen Ying smiled and said, "Yes, Ruo Ling hasn't been out much these days."
The sun gradually set in the west, and the shadows of the osmanthus flowers became very long. Chen Jinshi came back from the Hanlin Academy, wearing a round-necked crimson robe with phoenixes on the front and back, and a black gauze crown on his head.
"Amu, I brought you some freshly steamed date paste cake."
As Chen Jinshi entered the courtyard, he saw two people sitting opposite each other at a stone table, with osmanthus flowers falling on their shoulders from under the eaves.
He paused, then stepped forward with a smile, the sunlight casting a hazy shadow on his red robe. "General Xie, why are you here? But you're leaving tomorrow?"
He stood behind Shen Ying, bent down and put down the lunch box in front of her, and asked her softly, "Have you had your tea? Let me warm up a pot of hot Longjing tea for you."
Xie Qingyue stood up, bowed slightly, and his eyes fell on his crimson official uniform: "It's been a while since we last met. Are you getting used to being in the Hanlin Academy lately?"
Chen Jinshi looked away from Chen Ying and returned the greeting: "I'm quite used to it. It's just that I follow the dean scholar to copy books and organize memorials every day."
After saying that, he turned and walked into the house. After a while, he came out with a copper kettle, with white hot steam still coming out of the kettle.
He placed the teacup on the stone table and poured the tea gently. As the hot water poured into the cup, the tea leaves slowly expanded, releasing a refreshing tea fragrance.
Xie Qingyue's eyes swept between the two of them, then he picked up his teacup and took a sip before saying, "Although the Hanlin Academy is a noble place, it also hides many secrets. Your temperament... has become much calmer now. You must remember to be careful in everything you do."
Chen Jinshi put down the teapot, glanced at the musket on the table, and nodded in response, "Thank you, General. It's a long journey to the northern border, so please take good care of yourself. Stay at your house tonight and drink a few more bowls of mutton soup. It will be a token of my gratitude to you."
Chen Ying put away the paper and pen on the table. "The soup is still simmering on the stove. Jinshi, go take a look. They've added herbs to it."
Chen Jinshi responded, and without changing his official robe, he walked over.
In the courtyard, Chen Ying said to Xie Qingyue, "I prepared some ointment for you. Applying it on your face can prevent chapped skin. Take it with you."
The corners of Xie Qingyue's mouth curved slightly. Chen Jinshi had already come out of the kitchen. Xie Qingyue withdrew his gaze. Chen Ying was stuffing the ointment into Xie Qingyue's cloth bag.
She handed the cloth bag over and quickly took it back.
Chen Jinshi came out carrying a soup pot. Now that the courtyard of the mansion was spacious and large, Chen Jinxing and his wife did not often have dinner with them. Besides, Zhang Ruoling rarely saw people nowadays, so Chen Ying did not bother her to avoid having to get up and greet them.
Today, Chen Jinshi and Xie Qingyue will accompany her for dinner.
The pot was wrapped in linen, and steam escaped from the cracks, carrying the warm aroma of mutton and herbs. He placed the pot on the stone table and filled a small bowl for Chen Ying first. He gently skimmed off the foam with a spoon before handing it to her. "Mom, try it first and see if the saltiness is to your liking."
Chen Ying took the bowl and said, "Thank you very much, Mr. Xie. Please help yourself."
Just as Xie Qingyue was about to move, he saw Chen Jinshi pick up another empty bowl, fill it up, and hand it to him: "You won't be able to drink it over there, General Xie, you have to drink enough today."
Xie Qingyue took the bowl and looked up at Chen Jinshi. There was almost no flaw on the other person's face, and he looked gentle and polite.
He smiled and said, "Thank you." He leaned back in his chair and looked up at Chen Jinshi. He didn't know what he was thinking, but he smiled. "Chen Jinshi, you finally became the person you hate the most."
Chen Ying was startled and slowly looked up at Chen Jin. He lowered his head and reached out to brush away the petals on Chen Ying's shoulders. As he moved, the jade belt around his waist swayed slightly, reflecting a little light in the sunlight.
Chen Ying turned her gaze to Xie Qingyue, "Third Young Master Xie, you have changed. You have become a little "bad".
Xie Qingyue now seems to be exactly like Chen Jinshi, who used to be reckless and had no idea what decency was.
Chen Jinshi knows best what kind of people he hates the most and what kind of looks he dislikes the most.
Xie Qingyue is about to stay away from the mansion and the court. Young Master Xie, who grew up under the influence of etiquette, is about to disdain these things, so he becomes wanton and rude today.
He raised an eyebrow at Chen Jinshi.
Chen Jinshi curled his hands gently behind his back and looked up at Xie Qingyue. His face still had a gentle smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. His voice was steady, without any ripples in his voice. "People always change. When I was a child, I was naughty and made Am angry countless times. What I used to despise, now I know is the foundation of my life."
He hooked the hair behind Chen Ying with one hand, and Chen Ying held the edge of the bowl tightly.
"After all... I've been in poor health since I was a child, unlike General Xie. Am taught me a lesson: life is definitely not perfect. Success in one area will naturally lead to failure in another."
Xie Qingyue's gaze was still fixed on him as he continued to ask, "Oh? Where are you feeling proud and frustrated right now?"
Chen Jinshi didn't answer him directly, but just looked at Chen Ying and said, "Mom likes me wearing this crimson official uniform now."
Xie Qingyue didn't ask any more questions. Chen Ying put down the bowl and spoon and said, "Master Xie, I wish you a bright future."
Xie Qingyue was stunned for a moment, his eyebrows drooping: "Dulan, you shouldn't be trapped in this house."
Chen Ying smiled at him gently: "I like it here."
Xie Qingyue's expression gradually became dejected: "Yes, Loufan is really suffering too much."
"Loufan has its own freedom, and the capital has its own peace. Now I'm running the medicine shop, and seeing the peace and tranquility in the mansion, that's good enough." Chen Ying picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. Her eyes fell on the half-dried herbs in the corner of the yard. The leaves in the bamboo sieve still carried the warmth of the sun. She added, "Actually, anything is fine with me."
Xie Qingyue's grip on the soup bowl tightened, causing tiny ripples to appear on the surface. He looked at the smile in Chen Ying's eyes, his Adam's apple moving, and finally a soft sigh: "As long as you're well..." The words came to his lips, but he paused, and ultimately did not say anything. He just picked up the bowl and took a big sip of soup, swallowing the rest of the words.
"I know. You have to take care of yourself too."
The last golden rays of sunlight passed over the eaves before being quietly swallowed by dusk. The light in the backyard gradually dimmed. The herbs, dried all day, still carried a faint herbal fragrance, mixed with the sweet scent of fallen osmanthus flowers, which slowly dissipated in the cool evening breeze.
Xie Qingyue had already said goodbye. Chen Ying stood by the door and watched him walk away. It was unclear whether the emotion in her eyes was reluctance or longing for where he was going.
Chen Jinshi went back to his room and changed into casual clothes. After combing his hair, he let it fall on his shoulders.
The backyard is quiet. The servants gather in the front yard and usually don't come here. There are only two people living in this quiet yard.
Chen Ying straightened her clothes and turned to walk into the house.
Chen Jinshi followed behind her and put a fox fur coat on her.
Chen Ying picked up the musket that Xie Qingyue gave her, wiped it clean carefully, and planned to put it away.
Chen Jinshi asked her, "Can you use it?"
She nodded gently: "Thank you, Master, for teaching me."
She looked back at him, the musket turning neatly in her hand, the cold barrel reflecting the cold light, the barrel pointing at him.
"By the way, can you?"
Chen Jinshi didn't pause for a moment. He continued to move forward, approaching her, his eyes fixed on her hand holding the gun handle. Her fingers were slender, but she held the heavy pistol steadily.
When they were only three feet apart, he slowly stopped and his eyes fell on Shen Ying's calm face: "There's no such thing in the Jinling military camp. It must be something only found in the Imperial Guards."
Chen Ying didn't move her hand holding the musket, her fingertips lightly pressing on the trigger, and said softly: "I heard that this one is very powerful in killing people."
He held her hand, the barrel of the gun pressed against his chest, and asked her, "Is there anyone you want to kill?"
Chen Ying shook her head gently: "Not yet."
She took the musket and said, "Look, the hidden slot for charging the gunpowder is here. Just pull the small bolt and you can load the gunpowder."
She repeated to Chen Jinshi everything Xie Qingyue had taught her.
Chen Jinshi's eyes followed her fingertips as he listened quietly to her teaching him these things, and then he just looked into her eyes.
Chen Ying looked up at him. His long hair was disheveled, and his brows and eyes appeared particularly solemn in the dim light of the lantern. His gentle and polite look had faded a little, and there was a trace of imperceptible forbearance in his eyes.
They were so close that she could hear his heartbeat and his breathing. He was already hard, but he was still listening to her intently, saying the words another man had taught her.
"Have you learned it?"
"I got it, Am."
Chen Ying's voice was so soft it sounded like a sigh: "Did you say it has killed anyone?"
"Maybe."
"Is there anyone you want to kill?" she suddenly raised her eyes and asked him.
Chen Jinshi's Adam's apple moved: "If I want to kill someone, I don't need to use this."
Amidst the rustling sound of the wind, Chen Ying asked him, "What will you do then?"
He slowly turned around, his back to her, and untied the belt around his waist, revealing a tight, strong waist and abdomen. His eyes swept over her neck, and he raised his hand to clasp her jaw. His fingertips were lightly calloused, and the force was not strong, but it was precise enough to make her look up at him.
Then, he slowly slid his thumb to the side of her neck, along her slender neck, with his palm completely pressed against her pulse, and gently pressed with his fingertips.
He lowered his voice very low: "Like this, I can break it easily."
As he finished speaking, the fingers pressing on her neck tightened slightly. The force was full of control. Chen Ying could clearly feel the pressure of her neck being strangled, and her pulse was beating under his palm.
The gentleness in his eyes faded, and when he looked at her, only a deep fire remained.
If it weren't for her, she would probably really think that the person in front of her was going to break her neck.
He approached dangerously, the hand holding her neck not loosening, but the other hand gently stroked the top of her hair, and his warm breath swept across her ear: "Am, are you afraid?"
Chen Ying tilted her head slightly, her fingertips covering the back of his hand that was pinching her neck, and her voice was calm: "No, I know you won't hurt me."
He was reluctant to leave, and gently stroked her pulse with his fingertips, which was warm, slender and fragile.
In the danger of complete oppression, Chen Ying was a little distracted, and her hand couldn't help but pinch his waist.
She tilted her head back, the corners of her eyes slightly raised, her usually gentle eyes now held a hint of unconscious charm, all defenses gone, even containing a hint of desire. His figure was clearly reflected in her pupils, his long hair disheveled, his eyes dark and gloomy.
Chen Jinshi was just stunned, and the hand that was clasping her neck completely loosened its grip, leaving only the fingertips still stroking it gently and reluctantly. A trace of imperceptible regret flashed in her eyes.
"Amu, do you simply trust me not to hurt you, or...if it were me, I would even cut it off."
He didn't know why he asked this. Perhaps he realized that Chen Ying was not a person who cared much about her life. If life was bound to come to an end, then having her neck broken by him was one of the ways she could choose to die.
It’s not about willingness, it’s about ability.
This way is fine, that way is fine, there is no inclination or preference.
She just looked up at him, with only a tiny glimmer in her eyes, as if to say, "Look, where will we end up?"
"It's all right." She said softly.
This isn't complete indulgence, nor is it complete surrender; it's more like an indifference to life, like knowing that some sheep are destined not to survive the winter, or that the herbs in the backyard are destined to dry up in the sun.
Her hand gently stroked his waist and grabbed the hem of his clothes, feeling as if she was leaning her weight on him. Chen Jinshi's Adam's apple rolled suddenly.
Before daybreak, Chen Jinshi walked into the duty room holding a stack of classics. On the desk were piled memorials waiting to be proofread.
The door to the duty room creaked open, and a colleague walked in with two bowls of hot porridge, joking with a smile, "Master Chen is the first one to come every day. It's only the beginning of the morning hour, and your work is already piled up like a mountain."
Chen Jinshi looked up and smiled, then took the bowl of porridge. "The memorials that the dean ordered yesterday need to be proofread before 9:00 today. Let's start early to avoid missing the deadline."
Lord Li jokingly said, "The Prime Minister is interested in cultivating you. If it were me, I would also be eager to come and work before dawn."
Chen Jinshi was stunned for a moment, then replied calmly, "It's my job to do it well."
Just after the Si hour, Chen Jinshi compiled the proofread memorials into a book, tied it with a red string, and sent it to the president's office.
The dean looked through it and saw that the annotations were detailed and the handwriting was neat, and he was very satisfied with this person.
"Jinshi, you are the youngest among this year's Jinshi candidates. I was worried that you were too young to take on responsibilities, and there were rumors that you were naughty. Now it seems that you are very suitable for joining the Hanlin Academy. You have a calm temperament and are talented enough to be a prime minister."
Chen Jinshi nodded without saying anything. He didn't care whether the other party praised him like this at the suggestion of Yang Chang or whether he really thought he had extraordinary abilities.
He was just used to doing everything to the best of his ability and he didn't like being suppressed by others.
The headmaster placed the memorial on the table and looked at him. "Next month, the Eastern Palace will hold an imperial lecture. We need to send a Hanlin to take notes. You should go with them. You will inevitably be asked to take over such tasks in the future."
Chen Jinshi bowed and replied, "I will do my best." He lowered his eyes and stared at the texture of the bricks on the ground.
The Eastern Palace symbolizes future power. Chen Jinshi ranks seventh among the second class. The reason why he is valued by many parties is simply because he is the youngest.
The emperor made this judgment: "Those who are still underage can stand on the throne. It is rare for him to be ranked seventh in the second class. If a half-grown boy gets the third place, it would be too arrogant."
Chen Jinshi naturally didn't know this. He only knew that he ranked ahead of Xie Qingyue, and that was enough.
As we walked out of here, the sun was already high in the sky. My colleague, Lord Zhang, came over and smiled, handing me a well-thumbed book. "I just found it in the library. It's the 'Research on Border Army Food and Grass' you were looking for."
Chen Jinshi took it and said, "Thank you very much."
Lord Zhang waved his hand and said, "Don't be polite to me. I'll need your continued care in the future." He lowered his voice and said, "I heard that the Prime Minister was also present at this imperial lecture."
Chen Jinshi didn't respond. He just lowered his head and flipped through the book. His eyes fell on the words "Transportation of grain and grass to the northern border must be avoided during the snowy season." He suddenly closed the book and said to Master Zhang, "When you're done with your duties today, please help me copy this memorial. I'm going to the Ministry of War."
"What are you going to the Ministry of War for?"
"The military pay memorial I reviewed a few days ago has several discrepancies with the old records in the Ministry of War's archives. I'll go check it out."
Chen Jinshi said it as a routine matter, but in fact he wanted to use the excuse of verification to inquire about the food and grass supply for the border guards in the north.
By the time he emerged from the Ministry of War, the sun was already setting, and the hem of his official uniform swayed slightly in the wind. Carrying the copied booklet, he headed home. Passing by a corner pastry shop, he remembered that Chen Ying liked date paste cakes, so he went in and bought two boxes, wrapped them in paper, and tucked them away.
When he returned home, he first paid his respects to his brother.
"Brother, how is my sister-in-law doing these days?"
Chen Jinxing had just finished writing a letter to Jinling in his study when he saw him come in. "Thank you for your concern. She's doing well. You came home early today. Are you done with your work?"
"Yes, I'll go back to the backyard first."
Chen Jinxing looked at his hurriedly departing back, wanting to say something but stopping himself, and finally let out a sigh.
Chen Ying was squatting beside the stone table, putting dried herbs into a bamboo basket. She was wearing a plain cloth skirt and a simple wooden hairpin in her hair.
The scene was completely different from the gorgeous clothes and glazed tiles he was used to seeing during the day, but it instantly calmed his heart.
"You're back." Chen Ying looked up and saw him, then stood up with a smile.
Chen Jinshi walked forward and handed her the date paste cake in his arms.
Since moving into this house, they have lived in one room. Servants are never allowed into the inner courtyard. Only Wang'er helps with cleaning.
Everywhere here is elegantly and simply maintained, yet exudes warmth.
Chen Ying took the cake and opened the paper package. A sweet fragrance hit her face. She picked up a piece and handed it to him, with a smile in her eyes: "You are so troublesome."
Chen Jinshi took a bite, the sweet yet not greasy taste spreading across his tongue. Seeing the smile in Chen Ying's eyes, he suddenly felt that all the tricks he'd learned in the Hanlin Academy and the daily grind of court affairs had been worth it. He reached out and gently brushed the grass debris from her hair. His movements were gentle, a stark contrast to the calm demeanor he displayed during the daytime at court.
The gloom in his eyes gradually dissipated, and another side of him gradually emerged.
This couch was made of golden silk wood selected by Chen Jinshi, and he personally carved her favorite crabapple on the headboard. The bedding and pillows were made of materials and cores that they both selected together.
Just as Chen Ying untied the laces of her coat, the man behind her hugged her heavily, his whole body filled with an uncontrollable heat.
He rested his chin on her shoulder and lowered his voice, which fell into her ear with his breathing: "Mom, you spoke to me so gently, but I wanted to take off all your clothes. I am so shameless." He put his palm on her back and felt the outline of the straps on her back.
Chen Ying paused slightly, without looking back, just letting him hold her. She could clearly feel the heat of his chest, and the uncontrollable tension when he pressed against her back, like an arrow on a string, with a hidden eagerness.
"Just returned from the Ministry of War?"
"Yeah. Didn't Xie Qingyue ask me to help him check the food supply?"
He leaned over and told her to lie down on the couch.
Chen Ying, you felt the touch of the thin calluses on his palms rubbing against the fabric, and he easily undressed her.
He learned many ways to please her.
"Drink the medicine first."
He raised his head: "Okay."
After drinking the medicine, there is still plenty of time to please her.
His hands caressed and stroked her legs, his nose brushed against her collarbone, his eyes closed, and even the brush of his eyelashes against her skin caused a tiny shudder.
After a moment, he raised his head and asked her, suppressing his anger, "What else do you need?"
He can't wait.
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