Chapter 112 Dream
Occasionally one or two people would walk hurriedly on the deserted street, leaving behind a trail of black footprints, but soon they would be covered by the falling snowflakes, turning the street into a vast expanse of white.
Ji Zheng got out of the carriage. Today was his last day at work. Starting tomorrow, all officials in the court would start their annual leave and would not have to go to the government office to work.
Two warmly dressed servants were sweeping the snow at the gate of the mansion. When they saw Ji Zheng, they immediately stopped what they were doing and bowed, saying, "Master, you are back."
Ji Zheng nodded slightly and strode into the yard.
There were two snowmen in the yard, which he and Ji Hean made together. Ji Hean liked them very much and even picked out two black beads from his treasure box to make eyes for the snowmen.
Thinking of the looks of Ji and An Gaoxing that day, Ji Zheng's lips curled up and he quickened his pace a little.
Arriving at the room, Ji Zheng stamped his feet, shook off the snowflakes on his body, then walked forward and pushed the door open.
But as soon as his hand touched the door, it was opened from the inside.
"I guessed it was you who came back!" Ji Hean's face was flushed, and her eyes were full of joy when she saw Ji Zheng.
After saying that, he reached out for a hug.
Ji Zheng instinctively wanted to hug her, but the moment he raised his hand, he remembered that he was still cold, so he immediately withdrew his hand, "Baby, hug me later. I'm cold right now, and it won't be good if you get frozen."
"Oh." Ji Hean responded, withdrew his hand, and stepped aside to let Ji Zheng come in quickly.
Entering the room, a warm breath filled his face. Ji Zheng took off his cloak, changed his clothes, and then went to the couch to hug Ji Hean.
"What did you do at home today?" Ji asked, touching the person's warm and smooth skin.
Ji Hean lazily leaned against Ji Zheng's chest, yawned slightly and said, "First I chatted with Zhongzi, and then I stayed here to read the storybook."
Ji Zheng hummed softly in a low voice, and began to touch Ji Hean's soft abdomen upwards. He lowered his head and rubbed the top of her head, and asked casually, "Are you bored?"
Ji Hean was of course aware of Ji Zheng's little movements, but he was used to it, so he didn't pay attention to it. Instead, he twisted his waist and adjusted himself into a position that would be convenient for Ji Zheng to touch him.
"It's a bit boring. It's snowing so hard that we can't go out to play."
"Is that so? You've had a hard time, baby. You've been bored at home all day."
Hearing the word "hard work", Ji Hean felt a little shy. He had just spent the whole day at home eating and drinking well and sleeping well, so the word "hard work" had nothing to do with it.
She shyly looked into Ji Zheng's arms and whispered, "It's not hard for me at all. If you want to talk about hardship, it's you, Alang."
"But when I think about how bored my baby is at home alone, I feel really sad." As he spoke, the hand that was touching Ji Hean's shoulder blade slowly moved from his armpit to his chest.
After saying that, he added, "Isn't it very hard for my baby to endure the boring time alone?"
Ji Hean was confused by what he said, and it seemed to make some sense.
Lifting the person's chin with his index finger, Ji Zheng lowered his head and kissed his loved one's rosy lips.
The hand that did not belong to Ji Hean in his clothes had already reached into his bellyband.
After the red fruit was slowly licked and lifted, Ji Hean's breathing began to become rapid, and her long eyelashes began to tremble.
She looked at Ji Zheng with moist eyes and said aggrievedly, "We already did it yesterday, are you doing it again today?"
This bullied little lamb look made Ji Zheng's breathing become heavy. His hands kept moving. He did not answer Ji Hean's words, but kept calling "baby" in a low voice.
The voice was full of infinite temptation, and while he was calling, his hands were moving around restlessly.
In the end, Ji Hean finally softened her heart, leaned over and lay in Ji Zheng's arms, biting Ji Zheng's ear and softly instructed, "Then you...then you have to listen to me later, okay?"
The soft, juice-filled pleading words sounded like pure seduction to Ji Zheng's ears at this moment. He put his big hand on the person's buttocks, and his heavy breathing hit the person's head, and he made an unclear "hmm" sound.
The torn clothes on the ground, the shaking couch, the slender arms that fell and were quickly caught, and the crying sounds like kittens were finally covered by the incessant snow.
Her eyelashes were wet with tears and stuck together. The corners of her eyes were flushed. She was wearing only a large undershirt. Ji Hean lay limply on the bed like a boneless person. Her exposed knees were red and purple. One could tell at a glance that it was caused by kneeling for too long.
....
Since he no longer had to deal with official business, Ji Zheng stayed at home all day with Ji He'an. The two of them stayed together all day, playing chess, reading, painting, or watching the snow.
In the past, Ji Zheng found these activities boring, but with Ji Hean, he didn't find them boring at all. Instead, he just felt that there was not enough time.
Happy days always pass by in the blink of an eye.
After the New Year, the snow showed no sign of stopping and continued to fall. The spring ploughing season was approaching, but the farming work could not be carried out due to the continuous heavy snow, which made Emperor Ren worried.
As soon as he opened the seal of the imperial edict, he immediately issued an order to go to Xiangguo Temple to pray for the people, hoping that God would have mercy on them and make the weather favorable so that the people could carry out spring ploughing smoothly and ensure the harvest and people's livelihood would be stable this year.
Now that the decree has been issued, all civil and military officials must naturally accompany him.
For a while, the entire court was busy preparing for this trip. The Ministry of Rites was busy preparing related etiquette matters to ensure that the blessing ceremony was solemn and appropriate; the Ministry of War dispatched guard forces to ensure the safety of Emperor Ren and all officials; and other departments also performed their duties, either preparing supplies or arranging itineraries, all of which were intensively preparing for this trip that was related to the country's destiny and people's livelihood.
A large group of people arrived at Xiangguo Temple in a mighty manner.
The monks in the temple had already lined up outside the mountain gate, with their hands clasped together and their brows lowered as they chanted scriptures to show their respect. Emperor Ren, wearing a gorgeous dragon robe, walked into the temple with a solemn look, followed by a group of civil and military officials dressed in court robes and walking solemnly.
In front of the Main Hall, smoke curls up and fills the cold air, adding a bit of mystery and solemnity to this world of ice and snow.
Emperor Ren was the first to kneel down on the cushion, clasped his hands together, closed his eyes, and prayed silently: "May the gods have mercy on us and stop the snowfall soon. May our people have a smooth spring ploughing, have plentiful food in our granaries, avoid the suffering of famine, and may our country prosper and the four seas be at peace."
Afterwards, all the officials knelt down one after another and shouted in unison: "May God bless our emperor and bless the people."
The sound echoed in the corridors of the temple for a long time.
After the blessing ceremony, Emperor Rendi visited the temple under the guidance of the presiding monk. They walked through the winding corridors, passed the Sutra Pavilion, and came to a pagoda in the backyard.
Emperor Ren looked up at the pagoda, deep in thought.
At this time, an old minister stepped forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, this tower has a long history and is said to be quite effective. It may be able to relieve your Majesty's worries."
Emperor Ren nodded slightly and ordered someone to bring pen and ink to write the poem "Auspicious snow prays for a good harvest, Buddha's grace protects all living beings" on the stone tablet under the tower.
It is hoped that the power of Buddha and public opinion can help resolve the current snow disaster, get the country back on track, and allow the people to live and work in peace.
Ji Zheng actually doesn't believe in Buddhism, but at this moment he made a wish, hoping that the heavy snow would stop soon so that farmers could have a smooth spring plowing and sowing.
Xiangguo Temple is located on the hillside in the western suburbs. Ji Zheng stood here and looked down. All he could see was endless white, which even gave him the illusion that the world was white.
"Ji Zheng." It was Mu Ce's voice.
Looking back, Mu Ce had come to his side without him noticing.
Although the two are from the same department, Ji Zheng was transferred to other departments to help with the blessing matters these days, so they haven't seen each other for a while.
Seeing the dark circles under Mu Ce's eyes and his listless appearance, Ji Zheng asked curiously and concernedly, "What's wrong with you?"
After saying that, as if remembering something, he added, "Could it be that the emperor has arranged a marriage for you?"
Mu Ce waved his hands and said, "That's not it."
"and you....."
Before he could finish his words, Mu Ce approached him and whispered, "I think I've seen a ghost."
Ji Zheng: "?" He reached out and touched Mu Ce's forehead, saying, "You don't have a fever, why are you talking nonsense?"
Mu Ce pushed Ji Zheng's hand away and said with resentment, "I am serious."
Ji Zheng: "Then tell me, why did you encounter a ghost?"
Mu Ce sighed heavily and said, "Since the past few days, I have always had the same dream. In the dream, I am standing in a strange hospital. There are many people in the hospital, but those people can't see me, and I can't move."
After hearing this, Ji Zheng fell silent, because he had had the same dream in the past few days, but he didn't take it seriously and thought he was too tired from praying these days.
After a while, Ji Zheng asked, "What does the hospital in your dream look like?"
"It's just an ordinary hospital, but I can always see a painting in my direction. It's strange, it's obviously a hospital, why is there a painting hanging there?" Mu Ce replied.
"Does that calligraphy say 'Death is life'?" Ji Zheng asked.
Mu Ce nodded, and then as if he had realized something, he widened his eyes and said in a much higher voice, "No, how did you know that?"
"Because I had the same dream as you." Ji Zheng replied dimly.
"You also encountered a ghost?" Mu Ce answered reflexively, and then received a roll of the eyes from Ji Zheng.
After laughing awkwardly twice, he frowned and asked, "Why do you think we both have the same dream..."
Ji Zheng lowered his eyes and thought for a while, feeling a little uneasy about the guess in his heart, "Maybe we are not dead yet..."
The words were said quietly, but they fell into Mutse's ears, and it was like a bomb dropped on him. He stuttered, "You, you, what did you say?"
Ji Zheng didn't say anything, but his brows were tightly furrowed, and he looked like he was worried about something.
Mu Ce was not stupid either. He quickly understood what Ji Zheng wanted to say. He tried hard to suppress his excitement. He moved closer to Ji Zheng and lowered his voice to ask, "Are you saying what I thought you meant?"
"I don't know, maybe." Suppressing his emotions, Ji Zheng returned to his indifferent look.
Whether it is true or not, he will not go back. Wherever Ji Hean is, there he will be.
Mu Ce didn't notice Ji Zheng's expression. He was completely immersed in the joy of finally being able to go back.
He had had enough of this shabby place with no electricity, no internet, and no humanity.
He exhaled heavily, and the light in Mu Ce's eyes became brighter. He looked up and looked around. Seeing that no one was coming, he lowered his voice and said, "The phrase 'death is life' means that we have to die in this time and space before we can go back, right?"
"Maybe." Ji Zheng replied, "Who knows?"
This time, Mu Ce could tell that Ji Zheng's tone was not right. He asked hesitantly, "Ji Zheng, you... don't want to go back?"
"I don't want to." Ji Zheng answered directly.
The excitement was immediately reduced by more than half. "Is it because of Ji Hean?"
Ji Zheng nodded.
Seeing the man nod so decisively, Mu Ce fell silent.
The two have always been friends. Mu Ce naturally does not want Ji Zheng to stay in this ancient monarchy. Although Ji Zheng is doing well now, the living standards and medical levels of this era are far inferior to those of the 21st century.
More importantly, this was an era when the emperor was the ruler and one could never know when he would die.
"Is it worth it?" Mu Ce asked again, "Don't you like doing scientific research the most? When you go back, you can go to your favorite university."
After that, without waiting for Ji Zheng to speak, he continued: "Love is a very empty thing. You are only twenty now, and you still have a long way to go in the future. Are you sure you won't regret it?"
Knowing that Mu Ce was doing this for his own good, Ji Zhengchong smiled at him and said, "Of course it's worth it. Life is so short, and it's not easy to meet someone who is mutually agreeable and suitable for you."
Looking at the white snow-capped mountains in the distance, Ji Hean's figure appeared in his mind. Ji Zheng's mouth corners slowly raised, with warmth in his eyes, "I am sure I will not regret it. I will always love him until my life ends."
Seeing Ji Zheng like this, Mu Ce got goosebumps all over his body. He took two steps in disgust and distanced himself from Ji Zheng, "Ji Zheng, don't be like this. I feel like vomiting."
"...Do you believe that if you spit it out, I can let you eat it back?" This was a naked threat. Mu Ce smiled awkwardly and said, "Just a joke."
After saying that, he immediately changed the subject and asked, "Are you sure he will always love you? If I remember correctly, he is two years younger than you, right?"
Retracting his gaze, Ji Zheng replied: "It doesn't matter whether he loves me or not, as long as I love him."
Mu Ce was speechless. His eyes turned into admiration when he looked at Ji Zheng. He gave Ji Zheng a thumbs up and said, "You are awesome. I didn't know you are also a super love brain."
"Tsk, this is called affection. You, a single person who has never experienced love, have no right to judge me." Ji Zheng retorted.
"Forget it, mind your own business. I have already advised you anyway." Mu Ce sighed.
Then he straightened his expression and changed the subject, "Let's think about how to get back first. I don't want to stay here any longer."
Ji Zheng also nodded.
At this time, a little nun came to inform them to go to the backyard to have the fasting meal.
The two looked at each other, stopped talking tacitly, and followed the little monk away.
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